Ethel Merman

Average customer rating:

The mother of all comedic chase movies
An absolute "must have"!
One of the best comedies
abolute madness, loved it!!!
One of the best comedies ever

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Starring: Spencer Tracy , Milton Berle , Sid Caesar , Buddy Hackett , and Ethel Merman
Director: Stanley Kramer
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Great Race (Sub)
The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Some Like It Hot (Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B0000CBY1C
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Amazon.com

Stanley Kramer's sprawling 1963 comedy about a search for buried treasure by at least a dozen people--all played by well-known entertainers of their day--is the kind of mass comedy that Hollywood hasn't made in many years. (Another example from around the same time is Blake Edwards's The Great Race.) After a number of strangers (including Milton Berle, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, and others) witness a dying stranger (Jimmy Durante) identify the location of hidden money, a conflict-ridden hunt begins, watched over carefully by a suspicious cop (Spencer Tracy). The ensuing two and a half hours of mayhem has its ups and downs--some bits and performers are certainly funnier than others. But Kramer, who is better known for socially conscious, serious cinema (Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?), is in a mood for broad comic characterization, and some of his jokes are so intentionally obvious (Durante literally kicks a bucket when he dies), they'd have a place in Airplane! Watch for lots of cameo appearances, including Jerry Lewis (who had called Kramer and asked him why he hadn't been invited to participate). --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

The mother of all comedic chase movies.......2007-05-15

The best chase comedy ever. Great cast, locations. It brings back memories of LA area in the fifties and sixties. One of my favorite comedies of all time.

An absolute "must have"!.......2007-05-13

Sure... it's dated; that's part of its charm. That said, it's one of the most madcap, zany comedies I've ever seen and is a "must have" for those of us old enough to appreciate the all-star cast of comic icons. Also, if you love old cars, the vehicles you'll see in this movie are worth the price of the DVD alone. Pure entertainment.

One of the best comedies.......2007-05-12

This is a very funny movie with an all star comedy cast. From Jimmy Durante "kicking the bucket" to the fire escape at the end, you'll laugh all the way through. The number of comedy stars in this movie are almost overwhelming. I personally think Jonathon Winters steals the movie.

abolute madness, loved it!!!.......2007-04-11

I first saw this movie with my father when i was a young boy for some reason it never left my mind, so out of shear curiosity i purchased this movie and fell in love with again.

I later found out that there are a few of us that love this movie so much that they have taken pictures of all those wonderful places and made a montage of before and after pictures showing the "Big W" and the back yard where it once stood.

In conclusion i just loved this movie. What more can i say Oh btw Amazon got the movies to me in less than a week, isn't that great.

One of the best comedies ever.......2007-03-30

Great cast help make this one of the funniest movies ever.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful nostalgia trip
A Great Hit
Call Me Madam 1953
call me madam
Call Me Madam

Call Me Madam
Starring: Ethel Merman , Donald O'Connor , Vera-Ellen , George Sanders , and Billy De Wolfe
Director: Walter Lang
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Action & Adventure | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

There's No Business Like Show Business
Anything Goes
Three Little Words
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Star!

ASIN: B0001FR55C
Release Date: 2004-04-20

Amazon.com

A great star and a great composer can make a Broadway musical into a smash, as Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin proved with Call Me Madam. Not a bad place to start with a movie, either, and the 1953 film of the show has both Merman and Berlin represented in brassy fashion. Granted, Merman's platinum-throated talents were best suited to the stage, and the production overall has that dutiful, stodgy tone of so many Fox musicals. Extra points for the suavity of George Sanders (he's Merman's love interest in tiny Lichtenburg, where the lady has been appointed U.S. ambassador), and for the dancing of Vera-Ellen and Donald O'Connor. A year after crashing through the wall in Singin' in the Rain, O'Connor has a similar solo athletic workout to "What Chance Have I with Love." High point: Merman and O'Connor trading verses on "You're Just in Love," the best tune in a bouncy score. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful nostalgia trip.......2006-08-12

I originally saw this movie when I was 10 years old and over the years remembered the wonderful dancing and songs. I was disappointed that it never seemed to turn up on TV and was delighted to be able to buy my own copy. When I saw it again recently it was even better than I had remembered it. Donald O'Connor's partnership with Vera-Ellen is enchanting - I've watched their dances over and over. And Ethel Merman lights up the screen every time she is on - her interpretation of the memorable Berlin songs, whether belted out or sweetly romantic - is, I believe, unbeatable. I now want to get all the other Merman movies. And what a shame that George Sanders' deep, rich baritone wasn't more widely heard.

A Great Hit.......2006-07-05

Call Me Madame is a wonderful spoof on diplomatic practice. I intend to show part of it to my undergrad course in diplomacy at Georgetown University to demonstrate to the students how ambassadors should not conduct themselves.

