DVD

Average customer rating:

Great Rita Hayworth
Entertaining songs and romance
Good Music, great stars!!!
Straight talking Frankie with demure Kim
Thanks, Mom from Janet

Pal Joey
Starring: Rita Hayworth , Frank Sinatra , Kim Novak , Barbara Nichols , and Bobby Sherwood
Director: George Sidney (II)
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 0767821807
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Amazon.com

First born in the pages of The New Yorker, then translated into a hit Rodgers and Hart Broadway musical, the title character of Pal Joey had undergone quite a transformation by the time he hit the movies in 1957. He was a singer, rather than a dancer, but more importantly he'd had his rough edges sweetly softened; the callous heel dreamed up by novelist John O'Hara was more of a naughty scamp in the film version. However, Pal Joey remains delightfully watchable for two very good reasons: a terrific song score and a surplus of glittering star power. Frank Sinatra, at the zenith of his cocky, world-on-a-string popularity, glides through the film with breezy nonchalance, romancing showgirl Kim Novak (Columbia Pictures' new sex symbol) and wealthy widow Rita Hayworth (Columbia Pictures' former sex symbol). The film also benefits from location shooting in San Francisco, caught in the moonlight-and-supper-club glow of the late '50s. Sinatra does beautifully with the Rodgers and Hart classics "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" and "I Could Write a Book," and his performance of "The Lady Is a Tramp" (evocatively shot by director George Sidney) is flat-out genius. Sinatra's ease with hep-cat lingo nearly outdoes Bing Crosby at his best, and included in the DVD is a trailer in which Sinatra instructs the audience in "Joey's Jargon," a collection of hip slang words such as "gasser" and "mouse." If not one of Sinatra's very best movies, Pal Joey is nevertheless a classy vehicle that fits like a glove. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Great Rita Hayworth.......2007-06-05

Rita Hayworth is the only reason for watching this film, and Kim Novak is good. The rest is not good..the script of the original Pal Joey has been completely re-written to accomodate Sinatra, and this means the thinnest of plots, the transposition of songs, elimination of numbers that make him look bad, and the suits and pants with football padding to disguise thinness and age.

This was the musical Sinatra wanted; he was sure he could carry a film, certainly a musical film. He had seen M Brando take the lead in Guys and Dolls, and he reacted negatively toward Barndo all through the shoot of Guys and Dolls. Thank God Brando secured that lead!

Sinatra's voice in Pal Joey is very bad, his style of acting is no style at all, and his acting, even on its one note foundation, is excruciating. He needed Gene Kelly and others to fill in when he made MGM musicals; he was never a star, and Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak eclipse him in every scene,proving that point.
Too bad, because this was a very good show, on Broadway, with Gene Kelly, who should have done this picture, or Marlon Brando, certainly Brando.

See this for Rita and her number, Zipped, and forget the rest.

See also, Kim, sing (dubbing)My Funny Valentine, and how it gets ruined as you watch Sinatra's reactions to it.

Entertaining songs and romance.......2007-04-06

This was a so-so story but good music from Sinatra and company.
Especially nice appearance from Rita Hayworth as the other woman. She's
still got the allureshe had as a young actress in musicals in the 40's.
Kim Novak is very beautiful and sweet but out of her league against the pros.

Good Music, great stars!!!.......2006-11-10

But I wonder how it would have been if Gene Kelly reprised his roll as Pal Joey. Kim Novak and Rita Hayworth are always lovely to look at, and Sinatra is of course, Sinatra! Nobody can sing "That's Why the Lady is a Tramp" like he can. Not one of the greatest movie musicals, but certainly very good. Classic songs from the American songbook.

Straight talking Frankie with demure Kim.......2006-05-15

A great movie. I liked this movie because I like the way Sinatra talks and sings. He is a natural actor always ready with a 'tough-guy' quip delivered with perfect pace and vocal variety. Kim Novak for me is a fabulous actress. Not only is she beautiful but she plays the part of a shy and hesitant starlet perfectly. The songs and the story are great both of which I have transfered to my i-pod to listen to over and over again.

Thanks, Mom from Janet.......2006-01-29

This movie, if nothing else, defines my childhood. Appearing on "The Children's Hour" with Ed Herlihy every Saturday, amid early morning rehearsals, and all that, I saw this movie at least 20 times! Mom was a real Sinatra fan. There have been so many remakes of what are now considered clsssic songs by Sinatra and gang, but(thanks to Mom) I have the original LP and know a good rendition when I hear it. If ever. Guess you had to be there and experience the movie. I was just 8-years-old at the time and, even at that age, able to figure out that "Pal Joey" was something special. It's fun! It's a lark!! It's an era!!! It's Rogers and Hart!!!!

