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Showbiz ballyhoo
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
I figure I must just be an old soul. I love the romance and nostalgia of the early 20th century films. For someone who grew up in the discoed-out 70's and the metal-head 80's, the old musicals, black and whites and bigger than life spectacles of yesteryear make me feel, some how, more in touch with America's past. If you have the slightest bit of sympathy for me than you'll love Showbiz Ballyhoo.
This 1982 documentary of the Hollywood, star-making machine of the early half of the 20th century is stuffed full of footage the public has never seen. With screen tests, bloopers, publicity reels and behind the scenes footage, this DVD is packed full of some of the most fascinating pictures of Hollywood that you may ever see. How often do we get to see Vivien Leigh, Loretta Young and Joan Fontaine screen test for the same role in Rebecca? When's the last time you saw Bogart, Flynn or Cagney flub a line? Did you go to Jackie Cooper's 13th birthday pool party? Were you there to hear legendary director Cecil B. DeMille rally his extras for a dramatic scene in The Crusades? No? Don't worry, it's all on celluloid which had been downloaded onto this DVD!
The only thing about this DVD that would not be thrilling to a true movie enthusiast is the lackluster hosting done by director David Steinberg. His eyes shift from side to side reading off-camera cue cards and his monotone delivery sounds like he's reading a recipe for oatmeal rather than speaking of a spectacular and magical time in movie history. There are also no cool things like commentary tracks by directors or actor biographies but the material itself more than makes up for the unenthusiastic host and lack of digital goodies.
I really got my fill of movie-making history with this DVD and it should definitely be on the wish-list of anyone who loves old movies and classic stars.
This 1982 documentary of the Hollywood, star-making machine of the early half of the 20th century is stuffed full of footage the public has never seen. With screen tests, bloopers, publicity reels and behind the scenes footage, this DVD is packed full of some of the most fascinating pictures of Hollywood that you may ever see. How often do we get to see Vivien Leigh, Loretta Young and Joan Fontaine screen test for the same role in Rebecca? When's the last time you saw Bogart, Flynn or Cagney flub a line? Did you go to Jackie Cooper's 13th birthday pool party? Were you there to hear legendary director Cecil B. DeMille rally his extras for a dramatic scene in The Crusades? No? Don't worry, it's all on celluloid which had been downloaded onto this DVD!
The only thing about this DVD that would not be thrilling to a true movie enthusiast is the lackluster hosting done by director David Steinberg. His eyes shift from side to side reading off-camera cue cards and his monotone delivery sounds like he's reading a recipe for oatmeal rather than speaking of a spectacular and magical time in movie history. There are also no cool things like commentary tracks by directors or actor biographies but the material itself more than makes up for the unenthusiastic host and lack of digital goodies.
I really got my fill of movie-making history with this DVD and it should definitely be on the wish-list of anyone who loves old movies and classic stars.
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