The Woody Allen Collection, Set 3 (Hannah and Her Sisters / The Purple Rose of Cairo / Broadway Danny Rose / Zelig / A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy / Radio Days)

Amazon.com

This Woody Allen boxed set captures the first half of what could be called Allen's "Mia period," his films from the early 1980s. The lighthearted A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, about the neurotic romping of a bunch of friends at a country house, marks the beginning of Woody and Mia Farrow's film relationship, followed by Zelig, Allen's clever pseudo-documentary of a man who just wants to fit in. Broadway Danny Rose, the tale of a mediocre talent agent who gets involved with a client's wife, is seen as a trifle by some but held as one of Allen's best films by others. But the next two are a pair of undisputed knockouts: The Purple Rose of Cairo, in which the hero of a movie (Jeff Daniels) steps off the screen to help a woeful waitress (Farrow). The ending is at first heart-wrenching, then finds a wistful hope. Hannah and Her Sisters is possibly, after Annie Hall, Allen's most loved movie, with its Chekhovian mix of love and sorrow in the lives of three sisters (Farrow, Dianne Wiest, and Barbara Hershey). Hannah won a number of awards, including Oscars ^® for best screenplay and supporting acting for both Wiest and Michael Caine (as Farrow's husband). Finally, the nostalgic Radio Days rounds out the set with a gentle look at entertainment back when people had to dream up their own pictures. These six films represent one of Allen's strongest periods; he moved fluidly from comedy to drama, avoiding big statements but ruefully exploring the foibles of humanity. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Anyone else dislike the color on "Hannah"? Haven't watched others yet, but .......2006-05-08

image is very pale and fuzzy...my 20 year old VHS of this one is much sharper with more vibrant colors...wtf?

Very good, fairly homogeneous selection of titles........2005-05-02

This Woody Allen collection of six (6) early to middle films is more homogeneous than the first. You do not have the very serious `Interiors' sitting between two of Allen's funniest movies. But, there are some bumps along the road if you start watching this from the top and are not familiar with Allen's works. The titles in this set are:

A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
Zelig
Broadway Danny Rose
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Hannah and Her Sisters
Radio Days

The first and the last films are pretty lighthearted. The middle films have a fair share of bittersweet moments. In fact, I put `The Purple Rose of Cairo' into that rare class of movies such as Terry Gillian's `Brazil' which are so good at being poignant that they are literally hard to watch. Even the rampant parody, `Zelig' has some moments when you are really strongly influenced by the plight of the main character.

Although I suspect `A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy' may be the weakest of these six, it is the one I most enjoy rewatching. And, this is the one feature of Allen's movies I most highly value. I will enjoy a James Bond action flick once, but I will watch `Hannah and Her Sisters' over and over and over.

One of the most interesting things about `Radio Days' is that it came out in the same year as the very similar film of `Brighton Beach Memoirs'. And, as I recall, the critical opinion was that `Radio Days' was far superior. I agree.

Strongly recommended for both old and new Woody Allen fans.

I Appreciate the Movies Even More Today! .......2005-02-24

This is a series of movies made by a happy contented man who was able to look back on his past with affection. Too bad Woody messed up later on, but this period of his life allowed him to make many pleasant comfortable movies that stand the test of time. Hannah and Her Sisters stands up with Annie Hall and Manhattan. The film is one of his best works ever. There was a reason to like Woody Allen in "the old days". It only sad that he goofed up later in his life. I always saw him as needing his friends at United Artists and Orion to keep him on track, maybe it was true.

Great Collection.......2004-10-27

Every movie is good which is hard to beleive considering that he wrote a movie a year. I do not know any other screenwriter as prolific as Woody Allen. I higly recommend this set.

Wonderful survey of Woody's 80's years.......2003-05-19

This edition of the Woody Allen Collection is probably the best of the three box sets recently issued by MGM DVD. While Woody is probably best known for his early-70s slapstick comedies ("Sleeper," "Bananas") and his revolutionary reconstruction of the comedy with "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan," three of his absolute best films appear in this set. "Zelig," whose technological advances foreshadow those of 1994's Academy Award favorite "Forrest Gump" by nearly ten years, is easily the better film, and the three years Woody spent making this film seems well worth the effort. About a "human chameleon," Leonard Zelig, whose insecure shapeshifting act ranges from pure novelty to affinities with fascism, is as funny as it is sharp. The best film in the set, "The Purple Rose of Cairo," also foreshadows the postmodern nostalgia films of the late 1990s, particularly "Pleasantville." Set during the Depression, this film is about a woman trapped in an awful marriage and an equally dissatisfying job. She escapes the misery of her life by watching films. She watches the same film over and over, and one of the characters comes off the screen to intervene in her life. A wonderful, complex and poignant examination of the conflation between fiction and reality, "The Purple Rose of Cairo," though a sad and dramatic film, is as powerful as anything Woody Allen has directed. The third wonderful film here is "Hannah and Her Sisters," which won three Oscars, is a return to the ensemble sensibility Woody perfected in "Manhattan." "Broadway Danny Rose" is probably the best of the remaining titles--about a hardworking theatrical manager who is failure at his work specifically because he cares so much about the personal wellbeing of his clients. Mia Farrow gives one of her best performances here. "Radio Days" is a narratively complex film about a Jewish family from Rockaway in the 40s whose lives are informed and entertained by the radio (just as we are entertained by the television and the internet today). The one weak film in the set is "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy," which is very similar to the much better Ingmar Bergman film "Smiles of a Summer Night." It involves three couples together in the country one weekend who all seem to be paired with the wrong lover. This set shows an intoxicating run of quality films by a director at the peak of his powers.

