Dolores Gray

Designing Woman
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Gary Cooper
  • Great service
  • Watch it for Dolores Gray & Jack Cole!
  • The Original Sex and the City
  • Tremendously funny
Designing Woman
Starring: Gregory Peck , Lauren Bacall , Dolores Gray , Sam Levene , and Tom Helmore
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Manufacturer: Turner Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Classic ComediesClassic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Romantic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Love & RomanceLove & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video | Crumbling Marriages | Erotic | Infidelity & Betrayal | Love Story | Love Triangle | Marriage | Romance | Romantic Epic | Star-Crossed Lovers | Unrequited Love | Young Love
Bacall, LaurenBacall, Lauren | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Connors, ChuckConnors, Chuck | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Deacon, RichardDeacon, Richard | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Helmore, TomHelmore, Tom | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Levene, SamLevene, Sam | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Moore, AlvyMoore, Alvy | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Peck, GregoryPeck, Gregory | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Shaughnessy, MickeyShaughnessy, Mickey | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
White, JesseWhite, Jesse | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Wilson, HarryWilson, Harry | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Minnelli, VincenteMinnelli, Vincente | ( M ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
  2. Gentleman's Agreement
  3. How To Marry A Millionaire
  4. The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
  5. To Catch a Thief (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B00005U2KJ
Release Date: 2002-02-05

Amazon.com essential video

Anyone who thinks that <I>Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus</I> is a cutting-edge idea will be surprised by <I>Designing Woman</I>, a 1957 comedy starring Gregory Peck as a sports writer who falls madly in love with fashion designer Lauren Bacall. The twofold plot springs from a combination of Bacall's jealous efforts to learn the identity of Peck's previous lover and Peck's reckless exposé of a gangster who rigs boxing matches--but the movie's real enjoyment comes from its depiction of the athletic and arts worlds, each spun as a reflection of the male and female mind, respectively. While Peck and Bacall aren't noted for their comic chops, they acquit themselves respectably; Bacall has the more flamboyant role, but Peck draws low-key humor from his character's smug and blinkered perceptions. <I>Designing Woman</I> is directed by Vincente Minnelli (who also directed <I>Meet Me in St. Louis</I>, <I>An American in Paris</I>, and <I>Gigi</I>), so it's not surprising that the movie flares most to life during a few musical sequences--sneaked into the plot because Bacall has been commissioned to design a Broadway show, whose star just happens to be Peck's former paramour--culminating in a back-alley fight staged as a brawling ballet. <I>--Bret Fetzer</I>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gary Cooper.......2006-11-10

Gary Cooper is one of my favorites. I like all his movies

5 out of 5 stars Great service.......2005-09-20

Received item quickly and as promised. Received e-mail when it shipped which I really like. Would definitely use again.

4 out of 5 stars Watch it for Dolores Gray & Jack Cole!.......2002-09-17

This movie might have been tangier with Hepburn & Tracy, but it has some nice moments. Minelli was a stylish director & it shows here. But the real treat for those of us who remember the great 50s musicals of Hollywood & Broadway was the presence of Dolores Gray and Jack Cole, sadly quite limited here. Ms. Gray in this film and in It's Always Fair Weather & Kismet could blow the roof off with her magnificent voice and presence. Jack Cole was one of the great dancers and choreographers of that era - a major influence on many choreographers who followed. This film is a special gem for preserving some fine examples of work by these two great performers.

5 out of 5 stars The Original Sex and the City.......2002-06-29

In this film, Lauren Bacall hilariously portrays the quintessential high-society, high-fashion New Yorker. While on a trip to Beverly Hills, she meets and spontaneously marries the wonderful Gregory Peck - an unassuming sports writer who has no idea exactly what he's married into. Upon their return to New York, Peck's character discovers he's married the darling of New York society as his wife is a renowned designer (think Edith Head or Helen Rose). What ensues is hilarious encounters between her society coterie and his down-home group of blue-collar writers, setting up perfectly for the witty repartee between Bacall and Peck that defines the movie. The film culminates in a fashion show-boxing rumble, once again intersecting the seemingly divergent lives of Bacall and Peck.

"Designing Woman" is a wonderful movie that gives ample opportunity for the magnificent Gregory Peck to show off his comedic skills, however subtly. I saw this film after "Roman Holiday" and it cemented my image of Peck as a dashing and charming leading man who brings out the comedic best in his leading ladies. The chemistry between Bacall and Peck is evident throughout the movie and is a testament to the adage "Opposites do attract."

This is a complete, well-told story with a solid set of supporting characters. This movie is for all those people looking for that rare superb romantic comedy. The delightful depiction of New York society makes us nostalgic for the days before the Hilton sisters.

5 out of 5 stars Tremendously funny.......2002-05-17

I love Gregory Peck. I love him as the serious, morally righteous attorney, the dashing naval captain, you name it. So, really, I should have known that he could pull off a comedic role as well. No one, I don't think, could have known how well he'd pull it off.

From his first hilarious hangover to the last "cross-eyed" fight scene, Peck is enchanting. He's completely believable in his role as a sports writer caught up in a new world of dresses and strange choreographers intruding on his poker night. And perhaps it's because he's not known as a comedic actor that he's all the more funny.

Designing Woman seems to be a little known film, but I'm certainly glad I found it because it kept me laughing, which brought others into the room to watch it with me. Now I just wish that Peck had made more movies like this.
Mr. Skeffington
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not the typical Boy Meets Girl Movie
  • Mr. Skeffington
  • The best of Bette
  • Long but worth it
  • Not for Bette
Mr. Skeffington
Starring: Bette Davis , Claude Rains , Walter Abel , George Coulouris , and Richard Waring
Director: Vincent Sherman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
MelodramaMelodrama | By Theme | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
RedemptionRedemption | By Theme | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
MarriageMarriage | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
RomanceRomance | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Brothers & SistersBrothers & Sisters | Family Life | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Abel, WalterAbel, Walter | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Alexander, JohnAlexander, John | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Coulouris, GeorgeCoulouris, George | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Cowan, JeromeCowan, Jerome | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Davis, BetteDavis, Bette | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Kingsford, WalterKingsford, Walter | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Perreau, GigiPerreau, Gigi | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Peterson, DorothyPeterson, Dorothy | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Rains, ClaudeRains, Claude | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Shayne, RobertShayne, Robert | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Whitney, PeterWhitney, Peter | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Sherman, VincentSherman, Vincent | ( S ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
DramaDrama | Warner Home Video | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
All TitlesAll Titles | Warner Home Video | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
Kids & FamilyKids & Family | Warner Home Video | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $15DVDs Under $15 | Warner Home Video | Studio Specials | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( M )( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. The Star
  2. The Letter
  3. Dark Victory (Restored and Remastered Edition)
  4. The Little Foxes
  5. Old Acquaintance

ASIN: B0008ENIDO
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Amazon.com

Fanny Skeffington, an incorrigible society flirt of the WWI era, was one of the meatiest roles and most exasperating women Bette Davis ever played. Flighty Fanny loves the attention of her male suitors, but marries the steadfast Jewish financier Job Skeffington (Claude Rains) for security; long after their wedding day, she still enjoys receiving gentlemen callers. Time catches up with Fanny, of course, and the bills are due by the time World War II rolls around.

<I>Mr. Skeffington</I> is a vintage Warner Bros. workout for Davis, who never shied away from playing unsympathetic or physically unappealing roles. (Her main worry here was looking pretty enough in the early reels to justify Fanny's reputation.) Her theatrical performance and Rains's impeccable work carry the handsomely dressed story through its many melodramatic shifts. The dialogue by Julius and Philip Epstein (who were doing <I>Casablanca</I> around this time) has the sprung rhythm of screwball comedy, although director Vincent Sherman and the cast don't always seem to have noticed this. There's also the growing issue of anti-Semitism--a subject rare in Hollywood prior to this--especially as it concerns Fanny and Job's daughter. But mostly the film has Bette Davis, who strides headfirst into the gray areas (her indifferent treatment of her daughter is especially unappetizing), a fearless attitude that looks like the polar opposite of Fanny Skeffington's vanity. <I>--Robert Horton</I>

Description

Whose face ravaged, grotesque is in the mirror? Surely it?s not that of Fanny Skeffington, the prettiest woman in New York. Fanny always used her beauty to manipulate her way through life. She?s encouraged dozens of suitors, even after her marriage. But now diphtheria has robbed her of her only attribute. And without her looks, she?s lost. Bette Davis earned her eighth Best Actress Oscar nomination portraying Fanny <P><b>DVD Features:</b><b>Audio Commentary:</b><b>Featurette:</b>New Featurette; Mr. Skeffington: The Big Picture<b>Theatrical Trailer:</b></p>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Not the typical Boy Meets Girl Movie.......2007-05-13

This is a love story. Bette Davis plays a shallow, spoiled rich girl with no money Mr. Skeffington loves her character, why, I have no idea. She marries him for his money. They divorce after a hefty settlement. Only after many years does she realize what a fine man she has lost. The ending is expected, but touchingly done. It's a classic film. Enjoy it. I certainly did.

5 out of 5 stars Mr. Skeffington.......2007-05-13

What has Bette Davis done that you dont love??? Another excellent film.

5 out of 5 stars The best of Bette.......2007-03-04

I'm traditiionally not a Bette Davis fan but this film is so entertaining! Bette plays a selfish, self centered and arrogant woman who is also vain and conceited- very few admirable qualities. After contracting a very serious illness that dramatically alters her very beautiful appearance and the return of Mr. Skeffington from W.W. 11 Fanny Skeffington dramatically changes- for the better. She finally understands the true meaning of love and life.

5 out of 5 stars Long but worth it.......2006-12-25

I really liked this movie. I went into it knowing that Bette Davis wasn't the most beautiful woman in the world. If Warner Brothers wanted that, maybe they could have borrowed Rita Hayworth or Betty Grable from Columbia or Fox. Acting is about performance and Davis wanted the audience to imagine her as a beautiful, desirable woman. It is really long, but try to force yourself to stay with it, it has its rewards. It works in a feminist context because it asks, what do we want from women? Are women only supposed to care about their looks or are they supposed to have an inner life? Also, the accompanying feature says that Davis wanted the make up to make her look disfigured, and that it took bravery for a leading actress to appear ugly on the screen.

2 out of 5 stars Not for Bette.......2006-09-25

I love Bette Davis, and have many of her films, but the absurd characters of Mr and Mrs. Skefinton is so idiotic and unsympatheic, that it doesn't fit Davis or Raines. Ms. Davis has played the spoiled rich beautiful young woman before, as in Jezebel, and done it well, but the characters around her were written well also, and the costumes worked well, not so in Mr. Skefington.

The story is simply unbelievable. Mr. Skefington, Claude Rains, plays a proud man who came from a poor family, but because of his intellect and ability, became a rich, smart and shrewed business man. From that character, he is turned into a blitering idiot after he meets Bette. He allows her to turn him into a weak and naive man without any strenght of character. Also in this film, Bette's very high pitched voice, which got higher as she got older was nerve wracking. This part was not for Ms. Davis or Mr. Raines.
Kismet (1955)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Entertaining, but it dragged....
  • "Heavy Handed"
  • A Mixed Bag of Tricks
  • An excellent broadway show becomse a vile movie
  • Worth it only for Gray
Kismet (1955)
Starring: Howard Keel , Ann Blyth , Dolores Gray , Vic Damone , and Monty Woolley
Director: Stanley Donen , and Vincente Minnelli
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Blyth, AnnBlyth, Ann | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Cabot, SebastianCabot, Sebastian | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Damone, VicDamone, Vic | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Elam, JackElam, Jack | ( E ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Flippen, Jay CFlippen, Jay C | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Keel, HowardKeel, Howard | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Mazurki, MikeMazurki, Mike | Maberly to Mazzello | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Welles, MelWelles, Mel | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Woolley, MontyWoolley, Monty | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Rags to RichesRags to Riches | By Theme | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
ClassicsClassics | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
DramaDrama | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
Donen, StanleyDonen, Stanley | ( D ) | Directors | VHS | Video
Minnelli, VincenteMinnelli, Vincente | ( M ) | Directors | VHS | Video
All MGM TitlesAll MGM Titles | MGM Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Specialty Stores | VHS | Video
Similar Items:
  1. MGM's Kismet: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  2. Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast)
  3. Kismet (1944)
  4. Kiss Me Kate
  5. Lovely to Look at

ASIN: 6302962056
Release Date: 1995-02-24

Amazon.com

Hollywood's excursions into Arabian Nights exotica don't come much daffier than <I>Kismet</I>, a 1955 MGM adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The score includes two standards, "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" and "Stranger in Paradise," but the blend of Broadway razzmatazz and Middle Eastern culture is, to say the least, awkward. (One comic number revolves around a man about to have his hand chopped off for thievery.) There's plenty here for musical fans to enjoy, and a well-cast Howard Keel does his chesty best as an itinerant poet who fast-talks his way to riches; this was Keel's last starring role in an MGM musical. Unfortunately, Vic Damone is a wet rag as the young prince, the garish Eastman Color photography has not aged well, and director Vincente Minnelli seems not entranced by the material. Still, there is something fascinating about Dolores Gray belting out "Baghdad, this irresistible town!" as though singing the praises of Vegas or Monte Carlo. <I>--Robert Horton</I>

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Entertaining, but it dragged...........2007-01-17

Kismet follows the adventures of the notorious 'king of beggars' as he attempts to swindle his way through the noble court as well as on the streets of Baghdad in an attempt to find a rich husband for his dauhter. Howard Keel, is a handsome, but loveable rogue, Ann Blyth as his impoverished dreamer of a daughter was a bit wooden and rather unbelievable as the 'most beautiful princess in the world.'

The musical numbers didn't excite this reviewer. I did like the costumes, and thought Howard Keel was entertaining, but I wasn't excited about Blyth's performance and Dolores Gray's costume and makeup were worthy of an episode of Star Trek. Her lipstick, while I'm sure was the style during the fifties, still makes me cringe.

Entertaining, but not epic. 3 stars.

2 out of 5 stars "Heavy Handed".......2006-07-17

That was Howard Keel's own description of the film, and it is accurate. And critic Ethan Mordden said the film managed to "drain the sensuality out of one of Broadway's steamiest musicals." Keel and Delores Gray are the only two cast members who manage to make something out of their roles in the production. Ann Blyth and Vic Damone are insipid. Sebastian Cabot is less menacing than a teddy bear. How this came out so leaden with Vincente Minnelli directing is impossible to figure out. A sad affair that did nothing to prolong the life of the Hollywood musical.

3 out of 5 stars A Mixed Bag of Tricks.......2004-11-29

Truly the best part of this busy musical is the interplay between the wonderfully showy Dolores Gray and the reliably bearded Howard Keel. Gray was a formidable talent and brings her broad, beautiful voice into full force for a fantastic "Not Since Nineveh", tones it down for the sultry "Rahadlakum" -- shamelessly edited -- and slinks around her boudoir in "Bored". Keel responds well, even if with a small side of ham. His baritone voice is always a welcome addition to the MGM musical.

Vic Damone sings like Vic Damone. He and Ann Blyth don't really have much chemistry; his acting is far too inferior. Blyth's portayal of Masinah is a little prissy, but she rises adequately to the occasion. The "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" number is actually quite lovely, despite being studio-bound.

