Features

• Black & White
• Compilation
• NTSC

Reviews (3)

"Shindig" hosts the first wave of the British Invasion
"Shindig" was a rock 'n' roll show that aired in prime-time on ABC during the mid-1960s (the other was NBC's "Hullabaloo").Both shows manage to feature some of the top names in popular music in the old days when bands performed live on television to promote records rather than making music videos.This is the first of two "Shindig" collections featuring the best of the British Invasion.Volume 1 includes Manfred Mann doing "Doo Wah Diddy," Gerry and the Pacemakers singing "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying," the Searchers doing "Needles and Pins," Freddy and the Dreamers with "I'm Telling You Now," and the Honeycombs performing "Have I the Right."These are not the A-acts from the British Invasion (they went on Ed Sullivan), but they are certainly representative of what came ashore.If you check out this one be sure to check out Volume 2 which offers up the Animals, the Yardbirds and the Zombies, and is therefore the better of the pair.

A great tape for fans of sixties Rock & Roll
The tape containes: Don't let The Sun Catch You Crying-Gerry& the Pacemakers,I'm Into Something Good -Hermans Hermits. Little Children- Billy J.Kramer & the Dakotas, Doo wAH Diddy-Manfred Mann, Needles & Pins-The Searchers,Tobacco Road-the Nashville Teens, Have I the Right-the Honeycombs, You Turn Me On!-IAN Whitcomb,World Without Love-Peter & Gordon.& I'M Telling You Now-by Freddie & the Dreamers. I think this is a great tape for those who love the music of the sixties.

British Invasion At Its Best
Outstanding collection of first wave of British rock groups as they appeared when I first saw them at age 11, in live performances that really hold up. I remember now why I went right out, got a guitar, and grew myhair long after first seeing these in 1964. Includes the originalcommercials and Shindig cast. Recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 60's    2. British Invasion    3. Music Video    4. Music Video - Pop/Rock    5. Performance    6. Pop    7. Pop/Rock    8. V/a Compilations   

Features

• NTSC

Reviews (16)

The Keith Richards of Jazz
In his younger years, Chet Baker was quite a good-looking man.In his final days however, he began to physically resemble Johnny Paycheck in the middle of a week-long bender.But the recordings ... the recordings!Fans will want to see this, and hopefully add it to their collections.And in the end, the music is all that matters.Until a better documentary is made, this intimate portrait - warts and all - remains a standout piece of filmmaking ... and probably won't be surpassed.

If Dr. Alien is on DVD, anything can be on DVD
Silly that this documentary has not been put out on DVD.I have a VHS copy of this that I found at a thrift store.It is an amazing one, both content-wise and compositionally.Hurry up and release this on DVD...Thanks...

Why is this not out on DVD yet?
This is a great film, recapping the life (near it's end at the time the film was made) of trumpet great Chet Baker.If you are reading this you probably know the basics - rapid rise to jazz stardom in the early fifties, natural talent (self taught, did not read music) records landmark versions of "You Don't Know What Love Is," "The Thrill Is Gone" and "My Funny Valentine" (to name a few), develops a truly unique, somewhat androgenous vocal style (haunting does not do it justice) and then descends into a lifelong drug addiction (outliving virtually all of his cohorts who traveled the same road) which, over time, only adds to the legend.He never kicked dope and was fairly unapologetic about it.Moved all over the place in Europe(where he became something akin to a God in jazz fan circles - especially in Italy).In and out of jail - you name it, he did it.Of course, he had all the traits of a junkie - manipulative, selfish, focused on his habit to the exclusion of almost everything else....almost.He continued making great music, to one extent or other, up until the day he fell to his death from a hotel window.This film catches up with him near the end and contains great interviews with Baker himself, many of his former cronies, friends, lovers.It's shot in beautiful black and white and is really a stunning, unusual bio-pic of an amazingly interesting (but more to the point - talented) guy.Look close and you will see young Chris Isaak and Flea, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.Why this is not on DVD is beyond me.If you are interested enough in this subject to be reading this, go to ebay - occassionally it is available there on video.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Jazz   

Features

• Color
• Live
• NTSC

Reviews (8)