Average customer rating:

Could have been me.
Intimate gem and a wonderful hommage
Retro And Wonderful
radio days
Beautiful musical landscapes

Radio Days
Starring: Leah Carrey , Danielle Ferland , William Flanagan , Seth Green , and Paul Herman
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005O06M
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Amazon.com

A sweet and clever combination of anecdotes and autobiography, Radio Days draws heavily on Woody Allen's childhood. Fittingly, the unfolding episodes are woven together by music--lovely hits of the 1940s like "In the Mood" and "That Old Feeling." Some episodes are built around radio itself (like the burglars who answer the phone in a house they're burgling and win a radio contest), and others center on the life of a young Jewish boy (Seth Green, clearly playing a version of Allen himself as a child). Though light in tone, Radio Days is an ambitious re-creation not simply of an era, but of radio itself. Nowadays radio is little more than a way to sell pop tunes, but it used to transmit dreams; watching this movie, you get a taste of how inspiring this simpler medium could be. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Could have been me........2007-08-12

Woody Allen could have written this for me. I could relate to my youth in this movie. I had an "aunt bee" too. Radio was king back in the 40's.

Intimate gem and a wonderful hommage.......2007-04-30

Giving the enormous genius and extensive Woody Allen's work (one of my Top Five American Directors)it is practically impossible for me to choose a favorite.
Nevertheless, "Radio Days" is Allen's movie that I enjoy the most, based on a pure emotional impulse. Here you find the perfect mix of fun and love: Allen evocative memory of his infancy is treated with such tenderness and understanding, fun and respect, that even not being born or lived in the radio era you ends loving it as the author did.
And that is precisely a great piece of art: the one that correctly connect the audience with the subject depicted.
Everything here works: the superb music selection, the link between music and situations, the mood of every scene, characters and actors, and Allen's own appearance as the narrator.
A masterpiece.

Retro And Wonderful.......2007-03-11

This is my all time favorite Woody Allen movie. Even people who do not like Woody Allen will enjoy this one. It's a step back into time with a wonderful musical score of great songs from the 1940's. Features some familiar and not so familiar faces with terrific acting on all counts. I highly recommend.

radio days.......2007-03-09

One of the few videos that I can watch over and over. A must see

Beautiful musical landscapes.......2007-01-28

I saw you last night and got that old feeling
When you came in sight I got that old feeling
The moment you came by I felt a thrill
And when you caught my eye
My heart stood still
Once again I seemed to have that old yearning
And I knew the spark of love was still burning
There'll be no new romance for me
It's foolish to start
For that old feeling is still in my heart

The score to Woody Allen's film Radio Days boasts magnificent classic songs and instrumental numbers mostly from the World War 2 era. Each song has a haunting melody to it with a quiet strength; these songs as a track set produce a stunning CD.

The CD begins with swinging big band flavored "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra. The CD then turns into a mood that is even more playful with "I Double Dare You" by Larry Clinton and His Orchestra. "Opus No. 1" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra follows--these three songs in succession generate a grand slam opening! Excellent!

Other classic instrumentals on this CD include "Frenesi" by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra; "Body And Soul" by The Benny Goodman Trio and "I'm Getting' Sentimental Over You" performed flawlessly by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. Each instrumental track paints beautiful musical landscapes and each number brings back memories for those of us who lived through those years.

Classic vocal numbers on this CD stun you with their potency. "You And I" by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra opens as an instrumental and when Sinatra joins in his vocals are perfect; Sinatra never sings a superfluous note. SMILES "Remember Pearl Harbor" is equally potent and very patriotic; the lyrics order fighting soldiers to win the war at any cost and to never forget the tragedy of Pearl Harbor. Moreover, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians impeccably execute "That Old Feeling," a romantic ballad with unforgettable lyrics.

The CD song stack ends with the potent "One, Two, Three, Kick" by Xavier Cugat and His Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra. The Cuban beat of this song seduces you to listen more--don't be surprised if you play this entire CD over again because just one listen won't make you sick of these fine numbers the second time around!

The liner notes give the credits for the movie and a list of the songs on the CD. I wanted an essay about the movie and its songs; but that's just not here. This is a minor disappointment.

