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This black-and-white film adaptation of Tennessee Williams's Southern gothic play is perhaps more famous for the rumored off-screen shenanigans of its stars than for its over-the-top repressed sexuality (only Williams could pull off that paradox, and pull it off he does). Supposedly, stars Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor battled for screen time; Hepburn warred very publicly with director Joseph Mankiewicz; and a postaccident Montgomery Clift relied heavily on painkillers and support from friend Taylor during the grueling shoot. Even this, however, cannot top the events of the film itself, revolving around the unseen playboy Sebastian and his mysterious death, which has something to do with young boys, a decadent European vacation, and Taylor in a provocative wet, white bathing suit. To give away the plot would spoil the fun, but suffice it to say that what Taylor saw was so horrible it drove her nuts, and Sebastian's mother (Hepburn) wants her to have a lobotomy in order to keep it from coming out; Clift is brought in to do the procedure. It's all a hoot and a holler, but as played by the two leading ladies (both of whom nabbed Oscar nominations), it's also compelling, chilling, and utterly gothic. Taylor gives a fierce performance, as the climaxing monologue that reveals Sebastian's "secret" rests entirely on her shoulders, and Hepburn plays brilliantly against type as Sebastian's manipulating, overbearing mother. Only Clift, saddled with a dreary character in charge of plot exposition, fails to deliver. Adapted by Gore Vidal. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Had An Unforgettable Summer? It Can't Compare To Cathy's!
Tennessee Williams SOUTHERN GOTH masterpiece a la dark black and white Hollywood film style with Joseph (All About Eve, Guys & Dolls) Mankiewicz at the director's helm and screenplay adapted by Gore Vidal.

Elizabeth Taylor plays beautiful and crazy Cathy and Mercedes McCambridge (the actress who provided the voice of the demon in The Exorcist) plays her protective mother. Katherine Hepburn is Auntie Venable and wants niece Cathy to have a lobotomy to help her forget what she witnessed in regards to her son and Cathy's cousin, Sebastian and his untimely & somewhat mysterious "death" involving Sebastian's sexual secrets...

This all happened in front of Cathy's young & virginal eyes, "Suddenly, Last Summer". Last summer, Cathy and Sebastian travelled to Europe on an extravagant, decadent & obviously quite hedonistic vacation. Cathy was already quite traumatized by a baby tea turtle massacre on a European beach but what happened to cousin Sebastian was something that broke her fragile mind.

Auntie Venable gets the help of Dr. Cukrowicz, played by Montgomery Clift to see if he can help poor Cathy out with a prescibed lobotomy and mainly to save the selfish & overbearing Mrs. Venable from having people know about her son's secrets that got him killed.

From the opening scene, the viewer is riveted to the screen and left wondering... wondering... WHAT really happened so suddenly, last summer? The film builds and builds into the last 20 minutes of this film where Taylor gives a tremendous soliliquy and overview of just what DID happen to poor Sebastian. The split-screen effect that is used in this ending scene is fabulous. You never see Sebastian so what you are conjuring up in your mind is MUCH MORE horrific than they could have filmed back then. Wonderful cast with excellent performances from all but Clift who was quite medicated during the grueling shoot due to an accident before filming. If you are a Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Taylor or Katharine Hepburn fan this is a MUST SEE!

Happy Watching!

Disturbingly Seductive
This 1959 film adaptation of the Tennessee William's play was intelligently scripted by the playwright and Gore Vidal. Set in the 1930's south, effectively shot in black and white, and skillfully directed by Joseph L. Mankiewitz. The film has a slow and sometimes tedious pace but still spins a web that ultimately draws you in like a good mystery. For the most part the cast is well chosen. Katherine Hepburn gives a delicate unraveling performance as the shrewd, manipulative and tragically obsessive mother of the never seen central character Sebastian. Mercedes McCambridge is superb as the weak and greedy mother of the film's heroine Catherine. Elizabeth Taylor shines as the emotionally traumatized heroine Catherine and gives one of her most overlooked and underrated performances, culminating in a superbly acted tour de force monologue that reveals the truth surrounding Sebastian's death. Ironically it is Montgomery Clift who is the weakest link in this ensemble and seems miscast in the role of the Doctor who must decide Catherine's fate. On another note, in the scene where Catherine has been transferred to a new hospital, and allowed for the first time in a great while to wear her own clothes and have her hair done, we are joltingly reminded of how absolutely breathtakingly beautiful Miss Taylor was.

An Underrated Classic
What more could a movie buff ask for? Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift; 3 great actors of film in ONE movie! I am a 20 year old college student and let me tell you that there is just something about this movie that captures me. I LIKE this film very much. This movie is complex, yet understated but if anything is to entice you to buy this movie, it should be the performaces. Both Hepburn and Taylor were nominated for Oscars for thier roles here and it is easy to see why; their performances are brilliant and mesmerizing. Clift is also good here too, but the film truly belongs to the two female stars. If this film was good enough to capture a 20 year olds attention, then that should be proof as to just how good the movie and the performances in it are! The DVD also features stills from the movie, is available in both widescreen and full screen and also features bios on all the stars!

LOBOTOMIZE YOUR DAUGHTER - MAKES THE PROBLEM GO AWAY!
"Suddenly Last Summer" is a Southern gothic tale about a gaddabout dame (Elizabeth Taylor) who saw something so frightening while on a vacation in Greece that it made her go nuts. How do you solve a problem like Elizabeth? Well that's easy - you cut half her brain out. At least that's what Katharine Hepburn would like to do. Montgomery Clift, as the sympathetic doctor, has other ideas however. This is high camp and low melodrama but strangely enough it works - and brilliantly so.

TRANSFER: Columbia gives us an average transfer. The grayscale is a bit off with too low a contrast level that registers most scenes in tonal gray instead of true black and white. Age related artifacts are everywhere. Ditto for a hint of compression related digital artifacts and some minor edge enhancement. The audio is MONO but nicely balanced.
EXTRAS: NONE! If you've purchased more than two Columbia Classics you should be used to this skimy treatment by now!
BOTTOM LINE: This is compelling cinema on the verge of a crying gag. It plays like Shakespeare mixed with Barnum and Bailey at I highly recommend it for this reason alone!

Consider other Williams' offerings first
This film is a solid Tennessee Williams/Joseph Mankieowitz
collaboration. It will appeal most to those who enjoy films from the heyday of the dialogue-laden melodramas (late 50's-early 60's). Having said that, this film is ultimately inferior to pictures like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Streetcar.., the Long Hot Summer, and Who's Afraid of V. W. The dialogue is not nearly as crisp in this film, although it does have a fairly engaging plot. We are exposed to different perspectives on the truth, as well as controversial themes (for the time) such as homosexuality and female sexuality. Other pluses include innovative camera angles throughout, and the split-screen perspective of the final scene, in which we never see Sebastian's face.
One thing that hurt this film was Montgomery Clift's disturbingly shaky performance (both figuratively and literally). He was unable to hold his own in any of his scenes with Liz Taylor or Katherine Hepburn, and seemed both distracted and physically weak. Perhaps he already was, even in 1960. It was also impossible to believe that anyone in their right mind could deem Liz Taylor was an incorrigeable case; obviously, the audience needed to be drawn to her and the plot needed drama, but both should have been possible without loss of plausibility. (I don't attribute this to Taylor's acting by the way; her performance here was stronger than Hepburn's). The film also treats the symptoms of, and recovery from, psychological trauma in a grossly oversimplified way. The same though could be said of Spellbound, The Manchurian Candidate, and just about any other 'mental illness film' from the era.
Vertigo alone is perhaps above the fray in that regard, as it is in so many other respects. ... Read more

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This nostalgic history lesson in the treasures of MGM musicals touches upon the obvious highlights--An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain, many others--and includes clips of wonderful though more obscure performances by Esther Williams, Jimmy Durante, Eleanor Powell, and even Clark Gable singing and dancing. It's a film lover's box of candy and perfect for musical mavens, and getting a chance to see so many legends host the whole affair (many of whom have died since the film's 1974 release) is as pleasing as the old footage. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (23)

