Reviews (4)

I was there too!!!
Hi Amy and all. This is Stacey. Amy and I were there together. Both of us are in the video together. Very good times and it's good we are still here to talk of them. It was at the Capital Center in MD when we saw Priest. Very good video!

I was there!
Amy here. Some of you know who I am. Those were the good ole days. Yes......I am alive and well, and so are my friends. So great to see a video of all the fans, including myself. More videos like this should be made to show the reality of how it was at all the great concerts. Rock on!

This is for you!!
This is by far the greatest 15 minutes ever compiled onto one tape. When I listen to Judas Priest, I imagine myself cutting class, driving in an El Camino with my friend "Trip," complaining about our parents and teachers. This video turns fantasy into reality. If you ever were a burnout Priest fan, this is for you. If you ever wanted to be a burnout Priest fan, this is for you. If you just like lauging at burnout Priest fans, this is for you. If you simply like to laugh, this is for you. I cannot imagine a single open-minded person not enjoying this beautiful film.

Funny as hell!
My sister just got me this for Christmas, no doubt because I was an 80's headbanger. This short tape is simply some videotape taken in a parking lot before a Judas Priest concert in 1986 in Maryland. This is so funny because it shows what metal fans were like back then. These fans are particularly redneck, drunk, stoned and scuzzy. Anyone who is or used to like heavy metal in the 80's should get this. I'd like to know what happened to some of these people - my guess is most of them are dead! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Why is Sunset Point closed for the summer? Is Gladiola Masonreally in Canada? What made that golf ball disappear? And just what is the meaning of that empty bottle of toxic "nerve manna"? Those are just a few of the mysteries to be solved by Battina and Crooky the Weimaraners--a.k.a. "the Hardly Boys" (because they're really girls!)--in this droll, 25-minute whodunit by William Wegman, the photographer, artist, and filmmaker whose beloved Weimaraners are the most recognizable canines in pop-culture history. Just as Andy Warhol had Campbell's soup cans, Wegman's art is forever entwined with his love for these doggedly diligent purebreds, whose charcoal coats, floppy ears, and oddly expressive eyes make them ideal stars for Wegman's peculiar brand of home movie.

Amateur sleuths Batty and Crooky have returned with their parents to idyllic Rangely Lake--scene of their previous case--and it's soon clear that foul play is afoot yet again. Gladiola Mason is missing, and her nurse and caretaker have plotted to poison the local water supply and claim a lucrative mineral deposit. While Mr. and Mrs. Hardly (played by "Fay Ray" and "Chundo") enjoy recreational activities, the boys employ their "secret dog powers" (and human hands as "paws") to save Rangely Lake from the nefarious plot. The mystery is pure fluff, but the wonder of Wegman's work--apart from the appeal of his talented hounds--rises from the patience and tenacity required to make a film as unique as this. First shown at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival, The Hardly Boys in Hardly Gold is a genuine marvel, made even more delightful by Wegman's kindly narration--words and voice from a gentle soul who just might be part Weimaraner himself. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Party Movie!
i am a college student and my friends and i love to get drunk or stoned and put the hardly boys in. it is the funniest thing ever! all the little over the top details william includes are great!

A Hardy Boys-style mystery with...well, dogs.
Man, Wegman got it right with this one. I work at an ad agency and the whole office had a great time watching this during lunch. It's half an hour's worth of beautifully shot scenes in Maine and featuring a great pack of dogs investigating a local mystery. You can tell Wegman knows the fun inherent in the step-by-step plots of youth mysteries. It's cute and funny and charming and succeeds at what it tries to be.

Hysterical!
Between flights, I came across this video playing in a tourist gift shop at a large airport. I avoid high-priced airport concessions and I'm not one to purchase videos, but after less than a minute of watching this film through the store window, I was laughing out loud and rushing in buy one. I gave the sales clerk the thin excuse of it being a birthday gift for my husband, and I tried to keep it under wraps until then, but I had to break it out early at a party. We laughed so hard, we had to rewind to catch the subtle (or not so subtle?) nuances. Wegman's delivery is as delightful as the performance of his dogs. I'll definitely be getting other Wegman videos. I highly recommend this video to anyone, especially geologists, golfers, and those who fish!

Great for parties, family viewing and dog lovers
Wegman's still photos with his famed weimarauner dogs have always been cute/funny, and this movie is no different. Kids will just enjoy the premise of dogs acting like people while their parents will enjoy some of the more esoteric humor (like the mom dog's golf philosophy).

It's also a fun party film. Get a bunch of friends together in a mood to have fun, put on the tape... I can remember lots of parties in college where this would have gone over big as the party wound down and more people began to occupy the couches instead of the kitchen.

My uncle used to have a weimarauner and I'm getting this for him for Christmas. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

More proof that circuses are evil and circus films are bad
I went into this film hoping for a touch of horror; after all, Barn of the Naked Dead would seem to imply that there are going to be dead people (apparently naked) involved. Well, a handful of people do die, but we don't get to see any kind of gory details of the kills, and, strangely enough, there is no nudity whatsoever to be found here. Normally, that would not be a problem, but the film title promises us naked dead people and fails to deliver any skin whatsoever - that's just not right. There is a barn in the movie, though - I have to give them credit for coming through with that promise. The movie itself is pretty hard to watch. Almost against my better judgment, I'm rounding up and giving the movie two stars just because they did establish a plot and actually followed through on it. A bit of unnecessary silliness at the end did nothing to raise my opinion of the film, though.

What we have here are three young ladies traveling to Las Vegas in order to perform in a show. One of them knows a great shortcut through the desert - you know nothing good is going to come of that. Well, they end up stranded in the middle of the desert overnight; the next morning, though, help arrives in the form of a nice young man who offers to drive them to a phone, etc. But wouldn't you know it? The nice young man is actually a psycho who thinks himself the ring leader of a very special circus - a circus made up of female human "animals." He has quite a menagerie already, although he doesn't seem to be training them for much of anything. When they get out of line, he takes the whip to them, and when any one of them proves herself unwilling to be trained, he takes it upon himself to discipline her severely.