Call Me Madam 1953.......2006-04-26

Brassy , belt-it-out Broadway Legend Ethel Mermann (1908-1984) , delivers a singularly show-stopping version performance in this beloved big-screen version of Irving Berlin (1888-1989) last big Musical comedy Success . It?s the story of a Washington D.C. socialite who becomes a U.S. Ambassador and finds Romance along the Way . Filled with Colorfully tuneful Berlin favorite like "The Hostess With The Mostes" and "You?re just in Love " And unforgettable dance sequences by Donald O?Connor (1925-2003) and lovely Vera-Ellen (1921-1981) CALL ME MADAM is Hollywood musical magic ! . High Quality digital transfer . Reccomended

call me madam.......2006-03-09

It is wonderful to view this excellent dvd of such an excellent
film.
Now the miraculous acting and singing of the great Ethel Merman as well as of all the cast can be fully appreciated

Call Me Madam.......2006-02-28

Call me Madam is an entertaining musical with songs you'll find yourself humming or sining around the house or while driving a car.

Average customer rating:

A Near-Classic
Superior in all ways.
The real star of this film!
ONE OF THE VERY BEST MUSICALS EVER
Marilyn deserved a better script. Her musical numbers are a joy to watch.

There's No Business Like Show Business
Starring: Ethel Merman , Donald O'Connor , Marilyn Monroe , Dan Dailey , and Johnnie Ray
Director: Walter Lang
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Call Me Madam
How To Marry A Millionaire
Anything Goes
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Bus Stop

ASIN: B000059GEI
Release Date: 2002-05-14

Description

An all-star cast that includes Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, Marilyn Monroe, Donald O'Connor, Johnnie Ray and Mitzi Gaynor sparks this tuneful Irving Berlin musical that depicts the trials and triumphs of a veteran vaudeville family. Molly (Merman) and Terry (Dailey) Donahue start out as a duo and keep adding kids to the act until they finally become The 5 Donahues. Their busy, sometimes tumultuous lives aren't always easy, but the Donahues have plenty of love to get them through the hard times and more than enough talent to keep them on top. Highlighted by one classic Irving Berlin song after another and an array of dazzling production numbers, this upbeat, utterly delightful tale of life on the stage proves, beyond and doubt, that There's No Business Like Show Business!

Amazon.com

This 1954 dinosaur brings together two giants of Broadway, Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin, just as their moment was passing forever, to create one last hurrah: a celebration of the glories that were vaudeville. Still, it's hard to imagine that Broadway--or nightclub entertaining, for that matter--was ever quite this lavish and satisfying. The story centers on a married couple, the Donahues (Dan Dailey and Merman), who live on the road as vaudeville entertainers, and since they have children, begin incorporating the kids into the act. Eventually, the kids grow up to be Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, and Johnny Ray, and they begin having interests of their own. Donald's is an ambitious showgirl (Marilyn Monroe), whose standoffish response to his romantic overtures drives him to drink. Best for its lavish, splashy production numbers built around some of the best of the Berlin songbook, including the title tune and "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody." --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

A Near-Classic.......2007-06-13

While "There's No Business Like Show Business" is not one of Hollywood's top musicals it's still worth watching. The story is simple and entertaining. Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Dan Dailey and Mitzi Gaynor are, as usual, entertaining and fun. Though Johnnie Ray tries very hard he shows that he is a singer rather than an actor. Marilyn Monroe is, at best, adequate. While she has never been one of my favorite performers she usually does a better job than she does in his movie.

Superior in all ways........2007-04-11

They certainly don't make 'em like them used to, and this film is a fine example. Excellent songs, actors, story line, costumes, etc. Superb all the way.

The real star of this film!.......2006-09-05

This is a great movie with Marilyn Monroe and Ethel Merman.
However the real star of this movie is the vivacious Mitzi Gaynor! She steals every scene she is in. She is beautiful, talented, and hard to take your eyes off of!
I recommend this movie ! I also recommend " Anything Goes"
with Mitzi Gaynor. It has just been restored and the look of it is probably the best color of any DVD I own.

ONE OF THE VERY BEST MUSICALS EVER.......2006-05-29

it surpasses many an MGM extravagansa..... I`ve been thinking.... "What and WHO does this film miss? Judy? NO! I`m mad for Judy and will always be a fighter for her and Liza.... but THIS one may be the very best musical I`ve ever seen... If I ever produced or directed a film - this would be it.....

The musical score is out of this world as are the performances, set designs, choreography, costumes and art direction...

It`s a very CinemScoped film aaaaaaaaaaaaaand for the better of it:-)))))))

Marilyn deserved a better script. Her musical numbers are a joy to watch........2005-12-15

Why did Marilyn accept such a limited role as Vicky after she was a full star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) is hard to
explain.
Yet there are things in this movie that has caught my attention.
As soon as Marilyn appears as the Hat check girl named Vicky, she mentiones that she has just finished acting in the CHERRY
ORCHARD, a Chekov play. This movie was filmed 2 years before she
joined the Actor Studio. But at this time, she was receiving
acting lessons from Michael Chekhov, nephew of Anton Chekov the
Russian playwright who wrote the Cherry Orchard. One gets the
feeling that this dialogue in the film was ¨suggested¨by Marilyn
herself. It shows the intellectual side of Marilyn.
Her comic ability does not get many scenes. There's is a comic
scene in which she plays with the pronunciation of the word
AFTER, right before she sings her sing AFTER YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT YOU DON'T WANT IT.
Her best number is HEAT WAVE. Even today it does not look dated.
Her other number LAZY is ok, where she shares the number with
Mitzy Gaynor and Dan Dailey. I felt a more glamorous number
could have been selected here.
¨You'd be surprised¨¨ was a number deleted from the film, but it is found in many Marilyn Monroe CDs .¨In Donald O'Connor's song
A MAN CHASES A GIRL Marilyn provides a background voice. This
song was later recorded by Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds and
it became a hit.
Marilyn deserved a more comic role in this film. Walter Lang did
not know how to make good use of Marilyn's humorous ability. In
her next film, the SEVEN YEAR ITCH, Billy Wilder got a tremendous performance out of Marilyn.

Average customer rating:

Alexander's - still a great musical entertainment 69 years on
Another Faye, Ameche, and Power classic
Alexander's Ragtime Band...or is it Alec's? No, Alex's...wait, it's Roger's...right???
Irving Berling at His Best!
Alexander's Ragtime Band

Alexander's Ragtime Band
Starring: Tyrone Power , Alice Faye , Don Ameche , Ethel Merman , and Jack Haley
Director: Henry King
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

In Old Chicago
The Rains Came
Week-End in Havana
The Razor's Edge
Call Me Madam

ASIN: B0002B15RE
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Amazon.com

The jaunty rhythms of Irving Berlin drive Alexander's Ragtime Band, an epic musical from 1938 that follows the up-and-down romance of a young bandleader (Tyrone Power, Witness for the Prosecution) and the singer he loves (Alice Faye, Tin Pan Alley) over decades. Their journey from a San Francisco honky-tonk to mass popularity is marked by classic songs like "Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning," "Blue Skies," "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody," "Easter Parade," and the title track. Power and Faye are a little bland, but the supporting cast--including Don Ameche (Midnight), Jack Haley (the Tin Woodsman from The Wizard of Oz), and a very young Ethel Merman--give the movie some real personality, as do a few wild dance numbers. At the end, the movie becomes surprisingly suspenseful and even a little touching. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Tyrone Power stars in this "must-see" (TV Giude) film as a free thinking classical musician who wants the world to dance to a different beat. Set in the early 1900's this extravaganza of music, story and romance follows the highs and lows in the life of Roger Grant, a high-brow-born San Franciscan who changes his name to Alexander and conducts a band with a whole new sound - Swing! And just as Grant meets with musical successes and failures, he smolders and is occasionally scorched by Stella Kirby (Alice Faye), his lead singer. Also featuring the delightful Don Ameche as Grant's romantic competitor, a wonderfully comic Jack Haley and then newcomer Ethel Merman, this musical treasure is a perfect addition to any collection of film classics.

Customer Reviews:

Alexander's - still a great musical entertainment 69 years on.......2007-06-07

Alexander's Ragtime Band was a huge production for 20th Century Fox in 1938 and it still looks it all these years later. It it incredibly musical , packed full of songs and is extremely dramatic and touching - it is still highly entertaining and Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche & Ethel Merman do some of their very best screen work in this film.
It also boast an excellent supporting cast and Paul Hurst and David Carradine to name but two are great. This film has been giving me a lump in my throat since I first saw it on BBC Two in the late 1960 's ( it was the first Fox film shown on British television ) and the taxi cab scene towards the end still gets me. It is a wonderul example of "everything" coming together in a movie and delivering and although it is probably corny by today's standards I wish there were more movies like it.
This film knocks so many raved about musicals off the list - it is unpretentious , entertaining and incredibly touching.
Thank goodnes it finally made it to DVd - not the best transfer but the negative for ARB is worn as Fox forever used it to reprint from over 30 years. The extras are good - original trailer is great as is the newsreel of the London premiere with Gracie Fields .

Another Faye, Ameche, and Power classic.......2007-05-12

This trio teams up again, as In Old Chicago and Sally, Irene, and Mary, for a great old movie classic. Vaudville comedian Eddie Collins appears in all three. In this film, he plays Corporal Collins in the army barracks scene, wrestling with his t-shirt.

Alexander's Ragtime Band...or is it Alec's? No, Alex's...wait, it's Roger's...right???.......2007-04-12

I love this movie. I have never thought that Fox musicals were all that great (you want GOOD musicals, you go to MGM) but I love them because they usually have very enjoyable stories and acting. ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND is no exception. The actors are great, the story is great, the sets are beautiful, and you just CAN'T beat that Irving Berlin music score. Tyrone Power is this guy who is starting a band, and he encounters Alice Faye in a bar by accident, because he stole her sheet music. And then she joins his band as a singer, and they eventually fall in love, despite their early arguments. Only the piano player of the band (Don Ameche) is already in love with her. Just read the summary on the back of the DVD. The extras on this DVD are great. There are deleted scenes, an A&E documentary of Alice Faye's life, the original theatrical trailer, and much, much more. I thought the picture quality was great! I didn't notice any scratches on the print, or white blobby faces or static or anything. I have yet to see a classic Fox movie with perfect picture quality, anyways. This is a really great DVD. I reccomend buying it and the movie is superb. However, if you can't stand Ethel Merman, just skip over her musical numbers, and you really won't miss much of the story. They're nice numbers, though. I think Ethel Merman's great!

