Michele StuevenSock It To Me, a new documentary on producer/director/showrunner and Godfather of Comedy, George Schlatter, will open the 26th Annual Beverly Hills Film Festival on Monday, April 13, which runs through Sunday, April 19, at the TCL Chinese Theater.
At 96, legendary producer Schlatter reflects on a lifetime of groundbreaking television, from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In to Real People and the creative revolution that followed, paving the way for shows like Saturday Night Live.
The film offers rare archival footage and candid interviews with artists who have known Schlatter, including Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin, Martin Short, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Lionel Richie, Berry Gordy, and Clive Davis.
Schlatter revolutionized television with pre-TikTok rapid-fire satire, bold political humor, and a visual style that captured the spirit of a changing America. At the height of the cultural upheaval of the late 1960s, Laugh-In became a national phenomenon, launching careers, putting the establishment and hippies on the same screen, and getting President Richard Nixon to say “Sock It To Me” on national television.
Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In (Courtesy George Schlatter)
“The women on that show were responsible for its success more than anything,” Schlatter, who started his career as a bouncer at Ciro’s nightclub, which ironically, is now The Comedy Store, tells LA Weekly. We had some very funny ladies. Goldie, Lily, Ruth Buzzi, Jo Anne Worley, Teresa Graves, and Judy Carne. Goldie alone was a goldmine and was probably the brightest woman on television. She was easily confused, and the secret was to keep her confused. She was about as ditzy as I am skinny, and that laugh was pure gold. Joanne was an air raid siren, and Lily was super informed about everything that was going on. Teresa Graves was amazing. We were doing humor with a gorgeous black lady, which was unheard of at that point.”
The documentary is a continuous parade of stories and humor from those who have worked with Schlatter over his decades-long career, including his wife of 70 years, Jolene Brand.
“Laugh-In was a romp,” says Schlatter, who equates humor with longevity, citing comic legends like Betty White, Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, and Milton Berle, among others. “Everybody needs to laugh. When you see a baby laugh, you know it’s a bright child. Laughing and comedy are the best therapy. If you can make somebody laugh, they’re well on their way to recovery.”
Air raid siren, Jo Anne Worley in “Sock it to Me.”
With 450 films representing more than 65 countries, other highlights at the festival include:
- Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me, directed by Kristy Bell, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Billy Idol, John Waters, Linda Perry, Sting, and Yungblud.
- The Highest Stakes, directed by Tony Dean Smith, starring Seth Green, Kevin Dillon, Charlie Weber, and Dylan Walsh.
- Crystal Cross, directed by Richie James Follin, starring Rubyrose Hill, Missi Pyle, Samantha Robinson, and Lukas Haas.
- Elvis, Rocky, & Me: The Carol Connors Story, directed by Alex Rotaru, starring Carol Connors, Barbi Benton, Mike Tyson, Dionne Warwick, and Diane Warren.
- Boris is Dead, directed by James Cullen Bressack, starring Dane Cook, Cam Gigandet, Jesse Metcalfe, James Duval, Steven Bauer, and Martin & Jesse Kove.
- Bonding, directed by Victoria Trofimenko, starring Jefferson White, Gloria Reuben, Tate Donovan, and Alexandra Doke.
In addition to high-profile premieres, there will also be filmmaker Q&As, curated panel discussions, and industry networking events designed to spark collaboration and spotlight bold new voices. Outdoor programming and special events across Beverly Hills are also planned.