The Iceman Cometh

Customer Reviews:

The Iceman Cometh.......2007-07-05

Star Lee Marvin delivers the goods in the demanding central role of Hickey, the loutish sermonizer who attempts to convince his fellow losers that admitting to being a failure is the only possible redemption. In the last role of a long and distinguished screen career, March also shines as the aptly named Harry Hope, a widower who numbs his grief with work. Still it's tough guy Ryan who gives the film's most towering performance as the dying, laconic intellectual Slade (Ryan was also terminally ill when the film was shot). Frankenheimer, normally a director of high-wire political thrillers, directs Eugene O'Neill's raw, devastating play with confidence and sympathy for the plight of his characters. Look for a very young Jeff Bridges as Parritt, Slade's tragic young friend.

A LITTLE DREAMING BETWEEN SHOTS.......2007-06-07

The dreams of the very wretched of the earth are different from you and I. Or are they? This is the true subject matter of Eugene O'Neill fine play. Very little action, lots of drinking, lots of dreaming, lots philosophizing and in a low down gin mill to boot doesn't sound like the makings of a great American play. But, it is. This thing turns into a microcosm of American society in the early part of the 20th century. Between shots of whiskey and beer the denizens of this small work exhibit all the emotions, contradictions, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of life that the rest of us `normals' have to face. Except, for dramatic effect, those flophouse devotees get their noses rubbed in it by one Harry Hickey- traveling salesman, former chief denizen who now has got `religion' and wants to spread his newfound `glad tidings'. Spare us from the Hickeys of the world-a little dreaminess and a couple of illusions never hurt anyone. Did they? Although in O'Neill's hands the dialogue is a little stilted and the characters are a little stereotyped and wooden the point he is trying to make gets across just fine. This is a must read on your American drama list.

OUTSTANDING.......2007-05-14

GREAT PERFORMANCE. WHY THESE DVDS WITH MARVELLOUS STRAIGHT PLAYS FROM THE THEATRE ARE NOT PUBLISHED WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES? I THINK I KNOW THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE A LITTLE, BUT SUBTITLES MAY HELP! INDEED.

History has proven the truth has no bearing upon anything....a great play and a great film.......2006-05-03

The "history" line is so sad yet true. It's uttered by Larry, brilliantly played by Robert Ryan (one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood history). It sums up this Dostoyevsky like play/film. It's very heavy going, rarely showing a ray of sunshine in the dismal existences of the sad souls that populate Harry's Hope, a 1912 dive bar where getting another round of whiskey is all that matters in these shattered lives. Some hang onto their pipe dreams, but they are only dreams. This is a full text, uncut version of the film, directed by the great John Frankenheimer (The original Manchurian Candidate and Seconds). The film had rarely been seen (in any form) since its premiere with the American Film Theater endeavor undertaken by Ely Landau. Kino has restored this film to its original 239 minute length. Kudos to them for bringing it to us. While there are problems with the source material (you can tell where material's been restored and the sound isn't always clear), it's still worth watching. It's not the worst transfer I've ever seen. The performances are superlative. Even Marvin, who some have criticised as being miscast, acquits himself quite well as Hickey. Ryan is the standout in a great cast. See John Ford's The Long Voyage Home and Sidney Lumet's Long Days Journey into Night (also produced by Landau) for great films based on O'Neill's work.

Greatness abounds, but...........2006-01-31

I will simply agree with the other reviewers raving about March and Ryan, as well as the thought that the entire ensemble is incredibly good. This movie was a cult favorite of mine back in the day - I would drag people to see it as a way of communicating that I really cared about them.

It was very upsetting to see how bad the print is. Wow. It would be a labor of love for someone to go through this to correct the color. Since it is the acting and the dialogue that is most important, this is still a treasure, but it would be wonderful to be able to see it with all the atmosphere it had when it was released in theaters.

The American Film Theatre: Collection One

Average customer rating:

Fossils in amber.

The American Film Theatre: Collection One
Starring: Lee Marvin , Fredric March , Robert Ryan , Jeff Bridges , and Bradford Dillman
Director: John Frankenheimer , Tom O'Horgan , and Guy Green
Manufacturer: Kino Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008HCAK
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Customer Reviews:

Fossils in amber........2005-08-17

Being in my early 30s I could never have seen these plays performed by the actors at their age and in that time and space. Instead of being deprived of these soul enriching experiences they have been filmed and preserved for me - for that I am eternally grateful. On the tech side the "plays" look fantastic - the transfers are rich and clean and have been geared for 16:9 TVs. The sound is crisp and clear (don't knock mono, it sounds good on a decent system) and allows you to be immersed in the playwrights amazing dialogue (especially the incredible BUTLEY). This is truly one for the collection (and for you and your kid's educations) - I am buying the rest of the sets and I advise you to do the same - cheers!