And here are some other great musicals of the Golden Age that I HIGHLY reccomend!!

1.Hello Frisco Hello

2.Born to Dance

3.Kid Millions

4.My Lucky Star

5.Broadway Melody of 1936 - My very favorite movie and a musical you're sure to love!

Irving Berling at His Best!.......2007-02-12

I'll keep my review brief. I'm not sure what the previous reviewers were referring to in regards to picture & sound quality. Both are excellent and most likely transferred from first generation master tape. The music and singing are terrific. An appearance from a young Ethel Merman was a great surprise. Tyrone Power is as charming & handsome as ever. Beautiful Alice Faye is in fine vocal form with several classic songs. Don Ameche is as suave & debonair as always. A nice romantic triangle between the three keeps the plot and songs moving along at a good pace. I think this is Ms. Faye's finest performance next to "In Old Chicago", in which she wowed me by singing my state song "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny." A great family movie showcasing the amazing Irving Berlin's talent.

Alexander's Ragtime Band.......2007-01-15

I ordered this for a friend and she really likes it. She has watched it several times since receiving it.

Average customer rating:

First Class
A Great Musical History
Mostly All Judy Garland, Very Little Doris Day...
Too Much Michael
Music Nostalgia

The Great American Songbook
Starring: June Allyson , Bing Crosby , The Andrews Sisters , Lena Horne , and Judy Garland
Director: Andrew J. Kuehn
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: Harold Arlen
Richard Rodgers - The Sweetest Sounds
Michael Feinstein & Friends in Concert
Rodgers & Hammerstein - The Sound of Movies
Biography - Irving Berlin: An American Song (A&E DVD Archives)

ASIN: B00008AOWT
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Amazon.com

The Great American Songbook is an ambitious documentary that chronicles 100 years of American popular song through film clips and photographs. It stretches from minstrel shows to Elvis, but features most prominently the "Golden Age" songwriters of the 1930s through the 1950s--Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, Richard Rodgers with both Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein, and others. That means you can enjoy some of the most exquisite music of the 20th century including Paul Robeson singing "Old Man River," Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing "Cheek to Cheek," and Judy Garland's "The Man That Got Away," plus performances of historical importance such as Al Jolson's "Swanee."

Over the course of its three hours (it was cut for PBS broadcast), the program has some drawbacks--performers are identified but films aren't, the performances tend to be almost complete rather than complete, and scenes from fictional films illustrate the earliest historical moments, which doesn't feel true--but they're minor, and Michael Feinstein proves a perfect host, narrating and occasionally singing at the piano. Fans of Feinstein's cabaret shows will also enjoy his commentary track, which provides a lot of interesting and funny background on the songs and songwriters. His commentary isn't constant, but a useful icon allows the viewer to find the next section of commentary with the click of a button. Another slight inconvenience is that chapters are named by subject matter rather than by song title so if you're skimming for highlights you have to know what you're looking for. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

First Class.......2006-04-08

Perfect!!!!!!! Right from the first moment to the last this was fantastically researched and the narrative was wonderful. Ohhhhh and those old never seen before pieces of footage from the era that made music what it is today. I always said that the 20's 30's and 40's had more true genius musical minds than any other time in the history of the world. All of those immigrants landing in NYC with all of that yet to be discovered talent...Like Israel Baleen (Irving Berlin) and George and Ira Gershwin and Harold Arlan...WOW what a DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Great Musical History.......2005-08-04

I suppose anyone can get picky and find fault with this or any other similar musical DVD. I enjoyed it immensely, and the choice of Michael Feinstein to do the narrating was excellent. I would have liked to have more of the lyrics sung to some of the songs, but in the interest of time this wasn't possible even though the program is nearly three hours long. On the other hand many of the songs I enjoyed hearing did have more of the lyrics than I expected. The great songwriters are all here. It's not necessary for me to mention all the names, but George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Richard Rogers, Larry Hart, Oscar Hammerstein, and several others are all here. If you enjoy American music I can't imagine you not enjoying this historical program.

Mostly All Judy Garland, Very Little Doris Day..........2005-04-30

I don't know why is happens, but whenever these documentaries are made, you get TONS of Judy Garland and hardly any Doris Day. Miss Day, almost single-handedly, saved the movie musical in the 1950s. She also saved Warner Brothers from becoming non-existant. When she became a star with her first film, "Romance on the High Seas," she rose to become the #1 musical star in films.

Perhaps the people who produce these films are from the "I must hate Doris Day" era. There was a time when the mere mention of Day's name drew ire from many uninformed people, some were even critics. What they don't want to admit is that Doris Day is one of the most popular and talented singer/actresses in the history of motion pictures. That's a crime, in my opinion. Forget the fact that she remains, to this day, the top female boxoffice star of all time.

Certainly, she deserves more screen time in these documentaries, since there is so much material from which to choose. She made 17 films in 7 years while at Warner Brothers alone, most of them musicals.

Most of the people who get the star treatment in these documentaries were never as big as Day, and like Garland, didn't have the crossover appeal to the Top 40 charts, as Doris did.

Until Doris gets her due, I won't buy these documentaries.

Too Much Michael.......2004-07-05

This otherwise superb survey of American popular music is marred by far too much narration and singing from Michael Feinstein. The cabaret entertainer's talent does not stand comparison with the giants highlighted here, yet as the documentary proceeds Feinstein talks and croons more and more, his bounced notes anachronistic and his smile pleasant but seemingly frozen by botox. What a shame, because the filmed material is priceless.

Music Nostalgia.......2004-06-28

My wife and I found this tremendously entertaining, informative and absorbing.

We sang along with most of the songs and found some of the moments definitely moving. The host was not intrusive and the use of movie clips to illustrate the narrative was ingenious.

Amazon.com

Description

Spencer Tracy heads a hilariously zany cast that stars Hollywood's greatest comedians (Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas andJonathan Winters) and features cameo appearances by every joker and jester in the business from DonKnotts and Jerry Lewis to The Three Stooges. Nominated* for 6 Oscars(r), It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is "an explosive motion picture experience" (Variety)! On a winding desert highway, eight vacation-bound motorists share an experience that alters their plansand their lives! After a mysterious stranger divulges the location of a stolen fortune, they each speed off in a mind-bending, car-bashing race for the lootand the most side-splitting laughfest in history. *1963: Sound Effects (won), Cinematography, Sound, Song, Score, Film Editing.

Customer Reviews:

The mother of all comedic chase movies.......2007-05-15

The best chase comedy ever. Great cast, locations. It brings back memories of LA area in the fifties and sixties. One of my favorite comedies of all time.

An absolute "must have"!.......2007-05-13

One of the best comedies.......2007-05-12

abolute madness, loved it!!!.......2007-04-11

One of the best comedies ever.......2007-03-30

Great cast help make this one of the funniest movies ever.

Average customer rating:

love the chrisi cartoons
Rudolph & Frosty
Frosty gets puppet-animated. Rudolph gets tricked. Children get confused.
A lovely film indeed!
Some sequels don't work...

Rudolph & Frosty's Christmas in July
Starring: Red Buttons , Ethel Merman , Mickey Rooney , Alan Sues , and Jackie Vernon (II)
Director: Arthur Rankin Jr. , and Jules Bass
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Frosty's Winter Wonderland/Twas the Night Before Christmas
The Year Without a Santa Claus / Nestor, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey / Rudolph's Shiny New Year
The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town
Here Comes Peter Cottontail
The Original Television Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / Frosty the Snowman / Frosty Returns / The Little Drummer Boy)

ASIN: B0002M5U6A
Release Date: 2004-10-05

Description

Long, long ago, the North Pole was ruled by the good fairy Lady Boreal and her enemy was the wicked wizard Winterbolt. To protect Santa Claus from Winterbolt's foggy fury, Lady Boreal grants Rudolph the Reindeer a magical, glowing nose. Years later, Rudolph and his friend Frosty the Snowman are called on to save a needy circus at a special 4th of July benefit. But their big-top act turns to big-time trouble when Winterbolt appears -- with a plan to steal Frosty's magic hat and extinguish Rudolph's legendary nose! Brought to shing Animagic life with the voices of Mickey Rooney, Ethel Merman, Red Buttons and Shelley Winters, this feature-length fable is a must-see for all seasons. Year: 1979 Directors: Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass

Customer Reviews:

love the chrisi cartoons.......2007-01-15

I always loved these cartoons growing up, i always looked forward to christmas because of all the cartoons, but unfortunatly they dont play them on the tv anymore. i have 3 little kids any they watched them every single day.i think these cartoons are the best, and im an adult and i still look forward to watching them.

Rudolph & Frosty.......2006-02-24

Thank you so much. Amazon was the first time I have ordered anything on line. My 3 year old Granddaughter was thrilled with her new (hard to find) DVD.I will be back to your site. You made ordering so easy and delivery was great..A satisfied customer..

Barb

Frosty gets puppet-animated. Rudolph gets tricked. Children get confused........2005-12-30

I guess the highlight of this feature film is that we finally get to see Frosty the Snowman in Rankin/Bass's trademark stop-motion puppet-animation process, Animagic! Now, don't get me wrong, the original TV specials "Frosty the Snowman" and the sequel "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" were great but I think we all wish that they were done in puppet-animation like Rudolph, Jack Frost and Santa Claus. Unfortunately, that may be one of the only highlights of this film.

At a running time of over 95 minutes, there is very little to keep the story rolling. There is also an over abundance of non-sensical plot twists and flashbacks that even I found confusing, let alone the children this movie was targeted for. And unless your child is a fan of showtunes (and c'mon what child isn't?), then the songs which appear every few minutes will most likely bore them.

The plot concerns the evil King Winterbolt who was put into a long deep sleep by the magical Lady Boreal. Upon awakening, he finds there is a new king of the North Pole named Santa Claus, and decides to make him get lost in a blizzard courtesy of his snow-breathing dragons so that he may once again rule the North Pole with his evil ways. The only problem is Rudolph's nose, which he decides must be extinguished for his plans to be carried out. In one of the many flashback sequences we learn that Rudolph's shiny red nose which came from the magic of Lady Boreal, will go out if it is ever used for bad purposes, even once.

King Winterbolt decides to offer Frosty and his family magic emulets that will allow them to visit the great 4th of July Circus by the Sea without melting, but only until the "Final Fireworks Fade on the Fourth". Santa Claus agrees to pick them all up when the fireworks end and whisk them back to the North Pole before the Frosty and his wife and two children are turned into puddles of water.

But, Winterbolt's snow breathing dragons whisk up a storm to keep Santa and Mrs. Claus from reaching the circus in time. Meanwhile, Winterbolt gets some help from a mean-spirited reindeer named Scratcher, and the two decide to use their sneaky ways to blackmail Rudolph into using his nose for bad.

If this seems confusing, imagine actually watching this film or better yet, imagine a child watching this film! Like many of R/B's later efforts, this one is rooted more in the magic and mystical style of "Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" than the fairytale-ish style of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

There are some crazy songs which I found very amusing, like "Don't Let The Parade Pass You By" which is sung by Ethel Merman in her crazy style. There are also some special guest stars including Jack Frost from "Jack Frost" and Big Ben the whale from "Rudolph's Shiny New Year". In fact, there are a lot of nice touches and this film with the three biggest stars of Christmas could have been really good, if only the writing were better, some of the songs were scrapped and the running time was shortened.

If you are a fan of Rankin/Bass's work, you will not want to miss this one although you most likely will have trouble getting your kids to sit through the whole thing with you.

**Warning!!** The DVD release of this film has the sound very badly out-of-sync which annoys one throughout the movie! Because of this I lowered my rating for this film from 3 to 2 stars. I'm surprised that Warner Bros would allow a DVD to be released like this, and what's worse is that the former VHS release did not have this problem!! Shame on you, Warner Brothers!

A lovely film indeed!.......2005-12-05

A fan of the Christmas classics as well, I feel that this sequel works quite well with the other films. Is it long? Perhaps. Is it scary? Not really. It does get dramatic just as much as it is cheerful. We get to see the Origin of Rudolph's Nose as well as Frosty's Hat.

In the spirit of Christmas, this film is well worth it. In July? Absolutely, especially when the winter temperatures seem to be gone forever and you begin to reminisce about winter and such.

Overall, this film grows on you, just because if you saw it as a child, you have a personal bond with it.

Some sequels don't work... .......2005-12-03

First of all, I'd like to claim that I'm NOT a kid! The only reason I chose this review form is because there's no other alternative to remain anonymous. I've loved the original 1964 T.V. classic, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" that they air on CBS almost every holiday season. The storyline is good, the characters are fun and memorable, and the musical numbers are simply BEAUTIFUL! Additionally, the stop-motion animation is nicely executed and I can understand how it probably inspired some of Tim Burton's work. Heck, I've enjoyed the original CBS movie since I was about 3! Unfortunately, "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" cannot hold a candle next to it. Why? First of all, the dark atmosphere doesn't fit in that well and isn't all that effective. If you want to watch a good stop-motion Christmas film that's dark and imaginative, then stick with Mr. Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas". Secondly, some of the key characters have been removed! I was VERY disappointed to see that Rudolph's friends, Hermey and Yukon Cornelius, along with Rudolph's girlfriend, Clarice, absent from this movie! Sure, good ol' St. Nick is still there, but we hardly get to see much of him anyway! I think that this movie could've been so much better, but it's just not that good.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: ***** (5 stars)

RUDOLPH AND FROSTY'S CHRISTMAS IN JULY * (1 star)

My suggestion: Watch the original movie instead, but skip this one.

Average customer rating:

wonderful childhood favorite
Journey Back to Oz
A nice effort, but ultimately drags on too long
a much sought-after movie finally gets released on DVD...

Journey Back to Oz
Starring: Ethel Merman , Liza Minnelli , Rise Stevens , Danny Thomas , and Margret Hamilton
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Live from Radio City Music Hall
Groovie Goolies: Saturday Mourning Collection
The Letter
Space Sentinels: The Complete Series & The Freedom Force: The Complete Series
Presenting Lily Mars

ASIN: B000ILYYDA
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Customer Reviews:

wonderful childhood favorite.......2007-05-14

This brings back happy memories! Journey Back to Oz was a wonderful part of my childhood. I loved watching it on TV as a kid. It's a great sequel with wonderful songs and a fantastic cast. I'm very happy that Journey Back to Oz is available on DVD.

Journey Back to Oz.......2007-02-03

A wonderful childhood memory with a unique collaboration of classic performers.

Story could have been better.

A nice effort, but ultimately drags on too long.......2007-01-10

Journey Back to Oz is Filmation's first project, shelved in the 60s, completed in the 70s.