Unfortunately, a more important disappointment exists. The tracks on the CD have too much surface noise which proves not enough care was given to digitally remaster this wonderful numbers. To be fair, perhaps they remastered these numbers with state of the art equipment in 1987 when they released this CD. They could have re-released this CD with superior remastering equipment over the last twenty years. Unfortunately, I have to take off one star for this to make this a four star review.

Overall, this CD provides not only the music from the movie Radio Days; it also helps us all appreciate the wonderful music from the World War 2 era. I recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals. Fans of motion picture soundtracks will be very pleased with this album as well.

Eddie Izzard: We Know Where You Live - Live!

Average customer rating:

Worth it just for the 4 Yorkshiremen sketch
I knew it wasnt ALL Eddie... but hoped for a laugh, at least
Love Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard:We Know Where You Live - Live!
Eddie Izzard and Company

Eddie Izzard: We Know Where You Live - Live!
Starring: Eddie Izzard , Phill Jupitus , Sanjeev Bhaskar , Vic Reeves , and Bono
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00022PYPM
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Amazon.com

Eddie Izzard--a strong candidate for the funniest human being alive--hosts an entertaining smorgasbord of musicians and stand-up comics at this benefit event celebrating Amnesty International's 40th anniversary. Some of the humor trades heavily on British references and the comedians are largely unknown in the U.S., but that doesn't keep them from being very funny. Musicians include U2, Badly Drawn Boy, and Tom Jones, who all deliver stirring performances. Political references are surprisingly few, but there are some pointed bits--Jeremy Hardy sardonically notes: "Why would the police bother to arrest innocent people? Because they are easier to catch." Not only does Izzard (Glorious, Dress to Kill) sprinkle a variety of short routines throughout the show, another comic will delight Izzard fans with his spot-on imitation of how Izzard would play the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. --Bret Fetzer

Description

The live comedy event of the year! Starring Eddie Izzard, this non-stop, rapid-fire show features the U.K.'s finest comedy and music performers with a line-up that's second to none. Hysterical finale of the famous "4 Yorkshiremen" sketch features Izzard,

Customer Reviews:

Worth it just for the 4 Yorkshiremen sketch .......2007-07-13

If this wasn't for a very good cause, I might have been harsher, but there are good parts and it is for a good cause.

I don't understand why people are giving poor reviews because they didn't read the product description completely.

I knew it wasnt ALL Eddie... but hoped for a laugh, at least.......2007-04-24

OK, this is for charity- and worth supporting for that reason- but these are also big-name comics, so I was expecting more laughs and less groans. The only reason I sat through the whole this is that I bought it. The parts which were good, in my opinion, were-

-The Izzard bits (though not his best)
-The 4 Yorkshiremen sketch
-some of the music, most notably Tom Jones

Unfortunately, that adds up to about 20 minutes. The rest of the DVD is painfully bad comedy and rather dull musical numbers. I am not British but I am a fan of British comedy and I don't have trouble with accents, generally. (Some reviewers seemed to think that was why this is getting panned). I could understand exactly what was being said, it just wasn't very funny. Parts were just plain embarrassing, such as the pathetic Morrissey impersonation. And it was so heavily and obviously edited that some comics got about 3 minutes. 3 minutes that did not flow very well. And THOSE were the funniest jokes? Made me wonder what was cut out. Shudder to think.

Not really worth the price, unfortunately. Get an Izzard solo DVD!

Love Eddie Izzard .......2007-03-16

This was a little disappointing; I didn't even watch the whole dvd to be honest. I had expected a dvd of Eddie Izzard solo and it may well be my fault for not reading the full description. I have his other dvd's and continue to enjoy them even though I have seen them over more than several times. I had been looking forward to adding another one to the collection, but it didn't turn out that way. It could be I just lack patience to try but Eddie I. just seemed to take the role of MC and he is way too talented not to have another solo dvd.

Eddie Izzard:We Know Where You Live - Live!.......2007-01-15

Concert for Amnesty International. Eddie was the host. Did a few of his routines. Language used by most of the comedians not suitable for young children.

Eddie Izzard and Company.......2007-01-05

I did not realize when I ordered this that it was more a long list of comics with Eddie as the emcee than extended routines by Eddie Izzard. Still the humor is good (not great) but I have seen Eddie Izzard doing better work than this.

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous at 36
Long Live Marilyn.....in our hearts!
Ms. Tragic Beauty
Marilyn Monroe - The Final Days
35 minutes of Something's Got to Give a Keeper

Marilyn Monroe - The Final Days
Starring: James Coburn , Susan Strasberg , Hyman Engelberg , Gene Allen , and Eunice Murray
Director: Patty Ivins Specht
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0009S2K9W
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Amazon.com

In The Final Days, producer-director Patty Ivins chronicles Marilyn Monroe's final, aborted feature film, Something's Got to Give, which was ultimately shut down after the star was dismissed from the production. Beyond Monroe's fragile emotional and physical health, this well-crafted profile examines the financial crisis facing her studio as well as the mounting frustration of meticulous director George Cukor and his cast, including costar Dean Martin, as Monroe's absences drove the shoot over budget. The 2001 documentary, which was previously available only as part of The Diamond Collection, concludes with a 40-minute reconstruction of footage completed for the feature, which would subsequently be reshot as a vehicle for Doris Day and James Garner, Move Over, Darling. --Sam Sutherland

Description

Over 40 years after Marilyn Monroe's death halted production on 20th Century Fox's light comedy Something's Got To Give, this celebration of the ultimate screen goddess offers viewers the world premiere of the edited reconstruction of her final film.

