Brandeis Alumni, Family and Friends

Brandeis Library Acquires Original, Unreleased Lenny Bruce Short Film

January 2, 2019

The Brandeis Library is very pleased to announce the acquisition of an original, unreleased short film featuring comedian Lenny Bruce.

The untitled 12-and-a-half minute 16mm film is a darkly comic, silent account of a down-on-his-luck street newspaper salesman, played by Bruce. The film follows the ups-and-downs — mainly downs — of the main character, from his dreams of owning a motorcycle jacket, to his clashes with the landlady of the flophouse in which he resides (probably played by Bruce’s mother, Sally Marr), and an accidental, fateful run-in with a drug dealer and police.

The film is a significant addition to Special Collections existing, extensive Lenny Bruce collection. 

Learn more about this acquisition from the Brandeis Library.