PAJAMA PARTY (1964) -- Movie Review by Porfle

 

Originally posted on 6/7/21

 

Currently rewatching: If you ever wondered what a cinematic insane asylum would look like, search no farther than PAJAMA PARTY (1964).  

The fourth entry in American-International's "Beach Party" series, it takes everything from the previous films, adds a bunch of bad-sitcom-level situations, strips away any logic, dignity, and sense it may have had, and dumps it all in an industrial-strength cuisinart with no lid.

This time, the beach is barely an afterthought--we get a couple of scenes of our youthful protagonists cavorting in the sand, playing volleyball, dancing along with a dynamic young Toni Basil (who would spend the rest of the 60s in such films as VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS and EASY RIDER), and grooving to the poppy song stylings of Donna Loren.

 

After that, the gang hang out around the swimming pool of a big old mansion belonging to Aunt Wendy (Elsa Lanchester, the BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN herself) and getting ready for the big titular (so to speak) pajama party.

The mansion next door, as it turns out, houses con man J. Sinister Hulk (Jesse White, known to most boomers as the Maytag repairman) and his henchpersons Buster Keaton (as wacky Indian, Chief Rotten Eagle), gorgeous Bobbi Shaw in her trademark fur-lined gold lame' bikini, and a simpering toady named Fleegle (Ben Lessy), who are scheming to steal a hidden fortune in cash from their neighbor, Aunt Wendy.

But as if that weren't enough, Tommy Kirk (VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS, IT'S A BIKINI WORLD) stars as Go Go, a Martian sent to Earth to scout things out in preparation for an invasion. As fate would have it, he not only starts to like the life of an Earth teen, but also falls head over heels for everyone's beach bunny sweetheart, Annette. 

 

Still hanging in there from the first three films are motorcycle gang the Rats, led by the vain but totally incompetent Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck), who still can't stand the idea of these surf bums invading their beach or its environs. If you thought they were funny before, you'll continue to enjoy their usual antics and wait expectantly for Lembeck to utter his immortal line: "Why me? Why me all the time?"

If that sounds like a lot of plot for a simple teen movie, it is. Everything is dumped into a pot to boil with the various plotlines bubbling randomly to the surface, with editing that looks like film footage was chopped into pieces, tossed like a salad, and then stuck together by a nearsighted chimp.

All of which is to say that PAJAMA PARTY should appeal to those who enjoyed the undiluted silliness of the first three films but were put off by the occasional brief moments of sanity. Here, the constant clash between all the doggedly farcical plotlines results in an epic concentration of pure cinematic stupid that assails the viewer with an exhilarating abandon.

 

This includes what may be the wackiest chase sequence in the entire series--and that's saying a lot--which includes, of course, Von Zipper and his gang. The result is something that makes Looney Toons look like British drawing room drama. A few minutes in, and I'd forgotten who was chasing whom, and why, and it didn't matter.

The final segment of the film depicts what happens when poolside pajama party, bungling burglary, and impending invasion from Mars all come together to the music of generic rock 'n' roll band The Nooney Rickett Four. The Rats show up (naturally) in red long johns, just in time to engage the pajama set in a riotous free-for-all brawl that's mostly in fast-motion with lots of cartoon sound effects.

Many of the familiar background players (such as dancing dervish Candy Johnson) are back, with the addition of the aforementioned Toni Basil and future comedy legend Teri Garr. The highlight of the film for me is the presence of the incomparable Susan Hart in various states of...well, being Susan Hart. (Just for the record, she looks better in a red nightie than anybody else, ever.)

 

 

Hollywood icon Dorothy Lamour gets to sing one of the film's many awful songs, while Don Rickles and a certain young teen idol we all know and love appear in cameos as Martians.

Oddly, the returning stars play completely different characters than before. Annette is no longer "Dee Dee" but is now "Connie", and Jody McCrea, previously known as "Deadhead", is now Connie's beefcake boyfriend, "Big Lunk", who is so obsessed with volleyball that he drives Connie into the arms of neophyte Earth visitor Tommy Kirk.

It's difficult for mere words to convey just how...well, stupid all of this is. It's actually quite a staggering achievement in stupid, one which I found impressive even as I winced and cringed my way through it. Granted, I love this kind of stuff. But to watch PAJAMA PARTY is to gorge one's self on pure, concentrated stupid the way you might eat an entire gooey cheesecake with a spoon in one sitting. 

