Reviews (8)

Perhaps we shouldn't laugh at religion (maybe we should!)
My assistant found this movie for $5 at a yard sale, and I was delighted to be able to watch it again after so many years (although I must say I was disappointed that it was on the inferior VHS and not a DVD!).

The writing? Excellent. Marty Feldman has never been afraid to poke fun at society's flaws, and Chris Allen's pen is much sharper here than it was when he wrote episodes of the "Digimon" children's cartoon. The players? Funny. I thought Peter Boyle did a fine job in this film, just as he did playing the grand old savvy "Wizard" in "Taxi Driver." And I've often thought it would be amusing if Richard Pryor was, in fact, God (except for the coccaine).

I tried not to allow my own personal experiences with Feldman cloud my review, (and I cannot say for sure that I have), but I thoroughly recommend this film for anyone stung by the financial shenanigans of televangelists in the 1980s, fans of satirical jousts on society and those who still have VCRs.

I waited a LONG time for this movie to cme our on video
This movie will always be special to me. When a I young, I saw it at least 20 times back in the early 80s when we first got cable. It isn't "Citizen Kane", but is IS a great showpiece for the talents of Marty Feldman, Andy Kaufmann, and Richard Prior. And for me, I always love it when someone takes a shot at the evangelical money grubbers.

My only gripe with this video is that for SOME reason, Harry Nilsson's revised rendition of "Good for God" is replaced with some other song, for reasons beyond my comprehension. This bothers me, because I was looking forward to the song the whole time I was watching the film, and you can imagine my dissapointment (and my puzzlement) when it wasn't played. I thought my memory was slipping. However, I have confirmed that for some reason, the song was removed. :-(

HYSTERICAL...SIMPLY HYSTERICAL
Two brilliant performers...gone but hardly forgotten. Andy Kaufman and Marty Feldman brilliantly mock the hypocrisy of modern religion. If you watch Benny Hinn and other charlatans like him solely for the humor value, then you'll love this film. An unsung masterpiece!

Remember the angels....
The two men I admire most in this world, thankfully, star together in this film... Mr. Marty Feldman...and the wild and crazy Andy Kaufman... These two are quite a perfect pair, and although we no longer have them with us...we should never forget them, for their humor is perfect like angels! Although Kaufman absoultly takes the film to outragous heights of insanity and greatness, Feldman really rocks this picture! I just discovered this awsome figure of a comedian in "Young Frankenstein" in which his little head and enormous eyes fasinated me beyond anything else in the Mel Brooks spoof. As Ambrose in this film... Marty is the ultimate picture of tender innocence, and it was good to see that the woman he loved could see his sweetness and his radient light in a dark city! So sad to find that we lost such a brilliant man as Feldman... PS. Kaufman is the absolute craziest performer of our time, and if you like his work you'll find this film wonderful! Andy's girl forever,

Chrissy

More Than Just a Lampoon!
I was told this movie didn't exist anymore and am thrilled to find it does! Marty Feldman is superb as the innocent monk who encounters all sorts of worldly degeneracy and always comes out ahead. His integrity triumphs over the greed of the televangelists and ultimately his God proves to be redeeming to the truly lost souls like Louise Lasser and Peter Boyle. More than just a lampoon, this movie is uplifting in its ultimate message. Don't hesitate to buy this one! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Do Not Adjust Your Television Sets
It's the Brilliant Song-and-Dance Man Andy Kaufman doing what he loves to do and doing it better then anyone else ever could. Although much shorter then I'd like, it kept me laughing the whole time.

Maybe his best work...
I think this may be the best of Andy's early work. All of Andy's classic routines when they still were relatively fresh and new (at least to the public). If I had one video to show someone who had never seen Andy, I would choose this one, no dobut. I can't watch it enough.

Kaufman's Best Work
This was, by far Andy Kaufman's best piece of work ever. It's hilarious and heartwarming. Terrific.

Are You a True Kaufman Fan?
If so, then this video is for you, however, I suggest that you make this the second of your video collection. I would first buy the Midnight Special. It has a lot of the same skits as this one, but with Tony Clifton to boot.

Excellent!
As someone who is unfortunatly to young to have seen Andy perform {he died when I was 3}, this was a great chance to experience him in action. It contains a few "bits" used in "Man On The Moon" It was awesome to see them being done by Andy {not that Jim Carrey didn't do them great}. It kept me laughing almost the whole way through. If you are like myself, and weren't able to know who Andy Kaufman was until "Man On The Moon", and would like to see him perform, then I highly suggest this awesome and hilarious video. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Although Alex and Elaine flirted with romance during Taxi's longrun, it was the courtship of Latka Gravas and Simka Dahblitz that was theseries's great love story. "Simka Returns," a fourth-season gem, features CarolKane in her Emmy Award-winning performance as Simka, who returns to New Yorkfrom--of all places--Omaha (turns out it was not all the songs said it wouldbe). It falls upon Alex (Judd Hirsch) to tell Simka that Latka suffers frommultiple personalities, or as Louis DePalma (Danny DeVito) so delicately putsit, "He's become the three faces of weird," or as Simka herself calls it,"Kookyputz." Love and self-basting warthog are in the air, until Latka's alterego, Vic Ferrari, rears his ugly head and sweeps Simka off her feet. Listen toLatka's choice of mood music: an "ibida" rendition of "Love Me Tender" warbledby Andy Kaufman himself. The second episode on this video, "The Wedding of Latkaand Simka," also from the fourth season, relies a bit too much on "pointlessrituals" shtick, but Simka looks so charming in her wedding suit, as does Latkain his wedding dress. Let "the dance of the plummets" begin! In an amusingcameo, Latka produces Dr. Joyce Brothers to attest that he is cured ofmultiple personalities. Goodbye, Vic Ferrari; you will be missed. --DonaldLiebenson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The epic love story of Latka and Simka
This might be a tribute to Andy Kaufman but it is Carol Kane in her Emmy award-winning role as Simka who steals the show on the two episodes from the fourth season of "Taxi." Simka first popped up in the second season and the legendary story is that Kaufman invited her to dinner so they could practice Latka-language and then refused to let her speak English during the meal. In "Simka Returns" (Episode #81, February 4, 1982), Latka finds the love of his life has returned from Omaha. Unfortunately, he has a rival for Simka's affections: his alter-ego, Vic Ferrari. Then in "The Wedding of Latka and Simka" (Episode #87, March 25, 1982), the pair's plans for marriage are in trouble when they fail to pass the bizarre rituals of the wedding ceremony of their native land. It is absolutely hysterical to watch Latka and Simka go from despair to joy. This episode also features Dr. Joyce Brothers as a guest star. Both of these classic episodes were written by Howard Gewirtz and Ian Praiser. I think this tape is far and away the best of the four volumes in this Andy Kaufman tribute. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This Andy Kaufman collector loved the show
Andy Kaufman really gets wacky on this show,with a talk show type format.