Average customer rating:

"Region free" player needed.
Delicate and haunting film!

Kes [Region 2]
Starring: David Bradley (II) , Freddie Fletcher , Lynne Perrie , Colin Welland , and Brian Glover
Director: Ken Loach
ProductGroup: DVD
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Customer Reviews:

"Region free" player needed........2007-05-25

Hi all, a wonderful story. It's not everyday that you see a movie about this subject. I confess that I love movies of odd topics, I love birds of prey, and I adore films that speak to the value of life, the possibility of redemption, and the victory that is inherent in our lives if we only realize it.

Since this DVD is in PAL format you will need a multi-format region free DVD player. Do a search on it, they are plentiful and low priced.

As an after thought, why do so many foreign films out class US films? Perhaps because they do not cater to the lowest common denominater.

Delicate and haunting film!.......2005-09-12

A beautiful and tender story that turns around a 15 year-old Yorkshire boy who tames and trains his pet. One of the most remarkable films of that decade directed by that young and raising promise. Ken Loach.

Average customer rating:

One of their best!
Spencer/Hill spoof of secret agent genre is hilarious!

Trinity: Hits the Road
Starring: Terence Hill , Bud Spencer , Buffy Dee , David Huddleston , and Riccardo Pizzuti
Director: Enzo Barboni
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00009PBU2

Customer Reviews:

One of their best!.......2004-03-13

Another of the best of the modern Terence Hill/ Bud Spencer comedy spoofs. Non-fans may find this too corny compared with the Trinity films, but that is why they are not fans! Starting with one of the best Spencer set-ups Hill has yet arranged, films goes through many hilarious slapstick episodes. Only weakness in my opinion is the villain, K-1. His female karate companion makes up for him, however. Secret agent spoofing themes make film of interest to James Bond fans, also.

Spencer/Hill spoof of secret agent genre is hilarious!.......1999-02-23

Average customer rating:

When Bad Noir Happens To Good Actors--A Delightfully Demented Bit Of Fun
Oh, the ACCENTS!!!!!
A Must for Rickman and Thompson fans!!
Fun and enjoyable film noir
Better the 2nd time around with judicious use of the FF

Judas Kiss [Region 2]
Starring: Carla Gugino , Simon Baker , Emma Thompson , Alan Rickman , and Gil Bellows
Director: Sebastian Gutierrez
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00006JY6G

Customer Reviews:

When Bad Noir Happens To Good Actors--A Delightfully Demented Bit Of Fun .......2006-11-09

I'm going to say it right from the beginning-- I absolutely loved this bit of overheated Southern noir. I'm not going to pretend that it is a particularly good movie, but as trashy fun--it hit all the right notes. And all of the things that others have listed as the film's shortcomings are positively endearing. It is delightfully bad in a very great way. Why? It's got to be traced to the screenplay. The ludicrous banter between the cops is priceless, they reference sex and Jim Thompson in equal measures--as if talking about hard boiled noir will make this picture more legitimate. And the dialogue between the kidnappers is so cliche ridden, so colorful, so out of left field. Believable? Not a bit--but super entertaining in an off-kilter way.

In "Judas Kiss," a quartet of impossibly attractive kidnappers stage an elaborate plan to ransom off a software tycoon. As they are executing their plan, a woman stumbles upon them and must be murdered to prevent an eyewitness statement. This, as you might imagine, complicates the plan and all must deal with the implications. A couple of cops looking into this sordid mess are played by Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. With charmingly bad accents, these great actors are a sight to behold. My favorite moment is provided by Thompson undercover in a knit cap on roller blades--trust me, she blends right in!

The kidnappers are all played by appealing and somewhat famous actors. Carla Gugino is ostensibly the lead character and narrator of our story. Smart and sexy, and usually better than her material, I often wonder why she's not a major star. She is hysterical here is full blown sex kitten mode. Simon Baker provides the requisite beefcake action as her often shirtless boyfriend. Gil Bellows is cool and calculating, while Til Sweiger is the "crazy" comedic muscle character. It's all a lot of fun.

In a bizarre effort to sex up the proceedings, we get some nice wacko moments. Two times, a sci-fi porno is being watched by characters within the film. These cheesy, nudity filled sequences add nothing to the story and a sane person would have to question why they are included at all. We also get the romantic backstory, told in flashback, of two of the kidnappers. Absolutely unnecessary and grinding the action to a halt, it is still a major hoot. How else would we get to see Gugino spanked by a violin and receiving oral sex while dangling from a meat hook in a supermarket freezer. Genius!

I'd probably give this about 4 1/2 stars because I love it in a deranged way--but I'll let it slide with a 3. I don't want to oversell it's actual merit. Try it if you're in the mood for a bit of ridiculousness. KGHarris, 11/06.

