Leave 'Em Laughing is a 2020 drama short film directed by Chris Cashman and written by Cashman, Carlo Coppo and Christopher Lusti. The film stars Matthew Glave, Pete Gardner and Barrie Chase. It screened at San Diego International Film Festival, The Valley Film Festival, Woods Hole Film Festival and won Best Art Design at Oceanside International Film Festival. The story is set around Dick Shawn's final act at University of California, San Diego.
Contents
Plot
When Dick Shawn's stand up routine takes a not so funny turn, the audience is left to wonder what they just witnessed.
Cast
Matthew Glave
Pete Gardner
Barrie Chase
Nikki Tyler-Flynn
Jackie Flynn
Mark Christopher Lawrence
Joe Nunez
Production
The film is based on a Los Angeles Times article written by Carlo Coppo. It circles around Coppo's experience of Dick Shawn's final performance at University of California, San Diego. The film was submitted to Sundance Film Festival and Tribeca Film Festival.
Matthew Glave was cast as Dick Shawn and Pete Gardner portrayed Carlo Coppo.
Release
The film screened at San Diego International Film Festival, Oceanside International Film Festival, The Valley Film Festival, Coronado Island Film Festival, Woods Hole Film Festival, SENE Film, Music & Arts Festival and Austin Indie Fest.
Reception
Critical response
Alan Ng of Film Threat scored the film 7.5 out of 10 claiming the "final act is why you want to see" the film.