His desk is a full 8 or 9 feet higher than his guests,in tribute to Letterman and Carson always being a little higher than the guest.

He sings kids songs,hosts the "has been corner" with a singer that had a one hit wonder in the 1950's and ask's him; "how does it feel knowing all the sucess you had will never happen again?"

His sidekick is a puppet doll of his lounge singer character; Tony Clifton.He then brings out a Howdy Doody puppet,Tony gets mad at Howdy and kicks him off the show.

Very funny and hilarious,hopefully "Soundstage" will get a breath of fresh air with a re release when Man on the Moon is released this fall. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

UNDERRATED CLASSIC
THERE ARE MANY DISPARAGING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THIS FILM. TRUE, IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FLOP; AND, TRUE, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOVIE THAT DESTROYED ANDY'S MOVIE CAREER. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL MADE, THOUGH CHEESY, FILM. OF COURSE, WITHOUT ANDY IT WOULDN'T BE NEAR AS GOOD, BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S WORTH WATCHING. PERFECT FOR THE KIDS.

Underrated Classic
Two robots (portrayed by Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters) escape from their factory(along with a hack-comedian type of robot) and embark on a wilderness adventure. Along the way, they create a child named Phil from spare parts, all the while falling madly in love with one another. There are a lot of disparaging comments circulating about this film, but don't let that discourage you. Perfect for the kids.

Underrated Kaufman classic features bizarre world view
Many people never understood Andy Kaufman's creative genius while he was alive, and it seems that many people never will. Kaufman's performances in mainstream TV stuff like Taxi were well and great, but it's his fringe work that I feel best represents what Kaufman had to say about the world. HEARTBEEPS is one of those early 80s films that clearly dates itself with its cheesy hairstyles and out-of-date social commentary, yet at its heart lies a film about the dehumane treatment of "weaker" people that wear their heart on their sleave... as well as their battery pack. Andy's pewrformance (as well as Bernadette Peter's) is full of mild wit and charm, and his eyes (hidden underneath what I consider to be some of Academy Award Winning make-up artist Stan Winston's most creative and beatiful effects) portray a character full of innocense, imagination, and a rebellious sense of curiousity. A beautiful, low-budget look at a surreal future (back when the era of capitalism and "Reaganomics" reigned over humanitarianism and progressiveness) in which robots are the only true humanistic creatures left on the earth, and the sheer message of hope and love that such creatures are capable of... despite their creators' faulty programming. A highly recommended film for fans of Andy Kaufman or even strange old cheesy films full of quirky characters, odd make-up effects, and robotic romance. This is one of the best little cult comedies of the 1980s, and severely under appreciated for what it has to offer fans of the goofy and sentimental. Don't let other people that don't "get" Kaufman's brilliance and off-beat sense of humor put you off from experiencing something so lovely and unique as HEARTBEEPS.

Great For Kids, Agony For Adults
This movie is a wonderful children's film. I believe one of the reasons this film was so poorly recieved is because it was sold as a comedy when it is, in fact, a kids movie. There are a lot of lessons and interesting ideas about humanity and free will that are touched on in this movie. And to all Andy Kaufman fans: This is not an "Andy Kaufman movie". It has nothing to do with ANYTHING he did in his stage act.

Well, I Like It.
This is one of those rare films that people either love or hate. I happen to like it a lot, but I have personal reasons. I was three when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Then, it disappeared and I went for well over seventeen years before I saw it was finally re-issued on video. Thus, it brings back my childhood, and that is why I like it. I can perfectly understand why people hate this movie. Is it cheesy and stupid? Yes. Is it charming and quaint? I think so. You really have to decide for yourself, but I think it is worth a watch. I showed it to my girlfriend and my little brother, telling them this was my favorite movie when I was little. My brother adored it and watched it many times. My girlfriend just looked at me with a strange face. Decide for yourself. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Some comedians talk about killing the audience. Andy Kaufman wantedaudiences to kill him. Mechanic Latkas Gravas, the role he played onTaxi, brought Kaufman the mainstream commercial success he so disdained.Latka was an outgrowth of the Foreign Man character with which Kaufman befuddledaudiences early in his career. The "cute little foreigner" (as he derisivelycalls himself in "Latka the Playboy," the must-own episode included onVolume 2) is seen to good advantage in two episodes from Taxi'sfirst season. In the poignant "Paper Marriage," Latka faces deportation unlesshe gets married. The cabbies hire a Times Square hooker to be his bride. Thislandmark episode marks the first appearance of Christopher Lloyd's Reverend Jim,a derelict who performs the bogus ceremony and, surprisingly, rises to theoccasion ("Bet you all thought I was gonna screw up"). Lloyd joined what wasalready one of TV's best ensembles the next season. In "Mama Gravas," immigrantLatka is visited by his mother, a buxom, earthy beauty who takes a liking toAlex. Though Alex tries to resist her ("She was like an animal. A great one"),the two make "nik nik." When Latka learns of the affair, he insists he and Alexcan no longer be friends. Taxi fans will hail this video. These are notjust good Latka episodes. They rank among the best of the series. --DonaldLiebenson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Taxi Should Get Complete Season DVD Boxsets!
Taxi was a great show, I loved it when it had it's original network airings and when Nick at Nite and TV Land started showing the reruns but I was disappointed when they took it off their lineups. It's nice that episodes of Taxi are on tape and that some of the best of Andy Kaufman's Latka Gravas moments are on this tape but what would be even better is to have complete season DVD boxsets of Taxi and I hope that will happen soon!

Two weddings for the Gravas family but without Simka
"Taxi" was a classic sitcom and deserves to be recognized for much more than the work of Andy Kaufman, but we will take what we can get at this point in the history of the universe. Of course, the character of Latka Gravas was a godsend to the show's writers, whose strange language and behavior offered unlimited opportunities to get surreal on the show. In "Paper Marriage" (Episode #8, October 31, 1978), Latka has to marry a call girl to qualify for U.S. Citizenship. Ironically, given this is the first episode on the first tape focusing on Kaufman, this particular "Taxi" episode is better known for introducing the character of Reverend Jim Ignatowski, played by Christopher Lloyd. Reverend Jim is appropriate from Mario's Bar and Grill to perform the ceremony and it is obvious by the end of the episode that he needs to be a permanent part of this show. Then, in "Mama Gravas" (Episode #19, February 27, 1979), Latka receives a visit from his mother, Greta Gravas (Susan Kellermann). Somehow Alex ends up on a date with her and after a spirited evening of "nik nik" Latka must insist that the two get married. For some reason, Alex does not want to marry Mama Gravas. Both of these first season episodes were written by Glen Charles and Les Charles, who went on to create "Cheers."