That's Entertainment I: Do it: big, right, and with class!
That's Entertainment I - Reviewed By David E. Shattuck

I have always liked musicals and have had my favorites but viewing "That's Entertainment I" gave me a great lesson into their history. Do you remember at Christmas ever receiving one of those exotic candy samplers in your stocking? Well watching this video gave me a taste of a lot of "fine chocolates" that I want to sample over and over again. You start out visiting the remains of the once great MGM studios hosted by various famous stars who worked for those studios such as Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelley, Jimmy Stuart , Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Connor, Debbie Renoylds,Mickey Rooney and Liza Minelli. I felt like I was in Greece touring the ruins of the gods with those gods and goddesses as my tour Guides. It made me sad to see this once great institution in ruins, those stars aging, and the art form called the musical in decline in our era. Throughout its history MGM created over 200 musicals with the high points being in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Perhaps the last great musical, the Sound of Music was in the 60s over 30 years ago. The early musicals were traced back to the 20s and were born when sound arrived in the movies. I wondered what happened to many of those silent movie stars who were the first victims of technological downsizing in Hollywood. My personal favorites have always been Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse but I learned about Eleanor Powell and found her a better partner to Fred Astaire than Ginger Rodgers who looked stressed but excellent in her numbers with Fred. There was a classic clip of Fred who proved he could dance with a hat rack ( which didn't look as good as Ginger ) and a scene from the "Royal Wedding" where he danced on the sides of the walls and the ceiling always winding down to a sitting position like he never expended a bit of energy and showing no sweat. I had many of one liner observations from the video and here they go: I enjoyed a clip from the Ziegfield Follies which turns out to be the only musical in which Gene Kelley and Fred Astair worked together; their is a rare footage of Jimmy Stuart walking in song with Eleanor Powell; a timeless dance between Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse to "Dancing in the Dark" from the "Bandwagon";scenes of Gene Kelley doing his own acrobatic stunt dances; Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney numbers from the Hardy Boys (They made a great couple); Ann Miller (the best lady tap dancer) from "Small Town Girl"; Donald Oconnor doing a classic comedy dance in "Singing in the Rain"; and of course the color and pageantry of Ester Williams swimming with the likes of Fernando Lamas, Van Johnson, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montabaum, and even Jimmy Durante, Red Skelton, and cartoon characters Tom and Jerry. (Ester was a well sculpted figure with strong muscular legs and perhaps might be a body builder today). I thoroughly enjoyed "That's Entertainment I" and look forward to watching II and III. I pray that there will once again be a revival of the musical . Today the musical lives on in different forms such as "Riverdance" and interesting enough in the many animated movies of Disney such as Aladdin and Pocahontas . I close with a quote from the video by Frank Sinatra who said the MGM motto has always been, "Do it big, do it right, and give it class". Now that's entertainment!

Great for musical beginners
I bought "That's Entertainment" a few years ago and fell in love with it. Prior to that, the only musical I'd seen was "Anchors Aweigh". I feel that "That's Entertainment" is perfect for people who are interested in great MGM musicals but don't know a lot about them. I know that this helped me decide which movies and which actors I thought would be most appealing to me. For instance, watching the Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire segments greatly impressed me and I now have almost all of the two dancers' films. However, I was bored during the Esther Williams sequences in "That's Entertainment" and so I knew that I probably wouldn't enjoy her films.

Longtime fans of musicals will probably be familiar with most of the segments in "That's Entertainment". Even if you have seen all of the movies featured in the film, you still get to see your favorite stars introducing the various segments. Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Bing Crosby, and many others all make guest appearances to introduce various clips.

In conclusion, I recommend this movie to all MGM musical fans, but especially to those who don't know much about the genre and would like a chance to be able to pick out their favorite performers from a wide range of talents and abilities.

FINALLY! IT'S ON ITS WAY TO DVD! Spread the joyous news!
The dream is becoming a reality. All THREE of the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! films are coming to DVD in a boxed set from Warner Bros.

Read the juicy details and get ready for a great Xmas!

The musical of musicals makes its DVD debut on October 12, when Warner Home Video presents MGM's acclaimed musical anthologies - That's Entertainment!, That's Entertainment, Part 2 and That's Entertainment! III - in a special edition four-disc DVD giftset, That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection. Representing some of the most requested titles in WHV's vast library, That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection gets the "red carpet" treatment with each feature in the trilogy presented with a fully remastered picture and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, and features both the 16x9 widescreen theatrical version, plus full-screen 4x3 version with letterboxed performance segments.

That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection includes a bonus fourth disc entitled That's Entertainment: Treasures from the Vault, available exclusively with the giftset featuring more than five hours of exciting extras including three great documentaries, premiere night coverage and salutes to the great behind-the-camera talents, TV specials, making-of featurettes, plus an extensive video jukebox of rare, star-packed musical outtakes from classic films, and more!

"Exuberant, extravagant..." - Newsweek

That's Entertainment! showcases 125 stars from nearly 100 films including superstars Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, Peter Lawford, Donald O'Connor, James Stewart and many more. Originally released in 1974 to mark MGM's 50th Anniversary and to celebrate the golden era of the greatest movie musicals ever made, That's Entertainment! was an unexpected surprise smash at the boxoffice, grossing $28 million at the time and firmly establishing the MGM musical within the pantheon of greatness within American film history. Written, produced and directed by Jack Haley Jr., with Daniel Melnick as executive producer, That's Entertainment! uniquely blends newly-filmed accounts of the personal memories of 11 of the stars who were at MGM from 1929-1958 during the making of these classic films with a panoramic retrospective of unforgettable musical sequences from them. Film historian Robert Osborne provides a new introduction to all three films on DVD.

"A wonderful movie...a priceless souvenir." - Pat Collins, WCBS-TV

Originally released in 1976, That's Entertainment, Part 2 continues the dazzling tradition of That's Entertainment! taking up where the other one left off, presenting fabulous sequences from movie musicals and highlighting such non-singing stars as Greta Garbo, Clark Gable and the Marx Brothers. Also featured are two of the champion song and dance men of all time, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly (together for the first time since Ziegfeld Follies of 1946), acting not only as narrators but also as performers, singing and dancing in all-new numbers directed by Kelly just for the film. That's Entertainment, Part 2 was produced by Saul Chaplin and Daniel Melnick, with narration by Leonard Gershe and additional music arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

"That's more than entertainment, that's pure gold." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Released in 1994 in celebration of MGM's 70th Anniversary, That's Entertainment! III brings back to the screen the stars and musical numbers that have excited audiences for generations. In the acclaimed tradition of its two predecessors, That's Entertainment! III incorporates scores of famous songs and dances from MGM films and reunites nine of the performers who rose to international stardom through their MGM association. That's Entertainment! III features astonishing classic musical moments, great comedy and romantic teams and unearths rare footage with marvelous big-star scenes originally unseen because they were cut from their films. Gene Kelly opens and closes the picture as nine starry hosts including June Allyson, Cyd Charrise, Lena Horne, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Esther Williams present this must-see assemblage of Golden Era treasures, none of which has been seen in either of the previous films. Written, produced and directed by Bud Friedgen & Michael J. Sheridan, the film was executive produced by Peter Fitzgerald.

An amazing fourth disc is an added bonus available only with the That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection giftset with more than five hours of extra content features sure to enthrall fans of the great MGM musicals. Entitled That's Entertainment: Treasures From The Vault, the exclusive disc includes rare extended footage from MGM's 25th Anniversary luncheon in 1949; "That's Entertainment: 50 Years of MGM" (1974 TV special covering footage from the original premiere of That's Entertainment! in Beverly Hills with Army Archerd as the 'red carpet' master of ceremonies, rare interviews and the famous assemblage of legendary MGM stars on the stage. Unseen since originally broadcast thirty years ago); "That's Entertainment! III Behind the Screen" (1994 making-of documentary about the behind the camera talent); "The Lion Roars Again" (1975 MGM short); lengthy excerpts from "The Mike Douglas Show" TV special in 1976 that featured two days of premiere coverage of That's Entertainment, Part 2; "The Masters Behind The Musicals" (a brand-new half hour documentary with Ann Miller, Jane Powell, Angela Lansbury and others); "Just One More Time" (1974 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! featurette); and a dazzling MGM Outtake Jukebox which includes an impressive array of 16 rarely-seen deleted musical numbers from the cutting-room floor featuring such stars as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, Esther Williams, Lena Horne, Jane Powell, Mel Torme and many other legendary MGM stars.

It's COMING!!!!
Time-Warner has announced that on October 12, they will release a 4 DVD set featuring the 3 "That's Entertainment" movies in newly restored editions, with both wide-screen and pan-and-versions on the disc. Also the 4th disc will have several documentaries and other features on the making of these films. Should be a real treat for nostalgia lovers everywhere!!! This year is the 30th anniversary of "That's Entertainment!"

Another Vote For A DVD!!
I was nine year old when That's Entertainment was in movie theaters but I didn't see it back then but saw it a couple of years ago on Turner Classic Movies and it is very entertaining. It has many clips from MGM musicals and is hosted by several entertainers including Fred Astaire and I recommend it and I hope it will be put on DVD! ... Read more

Reviews (23)

That's Entertainment I: Do it: big, right, and with class!
That's Entertainment I - Reviewed By David E. Shattuck

I have always liked musicals and have had my favorites but viewing "That's Entertainment I" gave me a great lesson into their history. Do you remember at Christmas ever receiving one of those exotic candy samplers in your stocking? Well watching this video gave me a taste of a lot of "fine chocolates" that I want to sample over and over again. You start out visiting the remains of the once great MGM studios hosted by various famous stars who worked for those studios such as Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelley, Jimmy Stuart , Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Connor, Debbie Renoylds,Mickey Rooney and Liza Minelli. I felt like I was in Greece touring the ruins of the gods with those gods and goddesses as my tour Guides. It made me sad to see this once great institution in ruins, those stars aging, and the art form called the musical in decline in our era. Throughout its history MGM created over 200 musicals with the high points being in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. Perhaps the last great musical, the Sound of Music was in the 60s over 30 years ago. The early musicals were traced back to the 20s and were born when sound arrived in the movies. I wondered what happened to many of those silent movie stars who were the first victims of technological downsizing in Hollywood. My personal favorites have always been Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse but I learned about Eleanor Powell and found her a better partner to Fred Astaire than Ginger Rodgers who looked stressed but excellent in her numbers with Fred. There was a classic clip of Fred who proved he could dance with a hat rack ( which didn't look as good as Ginger ) and a scene from the "Royal Wedding" where he danced on the sides of the walls and the ceiling always winding down to a sitting position like he never expended a bit of energy and showing no sweat. I had many of one liner observations from the video and here they go: I enjoyed a clip from the Ziegfield Follies which turns out to be the only musical in which Gene Kelley and Fred Astair worked together; their is a rare footage of Jimmy Stuart walking in song with Eleanor Powell; a timeless dance between Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse to "Dancing in the Dark" from the "Bandwagon";scenes of Gene Kelley doing his own acrobatic stunt dances; Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney numbers from the Hardy Boys (They made a great couple); Ann Miller (the best lady tap dancer) from "Small Town Girl"; Donald Oconnor doing a classic comedy dance in "Singing in the Rain"; and of course the color and pageantry of Ester Williams swimming with the likes of Fernando Lamas, Van Johnson, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montabaum, and even Jimmy Durante, Red Skelton, and cartoon characters Tom and Jerry. (Ester was a well sculpted figure with strong muscular legs and perhaps might be a body builder today). I thoroughly enjoyed "That's Entertainment I" and look forward to watching II and III. I pray that there will once again be a revival of the musical . Today the musical lives on in different forms such as "Riverdance" and interesting enough in the many animated movies of Disney such as Aladdin and Pocahontas . I close with a quote from the video by Frank Sinatra who said the MGM motto has always been, "Do it big, do it right, and give it class". Now that's entertainment!

Great for musical beginners
I bought "That's Entertainment" a few years ago and fell in love with it. Prior to that, the only musical I'd seen was "Anchors Aweigh". I feel that "That's Entertainment" is perfect for people who are interested in great MGM musicals but don't know a lot about them. I know that this helped me decide which movies and which actors I thought would be most appealing to me. For instance, watching the Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire segments greatly impressed me and I now have almost all of the two dancers' films. However, I was bored during the Esther Williams sequences in "That's Entertainment" and so I knew that I probably wouldn't enjoy her films.

Longtime fans of musicals will probably be familiar with most of the segments in "That's Entertainment". Even if you have seen all of the movies featured in the film, you still get to see your favorite stars introducing the various segments. Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Bing Crosby, and many others all make guest appearances to introduce various clips.

In conclusion, I recommend this movie to all MGM musical fans, but especially to those who don't know much about the genre and would like a chance to be able to pick out their favorite performers from a wide range of talents and abilities.

FINALLY! IT'S ON ITS WAY TO DVD! Spread the joyous news!
The dream is becoming a reality. All THREE of the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! films are coming to DVD in a boxed set from Warner Bros.

Read the juicy details and get ready for a great Xmas!

The musical of musicals makes its DVD debut on October 12, when Warner Home Video presents MGM's acclaimed musical anthologies - That's Entertainment!, That's Entertainment, Part 2 and That's Entertainment! III - in a special edition four-disc DVD giftset, That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection. Representing some of the most requested titles in WHV's vast library, That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection gets the "red carpet" treatment with each feature in the trilogy presented with a fully remastered picture and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, and features both the 16x9 widescreen theatrical version, plus full-screen 4x3 version with letterboxed performance segments.

That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection includes a bonus fourth disc entitled That's Entertainment: Treasures from the Vault, available exclusively with the giftset featuring more than five hours of exciting extras including three great documentaries, premiere night coverage and salutes to the great behind-the-camera talents, TV specials, making-of featurettes, plus an extensive video jukebox of rare, star-packed musical outtakes from classic films, and more!

"Exuberant, extravagant..." - Newsweek

That's Entertainment! showcases 125 stars from nearly 100 films including superstars Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, Peter Lawford, Donald O'Connor, James Stewart and many more. Originally released in 1974 to mark MGM's 50th Anniversary and to celebrate the golden era of the greatest movie musicals ever made, That's Entertainment! was an unexpected surprise smash at the boxoffice, grossing $28 million at the time and firmly establishing the MGM musical within the pantheon of greatness within American film history. Written, produced and directed by Jack Haley Jr., with Daniel Melnick as executive producer, That's Entertainment! uniquely blends newly-filmed accounts of the personal memories of 11 of the stars who were at MGM from 1929-1958 during the making of these classic films with a panoramic retrospective of unforgettable musical sequences from them. Film historian Robert Osborne provides a new introduction to all three films on DVD.

"A wonderful movie...a priceless souvenir." - Pat Collins, WCBS-TV

Originally released in 1976, That's Entertainment, Part 2 continues the dazzling tradition of That's Entertainment! taking up where the other one left off, presenting fabulous sequences from movie musicals and highlighting such non-singing stars as Greta Garbo, Clark Gable and the Marx Brothers. Also featured are two of the champion song and dance men of all time, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly (together for the first time since Ziegfeld Follies of 1946), acting not only as narrators but also as performers, singing and dancing in all-new numbers directed by Kelly just for the film. That's Entertainment, Part 2 was produced by Saul Chaplin and Daniel Melnick, with narration by Leonard Gershe and additional music arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

"That's more than entertainment, that's pure gold." - Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Released in 1994 in celebration of MGM's 70th Anniversary, That's Entertainment! III brings back to the screen the stars and musical numbers that have excited audiences for generations. In the acclaimed tradition of its two predecessors, That's Entertainment! III incorporates scores of famous songs and dances from MGM films and reunites nine of the performers who rose to international stardom through their MGM association. That's Entertainment! III features astonishing classic musical moments, great comedy and romantic teams and unearths rare footage with marvelous big-star scenes originally unseen because they were cut from their films. Gene Kelly opens and closes the picture as nine starry hosts including June Allyson, Cyd Charrise, Lena Horne, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Esther Williams present this must-see assemblage of Golden Era treasures, none of which has been seen in either of the previous films. Written, produced and directed by Bud Friedgen & Michael J. Sheridan, the film was executive produced by Peter Fitzgerald.

