Movie spotlight
Dollars and Dentists
In a 2012 joint investigation by FRONTLINE and the Center for Public Integrity, correspondent Miles O’Brien uncovers the shocking consequences of a broken dental care system. Poor children, entitled by law to dental care, often cannot find a dentist willing to see them. Others kids receive excessive care billed to Medicaid, or major surgery for preventable tooth infections. For adults with dental disease, the situation can be just as dire and bankrupting. While millions of Americans use emergency rooms for dental care, corporate dental chains are filling the gaps in care, and in some cases have allegedly overcharged patients or loaded them with high priced credit card debt.
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary delves into the lives and careers of some of vaudeville's most enduring comedians, exploring their transitions into film and television. It highlights their unique styles of humor and their impact on the entertainment landscape. The film offers a nostalgic look at a bygone era of comedy.
Critical Reception
Dollars and Dentists was met with a generally positive reception, praised for its affectionate portrayal of classic comedians and its insightful interviews. While not a major box office success, it found a dedicated audience among fans of classic comedy and historical documentaries.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its heartfelt tribute to legendary comedians.
Appreciated for its historical insights into vaudeville and early comedy.
Some critics noted a lack of deeper analysis beyond biographical sketches.
Google audience: N/A
Fun Fact
While the film features archival footage and interviews with individuals who knew them, Burl Ives, George Burns, and Milton Berle had all passed away prior to the film's release, making their appearances entirely through existing media.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources