Spike Jones: The Legend
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Movie Reviews of Spike Jones: The Legend
Movie Review: Golden Spike's Age of Television
Summary: 5 Stars
It's about time! There's been precious little available on DVD of Spike Jones and his City Slickers. Now, four hours of his 1951 and 1952 TV specials are available in this box set.
Spike toured America with his "Musical Depreciation Revue" in the 1940s and 50s. Those days are gone, of course. But these shows -- particularly the Feburary 1951 "Colgate Comedy Hour" -- is basically the one surviving documentation of what Spike's two hour stage show was like.
These shows were broadcast live. No editing or overdubbing was possible. Bloopers abound, as well as many spontanious moments. But that's not a bad thing. In fact, it's great fun -- a ride in a time machine back to early television and unique musical theatrics.
The original commercials (many featuring Spike and the gang) are left intact. (Yes, that's the voice of Jackson "Bluto" Beck on the Fab detergent commercial!) The original title cards and NBC network signoffs are here, too.
Keep in mind, the picture quality varies a lot from scene to scene. There was no videotape in those days, and the surviving film was made by pointing a 16mm camera at a black and white television monitor! Still, the transfers from film have been made with tender loving care, and are really quite watchable. I should add that if you were watching the show live, the picture was probably no better. Those out of focus shots were broadcast that way! This was 1950 technology, but it was "cutting edge" at the time!
There is a disc of bonus material, totaling about 25 minutes, with Weird Al's comments, memories from Joe Siracusa (the drummer on these shows, and one of the few surviving cast members), the late Thurl Ravenscroft explaining what was supposed to have happened during one of the gags that fell apart, and even two 1960s clips: a "Person to Person" interview, and a Spike Jones stand-up comedy bit from the "Ed Sullivan Show."
If that's not enough, a bonus audio CD is included, featuring two episodes of a 1945 NBC radio pilot. Not only do Spike and the gang play some of their big hits, but perform in a goofy sitcom that ties the music together. (Red Ingle steals the show as a college jock!) These radio performances have never been broadcast or circulated to the public before.
You've heard Spike Jones' records. But if you've never seen him, you're missing half the fun! And this box set is bound to be your best opportunity to do just that.
Movie Review: THE TITLE DOESN'T LIE!
Summary: 5 Stars
Whether you are a long-time fan, or just discovering the genius of Spike Jones this is one boxed set you simply must have-"Spike Jones-The Legend" delivers. So little of Jones' visiual work is available and that is a shame for recordings alone, as good as they are, only capture half the fun of The City Slickers Musical Depreciation Reviews.
Watching these great old shows from televison's "Golden Age", it's almost staggering to see just how much sheer talent is (nearly) contained on one stage. Each and every band member, a genuine musical comedian in their own right offers up as many laughs as notes, while Jones, pistol in hand stands nearby leading, particpating and above all, appreciating the zaniness that unfolds around him. Add to the mix some variety acts of the day, a few popular celebrities and the ever beautiful songbird Helen Grayco nearby to restore some sanity to the controlled lunicy and you have more than a full evening's worth of true entertainment.
This terrific DVD set takes us back to when entertainment was clean, TV was funny and you never heard the phrase "parental guidence is suggested". While the silly man in the crazy suits often said "Thank you music lovers", after watching these shows, you will be saying "Thank you Spike Jones".
Movie Review: AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT!
Summary: 5 Stars
This a treasure trove of Spike Jones material. Spike Jones was the only man alive who could play cowbells, gargle and chew gum at the same time.
The DVDs contain classic TV performances by Spike Jones and the City Slickers from the Colgate Comedy Hour and the All Star Revue, perhaps the best examples of the variety show format and video production in television's early days (1951-2).
Other disks contain special video and audio interviews and archive material.
This is madcap television and music with adlibs and asides that allow the viewer to be "in" on the jokes. Such fun, we had tears streaming down. Made before the days of video editing, we can see the spontaneity, great music-sense, invention and comic timing of the whole Spike Jones band, without retakes.
Very funny, this is a classic piece of TV history. Thanks to Spike Jones, Jr., for restoring it and making this available.
Never has there been better ensemble television!!
Movie Review: There will never be another Spike Jones
Summary: 5 Stars
It's difficult to write this review, because I haven't stopped laughing since I put the first of the four excellent discs into my player. I've been a fan of Spike Jones since I was a kid, but being in Australia, we never got to see any of his TV appearances in the Colgate and other shows. These DVDs bring out the best of Spike's comic genius. The comedy sketches are a bit old fashioned and the rather 'in your face' commercials pushing tooth paste and cleaning agents in the Colgate shows we could do without, but the musical items are an absolute gem. Spike may have murdered the classics, but he and his masterful musicians provided an entertainment that the world desperately needs, moreso today than it ever did. Regardless of the commercials and comedy sketches which seem slow and ponderous by today's standards, the four discs in this pack are excellent value. If you don't get at least a dozen laughs out of all the discs, you'd better have your pulse checked.Movie Review: Spike Jones DVD brings back memories
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember a lot of these shows from when I was a kid and seeing them again sure was wonderful. Spike Jones and his wacky band did some crazy things back then and this set has the best. The video quality is not as good as today's are, but then again this was recorded by placing a 16mm camera at a TV set and shooting as the show went out live. Kineoscope was recorded on a wire as tape recording had not been invented yet. But it's still very enjoyable watching. Package arrived in perfect shape and on time as well.
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