Camp Hollywood

With so much fluff on TV about the rich and famous of Tinseltown, Camp Hollywood is a real eye-opener. The documentary shows the highs and lows of actors, writers, directors and musicians living at a fleabag hotel in Hollywood while struggling to break into show business.

I loved this movie. The filmmaker, a struggling comic, has captured exceptionally honest and revealing moments with the colorful characters staying at this hotel - some who have been living there for years. Residents of the hotel include a bank robber turned actor, a Marilyn Monroe impersonator and a clarinetist who has retired to the hotel to drink himself to death. There are also recognizable faces like actors Saul Rubinek and Maury Chaykin.

Camp Hollywood is a Canadian documentary - I saw it in Toronto and am not sure if it's distributed in the U.S. or elsewhere - but if you can find a copy I highly recommend it. It's funny as well as heartbreaking and poignant.

Camp Hollywood (2004)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

The Highland Gardens hotel in Los Angeles is a place that many actors, musicians, magicians and other types stay when they're trying to make it in Hollywood. This documentary from director Steve Markle has him traveling to the hotel to stay for sixty days. Throughout that time we meet several of the people staying there who are waiting for their big break.

If you watch junk shows like Entertainment Tonight then you'll see the various luxury that comes with Hollywood. You see the stars, their large homes, their fancy cars and you'll see everything that has lead people to head out there in order to get a piece of the pie. If you watch exploitation movies then you'll see the seedy side of Hollywood that deals with all sorts of dark subjects. CAMP Hollywood is an extremely entertaining documentary that talks with the people who have waited years or even decades for their big break to come.

I found this to be a highly entertaining documentary because it asks a couple logical questions and we get some interesting answers. A lot of people dream of making it big but what does it take for someone to spend years or decades living with nothing yet still trying to reach their dreams? We meet a wide range of people here from young people trying to get into the business to older people looking for one last role. We hear from some character actors who some will recognize from films like SCARFACE and DANCES WITH WOLVES.

The whole time you also get some history about this hotel including some of the people who lived there that finally found fame. It's repeated that Janis Joplin overdosed in one of the rooms. If you're even remotely interested in the "other" side of Hollywood then this is a very entertaining documentary to watch.

The Highland Gardens Hotel (Formerly the Landmark Hotel) is a quiet 2 star hotel where artists and D-list celebrities reside as they work on their craft. Famous for Canadians migrants to Hollywood.

A Canadian stand up comedian Steve Markle) resided there in 2004 for half a year and documented the residents of the hotel whom have formed a Bohemian ecosystem community of support. Most of the actors eventually become successful years later. Author Gary Indiana resided there and his work "Do Everything in the Dark" debuted on the documentary.

Dave Stiltanen (Dave the bank robber), became a addictions cousellor life coach.

Mark Magolis (the bomber on Scarface, becomes Hector Salamanca of Breaking Bad-Better Call Saul). Brooke stars on many shows, Call Me Fitz, etc, British dude stars on Game of Thrones his last role, among other....

Janis Joplin infamously had her fatal overdose and her room is a pilgrimage site for thaostourist fans of the Folk hippy musician.

This movie provides great insight to the lives of actors and other hopefuls in Hollywood.

It is all shot on the premises of a Hollywood hotel filled with people chasing fame, pursuing a dream, or escaping their past.

At times funny and at times touching, Camp Hollywood was engaging the whole way through. Many diverse stories were cut together with snappy editing and great music.

We meet the talented, the hopeless, and a few nut jobs. (Plus there's some really hot struggling actresses!)

This film gives viewers an idea how difficult show business is. Watch the movie before you buy a ticket to LA !

I heard about this film a few months ago when it first aired - and regretted missing it. However, today I clicked on the television and there it was again! This time I watched it - unbelievably riveting. What made it so good was the fact that all of these people were REAL. All of them were very different, but were all searching for something more...regardless of the struggle that they endured on a daily basis, they were there to follow a dream. More people should go for what they really want. I want to purchase a copy of this doc. and show it to my students...We can all use some inspiration. I wish Steve and David the best of luck with their careers and hope to see more of their projects...Naked Josh is also a great show - congrats - and finally, this documentary should definitely win an award!