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous at 36.......2007-04-03

She never looked better. This exquisite, albeit flawed, beauty is beautifully portrayed in this attractive production. What a loss her untimely death was. I highly recommend this film to all MM fans.

Long Live Marilyn.....in our hearts!.......2007-03-12

I thought that this review was very interesting, honest, and even sad at times. I thought that the author did a great job with the writing. It didn't bring her down or anything and it wasn't negative. It seemed to portray her in a very honest open way. It was great to get to see "Something's Got to Give." This is a portion of the last film she would make because she died while filming it. It is an honor to own it and a great keepsake. They show a piece of the final cut of the movie at the end of this documentation. It runs about 45 minutes. It was very good. I enjoyed the whole thing. I was very pleased.

Ms. Tragic Beauty.......2007-03-07

Marilyn Monroe: the Final Days (2001)
directed by Patty Ivins Specht

This is a documentary on the production of 'SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE', the unfinished film starring Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Cyd Charisse. This movie was a remake of the 1940 film 'MY FAVORITE WIFE' which starred Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. The movie itself has a pretty funny story where a man believes that his first wife has died or disappeared so he gets remarried. When it turns out wife #1 is still around and comes back into his life, there are lots of awkward social situations.

By this time in her career, Marilyn was known for being extremely late to the set and also for demanding a lot of creative control over her characters- two things most directors won't put up with. This was especially true of George Cukor, the famous RKO director who was slated to direct Marilyn's movie because he owed the studio a favor. Marilyn's tardiness was a huge problem on 'SOMETHINGS GOT TO GIVE'- the only thing worse than her being late was when she didn't show up at all! But what was wrong with Marilyn at this time in her life? Several people are interviewed including her personal physician and some of her closest friends. The consensus seems to be that she felt nobody took her seriously as a actress. She was under the wing of dramatic acting coach Paula Strasberg and had attended husband Lee's prestigious "Actor's Studio" in efforts to flourish as a real talent. But she also became ill and was advised by not one but two physicians postpone production on her latest film. The studio was already way behind schedule and would lose a tremendous amount of money if the doctors' advice was followed. This escalated tensions between Cukor, Monroe and the film crew. When Marilyn was on the set, everyone loved the results, including the highly publicized swimming pool scene. But since the director never knew when Marilyn would show up, he had to "shoot around" her- meaning he shot every scene in the movie that she wasn't in. After these scenes were through, there was nothing left for Cukor to do. When Marilyn made her famous appearance at President Kennedy's b-day gala, Cukor was understandably angry. To her credit, Marilyn had told the studio about the gala before production on the movie had started, and if it were an isolated incident it could've been written off as a big misunderstanding. Unfortunately this was just one of many problems between the director and the starlet. Eventually Marilyn was fired (and replaced) which was no doubt devastating for her insecurities. She decided to pull herself together and generate positive publicity for herself. A sympathetic article featuring her side of the story and new photographs was published and this probably "humanized" her to the fans. The positive publicity must've worked because the studio negotiated to re-hire her and resume shooting on the movie. Tragically, Marilyn died of a drug overdose before the production started back up. 'SOMETHINGS GOT TO GIVE' was scrapped and a new version called 'MOVE OVER DARLING' was made in 1963 with Doris Day and James Garner in the lead roles.

Marilyn's early death has been discussed many times before. There is no question that she had a lifelong battle with depression and was using far too many pills. Her miscarriage and failed high profile marriages were also all over the papers which has to be extremely hard to deal with. But her life did seem to be back on track around the time of her passing. Does this mean she didn't kill herself? It is impossible to know and frankly I'm glad this movie doesn't focus too much on the issue. You will hear the opinions of people who knew her, including some of the last people to see her. But you will not hear any of the "toxic enema" theories or Kennedy-mafia secrets here- this movie is more memorial than speculation.

The last part of this documentary is an attempted reconstruction of 'SOMETHINGS GOT TO GIVE' using the existing footage and notes from the directors, producers, etc. This cut runs a little under 40 minutes. The movie is sort of strange to watch, especially after viewing the "making of" right before. Not to mention that Marilyn only showed up for about half the days of shooting. Watching the movie, you don't always think of the story or the characters being shown- you think of Marilyn and what she (and her peers) were going through. Its a melacholy moment where you can't really suspend disbelief enough to forget the story of the person who more than anyone has come to embody "tragic beauty".

