David Leaf

American Dream: Detroit

The comeback of Detroit is poised to be the greatest turnaround story of American history.

Release Date: 2018-05-01

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees

A star-studded tribute concert celebrating the iconic pop trio's impressive career.

Release Date: 2017-04-16

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Vote Count: 5

Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?)

The life and work of the enigmatic singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson.

Release Date: 2010-10-26

Department: Production

Job: Producer

Vote Count: 37

The Television Revolution Begins: "All in the Family" Is On the Air

DVD featurette documenting the success of "All in the Family".

Release Date: 2009-06-09

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Those Were the Days: The Birth of "All in the Family"

DVD featurette documenting the beginnings of "All in the Family"

Release Date: 2009-06-09

Department: Production

Job: Producer

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston

On April 5, 1968, soul legend James Brown performed a concert in Boston that many say shielded that city from the kinds of devastating riots that ripped other cities apart after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Release Date: 2008-04-05

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 5

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

A documentary on the life of John Lennon, with a focus on the time in his life when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist.

Release Date: 2006-09-15

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 64

The Divine Bette Midler

Follow the career of the Divine Miss M -- singer and actress Bette Midler -- from the bathhouses to Broadway to starring film roles. This A&E biography tells the story of the Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe winner through interviews with friends, family, colleagues and the superstar herself. See clips from stage performances and films, and learn how the star of such films as The Rose, Beaches, and Down and Out in Beverly Hills has stayed on top.

Release Date: 2005-01-01

Department: Production

Job: Executive Producer

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

This film tells (using modern day interviews and archival footage and sound tapes) the story of how in 1967, while his band The Beach Boys triumphantly toured abroad, Brian Wilson was trying to push the boundaries of conventional pop music with a new follow-up to the Beach Boys' cutting-edge mega-hit, Pet Sounds. The new album was to be called "SMiLE". SMiLE pushed the envelope both musically and lyrically, and was supposed to out-do the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper record. But Brian wasn't able to sell the project to his band-mates when they returned. The project was shelved and Wilson's well-documented decline into depression, drug abuse, recluseness, and obesity had begun. Thirty-odd years later, Wilson announced that in 2004, SMiLE would be performed live in its entirety in London. This film tells the story of a damaged but healing artist bringing his greatest work to light.

Release Date: 2004-10-05

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 7

Jack Paar: Smart Television

PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.

Release Date: 2003-11-29

Department: Production

Job: Producer

Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

The documentary Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter contains numerous clips from the film and television work of the beloved entertainer. These snippets are intercut with interview footage featuring people who worked with Hope as well as film historian Leonard Maltin who provides a context for Hope's career. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Release Date: 2003-11-11

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Vintage Sinatra

Performing timeless pieces such as "Night & Day" and "I've Got You Under My Skin," Sinatra's legendary voice and easy manner charms audiences young and old. As he suggests in the shows opening scene, singing "Come Fly With Me," Sinatra takes his fans on a journey back to his Capitol era, where he garnered the reputation he still holds today, as one of the finest American popular singers and entertainers of all time. VINTAGE SINATRA also features rare footage of Sinatra's heart-warming Valentine's Day performance of "My Funny Valentine" to a young, blushing Nancy Sinatra on "The Frank Sinatra Show." This exceptional retrospective also features Sinatra's personal favorite genre, smoky, dark and swanky nightclub music. With performances of "The Lady is a Tramp" and "Angel Eyes," Sinatra's zest for life and music shines brightly.

Release Date: 2003-07-28

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 1

Bee Gees - Live by Request

Celebrating 35 years of hitmaking, the Bee Gees take the stage in New York City with host Mark McEwen taking the requests as Barry, Maurice and Robin play your favorite songs from the last four decades. From A&E's popular "Live by Request" music series, the brothers Gibb perform five new classics and over a dozen all-time favorites in this unique, intimate concert captured in glorious surround sound. Songs: This Is Where I Came In, She Keeps on Coming, Sacred Trust, Man in the Middle, Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, I Started a Joke, Jive Talkin', How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Gotta Get a Message To You, Acoustic Medley: New York Mining Disaster/Run to Me/Too Much Heaven/Islands in the Stream/Holiday/A Woman in Love/Guilty/Nights on Broadway, Wedding Day, Lonely Days, How Deep Is Your Love, You Should Be Dancin'.

