North Country (Widescreen Edition)

Amazon.com

Frances McDormand and Charlize
Theron in North Country.

But the job proves to be almost as harrowing as her marriage; the male miners, resentful of women taking jobs, verbally abuse and play humiliating pranks on the female miners. After being physically assaulted by a coworker, Josey tries to fight against the harassment, but none of the other women will join her case for fear that things will only get worse. North Country, directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider), makes the women's experience palpable for the audience without overdoing it. But the lawsuit is only part of the movie; the gut impact of North Country comes from the devastating effect the lawsuit has on Josey's family, friends, and coworkers--thanks to an incredible ensemble cast that includes Sissy Spacek (In the Bedroom), Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings), Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under), Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt), and the always powerful Frances McDormand (Fargo, Mississippi Burning). The courtroom histrionics don't always ring true, but the family conflict is riveting and deeply moving. Based on the book Class Action: The Story of Lois Jenson and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law. --Bret Fetzer

Description

When Josey Aimes (Academy Award winner CHARLIZE THERON) returns to her hometown in Northern Minnesota after a failed marriage, she needs a good job. A single mother with two children to support, she turns to the predominant source of employment in the region - the iron mines. The mines provide a livelihood that has sustained a community for generations. The work is hard but the pay is good and friendships that form on the job extend into everyday life, bonding families and neighborhoods with a common thread.

DVD Features:
Deleted Scenes
Documentaries

Customer Reviews:

The Compass Points North Toward Compassion.......2007-08-21

Thinking 'North Country' would not live up to the hype, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself so involved in the thick of a gripping gender drama. Alternating between the witness stand and the reenactment of the recall of the plaintiff, the film focuses on the life of Josie Aimes, (Charlize Theron) with her groundbreaking story of sexual harassment. Living on the iron range of Minnesota, the lifestyle of everyone bears all the elements with true grit. Josie, who finds her ex- unbearable and living under her parents' roof with her two children slightly less so, is prompted by a friend at her hair salon to join her in a (near) precedent setting employment as a female miner. Under unbearable competition from overseas, the men have enough that they can handle, but truly lose all sense of humanity as they humiliate their female members with lewd comments, childish pranks, and unwanted advances. With a fellow female staff that is calloused enough to take it, Josie, faultlessly more thin-skinned, decides she's had enough. Trying to turn the tide from the "he-said/she said" debacle paralleled in the Anita Hill/ Clarence Thomas hearings, she gets her turn. Can she set the precedent? Will anyone join her? Will anyone represent her?

'North Country' keeps a sense of growing tension by telling its story well. Punctuated by excellent performances, tense and laidback in perfect measure, Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, Sissy Spacek, et al, really ring true. Frances McDormand, whose acting abilities seldom strike twice, returns to her perfect Minnesotan accent albeit in a different personality. Timing and screenplay truly shine. Gustavo Santaolalla's score and the soundtrack (featuring) Bob Dylan's songs contribute lovably rugged terrain to all the proceedings.

fascinating story.......2007-08-17

You know, I really thought this would be a chick flick: A single mother struggling to support her family, dealing with her angry teenage son, and her frayed relationship with her own parents. Throw in a friend slowly dying of a terminal illness, and some sappy courtroom drama.

But actually, as the film went on, I got kind of interested in it.It was cheesy and over the top at points (I'm thinking specifically of a courtroom scene in which a witness suddenly reverses his testimony just because of being asked the same question over and over by the lawyer). But it was absolutely amazing what these women had to put up with at the mine. I found myself almost disbelieving it at points. Not necessarily disbelieving that we men could be such pigs, but that these women would wait so long before they finally filled for a class action suit after all that happened to them. 50 years go maybe, but this story was shown as being concurrent with the Anita Hill hearings. However the movie did try and give lots of reasons why these women were scared of loosing their jobs.

The DVD extra feature has interviews with the real women behind the story, which is very interesting, although it does sometimes indicate a slight disconnect between the kind of harassment these women faced in real life, and the full out assault they undergo in the film. Also in the movie it was one lone woman fighting both her male colleagues and her fellow women, but in the interviews it sounded like a lot of women were in on this class action suit together. But, that's Hollywood, right?

