Danny Gans had plans to be a professional baseball player and was on his way after college. After suffering an injury that ended that dream career, he pursued another field of work using the skills of his voice and personality in the entertainment industry. After taking many gigs in small venues and gaining recognition, he was invited to perform on Broadway which eventually led to shows in Las Vegas. Despite his phenomenal success, he struggled privately with health issues he didn’t share much with others – especially with his family – a discovery learned by his son and writer/director, Andrew Davies Gans about after his passing.
This documentary celebrates the life and talent of Danny Gans, the most popular entertainer in Las Vegas, as a singer, comedian, and impressionist for a certain time. His shows sold out night after night for years until he died at the height of his fame. The quote that follows is included in the press materials: “Learning about those challenges that he faces with his health was really difficult,” said Davies Gans. “As a director, as a filmmaker, I have a responsibility to really tell the truth and deliver the story honestly and let the audience make up their mind about my dad and his choices and his life and his legacy.” The tension between public persona and private struggle is handled with sensitivity and restraint.
Voices: The Danny Gans Story premiered Friday, June 20, at the TCL Chinese Theatre as part of Dances with Films Los Angeles festival. Another quote from the press materials is “I wanted to have our world premiere in L.A., and I felt like the Chinese Theatre has such a great history,” said Andrew Davies Gans. “The film festival is very highly regarded and this is, like, where I grew up. L.A. is my home, and I wanted to have the first screening here.”
The documentary is narrated by son/filmmaker Andrew Davies Gans. The film includes archival footage, backstage clips, home movies, and intimate interviews. The archival footage shows a man who entertained audiences with his vocal impressions and abilities. I did not attend his shows, especially ones in Las Vegas, but after viewing the film, I wish I had been able to. His very full schedule of performances kept him away from his wife and children for extended periods of time. This no doubt would make him appear private, or possibly mysterious at home, despite the home movies showing Danny Gans as a happy father and husband when he was home. Danny Gans turned down national stardom to remain in Las Vegas where he could be a present father and husband.
Among the interviews that the filmmaker obtained and included in the film are with several other entertainers who express their admiration and appreciate his father’s talent. This set of great interviews is a positive experience that the filmmaker truly enjoyed.
There is a description of the film on the festival’s website that ends with this following sentence, and I agree with. “It’s a story about the echoes of a voice that continues to inspire, reverberating through the life of the son he left behind.” It is a beautiful documentary that I enjoyed very much and hope any distribution of the film reaches a wide audience, so others learn about the entertainer. Danny Gans left in his audience many with many positive memories after watching his performance. For those of us who did not have the experience in person, we have the opportunity to enjoy him now, thanks to Andrew.
Source: Dances With Films LA, Glanzrock Productions
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