Get Set To Laugh With Greenwich Festival Film Featuring Comic Robert Klein

GREENWICH, Conn. -- There's a lot folks don't know about Comedian Robert Klein and all of it -- including where he gets his hair cut (Cathy's Hair Room in Chappaqua) and what he does on July 4 (has a big barbecue at his Briarcliff, N.Y. home) -- are included in the new documentary by Director Marshall Fine called "Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg."

A scene from the documentary, "I Can't Stop My Leg" highlighting the life and career of Robert Klein.
Photo Credit: *The Weinstein Company*

Jeanne Muchnick

06/03/2016 6:00 a.m.

You'll even see him shopping for oatmeal at his local Stop & Shop and schmoozing with a gaggle of tweens in downtown Briarcliff.

The film, which is more about his illustrious career than his Westchester forays, debuts Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at the Avon Theatre in Stamford as part of the Greenwich International Film Festival and includes a post-film Q&A with Klein and Fine. The movie will also show at the Cole Auditorium at Greenwich Library in Greenwich Saturday, June 11 at 5:15 p.m (Go to www.greenwichfilm.org/ for tickets.) It also includes poignant bits about his personal life.

Klein said, when asked by Fine if he minded being profiled, he figured, why not? "As long as it's funny," he noted.

At 74, he told Daily Voice he's a sort of eminent guru. And indeed, the movie shows some of the nation's most beloved comedians -- Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Jon Stewart among others -- talking about Klein as their inspiration.

"Their words really touched me," he said.

What might surprise people to know -- and what's highlighted with archival material -- are Klein's talents beyond the comedy stage including award-winning stints on Broadway as well as his many movie roles such as "Primary Colors," and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (something the teens in Briarcliff recognized him from). He also had a recurring role in the TV series "Sisters" and "The Mysteries of Laura." Not to mention his nine HBO Specials and numerous "Saturday Night Live" appearances.

And, he's still working.

"I'm like a discovery for people," he said. "People say 'I didn't know you could sing,' even though, I've had music in every one of my HBO shows" he said.

And, of course, there's that bit about his leg, a move that closes his shows and started decades ago when he was strumming on his harmonica and started improvising a song about his shaking leg. It became his signature and where the documentary gets its moniker.

"For someone who’s considered a smart comedian, it's silly," said Klein. "But I like silly."

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