I have certainly seen worse exploitation films than this one, but that doesn't make Barn of the Naked Dead a good movie. While the acting of Andrew Prine as the insane ring master is actually quite good, a significant number of roles went to actors and actresses of less impressive quality. The print of this film is also very bad. The colors are the polar opposite of vibrant; this film could deteriorate horrendously in the coming years without anyone even being able to notice. I didn't care for the ending, as it introduced an element that robbed the film of the bit of effectiveness it had managed to generate, yet there is a story here that holds together and makes sense - and that keeps it from being a truly bad movie.

Barn of terror
Barn of the naked dead was interesting, its one of those moivies thats great to watch late at night.I can tell you though that its a moivie that needs to be put on dvd totally remasterd. this vhs edition looks like they found the reels of this moivie in some abandoned drive in theater.It would make a great double feature disc. Another thing I would like to see the trailer for this film.THe poster art is amazing 5 stars. Andrew prine is the best in this film, I love the tower scene where you first see him in this great outfit.His mutant father was like the poster art shows him. No nudity though ,this film got a R rating yet today i see PG movies way worse for children to be watching.So if you cant stand moivies not remasted good wait for the DVD.In the mean time Ill have to live with the vhs version. So i gave this film 4 stars for the bad film quality. ... Read more

Description

1951-FRANCE-ITALY With FERNANDEL, GINO CERVI. Narrated by ORSON WELLES. This comic fable, which spotlights the talents of the incomparable Fernandel, was certainly topical back in 1951 - and decades later the film remains just as fresh, funny and relevant as a mirror of the human condition. Fernandel is cast as the title character, a priest who ministers to the populace in a small, poor Northern Italian town. The crux of the scenario details Don Camillos outrage when the Communists are elected to office, as well as his various escapades when he tangles with the hamlets new mayor, a flag-waver whos committed to his cause. While they are reluctant to admit it, both men do remain fond of each other. Will they come together to help a desperate young couple, the offspring of feuding families, who have fallen in love? The film works best, however, as a satire of religion and politics, with Fernandel effortlessly stealing the show with his crafty performance. Orson Welles narrates, and also provides the voice of God - with whom Don Camillo occasionally holds conversations. Dubbed in English. 106 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My childhood favorite
Even as a child I loved the sometimes outrageously funny, sometimes deeply moving tales of Italian village priest Don Camillo and his (seemingly) fiercely atheistic counterpart, communist mayor Peppone. Don Camillo's unorthodox approach to religion includes frequent arguing with Jesus, who does not always approve of Don Camillo's unusual ways to convince his stubborn parishioners. French actor Fernandel was, in my eyes, a perfect Don Camillo with his punishing fists and boat sized feet that could silence opposition with just one step.
Since in my native country all movies are dubbed I do not share the purist opinion that foreign movies should only be seen with subtitles. Wenn there is a more complicated dialogue subtitles do not cover the contents of what is being said. And many people shy away from the strenuous task of having to divide their attention between pictures and subtitles, probably one of the reasons why average Americans do not seem to be much interested in seeing foreign movies...

Wonderful movie - but dubbed...
Don Camillo movies were my favourites, when I was a child and as an adult I've found new things to love. Fernandel's is the classic clown's face, strecthing from comical to deeply human, scarred with compassion and sadness. I cannot imagine anyone else to carry Don Camillo's robes, he had the physical appearance and the right kind of personality. It's been odd to see him in different movies since then - but always a pleasure.

Gino Cervi, the mayor Peppone is also great, his physique is stiffer, bulkier, his face is also stiffer - a perfect communist-mechanic, earnest and passionate but slow, Don Camillo's opponent, on the surface thoroughly different but inside very much like him. An explosive pair, that also gets things done in the little town by the river Po, where summers are so hot, that people's brains get heated up from time to time, as Guareschi often says in his books, which are the basis for these movies. There are at least five of them altogether, though Amazon now has only one. In one of them Don Camillo disguises himself as a communist and travels to Soviet Union with Peppone's group. Books can be found on Zshops, get some and have fun.

Movies are based on Guareschi's short stories, so they usually don't have a very consistent story (except the one, where they travel to Soviet Union), but they are very well put together, with a clever narration leading the story. And the action is delicious: from little things action builds up and suddenly the whole town is on the move, everyone fighting everyone and Don Camillo and Peppone in the middle leading their troups and in the quiet moments continuing the argument by themselves. This is the priest, who sounds his church bells, when communists are having speeches on the town square, and who asks Jesus for a permission to hit the communist mayor, who is kneeling down to a prayer in front of him. And when Jesus reminds, that his hands are meant for blessing, he realizes: "But my feet aren't!" And with His permission he kicks. And this is the mayor, who wants his baby baptized as Lenin and in the dark of the night attacks the priest and paints his behind red... (read the books!)

I also love the black and white pictures in these movies, they are so 50's and very Italian. And though Orson Welles is wonderful, I almost dropped my stars from five to three. I missed the original narrator's and the actors' voices and the fluent, energetic, passionate, fast Italian, that really creates the feeling of these movies. But I couldn't do it to Fernandel and Cervi, four stars is bad enough. But I'm hoping that Amazon gets more Don Camillo movies - with subtitles! Maybe some day they are finally relesed on DVD's... ... Read more

Description

Laurel and Hardy as youve never seen them before! In these private scenes of their triumphant visits to Stans homeland, the greatest comedy team in history prove that theyre just as delightful off screen as on! 1.GRAND HOTEL. The boys visit Stans native seaside village, Tynemouth, England and charm the huge crowds of admirers with their famous antics. "It took Oliver Cromwell, with 10,000 cannons, 10 years to disarm Tynermouth - Oliver Hardy did it in 10 seconds!" Includes a rare view of Hardy with his spectacles. Some of the silent scenes are accompanied by the duos voices, performing an amusing routine that was recorded during their visit to England.2.STAN and OLLIE. Laurel and Hardy tour Edinburgh, Scotland. After sightseeing at a castle, theyre again surrounded by throngs of worshipful fans, who fill a luxurious movie palace to see them in person. In a bizarre sequence, an army of uniformed ushers perform their duties with utmost solemnity, while the soundtrack provides a wild counterpoint: a "dance version" of L&Hs immortal theme music, "The Dance Of The Cuckoos." On-stage, Laurel cries, Ollie wiggles his tie, the two playfully hit each other and show their mutual affection. Beguiling behind-the scenes glimpses of two of the screens favorite personalities. Caution - these are truly home movies, the pictorial quality varies from scene to scene. Silent films with music score, correct projection speed.29 minutes total. ... Read more

Description

Selected Video Works 1970-78 A collection of early black and white video works by William Wegman featuring his dog Man Ray.The short, conceptual pieces are included in every major retrospective of Wegman's art and are essential to understanding his ouevre.The tape includes Spelling Lesson, Dog Duet, Drinking Milk, plus 15 more.