Release Date: 2001-04-27

Department: Production

Job: Consulting Producer

Vote Count: 6

Bee Gees: This Is Where I Came In

This Is Where I Came In is the Bee Gees' 22nd and final studio album (twentieth worldwide), released in 2001. It is the only album of all-new material released by them on the Universal Music label (which had acquired the rights to the group's releases on Polydor Records when they bought that label's parent PolyGram). The album peaked at #6 in the UK, while the single, "This Is Where I Came In", reached #18. In the US, the album peaked at #16. The group appeared on the A&E concert series Live by Request in April, 2001 to promote the new album.

Release Date: 2001-04-24

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 3

Dean Martin: That's Amore

Like his fellow Rat Packers, pop crooner Dean Martin was more than just an accomplished singer--he also enjoyed success as a movie star, comedian, and host of a popular television series. THAT'S AMORE pulls rare gems from the Dean Martin archive, carefully compiling the star's greatest pop hits, including "Young and Foolish," "Pennies from Heaven," and of course, "That's Amore."

Release Date: 2001-01-01

Department: Directing

Job: Director

The Unknown Peter Sellers

Documentary about the life and career of a comic genius, Peter Sellers.

Release Date: 2000-04-25

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 4

Jonathan Winters: On the Loose

A comic mastermind who influenced generations of comedians, Jonathan Winters has been making audiences laugh for nearly half a century. This retrospective presents rare footage of Winters -- from his first TV series ("The Jonathan Winters Show" in 1956) to appearances on dozens of talk and variety shows and in numerous feature films. Those interviewed include Robin Williams and singer Andy Williams, on whose show Winters was a frequent guest.

Release Date: 2000-01-01

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

I Just Wasn't Made for These Times is a documentary about the life of Brian Wilson, the musical mastermind and songwriter for the Beach Boys. The film examines the ups and downs of Wilson's life, including the early years of the Beach Boys, his years of substance abuse, and his long road to recovery.

Release Date: 1995-05-31

Character: Self

Vote Count: 1

You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night'

Thirty years after A Hard Day's Night, its producer, director, writer and others describe its making. United Artists Records came to Walter Shenson, asking him to produce a movie so UA could issue a soundtrack album. Shenson signed Lester to direct, and they got the Beatles to agree to star. Shenson sent Owen to Dublin to spend time with the Fab Four; from this came a script built around their being prisoners of their own success. Phil Collins, himself an extra on A Hard Day's Night, hosts this examination of a seminal film: what was ad-libbed, why was it a hit, what was its influence on other movies, and how did it define the way the public viewed each Beatle for years to come?

Release Date: 1995-01-01

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Vote Count: 1

The Unknown Marx Brothers

A tribute to the lives and careers of the Marx Brothers utilizing rare archival footage and personal interviews.

Release Date: 1993-08-18

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 5

The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team

Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis were the hottest act in America in the 1950's & the highest paid comedy team in show business. They starred in nightclubs, radio, television & movies. Martin & Lewis were a unique team. Both were talented entertainers & good friends on & off stage. Thru rare TV appearances, film clips, movie highlights & newsreels, follow their career from the beginning to their break-up.

Release Date: 1992-01-01

Department: Production

Job: Co-Producer

Martin & Lewis: Their Golden Age of Comedy

Follows the careers of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis from their first performance together at the 500 Club in Atlantic City in 1946 through their years on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" to their final performance together in 1956.

Release Date: 1992-01-01

Department: Production

Job: Co-Producer

Episode Count: 3

The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki

Enjoy the Beach Boys in a 90 minute concert celebrating their 25 year anniversary with guest artists like Glen Campbell, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers, Jeffery Osborne, Belinda Carlisle and Three Dog Night. The concert was recorded in December 1986 on the sunny Waikiki beach in Hawaii.

Release Date: 1987-03-13

Department: Writing

Job: Writer