Just be a man about it..........2007-05-09

There are times when I'm embarrassed to be a man, and watching this film was one of them. Director Niki Caro (Whale Rider) does a wonderful job handling this material. It would have been easy to go over the top, or to dwell too long on some of the instances of sexual harassment, but she wisely chose to show them without added dramatic effect, knowing that we would get it. And we did.

This was based on a true story, and is an acknowledged fictional account, so it's difficult to know what was real and what wasn't, but I'm going to guess that the instances were fairly close to the truth. Men used their own feces to write derogatory words in the women's dressing room, used any excuse to feel up one of their female co-workers, and in one extremely disturbing instance, knocked over a "Porta-Jane" while a female co-worker was using it. Of course, not all men engaged in this activity, but any who remained silent were complicit. How were women supposed to put up with nonsense? Just be a man, they were told. Well, if they did that, they would have been slinging feces on their male co-workers wall. Not a sensible answer for them to have been given, was it?

That this occurred in 1989 is even more disturbing. How long will it be before the idea of a woman's place being in the kitchen is completely routed from every man's thoughts? Not soon enough, I'm afraid.

Charlize Theron was excellent (if perhaps not Oscar worthy, but that's subjective) as was Francis McDormand. The rest of the cast was strong and turned in believable performances as well, almost all of them getting the quirky Minnesota accent down perfectly.

Excellenty executed.......2007-03-15

I finally got to see this movie and am very glad I did. For the reviewers who didn't like it, and their reasons... a movie cannot possibly go to the depths of which a book or true life can. Movies are time limited in order to make them appealing. Therefore, they tend to cut out things and try to make the whole greater than the sum of it's parts.
In this case I felt they did a good job. The story developed Chalize's character richly in this movie. It also focused on her relationships with her children, parents and coworkers and included bits and pieces of her past to show you the whole person.
Charlize is rapidly winning my approval as an actress. Sissy Spacek is excellent here too, although just a second string character. The real suprise is Woody Harrelson. He is superb in his role as the lawyer... something I don't think I could say about him in any other of his movies.
The point in this movie is to display what led to the case... not just the sexual harrassment on the job, but the backgroud of the originator of the case. She faced the enemies, both current and past, and quelled those fires and declared herself.
This movie also displays group behavior and how the greater group may reign due to numbers.... but if it's not a nice reign, they soon will fall. That is a historic fact.
All in all an excellent film well worth the time to watch with unforgettable lessons.

Pathetic.......2007-02-05

The beautiful Charlize Theron plays the stupidest, most cowardly woman ever born. She and her equally dim and helpless union sisters/friends endure an endless litany of hideous indignities, going well, WELL past the point where any healthy woman of my acquaintence would've repeatedly kneed the nearest male, and then sued him out of house and home.

Average customer rating:

The Compass Points North Toward Compassion
fascinating story
Just be a man about it...
Excellenty executed
Pathetic

North Country (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Charlize Theron , Elle Peterson , Thomas Curtis , Frances McDormand , and Sean Bean
Director: Niki Caro
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( N ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000CQLZ92
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Amazon.com

A sterling cast and vivid direction give North Country an emotional heft to match its political convictions. Charlize Theron (Monster) plays Josey Aimes, who goes to work at a Minnesota steel mine after splitting with her violent husband. But the job proves to be almost as harrowing as her marriage; the male miners, resentful of women taking jobs, verbally abuse and play humiliating pranks on the female miners. After being physically assaulted by a coworker, Josey tries to fight against the harassment, but none of the other women will join her case for fear that things will only get worse. North Country, directed by Niki Caro (Whale Rider), makes the women's experience palpable for the audience without overdoing it. But the lawsuit is only part of the movie; the gut impact of North Country comes from the devastating effect the lawsuit has on Josey's family, friends, and coworkers--thanks to an incredible ensemble cast that includes Sissy Spacek (In the Bedroom), Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings), Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under), Woody Harrelson (The People vs. Larry Flynt), and the always powerful Frances McDormand (Fargo, Mississippi Burning). The courtroom histrionics don't always ring true, but the family conflict is riveting and deeply moving. Based on the book Class Action: The Story of Lois Jenson and the Landmark Case That Changed Sexual Harassment Law. --Bret Fetzer

Description

DVD Features:
Deleted Scenes
Documentaries

Customer Reviews:

The Compass Points North Toward Compassion.......2007-08-21

fascinating story.......2007-08-17

Just be a man about it..........2007-05-09

Excellenty executed.......2007-03-15

Pathetic.......2007-02-05

Average customer rating:

Bratz
Enjoyable Story
It was for my Granddaughters Birthday,and she was thrilled!!1
I See the Appeal, But I Sure Don't Like It
Great, entertaining and captivating.