Kaufman versus Lloyd
Andy Kaufman was a brilliant man, but one thing about true brilliance is that it is not satisfied easily. Andy Kaufman never appreciated his role on TAXI, nor what it could possibly be. These gems that were compiled are a little taste of what could've been had this man lived longer and/or appreciated his place a little more. He was picked, in the beginning, as the vehicle for this show...a role he was supposed to have shared with Judd Hirsch...Andy didn't want it. Instead, Andy wanted to play. He wanted to wrestle and do his little variety show. Now, had that variety show run its course, this entire story may have been different. Of course, there were only two shows, and the rest of Andy's career can be looked at as near-failure. Christopher Lloyd, however, seized upon the opportunity granted him. He took a small bit roll, episode 2, playing a stoned/drunk/out of it priest, and he launched a career based on it. Now Lloyd may never be considered a "genius" in his field, but he definitely provided my friends, my family and I with a ton of laughs. His career, from the result of the subsequent movie roles and the overall work ethic, has to be considered a blazing success. But all in all the man who should've been considered a genius is well-captured in this three shows and his variety shows...do not rent the full-length movies.

Great video!
This video shows the best scenes of Andy's work in the classic hit show Taxi. I just can't beleive they were showing him on Comedy Central where he got in a fight with Jerry Lawler-The King on the David Letterman Show from along time ago. There's also a recent movie about him that Jim Carrey plays as him. It came out last Christmas break and it's a great movie. It's called Man on the Moon. GO SEE IT!

The Cult of Reverend Jim
Thanks to his strange stand-up acts, unusual methods of self-promotion, and untimely death, the sitcom "Taxi" has become one of the many staples of the Andy Kaufman 'cultists'. I for one am not a follower of this pop-culture icon. I do, however, consider Kaufman's role of the Eastern-Bloc-refugee mechanic Latka Gravas to be an essential part of the series, but it's a whole 'nother character that keeps me tuning in. And boy what a character! Who am I talking about? None other than "Reverend" Jim Ignatowski, played to disturbing perfection by Christopher Lloyd.

Strange thing is, when I was young, and Taxi was airing on network in prime time, I found the Rev to be the scariest guy on television. I came to think of him as- I swear I'm not making this up- some kind of TV boogeyman. What can I say, I led a pretty sheltered existence at age six. That, and I was somewhat naïve...

It wasn't until a few years ago, when I first started watching the show in re-runs on Nick at Nite, that I finally began to appreciate this strange guy, and his unusual behavior. He seems totally clueless, but at times ends up being the show's greatest purveyor of wisdom. Even now, I still think Reverend Jim's pretty scary, but now I laugh heartily at his performance, rather than fear it.

I've seen just about every episode at least twice over, and I still find each re-run to be as funny as the last time I watched it. To me, that's the mark of a truly classic sit-com. And it's always being re-run somewhere on UHF or Cable TV just about every night of the week, so I never miss my fix... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Though Andy Kaufman wasn't exactly fond of his role as Latka Gravas onthe hit TV show Taxi (he thought the show was too mainstream), this is the vehicle through which most of the world got to know the diverse talents of Kaufman. Ironically, some of the show's finest moments are in the episodes that featured Latka, letting Andy Kaufman take center stage for the American TV viewing audience. This second volume of Taxi: The Best of Andy Kaufman includes the episodes "Latka the Playboy" and "Mr. Personalities." Sick of being the cute foreign guy who can't get any American women, Latka decides to buff up his personality. By locking himself in his apartment with nothing to read but stacks of Playboy magazines, Latka transforms himself from the bumbling mechanic to the sly, sweet-talking stud "Vic Ferrari." Trouble ensues when Vic takes over Latka's life and the gang at the garage must step in to bring Latka back. The second episode continues to explore Latka's split personalities.However, he has now stepped beyond Vic, housing a series of new personas, including his friend Alex Rieger (Judd Hirsch). Things start to get a little out of hand when Alex's friends begin to prefer the Latka "Alex" to the real Alex, and eventually even Alex starts turning to the Latka Alex for advice. --Rob Bracco ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Move other Latka, here comes lady killer Vic Ferrari
Here we are at the second of the four tapes in the "Taxi: The Best of Andy Kaufman" series and already we are ditching Latka for his Vic Ferrari personality. Oh, well. "Latka the Playboy" (Episode #66, May 21, 1981), is the season-finale from the show's third season when Latka has finally had enough of always striking out with the ladies and suddenly develops a split personality, the other half of which is Vic, the lady killer. This classic episode was written by Glen Charles and Les Charles, the creators of "Cheers" (and even features George Wendt as a guest star). Then, in "Mr. Personalities" (Episode #69, October 22, 1981), Alex and the rest of the cabbies finally convince Latka to see a psychiatrist when they become worried that Vic is taking over their friend. I have to admit, I was a bit worried too. Latka is a lot funnier than Vic, but then Andy was funnier than Latka, but Andy was Latka, and the whole thing gets pretty confusing after a while. This episode was written by Ian Praiser and Howard Gewirtz.

Sitcom heaven
The first show on this tape is still to me one of the funniest sitcom episodes ever, ranking right up there with anything on "The Honeymooners" or "Fawlty Towers." Latka/Vic is so hilarious and so uncanny that I never tire of seeing it. ("Come on, walk with me, talk with me.") And the script for the Latka/Alex episode is one of the funniest and most original as well. This is one video I keep handy for repeat viewings, even more than many classic movies I love. I mean, I can only watch "Citizen Kane" so many times, but I can listen to Kaufman say, "Hard to get happy after that one" every day.

sitcom's best
Never written an online review before but when I saw the two best sitcom episodes ever were being released on one tape... It's funny that Andy Kaufman was so dismissive of sitcoms, and along he comes and makes two episodes which turn the conventions on their heads, and have more depth than any I've seen (this of course was as much the writers - but they had such a whizz to write for). Latka the Playboy is as much a shock as it is funny - after several years of cute Latka, suddenly he turns into smooth Vic. He sounds so different, it's almost psychotic an actor could change so at the drop of a hat. Mr. Personalities may be the most brilliantly conceived sitcom episode ever - Latka is now splitting all over the place (I love Jeffrey, the Englishman who prods Louie), and now he becomes Alex. How's that for a sitcom? One character becomes another. And the depth is that through this bizarre event, Alex realises he is unfulfilled in life and gets depressed. The ending is as tragic as it is funny. It's rare, but tv can be art. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Taxi had mixed success with double episodes. One would morewelcome the video release of "Memories of Cab 804," "The Road Not Taken," withan appearance by Tom Hanks, or "Fantasy Burrough" with the spectacular "Lullabyof Broadway" production number. This video contains the two-part "Sceneskeesfrom a Marriage," from Taxi's fifth and final season. It is not theshow's finest hour. By this time, Latka, Andy Kaufman's "cute little foreigner"character, was wearing thin. And the writing here is not up to the show's usualhigh standards.