Oh, the ACCENTS!!!!!.......2006-06-14

I'm gonna start and say I did enjoy the movie, but Alan & Emma seriously could've used a good dialect coach. I'm from New Orleans, the majority of us do not talk like that! Alan's never been good at playing American accents, there's always a hint of his British that pokes through, but he did give a solid performance.

A Must for Rickman and Thompson fans!!.......2006-04-01

I initially watched this film because of my favorite actor Alan Rickman. And while I enjoyed his performance here(as well as Emma Thompson's), I felt the movie wasn't all that great. I didn't get really interested in the plot until halfway through the movie. The only scenes I enjoyed were the ones with Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson, it was a really interesting choice having two well loved and well respected British actors play these parts, and if you can get past the accents,(Alan did a better job than Emma, but that is because he has "the voice") which at times was hard to understand, they did an awesome job with these roles.
The story revolves around a group of kidnappers led by Carla Gugino. They kidnap a computer genius (played by Greg Wise-real life husband of Emma Thompson), but then turns into murder when Carla's character murders the Senator's wife. There is a government conspiracy which Det. David Friedman(Alan Rickman) tries to uncover. Emma plays the FBI agent Sadie Hawkins.
I wouldn't recommend this film unless you are a fan of Alan Rickman or Emma Thompson, or if you are a big fan of film noir.

Fun and enjoyable film noir.......2005-11-19

"Judas Kiss" is one of those movies that is both a tribute to and a send up of the film noir genre. Think "3000 Miles to Graceland" only not as tightly plotted. The ensemble cast is great and the whole "are they going to get away with it?" plotline is well done although I feel that some of the clues should have been shown to the audience earlier in the film rather than towards the end. Everyone in the cast does a good job, but I would agree that Carla Gugino gives a stand out performance with good support from Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson as the cops. Rickman, looking like an unmade bed, plays the world-weary, but ultimately honest Det. Friedman. Thompson is sassy and fun as the tough and unconventional F.B.I. agent, Sadie Hawkins. I would describe the overall look of the film as "jazzy"--slick and sharp while being sensual as well. If you enjoy film noir as much as I do, definitely pick up a copy of this film. I can only hope that they will be bringing in out on DVD soon.

Better the 2nd time around with judicious use of the FF.......2005-10-20

I came to this film with the attitude of enjoying a bit of ridiculous 'camp'. Emma Thompson and Alan Rickman sporting Nawlins accents? I couldn't pass that up. Well, even with the right attitude coming in, it was at times painful. Emma's dialect coach should have been shot; Alan did better, at least he sounded like he was aiming at a southern accent, but he tends to drawl a bit anyhow so maybe it was easier for him. However, Emma and Alan are only supporting characters. The main characters are not terrible or anything, but really not that compelling.

Oh, the plot. The film does have a good plot, and it could have been interesting, but nonetheless I found it a bit plodding. And as others, have noted, the editting is so weak it's comical. Oh actually there is a quite memorable scene: the cunnilingus scene in a meat locker. Wow, that was...um...unusual.

Well, Emma and Alan fans will no doubt watch it, but save it for a slow mid-week night. Actually, any Emma fans with a sense of humor should definitely watch this at some point. Emma is obviously having a good time, and seeing her dangle a cigarette while tailing on roller blades is something else. It's just that you might not want to choose this as a film to watch with friends, unless you want to expose the depths to which you will descend to watch Emma or Alan on the screen.

Addendum: Alan plays a good character here. It's a nice lite break if you've been working through his films where he often plays morally ambiguous (or not so ambiguous) characters in films that explore difficult themes.

Average customer rating:

Denver, the Last Dinosaur
Starring: Pat Fraley (II) , Jan Rabson , Townsend Coleman , Cam Clarke , and Fred Scott (III)
Director: Tom Burton
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Dinosaurs | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00023JGXC

Average customer rating:

A Fairy (Tale) across the Mersey....
All you need is Love, love. Love is all you need

Letter to Brezhnev [Region 2]
Starring: Alfred Molina , Peter Firth , Tracy Lea , Alexandra Pigg , and Margi Clarke
Director: Chris Bernard
ProductGroup: DVD
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Customer Reviews:

A Fairy (Tale) across the Mersey...........2006-06-22

This film seems dated now -- people who came of age after the collapse of the Soviet Union, won't understand what all the "fuss" was about. So what if an unemployed girl from Liverpool wanted to move to the USSR? But this was filmed during the early 80's still in the Cold War, and Westerners were not supposed to want to move to the USSR. The movie suggests that Thatcher's England, with its workers on the dole, wasn't any better than life in the Soviet Union. In fact, even your personal freedom wasn't worth much without money and hope for the future.Extreme? Yes, of course. Ask any Soviet citizen in 1979 where they would rather have lived, in the West, or under the totalitarian grip of the Soviet Union. By the '80s, the USSR was a failure on the verge of collapse but still a threat (after all, in 1980 it invaded Afghanistan). But all that is beside the point.

