STORYLINE: A documentary about the legendary 1972 Toronto production of the musical about the life of Jesus, which launched many illustrious careers and ignited a comedy revolution.  (IMDb)

    How’s the saying go?  There’s no business like show business!  In 1950’s Sunset Boulevard, Gloria Swanson portrayed an actress trying to stay relevant in the show business industry.  This is Spinal Tap (1984) mocked the world of rock n’ roll entertainment, in hilarious fashion.   The biopic Chaplin (1992) showcased an icon of the show business world, Charlie Chaplin.  The 2025 documentary, You Had to be There, is about the show business industry. 

     Under the umbrella term show business, many factors of entertainment are coveted. Everything from film to plays with music in between. You Had to be There documents a theater troop, in 1972 Canada, as they put together a production of Godspell.  From this troop, the careers of celebrities, such as Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, and Martin Short are launched.  

    A documentary, like You Had to be There, lends itself to being a fluff piece.  The interviews tend to be, a bit of behind the scenes, of an event, and pretty much all positive. The film tends to be stacked with celebrities.  There will be stock footage, mixed in with talking heads style interviews.  

   That is exactly what viewers will find here.  Fans of Godspell, and the previously mentioned celebrities as well as stars John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, and Victor Garbor are sure to be delighted by this feature film.  Theater fans, in general as well.  

    While a slight change from the documentaries that fluff pieces on musicians You Had to be There still is a fluff piece still in the entertainment world. Between films like this, and documentaries about current world affairs I am growing weary of the genre. That’s why I was drawn to Secret Mall Apartment, last year. It was a documentary that colored outside those lines. 

    Personal note, I enjoyed the irony of seeing material about a play, in movie format, in a movie theater.

    You Had to be There is a stereotypical fluff documentary, about the entertainment industry. At least it was a break from the music world.

     Until next time, I will see you at the movies!