“The Bronx Boys” is available for screening in theaters, on television, at film festivals and for fund-raisers. Unfortunately, the film is not available for sale to the public at this time.

Formats available: 16mm, Digi-Beta, Beta-SP and DVD. Running time is 44:30. Broadcast version is surround encoded with stereo fold-down and is closed captioned.

All inquiries are handled by Director-Editor Benjamin Hershleder.
He may be reached at Ben [at] ContactBen.com.

CARL REINER, HOST

Depending on who you talk to, Carl Reiner is best known as a co-star on the legendary television program "Your Show of Shows" . . . or as the creator and co-star of "The Dick van Dyke Show" . . . or as The Interviewer of "The 2,000 Year Old Man". . . or as director of feature films, including "The Jerk," "All of Me'' and "Oh, God!". . . or as father of actor writer-director-producer Rob Reiner and husband of jazz vocalist Estelle Reiner. . . or as the recipient of twelve Emmy awards . . . or . . . 

Born in the Bronx, Reiner is the son of a watchmaker. At Evander Childs High School, his interest was baseball, but at age sixteen he took a job as a machinist helper in the millinery trade. He simultaneously enrolled in drama school for eight months and landed a part as a second tenor in an updated version of "The Merry Widow."

Reiner subsequently served in World War II, first training as a radio operator in the Air Force, followed by an assignment to Georgetown University to study French in order to become an interpreter, then as a teletype operator in the Signal Corps and later as a comedian and actor with Maurice Evans' Special Services Entertainment Unit. He toured the Pacific for eighteen months in G.I. revues.

Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, he won the leading role in the national company of "Call Me Mister" and after three more years in various Broadway musicals, joined Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca on "Your Show of Shows."

[click to continue in new window]

GEORGE SHAPIRO & HOWARD WEST, PRODUCERS

As executive producers of the NBC series "Seinfeld", which completed it's run as the #1 rated program in television, and as Executive Producers (with Jersey Films & Universal) of the feature film "MAN ON THE MOON" (based on Andy Kaufman's life, starring Jim Carrey), George Shapiro and Howard West have been riding high on a well-deserved wave of success. Nominated for two 1995 Emmy Awards for their producing efforts ("Seinfeld," and "A Comedy Salute to Andy Kaufman"), George and Howard have a unique style that combines personal warmth with business savvy which has earned them a reputation of unqualified respect among their peers.

"Seinfeld" has won a prestigious Peabody Award, a Golden Globe Award, Emmy Award and Peoples' Choice Award. At the same time, "Seinfeld" entered the syndication market with one of the most lucrative off-network deals ever made. In a career full of highlights, the "Seinfeld" experience has been a pinnacle for George and Howard and the two truly appreciate what years of hard work have brought them.

George Shapiro and Howard West have a long history together. Their business association builds upon a friendship that began in the Bronx in the schoolyard of PS 80. Following their college years (George graduated from New York University; Howard's alma mater is Long Island University) and after serving in the United States Army, the two began their entertainment careers at the William Morris Agency. As agents specializing in television packaging – that indefinable act of bringing together creative and performing talent and selling the project to television – they packaged such shows as "Gomer Pyle, USMC"; "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour", "The Bobby Darren Show" and "That Girl", as well as specials for Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing, Dick Van Dyke and Bill Cosby.

 [click to continue in new window]

BENJAMIN HERSHLEDER, DIRECTOR-EDITOR

Benjamin Hershleder is an award-winning Director and accomplished Editor. Benjamin has produced and/or directed a variety of projects for such companies as Shapiro-West, The Spark Factory, Old Fashioned Pictures, and Green Productions. In April 2004 he set-up two television shows with Freemantle Media based Syd Vinnedge Productions (American Idol, Baywatch, Price Is Right, etc.).

His work includes producing, directing and editing “The Bronx Boys,” a documentary hosted by Carl Reiner. This heartwarming film about the reunion of 15 men from the Bronx who have been friends for an astounding 65 years was purchased by HBO/Cinemax and aired as part of their “Reel Life” documentary anthology series. In addition, it was recently acquired by PBS. “The Bronx Boys” has received a Telly Award, a Silver Remi Award, was a Winner in the 2002 DV Awards and screened as part of the prestigious HBO “Frame by Frame” showcase and Laemmle Theatres’ “Bagels and Docs” film series.

In the world of short films, Benjamin has written, produced, and directed several award-winning short films and documentaries. His highly acclaimed comedy "Paul McCall," which he wrote and directed, screened at over 60 international festivals and received over 15 awards and honors, including an Emmy, a CINE Golden Eagle, and a Gold Ebenseer Bear. The poignant drama "Tickits," which he produced, directed and edited, screened at over 25 festivals and garnered 14 awards and honors, including a Directing Citation from Turin, Italy’s International Festival of Young Cinema and a N.E.M.N. Gold Apple Award. Other films include the detective drama spoof "To Speak To Her Again" and the short documentary "More Than A Sport.

Benjamin is also very proud to be associated with Old Fashioned Pictures’ film entitled, “The Least of These.” Hershleder served as a Co-Producer and Co-Editor of this multi-award-winning production directed by Rik Swartzwelder. The film has screened internationally in over 55 festivals and received 27 awards, including a CINE Golden Eagle, a CINE Special Jury Award, a Crystal Heart and a Silver Telly.

In addition to his work as a director, Benjamin is an accomplished Avid Editor. He was editor of the recently released Paramount Studios’ feature “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy,” a concert film starring George Lopez, Paul Rodriguez and Cheech Marin. He was also recently named a Winner of The Silver Telly Award (their highest honor) from the prestigious Telly Awards for his editing and writing on a piece for The American Heart Association. His background in postproduction also includes editing the feature film “Hollywood Capri,” two years as a Lead Editor for E! Entertainment Television and editing one of the hour-long pilot episodes of “In Search Of…” for Fox Television. Additionally, Benjamin's strength in postproduction has been recognized by Avid Technology. He is one of approximately two hundred Avid Certified Instructors worldwide.

Benjamin may be found on the internet at www.ContactBen.com.