Bratz: Passion 4 Fashion - Diamondz
Starring: Greg Ellis (II) , Madison Riley (II) , Olivia Hack , Ogie Banks , and Dionne Quan
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000GIXE8G
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Amazon.com

Bratz fashion dolls now have their very own animated feature film, starring four fashion-forward pals--Cloe, Yasmin, Jade, and Sasha--as they navigate the traumas of adolescence with attitudes as edgy as their cartoon caricatures. The film opens as the girls receive an art class assignment to "Express Yourself" through a video they jointly produce. The project creates a convenient backdrop for the storyline, which follows each girl in her quest for self-discovery. Sasha is stressed as head of the prom committee, while Yasmin goes undercover as the school newspaper's gossip columnist. Jade nearly collapses from a fashion crisis, while Cloe is in search of the perfect mudpack makeover. There are boys, of course, and a conspicuous absence of adult role models. "Super slammin' good times" await preteen viewers interested in shopping, shoes, and spa treatments, but for those who want a film with substance, the search is on. (Ages 7 to 12) --Lynn Gibson

Description

Get ready to hit the road with the Bratz as they join a cross-country search for some fashion standouts - and encounter far more "far-out" things than they ever expected - in this fun-filled trip of a movie!

Signing up for a reality show hosted by their friend Byron, the Bratz take to the road in a truck equipped with its own fashion runway! Their quest? To find teenage fashion designers to model in a glitzy New York fashion show. The prize? Diamond-studded Go-Go boots! But their trip becomes more exciting than anyone imagined when they encounter a haunted town, a hitchhiker and a designer wannabe who seems nice...but isn't! Can the Bratz face their fears in time to attain Diamondz success...or will their conniving competition make them fashionably late? Find out in this exciting Bratz adventure!

Customer Reviews:

Bratz.......2007-08-24

My daughter got this as a gift and loves it. I do not care for the way that the Bratz dress, even in the Bratz Babyz movie. I wish they would wear age appropriate clothes. My daughter loves them.

Enjoyable Story.......2007-06-15

My daughter and I loved this Bratz adventure. I've been a fan of all things genie since I was a kid and first watched "I Dream of Jeannie", so I really love the theme. We have the whole set of dolls from this Genie Magic series. They're all very pretty and have great costumes. I love the way these movies are animated because it really looks like the dolls. I won't bother rehashing the plot because you can read that on the product description page, but I will say that it was a very good story and lots of fun to watch. Many of the kids DVDs and videos are not written to be enjoyed by adults, but the Bratz series is. Even friends with no kids have enjoyed this DVD with us. This is a story about parents learning to let go, as much as its a story about a magical genie. Very well done.

It was for my Granddaughters Birthday,and she was thrilled!!1.......2007-06-02

May 16th was my 10 year old Granddaughters birthday,and when she saw it,she was a serious
HappyCamper.

I See the Appeal, But I Sure Don't Like It.......2007-05-14

My daughter discovered Bratz about a year ago, and I immediately tried to discourage her interest. Barbies are one thing, but Bratz are simply hoochie-mamas designed to influence little girls into wearing clothes that are simply innapropriate. That being said though, I totally get the appeal for the younger girls. Fashion, a little romance--it's all very tres chic. Doesn't mean I have to like it, though.

She loved it, of course, when they came out with Bratz Babyz, so we had to watch the movie. On its own merits, the movie is pretty cute. The girls lose their dog at the mall, where they're pursued by an older bully, a security guard, and the baby-care center director. Except for the plot, though, this movie loses serious points with me. The Bratz Babyz go around in belly button-baring shirts and diapers! That's it! Where the heck are their clothes? Teen hoochie-mamas are one thing; baby hoochie-mamas are just plain scary.

Overall, sure, the movie is a cute one for the little girls to watch once. After that, besides just getting on your nerves, this one can go back to the video rental store.

Great, entertaining and captivating........2007-04-08

This movie has everything, suspense, true friendship, magic, fortune telling, loving family versus the cunning bad guys, and of course stylish clothes. Latest Indian trends especially. The graphics are good, and the ending is encouraging. Good prevails and the world is a safe place again. Very entertaining and worth the money in my opinion. I enjoyed watching as much as the kids.

Average customer rating:

Having it all to having to start from stratch
Excellent Adult Comedy
MOVE OVER ISHTAR AND HOWARD THE DUCK
Not Worth It
One of the worst. movies we've ever tried to watch

Town and Country
Starring: Warren Beatty , Diane Keaton , Andie MacDowell , Garry Shandling , and Jenna Elfman
Director: Peter Chelsom
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005NRNT
Release Date: 2001-10-16

Amazon.com

Released two years later than originally scheduled, Town & Country was plagued by the kind of negative buzz that few movies recover from. Like the infamous Ishtar, this Warren Beatty-led ensemble comedy is ungainly and erratic, but when it's funny it's quite funny, and the involvement of cowriter Buck Henry makes it a lot smarter than most of what passes for wit in postmillennial comedy. An updated sex farce fueled by modern-day foibles, the movie's also an apologetic valentine from notorious womanizers like Beatty, who, as wealthy Manhattan architect Porter Stoddard, is paying the price for his dalliance with a sexy cellist (Nastassja Kinski). While Porter's wife (Diane Keaton) fumes with suspicion, their best friends Mona (Goldie Hawn) and Griffin (Garry Shandling) wage their own marital warfare after Mona spies Griffin with a gorgeous redhead. Mona shouldn't believe what she sees, but she still has cause to worry.

Porter also has a fling with a ski-bunny psycho (Andie MacDowell) with an obsessively protective father (Charlton Heston), and a store clerk (Jenna Elfman) with a thing for Russian literature. It all leads to comedic acts of contrition, but too many gags are strained or flat; lacking knowledge of its troubled history, you'd still think Town & Country was a puzzle with missing pieces. And yet, these veteran stars somehow pull it together just enough to make it work, and with the stammering Shandling as a standout, the movie boasts a few noteworthy highlights. Heston's a riot (believe it or not), and although Town & Country doesn't fire on all pistons, it's got enough horsepower to suggest it could've been a contender. --Jeff Shannon

Description

A hilarious comedy about life, love, friendship and the sometimes blistering nature of marital bliss.

Customer Reviews:

Having it all to having to start from stratch.......2006-07-02

This movie is perfect for the perfect couple. When you figure out that your marrige of 25 years is on the rocks what do you do? Well Ellie nows what to do, try to resolve it. After embarrissing her in front of everyone and everyone knows about his cheating. So they finally get a divorce when Potter finally realizes let he had lost his only true love. So know he has to work on getting it back one step at a time.

Excellent Adult Comedy.......2006-03-19

I saw this movie on a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles and loved it. I am surprised it was rated to poorly. I am also surprised that if the cast went to every household that watched the movie in the cinemas and acted out the movie, it would have been cheaper than making the movie. Anyway, I think it is an excellent adult comedy, few of which are made today. It's a good movie if you want a laugh. I particularly like the conversation between Beatty & Shandling during their 'miscommunication' scene.

MOVE OVER ISHTAR AND HOWARD THE DUCK.......2006-03-05

Filmed in 1998 and not released until 2001, TOWN AND COUNTRY has the dubious honor of being one of the most financially disastrous films of all time. What were these talented actors doing in a mess like this? It's thin plot focuses on marital infidelity and pompous overacting. Warren Beatty is basically playing his off-screen persona; Diane Keaton is playing the same roles she's been playing ever since Annie Hall; Garry Shandling is like a stand up comic with no funny lines; Goldie Hawn is the same Goldie from DEATH BECOMES HER; Andie McDowell and Nastassa Kinski are wasted in their superflous roles; and Charlton Heston is no Leslie Nielsen, and is about as funny as HOWARD THE DUCK.
Peter Chisom's direction is pedestrian and uninspired, and the whole thing just falls flat on its incompetent face. What a waste!

Not Worth It.......2004-03-24

Do not waste your time. In spite of the cast, this movie is a whopping dud. Meandering and unfulfiling. A shame. I'd give it zero stars, but the system won't let me.

One of the worst. movies we've ever tried to watch.......2004-03-19

This was one of the worst movies my husband and I ever tried to watch. We finally gave up and I threw our DVD away. We were looking forward to watching it because of the cast, but that just proves that you need more than very good actores to make a good movie. Nothing seemed funny to us; I find it strange that it got better reviews than "My Fellow Americans" and "Her Alibi." We enjoyed the first one and thought the second one was cute, but they got trounced. Which might also prove that you have to be an outspoken liberal to get a good review in Hollywood?

Johnny Cash At Town Hall Party 1958-1959

Average customer rating:

A great gift to all who loved the man
A MUST OWN for Johnny Cash Fans
Johnny Cash At Town Hall Party 1958-1959
What more could you want!?!?
Johnny Cash straight out of Compton

Johnny Cash At Town Hall Party 1958-1959
Starring: Johnny Cash
Manufacturer: Bear Family
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Country | Styles | Music

Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

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

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B00005YW5X
Release Date: 2002-03-26

Customer Reviews:

A great gift to all who loved the man.......2007-01-21

To really get an artist's personality, sometimes you need to see them live. I don't know if that's true with Johnny but I know it sure doesn't hurt. This is a very young Johnny with Luther and Marshal. Three friends, lots of fans, and a set of songs that you'll probably recognize from his few albums that were out at that time. Yes, there are several repeat performances but nothing really overshadows the fact that you get to see this piece of music history. It doesn't take any of the shine off it is what I'm saying. Complete with some teasing onstage banter and a one or two minute bout of outright goofyness as Johnny imitates an anonymous singer...if you can't figure out that it's Elvis he's impersonating...than you don't know Elvis and you were born in a cave. This is not a rock and roll show by any means. It's perfect and original country concert and what a collectors item. A real treasure. Glad I got a hold of a copy. No problems with audio or visual quality. For the time period, having to turn the volume up a little extra is not an issue [for me atleast]. Enjoy.

A MUST OWN for Johnny Cash Fans.......2006-08-22

I'm probably one of the youngest Johnny Cash fans I know....I'm only 31. I've read several books of his, and seen many of his performances. The sound and video quality on this dvd are less than perfect, but it is VINTAGE Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two from the early years. BEST I've seen....really puts accross the style and demeanor that got them to the top.

Even with the less than perfect video and audio (restored pretty good though considering the age of the footage), ANY Johnny Cash fan will rock to the tunes....and it almost feels as if you're there back in the 50's! Highly reccommended!

Johnny Cash At Town Hall Party 1958-1959.......2006-07-01

The only reason I don't give 5 stars to this DVD is because of the quality of the sound and video. They are both good enough to allow thorough enjoyment of the DVD, but they aren't as good as is customarily expected in today's market. Having said that, if you are a long-time Cash fan, I guarantee you will enjoy watching this DVD. The experience of watching these young Johnny Cash performances rates 5 stars. Don't buy it for the quality, buy it for the fun of being entertained by Johnny. I don't know of anywhere else that a significant performance of a young JC is available like it is here. It's fun to watch. As another reviewer mentioned, it is also interesting to see the growth in young Cash as an entertainer that occurred from 1958 to 1959.
I was hesitant to buy this DVD because of different reviewers' comments on the sound and video quality. But I did buy it and I am glad I did. I enjoyed it so much I bought another copy and gave it to my Dad for his 80th birthday. So, if you're a long-time Cash fan like I am, I recommend you buy two: one for yourself and one for the person who turned you on to Johnny Cash so long ago. You'll both be glad you did.

What more could you want!?!?.......2006-05-01

I am a long time Johnny Cash fan, and a big time music collector (especially in the area of concert footage). I owned Johnny Cash! The Man, His World, His Music (along with other JC DVDs); And loved it, but I wanted some younger concert footage of Johnny. I knew it existed from seeing clips of it on documentaries and the Hurt video (the clip where he is singing Walk the Line and looks at the camera and winks...yeah its on here!). I stumbled upon and immediately had to buy it (thank goodness for one click purchasing). Here is my review of the DVD: When I first put this in I was hesitant about the quality, it was naturally black an white, and the camera moved around like a bad home video (this was less obvious after the beginning). But after the first song none of this mattered, both shows are an amazing and rare document of a young Johnny Cash adapting to the trappings of rock star fame. I agree with another review on here that, if you are a Johnny Cash fan and do not own this...wait no longer! I would give this 10 stars if I could. The second show is the stronger one (which isnt to take away from the first at all), Johnny is confident, has great stage presence...and man oh man, the performance of Big River is off the charts! We see alot of Johnnys trademark yells (whoooo), and the ever classic lifting the guitar up high to the mic. I cant say enough good things about this DVD. The sound quality is great, the picture can be daunting at first but like I said, you wont even think about it once he gets into the second song. Any fan of music would not regret making this a part of their collection.