Best concert I've ever seen
And I've seen over 100, by almost as many different artists.
holy cow
What an amazing concert. Paul Simon and a 17-piece backup band supported by a 10-piece Brazilian percussion unit for all of the "Rhythm of the Saints" stuff. This is from 1991, so the content is primarily derived from "Rhythm of the Saints" and "Graceland" plus a smattering of the greatest of his earlier songs, and it's live and energetic and beautiful and for crying out loud there's seriously something like 750,000 people there. A crowd that big is usually reserved for, you know, the Pope or somebody. It's a stirring spectacle.
The very best of Paul Simon
This concert, from 1991--not 1981--is my favorite of all the videos, CDs, etc, I have of Paul's music. Paul obviously pulled together a group of people who knew what they were doing. Everything--from the band--with Michael Brecker on sax and ewi, Steve Gadd on drums, S. African bassist Ray Phiri, vocalists Julia, Maxine and Oren Waters, Chris Botti on trumpet--was perfect. The camera work was perfect. The sound was perfect. The lighting effects were perfect. Read more

Subjects:  1. Music Video    2. Music Video - Pop/Rock    3. Performance    4. Pop    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock/Pop    8. Singer/Songwriter    9. Worldbeat   

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (13)

Are You Off Yet?
If you are delighted by the dazzling, relentless visual creativity of directors like Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton, and David Cronenberg - then sit back and surrender to the magic of Tommy - director Ken Russell's finest hour.Ann-Margret's showcase performance leads the way for an all-star review including Arthur Brown (Fire!), Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, and various incarnations of The Who, easily among the best rock bands of all time.(Elton John also appears, outperformed by his glasses.)
WHO Fans are WAY Too Hard on this Fim!
If You look over the people who gave this Film a bad review, it's most likely from a "WHO" Fan and they're basing their review on what THEY wanted the Film to be or Think it should have been... they're comparing it to the Original Concept album from 1969, which I believe is Totally Unfair.It You were like Me, and saw this Movie without the prejudice of being a WHO Fan, than You would Judge the Film on it's Own Merits.I Think this is one of the Best Films I've ever Seen.I've watched it More times than I care to admit, because I see something different in it every signal time.That's just one of the things that makes this such a Great Film... it keeps You Thinking.If You're a WHO Fan, than go back and Listen to the 69 Version.. You KNOW that it was Purposely Left Open for Interpretation.... So give Ken Russell a Break.

ken russell is the antichrist!
The main problem of this film is that it fell into the hands of Ken Russell, England's bad boy of cinema.He had a chance to make The Who's amazing rock opera into a visual treat--and totally let his penchant for garish imagry and bad taste ruin it!Perhaps if the project fell into the hands of a better director (Alan Parker, Stanley Kubrick, Norman Jewison, anyone!) then this would be a better film.Read more

Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Hard Rock    3. Mod    4. Musicals    5. Pop/Rock    6. Rock    7. Rock & Roll   

Features

• Color
• Live
• NTSC

Reviews (14)

Three and-a-half, really. Good but not as good as 'Tales from Margaritavision'. But get both while you can!
There are several Buffett/Buffett re-
Jimmy, give us the DVD!
This the one of the best Jimmy Buffett live performance recordings.Fortunately, this one is on video.It definately picks you up and transports you to south Florida.We need an official DVD release.

Where is the DVD????
I'd love to get a copy of this on DVD. Jimmy doesn't seem to be too interested in releasing it anytime soon, so I may have to buy a bootleg copy. :( ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Country-Rock    2. Music Video    3. Music Video - Pop/Rock    4. Performance    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock    8. Rock/Pop    9. Singer/Songwriter   

Editorial Review

In 1996, with his public image at a low ebb after a messy breakup with Mia Farrow, clarinetist and filmmaker Woody Allen set off on a tour of Europe with his New Orleans jazz band. Accompanying him were his sister, his soon-to-be wife Soon-Yi Previn, and Oscar-winning documentary maker Barbara Kopple. Like Allen says as the beginning of the tour, "Theoretically, this should be fun for us."Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Dolby
• NTSC

Reviews (16)

Dry yet Quirky...
In all honesty, I found this film only MILDLY amusing because of the "voyeuristic" pleasure of getting to see Woody Allen "off camera" - - but let's face it, a documentary crew was following the guy around... so when you see him and Soon Yi chatting away in their robes in the privacy of their hotel room, do you really believe they're alone and unwatched and not trying to ACT as they want to be perceived...? So the question is, who was doing the acting ?Based on the fact that both came across as rather dull and uninteresting and I'm sure like many viewers I spent most of the film sitting (unfairly) on the edge of my seat waiting for Woody Allen to say something funny or be more neurotic my answer would be either neither or both, and perhaps the film was merely made to simple counter the bad image of Woody Allen that were going around at the time.- - "Wild man, my tookus !" the viewer is expected to say.- - If the film were to be compared to CRUMB (which I found delightfully entertaining, if not dark and depressing beneath its hillarity at times), in terms of interest it would be like comparing SPEED to MY DINNER WITH ANDRE.
Music, fun, and an interesting look at being a celebrity
If you like music and Woody Allen, you will love this endearing documentary by Barbara Kopple. Go behind the scenes as Woody, Soon-Yi, and his band go on a European tour.Allen's wit and quirky but charming personality expose him for the humble and intelligent man he is.But, oy...his mother!