There are a few disappointing numbers, but they are due to their being the weaker songs from the show. "Gesticulate", while semi-integrated into the plot, is a failed song and a visual horror.

Look for Mike Mazurki, traditional gangster heavy, playing...a Mesopotamian heavy. It can only be an inside joke. Also you can catch a glimpse of a very heavily made-up Jamie Farr. The Ababu princesses bring some of the terpsichorean glory we've come to expect from an MGM musical.

Overall, I would say this is a second-tier classic. It's definitely not on par with "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "Meet Me in St. Louis", "Singin' in the Rain", or "On the Town". Instead, I would put it in the same company as "High Society", "Brigadoon", "Kiss Me Kate", and "The Pirate".

1 out of 5 stars An excellent broadway show becomse a vile movie.......2004-11-20

simply one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The only one worse was the Congqueror with John Wayne, but at least that one was funny.

The choreography was poor, the dancing uninspired, Charlie McCarthy (Edgar Bergen's dummy) would have been less wooden than many of the actors, a few were so badly miscast it was pathetic and some of the best songs were omitted.

2 out of 5 stars Worth it only for Gray.......2003-11-01

This Vincente Minnelli has acquired a somewhat bewildering reputation almost solely because it was one of the few M-G-M musicals the fantastic Dolores Gray ever appeared in. She does have a wonderful number here in her iconic "Not Since Nineveh," where she really lets loose, but the rest of this film is so inferior you'll see almost immediately why M-G-M made so few major musicals after this disappointment. Almost everyone is miscast, even to Howard Keel who seems to be really enjoying himself immensely as Hajj even though he (and almost everyone else in the film) doesn't look in the slightest Middle Eastern. Nor does anyone else in the film, from the largely wasted here but still breathtakingly beautiful Ann Blyth to Sebastian Cabot harrumphing around as the Wazir. The only one who does is Vic Damone, who is about the worst actor ever (despite his lovely rendition of "The Night of My Life").

Worst of all, this edition from Turner Classics doesn't even bother to letterbox the Cinemascope compositions, so even despite the terribly distracting panning-and-scanning you can't see very easily who's talking to whom. This is best forgotten (unless you want to see the one number with Gray in all her oomphy glory).
Bird of Paradise
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Bird of Paradise - Which Version
  • The information for the DVD shown is NOT CORRECT!!
  • Bird of Paradise: A Bold Display of Racism and American Heroism
  • Well, It Was Pretty...
  • Strange, engrossing
Bird of Paradise
Starring: Dolores del Rio , Joel McCrea , John Halliday , Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher , and Bert Roach
Director: King Vidor
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
ClassicsClassics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
RomanceRomance | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Halliday, JohnHalliday, John | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
McCrea, JoelMcCrea, Joel | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Rio, Dolores DelRio, Dolores Del | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Roach, BertRoach, Bert | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Vidor, KingVidor, King | ( V ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 Drama4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
4-for-3 All DVDs4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
All DealsAll Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Kids & Family | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( B )( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $7.49DVDs Under $7.49 | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
GeneralGeneral | Drama | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
GeneralGeneral | Kids & Family | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
All DealsAll Deals | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. Pre-Code Hollywood - The Risque Years (Of Human Bondage / Millie / Kept Husbands)
  2. TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 1 (Waterloo Bridge 1931 / Baby Face / Red-Headed Woman)
  3. Sin Takes a Holiday
  4. Behind Office Doors
  5. The Animal Kingdom

ASIN: B0000A0DVT
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Bird of Paradise - Which Version.......2006-08-22

Has Amazon ever cleared up the confusion regarding the version of this movie. The jacket shows the original 1932 version but the cast is from the 1951 remake.

1 out of 5 stars The information for the DVD shown is NOT CORRECT!!.......2006-08-14

I hope that Amazon will clear up the information listed for this DVD. They list the cast of the remake from the 50's, they have the aspect ratio as widescreen. Which verson of the film is being offered here?? Please clear this up so that those that order will not be disapointed. I am not even sure that the widescreen verson from the 50's is even available on DVD.

2 out of 5 stars Bird of Paradise: A Bold Display of Racism and American Heroism.......2005-10-06

The film Bird of Paradise, directed by King Vidor in 1932, tells the love story of an American sailor, Johnny, and a Polynesian woman, Luana, daughter of the island's tribal chief. Although they fall in love, Luana ultimately forces herself to leave Johnny because of her arranged marriage to the island's prince, and her father's anger. The plot seems innocent enough, but underneath its bathetic façade, we discover a blatantly racist representation of Polynesian people and a bold display of American heroism. Every aspect of the natives is implausible, from their appearance to their naïve and wild behavior, and the ethnocentricity of the Americans in the film is shocking to witness.
The first and most severe cinematic mishap of this film is its misrepresentation of people from the Pacific Islands. The casting directors cast many non-Polynesian actors in the roles of the Polynesian natives, including the lead female role, Luana, portrayed by Mexican film actress, Dolores Del Rio. Although their poor selection of actors was probably due to unavailability of ethnically Polynesian actors at the time of filming, their unrealistic casting nevertheless detracts from the authenticity of the film. Several scenes depict these "natives" stereotypically dancing wildly around a fire. To make matters worse, Busby Berkeley, the film's choreographer, clearly did not invest much time into researching authentic Polynesian dance forms, and what results is a misconstrued and unrealistic Latin-tinged, frenzied body movement, replete with sensual grinding and hip-swiveling. But perhaps the most absurd portrayal of Polynesian people in the film is the scene where the "flying fish come out." The film depicts the "islanders" screaming wildly in canoes as water splashes and fish fly all around them. The scene is intolerably ridiculous and further detracts from the film's believability.
The film also portrays Americans as civilized, morally righteous and superior to the islanders, which is slightly more insufferable than the unrealistic depiction of the native people. In the opening scene, the Americans, towering above the water in their big boat, throw some possessions overboard to the natives, who rapaciously paddle their canoes and swim to collect their newfound "treasures" of the "modern world." Not only does this scene cast the natives in the role of naïve children, but it also creates the illusion that the Americans are civilized heroes bringing technology to the uncivilized world. Furthermore, Johnny heralds Christianity as the only true religion and brazenly informs Luana that her religious beliefs are "crazy superstitions." When the natives tie Luana and Johnny to poles to sacrifice them to Pele, the local volcano god, Johnny tells Luana not to be scared because Pele "is not a real god, he's just a hole in the ground." Johnny then informs her that "There's only one real God," as he vociferously begins reciting the Lord's Prayer. It is hard to believe that this religious fervor comes from Johnny, the sailor who virtually rapes Luana after pursuing her underwater in the beginning of the film.
Although Vidor directed this film in 1932, which might explain some of the problems with it, many people still believe these images and behavioral representations of Americans and Pacific Islanders to be the truth. Images and representations of people and places, however fictitious they might be, are powerful, and leave imprints on our minds whether we intend them to or not. Furthermore, images and representations tend to become knowledge and, as the common adage goes, "Knowledge is power." However, by allowing false images to form our knowledge, we only become prejudiced and ignorant. Therefore, it is imperative that people seek out true knowledge, or else the people of the world will have to suffer through more movies like Bird of Paradise.

2 out of 5 stars Well, It Was Pretty..........2005-06-28

This movie is about a group of American men who visit an island. The natives greet them enthusiastically and all seems well. One man, Johnny played by Joel McCrea, sees the beautiful Dolores Del Rio and instantly wants her. He decides to stay behind on the island when his friends leave because he is enraptured with her. He learns that she is the king's daughter and is not to be touched by anyone other than the Prince to whom she is promised. Johnny tries anyway and when they are found kissing, Johnny is tied up while the native girl is married. However, Johnny escapes and steals his love away from the ceremony. She is happily in love with him, but she knows that if she stays with Johnny, a curse will be placed on them by the volcano. When Johnny vows to protect her, she is taken by the natives anyway, and he struggles to get her back. The film by now seems standard; it seems that there are always love triangles between the white man and the native girl and whomever she is betrothed to in these films. The slow pacing makes this one suffer even more than the trite plot.

