Larry Hankin Returns to North Beach

The Committee Movie

Larry Hankin, pioneering standup, film and television actor and founding member of the San Francisco improvisational theater The Committee, returns to North Beach in May for an appearance at The Beat Museum in San Francisco. Larry will read and tell tales from his new book “That Guy: A Cautionary Memoir.”

“After a confrontational Graduation Day, I decided to run away with a Show Business Circus. Went to Greenwich Village and started bussing bars between 2am and 6am while doing Open Mic Nites at the coffee-houses all over The Village. Within a couple of months, I was opening for Woody Allen, Miles Davis, The Kingston Trio, on to “Second City” in Chicago, became a Founding Member of “The Committee” – A San Francisco attraction rivaling Second City…”

Select television and film credits from Larry’s 50+ year career in show business include Escape from Alcatraz, Trains, Planes and Automobiles, Seinfeld, Friends, Breaking Bad, El Camino, and Barry. Larry will be available to sell and sign copies of his book and meet fans and old friends. Copies of “That Guy: A Cautionary Memoir” will be available for $25 (cash only).

Larry Hankin Returns to North Beach
Saturday May 4, 7pm
The Beat Museum
540 Broadway, San Francisco

Spring Fandango with Committee Co-Founder Latifah Taormina

The Committee Movie

Some images from the Spring Fandango, the party we threw to celebrate Latifah Taormina and her new memoir Ha Ha Among the Trumpets. We’re so grateful to David Myers and the Myers Family, not only for the use of their beautiful storefront space (or as Jamie calls it, “pop-up cabaret venue”) in San Francisco’s South Park, but for their help filling the room and prepping the event. Anne Coffelt also helped produce the event and pitched in with a last minute podium and Uncle Sam hat (thanks Pianofight!), and Alex Coffelt poured drinks. We were joined by original Committee bartenders Mike Stepanian and Bill Rempfer, and artist Mari Tepper brought special prints of her original Committee poster art.

Our program kicked off with the sound of Chris Ross‘s crooner Danny DiMarco singing his uptempo version of Old Man River. Following a greeting from event hosts Sam Shaw and Jamie Wright, Committee Co-Founder Alan Myerson appeared virtually via video from New Zealand. Sam and Jamie then introduced and screened an 11 minute clip from their film, which focuses on The Committee as activists, with rare archival material and interviews with Rob Reiner, Alan Myerson, Latifah Taormina, and more.

Latifah then took the stage for a short reading and storytelling session, where she recounted the founding of The Committee, what brought it to San Francisco, and the mark The Committee made on the city. Following her reading, guests lined up to purchase autographed copies. All in all it was a great time, with a great crowd.

We’re excited to do it again. Stay tuned.

Barbara Bosson (1939-2013)

The Committee Movie

“What I knew from having worked with The Committee, and I’ve said this right from the start everywhere every time anybody has ever asked, it was the best training I ever had as an actress. It allowed you to be in the moment. You had to be alive in the scene.”

The actress, activist, and philanthropist Barbara Bosson was an early funder and booster of our work, and granted us one of our first interviews. Our conversation with her was incredibly fruitful, and we return to it again and again.

Thank you, Barbara.

Maxwell Myers.

The Committee Movie

It’s been said that Maxwell Myers “wore his love beads under his necktie”. Maxwell’s business acumen, local connections, energy and enthusiasm for Alan and Latifah’s vision of a satirical improvisational revue helped make The Committee a reality, and helped keep it afloat, for almost ten years. An antiwar activist whose fervor was born out of his experience during the liberation of Dachau as part of the Army’s 103rd Infantry Division, Maxwell’s generosity and boosterism lifted generations of artists and causes, including the work of Shirley Clarke, Frederick Wiseman, the Alcazar Theater, and, most recently, our documentary. We’re inspired by Maxwell’s example and grateful for his friendship and support. Maxwell A. Myers passed away last week, not long after celebrating his 99th birthday. Link to his obit below. We could only hope to live life as fully.