Dog Baseball , made in 1986, features Wegman at bat against nine canine fielders.This piece, in which Fay Ray made her debut, was shot on 35mm film and originally aired on Saturday Night Live. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not at all what Wegmen is Famous for!!!
This is a humorous group of very odd little films, showing a lot of the real Wegmen, I think.
It tickled the fancy of the least humorous person I know.
If you like Wegmen's dog photos, and are looking at this item only for it's dog baseball content, this isn't for you.
I suggest this to those of you with a very open minded sense of humor. Everyone else, stick to the black and chocolate lab photos.

Don't Bother
This video has about three minutes of "Dog Baseball" and the rest is a bunch of very lo-res mini films. Wegman tries to be witty and give a new take on everyday events and processes. His wit fails him, and the events are rather dull. If you like his popular works of dog photos, or films that don't make you sea sick, don't bother.

Weird and Hilarious
These are some of the most original character sketches I have ever seen. Very entertaining and funny, if you're in the right mood and mindset for it. Very puzzling if you're expecting "Everybody Loves Raymond" type comedy...

Selected Works 1970-78, Dog Baseball 1986
Funny...and extremely inspirational to boot!!! ... Read more

Description

With IAN CARMICHAEL, TERRY-THOMAS, JANETTE SCOTT, ALASTAIR SIM, DENNIS PRICE. This witty and thoroughly entertaining farce is aptly subtitled "How To Win Without Actually Cheating." It is the story of Henry Palfrey, a self-described failure. Henry is a bona-fide wimp, the type of poor soul who fades into the wallpaper at parties. He has just met April Smith, the girl of his dreams. However, he quite rightly senses that he is in danger of losing her to the more aggressive and self-assured Raymond Delauney (played in his own peerless style by Terry-Thomas). Henry is not only desperate to capture Aprils heart but is weary of going through life being pushed around and ignored. So he enrolls in the "College Of Lifemanship," where he hopes to transform his personality. The headmaster (a perfectly cast Alastair Sim) promptly informs him that "the world is divided into winners and losers. In a word, the one-up and the one-down. Lifemanship is the science of being one-up!on your opponent at all times, making them feel less desirable and less worthy." Who are your opponents? Everybody in the world who is not you! At the college, Henry takes courses in "Gamesmanship" and "Woo-Manship." He proves to be an apt student, learning his lessons well and even receiving personalized tutoring from the headmaster. Then he gets to put his classroom learning into real-life practice, with surprising and hilarious results. Anyone who has ever owned a British car is in for a special treat...and you deserve one! You will be cheering for Henry as he attempts to one-up the caddish Delauney. The finale is especially clever and revealing. We wont be giving too much away if we say that it involves that most dreaded of emotion-sincerity! Recommended. Letterboxed. 90 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

He who is not one up is one down! This movie, 5-up!
"... the moment when Adam bit into that apple. At which moment, the first loser was born. Yes, the pattern was set. The world was divided not into male and female, that's a mere superficial division of minor importance. No, there is another division, another dichotomy more basic, more profound. At that fateful moment, the world was divided into winners and losers, top men and underdogs. In a word, the one up and the one down." --from Professor Potter's lecture at the College of Lifemanship, Yeovil.

Or How To Win Without Actually Cheating. That's the subtitle of School For Scoundrels, this brilliant piece of British comedy from 1960, a title my father saw long ago and which I got him for a Christmas present, with a screenplay by Peter Ustinov no less adapted from three Stephen Potter novels.

Poor Henry Palfrey! Clearly, he's constantly in a one-down position to the whole world. In a flashback, we see how despite being an executive in his late uncle's firm, he's dominated by his chief clerk Gloatbridge, who treats him like a non-entity. He literally bumps into the girl of his dreams, April Smith, a stunning but sweet, clean girl who's a brunette version of Betty Grable. However, a rascally, gap-toothed, smooth-talking acquaintance, Raymond Delawney, impresses April with his savoir-faire in wines and food, and even his snazzy Bellini sports car. Palfrey ends up getting a lemon and horribly losing a tennis match, where Delawney replies with a plummy "hard cheese!" every time he misses a point, causing him to lose face in front of April.

He thus enrolls in Professor Potter's classes on lifemanship. What is lifemanship? It's "the science of being one up on your opponent at all times. It's the act of making him feel that somewhere, somehow, he's becoming less than you, less desirable, less worthy, less blessed." After graduating in classes of gamesmanship, onemanship, businessmanship, and that most important one, woo-manship, he gets back at those who caused him to lose face, and how! Next time I find somebody's who a life of the party, I'll use Potter's technique in deflating him/her. If Dingle, the gangly student in the class where that technique was demonstrated is familiar, that's Jeremy Lloyd, who would have a bit part jumping up and down in a club in A Hard Day's Night and the co-writer of Are You Being Served? in the 70's, and Allo Allo in the 80's.

There are some misogynistic references on the "woo-manship" part, where Potter advises Henry to use a blase attitude to April in one scene. "Leave her alone and she'll come back home wagging her tail." Ouch, but good ones, Prof!

Ian Carmichael (Henry) would later be known to American audiences watching PBS's Mystery as Lord Peter Wimsey in the Dorothy Sayers series. Terry-Thomas (Delawney) has another one of his comedic supporting roles, and it's incredible to see how he's suave when with poise, to a point where his frustration causes him to lose his temper. But hands down, veteran Alistair Sim as the impish Potter steals the show with his characteristic expressive eyes, toothy grin, and droll wit. Janette Scott shines as April, showing she could handle adult roles as well as child roles (James Stewart's super-intelligent daughter in No Highway In The Sky). Six years later, she'd have singer Mel Torme as her second of three husbands.