Un-Wild Man Blues
Barbara Kopple's "Wild Man Blues" is decidedly un-wild. That's its first fib. It is the un-intense and un-penetrating chronicle of Woody Allen's 1997 European tour with his New Orleans jazz band. Released in 1998, "Wild Man Blues" came hard on the heels of a period of public scandal for the notoriously private filmmaker, prompting critics to dub it a "public relations corrective". There is a whiff of mendacity about this film. Its motive is abstruse and its meaning convoluted. It carries an air of constructivism. It smells like propaganda. Lurking behind an obeisance to jazz music is a salve for moviegoers' indignation over Allen's romance with stepdaughter cum fianc�, Soon-Yi Previn. Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (23)

"Look, it's okay to admire my wife, but would you mind taking your elbow out of my butter?"
Here's the plot: Before they were partners, Bert Kalmar (Fred Astaire) was one half of the popular dance act Kalmar & Brown, and Harry Ruby (Red Skelton) was a struggling piano player/songplugger. The first time Kalmar and Ruby met, it doesn't turn out well. Kalmar, you see, is obsessed with magic and moonlights as a stage magician. When Ruby is assigned as his assistant, he botches Kalmar's magic act disastrously and earns Kalmar's wrath. However, when Kalmar suffers a back stage knee accident and has to break up his dance team, he bumps into Ruby again. This time, they manage to collaborate on a song before things go south, and that, in essence, was the birth of their successful tin pan alley songwriting partnership.
Movie facinated composer Randy Newman as a kid...
In the catalog for "Guilty: 30 Years of Randy Newman", Lenny Waronker wrote, "When we were kids, we saw a movie called Three Little Words... We were facinated by the idea of writing songs--turning musical inspiration into a precise verse/chorus/bridge form."

A congenial musical with Fred Astaire as Bert Kalmar and Red Skelton as Harry Ruby
Three Little Words is like a mother's cooking. It may not be haute cuisine, but it's tasty and it's nice sitting around the table with friends and family. The movie, in my opinion, has no great highs and no great lows; it's a genial, comfortable musical with a strong performance by Fred Astaire as Bert Kalmar and a low-key one from Red Skelton as Harry Ruby.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musicals    3. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Editorial Review

This semi-remake of Read more

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• HiFi Sound
• NTSC

Reviews (146)

The Best Things Happen While.........
You are watching this movie.its hard to believe that such an old movie could be loved by so many in todays age, but with White Christmas you get everything you want.My parents had me watching this movie at the ripe age of 1, and i have been watching it every since.I at least fit it in a couple times every year(mostly in December).I truly adore this movie, it is and will always be one of my most favorite movies of all time.Bing, Vera, Danny, and Rosemary are the best, and as far as I am concerned, THIS IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE EVER MADE. I don't know about you, but I WILL FOLLOW THIS OLD CLASSIC WHEREVER IT WANTS TO GO!

MUST HAVE!
Awsome movie! Colorful! Entertaining! Funny and Sad! You will never get tired watching it over and over again!
White Christmas - Timeless Classic
I have always liked this film -- it is one of my usual Christmas classics that I watch each year.It also has my favorite song in it, White Christmas, and one of my favorite comics from days goneby -- Danny Kaye.If you like Christmas classics this is one to ensure is in your collection.The acting, music, and comedy in the film is top-notch for the time period the film was made.Watch Danny Kaye keep bringing up the fact that he saved Bing Crosby's life throughout the film. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christmas    2. Christmas / Chanukkah    3. Drama    4. Movie   

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (4)