This film is about working class Liverpool and the dull, hopeless lives of two of its young women. Elaine and Teresa are bored out of their wits: their lives revolve around promiscuous sex, drinking, and an occassional night out at their drab, local disco. One night, they meet two Russian sailors. Though broke, they steal a wallet with enough money to pay for a hotel room. Teresa has one night of unadulterated sex with her Russian sailor who speaks no English; Elaine, on the other hand, simply spends the night talking to her Russian sailor and falls in love. After the ship leaves, she vows to see him again. When she realizes she can't visit him in Russia, she writes a "letter to Brezhnev" asking him to let her visit Russia and be with her Peter. The Premier sends her a ticket and she becomes a local --and controversial -- celebrity.

This is a charming film if only for the characters of Elaine and Teresa. The Liverpool accents make it clear just how much in common Liverpool has with Ireland. Though these good-time girls are out to have fun, it's only a mask for their empty, melancholy, dead-end lives. But one wonders why they didn't go to school, why they gave up on life so easily, why they didn't have any dreams or aspirations? Was Liverpool as bad as that? Didn't they have any choices at all? In some ways the movie doesn't try to explain the socio-economic problems -- it only says: "this is how it is." But one does get the feeling that after a couple of months of unemployment, freezing dark weather, Russian life sans fish and chips and MTV, Elaine will get bored will find herself traipsing back to Britain. Would Elaine have the patience and dedication needed to study Russian and adopt herself to life there? And this question lingers: is the emptiness in the lives of these two girls an emptiness that can be filled with a move to another country? Or is it a vacuum well within the girls themselves? It's these lingering questions that makes the movie relevant today.

All you need is Love, love. Love is all you need .......2006-04-27

I have wanted to write this review for a long time. In fact for over twenty years since I first saw this wonderful film I have wanted to share my views with someone. Now, living in the United States where the film is only available on VHS, I am able to write it.

This is a lovely little love story but despite that I absolutely love it. I used the film in economics and sociology lectures to illustrate a number of different socio-economic and historic processes but throughout this is an unashamed love story.

The backdrop for the movie is the almost unemployed port of Liverpool, once the gateway to the West, and now an almost industrial museum set against the backdrop of the Liver building and Paddy's wigwam. The time is the early 80's where the decimation of manufacturing industry through exposure to competitive economic global forces through the policies of the Labour government under Chancellor Healey, followed by the Thatcher government under Chancellor Howe, resulted in mushrooming structural unemployment. As the characters emerge from the soulless housing estates thrown up since the 1960's such as Skelmersdale where this writer spent a year whilst undergoing teacher training, we see the nasty and brutal existance forced upon young people as the techno pop of the new romantics pulsates in the background in a somewhat escapist mode. Survival is the key but there is more to life than being unemployed or plucking chickens as the inhabitants of my home town Sunderland celebrate in the pubs and clubs on weekends when the paycheck or unemployment payment arrives.

The story of the chance meeting in a bar and love at first sight followed by a night in a quayside hotel is a story played out in many towns and cities throughout the British isles but whereas the relationships established generally lead to a grim perpetuation of the existing circumstances in this case one of our heroes has a dream.

Realising a dream is fraught with problems, especially when the general demeanour of a country is totally opposed to that of another. In this case our Kirby girl falls for a Soviet sailor who happens to be Russian and once his ship departs she discovers the harsh reakity of living in a bureaucratic centralised state, ie Britain. To achieve success she must battle lies and spin, fight the government and the press and become a pawn in a propaganda battle which ends with the victory of the soviet government who enable the reunion of the two lovers behind an iron curtain.

There is much in this movie, the escapism and the fantasy. The brief intimate interludes which punctuate the dreary drudge of life in a factory in soulless towns. The centrality of a family unit in cramped conditions where relationships are fraught and edgy. The dreams and realities of an intelligent young woman with little educational success in an environment of competition for few eligible males which is often vicious. One of the most illuminating scenes is towards the very end of the movie where the hardened friend is wishing Elaine goodbye at the airport and her veneer cracks when she is alone. My only complaint is the seagulls which normally follow the ferry across the Mersey could not look more fake than on this movie.

After spending a year near Merseyside I can say that I found the people there to be the salt of the earth and well represented by this movie. It is a film which comes along only once in a while but which is worth every compliment which can be paid to it. I have no hesitation recommending this to everyone although I feel that in my adopted country they will need subtitles.