This early film showcases the gorgeous Dolores Del Rio who once said she would never make a talkie. Perhaps it would have been wise not to make this one. For the most part, her character speaks in another language or in very broken English, and she does not come off as the brightest star. Joel McCrea fares a little better, but he is not outstanding.

The film is beautifully photographed, although the print could be better with some restoration. The island is gorgeous, surrounded by the ocean and exotic plants. The camera does not hesitate to capture the opulence of the surface of the water and it even travels under to show sharks and sea turtles or people swimming.

What might shock some about this film is the nudity. There are underwater shots of the native girl skinnydipping which would have never gotten past the censors had the film been made during the production code. The scene is artistically done and no particular parts can be made out clearly. However, it might come as a shock to audiences under the impression that film makers of the bygone era were prudes.

3 out of 5 stars Strange, engrossing.......2004-04-12

Strange and amateurish in many regards, yet fascinating and engrossing in its own way, this David O. Selznick production is the original "Bird of Paradise" -- not the 1950s remake starring Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan, which will make for an interesting comparison if it's ever released on DVD.

The stars of this one, Joel McCrea and Delores Del Rio, make quite a strange pair. Joel seems like a hayseed just off farm (his dialogue is peppered with "huhs?" and "whats?" as he seeks to communicate with the mysterious island beauty, Delores). As for Dolores, she seems to belong in a different, and probably more interesting, movie than this one. And even her fabled nude swim scene is pretty tame and unimpressive.

The movie was filmed on location in 1930s Hawaii. Although the focus always seems a bit off, the scenery is still beautiful -- and a good reminder of what Hawaii must have been like before "they paved paradise and put up a pink hotel (the Sheraton Waikiki by the way)." There's also quite a bit of underwater photography, which is pretty impressive given that this movie was filmed approximately 70 years ago.

Cheap and fun, this "Bird" is worth looking into if you're interested in old movies, and if you'd like to see what David Selznick was up to just a few short years before filming his masterpiece, "Gone with the Wind."
Opposite Sex
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Please put this out on DVD
  • Worth a Look
  • DVD please!
  • WHERE THE HECK DID MARY HAINES GO??
  • It's In Color, There's Music and Men!
Opposite Sex
Starring: June Allyson , Joan Collins , Dolores Gray , Ann Sheridan , and Ann Miller
Director: David Miller
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Allyson, JuneAllyson, June | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Blondell, JoanBlondell, Joan | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Collins, JoanCollins, Joan | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Goodwin, BillGoodwin, Bill | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Greenwood, CharlotteGreenwood, Charlotte | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Jones, CarolynJones, Carolyn | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Levene, SamLevene, Sam | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Marshal, AlanMarshal, Alan | Maberly to Mazzello | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Miller, AnnMiller, Ann | Miao to Miyori | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Moorehead, AgnesMoorehead, Agnes | Moakler to Mozart | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Nielsen, LeslieNielsen, Leslie | ( N ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Parrish, LeslieParrish, Leslie | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Pearce, AlicePearce, Alice | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Richards, JeffRichards, Jeff | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Sheridan, AnnSheridan, Ann | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
SatireSatire | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
ComedyComedy | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
Miller, DavidMiller, David | ( M ) | Directors | VHS | Video
All MGM TitlesAll MGM Titles | MGM Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Specialty Stores | VHS | Video
Similar Items:
  1. Two Girls & A Sailor
  2. Woman's World
  3. The Women (Keepcase)
  4. Back Street
  5. Till the Clouds Roll By (Remastered Edition)

ASIN: 6301980727
Release Date: 1995-02-24

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Please put this out on DVD.......2006-10-18

I absolutely adore this movie, I'm just waiting for it to come out on DVD....PLEASE.

3 out of 5 stars Worth a Look.......2006-07-05

The Opposite Sex is a color musical version of The Woman that incorporates men into the cast. It stars June Allyson as Mrs. Hilliard, a woman whose husband of ten years is having an affair with a showgirl, the sexy Crystal Allan (Joan Collins). The two have even more connections; their lives are tangled in a web of gossip spread by the catty women of New York in beauty parlors and in powder rooms or anywhere else they can get a moment together.

The cast is outstanding and the music is fun enough, but the film is much too long to hold one's attention thoroughly. There is too much talk and not enough action.

The movie is much different than the original. Although some of the names, scenes, and lines have remained the same the fact that men are seen certainly changes the film. Also, Allyson's victimized wife is much more likable than Norma Shearer's sheepish version. In turn, Collins' Crystal Allan is easier to hate than Joan Crawford's catty gold digger.

5 out of 5 stars DVD please!.......2006-05-20

While I love the Women, this one holds a dear place in my heart if only for Agnes Moorehead. Please release it on DVD!

2 out of 5 stars WHERE THE HECK DID MARY HAINES GO??.......2005-07-13

This review is primarily for fans of "The Women" who want to know what the main differences - besides there being men in it now - between the two movies are. First and foremost (and no big surprise) is that this is a VERY pale imitation of the 1939 version. Of course no one could ever hope to equal Norma/Joan/Rosiland and company but even if that version did not exist, this incarnation of Clare Booth's play would still pretty much, well, suck. But anyway, on to the main differences. Well, let's see... for some inexplicable reason, Mary Haines is now called Kay Hilliard and the daughter is called Debbie. Ick. No offense to anyone named Debbie but it just doesn't work here. And to make things even stranger, Steven gets to keep his name. Go figure. But those aren't the only ones to suffer a name change. Miriam Aarons is now called Gloria Dell and the characters of the mother - so brilliantly played by Lucile Watson - and the writer, Nancy Blake, have been combined into one, called Amanda Penrose. For me, Ann Sheridan as this new player was by far the best actress in the movie. She so embodied the character of the mother when she's talking to Kay/Mary about why she might want to reconsider breaking it off with Steven that for a while I thought she WAS playing the role of the mother! Let's see... what else. Well, in this go-round, it's Sylvia who winds up with Buck Winston and not the Countess. To me this didn't really make much of a difference. (And for all you Endora fans, Agnes Moorehead plays her!) Oh, and they completely got rid of the Peggy character. Again, not that big of a difference. No disrespect to Joan Fontaine but that character always got on my nerves. So what's still intact? Well, Crystal's famous bubblebath scene is still pretty much there and the confrontation scene where she tells Kay/Mary that if Steven doesn't like the clothes she has on she takes them off is played pretty much true to the original but her exit line at the end of the movie, "There is a name for you ladies. But it isn't used in high society... outside of a kennel," has now been changed to "I think we'll go to California. The smog there will be SO refreshing!" -- which, I have to admit, is pretty funny. I guess whoever wrote the screenplay wanted to leave an imprint or two on the movie and that line ain't too shabby. This production gets billed as a musical and it is true that there are songs in it but it is not a true musical in that the songs are not the characters expressing their thoughts and feelings. To put it another way, this is a musical in the same way that, say, Saturday Night Fever is a musical. Yes, there are musical numbers in it but it's not truely a musical. All in all the writers, producers, etc can be commended for trying to put a new spin on this classic play but in the end it falls considerably short.

5 out of 5 stars It's In Color, There's Music and Men!.......2005-06-02

The Opposite Sex, Starring June Allyson, Leslie Nielsen, Agnes Moorhead, Ann Miller, Joan Collins and others make this film a hip flick. A remake from the 1939 film, The Women, starring Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford and Rosalind Russell, the 1956 version has very noticeable, but positive differences.