PAJAMA PARTY (1964) -- Movie Review by Porfle

THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

 Originally posted 8/20/2018

 

When actor-turned-filmmaker Del Tenney made a deal to direct some drive-in fodder for the teen crowd, one of the all-time trash classics he fooled around and came up with was the delirious THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH (1964).

Though made in the 60s, it contains surefire elements from the biggest teen hits of the 50s--rock and roll, monsters, hot rods, teen angst, and bad comedy--and mixes them with then-current stuff like bikini beach scenes and even a good deal of H. G. Lewis-style gore a la "Blood Feast."

Done in an amateurish yet freewheeling, dumb-fun style that packs in as much of the above elements as it will hold and, unlike many grade-Z flicks, doesn't let up for a minute, the result is a movie that's often funny, creepy, and refreshingly entertaining in spite of itself.

The very first minute of the film features drag racing and motorcycles--courtesy of an actual local bike gang--along with the first of six goofy rock and roll songs by the Del-Aires (in what was billed as "the first horror monster musical.")

We see Hank (John Scott) arguing with his girlfriend Tina (Marilyn Clarke) as they pull into the parking lot of the local beach, where Tina is intent on living it up while Hank insists they begin to act their age. The beach party sequence is real "poor man's" Frankie and Annette stuff, filmed in dreary black and white on a beach in Connecticut and interspersed with some of the worst comedy dialogue exchanges ever.

Meanwhile, fast-chick Tina goes nuts, bumping and grinding to "The Zombie Stomp" with a greasy-haired biker amidst the bikini-clad onlookers and prompting Hank to release his violent side as a big poorly-choreographed fight breaks out.

When Tina runs off into the ocean to escape Hank's disdain, she's attacked and ripped to pieces (and splattered liberally with Bosco chocolate syrup) by a horrific amphibian creature that has recently been created when some radioactive waste carelessly dumped into the water got mixed up with the sodden bodies of recently-drowned sailors.

These monsters (they grow in number with every scene) are real lulus of bad creature design, looking like poor relations of the Black Lagoon creature with ping-pong-ball eyes and what appear to be big bundles of hot dogs sticking out of their mouths.  But just the fact that such relatively elaborate costumes were made for this low-budget flick is impressive.

The rest of THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH becomes a series of monster attacks in the nearby small town with Dr. Gavin (Allan Laurel), his apprentice Hank, and his daughter Elaine (Alice Lyon), now Hank's prospective girlfriend after the untimely death of Tina, applying all their scientific skills to helping the local cops find a way to track down and destroy the creature menace.

This allows Tenney and company to stage a progression of delightful creature carnage sequences which include an all-girl slumber party massacre, three girls on their way to New York getting tragically sidetracked (the wisecracking blonde in this segment is actually quite funny), and a couple of drunks stumbling their way into the path of the monsters.  (One of the drunks is actor Wayne Tippit of "JFK" and "Nurse Betty", perhaps the only recognizable face in the film.) These scenes include not only lots of fake blood but some nicely-done gore makeup.

While all this is going on, we're treated to the high-jinx of Dr. Gavin's matronly black maid Eulabelle (Eulabelle Moore--yes, that was her real name) going around fretting "It's the voodoo, that's what it is!", and an increasingly ridiculous scientific investigation that results in the good guys hurling handfuls of sodium at the finny fiends.  (The resulting fish-fry pyrotechnics are pretty well done.)

The Severin Blu-ray itself is a 2k scan from the original negative and, needless to say, looks way, way better than I've ever seen it before. (And probably way more uncut, too.)

Severin, as usual, comes through with the bonus features as well, including archival footage of Del Tenney himself discussing his career in general and this film in particular.  "Return to Party Beach" is an informative retrospective documentary, while another featurette offers two of the Del-Aires with an interview and a live performance of "The Zombie Stomp."  In "Shock and Roll", filmaker Tim Sullivan discusses rock and roll horror movies.  The film's trailer is also included.

There are a lot of "so bad it's good" movies out there, with some of them being only passably entertaining with brief moments of fun amidst long stretches of boredom.  THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH, on the other hand, has a kind of magically bad quality that makes it total, almost giddy fun from start to finish.  This one's got everything and lots of it, and watching it makes me feel like a kid at the drive-in again.


Buy Blu-ray or DVD from Severin Films

THE HORROR OF PARTY BEACH -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

Originally posted on 4/15/18

 

The best way to get a bunch of famous entertainers together, it seems, is to hold a big self-congratulatory ceremony full of gushing tributes in their honor and start throwing awards at them.
 
Time-Life's new 2-disc Blu-ray set ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT is a document of four such awards shows from 2014-2017, and sure enough, there are tons and tons of famous musicians seemingly coming out of the woodwork to be there to speechify and perform.

Each of the dozens of inductees, both groups and solo artists, gets one of those gushing tribute speeches from a fellow musician/fan and then performs a selection of their best songs.  Those who have passed on or couldn't make it have their songs reverently interpreted by others. 

Needless to say, it's a grab-bag of goodies and not-so-goodies, and your enjoyment of these four celebrity-packed events as a whole will depend on how eclectic your musical tastes are.  But no matter what you're into, you're likely to find at least some of it here.

One of the main attractions is the fact that some of these bands are reuniting for the first time in years and feature members from different lineups who haven't performed together before.

And some of the sets have special guests joining in to form impromptu all-star bands with various frontmen, lead guitarists, etc. all combining their considerable forces.

My favorite segment is when one of my all-time favorite bands, prog-rock pioneers Yes, finally gets their long-overdue accolades.  After an introductory speech by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush, Lee takes the late Chris Squire's place on bass for a kickass rendition of "Roundabout" followed by "Owner of a Lonely Heart", with members from most of the group's incarnations represented.

Another favorite is the (again long-overdue) induction of Ringo Starr by Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney himself. I love Ringo and it's great whenever he gets his time in the sun as he does here, performing with one of those all-star bands including Paul, Joe Walsh, and more.

Other artists honored include Electric Light Orchestra, Peter Gabriel, Nirvana, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Stevie Ray Vaughan (brother Jimmie performs in his place),Lou Reed, Deep Purple, Cheap Trick, NWA, Bill Withers, Joan Baez, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Chicago, Journey, Green Day, Cat Stevens, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Tupac Shakur, and Pearl Jam.

As one might guess, the fawning induction speeches are a seriously hit-or-miss proposition.  Some are rather charming, as the one for ELO by George Harrison's son Dhani, and McCartney's for Ringo. Most are insufferably boring. A few, such as Miley Cyrus' monologue on Joan Jett, are downright obnoxious. 

The often-rambling acceptance speeches run the same gamut, albeit with much more thanking of wives, children, lifelong musical influences, etc. My favorite, surprisingly, was that of Yes keyboard whiz Rick Wakeman, whose speech took the form of a hilariously off-color stand-up comedy routine ("I think my wife's in a coma, but I'm not sure--the sex is the same, but the wash is piling up.")

If you're like me, you'll be hitting the fast-forward button to get past a lot of this and on to the music--and even skipping through much of it as well.  But those with wider tastes than mine, who scan the above list of performers and can't wait to sample most or all of their performances, will be in hog heaven throughout most of ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT.


ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT, 2014-2017

Type: DVD (4 Discs)/Blu-ray (2 Discs)
Running Time: 674 mins.
Genre: Music
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (16 x 9)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/Stereo 2.0
Bonus: illustrated program booklet
Release date: 4/24/18

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

WILD GUITAR -- Movie Review by Porfle

Originally posted on 1/25/17

 

Sometimes you just plain fall in love with a movie for no apparent reason, until you really start to think about it and the reasons begin to surface like gas bubbles in a swamp.  Watching WILD GUITAR (1962) again for the umpteenth time, courtesy of my beautiful one-dollar Digiview DVD, all those gassy little bubbles are popping in my head and making me pleasantly delirious.

More than anything, it's Arch Hall, Jr.'s film.  In fact, it's probably his best non-psycho role (his best and only psycho role being in 1963's THE SADIST).  In EEGAH! Arch played a typical teenager caught up in a prehistoric love triangle with his girlfriend and a giant caveman (Richard Kiel) in between buzzing around in his dune buggy and seranading us with his wonderfully awful original songs. 

Here, Arch is all of those things again (minus the caveman) only now the story's as meaty as a side of beef slathered in barbecue sauce.  As aspiring-but-naive rocker from Hicksville, Bud Eagle, Arch rides into Hollywood on his motorcycle and immediately meets wannabe-actress Vicki, who takes him along when she appears as a dancer on a local rock-and-roll TV show.

 

Vicki does her version of The Twist, which involves her jerkily gyrating to generic rock-and-roll racket while making spasmodic smiley faces to denote how intensely she's gettin' down.  But when the next act fails to show up, the frantic director shoves Bud onstage with his guitar, and, one twangy little tune later, he's an instant star getting mobbed by the frenzied and clearly entertainment-starved audience.

What follows is a surprisingly cynical, almost downbeat expose' of the music business.  The starstruck Bud is offered the world by a bloated, cigar-chomping bastard named Mike (Arch Hall, Sr. under the pseudonym "William Watters") only to be quickly disillusioned by how manipulative and phony the whole thing turns out to be.

Bud cuts best-selling records and does public appearances but the money all seems to go into money-hungry manager Mike's pockets.  Not only that, but his personal life is severely curtailed--he's even forbidden from pursuing budding love interest Vickie while being watched over by Mike's slimy toady, Steak (director Ray Dennis Steckler acting as "Cash Flagg").

The rest of the story plays out in seriocomic fashion with Bud being kidnapped for ransom by three overtly farcical characters and then conspiring with them to turn it all against his tyrannical keepers.  The comedy consists of a lot of pleasantly dumb dialogue and mugging, but the film always maintains its serious side--especially when one of Mike's washed-up former stars shows up and clues Bud in on what a disposable property he really is.

Unlike many low, low budgeted films of this nature, WILD GUITAR has no slow spots and no padding since the script (co-written by Arch Hall, Sr. as "Nicholas Merriwether") is packed with incident, moving briskly from one interesting scene to another with barely any time to dawdle. 

Bud's come-up includes an eye-opening encounter with teenaged "fan club" presidents who are paid by Mike to like him and a harrowing experience with an overripe sex bomb thrown his way to make him forget Vickie (who, inevitably, catches them together and gets the wrong idea).

 

Arch Hall, Jr. carries the film with the totally unintentional charm of a big, goofy kid eager to please, both in character and as a young actor doing his best in the role (and wanting to please his enterprising pop, no doubt) and apparently enjoying himself. 

With a huge blond ducktail that's like a caricature of itself and that pudgy, utterly guileless face, Arch pretty much becomes happy-go-lucky hick Bud Eagle, an impression made even stronger by the fact that he's performing his own tepid but endearing songs in his own inimitable style. 

One of them, "Vickie", is a holdover from EEGAH!, only this time he actually has someone with that name to perform it for.  As Vickie Wills, blond semi-cutie Nancy Czar has an equally goofy charm and proves to be a pretty good ice skater when (shades of ROCKY) Vickie and Bud have a skating date in her uncle's deserted ice rink. 

And then there's "Cash Flagg" (nee Ray Dennis Steckler) as Steak, sliming things up and giving the film it's nastiest edge.  As director, Ray comes through with some nice low-rent noir here and there--even with his limited talents, he could deliver a watchable enough flick back when low-budget movies were a lot harder to make. (He even had future Oscar winner Vilmos "William" Zsigmond as second-unit photographer.)

That said, one of the most charming and enjoyable aspects of WILD GUITAR is the sheer silliness of its musical sequences.  The endearingly game Arch Hall, Jr. plucks and croons his way through those priceless schlock-a-billy ditties of his as Steckler's camera flits around giving us silly closeups of the grinning, head-bobbing bandmembers to show us how crazy and way-out it all is.

In the film's big finale, a tuxedo-clad Bud performs to a swimsuited gaggle of overaged kids (and helps invent the music video) on one of the ugliest beaches in film history as Vickie gyrates by his side, love having conquered all.  

I love the lack of ironic self-awareness in both Arch Hall, Jr.'s earnest performance and Steckler's direction.  Both also lack quite the level of clueless ineptitude one is led to expect by most accounts.  While cheap, even slapdash at times, WILD GUITAR is as disarmingly straightforward and sincere as Bud Eagle himself, and, for me, as much fun as any bottom-of-the-bill B-movie that ever played drive-ins in the South or public-domain DVD budget bins at Walmart. 