Being someone constantly in a one-down position to the world, taking Potter's class would've been better than all those years I wasted in college. If I could do it all over, I'd take those classes and be one-up on everyone. However, Potter leaves the audience with a final warning: "once sincerity rears its ugly head, lifemanship is powerless." Me sincere? From now on, never! This movie is clearly one-up-up-up-up-up!

"How did you meet this not-quite-blonde?"
In the British comedy, "School for Scoundrels" Ian Carmichael plays mild-mannered, docile Henry Palfrey. Palfrey is a nice man--too nice. His employees are disrespectful, waiters are rude to him, but the final blow comes when acquaintance Raymond Delauney (Terry Thomas) steals Henry's girlfriend. In desperation, Henry enrolls at the College of Lifemanship.

At the college, Henry learns that "the world is divided into winners and losers," and he is instructed in the art of Lifemanship or "the art of being one up on your opponent." The college's founder and head scallywag is Mr. Potter (Alistair Sim). He takes a special interest in Henry, and soon Henry learns how to manipulate circumstances to his advantage.

This is an extremely funny and clever film. It does not seem dated at all as the issues have not altered one bit in the last 40 odd years. The scenes between Sim and Carmichael illustrate the subtle nuances of one-up-man-ship in social settings, and after watching these scenes, it's easy to see how poor Henry is maneuvered by everyone in his life. Henry has his revenge on all the cads in his life--including Terry Thomas and a couple of unscrupulous car salesmen. Terry Thomas is at his fiendish best here as the playboy Delauney--he is such a great comic actor. "School for Scoundrels" is a black and white film, and the copy I saw was excellent quality--displacedhuman ... Read more

Amazon.com

Director Cynthia Salzman Mondell has a confession:She's obsessed with the ladies' room. The conversations, therapy sessions, makeup touchups, the quick smoke, the hair fixing--a lot is happening behind that closed door.Men, this video proves once and for all that it's just as you've always imagined, a place for women to come and gossip and complain and compare notes about you.There's a reason women travel to the restroom in pairs.

The Ladies Room is a 42-minute low-budget (shot on video) documentary chronicling some of what occurs in women's bathrooms in Texas. And it's right on the mark. Punctuated by the sound of flushing toilets, women discuss dating, mothers, bodies, and of course, sex.The snippets are divided by theme, so women of all ages (high schoolers to senior citizens) kibitz and curse, telling stories that will make you laugh and sympathize (one groupie, who's been married four times, chronicles her sex life; an older woman announces that she's finally left her verbally abusive husband; a young woman complains about her prom date). The fun in this is the voyeurism, making it great to watch with girlfriends (although the boys might learn a thing or two from it). --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Description

From Chicago’s HMS Media comes a dream come true for fans of comedy, theater and improvisation: "Second To None," the first ever behind-the-scenes look at the Mecca of improvisational comedy and theater, The Second City.This critically acclaimed one-hour documentary is hosted by famed Second City alum Jim Belushi.

Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, John Belushi, Mike Myers, Chris Farley… these are but a fraction of the comedic geniuses who launched their careers at Chicago’s world famous comedy theater.Hit television series like NBC’s "Saturday Night Live," ABC’s "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and "MAD-TV," and films like "Ghostbusters," "Animal House," "Wayne’s World" and "The Blues Brothers," would not exist without the groundbreaking style of improvisational sketch comedy that has been developed on the stages of The Second City.

To create this exciting and very funny documentary, cameras were permitted behind the scenes while the brilliant Second City improvisers created a mainstage comedy revue. "Second To None" is the exclusive backstage pass to the inner workings of The Second City creative team as they create the revue "Paradigm Lost," one of the finest and funniest productions ever to grace the stages of The Second City.And, fittingly, two of the cast members featured in "Second To None"—Rachel Dratch and Tina Fey—have already gone on to national fame as cast members of "Saturday Night Live."In "Second To None," viewers see the birth of Dratch’s famous "Wicked Boston" character. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

You must own this if at all interested in comedy.
Simply put, if you have the slightest bit of interest in the Second City, improv, or good comedy in general, this tape is a must own. As stated elsewhere, the Second City is a legendary comedy theatre which has spawned some of our country's greatest comic minds (John Belushi, Alan Arkin, Mike Myers, Robert Klein, Joan Rivers, John Candy, Catherine O'Hara, etc.). This vid is a doc of the making of one of the troupe's most successful and innovative reviews in recent years, "Paradigm Lost." It also presents scenes from the show which won many top Chicago theatre awards. It was so hilarious, in fact, that two of the revue's performers, Tina Fey & Rachel Dratch, were immediately scooped up by "Saturday Night Live." It's a fascinating portrait, letting us see the process from the very first day of rehearsals to the opening night. Interviews with the cast and very talented director, Mick Napier, are sprinkled throughout and, if you listen to what they have to say, you can learn as much here as you could sitting in on a good improv class for a few days. All the performers are fantastic and all the scenes are genius. Most all of the cast has popped up elsewhere in recent years and deservedly so. In addition to Dratch & Fey, the performers are Jenna Jolovitz (now a writer for "Mad TV" & the failed "The Downer Channel"), Kevin Dorff (writer & sometime performer on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"), Jim Zuvelic (last seen in a guest shot on "Curb Your Enthusiasm"), and, in my opinion, the funniest of all, Scott Adsit, who was in the cast of "Mr. Show with Bob & David" and has been seen on "Tenacious D" and "Friends." This title is as informative as it is hilarious. Host Jim Belushi doesn't even manage to bring things down (thank God he's not called on to be funny)!