First, The Opposite Sex is in color and very vibrant color. The clothes and the sets demand this. Second, there are men in this movie. In the original, you never see any men. The cast was all women. The husband cheater of Norma Shearer (who June Allyson plays) is behind the camera the entire time. This is a unique attribute, but the Opposite Sex is tantalizing for different reasons.

Both The Women and The Opposite Sex are about powerful women, and The Opposite Sex stars the most powerful women in Hollywood at the time. With a look into the high society of women, June plays Kay Hilliard a "retired" singer who is perfectly happy with her theater husband played by Leslie Neilsen. Their marriage seems perfect until she finds out through her "best friends" and some jungle red nail polish that her perfect husband is seeing another woman, an actress in one of his plays. Her mischievous friends hunt down the woman, played by Joan Collins who has plenty in store for Kay because she always gets what she wants. Kay of course is devastated and files for divorce and heads to Reno to wait for it to become finalized. There she meets Ann Miller and Agnes Moorehead who prove to be the best friends she ever had and help her to realize what is important in her life.

Throw in a little music, color and men and this "Jungle Red" movie becomes hip and fun. See these actresses in the latest fashions and hear June Allyson sing "Young Man With a Horn" which is a dedication to Harry James who makes a cameo in the movie. (You can also hear June Allyson sing this song in her younger years in the film "Two Girls and a Sailor") With song, drink and fashion The Opposite Sex was the epitome of the fifties and is a fun film to watch not only for the fun characters but the nostalgia the film brings.
Mr Skeffington
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not the typical Boy Meets Girl Movie
  • Mr. Skeffington
  • The best of Bette
  • Long but worth it
  • Not for Bette
Mr Skeffington
Starring: Bette Davis , Claude Rains , Walter Abel , George Coulouris , and Richard Waring
Director: Vincent Sherman
Manufacturer: MGM (Warner)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Abel, WalterAbel, Walter | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Alexander, JohnAlexander, John | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Coulouris, GeorgeCoulouris, George | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Cowan, JeromeCowan, Jerome | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Davis, BetteDavis, Bette | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Kingsford, WalterKingsford, Walter | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Perreau, GigiPerreau, Gigi | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Peterson, DorothyPeterson, Dorothy | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Rains, ClaudeRains, Claude | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Shayne, RobertShayne, Robert | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Whitney, PeterWhitney, Peter | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Sherman, VincentSherman, Vincent | ( S ) | Directors | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
MarriageMarriage | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
RomanceRomance | Love & Romance | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
ClassicsClassics | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
RedemptionRedemption | By Theme | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Classics | Genres | VHS | Video
World War IIWorld War II | Military & War | Genres | VHS | Video
Deals Under $8Deals Under $8 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video
All MGM TitlesAll MGM Titles | MGM Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Specialty Stores | VHS | Video
Deals Under $8Deals Under $8 | Video Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. The Star
  2. The Letter
  3. Dark Victory (Restored and Remastered Edition)
  4. The Little Foxes
  5. Old Acquaintance

ASIN: 6301973305
Release Date: 1998-09-01

Amazon.com

Fanny Skeffington, an incorrigible society flirt of the WWI era, was one of the meatiest roles and most exasperating women Bette Davis ever played. Flighty Fanny loves the attention of her male suitors, but marries the steadfast Jewish financier Job Skeffington (Claude Rains) for security; long after their wedding day, she still enjoys receiving gentlemen callers. Time catches up with Fanny, of course, and the bills are due by the time World War II rolls around.

<I>Mr. Skeffington</I> is a vintage Warner Bros. workout for Davis, who never shied away from playing unsympathetic or physically unappealing roles. (Her main worry here was looking pretty enough in the early reels to justify Fanny's reputation.) Her theatrical performance and Rains's impeccable work carry the handsomely dressed story through its many melodramatic shifts. The dialogue by Julius and Philip Epstein (who were doing <I>Casablanca</I> around this time) has the sprung rhythm of screwball comedy, although director Vincent Sherman and the cast don't always seem to have noticed this. There's also the growing issue of anti-Semitism--a subject rare in Hollywood prior to this--especially as it concerns Fanny and Job's daughter. But mostly the film has Bette Davis, who strides headfirst into the gray areas (her indifferent treatment of her daughter is especially unappetizing), a fearless attitude that looks like the polar opposite of Fanny Skeffington's vanity. <I>--Robert Horton</I>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Not the typical Boy Meets Girl Movie.......2007-05-13

This is a love story. Bette Davis plays a shallow, spoiled rich girl with no money Mr. Skeffington loves her character, why, I have no idea. She marries him for his money. They divorce after a hefty settlement. Only after many years does she realize what a fine man she has lost. The ending is expected, but touchingly done. It's a classic film. Enjoy it. I certainly did.

5 out of 5 stars Mr. Skeffington.......2007-05-13

What has Bette Davis done that you dont love??? Another excellent film.

5 out of 5 stars The best of Bette.......2007-03-04

I'm traditiionally not a Bette Davis fan but this film is so entertaining! Bette plays a selfish, self centered and arrogant woman who is also vain and conceited- very few admirable qualities. After contracting a very serious illness that dramatically alters her very beautiful appearance and the return of Mr. Skeffington from W.W. 11 Fanny Skeffington dramatically changes- for the better. She finally understands the true meaning of love and life.

5 out of 5 stars Long but worth it.......2006-12-25

I really liked this movie. I went into it knowing that Bette Davis wasn't the most beautiful woman in the world. If Warner Brothers wanted that, maybe they could have borrowed Rita Hayworth or Betty Grable from Columbia or Fox. Acting is about performance and Davis wanted the audience to imagine her as a beautiful, desirable woman. It is really long, but try to force yourself to stay with it, it has its rewards. It works in a feminist context because it asks, what do we want from women? Are women only supposed to care about their looks or are they supposed to have an inner life? Also, the accompanying feature says that Davis wanted the make up to make her look disfigured, and that it took bravery for a leading actress to appear ugly on the screen.

2 out of 5 stars Not for Bette.......2006-09-25

I love Bette Davis, and have many of her films, but the absurd characters of Mr and Mrs. Skefinton is so idiotic and unsympatheic, that it doesn't fit Davis or Raines. Ms. Davis has played the spoiled rich beautiful young woman before, as in Jezebel, and done it well, but the characters around her were written well also, and the costumes worked well, not so in Mr. Skefington.

The story is simply unbelievable. Mr. Skefington, Claude Rains, plays a proud man who came from a poor family, but because of his intellect and ability, became a rich, smart and shrewed business man. From that character, he is turned into a blitering idiot after he meets Bette. He allows her to turn him into a weak and naive man without any strenght of character. Also in this film, Bette's very high pitched voice, which got higher as she got older was nerve wracking. This part was not for Ms. Davis or Mr. Raines.
Dolores Gray - Bell Telephone Hour Appearances 1959-1965
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Glorious Dolores
Dolores Gray - Bell Telephone Hour Appearances 1959-1965
Starring: Dolores Gray
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
MusicalsMusicals | Broadway | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video
( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Barbara Cook - Bell Telephone Hour Appearances 1960-1965
  2. Carol Lawrence - Bell Telephone Hour 1960-1967
  3. Liza with a "Z" - A Concert for Television (Collector's Edition)
  4. Harold Arlen - An All-Star Tribute
  5. Best Foot Forward

ASIN: B000CSTKGU
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Studio description

VAI DVD 4348 Songs from Annie Get Your Gun, Destry Rides Again, South Pacific, others. Bell Telephone Hour Orchestra/Voorhees. 50 min., Color, Region 0.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Glorious Dolores.......2006-11-11