Full Movie on YouTube

WILD GUITAR -- Movie Review by Porfle

Arch Hall, Jr.'s Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Movie Hits! (video)

Arch Hall, Jr.'s Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Movie Hits!

"Konga Joe" (The Choppers, 1961)
"Monkey In My Hatband" (The Choppers, 1961)
"Valerie" (Eegah, 1961)
"Brownsville Road" (Eegah, (1961)
"Yes I Will" (Wild Guitar, 1962)
"I'm Growin' Taller" (Wild Guitar, 1962)
"Vickie" (Wild Guitar, 1962)
"Jackie" (The Nasty Rabbit, aka Spies A Go-Go, 1963)
"Twist Fever" (Wild Guitar, 1962)

Originally posted on 5/12/18
I neither own nor claim any rights to this material.  Just having some fun with it.  Thanks for watching!

Arch Hall, Jr.'s Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Movie Hits! (video)

JIMI HENDRIX: THE GUITAR HERO -- DVD review by porfle

Originally posted on 9/3/10

 

It's hard to mess up a Jimi Hendrix documentary as long as you include plenty of performance footage of Jimi doing his thing.  Which is pretty much where JIMI HENDRIX: THE GUITAR HERO (2009) goes wrong. 

What we get instead are plenty of talking heads telling us what was so special about the legendary performer and his music.  Granted, it's a pretty good gathering of people who either knew Hendrix or had fateful encounters with him, and they have some interesting stories and insights to share.  Stephen Stills, Dave Mason, Mick Taylor, Eric Burdon, Lemmy of "Motorhead" (who refers to one of Hendrix' albums as "Electric Landlady"), and Mickey Dolenz are among those who get the most screen time, backed by briefer clips (some consisting of old footage) of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Paul Rodgers, Chris Squire, Alan White, Bev Bevan, and photographer Henry Diltz.  Slash, lead guitarist of Guns N Roses, narrates and offers his own comments about Hendrix' influence on him. 

Unfortunately, most of this is about as interesting as a documentary about NASA's Apollo program that doesn't have any footage of the moon landing.  Hendrix is seen mostly in still photos and silent film clips which, incredibly, are accompanied mainly by other people's music.  When a summary of his early life touches on his first trip to New York, we hear Nilsson's "Everybody's Talkin'."  A look at Jimi's freaky London-inspired wardrobe brings on the Kinks' "Dedicated Follower of Fashion", while his later downward spiral into drugs and career frustrations elicits, of all things, several minutes of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man." 

When Dave Mason mentions playing acoustic guitar on the Dylan cover "All Along the Watchtower", we then see about two minutes of Mason onstage in 2002 playing the song.  Even during footage of Jimi performing at Woodstock, we hear Bob Dylan singing "Like a Rolling Stone."  And amidst the numerous scenes of other people talking about him, Hendrix himself speaks only a couple of times in some brief, hard-to-hear interview clips.
 

Only a few samples of Jimi Hendrix music are heard at various points in the film--one is a snippet of "Wild Thing", and another is a minute or two of "Hey Joe", which is included in its entirety in the bonus menu.  Other than that, the only Hendrix music I recall is an instrumental with Curtis Knight entitled "Level" which is heard over the closing credits.  The various commentators speak at length about the origins of Hendrix' style and the technical aspects of his music, but we hear precious little of it ourselves.  It's both puzzling and terribly disappointing.

The main reason for watching JIMI HENDRIX: THE GUITAR HERO (besides seeing what some of the old rock stars look like these days) is the presence of Jimi's younger brother Leon, whom Jimi helped raise after their parents' breakup.  The talkative Leon has endless anecdotes about his brother and how music became such a driving force in his life, most of which can be found in a lengthy interview segment on the bonus menu. 

Leon's reminiscences humanize Jimi more than any others in the film--we learn, among other things, that his boyhood nickname was "Buster" after his hero Buster "Flash Gordon" Crabbe, that he learned to play on a one-string ukulele found in a neighbor's garage, and that he once took his father's radio apart (and was soundly spanked for it) trying to find out where the music came from.  As Leon's stories indicate, this quest to experience music to its fullest was the driving ambition of Jimi's short life. 