Johnny Cash straight out of Compton.......2006-02-28

This DVD contains two excellent shows at Town Hall in Compton, California. One is from 1958 and the other is in 1959. It's interesting to see the difference that a year on the road can do to a band. In 1958 Johnny looks fresh and new and is full of wise cracks. The songs are excellent and the Tennessee Two are amazing. In 1959 Johnny is a lot more confident but looks a little tired and drained. Nonetheless, it is still an amazing show that I wish I could of experienced. The picture quality is what you can expect from the era but I feel it just adds to the essence of the experience. These two film clips are priceless and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for some old school Johnny Cash at his best.

Average customer rating:

Eddie Cochran Live In Los Angeles
A Great Talent

Eddie Cochran - At Town Hall Party
Starring: Eddie Cochran
Manufacturer: Bear Family
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

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

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00007J4V5
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Eddie Cochran Live In Los Angeles.......2007-02-18

First, I must be honest. This DVD is expensive and the performance is not very long (maybe 30 minutes). However, if you want to answer for yourself the question of what the true king of the rockabilly cats was like in concert (sorry Elvis, you never wrote a song), this is the only DVD that will do it. An interesting note is that this Town Hall Party show occured on the actual day of Buddy Holly's funeral. Cochran had performed on the same bill with Buddy Holly and the Crickets and was reported to have spent some quality time with Holly, so you can't help but wonder what his thoughts were on that day. There is no mention of Buddy Holly at all, so that question isn't answered. As for Eddie's performance, Cochran comes off as incredibly mature, well spoken and professional. It's very hard to believe he is in his early twenties. The words that best describe Cochran are "smooth, polished and confident" without being cocky. You almost feel that he would be more at home in Vegas performing for adults than he would for teenagers. If you've seen the Gene Vincent performances on Town Hall Party you will wonder how Gene and Eddie could have performed so often on the same shows in England. Cochran's voice and stage presence are so much more professional than Vincent's that they really aren't well matched. Vincent seemed like an amateur in comparison to Cochran. The one disappointment here is that Cochran doesn't play many leads on the guitar. In fact, he lets his back up band rock out more than he does (saxophone lead on a Cochran song!). Cochran's recordings show that he was a talented and original lead guitar player in the studio, but I get the feeling that he wasn't confident enough to pull it off on stage at this point (or the sound equipment might not have been good enough in those days to do it). If you want to see the young man that inspired Brian Setzer (and the Gretsch guitar that launched a 1,000 Rockabilly cats) this is the only DVD that will satisfy your soul. It's 5 times the footage ever shot of Buddy Holly. Go Cat Go!

A Great Talent.......2003-02-03

The Town Hall Party TV Shows 1959'

Introduction (Jay Stewart)/Instrumental (Dick D'Agostin & The Swingers) /Introduction (Dick D'Agostin)/C'mon Everybody/Have I Told You Lately That I Love You/Don't Blame It On Me/Summertime Blues/Interview (Johnny Bond)/Introduction (Jay Stewart)/Night Walk (Dick D'Agostin & The Swingers) /Introduction (Dick D'Agostin)/School Day/ Be Honest with Me/Money Honey/C'mon Everybody
Approximate Viewing Time: 30 Minutes

Well after over a few years in the making, to use movie speak, the long promised footage of Eddie Cochran backed by Dick D'Agostin & The Swingers recorded live at The Town Hall Party on 07 February 1959 is finally available for all to savour, drool over, enjoy and perhaps regret that Eddie is no longer with us to realise the esteem in which he is held. I am aware of many hurdles that have been placed in the way of Rockstar/Bear Family Records in trying to release this video and our thanks has to go to all concerned that we are able to hold the finished product in our grubby mitts.