Very well made and full of exclusive material. Essential for fans of Marilyn or 1960s Hollywood.

Marilyn Monroe - The Final Days.......2007-01-10

The DVD was excellent - good quality and well put together

35 minutes of Something's Got to Give a Keeper.......2007-01-10

After a long search, I finally found the vaulted footage of Marilyn Monroe's unfinished film. It was worth the wait. The film follows the original version (Irene Dunne and Cary Grant-1940) faithfully, so the story is familiar to viewers who know the story line of "My Favorite Wife."

This version never really gets to the end, however. Instead, after 35 minutes, this film has its own touching ending, and we all know what comes next for Monroe.

This movie needed to come out of the vault. It is a must have for Monroe fans, and for viewers who appreciate multiple movie versions of the same story. In this case, it's a great job of editing the material that was available into a cohesive story. Additional plus: the film comes after a good deal of footage/ commentary about what was happening in Monroe's life at the time, so there is a some context that makes watching the movie at the end wortwhile.

The Day That Panicked America: The H.G. Wells War of the Worlds Scandal

Average customer rating:

NOT Leonard Nimoy
The Day That Panicked America
The Day that panicked America
Disappointing
An essential DVD/CD set for the Orson Welles aficionado

The Day That Panicked America: The H.G. Wells War of the Worlds Scandal
Starring: John Ross
Manufacturer: Highland Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00080EV5C
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Customer Reviews:

NOT Leonard Nimoy.......2006-12-03

This dvd lists Leonard Nimoy on the credits but in fact he does not appear at all.
Fans have been badly misled by this error.

The Day That Panicked America.......2006-03-09

VERY DISSAPPOINTED!! I was looking for the movie with the same name, not the documentary on Orson Welles or highlights of what occurred from an announcer, BUT THE MOVIE!! The movie was an excellent movie and had a very strong impact on me.
Anyone know where I can get THE MOVIE VERSION? Email me at: italiangwmjcnj@yahoo.com THANKYOU

The Day that panicked America.......2005-11-14

Amazon provided a poor representation of this product.
It leads you to believe that the movie is also included
but its not.

A waste of my time and money. Last time I will by
from Amazon

Disappointing.......2005-09-29

After watching this documentary on cable TV, I was so impressed I had the DVD ordered to show to the university communications class I teach, as part of our unit on radio.

What a disappointment! All of the interviews with experts and witnesses which made the TV version so informative about radio and its place as a medium in 1930s American society are gone. I assume they must not have been able to secure the rights from the participants. Even the narrator is different. It's not Nimoy.

To make up for the time lost from the deletion of the interviews, they've padded it with useless digressions into things like the history of Flash Gordon, yet another rehash of the supposed UFO crash in Roswell, N.M., and other elements which bear little or no relevance to the "War of the Worlds" broadcast.

Worse, the box description reflects the better TV version, not what is actually on the disc.

It comes with a second CD of the actual broadcast. So what? You can hear that for free online.

My suggestion is, avoid this purchase and tape it when it comes on TV again.

An essential DVD/CD set for the Orson Welles aficionado.......2005-08-30

This is a very good and inexpensive DVD/CD combination, one essential for the Orson Welles (1915-1985) fan. The DVD rogram is very well done and is essentially a minibiography of Welles, with emphasis, of course, on the circumstances surrounding the 30 October 1938 Halloween radio broadcast of Welles's adaptation of H.G. Wells's (1866-1946) novelette, The War of the Worlds (1897). The DVD is copyright 2005 and was newly written, directed, and narrated by John Ross, who also did the music--facts not noted on the packaging (this information is from the credits).

The DVD runs for 75 minutes, not the claimed 70 and is a mix of B&W and color; format is 4:3, and sound is in Dolby digital stereo. There are 8 scenes:
1) Sign of the times [5:13]
2) Orson Welles [6:08]
3) The Mercury Theater [10:58]
4) Grover's Mill, New Jersey [6:37]
5) 1930's sci-fi [7:31]
6) Are we alone? [13:27]
7) Panic on the streets [6:53]
8) The aftermath [18:24]
The actual program has lots of biographical and historical ackground, including extensive clips from Welles's two early films, Hearts of Age (1934) done when he was only 19, and We Work Again (1937), done for the WPA (Works Projects Administration). Scene 5 on "1930's sci-fi" is interesting,but the overlong scene 6, "Are we alone?," on alien phenomena, including the 1947 Roswell affair, is rather tedious. Scene 8 includes clips from Welles's The Trial (1963) as well as his interview remarks on War of the world.

The CD is of the complete 30 October 1938 radio broadcast of the hour-long Mercury Theater show (the CD runs 58 minutes, 7 seconds). The quality is very good. The scratchiness in the beginning part adds to the atmosphere. The CD is not subdivided. Thus don't lose your place or you will have to fast forward from the beginning to resume listening.

What's missing? There is no inner paper insert. It would have been classy to list the characters and actors of the radio broadcast and perhaps reproduce the 31 October 1938 article in The New York Times about the controversy. However, this information is readily available from the Internet. I printed it out to insert into the DVD case.

Average customer rating:

Precious document of Doris.
Magic
Interesting
Fabulous special from A&E's "Biography" series...
This is a documentary, not a film

Doris Day - It's Magic
Starring: Doris Day , and Peter Graves
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A59Q1E
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Description

The smile that lit up millions of movie screens! With her considerable talent and plucky spirit, Doris Day embodied the wholesome ideal of 1950s America. But while her films were usually lighthearted, her own life was filled with turbulence and heartache. Scenes from her classic films, newsreels, trailers, rare photographs and intimate interviews with family, friends and colleagues document the dramatic life and career of a screen legend. Doris Day: It's Magic is narrated by Peter Graves with never-before-seen home movies and rare candid photographs of Day from all stages of her life. Also dazzling clips, outtakes and trailers from her films, including Calamity Jane, Love Me or Leave Me, Pillow Talk, The Man Who Knew Too Much and more.

Customer Reviews:

Precious document of Doris........2007-07-03

Various pictures about Doris are collected to this DVD.
Only this cannot get many documents easily now in Japan.
I was able to know most about her by this Disk.
It is a nice thing and thanks you.

Magic.......2007-03-09

A very detailed description of Doris Days life. Lots of good interviews, some with her son Terry and home movie footage of Doris on the beach and in her garden with her lovely dogs.

A must for any Doris Day fan, you wont regret it.

Interesting.......2007-01-04

I Have learned a lot about the Doris Day i didn't know

Well researched and put together very enjoyable

Fabulous special from A&E's "Biography" series..........2006-02-28

Longer than most, this Doris Day edition of "Biography" originally aired on 'Sweethearts' week with Susan Lucci hosting. Many have confused it with Doris's first movie, "Romance on the High Seas", since "It's Magic" was an alternate title. The special follows young Doris's rise as a teenage dancer in Ohio who was good enough to secure Hollywood backing--until a train accident left one of her legs in horrible shape. Recuperating in bed, Doris began to sing along with the radio and discovered a hidden talent--she had an uncanny ear and was a superb vocalist! There are no interviews with Doris herself, but Terry Melcher, her son who recently passed away, adds his comments, as do Kaye Ballard and biographer A.E. Hotchner (who tells us of DD: "She's like Greta Garbo--you'll never see her again"). Except for a brief phone interview on CNN after Ronald Regan died, Hotchner seems to be right. Relishing her privacy in Carmel, California, Doris is said to be happily surprised at how her music and movies have held up in popularity. If only she knew how much the entertainment world still needs her...

This is a documentary, not a film.......2005-09-09

Many of these reviews are written about a Doris Day movie. This is NOT a movie. Read the description--it's a documentary hosted by Peter Graves. It's an excellent documentary and any Doris Day fan would love it, but don't think it's a movie, 'cause it's not. :)

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**** NOT FOR ENTERTAINMENT - NOT RECOMMENDED ! ****
Disappointing look at Rock
Not quite what the title implies
Clever
Clever

Rock Hudson's Home Movies
Starring: Eric Farr , Rock Hudson , John Wayne , Jan-Michael Vincent , and Paula Prentiss
Director: Mark Rappaport
Manufacturer: Water Bearer Films, Inc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000092T4R
Release Date: 2003-06-03

Customer Reviews:

**** NOT FOR ENTERTAINMENT - NOT RECOMMENDED ! ****.......2007-04-18

IT'S LIKE A COLLEGE ESSAY/PAPER AND QUITE BORING! MANY PICTURES ARE CLIPPED FROM THE OLD MOVIES THAT YOU CAN FIND - NOT MUCH ROCK'S PERSONAL LIFE. AND I DO NOT LIKE THE JOKES IN THE BONUS. ROCK HUDSON'S HOME MOVIES IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ENTERTAINMENT!

Disappointing look at Rock.......2005-11-29

This was the longest hour watching a movie that I've spent in a long time. First, it's not really home movies at all, but cuts from Rock's movies that he is presumed to have shown at home to his friends. There is a guy who plays Rock speaking in the first person, but this obvious fiction is set in a documentary style as if it all really happened. That seems unlikely -- I can't imagine Rock himself was ever this boring. You'd be much better off watching Rock's real movies and inferring the gay content for yourself. Save yourself an hour and skip this one.

Not quite what the title implies.......2003-07-10

This film covers in a limited sense what THE CELLULOID CLOSET covers more professionally and comprehensively. The title refers to the reel of gay and homoerotic scenes from Hudson's studio films that he compiled for showing to his friends at parties. There are no candid home movie clips (no shots of Rock by the pool, Rock and Tab Hunter playing croquet, or of anyone dressed in women's clothes). If you can surmount that disappointment, it should be noted that the studio clips are mostly of extremely poor quality (as if photographed from a tv screen). On top of that, the film has an amateurish quality (a not-very-similar-looking actor plays Rock speaking from the world beyond, sometimes with his image inserted into the frame with the real Rock Hudson). I'm sure for some viewers these qualities will give the film a sort of underground cult classic feeling and add to its appeal. I found such effects distracting and annoying. On top of this, there are no interesting new revelations about Hudson (or about a Hollywood lavender underworld). All stones were left unturned.

Even so, ROCK HUDSON'S HOME MOVIES did make me appreciate the sheer number and variety of films Hudson made (westerns, war, Douglas Sirk melodramas, as well as the familiar, fluffy technicolor sex comedies with Doris Day). Not the best actor America ever produced, but certainly one the camera loved.

Clever.......2003-05-31

This clever film uses clips from Rock Hudson's Hollywood movies to tell the truth about his gay life. You will not be able to see those films the same way again. If you liked " The Celluloid Closet" you'll like this movie

Clever.......2003-05-31

Average customer rating:

Interesting, But Lacks Depth
A great documentary for those interested in independent work

Independent's Day
Starring: Brian Flemming , Dan Mirvish , Sydney Pollack , Jeff Dowd , and Ira Deutchman
Director: Marina Zenovich
Manufacturer: New Video Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00022FW8Q
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Amazon.com

So you wanna be an independent filmmaker? Then listen now to what Living in Oblivion director Tom DiCillo says: "Get a good haircut, good wardrobe, and a good publicist." And then head to Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival, where Hollywood suits vie for bragging rights to the discovery of the next Steven Soderbergh or Quentin Tarantino.

Independent's Day is the next best thing to being there. If Sundance is indeed "a monster," as founder Robert Redford has said, then Marina Zenovich's irreverent chronicle of the 1997 festival takes viewers into the belly of the beast. Make way for the film critics and the cell-phone-toting studio executives, the bedraggled filmmakers carrying their precious films around in Glad bags, and the actors looking for indie cred. (Hey look--it's Tori Spelling!) Ever since Soderbergh scored an unprecedented Hollywood windfall with sex, lies, and videotape in 1989, independent filmmakers have "set their clock" by Sundance. In 1997, this film informs us, 800 films were submitted to the festival, up from 50 in 1985. From breakout successes such as Neil Labute (In the Company of Men) and Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy) to lost-in-the-shuffle obscurities such as Jeremiah Bosgang, Independent's Day captures the exhilaration and gallows humor of the Sundance experience. Zenovich also detours to the alternative Slamdance Festival, which was created for films rejected by Sundance, and the alternative to the alternative, Slumdance.

For aspiring filmmakers, Independent's Day is an inspiring primer. Consider what one director suggests: "Anyone asks, tell them you went to film school. Preferably Canadian. No one knows anything about Canada anyway." --Donald Liebenson

Description

Always wanted to be at Sundance? Well here's your ticket.

INDEPENDENT'S DAY gets behind the scenes at Sundance, Slamdance, and even the Slumdance film festivals in Park City, Utah to reveal the amusing and engaging stories of the maverick filmmakers who

Customer Reviews:

Interesting, But Lacks Depth.......2004-05-26

Independent's Day is a brief film shot on less than a modest budget. Interspersed between candid interviews with dozens of novice filmmakers are cuts of the infamous week at the Sundance Film Festival. Notable comments are made by Sydney Pollack, Robert Ebert, actress Parker Posey, director Steven Soderberg ("Sex, Lies & Videotape") and many others. Robert Redford appears briefly in archive footage from past Sundance events. There is much to hear from these young filmmakers, such as the horror stories of impossible deadlines, going into great debt and other hard luck stories, only to have their film dismissed and lost forever. More interesting is the offspring event for independent filmmakers like "Slamdance", a vital alternative to Sundance. It's worthy to note that in 1987, 50 films were submitted to Sundance and 800 were submitted in 1997. This is a direct result of the huge success of previous Sundance award winners. It would have been nice to have heard more stories of the parties and the extent to which filmmakers will go to get their films made. Some of them are outrageous. For a short, `independent' film, this documentary slightly satisfies, but falls short when considering what it might have been. A fitting example of what happens to most of the Sundance entries.

A great documentary for those interested in independent work.......2000-03-13

Is a great documentary, because it shows how Sundance Film Festival works. Interviews with new and not so new in the film arena directors. Is inspiring to see all kind of people talking about their work and points of view about the festival. What they gave for being there, what they won, what they lost. I ask to Director Zenovich to make a second part of this video, because with the new Digital Revolution, it would be interesting to see the impact in the film festivals, compared with the time when she did the current video (1997), when digital revolution had not begun yet.