Average customer rating:

Hue and Cry [Region 2]
Starring: Alastair Sim , Harry Fowler , Douglas Barr , Joan Dowling , and Jack Warner
Director: Charles Crichton , and Henry Cornelius
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00008N711

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Two year old loves it - hard for parents to watch again and again
Elmo Is Just Too Awesome :]
Good movie.
Great Elmo movie, no clips from the tv show
Good show for kids and tolerant adults

The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland [Region 2]
Starring: Kevin Clash , Mandy Patinkin , Vanessa Williams (VII) , Sonia Manzano , and Roscoe Orman
Director: Gary Halvorson
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004Y3P2

Amazon.com

Welcome to Grouchland, U.S.A., place of a thousand stenches. This is where everyone's favorite red monster winds up when he stars in his first feature film, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Elmo learns a lesson when he refuses to share his blanket with his best friend, Zoe, then loses it in Oscar's can, where it goes all the way to Grouchland. There the beloved blanket winds up in the clutches of the greediest man alive, Huxley (played by Mandy Patinkin), and Elmo has to venture alone to Huxley's lair to get it back. The Sesame Street gang follows Elmo but ends up in the Grouchland jail. Fortunately, whenever things start looking too bleak, our hosts Ernie and Bert stop the film and offer reassurance. There are also numerous opportunities for audience participation (canned kids' voices will prevent parents from feeling too silly when viewing at home). This 73-minute film has plenty to entertain the youngsters as well as details and inside jokes for parents. And of course there are marvelous animated effects--although seeing Elmo dance in 1999 isn't quite as remarkable as it was to see Kermit ride a bicycle in 1977's The Muppet Movie. The songs are fun and bouncy, and veteran performers Patinkin and Vanessa Williams (as the Queen of Trash) contribute their exceptional talent. The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland was conceived as a film kids could see in theaters; in the safe environs of home, it's good fun for anyone over the age of 2, or even younger in small doses. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

Two year old loves it - hard for parents to watch again and again.......2007-06-16

My daughter is a huge Elmo fan, and this was the first movie of any kind that she understood the basic plot line and got caught up in the story enough to sit through it. Basically, Elmo won't share his blanket, it ends up in Grouchland and he has a long adventure to get it back with the help of friends. Unfortunately the movie is hard to sit through as an adult - the music and dialogue become a bit annoying after several viewings. However, she loves it and it's fun to watch her get emotionally caught up in a movie for the first time.

Elmo Is Just Too Awesome :].......2007-06-12

The Adventures of Elmo in G rouchland

Elmo loves his blue blankey more than anything. But when it's tossed carelessly into Oscar's trashcan, Elmo takes a trip to Grouchland to get it back. After an unwanted tour of the city, evil Huxley (Mandy Patinkin) steals blankey and takes it to his mansion, it's up to Elmo to get it back. On the way to the top of the hill where Huxley's mansion is located Elmo sings with a plant, meets the Queen of Trash (Vanessa Williams) and faces a giant chicken. The Sesame Street gang shows up later to help Elmo reclaim what's rightfully his and return everything else to Grouchlands grouches.
I love this movie! Elmo is just too adorable to resist. With his cute, little, red-ness.
Vanessa Williams and Mandy Patinkin are great in this movie. Vanessa's role is a little small for her talent but she does a great job with it, anyway. They both sing and have some nice dialogue with Elmo.
All in all, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland is an awesome film that can be enjoyable for all ages.

Interesting Facts About The Movie And Its Actors:
-Vanessa Williams was the world's first African-American Miss America
-Vanessa Williams was recorded to be living in Chappaqua NY in 2003
-Mandy Patinkin played Jason Gideon on Criminal Minds for 45 episodes
-The voice of Elmo, Kevin Clash, is also the voice of Pestie, the grouch jailer and the grouch cab driver (in the movie)
-Elmo in Grouchland was released in 1999
-In 2000 Elmo in Grouchland was nominated for a Young Artist Award in the category of Best Family Feature Film-Animated

Good movie........2007-05-01

I enjoyed this dvd more that my daughter did. She was 1 when we first watched it. It did not keep her attention. She prefers the Elmo dvds with a lot of singing and dancing. I still bring it out once and while and as she gets older, she pays more attention to it.

As always with a Sesame Street dvd, there are great lessons. I think this is a great movie for a three year old child or older.

Great Elmo movie, no clips from the tv show.......2007-03-29

My toddlers love this movie, we've been watching it since they were 1.5 years old, now they are close to 3. They like the fact that it's a real "movie" and not just rehashed bits of Sesame Street that we've seen dozens of times already (a la Elmo's World videos, and dozens of other Sesame Street DVDs). I like the fact that it's a contiguous story, like "Follow that Bird" - unlike Elmo's "Peter and the Wolf" movie, which is not bad but it switches between an audience listening to the orchestra and the Peter and the Wolf story. "Elmo in Grouchland" is very entertaining and has slightly scary bits and good sound effects too.