Charlie Rose with Michael Ware & Jeffrey Gettleman; Eliot Spitzer; Eric Alterman & Mark Green (March 17, 2004)

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Charlie Rose with Michael Ware & Jeffrey Gettleman; Eliot Spitzer; Eric Alterman & Mark Green (March 17, 2004)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

An update on an explosion from the Mount Lebanon Hotel in Baghdad with Michael Ware of Time Magazine and Jeffrey Gettleman of The New York Times. Then, a conversation with the Attorney General of New York, Eliot Spitzer, about corporate corruption and widespread white collar crime. Finally, Eric Alterman, columnist for The Nation magazine, and Mark Green, former New York Public Advocate, talk about their critical account of President Bush in a new book, The Book on Bush: How George W. Misleads America.

Charlie Rose with Jessye Norman, Toni Morrison, Judith Weir & Clarissa Pinkola Estes; Frank Darabont (March 20, 2000)

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Charlie Rose with Jessye Norman, Toni Morrison, Judith Weir & Clarissa Pinkola Estes; Frank Darabont (March 20, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

African American Heritage | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Soprano Jessye Norman talks about her show, woman.life.song, which represents the different stages of a woman's life by portraying youth, mid-life and old age and which she will perform at Carnegie Hall. She is joined two of the writers of the work's text, author and Nobel-Prize-winner Toni Morrison, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes, best-selling author of Women who Run with the Wolves, as well as the composer, Judith Weir. Later, a conversation with Frank Darabont, director of the film, The Green Mile, an adaptation of the prison drama by Stephen King starring Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan.

Average customer rating:

The Green March
Starring: Ricardo Palacios , Antonio Gamero , Alvaro de Luna , Jordi Dauder , and Pepon Nieto
Director: José Luis Garcia Sanchez
Manufacturer: Lolafilms Home Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Satire | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video

Description

Franco is dying in a hospital in Madrid. Prince Juan Carlos goes to the Sahara Desert in a last-ditch attempt to resolve with King Hassan II of Morocco the conflict over the Spanish colony. As the diplomatic mission arrives in Aaiun, so does a troupe that performs musical reviews. The Moroccan king then organizes a strange mobilization—a "march" using civilians who will occupy the disputed territory amid a carnival atmosphere. The soldiers, always fighting their natural instinct, are not quite sure how to react to an "invasion" so removed from military tradition. With this historical and sexual backdrop, a series of events will decidedly change the lives of the Spaniards. In the GREEN MARCH, there are no luxurious special effects, only desert lust.

2007 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball 1st Round - Bowling Green vs. Oklahoma St.

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2007 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball 1st Round - Bowling Green vs. Oklahoma St.

Manufacturer: NCAA On Demand
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Description

Ali Mann scored 16 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as Bowling Green held on to defeat Oklahoma State.

2007 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball 1st Round - New Mexico vs. Wisconsin-Green Bay

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2007 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball 1st Round - New Mexico vs. Wisconsin-Green Bay

Manufacturer: NCAA On Demand
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Description

Wisconsin-Green Bay opened the second half with a 20-5 run and then held on for the 59-52 victory.

Charlie Rose with Kathy Bates (March 30, 1998)

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Charlie Rose with Kathy Bates (March 30, 1998)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

An interview with actress Kathy Bates about her new film Primary Colors and her experience with Rob Reiner in making the film. She also discusses her Oscar-winning performance in Stephen King's Misery, the opinions of other actors and her struggle for success.

Charlie Rose with Javier Bardem; David Gordon Green; William Kennard (March 8, 2001)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Javier Bardem; David Gordon Green; William Kennard (March 8, 2001)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Oscar-nominated actor Javier Bardem talks about his portrayal of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas in the movie Before Night Falls. Then, the young filmmaker David Gordon Green speaks about his critically-acclaimed film George Washington, about a group of underprivileged children. Last, the former chairman of the FCC William Kennard reflects on changes in the telecommunications industry and improvements made to the FCC during his tenure.

Average customer rating:

Highly Enjoyable
little truth to the story and vocals are by an aging Cantor
Much Better than what the critics stated
A Great Old Time Story that will melt your heart.
If You Knew Eddie.....