But this episode is redeemed by Carol Kane's performance,alternately hilarious and touching, as Simka, who discovers that Latka has hadan affair (with a pre-Moonlighting Allyce Beasley). Their priest saysthat she must, in turn, sleep with one of Latka's coworkers. According totradition, the couple hosts a dinner party, and he who enters last will be thechosen one. That dubious honor goes to Alex. There is a wonderfulHoneymooners reference to close out Part 1. Part 2 contains twogreat scenes--the dinner party at which an increasingly panic-stricken Simkaprays for Louie's early arrival, and her attempted seduction of Alex (baring hershoulders: "smooth, white, yours"). --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Latka does it with another woman; now it is Simka's turn
The final volume of the Best of Andy Kaufman on "Taxi" comes from the series final season and the two-part "Scenskees From a Marriage." In Part 1 (Episode #94, October 21, 1982), Latka spends the night snowbound with a woman cabbie (Allyce Beasley). The other cabbies try to talk Latka into hiding his guilt but as soon as Simka sees her husband she yells "You did it with another woman!" Then in Part 2 (Episode #95, October 28, 1982), Simka has to settle the score following the Old World tradition of her people and picking a lover from among Latka's workmates. The mind boggles just thinking about that one, huh? These episodes are arguably the last of the really good Latka/Simka episodes. Again, Kaufman is good as Latka but Carol Kane is just great as Simka. Both parts of this show were written by Ian Praiser and Howard Gewirtz, who wrote most of the really good Latka/Simka episodes. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

UNDERRATED CLASSIC
THERE ARE MANY DISPARAGING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THIS FILM. TRUE, IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FLOP; AND, TRUE, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOVIE THAT DESTROYED ANDY'S MOVIE CAREER. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL MADE, THOUGH CHEESY, FILM. OF COURSE, WITHOUT ANDY IT WOULDN'T BE NEAR AS GOOD, BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S WORTH WATCHING. PERFECT FOR THE KIDS.

Underrated Classic
Two robots (portrayed by Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters) escape from their factory(along with a hack-comedian type of robot) and embark on a wilderness adventure. Along the way, they create a child named Phil from spare parts, all the while falling madly in love with one another. There are a lot of disparaging comments circulating about this film, but don't let that discourage you. Perfect for the kids.

Underrated Kaufman classic features bizarre world view
Many people never understood Andy Kaufman's creative genius while he was alive, and it seems that many people never will. Kaufman's performances in mainstream TV stuff like Taxi were well and great, but it's his fringe work that I feel best represents what Kaufman had to say about the world. HEARTBEEPS is one of those early 80s films that clearly dates itself with its cheesy hairstyles and out-of-date social commentary, yet at its heart lies a film about the dehumane treatment of "weaker" people that wear their heart on their sleave... as well as their battery pack. Andy's pewrformance (as well as Bernadette Peter's) is full of mild wit and charm, and his eyes (hidden underneath what I consider to be some of Academy Award Winning make-up artist Stan Winston's most creative and beatiful effects) portray a character full of innocense, imagination, and a rebellious sense of curiousity. A beautiful, low-budget look at a surreal future (back when the era of capitalism and "Reaganomics" reigned over humanitarianism and progressiveness) in which robots are the only true humanistic creatures left on the earth, and the sheer message of hope and love that such creatures are capable of... despite their creators' faulty programming. A highly recommended film for fans of Andy Kaufman or even strange old cheesy films full of quirky characters, odd make-up effects, and robotic romance. This is one of the best little cult comedies of the 1980s, and severely under appreciated for what it has to offer fans of the goofy and sentimental. Don't let other people that don't "get" Kaufman's brilliance and off-beat sense of humor put you off from experiencing something so lovely and unique as HEARTBEEPS.

Great For Kids, Agony For Adults
This movie is a wonderful children's film. I believe one of the reasons this film was so poorly recieved is because it was sold as a comedy when it is, in fact, a kids movie. There are a lot of lessons and interesting ideas about humanity and free will that are touched on in this movie. And to all Andy Kaufman fans: This is not an "Andy Kaufman movie". It has nothing to do with ANYTHING he did in his stage act.

Well, I Like It.
This is one of those rare films that people either love or hate. I happen to like it a lot, but I have personal reasons. I was three when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Then, it disappeared and I went for well over seventeen years before I saw it was finally re-issued on video. Thus, it brings back my childhood, and that is why I like it. I can perfectly understand why people hate this movie. Is it cheesy and stupid? Yes. Is it charming and quaint? I think so. You really have to decide for yourself, but I think it is worth a watch. I showed it to my girlfriend and my little brother, telling them this was my favorite movie when I was little. My brother adored it and watched it many times. My girlfriend just looked at me with a strange face. Decide for yourself. ... Read more

Amazon.com

They say you know you've made it when you get to Carnegie Hall. Well, Andy Kaufman made it.But calling this a typical routine at the famous performance center would be rather misleading. With a hodgepodge of bizarre guests, Kaufman takes center stage donning the role of MC-singer-dancer-wrestler extraordinaire and proudly struts his stuff. Watch as he brings back the dead, uses spinach to improve his wrestling, bangs on the bongos,all while his loving Grandma Robin watches from center stage. All of his characters are here for the big show: the Foreign Guy, Elvis, Andy as the transgender wrestling champion. The biggest standout of the evening is the duet of Andy as "Andy" imitating Tony Clifton and then breaking into a duet with the infamous lounge lizard. You got that?

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Well, yes, there's practice, and Kaufman, with years of experience under his belt, appears to be in his element. How he was able to pull this off in Carnegie Hall is truly a feat unto itself. --Rob Bracco ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Andy are you goofin' on Elvis? Are you having fun?
I bought this video after going to the May 16th Dead or Alive Kaufman Special at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, and I needed to see more of this genius. (The show, by the way, was pretty amazing! All night I kept thinking maybe Andy is still alive.) This video was very entertaining, and made me miss Andy Kaufman's talent even more. I was thrilled to see Andy upto his antics, but a bit disappointed with Clifton's short skit. Anyhow, it's worth the money to own this one b/c it gives you a childish nostalgic feeling.

25 years ago and I was there
It was late April 1979 that Andy played Carnegie Hall and I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the most unique evenings I ever spent. I didnt even realize the video existed until I did a Kaufman search on Amazon. To watch it last year brought back lots of memories. Earlier watching the "Man on the Moon" movie,that too brought a lot of it back.I ve been a fan of Andys since I saw him on a 1976 Dick Van Dyke series. I was always amazed how far he would go to entertain and do his shtick. Nobody was like Andy Kaufman I remember Judd Hirsch,Marilu Henner and Danny Devito were in the audience that night and the electricity in the air was amazing. When Andy annouced there were 20 busses waiting for us outside to take us for milk and cookies,we all assumed it was another elaborate joke,butsure enough the busses were waiting for us to bring us to I think a local school where we munched on Famous Amos cookies and half pints of milk and Andy did a magic show. He announced then that the show would continue on the Staten IslandFerry the next day I couldn t make that,but he was there.It's hard to believe that concert took place 25 years ago. If you remember the concert scene in the movie it was supposed to occur in 1983 about six months before his death.Liberties were taken with the film,obviously,but the concert was held when Andys career was at its peak..the first year of Taxi and his shows always selling out.