An amazing fourth disc is an added bonus available only with the That's Entertainment: The Complete Collection giftset with more than five hours of extra content features sure to enthrall fans of the great MGM musicals. Entitled That's Entertainment: Treasures From The Vault, the exclusive disc includes rare extended footage from MGM's 25th Anniversary luncheon in 1949; "That's Entertainment: 50 Years of MGM" (1974 TV special covering footage from the original premiere of That's Entertainment! in Beverly Hills with Army Archerd as the 'red carpet' master of ceremonies, rare interviews and the famous assemblage of legendary MGM stars on the stage. Unseen since originally broadcast thirty years ago); "That's Entertainment! III Behind the Screen" (1994 making-of documentary about the behind the camera talent); "The Lion Roars Again" (1975 MGM short); lengthy excerpts from "The Mike Douglas Show" TV special in 1976 that featured two days of premiere coverage of That's Entertainment, Part 2; "The Masters Behind The Musicals" (a brand-new half hour documentary with Ann Miller, Jane Powell, Angela Lansbury and others); "Just One More Time" (1974 THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! featurette); and a dazzling MGM Outtake Jukebox which includes an impressive array of 16 rarely-seen deleted musical numbers from the cutting-room floor featuring such stars as Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, Esther Williams, Lena Horne, Jane Powell, Mel Torme and many other legendary MGM stars.

It's COMING!!!!
Time-Warner has announced that on October 12, they will release a 4 DVD set featuring the 3 "That's Entertainment" movies in newly restored editions, with both wide-screen and pan-and-versions on the disc. Also the 4th disc will have several documentaries and other features on the making of these films. Should be a real treat for nostalgia lovers everywhere!!! This year is the 30th anniversary of "That's Entertainment!"

Another Vote For A DVD!!
I was nine year old when That's Entertainment was in movie theaters but I didn't see it back then but saw it a couple of years ago on Turner Classic Movies and it is very entertaining. It has many clips from MGM musicals and is hosted by several entertainers including Fred Astaire and I recommend it and I hope it will be put on DVD! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Some Things Never Change
I just saw for the first time ever this movie made in 1950; directed by Vincente Minnelli; and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett. Ms. Taylor was only 18 when she made this film and was frightening and eternally beautiful. She is so petite that she almost could adorn her own wedding cake. The movie, however, as the title implies, belongs to Mr. Tracy who plays her father who cannot bear to see his little daughter grow up and get married. There is a lot of most fathers in Mr. Tracy's character. He has some great lines and some funny scenes and endears himself to us with his gentle humor-- the footage where he gets stuck in his kitchen making drinks and doesn't get to make a speech about his beloved daughter, just to point out one delightful instance. He is such a bungler-- can't get to Ms. Taylor at the wedding reception to bid her goodbye either.

I did not find this 54 year-old movie dated at all. Some things never change. Love may be eternal and most families the world over act pretty much the same when it comes to seeing their children leave home.

Takes the Cake--Wait There is No Cake.
There is a reason that Spencer Tracy was one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors. He could pull off any role and make it believable. He was one of the great everymen of his day. Watch, for instance, FATHER OF THE BRIDE and you will find yourself thinking of your own father, grandfather, uncle, or perhaps even yourself.

In the film, based off the novel by Edward Streetcar, Tracy plays Stanley Banks, an upper middle class lawyer who has his nerves put to wits ends when he learns nonchalantly over dinner one evening that his only daughter, Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) has just become engaged. His life is turned upside down in a few brief moments, as the simple thing he thought of as love turns into a nightmare called a wedding. Yet as much as things change, he learns that nothing really changes at all.

This original film version of Streetcar's novel stays true to the source and (as much as I love the remake) in many ways is far more entertaining than the Steve Martin version. The movie has dated some, yet it remains as enduring as ever. Watch it and laugh, maybe cry, then--if you can--give Dad a call.

The original is still the best
I must say that this is far more charming and sentimental than the remake. The relationships presented here seem more real and less scripted.

Tracy and Taylor have an unmatched chemistry as father and daughter that actually stretched into real life, lasting until his death.

Minelli's direction brings real verve to the story without resorting to cheap physical humor. I love the verbal repartee and the cadre of classic Hollywood actors.

The DVD itself is a good transfer both in video and audio. I enjoyed the extras as well, although I couldn't seem to get audio on the two newsreels included.

A great trip down the aisle and memory lane.

A great family film...Better than the Remake...
Spencer Tracy is perfect in his role as the father of the bride. The love for his daughter played by Elizabeth Taylor rings so true in this film. Spencer Tracey gives one of the best comedic performances I have ever seen.

Joan Bennet is also excellent as the mother of the bride.

This comedy is never over the top and the characters seem very real. There are some good laughs.

The upper middle class home and lifestyle reminds me of the book "The Way We Never Were" and at the same times makes me nostagic for the 1950s.

If Elizabeth Taylor's character's call to her dad at the end of film doesn't choke you up then you are made of wood!

Get this film.

This is a classic!
If you're looking for a comedy classic with good acting and a few nuggets of truth, this would be a good bet. Spencer Tracy is delightful as a befuddled, confused, and out-of-his-depth father, trying to survive the announcement, planning, and actual wedding ceremony of his beloved daugher to a man who has taken his place as #1 in her life. He is a typical 50's father-gruff and at times uncommunicative, but always loving. Elizabeth Taylor is cast as the naive and passionate daughter, but she is overshadowed by both Tracy and Joan Bennett as his understanding and long-suffering wife. This is a real tour de force for Tracy and is a delight after all these years. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Good movie, weak video, poor sound
"Life With Father" is an enjoyable movie. Unfortunately, the video on the DVD is not that good (though better than a VHS version I've seen). What makes this DVD a real disappointment is the sound quality. Aside from only coming through the left channel, the sound is rather muddled and fuzzy. I suppose one shouldn't complain too much given the low price, but it was still dissappointing.

Life With Father- - - A True Classic
This film has lost none of its appeal over the years. I remember loving it as a child and it still is one of my favorites. William Powell is a joy to behold as the overbearing yet loving Clarence Day Sr. And Irene Dunne gives what I consider to be one of her better performances. Elizabeth Taylor can do no wrong and is as adorable as ever. Fans of Adam-12 might not have noticed that the second son, John, is played by Martin Milner (who, co-incidentally, is in Mr. Roberts with William Powell, though sadly, not in any scenes together). As for the quality of the DVD, I found that my copy has two minor audio problems where the sound drops out entirely. Thankfully it is only for a short moment. Otherwise it is a wonderfully preserved movie, showing some of our finest actors at their best. LOVE IT!!! Five stars all the way!

Winning movie deserves better presentation.
Despite the anomalies of this DVD version, "Life with Father" is still a winning, wonderful movie suitable for viewing by all ages. William Powell stars as the combustible, but essentially kind and loving patriach of a late 1800's family in New York City. A wife and three adolescent boys round out this colorful family.

Powell lends irascible charm to his role while Irene Dunne plays the slightly ditsy, well meaning wife marvelously. The supporting cast includes a young and very beautiful Elizabeth Taylor as a flirtatious visitor as well as the future star of the television series "Adam 12", Martin Milner, as the middle son.

"Life with Father" has plenty of warmth and humor to make it well worth seeing. It just needs a better presentation than in its current DVD format. Catch it when it airs on television for an optimal viewing experience.