We had been borrowing it from the library but I just bought it at my local Target (San Francisco Bay Area) for $5.50.

Good show for kids and tolerant adults.......2007-03-21

Between my two children's young years, I've had to endure Elmo in Grouchland for 6 years now. After the 10th time, I was ready to accidentally lose the CD, but after perhaps the 300th time or so of hearing it, I can honestly say it is a good movie.

Many have complained about the bad messages this movie gives to young children (stealing toys, hurting feelings, spitting, etc) and it is true, there is stealing and hurt feelings. But unlike many movies that are geared toward children, Elmo in Grouchland does not have any portrayals of violence, sexual innuendos, or cheap-taste thrills. The audience is given the opportunity to see the natural consequences of stealing, not being a good friend, etc.

In fact, the main plot of the story is that Elmo learns the value of friendship and to share his blankey-- a message that is very clear throughout the movie.

The songs give messages of not giving up ("Take the First Step"), the value of friendship ("Elmo's Best Friend/ Together Forever"), and songs about seeing different points of view.

If you can handle listening to these songs once every week or two (or more for kids who watch TV more), then this is a very good CD.

Salena Ball Ashton

Average customer rating:

Ocean's Eleven [Region 2]
Starring: Frank Sinatra , Dean Martin , Sammy Davis Jr. , Peter Lawford , and Angie Dickinson
Director: Lewis Milestone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005UL6E

Average customer rating:

HOLLYWOOD'S BEST CAMP CLASSIC
Camp classic with a capital C
camp classic
One of the best campy films EVER!
Widescreen Obstructs Visual Enjoyment

Valley of the Dolls
Starring: Barbara Parkins , Patty Duke , Paul Burke , Sharon Tate , and Tony Scotti
Director: Mark Robson
Manufacturer: Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( V ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000AQGKC6

Product Description

Germany released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. Languages: o Dutch (subtitles) o English (subtitles) o French (subtitles) o German (subtitles) o Italian (subtitles) o Spanish (subtitles) o Swedish (subtitles) o English (Dolby Digital 2.0) o German (Dolby Digital 2.0) o Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0) o Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0) Synopsis: A cinematic take on a 1960s best-seller, Valley of the Dolls traces the ups and downs of three young women as fame, booze, pills, and men consume their lives. Well-bred, small-town Anne Welles (Peyton Place star Barbara Parkins) arrives in New York eager for fame but settles for a job assisting theatrical attorney Henry Bellamy (Robert H. Harris). The job leads her to cross paths with Helen Lawson (Hollywood veteran Susan Hayward), the grand dame of Broadway musicals, and Neely O'Hara (sitcom star Patty Duke), an up-and-coming performer whom Lawson unceremoniously boots from her latest show. Neely lands on her feet thanks to a series of nightclub gigs, and soon she and Anne befriend Jennifer North (Sharon Tate), a buxom starlet. As Neely becomes a huge star of stage and screen and Jennifer appears topless in a string of European "art" films, Anne becomes a wealthy cosmetics spokeswoman and suffers though a passionate but failed affair with aspiring writer Lyon Burke (Paul Burke). As the pressures of fame and failed romance take their toll on all three women, they take refuge in food, sex, liquor, and pills -- especially Neely, who becomes downright monstrous. Although the film's characters are fictitious composites, Neely most closely resembles Judy Garland; Garland herself was originally cast as Lawson, but she was replaced after only a few days by Hayward. Although the film's trailer played up the story's titillating subject matter, the script for Valley of the Dolls actually toned down Jacqueline Susann's novel.

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They don't make 'em like this anymore. Well, John Waters might, if he ever had a big enough budget. A steamy "inside look" at the alternately sleazy and glamorous world of catfighting, backbiting show-biz starlets, this Hollywood hit from the bestselling novel by Jacqueline Susann is a high-gloss camp artifact--a time capsule (or some kind of capsule, anyway)--from the screwy '60s, when a broad was a broad, a bitch was a bitch (whether "her" name was Neely O'Hara or Ted Casablanca), and a "doll" was a prescription drug. These dames of whine and poses obsessed over their bust lines, booze, and barbiturates. The once-shocking and scandalous language and behavior of these Broadway babes has been eclipsed by Dallas, Dynasty, and Melrose Place, but time has only enhanced the stature of Valley of the Dolls as a classic--and it still puts Showgirls to shame. With Patty Duke, Susan Hayward, Sharon Tate, Lee Grant, Barbara Parkins, and Martin Milner (and juicy, scene-chewing dialogue such as the infamous: "They drummed you out of Hollywood, so you come crawling back to Broadway. But Broadway doesn't go for booze and dope--now get out of my way, I've got a man waiting for me!"), Valley of the Dolls is the Mount Rushmore of backstage movie melodramas. --Jim Emerson