Looks like Andy is having the time of his life!
If you enjoyed the mind games that Andy Kaufman played on friends, family and audiences, you will enjoy this tape. He is at his ebullient best, smiling, singing, having a wonderful time. You will find yourself smiling and having a wonderful time, too. Only problem with this film as far as I am concerned is that Tony Clifton takes up some time on it. Why ever did Andy like that guy so much?!? =)

Wow!
I've had this tape for about a year and a half now, and it always amazes me. This IS Andy's best performance and pretty much the high light of his short, yet extraordinary career.

This video starts with Tony Clifton (my personal favorite of ALL Kaufman characters lol) getting on the audience's nerves and like always, outstaying his welcome. He was brought on to do the star spangled banner yet stuck around and did his same, intentionally bad performance. They brought out a family of singer's following Tony's performance that were cute at first but then out stayed their welcome as well (my guess is they needed time to change Andy out of Tony's make up and costume).

Andy comes out and does his normal routines. "The Cow Goes Moo", Foreign Man and the highlight... Elvis. Andy gave his best Elvis performance up on stage. It might as well have been Elvis, that's how good it was!

What you saw from Man On The Moon is here, including Elanor Codie Gould's heart attack on stage. I could sense the crowd kind of thinking it was a hoax, at first, but then became concerningly quiet. Andy, of course, comes out in an Indian head piece and brings Mrs. Gould back from the dead. It's nothing short of brilliant.

Andy wrestles the ladies (we find out his true intentions of wrestling the women at the end of the tape) and makes the crowd HATE him and then a man who kicks Andy's butt. Just when this man just about breaks Kaufman in two, Bob Zmuda (playing the part of the ref.) hands Andy a can of Spinach and Andy's revived and kicking butt, and makes the crowd love him. That's the great thing about any Andy performance, he could make you laugh, p_ss you off, and make you laugh again.

The only thing this tape DOESN'T have is the footage of Santa Clause coming down from the rafters and the Rockettes dancing. It was a MAJOR dissappointment. But the content of this tape is too good to give it one less star because of it because this IS, if ANYTHING, a 5 star performance!

Whether Kaufman faked his death or not is a mystery, but this tape will remind you of what made people consider Andy a genius. He was truly gifted, prolific and brilliant. Buy this tape and do yourself a favor!!

A MASTERPIECE!!
Andy Kaufman would always take care of his fans. He always gave a performance that was worth the price THAT IS IF YOU UNDERSTOOD HIM. I am a big fan of this tape because 1. Its Got the ANIMAL SONG!! 2. ROBIN WILLIAMS dressed as Andy's Grandmother (wonder about Mrs. Doubtfire) 3. The SHOCKING OLD LADY HEART ATTACK SCENE!! 4. The behind the scenes documentary after the show is over! It tells you why Andy really Wrestled Women (keep it a secret) and much more. Buy this Video it wont dissapoint!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Symbolism in R.E.M.
As a huge R.E.M. fan and attender of one incredible concert in St. Louis in August of 1999, I was astounded at how mysterious and illuminating this video was. From the desert walk through of Michael while singing Man on the Moon, to the witty banter of Mike Mills backstage before a 90's concert, "It won't be perfect. Be prepared for anything," we get to see rare personal behavior of the stars. Stipe's dancing on What's the Frequency Kenneth is so engrossing. He sways with the microphone. Also the weird side and diagonal shots on the live performance with Michael jumping up and than stepping back down on the speakers is very cool. I liked the Nightswimming part simply because they cut back and forth between the submerged girls. The naked people at the campfire seemed very atavistic and raw just like R.E.M's music throughout the early and mid 90's. Michael jumps onto the truck driven by Bill Berry in Man on the Moon. But the most poignant part of this video is during Everybody Hurts, where people are sitting in their cars in traffic, and the subtitles go through their head on the misery of life. And then as R.E.M. weaves their way through the traffic with Buck playing guitar on top of a vehicle, the people suddenly get out and began marching. Strange Currencies is done really well and the last song Crushed with Eyeliner with the Japanese students singing the words while psychidelically orange hula hoopers and neon women give the video a sexy tone. All the directors from Peter Care to Jem Cohen do the vidoes completely different. This makes for a varied and enigmatic look into the legend that is R.E.M. I'm already ordering another Amazon. All R.E.M. disciples will go Bucky over Peter's silence in answering a question on the letter Q during the alphabet backstage part of the video (the last part). As Michael opens up the piano and lyrical notations of Automatic for the People we get a sense of him opening his mind and the beauty and genius that lies within this band. Only one thing could have helped this video and that was Bill Berry saying something. But rocking on drums is his contribution and congratulations is well deserved to Amazon for having this wonderful video and giving customers a forum to discuss their opinions of the products. It not only helps the customer decide, it lets people hone their descriptive prose, and engage dialogue about consumerism. We even talk about Amazon in all our business classes at Graceland College, Lamoni, IA.

Parallel offers a grab-bag of vids and clips for big fans.
Parallel is fantastic. As usual, R.E.M. deliver on their music videos offering everything from the moving "Everybody Hurts" to the rocking 'Star 69". In between the videos are short clips and films including the R.E.M. ABC's which, alone, makes the whole movie worth it. Diehards will love the random weirdness and casual fans will love the clips. Great video!

Very thought-provoking
This is a terrific assortment of recognizable songs interspersed with abstract amateur video clips. The whole tape has a real college feel to it, something I think REM has never lost. If the clips in the "Nightswimming" video don't make you feel weird nothing will. Notice how they look much like a sonagram--very surreal. And notice how Michael Stipe stays true to his wishes in "Star Me Kitten" at the end of the song--he reveals his original title of the song...

R.E.M. videos from "Automatic for the People" and "Monster"
These are some of R.E.M.'s best videos to date. "Everybody Hurts" won several MTV awards, while "Man on the Moon" received as many nominations. The videos range from simple black & white scenes, as in "Find the River," to wild flashing color shots, as in "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite." Between videos are scenes the band showed behind themselves on the Monster tour, as well as other random footage. Some of these videos, like Spike Jonze's, are very clever. END ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Good God
This little known feature is a must. By Larry Cohen (Black Ceasar/Q The Winged Serpant/Dial Rat For Terror) the New York based director.The film was initiially retitled called "Demon" after it was refused showings due to the title. A dedicated Christian (oh dear) COP (oh dear,oh dear) starts his investigations in a seemingly senseless spake of sniper killings. Thats about all I can tell you without spoiling it,but this film goes down paths that you never thought it would and suprises all the way to the end. There is also a small apearence by Andy Kaufman (Latka from "TAXI") as a cop who goes kill crazy at a parade. Watch and see why "God Told Me Too"