A Film worth restoring! Terrible sound makes it unwatchable!
I watched this movie many years ago on AMC. It made me laugh outloud! I cannot understand why the DVD transfer is so poor.The colors are faded and the sound is so garbled that you can't understand what they are saying. This is the kind of film that deserves to be transferred by real professionals. If that ever happens I will buy a new copy. The one I own, I will keep as a reminder that Madacy entertainment=poor quality.

Speaking from a well
I love this movie, but this DVD has horrible sound quality. The actors sound as though they were speaking from a well, and the louder anyone speaks, the worst the garbled effect. I ordered this to replace my VHS copy, but have since discarded the DVD. The VHS is a far superior product. ... Read more

Description

A graduating poet/teacher falls in love with a Southern woman during the Civil War, until her past comes back to trouble them. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

a hugely entertaining film
MGM tried to outdo themselves here, touting the film as the next GONE WITH THE WIND (and what could ever be?), and instead they gave Elizabeth Taylor the acting role that would land her her first Oscar nomination.

She is wonderful as the simpy Southern belle Sussanna, who traps her reluctant beau (Montgomery Clift) into marriage by saying she is pregnant, forcing him to abandon his childhood sweetheart (Eva Marie Saint), and his chance to be truly happy.

Sussanna is mentally unstable, however, and when the Civil War breaks out, she flees to Georgia, and her husband enlists in order to find her.

A very good story, based on the novel by Ross Lockridge Jr, and featuring Lee Marvin, Agnes Moorehead, Rod Taylor, Walter Abel, Jarma Lewis and Tom Drake.

THIS COULD HAVE BEEN GREAT
The best thing about Raintree is Elizabeth Taylor. Her Susannah is sexy, fragile and tormented. Montgomery Clift as her husband was miscast. Monty seems to be half asleep in his role and is too old to be playing a wide eyed lad. Eva Marie Saint as his righteous ex girlfriend who spends her life hovering around him has a thankless job playing an annoying woman. In fact a lot of Raintree is annoying. I kept waiting for John Shawnessy to grow up, tell off his small minded family and to take his wife and child away somewhere to start over. The battlefield scenes are great. The scenes with Elizabeth before she goes mad are gorgeous but the whole film seems off somehow. While watching it I kept thinking that this movie, with a beter script, casting and director could have been great.

ross lockridge never knew what they did to his book
Esquire magazine used to have a feature called "Wretched Excess" and I believe "Raintree County" would easily fall into that category.
As for the one reviewer stating that Ross Lockridge probably didn't like the screenplay, well---unfortunately he never knew about the screenplay as he killed himself shortly after the book became a best selling novel in 1948 and the film was released in 1957.

A Gorgeous Historic Film "a la" Gone With The Wind
Raintree County was a thousand plus novel written by Ross Lockbridge Jr. published in 1948. At its time, it was regarded as the Great American Novel second only to Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind and in some ways, both Raintree County and Gone With The Wind are a bit alike, although everyone generally considers Gone With The Wind to be the superior work of historic fiction. And it is. Gone With The Wind, as we all know, became a highly successful film in 1939, even winning Best Picture. It must have dawned on Hollywood producers that the novel would make a breathtaking movie. It was the 50's, the new invention of television had just entered people's homes and the movie industry was threatened. It was the time of the "epic films" (The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur). In 1957, "Raintree County" was released in theatres. The appeal to the film was its Cival War Era drama and Elizabeth Taylor.

It's no Gone With The Wind, but Raintree County is a beautiful film to look at visually. The master shots of the scenic countryside in Raintree County are incredibly lovely, the costumes look authentic to the period, the music is enjoyable but subtle, and Elizabeth Taylor is always interesting to watch on film. Elizabeth Taylor plays Susanna Drake, a vibrant Southern belle with a troubled past (her plantation home caught on fire and she had issues with her mother). Although she seems to be almost a near replica of Scarlett O'Hara in many of the scenes, she lacks Scarlett O'Hara's strength and willful nature. While Scarlett could survive anything, Susanna Drake weakens out at the end of the film, becomes mentally disturbed (she has a strong attachment to a scary looking Chucky doll) and dies a pathetic death when she seeks out the Raintree. This is not Elizabeth's finest performance. A tragic heroine is still acceptable, but this particular heroine is not as satisfying as Vivien Leigh's performance as Scarlett. Also, her "rival" and John Shawnessy's first love and childhood friend Nelle is an easily replaceable role. I was thinking she was the equivalent of Melanie Hamilton in Gone With The Wind and a role that could have been played by Olivia De Havilland once again. The women in this film are not portrayed as strongly as the men are. And even the men are not as substantial. It's just Yankee versus Rebels. The relationship between Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift's characters is not that well developed. It's not enough that they are from opposite sides of the Civil War conflict- she's at heart a Southerner and he's a Yankee. I was even disappointed in one scene in which Elizabeth says to Montgomery after an argument "You hate me because I'm Southern!". This film could have used some polishing. I'm very certain that even author Ross Lockbridge Jr. was not entirely satisfied with what they did to his book in screenplay form.

Montgomery Clift has done other worthwhile movies but in this film, his performance as John Shawnessy is wooden and lacks some substance. Although he is supposed to be portrayed as an idealist poet and writer (much like Doctor Zhivago), we never see him write anything. All we get is his desire to seek out the elusive and magic, all-healing legendary Raintree, supposedly planted by Johny Appleseed and a quest he gives up at the end of the film. Professor Jerusalem is a funny and amusing character but a bit too shallow. Again, this film is rather interesting to look at if you want to get some insight on Civil War Era America (1850's and 1860's) and the mention of such things as abolitionism, Uncle Tom's Cabin, copperheads, Abraham Lincoln, Fort Sumter and Gettysburg to the later Republican politics of the Reconstruction are very historically accurate.

This "Roadshow" version is beautiful to look at nevertheless. Out of curiosity for Civil War history, this would make a great film to watch as a history project in high school or college courses. This film is also worth watching if you're a hardcore fan of Elizabeth Taylor and don't care what role she plays or what movie she is in, whether it's "Little Women" "National Velvet", whehter she plays the tragic Susanna Drake, Cleopatra or the other Southern heroine in Tenesee William's "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" or the incredibly nasty character in "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf ?".

Read the book instead
This movie is not the best and the sets are awful!I would recommend the book though. However, it does have an interesting behind the scenes story. Like, did you know that this was the beginning of the end of Montgomery's career. During the middle of the film he was in a horrible car crash that destroyed his face and took away his gorgeous looks. In which Elizabeth Taylor saved his life. They tried to cover up Montgomery's appearance after the accident but the film suffers. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Awful, yes, but the laughs keep coming
While Hollywood has choked the market with bad movies over the years, there are a select few stinkers that are so marvelously entertaining and ridiculous that they garner a cult following anyway. VALLEY OF THE DOLLS fits this category, as does SHOWGIRLS.

And now that it's finally getting a long-overdue video release, so will BOOM! The brilliant John Waters has been saying for years that this film is "failed art" and "perfect," and he's right -- watch this movie with an audience, or a group of unsuspecting friends, and you'll be in for a night of hilarity of the highest sort.

Taylor's performance, Taylor's outfits, and Taylor's monologues are all gut-busters. This is no one's proudest hour (not the cast, not writer Tennessee Williams, and certainly not director Joseph Losey), but this is a movie that will live forever in the hearts of those who find it just flat-out bizarre and wild.

The cast apparently started each day with a round of Bloody Marys, and you can tell. Keep an eye on the scene where Taylor declaims a long speech while wearing an ornate headdress -- in the middle, she just takes the thing off to start scratching her head, and you just *know* that wasn't in the script...