Customer Reviews:

HOLLYWOOD'S BEST CAMP CLASSIC.......2007-07-03

"Valley Of The Dolls" is probably one of the funniest movies ever turned out by Hollywood and this 2-disc edition does it justice. Interestingly, it was one of the year's biggest box office money makers when it was first released -- and justifiably so! High school students who devoured the best trashy roman a cle ever written flocked to see what was then a real shocker.

All of the acting is super camp and way over-the-top. Supposedly, the director hated Patty Duke (so she says in the extras DVD) and it shows. Every shot is basically unflattering and he made her screech like an out of control banchee. Barbara Parkins is the Vasser graduate who just acts shocked by everything but still is able to sleep with the handsome star and become a super model due to her classy looks and high cheekbones. Her acting is so understated she comes across as a high couture zombie whose role model is Jackie O. The piece-de-resistance is Susan Hayward as the crass, vulgar, yet supposedly immensely talented, "Ethel Merman" knock-off, Helen Lawson. The Margret Whiting dubbed version of the unbelievably ridiculous song, "I'll Plant My Own Tree and I'll Make It Grow," defies description. Plus, her sequined outfits cost a fortune and all had to be re-made since Judy Garland stole the originals when she was fired from this picture. The extras includes Judy Garland's press conference; this alone is worth the total cost. Susan Hayward has the most quoted scene when Patty Duke flushes her wig down the john and she delivers the classic line, "They drummed you right out of Hollywood so you come crawlin' back to Broadway. Well, Broadway don't go for booze and dope."

Small roles are not to be ignored and each performer maximzes the impact of their terribly written parts. Lee Grant is super creepy as Sharon Taste's paranoid mother-in-law, Martin Milner is a very funny patsy to Patty Duke and Toni Scotti looks like a young mobster (and we never heard from him again) with a weak Al Martino voice. Another classicly funny scene is Tony Scotti and Patty Duke warbling, "Comne Live With Me", in the nursing home/asylum.

Interesting, the only actress who comes across unscathed is Sharon Tate. She looks stunning and is a very touching actress, the only one who is believable in this unrealistic romp. But, she does get to tell Barbara Parkins, "You know how bitchy fags can be!"

"Valley Of The Dolls" is the greatest! I never tire of seeing it or hearing the absurd dialogue. It deserves to be preserved right up there with "Gone With Wind." And well deserved credit for the original concept goes to Jackie Susaan who has a great little cameo as a TV reporter.

While Barbara Parkins says she thinks it was filmed in Greenwich, CT. this is not correct. Most of the New England portion of the movie was filmed in Bedford Village, Katonah and Yorktown Heights, NY -- all about 40 miles from NYC.

It took years for this to come to DVD. Buy it before they pull it from the shelves.

Camp classic with a capital C.......2007-06-24

I can't believe it has actually been a year since this little gem finally came out on dvd. I have watched it repeatedly since its release and it NEVER ceases to amaze and astound me. From Ms. Duke's anything-but-subtle performance (and that's all I am going to say on the subject since it's been covered here so many times before) to the luminous Sharon Tate as the talentless (although ironically she gives us the best performance of the three female leads here by far) top-heavy Jennifer to the beautiful Barbara Perkins walking through the whole movie as if she's in a daze, still pinching herself that she actually got the most juicy part of her entire career to, last but not least, the incomparable Susan Hayward's scene-stealing turn as the legendary Helen Larson. Although the part was intended for Judy, Ms. Hayward takes the ball and runs with it, commanding your attention in every scene she's in, relishing every venomous line she's been given and delivering them all like they were hard bitchslaps, leaving her less-seasoned co-stars down for the count. Fox may not be proud of this fact but this soapy saga was the biggest box office hit of '67 and despite its obvious flaws it's still easy to see why. Trash sells, especially delicious trash. From the overboard acting to the choppy screenplay right down to the ridiculous music score, this is THE camp classic by which all others should be judged!

(Although I wish they would now release the '81 TV movie remake on dvd. What can I say - I want to complete the set!)

camp classic.......2007-05-07

As you can tell from the other reviews this is a camp classic and a must see for anyone who enjoys a film that is laughable when it was not intended as a comedy. However, at the risk of giving this film too much credit, I have to say there was a lot of potential for a great film and a serious treatment of "big" themes like existential despair. It's just that much of the acting was over the top and the songs - oh my god, the songs are just so funny, you can't take drug abuse, suicide and existential despair seriously when you hear this film's soundtrack.

