A delightful discovery on Netflix recently was ‘Bathtubs Over Broadway’. In this enthralling documentary, a comedy writer for the David Letterman show stumbles upon a hidden world of corporate entertainment that was seen only by business employees at conventions. It was not available to the general public.
Discovered initially through old LP recordings at second hand shops, his obsession with the songs composed specifically for these shows with often top performers like Chita Rivera, Tony Randall and others, leads him to contact surviving cast members and composers.
This is a fascinating look at a casual interest that turns into an obsession about the hidden world of lavish corporate entertainment in the 1950s and 60s. It’s beautifully made, funny and curiously touching as well.
Be quick to catch it as it finishes its Netflix run on 29 July.