Drawing Flies
Apparently, flies with cameras mounted on their backs filmed this video.When done filming, they got together and edited their work, adding lots of slow motion.Then they added random shots and white noise in between moments in the interviews.
Goodmotorvision
It was the Soundgarden 1994 release Superunknown that catapulted the group into superstardom, but it was 1991's Badmotorfinger in which the group found their sound. This video was filmed 2 years before Superunknown, back when Soundgarden could still legitimately be called "Seattle's best kept secret" (except for the Melvins, but that's another review). Good music, bad directing..
The music put together was excellent. A good look at the band's real talent live. But the visuals are lacking some. Director Kevin Kerslake makes the whole concert look like a low budget video.With his clips throwntogether, trying too make it fit with the mood of the songs, but failsmiserably. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Music Video - Pop/Rock    2. Rock   

Editorial Review

Danny Kaye spoofs Read more

Features

• Color
• HiFi Sound
• NTSC

Reviews (91)

Cute but not his best.
This is a cute story of course held together by the talents of Danny Kaye.Not his best but certainly worthwhile to watch.

Unplayable
Unfortunately this disc could not be played here...apparently because I have the wrong regional code. I suggest that future DVD offers include warnings that discs will not play in certain countries. I have returned the DVD.W.Patey\Australia

Review of the Court Jester
The Court Jester is a really great timeless comedy, from the day when comedy involved word games and soem slap stick; as opposed to the more vulgar bathroom and bedroom humor that is typical in today's comedys. Its got it all; laughs, great music, swashbuckling action...and best of all a happy ending. I recommend this movie to all who want to see a good "feel good" film that the entire family can watch. Just cause its old doesn't mean it still doesn't have value. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedy Video    2. Feature Film-comedy    3. Movie    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings   

Features

• Closed-captioned
• Color
• Dolby
• NTSC

Reviews (6)

Raul Julia tries tosave the rainforest.
My only reason for seeing this film is because Luis Guzman is in it.
A Great Film
The film The Burning Season is a wonderful movie. It represents the trials and tribulations of the rubber tappers. The movie focuses on the courageous acts of Chico Mendes. He stood up for what he believed in and prevented a highway from being built in the amazon. However, the cattle ranchers had a big influence in wanting the rain forests to be destroyed. They would do anything to stop the protests even if it meant killing Chico Mendes. I felt that the director did a good job presenting the history of Brazil and the struggle of the rain forests. On the other hand I feel that the fact that this movie was made in " holly wood" so to speak, it hurt the film. I think that Chico Mendes was portrayed as being perfect in the film. People, whether they are from Brazil or the United States that want to help save the rain forests will feel they can't can't because they cannot meet the standards of Chico Mendes. So therefore I hope people see past this message that only perfect people can do great things. The truth is everyone can help and take part in saving the rainforests!

The Life of Chico Mendez
The Burning Season is a wonderful film about the life and struggles of Chico Mendez.Chico (played by Raul Julia) fought his entire life to save the Amazon from ranchers and miners that wanted to cut it down.He lived a very peaceful life in Brazil as a seringueiro or rubber tapper until the cattle ranchers and miners took over his land and destroyed it.Mendez was a pioneer for the start of many efforts to save the rain forests.Unfortunately, his efforts were cut short when the son of a cattle rancher shot and killed him at his home.The movie does a great job of making viewers aware of what is happening in Brazil and how much destruction of the Amazon rain forests actually takes place. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-drama    3. Movie   

Editorial Review

Read more

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (27)

Inspiring and Beautiful
I love this video. It is a great start to welcome the day or a mini vacation for your soul at the end of a stressful day. I recommend this video to all especially full figure gals as the movements are grounded
Terrific dance video and great exercise!
I bought this dvd because I was out of shape, looking for some variety in my workout routine, and because it was so well rated.
Spontaneous dance, great instruction, somewhat poor structure
I will warn everyone that this is workout is not typical aerobic-style workouts, where there is a strict structure and pattern of dance. Wyoma imparts the spontaneity of African dance into the class, and while she guides you on the dances, she does not give you counts or very many transitions. Wyoma is a dancer, and is not approaching this from an aerobic exercise perspective. This workout is going to be different from your Crunch or Tae-Bo workouts.
Read more

Subjects:  1. African    2. Afro-Pop    3. Exercise    4. Health/Nutrition    5. Int'l & World Music    6. Pop   

Features

• Classical
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (1)

Good One
I'd have bought this video just for the solos Wynton plays on it.They're more than worth the cost of the tape.The history of the development of early jazz is good stuff, too, though.It's all done through musicalexamples and is just as good for kids as it is for practicing musicians. Worth your dollar. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Classical    2. How To - Musical Instruction    3. Instructional / Educational    4. Jazz    5. Music Video    6. Performance   