Ms. Gray had possibly the best voice that ever graced a stage. She unfortunately lost interest in her career to keep it thriving, but if you listen to "Two on the Aisle", "Destry Rides Again", and her MGM soundtracks, "It's Always Fair Weather", "The Opposite Sex", Designing Woman" and her crowning glory "Kismet" (her rendition of "Not Since Niniveh" is not only definitive, it's worth the price of the CD), you'll realize what a talent she was and what a loss that we don't have more of her on record (she was a smash for 2 years in the London edition of "Annie Get Your Gun"). This DVD shows all her flair but also the range of her ecstatic instrument. She could belt, coo, but always interpret a lyric in the most impressive way. I wish she wasn't forgotten. When I discovered her, she became my favorite singer of all time. Thanks Dolores.
Blaze Starr Goes Nudist
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Not worth seeing other than as a curiosity peice
  • Not One of Wishman's Best
  • Not One of Wishman's Best
  • Authentic for the time
  • Does her boyfriend ever change his shorts?
Blaze Starr Goes Nudist
Starring: Lee Abel , James Antonio , Joan Bamford , Gene Berk , and Stephen Bloom
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
Fish Out of WaterFish Out of Water | By Theme | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
ShowbizShowbiz | By Theme | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Starr, BlazeStarr, Blaze | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( B )( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $9.99DVDs Under $9.99 | DVD Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. Diary of a Nudist / The Naked Venus
  2. Street of a Thousand Pleasures / Way Out Topless
  3. Rent a Girl / Aroused / Help Wanted Female (Something Weird)
  4. Sinderella and the Golden Bra / Goldilocks and the Three Bares (Something Weird)
  5. The Beast That Killed Women/ The Monster of Camp Sunshine

ASIN: 6305907986
Release Date: 2000-07-11

Description

A nudist Starr is born! Needing an escape from nightclub engagements and her sleazy agent-fiance, legendary red-headed stripper Blaze Starr ducks into a movie theater and sees a movie on nudism. Intrigued, Blaze Starr Goes Nudist! She checks into Florida's Sunny Palms and finds true happiness by strutting around in her birthday suit and discovering the wonders of nude volleyball, nude archery, and, of course, nude checkers. She also falls for camp director Ralph Young, a grinning galoot in oversize shorts (billed here as "Russ Martine," and half of the popular sixties singing duo of Sandler and Young). But, uh oh, that fiance of hers is about to crash the place... Skin, sun, and Miss Starr's incredible curves fill this bright, bubbly production from Doris Wishman (Nude on the Moon), one of the few women directors in the world of sexploitation.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Not worth seeing other than as a curiosity peice.......2006-10-02

Blaze Starr is bored with her life and becomes happy only when she finds a nudist camp, where she feels at home. That's about as far as the story goes. The film is an ultra low budget movie, relying heavily on off-screen narration. Whenever there's dialogue, the camera always shows the person not talking, or - as when Blaze talks on the phone - the character has his or her back to the camera. This way they didn't need to bother synchronizing image and sound.

There's no story to speak of and the movie isn't very good at all. It interesting only as a curiosity piece, as an example of the low budget nudie cutie genre of its time.

3 out of 5 stars Not One of Wishman's Best.......2004-05-08

...and I'm not saying that because this film isn't explicit (if you want explicit, go for later adult films, not an early 1960s nudist colony film). Doris Wishman has made much funnier movies. "Diary of a Nudist" is a better Wishman nudist film.

There is some campiness which makes this one worthwhile, but Blaze Starr herself gets in the way. Blaze Starr has terrible looking implants, and her character is such an annoying, spoiled child, I can't believe she agreed to have the character use her own name. The whole film tries to make us identify with her or feel sorry for her, which often makes the film more annoying than entertaining.

Basically, Blaze-Starr-the-character decides that instead of "working" (i.e. attending parties to help her modelling career along) that she would prefer to lie around naked at a nudist camp. For the whole film she tries to paint her fiancee as a bad guy because 1) he wants to know where his bride-to-be secretly runs off to every weekend, and 2) because he is upset she is dragging his reputation as an agent through the mud by failing to show up for her scheduled events. In the predictable ending she falls for the camp director, but instead of feeling good for her like we are supposed to, I felt relief for her apparently ex-fiancee.

3 out of 5 stars Not One of Wishman's Best.......2004-05-08

...and I'm not saying that because this film isn't explicit (if you want explicit, go for later adult films, not an early 1960s nudist colony film). Doris Wishman has made much funnier movies. "Diary of a Nudist" is a better Wishman nudist film.

There is some campiness which makes this one worthwhile, but Blaze Starr herself gets in the way. Blaze Starr has terrible looking implants, and her character is such an annoying, spoiled child, I can't believe she agreed to have the character use her own name. The whole film tries to make us identify with her or feel sorry for her, which often makes the film more annoying than entertaining.

Basically, Blaze-Starr-the-character decides that instead of "working" (i.e. attending parties to help her modelling career along) that she would prefer to lie around naked at a nudist camp. For the whole film she tries to paint her fiancee as a bad guy because 1) he wants to know where his bride-to-be secretly runs off to every weekend, and 2) because he is upset she is dragging his reputation as an agent through the mud by failing to show up for her scheduled events. In the predictable ending she falls for the camp director, but instead of feeling good for her like we are supposed to, I felt relief for her apparently ex-fiancee.

3 out of 5 stars Authentic for the time.......2003-01-27

Given the retraints of the time, this is an entertaining enough video. The nudity is very limited, which is awkward given that it is a nudist video. Much better Naturist documentaries are now on DVD, like Mother Naturists and Rituals of Summer both here at amazon. It also doesn't make much sense to have these old titles on DVD as the image quality pales in comparison to the more recent Naturist productions, like the 2 listed above. Overall a fun oldies film but don't expect much nudism.

2 out of 5 stars Does her boyfriend ever change his shorts?.......2001-11-14

Good Grief, over the span of months that Blaze visits the nudist camp her "love interest" (imagine your grandfather with a bad dye job in a tight pair of bermuda shorts) never changes his damn shorts. And he really should never wear shorts. He should always be clothed. This silly nudie flick has nudist camp footage used in "Double Agent 73" as well.
It's Always Fair Weather
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Gene Kelly proves he's the best, once again.
  • Fair Weather Friend
  • The most under rated musical of all time
  • A little sour, perhaps, but with great dancing by Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Michael Kidd and Cyd Charisse
  • Better Than Its Reputation
It's Always Fair Weather
Starring: Phil Arnold , Paul Bryar , David Burns , Cyd Charisse , and Dan Dailey
Director: Gene Kelly
Manufacturer: MGM (Warner)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Charisse, CydCharisse, Cyd | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Dailey, DanDailey, Dan | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Kelly, GeneKelly, Gene | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Leeds, PeterLeeds, Peter | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Murray, ForbesMurray, Forbes | Muellerleile to Mynhardt | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Sessions, AlmiraSessions, Almira | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Vuolo, TitoVuolo, Tito | ( V ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Wilson, HarryWilson, Harry | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Kelly, GeneKelly, Gene | ( K ) | Directors | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
ClassicsClassics | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
ComedyComedy | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
RomanceRomance | Musicals | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | VHS | Video
Deals Under $8Deals Under $8 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video
All MGM TitlesAll MGM Titles | MGM Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Specialty Stores | VHS | Video
Deals Under $8Deals Under $8 | Video Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. Summer Stock
  2. Three Little Words
  3. Ziegfeld Follies (Std Rmst Sub Dol)
  4. On the Town
  5. Daddy Long Legs