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Surfing Hollow Days

Surfing Hollow Days
Starring: Phil Edwards , Bruce Brown , Dennis Curren , Mickey Dora , and Kemp Aaberg
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305871167
Release Date: 2000-06-20

Description

The fourth movie Bruce Brown made travels to Mexico, California and Florida, along with a trip to Australia and Hawaii with Phil Edwards. Features a fifteen-foot shark checking the line-up at Rincon and the first wave ever ridden at Pipeline. Time to hang ten with another of Brown's outstanding surf films--it's almost better than being there!

Customer Reviews:

Surfing Hollow Days.......2000-07-12

While not as fun as Surf Crazy or either of the Endless Summers, Surfing Hollow Days is still entertaining to those surfing enthusiasts who love Bruce Brown flicks. Surfing Hollow Days takes the viewer on an around-the-world surfing adventure with some of surfing's most legendary riders when they were young men, including August and Yater themselves. The background music isn't much to brag about, and Brown's commentary (usually sharp witted and colorful) seems to fall a little flatter than usual. From California to Australia, during the birth of the foam boards, but still before the oh-so-important leash, we follow several groups of young men surfing their hearts out; including a 12 year old boy surfing Waimea Bay, and the Pipeline's virgin run by the courageous Phil Edwards. And when they can't find a wave it seems as if surfing behind a boat will do. Brown still throws in several gimmicks for comic relief, but for some reason, Surfing Hollow Days just doesn't have the mass appeal as his other works. But, if you love to watch vintage surfing footage, and love anything Bruce Brown, Surfing Hollow Days is still fun to watch - but only recommended for the most die-hard of fans.

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Not Quite The First, But It's Still Entertainment
Has no peer
Not as good as part one or three but the most unique!
DVD Box set Please!
Leave u singing and tapping all night

That's Entertainment, Pt. 2
Starring: Louis Armstrong , Fred Astaire , John Barrymore , Leslie Caron , and Bing Crosby
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002OXVDC
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

Not Quite The First, But It's Still Entertainment.......2006-07-15

THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT PART 2 is not quiet the caliber of the first film in the series, but it still has a great deal to offer. Like the first film, it has all sorts of great clips from MGM musicals. For musical lovers makes this film intriguing is that unlike the first film it's not a collection of the best known scenes, but secondary scenes that are treasured by audiences. For example, the Fred Astyaire/Cyd Charisse number in THE BAND WAGON is in the first film but ask anyone who loves this film what one of the best scenes would be, it would bee the "Triplets" scene which part two includes. Ann Miller's dancing among the musical instruments in SMALL TOWN GIRL makes the first film but the effervescent scene where Bobby Vann believes he's headed to stardom and hops his way through the town makes part two and if you're a fan of the MGM musical, this stuff is great.

One of the potential drawbacks of this film, at least today, is the Fred Astaire/Gene Kelley narration and dance collaboration. Today it's kind of hokey and distracting, but I'm sure when it was released, their loyal fans probably thought it was great to see them again, and even if it is a bit overdone at times, it's evident how much they loved being song and dance men and how much they did contribute to film in general.

Now if someone from MGM (or Warner Home Video) is reading this, I'd like to make a suggestion. In the overture an excerpt from LILI ("Hi-Lili Hi-Lo") can be heard. We also become nostalgic for SMALL TOWN GIRL and it makes me wonder whether or not it's time for MGM to look at some of the classics included in all the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT series and do some re-releasing in DVD. I'm sure amny film buffs would appreciate it.

Has no peer.......2005-03-05

This sequel to the 50th Anniversary compilation from 1974, is a treat. Some critics dissected Gene Kelly on the account he was producing is own memorial service... Morbid indeed... It is a flawless, wonderful compilation. Many studios have tried to copy the excellense of these films, but they don`t have the legacy nor the artistery so if u wanna c revisit history of the Hollywood that was.... check out this compilation-series...

Not as good as part one or three but the most unique!.......2004-10-28

There are some gems in this 1976 edition of "That's Entertainment", but seeing Fred and Gene trying to dance and clown was hard for me to watch. Although they were energetic and supreme in their craft in their heyday, they are obviously trying too hard to be entertaining within the context of introducing the clips. It was heartwarming, but somehow painful to watch them TRYING to be great again. I would have much preferred them to simply introduce the clips in dignified fashion... and surprise... that's exactly what the producers did in "That's Entertainment part 3" in 1994. It worked as beautifully as it did in the first edition. Both 1 and 3 also concentrated on MUSICAL numbers, and part 2 does not... it seemed to mock the old musical style more than present it. Having said that, there are some real gems here... so I gave it only 3 stars. Part 1 and 3 are 5 star movies.

DVD Box set Please!.......2004-06-27

when are the powers that be going to get their act together and issue this great series in a deluxe box set-the three TE films as well as That's Dancing. As long as they give it the treatment it deserves, and re-master it properly.

Leave u singing and tapping all night.......2003-08-04

I love show tunes and broadway. This is a really fun movie. If u have part 1 or 3, u may get some repeated clips. Astaire and Kelly host this and even though it is sometimes chessy, its fun

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