Same Old Story

[Ethergirl]

Smart, funny man. RIP Mr. Brecher

[SteveArpo]

I have just tuned into this video whilst searching for a Stevie Wonder song of the same name. As a movie and music fan I will be watching a lot more of this stuff. When I see this ninety-four year old man I don't see an old man but the you man still inside him.

[marinagipps]

This is an insightful piece on a subject that has been long overlooked by the masses. I agree with blibbletyblop. When the strike went on in California so many writers had been affected for so long...including my own friends who were Ivy League educated & exploited nonetheless.

It is a shame that nothing has changed which is precisely why this documentary is of journalistic value. From a technical/artistic perspective, it is well-edited, shot, written and directed. A Palm D'Or here...kudos.

[fromthesidelines]

"They figured it was better for selling their beer (on TV)", Mr. Brecher wrote me. His {Pabst} radio show, starring William Bendix, continued until 1951. After Bendix got out of his movie contract in 1952, Brecher leased the series' rights to NBC in a 15 year agreement; they produced the 1953-'58 series starring Bendix, which Brecher acquired after 1967. He also had the 26 Gleason episodes, but Jackie filed suit against Brecher in '68 to keep them off TV, which he did until January 1977.

[SWISSCOLORVISION]

'The Wicked Wit of The West'. What a great book.

Comedy is the hardest, and least appreciated art form.

[fromthesidelines]

..to make up the deficit in filming the show every week instead of producing it "live" [Brecher eventually syndicated the show]; and how Pabst and its ad agency, Warwick & Legler, double-crossed him at option time in January 1950 when they asked for just six more episodes instead of the 13 they originally agreed on. He stopped production at 26, they later found out "six more weeks" would have taken the show into May 1950, when Pabst began sponsoring "BLUE RIBBON BOUTS" on CBS....

[fromthesidelines]

Mr. Brecher was kind enough to correspond with me over the years, and he told me, first hand, the difficulties of trying to produce "THE LIFE OF RILEY" as a TV show starring Jackie Gleason in 1949-'50. How Brecher's own agents at William Morris rejected the idea of using Jackie; how Pabst Brewing Company, the sponsor of the radio and TV show in 1949, didn't want Gleason, either [William Bendix's RKO contract wouldn't let him appear on TV]; how he paid $2000 out of his own pocket....

[thecomedian]

RIP

[mortysand]

R.I.P. Irv.

[bchfront]

My deepest apologies. I am myself the son of a pretty well-known writer and the grandson of a Hollywood composer. I always believe in giving credit to the writer. And when it comes to a guy like Irv Brecher, he doesn't need any help from anybody -- his credits speak for themselves! If I am wrong, then I heard the story wrong. Sorry. Several years ago I was rushing to meet an agent one early-morning at Nat n'Al's in Bev. Hills, and Mr. Brecher held the door for me on my way in. Thank you, Sir. RJ

[bchfront]

...and, Mr. Brecher failed to add, that he only wrote it because, allegedly, the initial sponsers turned-down "The Life Of Riley" (which I believe was first-called "The Flotsam Family"). Groucho, the proposed star of the series, said, "What a revolting-development this is". Revolting or no, Mr. Brecher is one of the great survivors of the industry. God bless him! R.J.

[blibbletyblop]

It was not Groucho's line. You do a great disservice to a great writer to take away credit. I know you said "allegedly" but it worked the other way. Groucho used Irv's lines...Irv didn't use Groucho's.

[Thinribs]

Totally disgraceful to take away your copyrights

[CoraHallett]

God love you! Thank you for taking the time to chat and advise your fellow WGA members. The Greedy bastards go on and on... Bless the sucessful writers who still speak out... and haven't yet joined the ugly ranks of the DIRTY 30.

[DirtHerder009]

You can not make a film without them. It is just that simple. Actors ~ Directors ~ Producers ~ Cinematographers ~ Stage hands ~ builders ~ Caterers ~ Costumers ~ SFX ~ Electricians ~ and on and on... All can be changed at the drop of the hat. To the End, They All revolve around the scribe(s). It is the Engine that drives Everything. Why doesn't the WGA realize that?!!

[fluffyfuzzbox]

This is a compelling video! Hes still angry!!!!! Wow! Get Obama on the case!

[rosebudz1]

Irv at last has a book about his days with the Marx Bros and Garland at MGM, Jackie Gleason and early days making TV shows like The Life of Riley coming out soon from Ben Yehuda Press

....7 years in the making!!!!.................

[pinkpolkadot1256]

you're terrific! If I were a legal adult I'd represent you for sure!

[Pervenche09]

Director Guild already made and agreement with AMPTP....near six months before the contra expires for them.....lets see if wga can do the same!!! DGA,org to see details of deal made

[MissHarpoMarx]

Well done Irving..Well done!

Possibly one of the greatest writers ever!

