Candyman

I love documentaries like these. I know that they tell one man's side of the story and you should always take them with a grain of salt.

The topic was fascinating. The story was worth telling. But there were parts of it that were confusing. The most confusing part was, "Why was Weird Al in this movie at all?" He was interviewed early on, and I waited for that magic moment when I'd find out what significance he played toward the fame or business aspect of the company. Maybe he was a family friend through the years.

But he has no real reason to be there. I finally concluded that he was there for quirky star power. So odd.

Offbeat family man with big dreams creates a candy-coated phenomenon, tiny jelly beans in a colorful array of wildly different flavors, but quickly has his Jelly Belly company stripped from him by big businessmen who know how to turn the product into a multi-million dollar corporate empire. The American Dream gone sour, and yet inventor David Klein doesn't really allow the pitfalls of fortune's flip-side get him down. Klein has his regrets--as anyone in his situation would; he has a quiet sadness that comes through in his little shrugs and half-nods, but he keeps shuffling forward. It's in his nature to hide the pain and make folks smile. This documentary, produced, directed, and photographed by Costa Botes, doesn't have big moments of high drama...but the sad reverie which permeates these interviews of Klein and his kooky family turn out to be just as potent. **1/2 from ****

As long as I can remember Jelly Bellys have been the premier jelly bean. Every other jelly bean was a stale, uni-flavored, sugary mass whereas Jelly Bellys had distinct, unique, wonderful flavors. I'm in my room staring at a candy dispenser full of Jelly Bellys right now. Who invented Jelly Bellys never crossed my mind. I figured they were spit out of the boardroom of some company and it just worked. I certainly didn't know a quirky guy named David Klein was the brains behind the Jelly Belly brand.

"Candyman: The David Klein Story" is about the creation of the Jelly Belly brand and how it became a product of the Goelitz Candy Company. The documentary is a little scattered at times because it hinges on the storytelling of David Klein, an eccentric and "unusual" man, but it gives you enough information to know about Jelly Belly.

I don't think this documentary would interest many people who are not into Jelly Belly. They don't go into how it's made, there wasn't a grand conspiracy to steal it, and nobody died under suspicious circumstances. It's just about an upbeat and offbeat kind of guy who came up with an idea around 1976 that people like me enjoy to this day.

One good Docu-movie to learn from and to stay thankful! Thank you for helping CandyPuffcorn.com, I hope we're not "bullied" as well (Fairfield,CA.), God Bless.

This is a must watch movie, sad, happens every day to good guys and women. I never expected a return call back from Mr. Klien directly and he helped with advice with Candy Puffcorn. I do like Jelly Belly living in Fairfield, CA. and all, but very hurt by the how the bully part went down.

He does give free wisdom, which helps me give it away to help others who want to be successful without being a bully about it, but making lasting mutual business success.

Candyman: The David Klein Story (2010)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Interesting documentary taking a look at the life of David Klein. You might not know his name but he was the man who created Jelly Belly jelly beans and lived to regret it. This documentary tells the history of Jelly Belly from the very start of it to today but the real key point is that Klein signed an extremely bad deal to help other people and he pretty much lost the company and gave it away for nothing. While the company continues to be one of the most profitable out there, the man who made it gets nothing from it. At 76-minutes there are a few slow spots here and there are a few moments that could have been better told but for the most part this is a fairly interesting film and one that will probably make your blood boil. It's clear that Klein is a terrific, warm hearted guy but at the same time you have to feel bad that this kindness pretty much ruined his life. I thought it was interesting hearing how this familiar company came to be and of course the stuff dealing with Klein losing everything was pretty sad. We get interviews with Klein as well as his family and friends and all of them shine a light on this period. For some reason Weird Al is also interviewed and these "comic" moments are pretty embarrassing.