The DVD from Image Entertainment is in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo with no subtitles.  Extras include extended interviews, two photo galleries, the Jimi Hendrix Experience (with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell) performing "Hey Joe" live at the Marquee, and, for no particular reason, eight minutes of Henry Diltz' silent 8mm home movie footage of the Monkees on tour.  Of special interest is the beautifully-illustrated 20-page booklet included with the disc, with detailed liner notes by Diltz and Laura Rojko.

For fans already familiar with his recorded legacy, JIMI HENDRIX: THE GUITAR HERO should prove somewhat interesting for its historical details and personal accounts.  However, if you don't know much about Jimi Hendrix' music before watching it, you won't know much about it afterwards, either.  You'll be aware of his techniques, inspirations, and life experiences, but as far as the music itself is concerned, you might as well read a book about it.

Buy it at Amazon.com

JIMI HENDRIX: THE GUITAR HERO -- DVD review by porfle

"CREATING WOODSTOCK" Documentary Tells Story Behind How It All Really Happened In 1969

CREATING WOODSTOCK

As the future of Woodstock 50 remains uncertain, a new documentary shows how festival founders made the unimaginable possible in 1969

Los Angeles, CA (June 11, 2019) – With the future of the highly anticipated Woodstock 50 music festival unclear, a younger generation may not know that the original “Three Days of Peace and Music” were also plagued by uncertainty, last-minute venue changes, a lack of headliners and permits… and in fact it almost didn’t happen! With more than 70 hours of interviews with Woodstock producers, planners, and performers – director Mick Richards, who attended the 1969 festival as a teenager, has created the most comprehensive and deeply researched look back at how the event came to be in CREATING WOODSTOCK.

Three decades in the making, CREATING WOODSTOCK resurrects the original site blueprints, features interviews with the founders of Woodstock Ventures – John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Michael Lang, and Artie Kornfield – and takes viewers from the initial idea of the “happening” to the moments when the last festival goer stumbled off Max Yasgur’s once pastural alfalfa field. Cinema Libre Studio has acquired the feature length documentary for a late July release.

“The producers, and everybody working on the original festival 50 years ago, somehow made it happen,” says Mick Richards, director of CREATING WOODSTOCK. “They were the finest production talent of their time and through professionalism, strength of will and sheer tenacity the festival happened, with a few minor glitches. So just like in ‘69, I’m confident that if there is a way to bring Woodstock 50 to fruition, the producers will find it.”

The documentary features never-before-seen private film and rare archival video footage, original interviews with key figures, and uncovered photographs that show just how much went in to pulling off the impossible. First-hand accounts of little known stories are woven throughout the film, such as when Jimi Hendrix was stranded at the airport and hitched a ride to the site, or when a bank manager was awoken in the middle of the night to get money to pay The Who, which then needed to be helicoptered to them before they would go on stage – much like the personal supply of strawberries that Janis Joplin required.

Synopsis: For three days in August 1969, nearly a half-million young people descended upon Max Yasgur's farm in upstate New York for the rock ‘n’ roll event that defined a generation. Mythologized for 50 years, the filmmakers set the record straight with "Creating Woodstock,” the most comprehensive examination of how the festival came to be using original interviews with key figures, rare archival footage and unearthed photographs.



The founders of Woodstock Ventures – John Roberts, Joel Rosenman, Michael Lang, and Artie Kornfeld – along with the best production talent on either coast, including John Morris, Bill Belmont, Mel Lawrence, and Chip Monck recall moments from the initial idea for the festival, to the search for a suitable site and then the race to build a venue, promote the event and, most importantly, book the bands.

Find out why the Grateful Dead wanted a “do over" and Crosby, Stills & Nash weren’t going to show up, why The Who refused to play and Jimi Hendrix almost didn’t make it, and how it turned into a free concert. Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, and Leslie West recount their experiences, including performing on a stage that nearly collapsed, and learn how a 15-year-old girl may have saved the festival from being shut down entirely!

Trailer: www.CreatingWoodstock.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/CreatingWoodstock
Directed by: Mick Richards

Audio: STEREO  |  Ratio: 16x9  |  Region: 0  |  Genre: Documentary  |  TRT:  111 mins  |  Language: English  |  Rating: Unrated


ABOUT CINEMA LIBRE
Cinema Libre Studio is a full-service mini-studio known for producing and distributing high caliber feature films and social impact documentaries.  Headquartered in the Los Angeles area, the team has released over 200 films.

cinemalibrestudio.com  | facebook.com/cinemalibrestudio | twitter.com/cinemalibre

"CREATING WOODSTOCK" Documentary Tells Story Behind How It All Really Happened In 1969

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

It's a well-known fact that many of us worship rock stars.  Even rock stars worship other rock stars, and one of their favorite activities seems to be getting together in huge gatherings in order to worship, entertain, and bore each other.