[mikedubya]

Wow. There's something about these old codgers (no offense!) that just demands respect. These guys have been through it, you know?

[gypsyjude]

Whow now I know why writers are so under-rated it's because they haven't got any ego - just brilliant lines!!! Shame on the whole shabang!! How dare they bully writers - we can't help it if all we have to offer is our genius ...

[Pitski13]

its a shame that this man who is living history was deprived of the just residuals he deserved. Think about how many times his work has been shown on cable, let alone DVD. The guy should be worth millions. Support the strike, and let the producers know it!

[mnoe817]

Man, I wish I could give ten stars to this video!

[mares2327]

I'm from Michigan, alot of us have been writing and telephoning the networks, & ITunes to let them know we're boycotting programming and all downloads until the writers are given the fair deal they deserve. Out here in Michigan, 1,000 workers lose their jobs each week, and face destitution. We know that the writers will stand with us in being activist for change to return a just economy, jobs and wages to the American people.

[ceeceecat]

Fabulous!!!! Bless you for your wisdom, voice, and amazing words....that withstand the test of time...(as have you doll!!!!)

[heine71]

He's not talking about the WGA strike of 1907!

[e4rl7gu7]

What a Hollywood treasure this man is. It amazes me what producers will do to horde all the cash...I've been in on 4 DGA negotiations, so I am experienced in this regard.

[BlargyBlue]

Excellent! Love him. "He only said it...because I wrote it". So true, and when will the studios learn!?

[rubydartz]

What an eloquent spokesperson Mr Brecher is.

Can we get him on the Local One negotiations committee in New York?

signed,

IATSE 764 member

[DanielKinske]

Mr. Brecher is a great friend of mine (he told me about this clip) and I'm so very proud him for taking the time to help out his fellow writers. He has trouble seeing physically--but sees the world itself with such clarity and sharpness--and of course, wit. We could all use a million more like him. I hope his spoken voice is heard with the many others--who provide the written voices to the actors who get the limelight and the pay too. Now, it's time the writers get their due.

-daniel...

[HarpoSpoke]

Agreed (I can't help but think Irving would come up with a better response than that...)

[Yep147]

"What a revolt'n development this is!"

So that's who made that up!! ...wondering for years about that one.

Good man, Mr. Brecher! I bought The Shadow of the Thin Man on DVD. Did you get a cut of it?

Copyright laws are bullshit. Warped by un-talented garbage that is corporate executives.

[ARIES560]

RIGHT ON!

[ManilaSyndicate]

One man I'd love to spend a day with. The stories he could tell.

[gjk0005]

you better do it soon, far as i can tell

[ManilaSyndicate]

"you better do it soon, far as i can tell"

Heh heh, true.

[sooobored]

In response to glk0005- that wasn't funny or necessary. you are inappropriate.

[madmadhatter]

STFU moron, and I mean you sooobored...

[sooobored]

you aren't necessary either madmadhatter and I mean your comment to me and your existence in general.

[MadScout]

Ditto.

[twilightmark]

What an inspiration! Happy Birthday and may the strike meet a speedy and fair conclusion.

[AdArmand]

Excellent words, Mr Brecher!

[whatisthisshiiit]

Happy 94th birthday, Mr. Brecher! And many, many more. Brilliant work by a brilliant man.

[bobbytanks]

Fucken A! Eat that, you lousy, egomaniacal fat cats! It's the time of the turning, time to set things right. This is it, it's now or never. This is a fuse that's been burning for years and it is now exploding. BIG. Be strong, brother writers! Hold the line!!

[PJoseph73]

That is fantastic! I have to say too, Irving's comic timing is wonderful. What a great clip and what a great idea to produce it.

pJ

[misslulu2u]

Writer Nell Scovell put this together - applause for Nell!

[jenpenaqua492]

Awsome, but who was it that put this together? Irv himself, or did someone go out and track him down?

[FannyBrownRicer]

Come on -- that's awesome! What a vid!!

[BobbyPeru]

"I'm still waiting."  Love that Irv. Support the writers.

[krimsonnoiro]

"No gifts please." Awesome.

Fair is fair...let's do it for Irv, so he can hit 100 with a squirt of milk (or at least a digital download resid)

Blank script pages don't fill themselves.

(And if you think reality TV is true reality, then tell me why they aren't broadcast "Live"?)

[MadScout]

Great question. :D

[glickla]

Fantastic!

[RickCalvert]

Absolutely lovely. I haven't heard a single person on the street who supports the producers on this. Everyone I know is backing the writers! Go WGA!!!

[UncleCharlieOakley]

Superb.

[otterpox1973]

I love this video -- especially Brecher's last line.

[filmphobia]

Wow.

[schmo0o0o]

I <3 this man.

[ECWLunatic95]

I thought it was informative and entertaining.

[misslulu2u]

Fantastic!