The first half of it is a classy production. The animation is fluid and very traditional, if unspectacular, but is has a certain charm and some terrific looking artwork. I like in particular the way Jack Pumpkinhead (voiced by Paul Lynde) and Toto are animated. The story is loosely based on L.Frank Baum's The Land of Oz, and centers on Mombi the Witch trying to take capture the Emerald City using magical green elephants. Along the way we meet some cool new characters, Woodenhead Stallion (the Third, if I remember correctly), (the aformentioned) Jack Pumpkinhead, and a living signpost.

About halfway through the film, Mombi conquers the Emerald City with her elepahnts. Up til this point, the movie moves at a good, brisk pace. Sadly it really spirals downward from there. The problem: TOO MANY songs and that is ultimately its downfall from a wonderful voice cast. The cast is star-studded (especially for the 60s/70s) and EVERYONE has a song. The Lion and Tinman each make pretty much token appearances, and both have pointless songs. The same with Glinda the good witch, and on and on... The end result is a film that drags, rather than moves along crisply.

Hard to mention this movie without mentioning that Liza's voiced version of Dorothy is a near perfect mimic of her mothers in the original.

I like this movie, but it's just too long with too many songs. Still the ending is nice and it is a good first effort from Filmation.

The menu with the signpost guy is really cool (who better to point you in the right direction?) and the extras are great! Look for the live-action wraparounds with Bill Cosby for when it aired on TV in the 70s and interviews with Filmation founders Lou Scheimer and Hal Sutherland.

Overall, first half 3 stars, second half 1.5 stars. Worth a look, especially if you like Filmation.

a much sought-after movie finally gets released on DVD..........2006-09-27

JOURNEY BACK TO OZ is a thoroughly delightful animated musical-sequel to THE WIZARD OF OZ, the big highlight being that Liza Minnelli voices the role of Dorothy (the role that catapulted her mother Judy Garland into the annals of film history).

Of course, no animated film could ever replicate the magic and scope of the 1939 masterpiece, but let's not carp. For what it sets out to achieve, JOURNEY BACK TO OZ delivers handsomely.

Dorothy (Liza Minnelli) gets swept back to Oz via another cyclone, and quickly sets about finding her old friends the Scarecrow (Mickey Rooney), Tin Man (Danny Thomas) and Cowardly Lion (Milton Berle). Instead, Dorothy discovers to her horror that an evil witch called Mombi (Ethel Merman) is plotting to invade the Emerald City with a hoard of enchanted green elephants.

With new friends; Jack Pumpkinhead (Paul Lynde) and Woodenhead the carousel horse (Herschel Bernardi), and some guidance from Glinda (Rise Stevens); Dorothy sets out to thwart Mombi and save her old friends from destruction.

The score by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Heusen contains some gems; Liza Minnelli sings "There's a Faraway Land" and "That Feeling for Home", whilst Ethel Merman camps it up with "Be a Witch" and Rise Stevens delivers Glinda's "You Have Only You" to perfection.

Another cute twist is Margaret Hamilton (who played the Wicked Witch and Miss Gulch in the original Judy Garland classic) voicing the role of Aunt Em!

Originally made and recorded by the Filmation Company in 1962, it was curiously kept out of cinemas until 1974. This new Special Edition from Brentwood marks the movie's DVD debut.

Average customer rating:

A MUST FOR JUDY FANS
Tour de Force a la Judy!
Judy garland-the concert years
OUTSTANDING !....Worthy of the Greatest of them all...JUDY!!
Great Film... Buy the DVD, not the VHS version

Judy Garland - The Concert Years
Starring: Lorna Luft , Judy Garland , Barbra Streisand , Melissa Manchester , and Ethel Merman
Director: David Heeley
Manufacturer: White Star
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Judy Garland Live at the London Palladium with Liza Minnelli
Life with Judy Garland - Me and My Shadows
Judy, Frank & Dean - Once in a Lifetime
I Could Go On Singing
A Star Is Born

ASIN: B0000714B6
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Amazon.com

In 1985, 16 years before her memoir became the basis for the television film Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows, Lorna Luft narrated this documentary focusing on her mother's "second career" following her years at MGM. The 59-minute retrospective (reduced from its original 90 minutes) collects comments from family and colleagues, shows clips from concerts at the London Palladium, Carnegie Hall, and the Palace Theater, a previously unseen 30-second scene cut from her famous comeback film, A Star Is Born, and scenes from her short-lived TV show.

Not surprisingly, some of the footage spotlights Garland's affection for her kids: she shares the stage at the Palladium with Liza Minnelli and appears with Lorna and Joe Luft at the Palace and sings to them on her TV show. And while many of the songs are shown only in brief clips, there are a number of complete performances, including a duet with Barbra Streisand of "Get Happy" and "Happy Days Are Here Again," her dramatically charged rendition of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" following JFK's death, "Ol' Man River," and "The Man That Got Away." And of course "Over the Rainbow" is here, in a 1955 performance that is the only TV recording of how she performed the song in concert: sitting on the edge of the stage, face-to-face with the audience. And it's a credit to Garland that even in hobo makeup, she lets the raw emotion of the song pour through. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

A MUST FOR JUDY FANS.......2007-04-16

BEING A MUSICIAN, I LOVE GREAT SINGERS. JUDY GARLAND WAS AND IS A NATIONAL TREASURE AND WILL ALWAYS BE LOVED BY EVERYONE(ESPECIALLY ME). JUDY SINGS GREAT MATERIAL AND OF COURSE, HAS THAT MAGIC CONNECTION WITH THE AUDIANCE. THIS WONDERFUL LADY SINGS WITH AS MUCH POWER AND EMOTION AS ANYONE BEFORE OR SINCE. JUST GET THIS AND ENJOY.

