Directing

David Leaf

Born

1952-04-20 (74)

Known for

Directing

Credits

34 titles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. David Leaf (born April 20, 1952) is an American writer, producer and director known for documentaries, music programs and pop culture retrospectives. Among his best known documentaries are The Night James Brown Saved Boston (2008), The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006) and Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of SMiLE (2004). He also wrote the landmark Brian Wilson biography The Beach Boys and The California Myth (1978). Description above from the Wikipedia article David Leaf, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia

Known for

Film credits

Behind the camera

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston poster
6.7

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.

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston

2008

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston poster
6.7

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.

James Brown - The Night James Brown Saved Boston

2008

The U.S. vs. John Lennon poster
6.6

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.

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

2006

The U.S. vs. John Lennon poster
6.6

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.

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

2006

The U.S. vs. John Lennon poster
6.6

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.

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

2006

The Unknown Marx Brothers poster
5.7

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

The Unknown Marx Brothers

1993

The Unknown Marx Brothers poster
5.7

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

The Unknown Marx Brothers

1993

Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) poster
7.1

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

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

2010

Stayin' Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees poster
7.6

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

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

2017

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile poster
7.0

Through modern day interviews, archival footage and vintage audio tapes, this documentary tells the story of the legendary and unfinished 1967 Beach Boys album SMiLE, intended to be the follow-up to their landmark album Pet Sounds, as well as Brian Wilson's ultimate decision to revisit the material 36 years later.

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

2004

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile poster
7.0

Through modern day interviews, archival footage and vintage audio tapes, this documentary tells the story of the legendary and unfinished 1967 Beach Boys album SMiLE, intended to be the follow-up to their landmark album Pet Sounds, as well as Brian Wilson's ultimate decision to revisit the material 36 years later.

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

2004

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile poster
7.0

Through modern day interviews, archival footage and vintage audio tapes, this documentary tells the story of the legendary and unfinished 1967 Beach Boys album SMiLE, intended to be the follow-up to their landmark album Pet Sounds, as well as Brian Wilson's ultimate decision to revisit the material 36 years later.

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile

2004

Jack Paar: Smart Television poster
8.0

PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.

Jack Paar: Smart Television

2003

Jack Paar: Smart Television poster
8.0

PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.

Jack Paar: Smart Television

2003

Jack Paar: Smart Television poster
8.0

PBS documentary examining the work of Jack Paar.

Jack Paar: Smart Television

2003

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

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.

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

1987

Bee Gees: This Is Where I Came In poster
8.2

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.

Bee Gees: This Is Where I Came In

2001

The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team poster
9.0

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.

The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team

1992

The Unknown Peter Sellers poster
8.2

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

The Unknown Peter Sellers

2000

The Unknown Peter Sellers poster
8.2

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

The Unknown Peter Sellers

2000

Dean Martin: That's Amore poster
8.0

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."

Dean Martin: That's Amore

2001

Jonathan Winters: On the Loose poster
10.0

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.

Jonathan Winters: On the Loose

2000

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

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

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

2009

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

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

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

2009

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

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

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

2009

You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' poster
8.0

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?

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

1995

You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' poster
8.0

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?

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

1995

You Can't Do That! The Making of 'A Hard Day's Night' poster
8.0

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?

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

1995

American Dream: Detroit poster
NR

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

American Dream: Detroit

2018

No artwork available
8.0

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

Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

2003

No artwork available
8.0

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

Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

2003

No artwork available
8.0

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

Bob Hope: The Road to Laughter

2003

No artwork available
9.0

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.

Vintage Sinatra

2003