God Told Me To Write This...
Yes, this is one weird movie. Mass murder has broken out in New York City like a particularly bad flu epidemic. The film opens with a guy perched on a water tower, gunning down pedestrians for no apparent reason. Tony Lo Bianco is a cop named Nicholas who climbs the tower to talk to the man. When asked why he did it, the gunman says, "God told me to." He then takes a swan-dive onto the street below. Nicholas is a very religious man and is fascinated with the idea of God telling anyone to commit mass murder. The murders keep happening. A man goes to the market and stabs a bunch of customers. Andy Kaufman is a cop who goes berserk at the St. Patrick's Day parade and shoots cops and bystanders alike. Another guy kills his entire family and calmly waits for the police. Of course there's one common denominator in all of these incidents. God told them to do it. Nicholas digs deeper into the mystery to the point of losing his job. He seeks out a young man with long blonde hair who was seen with all the killers just before their crimes. He finds the blonde man's mother, who promptly tries to kill him. Later, Nicholas is told by an older, retired officer about a strange occurance back in 1951. A woman he picked up (running naked down the road) told him she'd been abducted by aliens and raped. Nicholas finds her, still living, in a nursing home. What dark secrets does she hold? What connection is there between Nicholas and the blonde haired man? GOD TOLD ME TO is a VERY different movie! Is God really orchestrating these killings? Or is some alien hybrid only impersonating the deity? Check this one out...

God Told Me To....Kill! that sounds fun!
A New York City policemen investigating a series of particularly brutal homicides discovers an eerie link between the cases - when the murderers are asked why they committed the crime they all claim, "God Told Me To."

A Very Strange Movie!

Not worth the time or the money.
What is this very-hyped movie about?

New York City sees a rash of killings. Before dying, each murderer says, "God told me to."

Upon investigation, detective Tony Lo Bianco (who should have known better than to get involved in this mess of a film) discovers that all were influenced by a young man who looks vaguely like Jesus Christ. In reality, both he and Lo Bianco were fathered by aliens who abducted their virgin mothers 30 years before. In Lo Bianco's case, the genes of the alien were recessive and his mother's humanity dominated. In the other man's case, the alien genes were dominant. (...)

If you're saying "Huh?", you're on to the mystery of this film. Is it scary? Not at all. Is it funny? Not really. Is it poorly acted? Not really. Is the script ludicrous? You bet. Does it explain everything? Yes. Is it worth 92 minutes and 15-20 bucks to learn the mystery of the androgynous Messiah(...)? No.

Cohen's Q-The Winged Serpent and It's Alive are far better than this disaster of a film...and that's saying a lot.

Seriously Potent Stuff!
Larry Cohen's GOD TOLD ME TO is one of the most intelligent, gritty horror/thrillers ever made! In New York, a series of mass murders occur with each perpetrator saying the title phrase. But is there something more going on here? Tony Lo Bianco is excellent as the devout Catholic policeman who is investigating this bizarre phenomenon and discovers something really shocking about himself along the way! As with most cult movies, GOD TOLD ME TO must be seen to be believed; it's a genuinely thought-provoking and scary thriller that raises interesting questions about religion. The visual style is amazing; it inspired the look of shows like NYPD BLUE and 24. In the tradition of the best science fiction movies, GOD TOLD ME TO raises more questions than answers, and very important questions at that. Don't miss it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The world of wrestling took its toll on Andy Kaufman. His wife was out of the picture, his first wrestling match against a man (Kaufman made his career fighting women) turned into a humiliating defeat, and his career began slowly spiraling downward. When life takes a turn for the worse, who do we all turn to for guidance, support, and advice? Our friends, of course.To bring some focus into his life, Kaufman arranged a heart-to-heart power breakfast with an old friend: former wrestling champion and self-proclaimed "King of Men" Freddie Blassie.

In the tradition of My Dinner with Andre, My Breakfast with Blassie is an intellectual dining tour de force minus the pomposity and pretention. Real men talking about guy things: wrestling, picking up women, masculine hygiene, breakfast meats, and the downfall of morality in the world today. Kaufman's dining companion, Freddie Blassie, is just the man to dish it out. Everything about him radiates charm and class and with each topic Blassie's unadulterated opinions just keep on flowing. My Breakfast with Blassie is a candid and rare peek into the minds of true champions. Keep your eyes opened for the "guest appearance" by Kaufman's friend Bob Zmuda. --Rob Bracco ... Read more

Reviews (22)

a very strange film
I wouldn't recomend this film to someone who's not pretty familiar with Andy Kaufman's style.Basically Kaufman and ex pro wrestler: Fred Blassie sit down at Denny's in LA(Sambo's then) and talk about wrestling,Washing and shaking hands,and girls.

The greatest thing is the beginning of the film there's footage of Andy Kaufman at the premiere party sporting a mowhawk and a leather jacket.

I'd love to see all of the premiere party.

-Eric

Greatest Work of Comedy Ever
I haven't seen this in a while but it is a film that i will never forget. When i first saw it (actually the only time I ever saw it) I proclaimed that it was the greatest work of comedy ever created. To this day I will stand by that statement until I see something that surpasses it. Sure, films like Spinal Tap or Bottle Rocket are great competitors, but for my money Blassie is unbeatable. This is the pinnacle of creative comedy.

"Classy" Fred Blassie the Brilliant
An absolutely essential picture for any fan of professional wrestling. Andy Kaufman was never much of wrestler (what kind of a man fights girls only to lose?) True, the film starts a bit slowly, but the pace builds in an elegant way, to its finish, a finish that is not expected. "Classy" Fred Blassie - the man who added "pencil-neck geek" to our lexicon - is at his offensive best here. He is a tie to the Golden Age of Wrestling, before Hulk Hogan and the other latecomers. Whether it is puerile comments about "broads", or demonstrating the fine points of using a pre-moistened towelette, Blassie is a master to see at work. I took my girlfriend, not a wrestling fan, to see this picture, with no explanation. She laughed until her sides hurt. On my next movie night i paln to shoe "My Dinner With Andre" before the meal, and "My Breakfast With Blassie" afterwards. Why, O why couldn't Wallace Shawn do some work with Fred Blassie?

What the heck was that?
I picked up this video after reading Bob Zmuda's "Andy Kaufman Revealed". If you've read the book you get the humor in this video. If your a true Kaufman fan you get the humor in this video. If you watched "Taxi" and "Man on the Moon" and laughed at the goofy characters at the end of "Breakfast With Blassie" you'll be left saying what the heck was that? It's worth having in your Kaufman collection

Real? Fake? Who cares!
Sure, this is a [parody] of 'My Dinner With Andre' but you don't need to have seen that to enjoy this comedy. Kaufman is in rare form and 'Classy' Freddy Blassie is one of a kind. His stories that randomly start and stop are extra funny. For instance he talks about a Middle Eastern sheik who killed 10,000 men with his bare hands and then stops midway through the story. This is not just for Kaufman fans. At it's heart, it's a classic back and forth between two dear friends. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

UNDERRATED CLASSIC
THERE ARE MANY DISPARAGING REVIEWS AND COMMENTS CIRCULATING ABOUT THIS FILM. TRUE, IT WAS A COMMERCIAL FLOP; AND, TRUE, THIS MIGHT BE THE MOVIE THAT DESTROYED ANDY'S MOVIE CAREER. HOWEVER, ALL OF THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THIS IS A WELL MADE, THOUGH CHEESY, FILM. OF COURSE, WITHOUT ANDY IT WOULDN'T BE NEAR AS GOOD, BUT IN ANY EVENT, IT'S WORTH WATCHING. PERFECT FOR THE KIDS.