Editorial Review

Strawberry Shortcake discovers that friendship and togetherness are the most important things about Christmas in this 45-minute, song-filled holiday program.Strawberry Shortcake is rushing out to do some last minute holiday shopping just as her closest friends arrive to help trim the Christmas tree.She travels to Holiday Land and, by putting herself in each of her friends' place, thinks of the perfect gift for almost everyone.Santa assists Strawberry Shortcake with the last of her gifts and she's soon headed for home.When Strawberry Shortcake's carefully chosen gifts get ruined during the journey home, Christmas suddenly looks dismal.Can friendship, and a little help from Santa, put the "Merry" back into "Christmas?"(Ages 3 to 7) Read more

Features

• Animated
• Closed-captioned
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (12)

Where's Jesus?
My girls love Strawberry Shortcake and I was excited to find out that on this DVD Strawberry Shortcake tells the Christmas story - the real one! I couldn't believe it. Well I was a little disappointed when I discovered that it was tucked away in a special feature. My disappointment turned to disgust when the wise men went to Bethlehem to find "the first Christmas gift." No mention of Jesus - Political correctness at its worst.

Sweet Christmas Movie
My granddaughter received this SS DVD for St.Nicholas Day.Kiersten enjoys watching Christmas movies and Strawberry Shortcake and this DVD combines both.Strawberry goes shopping to find the perfect gifts for her friends and pets which leads to her meeting some interesting characters.The gifts get accidentally ruined on her return trip home but she learns being with friends and family is what is important,not what you give them.Even though as in all the SS DVD's the dialogue is sugary sweet it is bearable.Watch this Strawberry during the holiday season with your child/grandchild.You'll like it.

2princessesmom
Very sweet holiday cheer from Strawberry and all her friends-sweet Christmas songs and situations with Santa Claus-would recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's Video    3. Christmas / Chanukkah    4. Family    5. Movie    6. Xmas Childrens   

Features

• Classical
• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (6)

New Rieu viewer
Am a recent startup fan with Rieu and have enjoyed two other concert CD's.The only disappointment I have with this VHS tape is that it appears to have not recorded the entire concert.Otherwise it is as good as you can get with VHS.

lighthearted and lovely
After a few minutes of introductory rehearsal footage and backstage warm-ups, this concert from Holland goes into full swing with one of the many Johann Strauss waltzes to grace "a whole evening of Viennese music". the most joyous music
I have always adored Strauss waltzes.This video has some songs in it that I had never heard before.They are all absolutely wonderful; a very happy, joyous musical treat. I saw Andre and the JSO in concert last month.The music was the most beautiful I have ever heard! His interaction with the orchestra and the audience is so different from other classical performers who are so solemn.Everybody in the concert hall had a great time.I hope other videos will be available soon. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Video    4. Music Videos - Classical    5. Performing Arts   

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (86)

Good conert tape
I was shocked when I was the opening scene for this tape. I was only fifteen when I first viewed this tape. The drugs, nudity and disturbing images were pretty cool to me then, and are even more intresting now than ever. I give this one four stars because most of the concert is recorded with an open mic thus making the sound a B+ for quality. Here you get ten live songs and back stage footage. Get this if you haven't seen Manson live that's all I have to say.
Dead to the world, Satan has come!
The video contains a 1996 documentary of the controversial Antichrist Superstar tour. The video features 10 songs from the Antichrist Superstar album and the albums before it. Manson delivers a chaotic performance through every one of the songs.
Marilyn Manson ~ Dead To the World
If you think you know Marilyn Manson simply because you've read about him and listen to his music on a daily basis, well I've got news for you: You don't know jack$h!% until you've watched this video! Even the most devoted fans might be shocked or even offended by what they see on this 60 minute film about the controversial band's "Antichrist Superstar" concert tour. In the first 5 minutes of the video, you'll see footage of christians singing gospel hymns & witnessing to Manson fans outside of the arenas before the concerts. As an atheist, I bursted out laughing at the lengths that these christians went to just to get their message across to all of the Manson fans. Singing, dancing, praying, preaching from the bible, holding signs that say "Manson, Jesus Loves You" and stuff like that, it was just funny. Then the cameras take us inside the arena as Manson appears on stage to kick things off by singing "The Angel With the Scabbed Wings." Manson is interviewed throughout the program and explains why he hates christianity so much and how he feels when religious people attack him & refuse to let their children come to see him perform. There's a lot of blurred faces and disguised voices on this tape, and can be a bit annoying. Even Manson's voice during some of the interviews sounds audibly crasp, but if you've got good hearing, you should be able to make out what he's saying. Other live songs include Kinderfield, Sweet Dreams, Antichrist Superstar, Lunchbox, and Apple of Sodom, which I consider to be my favorite song on the video. Also, you'll see clips of Manson performing 1996 and Rock 'n' Roll N*****. Manson is a very outspoken speaker and exercises it by giving some interesting speeches at various concerts. A lot of the backstage footage is rather tasteless & very shocking, so don't watch this tape if you're easily offended. Don't say I didn't warn you! This video contains nudity, strong language, disturbing images, and mature subject matter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Metal    2. Alternative Pop/Rock    3. Industrial Metal    4. Music Video    5. Music Video - Pop/Rock    6. Performance    7. Pop    8. Rock    9. Rock/Pop   

