Layton, Joe

Live on the Sunset Strip

Taken together, Richard Pryor's concert films, the essential Live in Concert, the virtuoso Live on the Sunset Strip, and even the lesser Here and Now, provide a more incisive autobiographical portrait of the groundbreaking comedian than the fictionalized Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling. In Sunset Strip, Pryor relates two life-changing experiences. The first is his trip to "the motherland," Africa. As funny as is the routine in which Pryor gives voice to a couple of cheetahs poised to prey on unsuspecting gazelles, he brings the audience up short with a moving revelation that leads him to forswear ever again calling another black person the "N-word." The second, of course, is his near-fatal freebasing accident, which Pryor at first jokingly passes off as an accident involving milk and cookies. Then, he takes the audience step by harrowing step through his growing cocaine addiction (abetted by his untrustworthy pipe which speaks to him in reassuring tones), alienation from friends, including the formidable Jim Brown ("Whatcha gonna do?"), the explosion that resulted in third-degree burns over the upper half of his body, and finally, the agonizing rehab. It is even more unflinching and savagely funny than his Live in Concert routine about his heart attack. Other memorable bits include his experiences as a 19-year-old stand-up comedian working at a Mafia-owned club, a monologue from one of his signature characters, Mudbone, and his visit to a penitentiary while filming Stir Crazy. Sunset Strip captures Pryor's triumphant return to the stage. He is a survivor, unbowed, winning this round over the demons that plagued him throughout his career. --Donald Liebenson

Barbra Streisand - The Television Specials

A feast for Barbra Streisand fans, The Television Specials collects five one-hour programs she recorded between 1965 and 1973 when she was known simply as a recording artist and Broadway star rather than a film director, reclusive performer, and political activist. The first is My Name Is Barbra (April 14, 1965), shot shortly after she played in Funny Girl. Shot in black and white, it's a little different from the other variety shows of the day (e.g., The Judy Garland Show) in that there's no parade of guest stars or dancing girls. That's a good thing, as those are the numbers that get dated very quickly . Instead, we have all Barbra, even if she's more comfortable singing than doing comedy monologues. The show winds its way through an Alice in Wonderland sequence which ends in a plain but magnificent rendition of "People," then has Streisand in a store's fur department. Last is a simple concert setting that includes a Funny Girl medley with "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "The Music that Makes Me Dance." The closing concert segment would become a staple, and the peak, of all her shows.

Color Me Barbra followed on March 30, 1966 and is, naturally, filmed in color. The first sequence was shot at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with Streisand wandering among the masterworks and antiquities, even singing "Where or When" dressed as Nefertiti. Next she's among a circus of animals, singing "Try to remember" to the elephant or poking fun at herself by telling the anteater "We have so much in common." Again, the final act is her just singing at a mike, with "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home" and "It Had to Be You." Making its home-video debut, The Belle of 14th Street (October 11, 1967) is something of an oddity. It's styled like a vaudeville show, with period costumes (including the audience) and old-time numbers. Jason Robards (singing and dancing!), John Bubbles, and others guest-star. Streisand plays a modest stripper for "Alice Blue Gown," plays an operatic diva for "Liebestraum," then does double duty as a boy (pre-Yentl) in the audience invited to sing a duet of "Mother Macree" with the on-stage Streisand. The last segment is Streisand singing (accompanied on stage by David Shire before he wrote shows on Broadway with Richard Maltby) such songs as "My Melancholy Baby," "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," and a medley that includes "My Buddy" and "How About Me?"

The highlight of the collection, A Happening in Central Park (September 15, 1968) is refreshingly free of gimmicks and concepts. It's just Streisand with an orchestra in front of a live New York audience. "The Nearness of You," "Cry Me a River," "I Can See It," "Second Hand Rose" (the audience enjoys singing along)," "People," and "Happy Days Are Here Again." Barbra Streisand... and Other Musical Instruments (November 2, 1973) returns to the concept-show format. Streisand takes her place among the symphony orchestra members sporting her own instrument: her voice. One medley groups a number of favorite songs but in "international" settings, such as "People" accompanied by sitar and "Don't Rain on My Parade" by bagpipe band, and Streisand changes costumes to match. Ray Charles is on hand for four songs in the second set, then Streisand returns to the orchestra to sing such songs as "On a Clear Day" and "The Sweetest Sounds."