ASIN: 6301969111
Release Date: 1995-02-24

Amazon.com essential video

The third collaboration between Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, <I>It's Always Fair Weather</I> falls short of the classics <I>On the Town</I> and <I>Singin' in the Rain</I>, mostly due to a slow plot and middling songs by Andre Previn, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. In a story reminiscent of <I>On the Town</I>, Kelly, Dan Dailey, and Michael Kidd play three GIs who return from the war vowing to stay buddies forever. When they reunite 10 years later, however, they find they have little in common, other than having given up on their dreams. Best known as the choreographer of such MGM evergreens as <I>Seven Brides for Seven Brothers</I>, the diminutive Kidd proves adept at kicking up his heels in front of the camera. Cyd Charisse plays a scheming television producer (an unusually down-home character) and Delores Gray is the toothy TV show host. (Gray gets to sing and Charisse dances a little, though not with Kelly.) The best moments, of course, are the dance numbers Kelly choreographed, including the three GIs' trash-can-lid dance, Charisse's solo supported by a crew of boxers, and Kelly's number on roller skates, "I Like Myself," which combines some of the free spirit of "Singin' in the Rain" with the stunt footwear made famous by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in 1937's <I>Shall We Dance</I>. Unfortunately, the pan-and-scan format spoils the film's wide CinemaScope presentation, often fitting only two of the three characters on the screen. Enjoyable, but not quite a classic. <I>--David Horiuchi</I>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gene Kelly proves he's the best, once again........2007-01-14

This movie features a roller skating dance number by Gene Kelly that is outstanding, and is one of my favorite numbers by Mr. Kelly! Costarring Cyd Charisse, Dan Daily, and Michael Kidd, the movie includes wonderful dance numbers by all four. Entertaining plot. If you are a dance/musical fan, you'll defintely want to add this to your collection.

5 out of 5 stars Fair Weather Friend.......2007-01-07

This is one of the best of the classic musicals with dance scenes that will boggle your mind. The mini-documentary is a nice bonus. Don't bother with the 'outtakes.'

4 out of 5 stars The most under rated musical of all time.......2006-11-29

I must admit to having seen most of the great musicals with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly the Americans are the tops when it comes to musicals. This musical has my most enjoyable tap dance routine of all with Gene kelly tap dancing on roller skates, now I now Fred & Ginger did a similar routine in 1937 however they did not have the sheer movement and skope that kelly had.

If however you require a plot I am afraid this musical is a little short, however it does amble along and there is a few light hearted moments especailly watch out for the cinemascope on the new DVD where you can finally enjoy the complete scenes featuring Ted (Gene Kelly), Doug (Dan Dailey), and Angie (Michael Kidd) performing their dance routines.

4 out of 5 stars A little sour, perhaps, but with great dancing by Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Michael Kidd and Cyd Charisse.......2006-08-12

If you like superior dancing, It's Always Fair Weather is worth watching and, perhaps, worth owning. Some people say that its relative failure with the public is because the story was too cynical. I think it's more than that. There is a sourness and self-pity about the film that is exemplified by Gene Kelly's performance. He plays Ted Reilly, a small-time New York boxing promoter and gambler who, after World War II, never achieved the success he and his two buddies expected of him. The movie is about the three of them, bonded "forever" in friendship by their experiences in the war who agree to meet ten years later. But Ted has become a failure. Aspiring painter Doug Halloran (Dan Dailey) has become a successful but snobbish ad executive. Angie Valentine (Michael Kidd) has remained a small-town hick who owns a diner and embarrasses the other two. Within 15 minutes of their reunion at Tim's Bar & Grill they're uncomfortable together. Within an hour they heartily detest each other.

The premise of the film has great potential. The opening sequences are exuberant and stylish, with a terrific three-man dance routine. The ending has genuine poignance and satisfaction, showing that people can learn from each other and reestablish themselves as friends. But the in-between, for me, is a long slog redeemed by the dancing. Kelly, Dailey and Kidd were outstanding dancers; they do some great work together and individually in the film. Keep an eye out for:

--The Binge Dance. The three of them, just discharged, get drunk and start a raucous dance that takes them into the streets of New York, in and out of a taxi and, spectacularly, with their left feet stuck on trash can lids. It's loud, funny and something only three skilled professionals could have pulled off.

--Baby, You Knock Me Out, a fast, stylish number danced by Cyd Charisse at Stillman's Gym. She's all over the place, in and out of the ring, and backed up by a crowd of muscular male dancers who look like they could be boxers themselves.

--I Like Myself. Kelly has escaped from some hoods in a roller skating rink. He finds himself outside on the street but still with the skates on. In an amazingly dexterous dance, he tap-dances, glides, spins and goes from street to sidewalk and back again on skates. As far as I could tell, these skates had real, moving wheels. He tap dances and then goes into long glides in continuous shots.

--Situationwise is a drunk, comic routine for Dailey that uses all his comic talent, falling down, staggering around, looking potted and making fools of several stuffed shirts.

--Once I Had Two Friends is a slow, sad soft shoe number with Kelly, Dailey and Kidd dancing separately in a coordinated three-way split screen. This is the kind of thing the three dancers could do with almost off-hand grace.

Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who wrote the book and the lyrics, were usually skilled at combining sophisticated but good-natured satire with subject matter that deserved it. It's Always Fair Weather not only skewers our recollections about friendships and how oblivious we can be to our own changes, but also takes a lot of pokes at television, at smarmy "This Is Your Life" type programs and at advertising. Some are funny, some miss. Andre Previn, who wrote the music, did a competent enough job.

Gene Kelly was always hyper-competitive. He could be not just demanding but deliberately rude. If he felt another star dancer in one of his movies might be competition, he would take action. His treatment of Donald O'Connor in making Singin' in the Rain was obnoxious. Here, he saw to it that Michael Kidd's one solo number was cut out. He evidently tried to reduce Dailey's dance time. At 43, his features had begun to harden into a kind of permanent dissatisfaction, relieved only when he was smiling or grinning. But he was a great movie dancer. Fortunately, the movie gives us a record of some of his best efforts, but also of the great dancing of Dan Dailey and Michael Kidd.

Dailey had an easy-going, even goofy kind of personality, but he also was a good actor. Watch him when he's on the phone to his wife. In the first set-up she's telling him again she's getting a divorce. In the second, she's telling him she's seen that he's a changed man. All we hear is his side of the conversation. He does an expert job . Michael Kidd was a small, wiry dancer who was far better known as a choreographer. If you enjoyed The Girl Hunt Ballet from The Bandwagon and the barn raising dance from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, you're admiring Kidd's work. And keep an eye out for David Burns, who plays Tim, the gruff owner of Tim's Bar & Grill. He was a long-time featured star in Broadway musicals who didn't make many movies. He does a nice job.

The DVD picture is excellent. There are several extras, including one called "It's Always Fair Weather: Going Out on a High Note." It tells us how this was one of the last of the big MGM musicals, gives viewpoints on why it wasn't well received and on its strong points. The filming evidently was not a happy experience. Donen didn't want to co-direct. When he finally agreed, Kelly treated him like a very junior partner. They seemed to have had one bitter argument after another while making the movie. Afterwards, for years they would barely speak to each other.

4 out of 5 stars Better Than Its Reputation.......2006-05-29

At last, It's Always Fair Weather is available in proper widescreen in a beautifully remastered DVD. It was worth waiting for. I've always had a lot of affection for this under-rated MGM musical. While recognizing its faults, there is quite a lot to recommend this end-of-an-era production from the great Arthur Freed MGM musical unit.

By all accounts, making the film was not a happy experience for most of the participants and some of this tension shows. But, given the fairly cynical premise of the storyline, this does not always work against the finished product. It is certainly different from the frothy concoctions of An American In Paris and Singin' In The Rain, but being different is never necessarily a bad thing. And the film seems to capture the changing mood of the times when musicals were quickly falling out of favor and television was just beginning to be a major presence in everyone's lives.