Underrated Classic
Two robots (portrayed by Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters) escape from their factory(along with a hack-comedian type of robot) and embark on a wilderness adventure. Along the way, they create a child named Phil from spare parts, all the while falling madly in love with one another. There are a lot of disparaging comments circulating about this film, but don't let that discourage you. Perfect for the kids.

Underrated Kaufman classic features bizarre world view
Many people never understood Andy Kaufman's creative genius while he was alive, and it seems that many people never will. Kaufman's performances in mainstream TV stuff like Taxi were well and great, but it's his fringe work that I feel best represents what Kaufman had to say about the world. HEARTBEEPS is one of those early 80s films that clearly dates itself with its cheesy hairstyles and out-of-date social commentary, yet at its heart lies a film about the dehumane treatment of "weaker" people that wear their heart on their sleave... as well as their battery pack. Andy's pewrformance (as well as Bernadette Peter's) is full of mild wit and charm, and his eyes (hidden underneath what I consider to be some of Academy Award Winning make-up artist Stan Winston's most creative and beatiful effects) portray a character full of innocense, imagination, and a rebellious sense of curiousity. A beautiful, low-budget look at a surreal future (back when the era of capitalism and "Reaganomics" reigned over humanitarianism and progressiveness) in which robots are the only true humanistic creatures left on the earth, and the sheer message of hope and love that such creatures are capable of... despite their creators' faulty programming. A highly recommended film for fans of Andy Kaufman or even strange old cheesy films full of quirky characters, odd make-up effects, and robotic romance. This is one of the best little cult comedies of the 1980s, and severely under appreciated for what it has to offer fans of the goofy and sentimental. Don't let other people that don't "get" Kaufman's brilliance and off-beat sense of humor put you off from experiencing something so lovely and unique as HEARTBEEPS.

Great For Kids, Agony For Adults
This movie is a wonderful children's film. I believe one of the reasons this film was so poorly recieved is because it was sold as a comedy when it is, in fact, a kids movie. There are a lot of lessons and interesting ideas about humanity and free will that are touched on in this movie. And to all Andy Kaufman fans: This is not an "Andy Kaufman movie". It has nothing to do with ANYTHING he did in his stage act.

Well, I Like It.
This is one of those rare films that people either love or hate. I happen to like it a lot, but I have personal reasons. I was three when I first saw it, and I fell in love with it. Then, it disappeared and I went for well over seventeen years before I saw it was finally re-issued on video. Thus, it brings back my childhood, and that is why I like it. I can perfectly understand why people hate this movie. Is it cheesy and stupid? Yes. Is it charming and quaint? I think so. You really have to decide for yourself, but I think it is worth a watch. I showed it to my girlfriend and my little brother, telling them this was my favorite movie when I was little. My brother adored it and watched it many times. My girlfriend just looked at me with a strange face. Decide for yourself. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The big mystery about Andy Kaufman's work is in trying to figure out what's serious, what's an act, why he is doing what he's doing, and whether he even knows the differences himself. His performances are among those rare examples where you feel extremely uncomfortable watching them, but at the same time you can't pull yourself away because it's hysterical in a twisted and bizarre sort of way.

Andy Kaufman's Midnight Special is an episode of Burt Sugarman's Midnight Special, hosted by Wolfman Jack, which aired on January 23, 1981. Even though this was filmed a few years before Kaufman's premature death in 1984, it's a retrospective of his work.Many of his better known characters and routines are featured, including "The Foreign Guy," Tony Clifton, "Ladies Wrestling," the ventriloquist act, and of course, Elvis. The highlight of this video is interview footage of Andy "explaining" his work. Is it real or an act? Was he a comic genius or an utter madman running loose on a TV stage? We may never know. --Rob Bracco ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A Good Look at a Comic Genius
If you've seen Man on the Moon and want to see some real Andy Kaufman, this is the video. It's Andy guest hosting a variety type show. Most of his comic performances are covered. Foreign man, Elvis, Tony Clifton, Latka on Taxi, Andy playing Bongo drums, Andy busing tables, and an hilarious ventriliquist act with Howdy Doody and Little Red Riding Hood. There are interview segments intertwined with the skits and two musical guests Freddy Cannon and Slim Whitman (watch Andy as Slim sings, er lip syncs his song). It's well worth the price for a peek into the highly crazy and complicated world of Andy Kaufman.

Late Night w/ Andy Kaufman
A must-have for Andy fans (and sure to freak-out anyone who's not familiar w/ him...) His Elvis impression is still awesome...if you've ever seen "This is Elvis" or any Elvis concert footage, you'll see how uncanny Andy's version is, with the stage banter and the karate moves...See Andy wrestle two hooker-ish women (very daring for network TV!) They should have made Andy permanent host after this episode.

The Best Kaufman DVD... So Far
It's a shame that Andy left us so soon, yet one rarely falls into the category of "legend" with out succumbing to mortality. Anybody interested enough in Andy to be reading this review probably recognizes at least a hint of his comic genius, therefore I will not expound on this subject.

This DVD is, beyond a doubt, the most comprehensive compendium of Andy Kaufman's acts yet availablke on this format, and it is all in one show. You get everything, as mentioned in the description up top and many other reviews. As a primer to Andy, this disc is well worth buying. As an adition to the collection of a long-time Kaufman plan, this DVD fits in perfectly with your collection.

A Real Familial Division Of Opinion
My husband Jim and I watched this together and we had very different reactions. Jim thought that actor Jim Carrey did a better job of playing Andy Kaufmann in the "Man In The Moon" movie than the real Andy K did doing his act. While Jim's busy rejecting the real thing, I am convulsed with laughter watching the tape, holding my sides! Perhaps one clip shows our division better than any other. There's Jim seriously watching Andy K talking to the interviewer about keeping his humility by working as a busboy, while being a big tv star, and there's me, absolutely incredulous that Jim can't see that Andy K is putting him/us on! Andy never breaks character and always comes across as wholly sincere and white, middle class while making the most outrageous claims. I'd give it a 5. I think Jim would give it a 2 but, since I'm filling this out, it gets a 4! Ok, maybe you do need an odd sense of humor to enjoy him but he was a hit in his day, wasn't he?

what a surprise....
I got this on a whim, not sure if it would be good or not, and it turned out to be very good! Wide range of bits spanning Andy's heyday. I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for Slim Whitman's cheesy lip-synch attempt. I could have done without that. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Andy Kaufman -- Comedic Genius!
If you thought you seen it all in Jim Carrey's version of "Man on the Moon", then you are definitely missing out on the original!

