When Comedy Went to School

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When Comedy Went to School

Released Jul 31, 2013

1h 17m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

55%

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33 Reviews

48%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

The greatest generation of Jewish-American comedians begin their careers at a boot camp in the Catskill Mountains.

Donald Liebenson

RogerEbert.com

One minute it's about the comedians, the next it's about the Catskills guest experience, the next about the Jewish immigrant experience and Jewish theatre, and the next about indefatigable Jewish humor itself.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 11, 2013

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Stephanie Merry

Washington Post

Will do little to crystallize the convoluted picture of how the Catskills had a lasting impact on comedy.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 10, 2013

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Shapeless and generic.

Oct 10, 2013

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

When Comedy Went to School doesn't just touch on the history of Jewish comedians but the role that the Catskills played in building up the American dream.

Rated: 4/5

May 5, 2025

Full Review

Kam Williams

Baret News

Enlightening history lessons and lots of one-liners delivered by yesteryear's stars of tomorrow preserved on vintage footage of yesteryear.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 21, 2014

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Kelly Vance

East Bay Express

Relaxed, affable look back at the golden age of Jewish resorts of New York's Catskill Mountains.

Oct 11, 2013

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StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 17 minutes of real comedy footage!!!!!!!!!! It IS true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very little humor in this "comedy" salute. Drags.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Mevlut Akkaya

Director

Ron Frank

Director

Robert Klein

Narrator

Lawrence Richards

Screenwriter

Mevlut Akkaya

Producer

Ron Frank

Producer

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Synopsis

The greatest generation of Jewish-American comedians begin their careers at a boot camp in the Catskill Mountains.

Director: Mevlut Akkaya, Ron Frank
Producer: Mevlut Akkaya, Ron Frank, Lawrence Richards
Screenwriter: Lawrence Richards
Distributor: International Film Circuit [us]
Production Co: Catskill Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $367.9K
Runtime: 1h 17m