The Eddie Cantor Story
Starring: Keefe Brasselle , Marilyn Erskine , Aline MacMahon , Arthur Franz , and Greta Granstedt
Director: Alfred E. Green
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005JP4G

Amazon.com

A big slice of show-biz cheese, The Eddie Cantor Story follows the Broadway legend from childhood, when he narrowly escaped delinquency, through his youth in vaudeville to his years of success as the star of Florenz Ziegfeld's smash revues. Impersonated with eye-rolling hamminess by Keefe Brasselle (who hosted a brief-lived variety show in the 1960s), Cantor is an archetypal go-getter, a relentless workaholic who sacrificed his family life to sing Tin Pan Alley classics like "Makin' Whoopee" before an adoring crowd. The cliches fly fast and furious; the best bit is when a venomous actress (film noir queen Marie Windsor, The Killing, The Narrow Margin), sick of Cantor upstaging her, tries to sabotage Cantor by pretending to arrange an audition for him. Along the way are overdone imitations of Jimmy Durante and Will Rogers telling Cantor how great he is. Contemporary audiences are apt to be startled by the cheerful performances in blackface, which the movie blithely embraces as good-natured fun. This ends up being The Eddie Cantor Story's most intriguing aspect, though more for sociological interest than entertainment value. --Bret Fetzer

Description

The life story of one of Hollywood's best entertainers. Starring Keefe Brasselle as Cantor, and using the vocals of Cantor himself.

Customer Reviews:

Highly Enjoyable.......2007-03-20

Eddie Cantor was a popular entertainer from the beginning of the 20th century. He grew up in the slums of New York, finding himself in trouble with the local gangs, though at heart he was always a good boy (Richard Monda). Fearful that her son might grow up the wrong way, his grandmother (Aline MacMahon) lets him go on the stage with Gus Edwards (Hal March). He (Keefe Brasselle) grows up to be quite the attention hog, but always a good hearted man. Slowly, his fame rises, but with each new set of hands to applaude, Cantor becomes even more restless in the pursuit of fame, even at the expense of his wife (Marilyn Erskine), children, and health.

There are many other famous names peppered throughout the film including Florenz Ziegfeld, Will Rogers and Jimmy Durante.

There are also several problems with the film. Brasselle's performance is sometimes a bit too exaggerated, making Old Banjo Eyes seem a bit too feminine and silly. The selected music is very good, but like that recorded for The Jolson Story which inspired this film, it was recorded when Cantor was much older. It actually suffers a bit in this instance; it is less upbeat and energized. Finally, the film completely ignores Cantor's career in films, a major part of his life and the reason his legacy has been preserved.

Cantor makes a small appearance at the end of the film, obviously an aged man, but still with those expressive eyes. It serves as a bit of a bow to his public.

little truth to the story and vocals are by an aging Cantor.......2007-03-07

If you want to see what the real Eddie Cantor was like in his prime, watch Palmy Days or Roman Scandals, both made in the early 1930s. Even though the vocals in this biopic were recorded by Eddie, he was older and in poor health and did not sing as well as when he was younger. Sadly, the movie does not tell about Cantor's humanitarian nature: his verbal attack on the character of anti-semitic Father Coughlin in 1939 that put an end to Cantor's half-million dollar radio contract; his having Sammy Davis Jr. as a return guest on the Colgate Comedy hour in the early 1950s after Sammy's first visit caused an outpouring of hate mail; his coining the phrase "March of Dimes" when FDR asked Cantor for advice in raising money to fight polio.

Much Better than what the critics stated.......2006-05-09

I just recently purchased this movie--I remember looking at on tv, when I was a kid, and I did enjoy it then, and I enjoyed it even better now, since I was now looking at it in color!!

The only flaw I saw in the movie was that Mr Brasselle did overplay Mr Cantor's mannerisms just a little, but the blame should not have been on the actor alone, but also the director, who supervised the whole movie while it was still in production--and where was Mr. Cantor when this movie was being made?? It seemed he should have been around for just a couple of scenes, and made his comments known before the movie was finished--Instead after he reviewed the whole picture, his comment was, "If that was me, I didn't live".

The actor must have been devastated, along with the comments of the critics--This man's career was never the same again!!

It seems a shame to blame only the actor for the quality of the movie, and not the others who were involved in the making of this biopic--As I stated earlier, I enjoyed the movie, and I will see it again and again!!Thanks to Mr Brasselle's energetic (if somewhat overplayed) performance of Banjo eyes!!

A Great Old Time Story that will melt your heart........2001-07-16

I have a sentimental place in my heart for this movie. My mother and I used to watch it late night--black and white--many years ago--and cry everytime at the touching parts.

It's a great musical and reveals how the Follies were done and how wonderful the big shows were.

Anyway, I'd buy it again and since I now have it, will watch it over and over.

If You Knew Eddie............2000-09-21

After having read several negative reviews for "The Eddie Cantor Story" I was hesitant to purchase this video but I felt, "what the heck" and did. I am glad I did as I enjoyed this biography, due in no small part to Keefe Brasselle's energetic portrayal of "The Apostle of Pep". One of the inherent problems I have found with Hollywood biographies is the desire on the part of the studios to sacrifice facts for what they believe to be great storyline. While this may have been true in this case I nonetheless enjoyed watching Mr. Brasselle entertain me with his spirited recreation of Mr. Cantor's routines. For those of us too young to have had the pleasure of seeing Eddie Cantor perform on stage this will be the best chance of doing so.

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