One of the best campy films EVER!.......2007-03-10

This film was panned by the press when it came out in 1967, but it still was a big him.

Over the years it's become one of the greatest "Good Bad Films" of all time along with "Mommie Dearest".

What I can never understand is why "I'll Plant a Tree" was not awarded Best Song?

Oh that picky snobby Academy!

Widescreen Obstructs Visual Enjoyment.......2007-02-05

OK, "Valley of The Dolls" is a guilty-pleasure you're supposed (?) to be ashamed to admit to liking.
You know better. You subscribe to TCM Monthly, you've listened to Martin Scorcese's detailed explanations of how without widescreen, you'd only see 2 of the brothers dancing in '7 Brides For 7 Brothers', you've come to accept Widescreen in your library of some hundred-odd (and odder) films...But you do NOT accept that 'Valley of The Dolls' and artistic integrity contained within, is preserved by a DVD Widescreen Release with NO option for the public to purchase it fullscreen. Listen up, 20th Century Cinema Classic Collections----If Rhett and Scarlett, Mammy, Bonnie Blue, Melanie, Ashley and 1000 confederate soldiers can be shown FULLSCREEN in "Gone With The Wind" without any compromise of quality, then by God so can Neely O'Hara, Anne Wells and Jennifer North in 'Valley of the Dolls'-- old Helen Lawson, too.
I have never before seen a widescreen presentation with this EXTENT of black border around the film, and it totally ruins a very pretty movie to look at with very pretty snow and very pretty actresses. The DVD extras are nice, with 4 lobby cards and an ok 3 page fold-out booklet. The best audio contributions come courtesy of E! writer Ted Casablanca, who speaks with intelligence and thoughtful insight and considerable knowledge of the film that inspired him to adopt his pen-name. He gets a little help in the commentary from Barbara Parkins, but it is Ted himself who really brings the backstory of 'Valley of The Dolls' to life. The bonus features on Jacqueline Sussann are a wonderful treat yet somehow feel a little short. The day-glo pink case the 2 dvd set is housed in is way-kewl.
BUT all that was needed was to see the actresses up close and clear, larger than life in a larger than life trash-wallow, with the beautiful New England and New York snowfall scenes and drink it all in. I am SO GLAD i still have my VHS copy, and there is NO comparison in the level of enjoyment in watching
the movie. The VHS from the 90's wins hands-down over this deluxe dvd, all you SEE is the thick black borders. I wish I could get a refund, or exchange it for full-screen. BOO-HISS for your pretentious tinkering with a movie that just HAS to be viewed fullscreen to appreciate the over-the-top grandeur of it all. And by the way, EVERY single object/person/snow-covered tree in frame on this DVD is clearly visible on the old VHS copy, you really messed up a fun movie by visually compromising the viewer's enjoyment of it. It's no fun watching "Valley of The Dolls" in widescreen. Save if for the Oscar-winning films, foreign films, documentaries. Leave FUN as fun.
This past week, this same company- 20th Century Cinema Classics Collections released 3 Doris Day movies (Caprice, DoNot Disturb, and Move Over Darling)-- all in widescreen. I bought 2 of them anyway, and don't care so much, I'd never seen them and they look fine, so far, though i can tell from the start of 'Caprice' that it would be more 'fun' full-screen. I just don't care so much in the case of the Doris Day films, however they are, they are.
20th should realize it is totally non-consumer friendly to shove widescreen down the DVD collectors throat without an alternate choice. - WarnerHome Video offers films in both formats, and it's more than a little pretentious of 20th to take these (lets face it) light-weight titles and act as though they are 'Citizen Kane' and therefore must be released in widescreen.
Phooey. And i just pulled out 'Sunset Boulevard'-- a classic- fullscreen...Okay, "My Brilliant Career" is Widescreen, 2 disc Blue Underground... "All About Eve" is fullscreen. The classic "Meet Me In St Louis" 2 disc special edition is FULL screen- and if ever a director was meticuluos with set designs, camera shots, and precision of composition, Vincente Minnelli was-- and HIS films can be offered to the public to purchase in fullscreen format... Along with the previously noted 'Gone With The Wind' and scores of others...
With respect to Mr. Scorcese and Mr. Pollock and their TCM comments, there ARE segments of the viewing public who just don't LIKE widescreen. Whenever I buy films by them, I'll gladly accept their artistic decision and purchase their widescreen version. The directors of 'Valley of The Dolls' and the Doris Day movies are DEAD, they don't care if the films come out at all, let alone in widescreen. Offer the public the option to enjoy them in a format they get to choose. Thanks,endrant

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