This is a Gene Kelly film and everyone else is strictly support. Being a huge Gene Kelly fan, this is not a problem for me. But even in supporting roles, the rest of the cast is pretty impressive. Cyd Charisse was seldom more gorgeous or slinky but she gets a good run for her money by the incredible Delores Gray who is both comic and sexy. Kelly has two dancing partners who have no trouble keeping up with him - tall, lanky and immensely likeable Dan Daily and short, intense and extremely talented Michael Kidd. The numbers where the three of them dance together - particularly the famous dustbin lid routine - are among the best performances by male dancers in an MGM musical. Cyd Charisse gets a fabulous solo in a boxers' gym. But, like everyone else, I really regret the lack of a Kelly/Charisse dance duet. There was really no need for that omission. But unexpected joy is to be had from Delores Gray's numbers. And, of course, the best of all is Gene Kelly's solo on rollerskates - right up there with his "Singin' In The Rain" number. (Some observers have commented that the lyrics to his song "I Like Myself" are too true to be good.)

The songs themselves are ok if not especially memorable. The Comden and Green lyrics have their usual wit and just a bit of an edge. Andre Previn's music is bright and slightly jazzy, if not the usual sort of movie musical melodies. The direction by Kelly and Stanley Donen makes clever use of the widescreen of several occasions. On this new DVD, the film looks and sounds great. I suppose all that's really missing is that elusive extra special "oomph" factor. But it's still a very good film - much better than some detractors would have you believe.

There are also a few nice extras on the DVD. It's Always Fair Weather is not one of the best of the MGM musicals, but it's also a long way from being the worst.
Designing Woman
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Gary Cooper
  • Great service
  • Watch it for Dolores Gray & Jack Cole!
  • The Original Sex and the City
  • Tremendously funny
Designing Woman
Starring: Gregory Peck , Lauren Bacall , Dolores Gray , Sam Levene , and Tom Helmore
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Manufacturer: MGM (Warner)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Bacall, LaurenBacall, Lauren | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Connors, ChuckConnors, Chuck | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Deacon, RichardDeacon, Richard | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Gray, DoloresGray, Dolores | ( G ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Helmore, TomHelmore, Tom | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Levene, SamLevene, Sam | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Moore, AlvyMoore, Alvy | Moakler to Mozart | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Peck, GregoryPeck, Gregory | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Shaughnessy, MickeyShaughnessy, Mickey | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
White, JesseWhite, Jesse | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
Wilson, HarryWilson, Harry | ( W ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video
1950-19591950-1959 | By Year | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
Opposites AttractOpposites Attract | By Theme | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Romantic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | VHS | Video
GeneralGeneral | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video
Minnelli, VincenteMinnelli, Vincente | ( M ) | Directors | VHS | Video
Deals Under $8Deals Under $8 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video
All MGM TitlesAll MGM Titles | MGM Home Entertainment | Studio Specials | Specialty Stores | VHS | Video
Deals Under $8Deals Under $8 | Video Outlet | Categories | Amazon.com Outlet | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
Similar Items:
  1. The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit
  2. Gentleman's Agreement
  3. How To Marry A Millionaire
  4. The Heiress (Universal Cinema Classics)
  5. To Catch a Thief (Special Collector's Edition)

ASIN: 6302241065
Release Date: 1994-03-02

Amazon.com essential video

Anyone who thinks that <I>Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus</I> is a cutting-edge idea will be surprised by <I>Designing Woman</I>, a 1957 comedy starring Gregory Peck as a sports writer who falls madly in love with fashion designer Lauren Bacall. The twofold plot springs from a combination of Bacall's jealous efforts to learn the identity of Peck's previous lover and Peck's reckless exposé of a gangster who rigs boxing matches--but the movie's real enjoyment comes from its depiction of the athletic and arts worlds, each spun as a reflection of the male and female mind, respectively. While Peck and Bacall aren't noted for their comic chops, they acquit themselves respectably; Bacall has the more flamboyant role, but Peck draws low-key humor from his character's smug and blinkered perceptions. <I>Designing Woman</I> is directed by Vincente Minnelli (who also directed <I>Meet Me in St. Louis</I>, <I>An American in Paris</I>, and <I>Gigi</I>), so it's not surprising that the movie flares most to life during a few musical sequences--sneaked into the plot because Bacall has been commissioned to design a Broadway show, whose star just happens to be Peck's former paramour--culminating in a back-alley fight staged as a brawling ballet. <I>--Bret Fetzer</I>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gary Cooper.......2006-11-10

Gary Cooper is one of my favorites. I like all his movies

5 out of 5 stars Great service.......2005-09-20

Received item quickly and as promised. Received e-mail when it shipped which I really like. Would definitely use again.

4 out of 5 stars Watch it for Dolores Gray & Jack Cole!.......2002-09-17

This movie might have been tangier with Hepburn & Tracy, but it has some nice moments. Minelli was a stylish director & it shows here. But the real treat for those of us who remember the great 50s musicals of Hollywood & Broadway was the presence of Dolores Gray and Jack Cole, sadly quite limited here. Ms. Gray in this film and in It's Always Fair Weather & Kismet could blow the roof off with her magnificent voice and presence. Jack Cole was one of the great dancers and choreographers of that era - a major influence on many choreographers who followed. This film is a special gem for preserving some fine examples of work by these two great performers.

5 out of 5 stars The Original Sex and the City.......2002-06-29

In this film, Lauren Bacall hilariously portrays the quintessential high-society, high-fashion New Yorker. While on a trip to Beverly Hills, she meets and spontaneously marries the wonderful Gregory Peck - an unassuming sports writer who has no idea exactly what he's married into. Upon their return to New York, Peck's character discovers he's married the darling of New York society as his wife is a renowned designer (think Edith Head or Helen Rose). What ensues is hilarious encounters between her society coterie and his down-home group of blue-collar writers, setting up perfectly for the witty repartee between Bacall and Peck that defines the movie. The film culminates in a fashion show-boxing rumble, once again intersecting the seemingly divergent lives of Bacall and Peck.

"Designing Woman" is a wonderful movie that gives ample opportunity for the magnificent Gregory Peck to show off his comedic skills, however subtly. I saw this film after "Roman Holiday" and it cemented my image of Peck as a dashing and charming leading man who brings out the comedic best in his leading ladies. The chemistry between Bacall and Peck is evident throughout the movie and is a testament to the adage "Opposites do attract."

This is a complete, well-told story with a solid set of supporting characters. This movie is for all those people looking for that rare superb romantic comedy. The delightful depiction of New York society makes us nostalgic for the days before the Hilton sisters.

5 out of 5 stars Tremendously funny.......2002-05-17

I love Gregory Peck. I love him as the serious, morally righteous attorney, the dashing naval captain, you name it. So, really, I should have known that he could pull off a comedic role as well. No one, I don't think, could have known how well he'd pull it off.

From his first hilarious hangover to the last "cross-eyed" fight scene, Peck is enchanting. He's completely believable in his role as a sports writer caught up in a new world of dresses and strange choreographers intruding on his poker night. And perhaps it's because he's not known as a comedic actor that he's all the more funny.

Designing Woman seems to be a little known film, but I'm certainly glad I found it because it kept me laughing, which brought others into the room to watch it with me. Now I just wish that Peck had made more movies like this.

Actress:

  1. Dolores Moran
  2. Dominique Swain
  3. Donna D`Errico
  4. Donna Douglas
  5. Donna Lee
  6. Donna Reed
  7. Doris Day
  8. Dorothy Dandridge
  9. Dorothy Gulliver
  10. Dorothy Hart

Actress

Actress