Boom ... the horrible realization that you are still alive!
Utterly incomprehensible and totally entertaining! People expecting this to be "camp" in the sense of singing transvestites or trained parakeets are bound to be disappointed (Ok, Liz does have a dwarf henchman). However, you can only laugh at a caftan or Taylor's moment of impromptu Kabuki theater for so long. Rather, it's a triumph of continuous irrational behavior from the characters AND the film-makers. Tennessee Williams' sensibility is evident, but transplanted from his usual Dixie environs to a Sardinian fairytale castle, it is even more scintillating than say, the film of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof". Burton actually gives a really interesting performance as Flanders, but he is totally overshadowed by Taylor's Cissy Goforth. Hacking up phlegm at every turn, she is constantly irritated by EVERYTHING which is the sensibility that really connects this with John Waters' early work (it's a favorite film of his, and the poster shows up prominently in "Pink Flamingos"). Divine in "Multiple Maniacs" is very much a resounding echo and fracturing of Liz Taylor in "Boom!", and that is definitely a compliment to both great actors. The occasional totally unexpected hooting or stream of creative cursing from Cissy is also a brillant addition to the screenplay. It's like watching a film infected with Tourette's syndrome. For the historical record, Taylor in "Boom!" is supposedly the first female star to utter the "F" word in a studio film. John Barry's score is also notable: circus calliope and tipsy piano together with his trademark brassy orchestral James Bond sound. It perfectly complements the movie.
Certainly not to everyone's taste, but I doubt if it was ever meant to be. Take a chance on it!
This one really should be on DVD with widescreen framing!

A Rare Gem!
This is one of those rare gem kinda flicks---very strange, and lots of fun to watch! It also has something hard to find in most movies today, depth...in a funky sort of way...

The Burtons Go Forth
"Boom" is a blast! This is one of the most fun of the Burton, Taylor films. "Boom" is also a gassy misfire that draws one into the veiled world of aging homosexual desire disguised as a heterosexual struggle between an aging, dying woman and the unattainable youth in the Angel of Death.
This is story wearing a beard. Taylor's role is really that of an aging rich gay man who is trying to hang on to youth and the beauties that great beauty attract. After all, her name is Sissy. Burton's role is that of the hustler who is all that is left for the old queen to attract. But as with so many Williams works it all must be encrypted and coded so that the America of the late 1950's and early 1960's could handle his true intentions, the soft underbelly of his plays.
Burton is too old for the role that was written for a man in his twenties and Taylor is too young and too healthy looking to be the dying Sissy. But despite that, the story of a struggle of great wealth against the inevitable grows from loopy strangeness to a compelling and moving ending. Here Taylor gives one of her oddly finest post Virginia Woolf studies in a dramatic/comic performance. There is in fact so much subversive humor in her performance that she is at times hilarious. Her vocal range dances from the shrill to the silly to the grand dame and all to serve her imperious and ultimately terrified Sissy Goforth. In the last desperate half hour of the film she does some of her finest work. Burton is rather cool and distant at first but builds his Angelo De Morte into a truly fine character study. In particular, listen to his fine delivery of the speech about the old man in the sea.

Particular note should be made of the cinematography, which is gorgeous, and the stunning sun washed bone toned opulent glamour of the sets. I understand that the Burtons owned the house in Sardinia for a while after the film was completed. The spare and haunting score by John Barry is an added delight to his impressive repertoire. And for you jewelry fans there is plenty of Miss Taylor's own jewelry on hand. So get out your copy of "My Love Affair With Jewelry" by Elizabeth and thumb along as she parades her diamonds in the Mediterranean sun.

Campy? Yes! Great? Maybe we will know about that in another 40 years. Is it worth your time? Only if you like a challenge and are willing to let the Burtons take you into the world of Tennessee Williams camp classic.

BOOM -A- RANG!
This is a movie that I just keep coming back to over and over again. It even gets pride of place (I taped it off TV years ago, 80's) in a really old bulky ex-rental plasticky video box, that probably used to house "Scanners", or something like that, which failed to get returned. From the opening scenes you'll be mesmerized like some jaw-dropped carnival creature, by the haunting musical score and the sunlight shimmering across the mediteranean ocean, as Burtons character, the supposed old poet/letcher/gold-digging prophet of doom, wends his way on a hired boat to Mr's Goforths (Taylor) absurb prison, come paradise dedicated to OWL architecture. This is something that becomes immediately apparent when you see her fab white sun-shades in the opening minutes.

I adore this movie due to it's utter surreal quality. Everything the other reviewers have said stands so I won't repeat them here, but moments such as the Kabuki dinner at sunset and her drunken state are all time greats! Other great moments and cameo's are the great Noel Coward, known in the film as the Witch of Capri. The Witch rides the inclinator all the way to the top of the Candy Castle hooting for Cissy like some possessed owl!

All in all the alienation of the characters from one another and their seeming need to find some kind of fullfillment vicariously through one another, serves as the paradoxical glue which binds them together. The mysterious abuse/power play between Cissy (Taylor) and her female personal assistant is remarkable as she becomes sympathiser/saviour and go-between for both Burton and Taylor. She is caught in the tantalizing web of both these despicable spidery things.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the film score as it reprises over and over modulating into forever and underpinning the endless waste of time and talent that both Burton and Taylors characters seem to embody. The beautiful thing in all this is that with every endless, useless, timeless booming of the ocean against the rocks down below, each boom comes as the ticking of some great big universal clock counting down to the end of us all and particularly that weird creature on the rock! Wooo Hooooooo!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

One of Brando's Finer Roles
Adapted from the novel of the same name by the Georgian writer Carson McCullers and directed by the great John Huston, REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE stars Marlon Brando, an army officer on a military post somewhere in the South, and Elizabeth Taylor as his bored wife. There is a lot going on here. Brando plays a latent homosexual who is being cuckolded right under his nose by another officer Brian Keith who is married to a fragile mental case, Julie Harris. Ms. Harris, who has just cut off her nipples with scissors when the movie begins, is cared by by an effeminate Asian houseboy. Add to this mixture a young soldier (Robert Forster) who has a propensity for riding horses bareback and with a bare backside.

I have seen this movie three or four times now and can never decide if it's me or the movie; but I never get all the parts fitted together. This film certainly is worth watching and has an erotic mystery about it. Elizabeth Taylor repeats a part she had done before of the beautiful Southern woman and does a credible job with her Southern accent. But by far the best thing about this movie is Marlon Brando. He of courses acts in every frame and is perfect as the army officer about ready to go to pot who struggles with his forbidden desires.

I do not remember what kind of reviews this movie received in 1967, but Brando gives one of his best performances here. The critics should have so stated.

'SOUTHERN EXPOSURE'
Based on the novel by Carson McCullers, and directed by John Huston [quite a bold subject-choice at that time], and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Julie Harris, Brian Keith, set in a Military Academy 'somewhere down South' it's a lonely story about self-mutilation, unfulfilled love, stereotypes, equine apttitude, voyeurism and more ......

Robert Forster is the object of distant affection, a young private on this base with an aptitude for riding bareback [a scene not deleted, but strangely 'blurred' by vigilant censors abroad].

Grand score by Toshiro Mayuzumi [who also collaborated with Huston on "The Bible"].

McCullers knew the lonely heart - Huston's work was initially
condemned [just too many 'perversions'] but deserves to be fully restored to DVD glory in wide-screen.

Great companion to "Death in Venice".

Also features a young Harvey Keitel on the base!