Picture quality is good, and sound is presented in original mono, 2.0 stereo, and 5.1 surround. The only bonus features are three introductions Streisand filmed for the 1987 home-video releases, but the set is beautifully packaged with a detailed booklet of liner notes, photos, and song lists. The five 50+-minute programs are ungenerously spread over five discs, however. --David Horiuchi

The five spectacular DVDs contained in this boxed set speak volumes about vision and integrity, fearless instinct, and a passion for discovery. If you think you remember these specials from watching them when they first aired, you'll be astonished how time has only enhanced their vitality. The five DVDs are: My Name is Barbra, Color Me Barbra, and Belle of 14th Street, Barbra Streisand: Happening in Central Park, and Barbra Streisand...And Other Musical Instruments.

The Littlest Angel

LITTLEST ANGEL THE (DVD MOVIE)

The Littlest Angel

Springtime means fresh starts. But for young Ryan Newman, his family's fresh start in a small town leaves him feeling dejected and lonely. Enter the Littlest Angel, Heaven's sweet but accident-prone rookie. His first earthly assignment is to help Ryan make new friends, a task that proves difficult for the blond-headed cherub. Littlest Angel zooms back to Heaven for some loving reassurance from the Understanding Angel (voiced by Naomi Judd) and learns, "There are always second chances." Very little discussion about Easter enters into the plot, classifying this 26-minute video as a very lightweight entertainment piece for youngsters. --Liane Thomas

Barbra Streisand - The Belle of 14th Street

Barbra Streisand's third television special, The Belle of 14th Street (October 11, 1967) is something of an oddity. It's styled like a vaudeville show, with period costumes (including the audience) and old-time numbers. Jason Robards (singing and dancing!), John Bubbles, and others guest-star. Streisand plays a modest stripper for "Alice Blue Gown," plays an operatic diva for "Liebestraum," then does double duty as a boy (pre-Yentl) in the audience invited to sing a duet of "Mother Macree" with the on-stage Streisand. The last segment is Streisand singing (accompanied on stage by David Shire before he wrote shows on Broadway with Richard Maltby) such songs as "My Melancholy Baby," "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," and a medley that includes "My Buddy" and "How About Me?" Previously released as part of the five-disc Barbra Streisand: The Television Specials. --David Horiuchi

Her first television special to feature guest-stars The Belle Of 14th Street celebrates in ways both comedic and heartfelt "The Golden Age of Song". A marvelous showcase for such evergreens as Sophie Tucker's "Some Of These Days" "How About Me" (written by "a young new talent" Irving Berlin) the poignant "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" and the sublime "My Buddy" - all classics of the vaudeville era reinvented by "the greatest star" of our time.Track ListingDon't Care [Act 1]You're The Apple Of My Eye [Act 1]Alice Blue Gown [Act 1]I'm Going South [Act 1]We're Four Americans [Act 1]Liebestraum [Act 2]Mother Machree [Act 2]A Taste Of The Tempest [Act 2]My Melancholy Baby [Act 3]Everybody Loves My Baby [Act 3]I'm Always Chasing Rainbows [Act 3]My Buddy [Act 3]How About Me [Act 3]A Good Man Is Hard To Find [Act 3]Some Of These Days [Act 3]Put Your Arms Around Me Honey [Act 3]Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC: 603497049127 Manufacturer No: 970491-2

The Littlest Angel

My Name is Barbra [Region 2]

Barbra Streisand's first television special was My Name Is Barbra (April 14, 1965), shot shortly after she played in Funny Girl. Shot in black and white, it's a little different from the other variety shows of the day (e.g., The Judy Garland Show) in that there's no parade of guest stars or dancing girls. That's a good thing, as those are the numbers that get dated very quickly. Instead, we have all Barbra, even if she's more comfortable singing than doing comedy monologues. The show winds its way through an Alice in Wonderland sequence which ends in a plain but magnificent rendition of "People," then has Streisand in a store's fur department. Last is a simple concert setting that includes a Funny Girl medley with "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "The Music that Makes Me Dance." The closing concert segment would become a staple, and the peak, of all her shows. Previously released as part of the five-disc Barbra Streisand: The Television Specials. --David Horiuchi

Filmed in glorious black-and-white Barbra's first television special in 1965 is a classic in every sense of the word. Reviewers were ecstatic with praise. Winner of five Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award for Distinguished Achievement in Television.Track ListingMy Name Is Barbara [Act 1]Much More [Act 1]I'm Late [Act 1]Make Believe [Act 1]How Does The Wine Taste? [Act 1]I Wish I Were A Kid Again [Act 1]I'm Five [Act 1]Sweet Zoo [Act 1]Where Is The Wonder? [Act 1]People [Act 1]I've Got The Blues [Act 2]Monologue: "Pearl From Istanbul" [Act 2]Second Hand Rose [Act 2]Give Me The Simple Life [Act 2]I Got Plenty Of Nothing [Act 2]Brother Can You Spare A Dime? [Act 2]Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out [Act 2]Second Hand Rose [Act 2]The Best Things In Life Are Free [Act 2]When The Sun Comes Out [Act 3]Why Did I Choose You? [Act 3]Lover Come Back To Me [Act 3]You Are Woman (I Am Man) [Act 3]Don't Rain On My Parade [Act 3]The Music That Makes Me Dance [Act 3]My Man [Act 3]Happy Days Are Here Again [Act 3]Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC: 603497048922 Manufacturer No: 970489-2

Dave Chappelle - For What It's Worth/Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip Two Pack

Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth finds the Comedy Central superstar in performance at San Francisco's legendary Winterland, where he's welcomed with a huge ovation. Easing into his set, Chappelle shares a few observations about the city itself, noting there's nothing tender about the Tenderloin District: "You've got people smoking crack while sitting in front of Starbucks." Chappelle's inspiration dips a bit after that, as the subject of sex with monkeys and smoking weed with Indians doesn't quite reach his usual standards. Then, suddenly, he's on top of his game again, his material like an echo of vintage Lenny Bruce as he discusses why whites drink grape juice and blacks drink "grape drink," why police harassment has led him to believe in impromptu alibis, and why the culture of celebrity should stay away from real-world issues: "Maybe Jah Rule doesn't have the answers we want in a disaster." --Tom Keogh

Taken together, Richard Pryor's concert films, the essential Live in Concert, the virtuoso Live on the Sunset Strip, and even the lesser Here and Now, provide a more incisive autobiographical portrait of the groundbreaking comedian than the fictionalized Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling. In Sunset Strip, Pryor relates two life-changing experiences. The first is his trip to "the motherland," Africa. As funny as is the routine in which Pryor gives voice to a couple of cheetahs poised to prey on unsuspecting gazelles, he brings the audience up short with a moving revelation that leads him to forswear ever again calling another black person the "N-word." The second, of course, is his near-fatal freebasing accident, which Pryor at first jokingly passes off as an accident involving milk and cookies. Then, he takes the audience step by harrowing step through his growing cocaine addiction (abetted by his untrustworthy pipe which speaks to him in reassuring tones), alienation from friends, including the formidable Jim Brown ("Whatcha gonna do?"), the explosion that resulted in third-degree burns over the upper half of his body, and finally, the agonizing rehab. It is even more unflinching and savagely funny than his Live in Concert routine about his heart attack. Other memorable bits include his experiences as a 19-year-old stand-up comedian working at a Mafia-owned club, a monologue from one of his signature characters, Mudbone, and his visit to a penitentiary while filming Stir Crazy. Sunset Strip captures Pryor's triumphant return to the stage. He is a survivor, unbowed, winning this round over the demons that plagued him throughout his career. --Donald Liebenson

Dave Chappelle: For What It's Worth: Comedian Dave Chappelle does what he does best in this outrageous and hilarious standup performance, which allows him to really push the envelope and go even farther than he does on his TV show. Taped in San Francisco at the famed Fillmore, Chappelle lets loose on such topics as black celebrities, what it's like to have raunchy fans of his TV show approach him while he's trying to enjoy Disneyland with his kids, Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant and crackheads, of course.

Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip: If Richard Pryor were accused of being the funniest man in America, this film of his incredible stage act would be Exhibit A. It is proof beyond the shadow of a doubt! Shot live at the Hollywood Palladium, the film captures all the excitement, lunacy and electric force of a Pryor performance. And though he's the only star of this hilarious show, he's never alone on stage. With him is his amazing array of characterizations as he talks about his trip to Africa in search of his roots, his early days playing one-night gigs in Mafia-owned clubs and strip joints, and numerous other outrageous topics. Finally, he talks about Pryor on Fire - a recounting of the accident which nearly took his life -an episode he relates with wit and a touch of poignancy. You'll laugh like you've never laughed before!