Tour de Force a la Judy!.......2006-07-21

Being too young to have seen Judy Garland in concert has always been a regret of mine. The energy she projected in person must have been truly unique. Well, for those in the same boat as I am, here's the next best thing. What a shame that professional footage of her concerts were never made. Her TV series, however, is represented here quite well. The duets, the comedy sketches, the solo numbers, all show what a versatile performer Judy Garland was.

Without the constraints of a movie script or schedule, Judy allows herself to really project her full range of emotions in her songs. Particularly powerful are 'Old Man River' and 'Battle Hymn of the Republic'. Judy just sings her heart out in both songs, the emotional peak higher than anything in her movies. Particularly touching are her songs sung to her children Liza, Lorna and Joe. Lorna's song, with specially written lyrics by Johnny Mercer, is sung so lovingly by Judy that it left me in tears. There are also some lovely moments when all three children perform with Judy together. Liza's young strong voice is so much like her mother's.

If you think Judy was intense in her movie numbers, think again, for they are nothing compared to what she does on the stage and live in person. How lucky we are that they are captured and presented beautifully here in this hour-long DVD.

Simply a must-have if you're a Judy fan.

Judy garland-the concert years.......2006-03-14

If you like Judy Garland this is the dvd for you , it has many of her wonderful concerts and some very touching moments with her children. also a few surprises at the end . It's great! I loved it! Worth every penny. She was a great star and someone to be remembered .I am happy we have this to remember her by.

OUTSTANDING !....Worthy of the Greatest of them all...JUDY!!.......2004-02-21

If you're trying to decide whether to purchase this collection of Judy's best concert years performances, or JUST JUDY from the Judy Garland Show Collection, grab THIS collection and run, while it's still available. I own them both, and this one outclasses JUST JUDY in every way, especially if you have one of the new digital Widescreens and use a DVD player with Progressive Scan. JUST JUDY is a high tech, restored black and white presentation. However, in obtaining this remarkable pristeen clarity, the black and white is so vivid and harsh, it virtually removes all of Judy's makeup, even to the point of Judy's side teeth appearing as though there is a 1/8th black gap between each tooth! Oh, yes, and I mustn't forget the wrinkles, and heavy black eye shadow that contributes to Judy's stark appearance. Even the sound is far superior. BUY THIS DVD. YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!

Great Film... Buy the DVD, not the VHS version.......2003-04-25

I am a big fan of Judy Garland, and this is one of my favorite Judy films, even though this was made in 1985, long after she passed away. Hosted by Judy's daughter, Lorna Luft,this movie overviews her career from 1951-1969, also known as "The Concert Years", and shows performances from The Judy Garland Show, The London Palladium, Carnegie Hall, and The Palace. They show parts of scenes from her movies, including "A Star is Born" and "Till the Clouds Roll By", but the film is mostly highlighting her concerts and TV years; not her movie career. (Extra on the DVD includes the A Star is Born premiere) The affection for her three kids are indeed shown in this film; performing with Liza at the London Palladium, and singing to her younger children, Lorna and Joe, on her TV show is also a great part of the film. Some other stars that shared the stage with her in this movie are Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Ethel Merman, Bob Newhart, Danny O'Connor, and of course Liza Minnelli. Some musical highlights are "The Man that Got Away", "Ol' Man River", "Battle Hymn of the Republic" (on her show after JFK was assassinated), "Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy" (with Streisand), "Chicago", "Smile", "Get Happy", "You Made me Love You", "The Trolley Song", "For Me and My Gal", "Swanee", "San Francisco", and many others. And of course, her signature "Over the Rainbow" is there, filmed from her 1955 TV special, and the only existing film of Judy as she performed her song for hundreds of concerts; sitting on the edge of the stage, singing her heart out, tears on her cheeks, in her "little tramp" outfit. Extras are commentary by friends and family such as Sid Luft, Lorna Luft, Joe Luft, Tony Bennett, Mort Lindsey, and others. This is definitely a must have for any Judy Garland fan.

Average customer rating:

The mother of all comedic chase movies
An absolute "must have"!
One of the best comedies
abolute madness, loved it!!!
One of the best comedies ever

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Great Race (Sub)
The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Some Like It Hot (Collector's Edition)

ASIN: B00005LOL8
Release Date: 2001-09-18

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

The mother of all comedic chase movies.......2007-05-15

The best chase comedy ever. Great cast, locations. It brings back memories of LA area in the fifties and sixties. One of my favorite comedies of all time.

An absolute "must have"!.......2007-05-13

One of the best comedies.......2007-05-12

abolute madness, loved it!!!.......2007-04-11

One of the best comedies ever.......2007-03-30

Great cast help make this one of the funniest movies ever.

Actress:

Actress

Actress