It's Morrissey who invites the New York Dolls, and Kane, to a reunion concert in London in the summer of 2004 — the gig that provides the focal point for the documentary as well as its climax. After almost 30 years, the three members of the band still living finally get their encore — at no less than Royal Festival Hall.

Rock groupies who have never forgotten the Dolls are there in force, along with Killer Kane's home teacher from L.A. On the sidewalk outside, "New York Dolls" T-shirts are on sale.

"But you don't get your cut, 'cause you're just going to give it to the church," says the Dolls' lead singer, David Johansen, ribbing Kane.

"They only want 10 percent," rejoins Kane, who adds, "it's like an agent's fee."

You cannot make stories like this up. You can only discover them and hope to do them justice. On my scorecard, Greg Whiteley did just that, allowing a very human story to tell itself.

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Lee Benson's column runs Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please send e-mail to benson@desnews.com and faxes to 801-237-2527.