Southern Gothic Classic With Brando And Mrs. Burton
John Huston's "Reflections In A Golden Eye" is one of his lesser-known works. This overlooked film is a riveting piece of Cinema. He brought together the unlikely combination of Carson McCuller's southern gothic novel along with the talents of Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, and Julie Harris to create a fascinating study of deceit, lies, and murder.
Julie Harris brings to the project her unique blend of neurosis and pathos. She inhabits the role as Allison the mentally fragile wife of Brian Keith fully, coloring her role with the nuance of madness.
Keith gives his best performance as the philandering husband of Harris and the bumbling lover of Taylor. It is his finest hour on the screen. His pathetic recollection of his lost wife is acted with subtlety and feeling and proves his metal as an actor.
Marlon Brando as Major Penderton rises to his role as a closeted homosexual. This is one of his masterworks as an actor and quite possibly one of his best in the 1960's. He is puffy, middle aged and completely without vanity. To watch him struggle to lift a barbell with one arm is delightfully disturbing.
As Leonora Penderton Elizabeth Taylor is at the top of her game, dumb, sexy and funny. It is one of her most deeply complex performances from a career full of great work. There is so much humor mixed into her character and she goes all the way to reveal the each nuance and layer of Leonora.
The music by Toshiro Mayuzumi is hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric. The opening theme carries a muted smoky jazz sound that sets the scene perfectly. The only false note in the film are Taylor's costumes by Dorothy Jenkins. Set in the late 1940's Miss Taylor is dressed in the current fashions of the late 1960's and she looks beautiful but out of time with the era along with her hair by Alexandre of Pairs.
Huston directs with calm assuredness, as he leads is excellent cast to the tragic inevitable end to the film. *****

Barely worth watching
This is a highly improbable mess of a film. First, the acting is bad all around. Brian Keith is probably the best, simply because he's a bit restrained. Elizabeth Taylor is somewhat less incredible than usual. She does a Southern accent fairly well, but can't get any believable feeling into the lines she mouths. Julie Harris, who usually CAN act, is completely unbelievable as a mental case: she comes across as the sanest person in the movie, but maybe that's what the film makers intended. Lowest marks go to (choose one) the outrageously campy Asian houseboy or to Marlon Brando, whose Southern accent is unlike anything ever heard in the South. Oh, I forgot the naked robot, whose character is perhaps even less believable than Harris's (What in the world is he supposed to be or represent?)

Still, it's kind of interesting to watch this strange mishmash and try to imagine what more talented and thoughtful people might have done with the material. And like all kitsch, it's good for a laugh or two.

Huston, we have a problem.
In theory having Marlon Brando and Elizabeth Tayler co-starring and John Huston directing is suppose to be a good thing. Three of the most talented people to ever put in their time in the industry, the picture would have to good right? No, not this time around at least. Theory becomes reality in a lackluster film called Reflections in a Golden Eye.

Brando and Taylor are a married couple named Weldon and Leonora Penderton. They are living together on a military base in the south where Brando is stationed. It is quickly established that there is no love left in this marriage. Leonora enjoys riding horses and meeting up with her lover, Lt. Colonel Langdon(Brian Keith). Langdon is their neighbor and is also in a failing marriage. His wife, Allison(Julie Harris), is a psychotic, or perhaps manic depressive, who is into self-mutilation and hanging out with her caretaker, Anacleto (Zorro David). Weldon spends his time tending to his duties with an apparent sense of doom. The only time Leonora and Weldon share is when Lt. Langdon comes over to play cards. Weldon is aware of the affair, but he does not care because it is strongly implyed that he is a homosexual. Futhermore he is obsessed with a young private he has seen walking naked through the woods near his home. At first he trys to fight his feelings toward this man and he goes through all the emotions, disgust, denial, fear, anger, and finally, lust and longing. Leonora is similarly unhappy but has different ways of surpressing her impending sadness. All this makes for a morbid film with an even more morbid ending.

In 1967 this film was probably consided pretty edgey and risque. By todays standards it is not. Brando does a good job of expressing Weldon's pent-up homosexual urges, but it gets to the point when the implications become annoying. Taylor, usually a fine performer, is hammy and does three films worth of over acting. The pacing of this film is dreadfully slow. And in the end all that is really said about these characters is that they were all miserable. I did not enjoy it. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A glimpse into the life of a great comedy writer
Millions of people know of Bruce Villanche from his appearances on the "Hollywood Squares" with his bushy hair, glasses, and T-shirt collection. America has been laughing at his work for many years, though. He's written everything from TV shows (the Academy Awards and "The Brady Bunch Variety Hou,r" just to name a few) to the speeches and jokes for today's hottest stars, including Bette Midler, Whoppi Goldberg and Billy Crystal. This documentary takes you into his world, showing you his creative process in snippets of his own stand-up, interviews with some of his clients, and scenes from TV shows and ceremonies.

The DVD has no extras, but it's still a great film showcasing one of the funniest men in America.

The Very Best of Bruce Vilanch
Words cannot express the ways in which this great man has helped to mold me into the person I am today. He has helped me not only accept who I am but also how I live my life. Get Bruce! is an instant classic in my book. In the film the Master Vilanch shows not only his comical side, but also his androgynous personality. I am 110% positive he has had the same impact on all who have the pleasure of experiencing the Master at his finest. Bravo Bruce!!! I await the start of production of Get Bruce II. Like a fine wine this movie continues to get better with age. Pick up a copy and experience the MASTERFUL Vilanch for yourself. Take it form me the #1 fan: you wont be disapointed.

Great peek at the man behind the jokes
Though he's now fairly widely known through his appearances on the New Hollywood Squares, Bruce Vilanche's work has been heard (and laughed at) by millions of people worldwide. As a joke writer for artists (Bette, Whoopi, Billy, Robin), events (Academy Awards), and in his earlier days, TV (Brady Bunch Variety Show, Donny & Marie), Vilanche is one of a few select go-to guys in Hollywood.

The documentary mixes interviews with his clients, footage of his featured work, snippets of Vilanche himself speaking at awards ceremoies (he won an Emmy for his Oscar work) and rare performances, and, most interestingly, some work sessions. The last is the most interesting, as it provides some insight as to how Vilanche goes about creating his jokes. His description of writing for different individuals - creating jokes and then voicing them appropriately, is fascinating. The peek into the working process of different comedians (Midler, Crystal, Williams) is revealing both of Vilanche and his clients.

What really makes this film work is that Vilanche is as interesting as the stars he writes for - something that cannot be said of all comedy writers.

A good flick
It's good, but not worth 100 bucks. While it is a very well done documentary- that's what it is, a documentary. It is not a hilarious comedy. It merely documents how certain stars met Bruce and how he develops his creative ideas for comedy. Rent it before you buy it. Be sure you know what you are paying for.

a humorous look at hollywood's top comedy writer
Who writes Billy Crystal's or Whoopie's lines at the Oscars? Bruce does. A documentary portrait of the comedy writer Bruce Vilanch (of Paterson NJ), who many may know as the wild haired comic on the New Hollywood Squares, who is actually Hollywood's top comedy writer. Stars Bette Midler, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Nathan Lane, Roseanne, Carol Burnett, Florence, Henderson, Rosie O'Donnell, Shirley MacLaine, Paul Reiser, and Sigourney Weaver to name just a few. Bruce Vilanch has written the scripts for the last eight Oscars telecasts, the Emmy's, Tony's, Comic Relief, the Grammy's, etc. As the say, "Bruce has had his fingers in more pilots than a staff physician at Continental Airlines. Formerly a feature writer for the Chicago Tribune, he can now be found once a month in the pages of the Advocate as author of a column entitled,"Notes From A Blond". He has also written for and organized dozens of benefits for gay or Jewish (or Jewish and gay) issues or groups. Music by Michael Feinstein. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This pleasant, lightweight live-action version of the popular cartoon is about as good as you might expect. The kids should love the broad humor and the Henson Studios creatures, but like The Addams Family movies, the look and the cast are the best things going for it. Considering that the nature of the material is so sparse, the thinly plotted story works better than other TV-to-movie fare. Our fabulous Stone Age man is promoted per a calculated move by a scheming exec (Kyle MacLachlan, whose casting ensured at least one cute guy). As a comedy, the humor is one-note and flat for anyone older than 12. The special-effects creatures look wondrous, though not as seamless as in other movies, such as in Roger Rabbit. The most joyous moments come during the full-scale re-creations of the famous credits. The Flinstones provided a major launching pad for Halle Berry as a vamping secretary. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (37)

This is an EXCELLENT MOVIE
THE Flintstones is a good movie. It's about two families who live in Bedrock. Fred Flintstone (John Goodman) and Barney Rubble (Rick Moranis) work in a quarry. One of the VPs of Slate and Company Cliff Vandercave (Kyle MacLachlan) and his accomplice Sharon Stone (Halle Berry) plan to steal a fortune from Slate and Company. They plan to frame Bedrock's loudest, most lovable resident, Fred. He bcomes an executive for the company, and he and Wilma taste the lifestyle of the rich and prehistoric. Cliff kidnaps Fred's daughter, Pebbles (Elaine and Melanie Silver) and Bamm-Bamm (Hlynur and Marino Sigurdsson). Fred and Barney save the day and Cliff gets concrete dumped on him. Miss Stone goes to jail. It's a movie the whole family can enjoy.