Second to None is second to none
This brilliant documentary manages to bring the viewing audience behind the scenes of the creation of a very funny Second City show titled Paradigm Lost. Second City is Chicago's famous comedy improv theater which has produced many of American comedy's great stars ever since the classic Saturday Night Live cast of the 70's.In fact comedians shown in this Second to None video are now writing and acting in SNL.We see hilarious ideas unfold and emerge as full blown skits, while learning,in wonderfully interspersed vignettes,how the actors learn to relate to and trust each other and the director. Don't miss the unforgettable first day of a baby gargoyle in school.Yes,it's far out sometimes but always entertaining, while we learn about theater direction and production at the same time. The writing,direction and production of this video by HMS, a Chicago based company with six Emmy awards to its credit, is skillful and unobtrusive.It's hard to think of a documentarty that was as much fun as this.

Great Insider's View Of Second City
For the first time ever, Second City allowed cameras to film the process of creating a revue. The fact that it was the amazingly talented director Mick Napier and a stellar cast that included Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Scott Adsit, Kevin Dorff, Jim Zulevic, & Jenna Jolovitz - along with Ruby Streak and Craig Taylor - being filmed, made the whole thing historic as well as funny and enlightening. Anyone who wants an insider's peak at this process should get this video. ... Read more

Description

(1953-England). With BELA LUGOSI, ARTHUR LUCAN. The comical character Old Mother Riley was featured in a series of popular British farces made between the late 1930s and early 1950s. Part of the joke was that the character was played by an actor, music hall veteran Arthur Lucan. This is the series finale, and in it Lucan is paired with the fabled horror film star Bela Lugosi in one if his last screen roles. Lugosi is appropriately cast as Von Housen, who is also known as "The Vampire." He is the descendant of Baron Von Housen, whom legend has immortalized as a vampire, and he is described as "owing his continued existence to the consumption of human blood!" Scotland Yard officials label this declaration preposterous. However, what they do believe is that Von Housen is dangerous. Von Housens latest creation is a super robot which he calls "the perfect man-made man" and an "indestructible god." Mother Riley, meanwhile, is a comically frazzled shopkeeper who wrecks!the English language and at any given moment might burst into song. The scenario details the manner in which these two disparate characters become intertwined, resulting in a rollicking send-up of classic vampire films. Lugosi plays Von Housen with tongue firmly planted in cheek, while Lucan is a riot as Riley. 74 minutes. ... Read more

Description

With JOHN LUND, WANDA HENDRIX, BARRY FITZGERALD, MONTY WOOLLEY, ROBERT STACK, ILKA CHASE. Directed by RICHARD HAYDN. A rough-and-tumble stuntman named Burke earns $150 for each fall he executes during the filming of a Hollywood action flick. One day, a colorful old Irishman named Noonan offers to hire Burke for a special job. Noonan explains that he had been looking after Schuyler Tatlock, an addle-brained rich boy, but had lost track of him somewhere in Hawaii. Now Tatlocks presence is required back home for the reading of a will. It so happens that Burke bears a striking resemblance to Tatlock, who had not visited the family estate in over a decade. Noonan is willing to pay Burke to impersonate Tatlock. He is certain that his scheme is foolproof and nothing can possibly go wrong. Or can it? Schuyler Tatlock is supposed to be nutty: Noonan tells Burke, "Youre impersonating a man who once broke up a Thanksgiving dinner because he thought he was the turkey." However, wait until you meet Tatlocks family! The plot thickens for Burke when he finds himself attracted to none other than Nancy Tatlock, his "sister"-and the sole rational and likable one in the group. This sparkling screwball comedy is crammed with surprises and is certain to leave you all smiles. It is smoothly performed by one and all and deftly directed by Richard Haydn, a British comedian making his debut behind the camera. Haydn (billed as "Richard Rancyd") even appears on-screen in a supporting role as the lawyer who reads the will. As the film opens, watch for cameo appearances by RAY MILLAND and director MITCHELL LEISEN! CAUTION: This film is below our usual quality standards. 96 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Funniest! Superbly Directed Comedy.
I have loved this film since it first came out and it took me years to find a not very good tape of it. I still like to look at it, however, for the sheer joy of seeing this marvelous comedy again and again. (This would be 5 stars if tape quality were better!)
Big suprise is John Lund who is absolutely hilarious as the a man pretending to be the childishly mad Tatlock heir. I had liked Lund as a handsome leading man with a rich voice, but this performance revealed a far more versatile talent than I had imagined. Everyone is great in this, from the acid Monty Wooley to Richard Haydyn himself (director) as the aggravatingly slow lawyer. Barry Fitzgerald, Robert Stack, Wanda Hendrix--all are great at keeping the pace moving and the laughs coming. This was one of those forgotten films Paramount did with some of their lesser contract players and with little publicity. It was far better than the offhand way it was presented in theatres.
Lund's career was destroyed when Paramount insisted he make that dreadful disaster, 'Bride of Vengeance'. He tried to resist, as did several other actors who had read the script but were forced by contract to perform, and for their pains, they were tossed out after the film bombed. 'Tatlock' was one of Lund's last at Paramount but as a Lund fan, I can only say, 'Tatlock's Millions' was his best!

Movie Is Five Star - Quality of Product Is One Star
Before purchasing this video, I read a negative review posted by another purchaser. The review referred to the quality of the tape; not the content. I contacted the seller before purchasing and was told (practically verbatum) the reply that is listed in the sellers response to the original review. I was guaranteeed a refund if I was not happy. I bought the tape and the quality is TERRIBLE!! I DO LIVE IN AMERICA and that doesn't help. Twice the screen completely blacked out, multiple times the channel it was taped from flashed across the screen, and there is much "snow" in the picture. While I intend to keep the product, it is ONLY because it's easier than trying to catch this movie on the late, late show. FOR THE QUALITY, THE PRICE IS RIDICULOUS!!