The footage is in monochrome but that only adds to the atmosphere that oozes from the screen, for sure this is the real thing. Genuine fifties live rock `n' roll from one of it's leading exponents ably backed by Connie `Guybo' Smith and Dick D'Agostin & The Swingers. The show is split into two shows, both initially introduced by a cool looking Jay Stewart and on each occasion this is followed by an instrumental from Dick D'Agostin & The Swingers. The first has no known title but the second is the tight raspy sax lead menacing `Night Walk'.

For the first show, after a brief welcome from Dick D'Agostin, Eddie Comes on an launches into the classic `C'mon Everybody' complete with the aforementioned D'Agostin pounding away at the piano which certainly enhances the performance. This is followed by a meaningful reading of the ballad `Have I Told You lately That I Love You'. Next up is a powerful rendition of Fats Domino's `Don't Blame It One Me' complete with growling vocals. Eddie breathes life into this song, simply an outstanding performance. The first set closes out with a rockin' treatment of the teens call to arms `Summertime Blues'.

At the mid-way point, there is a back stage interview between Eddie and Johnny Bond together with Dick D'Agostin and one of the Swingers. Nothing too starling in this but they do talk about Jimmy Rodgers and others. Bond unfortunately comes across as somewhat `squareish' and radiates an image of a country singer who as late as 1959 could not really come to grips with this new fangled rock `n' roll music. This is all the more surprising from the guy who went on to record and hit with `Hot Rod Lincoln'.

However it was soon back to rockin' and, after a muffled start, the sound and sight of a sparkling work out by Eddie on Chuck Berry's `School Days' is evident. This is followed by another ballad, this time Gene Autry's `Be Honest With Me' complete with a tasty sax break from D'Agostin. It is then time for a raunchy and bluesy treatment of `Money Honey' before closing out with a reprise of `C'mon Everybody' which at the time was Eddie's current release.

This material is historically important in rock `n' roll history but, above all, it is oh so enjoyable.

Customer Reviews:

Marty's charisma shines through.......2006-07-30

Marty Robbins was a delight on stage as he was on record. He just had a wonderful charisma about him. Thanks to Bear Family for unearthing this unique viewing of Marty singing many of his fifties hits. Also great to see the Glaser Brothers who were then supporting Marty at the time. Not sure about the Joe Hudgins appearance though it was good for a laugh. Sometimes the picture and sound quality isn't that great but what the heck it's just great to see and hear Marty singing 'live.'
Any fan of Mr Teardrop will love this d.v.d.

marty robbins.......2006-03-01

exellent given the age of recording but its marty in good form that makes this almost top marks

Average customer rating:

A must-buy for Merle Travis fans

Merle Travis At Town Hall Party
Starring: Merle Travis
Manufacturer: Bear Family
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Outlaw & Progressive Country | Country | Styles | Music

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

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

ASIN: B000BH2TEW
Release Date: 2005-11-15

Description

No one revolutionized country guitar playing like Merle Travis. He gave his name to an entire style of playing...or picking. He influenced Chet Atkins, and just about every rockabilly guitarist on the planet. There is very little video of Merle Travis in his prime, so Bear Family is very proud to present one of the geniuses of the guitar at the peak of his skills. Guitarists will be able to look at his fingers and try to figure out the deceptive simplicity of his style. Everyone else can just enjoy some relaxed, lyrical, and easy-on-the-ear country music. These 25 performances are a dazzling mixture of songs that Travis learned growing up in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, together with his hits, and even a tune, Main Street Breakdown, by his disciple, Chet Atkins. Very few artists truly revolutionized their music, but Merle Travis did! Country guitar playing would never be the same after Travis, and when young country guitarists turned Travis picking into rock 'n'! roll, they invented rockabilly guitar. Scotty Moore, Cliff Gallup, James Burton, and others were all disciples of Merle Travis. After Merle, it would never be the same!

