BROTHER THEODORE

Theodore Gottlieb ( 1906 – 2001 ) - also known as Brother Theodore - was an actor, writer, comedian, and one of the most original entertainers ever!

He delivered his lines with such sincerity, that for a split second, you actually believed the absurd statements that poured out of his mouth.


Brother Theodore with David Letterman

His talk show appearances were almost always memorable. So I tried to watch him, every time he was a guest.

I think I saw every one of his appearances on the Letterman show. Some of those segments are true classics.



I have no idea how many books he wrote, or co-wrote. However, I do remember a paperback I owned. It was called BROTHER THEODORE'S CHAMBER OF HORRORS. This book has become rare, and sells for big bucks. I do NOT remember which company published it.


He also did voice work for animated films... Such as THE HOBBIT.


Brother Theodore in THE STRANGER?

Mr. Gottlieb appeared in THE STRANGER. It was directed and co-written by Orson Welles ( 1915 – 1985 ). Mr. Welles also stars in it, along with Edward G. Robinson ( 1893 – 1973 ), and Loretta Young ( 1913 – 2000 ).

QUOTES FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES ( by DOUGLAS MARTIN - April 6, 2001 )

"he won a bit part in the 1946 Orson Welles film, "The Stranger." He moved to New York after Welles showed a distressing romantic interest in his young wife. He worked at Schrafft's restaurant while beginning to perfect his monologue at small Bohemian clubs in the Village"

Some of his other movie roles include, HORROR OF THE BLOOD MONSTERS ( voice only ), GUMS, NOCTURNA, and THE BURBS.



He also appeared in MASSAGE PARLOR MURDERS ( aka Massage Parlor Hookers ). This is a RARE film that is finally being released in a BLU-RAY / DVD combo set ( by VINEGAR SYNDROME ). I'd only seen it a few times, and had forgotten about it. I'm REALLY looking forward to adding this movie to my collection.



He was supposedly imprisoned in DACHAU CONCENTRATION CAMP. Can you imagine the hellish nightmares that must of haunted him?

FYI: Albert Einstein was allegedly a family friend.

Quote from Brother Theodore ( during an interview with David Letterman ) "I'm a somebody in a century of nobodies"... And he was right.

Someone needs to make a documentary about this man's incredible life.




UPDATED ON APRIL 23, 2013

Well, I should have dug deeper... There IS a documentary about Brother Theodore... It's called TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN.

It was made by a man called Jeff Sumerel.

On Mr. Sumerel's official website, you'll find a link to purchase a DVD. I don't know if the offer is still valid.

I also don't know, if it's a "pressed" disc, or MOD. Payment option appears to be PAYPAL only.

Click on links below.....

YOU TUBE "teaser" for TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN

OFFICIAL WEB PAGE for TO MY GREAT CHAGRIN ( at Jeff Sumerel's website )

JEFF SURMEREL IMDB PAGE


Thanks to Bob Claster for the info. Visit his website ( link below ).

BOB CLASTER OFFICIAL WEBSITE