I thought I was watching a cartoon!
For those of you who grew up watching "The Flinstones" every night, "The Flintstones" is something to cherish. With John Goodman ("The Babe," "Arachnophobia") playing the part of Fred and Elizabeth Perkins ("Big," "If These Walls Could Talk 2") as Wilma, this delightful comedy does everything it can to mimic "The Flintstones," from pigs for garbage disposals to cars run on foot power to elephants for faucets. Everyone is dressed up in ridiculous outfits so exaggerated as to be cartoonish! Greatly helping the movie is a full cast of Hollywood (or should I say Hollyrock) actors, such as the Silver twins, Elaine and Melanie ("General Hospital"), as Pebbles and Hlynur Sigurdsson ("The Flintstones") as Bamm-Bamm. Ironically, the only time Barney Rubble, Rick Moranis ("The Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie," "The Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie"), hears his child Bamm Bamm (Hlynur Sigurdsson) finally say "Dada" is near the climax of the movie, when Rubble is about to be hit in the head by construction equipment. The Rubbles (Rick Moranis, Rosie O'Donnell) soon find themselves in a lower economic stratum to their neighbors and friends (the Flintstones), and separation is inevitable. Also featured in this movie is the fledgling actress Halle Berry ("Bulworth"), playing secretary and co-conspirator Sharon Stone ("King Solomon's Mines," "Total Recall") - in the end, she falls prey to Fred's simpleminded goodness and betrays Kyle MacLachlan ("Sex and the City"), a money embezzler. Dann Florek plays an accurate Mr. Slate - Fred "John Goodman" Flintstone's boss at the rock quarry - and Fred invents concrete. From the second he sees it, Mr. Slate knows concrete is the thing of the future, and it is indeed in use even today. That is the kind of talent that makes Mr. Slate the boss of the quarry and not dumb oafs like Fred or his neighbor and friend Barney Rubble. Keep an eye out for computer-animated dinosaurs, because the graphics in this film are so realistic that you might misinterpret them as terrifying visual hallucinations.

Prehistoric Halle!
Halle Berry in prehistoric times...if it were true I'd have loved to have been there. The movie is entertaining for the whole family. It's an amusing movie but the highlight for me was the sexy seductress, miss Sharon Stone...played by the most beatiful women in all of hollywood, Miss Halle Berry. The movie gets 3 stars...Halle gets 5:)

A FEEL GOOD MOVIE!
I love The Flintstones, in any shape or form that I can see them. I remember wonderful memories of watching them on TV with my children and now with my grandchildren and I was delighted when the movie came out, I was not disappointed!
John Goodman is great as Fred,rough around the edges but yet
quite loveable! The casting was great, the scenery was great, everything about this movie was just plain fun! That is what it's all about and what it should be about! Fred gets in trouble, Barney bails him out! Simple! Fun! Entertaining!
What more do you want?

I really enjoyed it!
The Flintstones is light-hearted, and very entertaining, and sometimes that is all films are meant to do, entertain! The first thing I noticed about this film was that it had a GREAT CAST: Rosie O'Donnell, John Goodman, Halle Berry, and Kyle MacLachlan. I really also enjoyed this film because it is something that you can watch as a family. I was never a fan of the old TV show, but I LOVED this movie. I saw it on TV, and I am going to buy this DVD very soon! Watch it, you will enjoy it! Also, don't think it is "a kids movie", adults can enjoy it, too! 4 stars (****) for THE FLINTSTONES!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Tracy returns in a quickie sequel to "Father of the Bride"
After the success of "Father of the Bride," M-G-M produced this sequel the following year. This time around Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) learns that his daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) and son-in-law Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor) are going to have a baby. Father is no more thrilled with the idea of being a grandfather than he was about Kay getting married in the first place. Joan Bennett as his wife Elllie and Billie Burke and Moroni Olsen as the other soon-to-be grandparents do their best to help poor Stanley through this latest trauma. A cute film, but certainly not as charming as the original, mainly because it is taking the same approach, albeit with a slightly different topic. It seems Stanely is no more interested in becoming a grandfather than he was in letting his daughter get married. Still, there are nice moments between Tracy and Taylor, who always called the actor "Pops" until the day he died. This 1951 film was also directed by Vincent Minnelli and Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett again did the screenplay using the characters first created in Edward Streeter's novel. "Father's Little Dividend" was remade, in a round about way, in the recent Steve Martin vehicle "Father of the Bride II."

Tracy returns in a quickie sequel to "Father of the Bride"
After the success of "Father of the Bride," M-G-M produced this sequel the following year. This time around Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) learns that his daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) and son-in-law Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor) are going to have a baby. Father is no more thrilled with the idea of being a grandfather than he was about Kay getting married in the first place. Joan Bennett as his wife Elllie and Billie Burke and Moroni Olsen as the other soon-to-be grandparents do their best to help poor Stanley through this latest trauma. A cute film, but certainly not as charming as the original, mainly because it is taking the same approach albeit with a slightly different topic. Still, there are nice moments between Tracy and Taylor, who always called the actor "Pops" until the day he died. This 1951 film was also directed by Vincent Minnelli and Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett again did the screenplay using the characters first created in Edward Streeter's novel. "Father's Little Dividend" was remade, in a round about way, in the recent Steve Martin vehicle "Father of the Bride II."

Decent sequel but ultimately forgettable
I'm sure it seemed a good thing to do -- follow up on the success of "Father of the Bride" with a chapter two. There are a few fun moments here and it is nice to see the entire cast reunited, but the sequel lacks the strength of the original. It's decent but far from memorable.

In this case, the Steve Martin remake, which diverges almost completely from the plot of the original (for good reasons), is more enjoyable. I found the end of this version, with Stanley misplacing the baby, a bit dark and not treated comically enough.

Many reviewers have lamented the poor sound quality of the DVD. Well, with a decent sound system it ends up sounding like most VHS copies. What is more embarrassing, at least on this DVD packaging are errors in the trivia game -- they don't even get Ellie's name right! Did they even watch this movie?

I'd actually like to see this reissued with a decent sound-track someday, but there are more important older movies to be revived first...

Spencer Tracy in a quickie sequel to "Father of the Bride"
After the success of 1950's "Father of the Bride," M-G-M produced this sequel the following year. This time around Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) learns that his daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) and son-in-law Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor) are going to have a baby. Father, of course, is no more thrilled with the idea of being a grandfather than he was about Kay getting married in the first place, and even when the baby arrives and insists on crying every time he is in Stanley's arms, his worst fears seem to be confirmed.

Joan Bennett as his beautiful and encouraging wife Elllie, along with Billie Burke and Moroni Olsen as the other soon-to-be grandparents, all do their best to help poor Stanley through this latest trauma, but Tracy's best moments are when he his daughter comes over to see "Pops" (Taylor called Tracy "Pops" the rest of his life and treated him like a real father figure). "Father's Little Dividend" is a cute film, but certainly not as charming as the original, mainly because it is taking the same approach, albeit with a slightly different topic. Even Tracy's performance really comes across as being a little less of the same as the original.

This 1951 film was also directed by Vincent Minnelli and Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett once again did the screenplay using the characters first created in Edward Streeter's novel. "Father's Little Dividend" was remade, in a round about way, in the recent Steve Martin vehicle "Father of the Bride II," which puts some twists on the story that offer some further complications.

Use your cash as toilet paper.
If you are thinking of getting this dvd, you might as well use your cash as toilet paper, because that is what you will be getting when you buy this, if you get my drift. ... Read more