Customer Reviews:

A must-buy for Merle Travis fans.......2006-05-06

Lots of great thumbpickin' and fun tunes by Merle Travis on the Town Hall Party country show. Joe Maphis picks on his double-neck and even fiddles some, too. Lots of big, fancy archtop guitars, western suits, if you like cowboy this DVD will do you well. The b/w kinescope vibe is totally retro!

cheers,
Drew

Average customer rating:

Buyers beware
Historic
Rock Away From THIS Baby

Gene Vincent At Town Hall Party
Starring: Gene Vincent
Manufacturer: Bear Family
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

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

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

ASIN: B00007J4V6
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Buyers beware.......2005-11-28

I found this DVD during a trip abroad, and - considering the very limited number of music DVDs with 50s rockers such as Gene Vincent - I was more than happy about it. Until I played it, that is. To call the sound & picture quality horrible is an understatement. (Unfortunately, the description of the primitive recording technology used is written on the INSIDE cover, and is thus hidden until you unwrap the DVD, and then it is too late.) Anyway, it has been sitting on my shelf for about a year now, and will probably remain there without ever seeing the inside of my DVD player again. I hope I can save some other would-be buyers from a similar disappointment.

Historic.......2004-04-02

This DVD contains historical clips. Don't expect technicolor images like in The Girl Can't Help It and you won't be disappointed. Considering the small amount of Gene Vincent clips that are available this DVD is a valuable asset for a fan of classic Rockabilly.

If you wan't some MTV like videoclips of a 50's rocker you better stay away from it.

Rock Away From THIS Baby.......2004-03-04

I like Gene, not one of my faves, but he had a great style ("Race with the Devil," "Cat Man," "Be Bop A Lula," "Day The World Turned Blue," etc. But even hardcore fans will strain to find the gold in some of these grainy, blurred takes. Some of the perfomances leave something to be desired as well. For the price, I felt burnt. Check out The Screaming End on CD and read the bio Race With The Devil while grooving to the tunes...

Average customer rating:

More than satisfied
Infectious!
Collins Kids
Hefty price for a tiny piece of pop culture

The Collins Kids At Town Hall Party
Starring: The Collins Kids
Manufacturer: Bear Family
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

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

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B00008Y4I5
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Customer Reviews:

More than satisfied.......2007-07-31

Being a kid from the 50s the quality was just what I remembered television was "back in those days". Sure did bring back memories and would highly suggest the "Town Hall Party" DVDs if you want to take a time travel trip.

Infectious!.......2006-11-01

Admittedly, Rockabilly isn't for everyone, but even non-fans of the genre will find themselves hard-pressed to dislike the crazed dance-steps and guitar-licks of the flea-like Larry, and the beyond-her-years, provocative vocals of his sweet sister Lorrie.

Believe me, The Collins Kids are AMAZING -- they're cute little bundles of joy, sheer energy, electric fun, fun, fun. Whether you are watching old TV clips or simply listening to their infectious music, you can't help but notice that Lorrie and Larry have an indefinable *something* that makes you grin from ear-to-ear.

C'mon, everybody, snap your fingers and tap your feet! Check-out The Collins Kids and see for yourself!

Rockin' on T.V.

Introducing Larry and Lorrie

Rockin'est

At Town Hall Party, Vol. 2

At Town Hall Party, Vol. 3

Collins Kids .......2006-02-25

This DVD is GREAT if you like good, 1950's rockabilly music.
Growing up, we used to sit in front of our 17-inch Black-and White TV set, and marvel at Larry and Lorrie Collins. If you like vintage rockabilly, this is a MUST-HAVE!!

Hefty price for a tiny piece of pop culture.......2005-09-27

Who were the Collins kids? They were a brother and sister duo who had fifteen minutes of fame back in 1957-58 when they started appearing on live tv doing covers of the new, fresh-out-of-the nursery music called rock and roll. The brother could slash away some pretty hot rock chords on guitar with feeling - he deserves some credit for instinctually understanding the new music and being able to play it convincingly at such a young age. His stage personnae was a bit annoying - a little too much grinning and "gee whiz!!" for my tastes. Think of Beaver Cleaver on speed doing an imitation of the Big Bopper. The sister was pretty and had the better vocals of the duo. Are they worth rediscovering? I don't think so. They never hit the charts. Their own compositions were merely competent. It was a novelty act rather than an act that really mattered to rock music. This is interesting if you are curious about early television kinescopes. A warning: the audio and video quality is poor. This is watchable but those used to the home theatre experience will find these difficult to watch. At one hour, thirty dollars seems like an excessive price. Hard core early rock fans will probably grab this one. But it is like charging a mint for an early American bandstand episode.

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