Rebuttal to Jayne Kerr's review
Unfortunately Miss Kerr did not contact us before writing her review. We have a 3-5% failure rate in our duplication process. Occaisionally one of these slips through our inspection process and is shipped to a customer. We would have happily replaced Ms Kerr's defective copy or refunded her purchase price>
Mad Phat Enterprises. Inc. (The Seller)

Don't buy
Don't buy this video, it is taped from the tv and is not that good quality. If you are anywhere other than america it will be a complete waste of money. The movie is a great comedy unfortunatly the seller ruined it. ... Read more

Description

Directed by PAUL TERRY. Charming, hilarious, visually imaginative cartoons from the genius of Paul Terry - starring Farmer Al Falfa (also known as Farmer Gray) and his zany barnyard animals.1.SUNDAY ON THE FARM (1928). Cant the farmer have even one day of rest? The cat bombards him with eggs, a duck playing with matches causes an explosion and, while Al Falfa demonstrates his skills in a dance contest, the animals make off with his icebox!2.BUCK FEVER (1926). Big-game hunter tries to bag an ostrich, a mouse-and-woodpecker riveting team and two mice playing mumbledypeg. When he rudely interrupts a lions haircut and manicure in a mouses underground barbershop, a fierce fight ensues!3.SHORT CIRCUIT (1927) Al Falfa tries to run his farm by electricity, with some highly-charged results. Wiring the cow and the hen, he manages to get gallons of milk and hundreds of eggs, but the exhausted animals, take their revenge! ... Read more

Description

Directed by PAUL TERRY. The bearded boss of the barnyard, Farmer Al Falfa (later known as Farmer Gray) along with his cats, mice and assorted other animals - provided endless entertainment in Paul Terrys ingenious "Aesops Film Fables." Return to the days when animated cartoons were really animated!1.IN DUTCH (1925). The setting is Holland, Al Falfa has a long Dutch pipe instead of his usual corncob, and the animals eat Milkmaids and cows perform delightful dances and cheese is made in the most unusual ways - including having mice perspire to create the odor!2.(Fable Of) TWO OF A TRADE (1922). Al Falfas fishing trip is ruined by his cat, who spits water on him and steals the fish. The cat buys booze from an octopus running an underwater diner singlehandedly (so to speak), then gets the farmer plastered. Al Falfas hallucinations include flying fish, a mermaid with a dog and a monstrous, fire-belching feline!3.WHY ARGUE (1926). Farmer Al Falfa battles his alarm clock, the rooster and, of course, his irritating cat. To make matters worse, a pig drills a hole in the water pipe, drenching him; the electric company digs huge holes in his land; hes kicked by a mule and chased by a wild bull!4.STATIC (1928). The animals run a radio station - with mice generating electricity by paw power! An elephant sprays water into the microphone and it comes our of the farmers radio! So do a mules kicking feet, enraging Al Falfa and leading to a frenzied chase around the farm.5.WOODEN MONEY (1929). The annoying animal antics - combined with the collapse of his porch - finally get to the farmer, so he sells his house to odd-looking twins. But their money bag is filled with mice, who chase Al Falfa into the lake. Drawn into a whirlpool, he magically travels through a faucet, back into his house. The mice also pour out and chase him - and the loony twins - down the road! ... Read more

Description

Uwe and Gustav are two middle-aged brothers whole lives are a mess: Uwe's wife just left him and Feng Shui consultant, Gustav, is feeling unfulfilled. This odd couple travel together to a monastery outside Tokyo. Enroute, their mid-life crisis turns into a midnight crisis when they get lost in Tokyo's neon jungle and can't find their way back to the hotel. It's down and out in Asia's brave new world. They survive by their wits and certianly never expect the Zen concept of "leaving everything behind" to be like this.The brothers' eventual arrival at the monastery is an immersion of a more subtle kind. The mundane and the sublime - where does the one stop and the other start: Still, the enigma of enlightenment keeps them going. Although it often seems just within their grasp, it continues to elude them. And yet, even they don't fully realize it, at the very core of their being, it's changing them.... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Zen as It Really Is, and Great Entertainment As Well
I finished watching this film last night, and found it wonderful. Afraid that, since it's in German with English subtitles, and about Japan and Zen, it might not get the boost it truly deserves in English-speaking areas, I decided to write my first review of anything here ever.

I was delighted to find a bunch of great and well-written reviews already here, so I don't need to say as much as I thought I might.

I am an American with European links who has lived in Japan several times for some years. I am a professor and I teach Japanese culture, lit., film, etc. In my opinion, this film lets you know how things really are in Japan now, and how the Zen temple tradition manages very well to coexist with a pretty materialistic and Americanized culture in Japan today.
It's also an account of what it's really like to come into contact with Japanese Buddhism, and later to find oneself somewhat changed by the encounter, in unexpected but good ways.

I have also been in Germany now and then, and the German scenes in the first part of the movie seem to me to ring very true in terms of what life is actually like there--since the makers are German, that is to be expected--though sometimes both Japanese and European directors create movies that are less realistic and cater to American stereotypical impressions instead.
Buy this DVD, get your friends to watch it, and perhaps you'll be transformed in your daily life as a result of seeing it--in the sorts of small ways that last and really count, as Gustav and Uwe are in the film.
The German dialogue in the film is clear and concise, like regular educated conversation, so it's easy to follow if you know some German. The subtitles are also well written and get the humor across too.
I hope Ms. Dorrie and her colleagues will make another one like this soon. Whether it's set in Japan or not, it's sure to be good. Ms. Dorrie's comments are also a good special feature, with some interesting points about how to make a good film on a budget of just one million dollars these days.

One last thing. By accident, I watched the first part, set in Germany, about the lives Gustav and his brother led there, and then I stopped for the evening a bit after they got to Japan. I figured the film was almost over, and I'd spend maybe a half hour watching the rest the next evening.

The Japan experience turned out to be in fact the most important part of the film, and and I had a great time watching it for another hour or so, because it was so absorbing, authentic and true to real life. It was like getting two films for the price of one--both really good. I think it may be good to watch the film in two sittings this way, but that's up to you.

One of the Greatest Films Ever Made !
Enlightenment Guaranteed - The film that will inspire you to become a better person !

It's one of those things that is so great, it cannot be put into words.

Enlightenment Indeed!
ROXANNE CRIDER

"ENLIGHTENMENT GUARANTEED"

"Too much enlightenment dazzles me."