Features

• Color
• NTSC

Reviews (8)

Three Dog Night Soundstage
I've been waiting since June for this item. I can't rate it because i haven't received it.

This is the Three Dog Night I Remember and Love!
I loved this video.Cory was very good, except "Try a Little Tenderness" was a bit too long.Chuck stole the show in my opinion, looking great, singing great.Danny didn't contribute any lead songs (I wish he had performed "Liar") but his harmonies were right on. 3 DOGS IN HEAT !!!!!!
HOT DOG, THESE DUDES ARE HOT STUFF.SOME REAL GREAT TUNES ON HERE INCLUDING-CELEBRATE, ELIS COMING, SHAMBALA, THE SHOW MUST GO ON, PIECES OF APRIL, ALL DONE LIVE FROM CHICAGO IN THE MID-SEVENTIES.THIS IS A MUST HAVE FOR ALL YOU 3 DOG FANS !!!!!Read more

Subjects:  1. AM Pop    2. Music Video    3. Music Video - Pop/Rock    4. Performance    5. Pop    6. Pop/Rock    7. Rock   

Features

• Black & White
• NTSC

Reviews (10)

Essential for the Music
As a Hollywood biopic this is only average. Too much of the film is devoted to Gershwin's supposed romantic involvement with two women, who are both entirely fictional. Far more important in reality was his friendship with Oscar Levant, who was not only the composer's best friend but also after his death was widely recognized as the most authoritative interpreter of his major works for piano, Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F. Levant's presence in the film lends it some historical authenticity. Also present are Al Jolson, a legendary figure in the history of American popular entertainment and the interpreter of Gershwin's single most popular song, "Swanee", and Paul Whiteman, the bandleader who collaborated with Gershwin in the premiere of Rhapsody in Blue. (Fred Astaire is sorely missed.) There is also a superb--I do not use the word lightly--extended three song set by singer/pianist Hazel Scott (who later married the controversial minister/politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr.) about halfway through the film. It has absolutely nothing to do with the plot but is magnificent nonetheless. Robert Alda deserves to be remembered perhaps not for his work in this film but for his origination of the role of gambler Sky Masterson in the great musical Guys and Dolls.

First the bad news
This is one of those films that seems WAY longer than it actually is, and it's not exactly short to begin with. Second, I can think of better leads than Alda. But he was actually better than I'd thought he'd be. What makes this film a little gem is seeing people like Hazel Scott act and perform, as well as all the great music and historical perspective the film offers. Hopefully, we'll be seeing it on DVD soon.

Not historically accurate, but still good fun.
Robert Alda stars in this odd, melodramatic potboiler which looks at the rags-to-rich (and more riches) rise of one of America's greatest popular composers.The film is hampered by a few small points, one being that Gershwin's life doesn't readily lend itself to dramatic portrayal (until the very end, when he drops dead at a very young age, and your jaw just drops)... The problem is that guy was just too darn successful!He hit a groove and never stopped, moving from one huge critical success to another (with one or two flops in between)... The scriptwriters were obviously aware of this, and insert several belabored sequences wherein Gershwin anguishes over this or that, and a couple of sniffly, symbolic deathbed scenes, just for good measure.Other problems include Alda himself (yes, he's Alan's dad...) who isn't completely up to the role, as well as the weak portrayal of George's brother Ira, a super-brilliant, super-important lyricist, who is here presented as a mere hanger-on and cheerleader for his brother, the big-shot genius.Hello?Excuse me... Ira G