"Andy Kaufman Plays Carnegie Hall" is a must-have for all Kaufman fanatics! Filmed live within the hallowed Carnegie Hall, Andy takes the audience on a magical trip through his world!

Whether it be Andy leading the audience in a sing-a-long of "The Animal Says" or "Friendly World", you'll laugh...cry...and remember what this comedic genius gave the world before his untimely death to cancer.

Andy Kaufman was "years ahead of his craft" and this is one tape you MUST see.

Andy's special guests are endless and there's one surprise guest you would never believe and have to see to believe it!

Take home Andy today and relive the magic! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fantastic!!
If you're an Andy Kaufman fan then you need to get this right after the "I'm From Hollywood / My Breakfast with Blassie" double feature DVD. This DVD makes you wish there were more episodes of this show.

A True Genius To The World Of Entertainment
To most people he is simply just "Latka" from theshow Taxi, but to me he is the greatest entertainer of our time. Andy Kaufman was a very brilliant man! His ideas were something very special, and in many ways, GENIUS! If you have never experienced his bizarre, creative and original ways, I highly recommend this video. Help keep Andy alive!...

Andy in control
By 1983, when this was made, Andy Kaufman was considered untouchable by most people in the entertainment business. But as Andy proves here, that really didn't matter all that much to him. With no money on the line, Andy was able to create a trully original piece of comedy that is sure to satisfy any Kaufman fan.

He's From Hollywood. He Has The Brains.
There is no disputing the genius of Andy Kaufman, and this DVD encapsulizes it extremely well. As you watch this old PBS special, you will feel like you are watching pro wrestling, Andy's favorite. You know it's all rigged, yet the little voice in the back of your mind peeps to you, "Is it REALLY?"

The fight with Elaine boosler is HILARIOUS, and "Has-Been Corner" will make you cringe. The silly, kiddie antics thrown in by Andy will make you giggle, and the Tony Clifton puppet is a perfect sidekick! Oh, and catch the height of Andy's desk as a subliminal sleight to Johnny Carson!

This DVD will delight every Andy Kaufman fann, yet it will only prove to those who don't like him the reasons why they don't. IF you love Andy like I do, buy this. If you don't, go listen to your Andrew Dice Clay tapes again.

Andy Kaufman is the best!
I have always liked the comedy of Andy Kaufman, and in this, his hour special, he is great. Just as crazy and funny as ever. Through out the whole thing, you get a laugh. If you like Andy kaufman, id say this is a must buy. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

What a wonderful film!
I must have seen this a thousand times on Comedy Central before I finally decided to buy it, but it sure was worth it!

This documentry is great for two reasons. First, you get to see this comedic genius at his absolute best (in my opinion) running wild on the wrestling scene in Memphis. Who knows what ever drove him to get into pro wrestling, but he sure was great while it lasted. Second, you get to see some classic Memphis wrestling clips from a time, which if you're any kind of collector, you know are very scarce. This is absolutely billiant - something I could watch a thousand more times. I'm a huge fan of Andy kaufman and classic pro wrestling both, so for me this is the ultimate package.

However, as I've read in other reviews, I would have to agree that you really have to be a huge fan to enjoy this. I would recommend Man on the Moon to anyone not familiar with his work beyond Taxi.

Yes, Kaufman was a comedic genius.
This video is simply one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Andy Kaufman was a truly original comedian (though he hated being labeled a comedian). I wish we had more like him today, instead of all the talentless comics with their packaged, scripted routines that anyone who can memorize a script or read a cue card can pull off (can you say Jay Leno?).

By the way, I simply don't understand how any person of reasonable intelligence could watch this video and believe that the feud between Kaufman and Jerry Lawler was "real." While it is true that the two cooked up some pretty realistic-looking happenings in the course of the saga (e.g., Andy lying in a hospital bed after Lawler's administering a piledriver, and Lawler's giving Andy a very real slap on the infamous Letterman episode), it is obvious that the whole thing was just a very carefully planned gag. The events that occurred after the Letterman episode show that there was no true animosity between Kaufman and Lawler. The "feud" lasted for quite a long time after the Letterman episode. Andy had several other wrestling matches with Lawler, in which his antics got progressively sillier, and he made a guest appearance on "The Jerry Lawler Show" in which he made silly threats to sue Lawler for defamation. Most conclusively, Jerry Lawler appears as himself in the biographical movie of Kaufman's life, "Man on the Moon." The movie reveals that the whole thing was a joke.

It's a shame that so many people just did not appreciate Andy's humor. But, I don't think Andy minded a bit.

CLASSIC ANDY KAUFMAN!!!
I owned this particular title on VHS and I was so excited to see it make it's way to DVD.

I can't think of a better film to show this period in Kaufman's career. The focus of this particular title is his many exploits into the world of Professional Wrestling. It shows you not only the in-ring/on-stage antics, but a lot of the back stage talk as well as comments from those who knew him best.

If you are either an Andy Kaufman fan, or anyone who is interested in the Golden Age of Wrestling... check out this title before it goes out of print again.

Hidden Rhino Add
On the My Breakfast with Blassie side, click on the Rhino logo. You will see an ad for Rhino videos accompanied with the sounds of one of Kaufman's shticks.

He certainly did have the brains!
I'm From Hollywood is a superb presentation of Kaufman's adventures in pro-wrestling. The Lawler feud is well covered here with Andy's pre-match promo clips and the reactions of Memphis folk being the major highlights. Appearances from best friend Robin Williams and former 'Taxi' co-stars Marilu Henner and Tony Danza throw a serious angle on events with fears for Andy's sanity apparent.

Kaufman's influence on the current bad guys of "sports-entertainment" is huge - check out characters like the snooty William Regal of WWF fame.

The added attraction of this disc is on the flipside - this is a 2 sided disc btw - is the low key/budget improvised film 'My Breakfast With Blassie' starring none other than Kaufman and wrestling legend Mr. "Classy" Freddy Blassie.

'My Breakfast..' is a parody of 'My Dinner With Andre' where wrestling, personal hygiene, pencil necked geeks and women are all discussed... ~What~ a double act these two would have made! Absolutely brilliant! You just CAN'T script this kind of work!

See it.

Also featured on this disc is footage from the premiere of '...Blassie' (Andy's last public appearance? ;)) and an interesting audio feature from the makers of '...Blassie'.
Now where's all the rest of that wrestling footage?!

Any fan of Kaufman &/or "sports-entertainment" should not be without this DVD. Pure Entertainment. Thank you to all involved and a special thank you to Mr. Kaufman and Mr. Blassie for blessing the world with such undiluted talent. ... Read more