Combine a German movie with English subtitles about Zen meditation in a Japanese culture and you have all the basic ingredients necessary for a very entertaining and 'enlightening' movie. At the onset, chaos and mayhem ensues as a typical couple with four small children face yet another hectic start of their day. The husband and father, Uwe, is seemingly unconcerned and uninvolved in the children's needs as the morning ritual turns into a crying and screaming match where everyone is miserable. Switching scenes to his brother Gustav's home, there is peace and tranquility, with an underlying, hard to detect tone of the same nature. The movie flashes back to Uwe's home, as Petra, disgusted with her husband's belittling attitude and lack of assistance, packs the children and moves out of their home. Discovering their absence upon his return home from work, Uwe panics and grieves, then visits his brother who is packing for a vacation to a monastery to study Zen meditation. Begging to go along and promising not to be of any trouble, Gustav agrees to allow Uwe to come with him. The distain Uwe initially feels toward his brother's beliefs quickly turns to compete acceptance of the strict discipline enforced upon them during their stay. Not until the loss of their possessions as well as the directions of the hotel where they stay in Tokyo, Japan do they realize the inner peace that can be obtained by peace and understanding of the beliefs of the monks. The trip causes both brothers to reevaluate their lifestyles and attitudes, promising to make their lives better upon their return to Germany. It was so appropriate that, as the brothers have always had their differences, they share a common thread. It was a clever move by director Doris Dörrie to have the brother's trades reflect an uncanny tie-in with the Zen meditation beliefs before their journey even began. Uwe is employed as a kitchen countertop salesman with an aesthetic eye for form and balance and is as polished as the products he sells. This constrasted and blended perfectly with Gustav's job as a neurotic, compass-dependent feng shui consultant. I enjoyed the movie very much, and would honestly have a difficult time choosing my favorite scene. Their unforgettable rendition of "I Will Survive" stands out as one of my favorite scenes, and is a turning point in the film as a kind, young German woman recognizes the language and helps them on their way. The comments filmed with Uwe's home video camera were hilarious, revealing, tragic and entertaining all at the same time. I thoroughly recommend this film to anyone who would open their minds up to a foreign film and open their hearts as well to these two very fine actors and the amazing director who put the entire endeavor together with style, respect for differing cultures, and 'enlightenment'.

Meaning and enlightment where you least expect to find them
On the surface, this movie appears to be about two brothers who are searching (often in very different ways) for meaning in their lives. One of them decides a trip to a Japanese monastery will further his steps toward enlightenment and peace. The other brother begs to go along because his wife has suddenly abandoned him. He is bereft and at loose ends and hysterical with grief. Against his better impulses, the other brother gives in -and the adventure begins.
Once they arrive in Tokyo, the brothers struggle to cope with the difficulties of being in a foreign country and not being able to speak the language They find even the smallest parts of everyday life difficult - getting taxis, ordering food, etc. But they think that they know how to find their way back to their hotel, using two large buildings as landmarks. Unfortunately, at night, the lights of the "landmark" buildings are turned off, which leaves the men disoriented and totally lost. Even worse, they have no money.
And that's when they are forced to fall back on their own resources, hitting rock bottom, panicking...and then finding their way up again (I won't go into detail here because the pleasure of this film comes in watching the experiences of the brothers).
By the time they get to the monastery, they have come a long way from their old life. Not that life is easy at the monastery but they are ready to change, ready to start the real struggle ahead of them.
If I've made this film sound very serious or intellectual, it isn't. There is humor, grace and plenty of surprises in this charming film as well as an exploration of what makes life meaningful - and why. One of those rare films that pushes the viewer to think... and well worth the time spent watching it.

For any traveler who's ever been lost
If you have ever traveled, ever been out of your element, not spoken the language, not been familiar with the culture... this is the movie for you. On that level alone, this film is a gem.

In addition, there is a wonderfully gentle but transcendent Zen message lying underneath. These two hapless German brothers prove that when you've hit rock bottom, the one thing that is guaranteed to help is looking at things differently. Watching two middle-aged German men achieve a certain degree of Buddhist enlightenment is not only hilarious, it's also heartwarming.

When you first start watching the movie, you will think to yourself, "man, these are cruddy production values. It looks like it's on video tape." But by the end of the journey you will understand. And you will love it all the more for its untraditional production values. Because ultimately, the value of the film is not determined by the film's budget.

You only have to fall into one of the following categories to love this movie:
1) anyone who's traveled abroad
2) anyone who's looking for the answer to life's riddles
3) anyone who's interested in Buddhism
4) anyone who likes German movies
If you fit more than one category, you'll be in cinematic heaven. ... Read more

Description

"Goaltending Wins Championships - Technical Fundamentals" provides the vital skills required to compete in hockey's most important position. This video uses three age categories (pre-teen, teen and adult pro) in order to demonstrate the key ingredients for every level. Perfect for beginner goalies, parents and coaches. Experienced goalies can also benefit by reinforcing the essentials or gain a different insight towards the position, such as the added mental toughness quotes within. Written, directed and narrated by professional goaltending consultant George Maniotakis, while coaching in Europe. "Goaltending Wins Championships - Technical Fundamentals" contains creative angles and fresh concepts, presenting results that are both educational and entertaining. This is the most up-to-date video and a great addition to your ice hockey goaltender development library! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

...cleverly produced, kept simple and up-to-date...
First, I'd like to start off saying that I expected this video to disappoint me. There are very few decent instructional videos that relate to goalies, and even fewer that keep the current style of play in consideration. Most of the ones I have bought seem to be so outdated, the demonstrators are wearing old leather equipment and teach skate saves (old school). When I came across this, I decided to risk it. The risk turned out to be pleasantly rewarding and entertaining. The video uses 3 different goalies of various ages demonstrating the techniques. The style seems to promote the "butterfly" without abusing it. There are mental toughness quotes that occur after each segment which is a nice added bonus. The goalie coach is narrating throughout the whole video, and keeps the commentary short and simple. I think that any goalie can relate and benefit from watching this. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Description

The gendarme Ludovic Cruchot is an ambitious man. So, when he is transferred to the laid-back post of Saint-Tropez, he sees an ideal opportunity to advance his career. Everything goes as planned until his daughter has a little too much fun on the beach... ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A master of the comedic art; Hilarious
Louis De Funes is a great comedian that appeals to all ages. The english subtitles in this do not do the film justice. Please get more De Funes films, in particular, Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob (french with english subtitles) if at all possible. The bubble gum factory scenes are extraordinary.

This film goes around the merry sixties in Southern europe
I love Louis de Funés movies: Le Gendarmes et les Gendarmettes, le Gendarme en New York, ... If you like it then you love it and feel you MUST view them ALL and go back to those faraway but so splendid summer hollidays of one's adolescence!

For Fans of Peter Sellers, Jackie Chan, Jerry Lewis, Chaplin
"Le Gendarme De Saint-Tropez," as subtitled in English, is a fine display of the comedic style of Louis de Funes.

Like Peter Sellers, Jackie Chan and Jerry Lewis, and even Charlie Chaplin, de Funes' humor is in his missteps just as it is his choreographed moves. They all share a thread of technique that, though their genres are different, are similarly funny.

This farce has de Funes acting as Ludovic Cruchot, a local police officer who receives a promotion.

Cruchot and his daughter move to where the new job is and try to fit in. He tries to achieve great discipline with his new men, and for a while, earns their respect. His daughter, however, wants to impress some of the wealthier neighbors and flirt with their sons, and claims Cruchot has a huge yacht. This lark leads him to mixed up with the high rollers of the town, and also, unknowingly with a few art thieves.

What ensues is tremendous, but hilarious confusion, as Cruchot tries to keep his daughter's ruse while avoiding his boss' catching him, and somehow deal with the art thieves.

Can Cruchot pull all of this off without getting in trouble? It does not seem so, as things go wrong unexpectedly. Cruchot squirms and wriggles, and it works almost 30 years later.

Although it is subtitled from French in English, the humor comes through. Surely the French speakers will find it funnier, but it is still a film worth recommending.

Anthony Trendl

How come?
J'adore les videos de Louis de Funès. Est-ce que tu connais aussi: 'sur une arbre perché'? Très cool! Et le video Rabbi Jacob est aussi formidable

Zoubous!

Mirjam

funnyyyy
funny movie, anyone can get in the usa, RABBI JACOB, PLEASE WRITE TO ME AT VIDEOSER4U@AOL.COM, THANKS ... Read more

Description

COLOR. With PIERRE RICHARD, JEAN ROCHEFORT, MIREILLE DARC, BERNARD BLIER. When was the last time your sides were split by laughter? This frothy French farce - one of the most acclaimed comedies of recent years - will do it for you. The head of a spy network misleads a much-too-ambitious assistant into believing that a completely harmless violinist - "the tall blond man with one black shoe" - is actually a superspy. The assistant, his army of henchmen and one gorgeous henchwoman fall all over each other in their misguided attempts to discover the musicians allegedly vital secrets. They follow his every move, check each of his possessions (a discarded candy wrapper, a broken filling, even his toothpaste), search and bug his apartment, tap his phone and analyze his most inane conversations. Through all of this, the empty-headed blond man hasnt an inkling that anything is going on - although he is mildly puzzled when he finds shaving cream in his toothpaste tube and!vice versa. Driving around Paris in a flower shops van, the spies listen intently for significant clues in a recording of the violinists ludicrous foreplay dialogue with his best friends wife - in which she asks him to "play horsey," among other things. The best friend, happening by on his bicycle, overhears the tape and, thinking that his wife is inside, having perverted sex with a florist, pursues the van through the streets. There are many other mad chases, as well as searches for vanishing bodies, tastefully naughty adult situations (including seminude scenes), a hilarious concert where the orchestra is completely thrown off by the befuddled violinist and plenty of witty dialogue. Much of this is accompanied by a lively, infectious panpipe melody. In all, an elegantly filmed, outrageously delightful romp that has already taken its place among the screens great comedy classics. Dubbed in English. 90 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The magically disappearing video tape ---
This is my second purchase of this video. My first copy was loaned to a friend, who loaned it to a friend, who circulated it among all their family and friends, who have passed it on out of my reckoning. Have some friends over for snacks, and play this in series with the Hollywood rip-off, "The Man with One Red Shoe". THIS, the original version, has class.

One Of The Greatest Comedies In Existence
This movie has perfect casting and I definitely would not change a single thing aboout it. Also the score provides excelent atmosphere to the movie and is full of beautiful flure melodies. The movie opens as Toulous, a Counter-Intelligence chief notices that one of his helpers, colonel Milan, is becoming a bit too power hungry after a drug scandal involving Milan and in an attempt to find out what he is up to, a random person (Pierre Richard) is chosen in the crowd at an airport and is told to be an international spy who has come to investigate the scandal... What happens next is a brilliant storyline with incredible comedy situations. I own both this movie and the sequel (Anyone who is a fan of the James Bond series will see many references and parodies in the sequel) on video and recommend both movies to EVERYONE!!!

One of the funniest French comedies of the 70's!
This is one great, classic, comedy! When it was released in 1973 it became such a hit in France that it was quickly released internationally, where it became a major hit in the US as well. The story of an unwitting schnook who is thought to be a superspy by warring factions of the French secret service provides ample fodder for farce, both slapstick and otherwise. This original version is MUCH better than the American remake starring Tom Hanks and Tom Arnold, and the casting is so perfect as to take your breath away. Among other things, I defy any male with a pulse to keep his jaw in place when the stunningly beautiful Mireille Darc (later to be Alain Delon's girlfriend) turns around in a certain black dress [grin].

For trivia buffs, it is interesting to note a few facts such as (1) the part of the conductor during the concert scene was a cameo by the director, Yves Robert; (2) the score was one of the first showcases for the pan-flute music of Zamphir; and (3) the film was such a hit that it spawned an immediate sequel (The Return of the Tall Blond Man).

Great Comedy - But Need DVD edition
Robert's comedy equals the best in the farce and satire. The script is well honed, and the direction is is sharp and subtle -not a wasted moment. But why is this classic stuck with the VHS and Laserdisc formats - is there any way to a DVD release?

Get this one
Hey, so it is sub-titled, big deal! If this becomes available again, snap it up. One of the best French farces post WWII. This is one of those movies that you see something more each time that you watch it. Great Gallic gaffaws. You will not be disappointed.. Cheers ... Read more