The "entertaining" part is what makes Time-Life's new 2-disc Blu-ray set ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE worth watching if you happen to like some of the many stars on hand to perform during the four separate induction ceremonies (2010-2013) that it documents.

The "worship" part gets a bit cloying at times as those chosen to induct certain stars into the hallowed hall tend to gush at length over the seemingly godlike objects of their slavering admiration.

That's also where the "boring" part comes in and hits hard--these people are musicians, not speakers, and their amateur efforts to wax both humorous and profound are the stuff fast-forward buttons were made for.

The same goes, unfortunately, for many of those artists' sleep-inducing and sometimes self-important acceptance speeches.  The best one, in fact, is given by lead guitarist Alex Lifeson of Rush, whose entire speech consists solely of the words "blah, blah, blah" expressed with varied emphasis and intonation, which serves not only to liven things up a bit but also to spoof the overall dullness of the event's endless speechifying.

Naturally, your interest in said speeches will vary with your degree of devotion to each particular musician.  What really counts, however, is the musical performances by the inductees themselves or by other artists' covering their most popular songs.

This 2-disc set is jam-packed with musical performances which should have fans rocking and rolling Hall-of-Fame style.  I couldn't stand many of them (strictly personal tastes, of course) but the audience seemed to find them highly "entertaining."  I responded likewise to some of my old faves.

The list of inductees and musical performers includes: Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donovan, Heart, Alice Cooper, John Mellencamp, The Hollies, Leon Russell, Dr. John, Iggy and the Stooges, Abba, Genesis, Phish, Paul Shaffer, Tom Waits, Darlene Love, Small Faces/Faces, Beastie Boys, Freddie King, Randy Newman, Albert King, Quincy Jones, Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins, Public Enemy, and several others.

An illustrated booklet contains the entire program for each of the four ceremonies.

Image and sound quality on the two Time-Life Blu-ray discs are fine, so your enjoyment of ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE will depend entirely on how excited you get perusing the list of participants.  For some it should be of sporadic interest. For others, it will provide hours of pure entertainment.

Street Date: September 21, 2018
BD/DVD SRP: $39.99/$34.99

ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE -- Blu-ray Review by Porfle

From Rush and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Abba and Alice Cooper, Get Front Row Seats to "ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE", on BD/DVD on 9/21

FROM RUSH, HEART AND RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS TO ABBA, ALICE COOPER AND ALBERT KING, GET FRONT ROW SEATS TO NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY CONCERTS

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE
Street Date: September 21, 2018
BD/DVD SRP: $39.99/$34.99

Available for the First Time at Retail on Any Format, the Four Hall of Fame Ceremonies Featured (2010-2013) Include 44 Iconic Performances from Inductees Such as Genesis, The Stooges, The Hollies, Tom Waits, Dr. John, Leon Russell, Darlene Love, Freddie King, Donovan, Small Faces/Faces, Heart, Rare Artist Collaborations and More!

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Each year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors rock music's pioneering figures during a prestigious black-tie ceremony. As the Hall of Fame enters its third decade, it's these singular induction ceremonies-featuring the biggest names in classic rock from the '60s, '70s and '80s-that have become nearly as epic as the artists they celebrate.

This September, join in the festivities with front row seats to four incredible induction ceremonies with ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE. Never before available at retail on any format, these memorable live concert events from 2010-2013 are filled with the collaborations and jam sessions that have made Rock Hall concerts legendary. And with on-stage reunions, unforgettable induction speeches and iconic performances, these once-in-a-lifetime events will be available at retail in a 2-disc Blu-ray and 4-disc DVD configuration.

Among the singular highlights:
The legendary Canadian power trio Rush performing fiery classics Tom Sawyer and The Spirit of Radio for their fervent fans.
Red Hot Chili Peppers leading a searing all-star jam session of Higher Ground anchored by Slash and Ron Wood. 
Heart going Crazy on You before being joined onstage by fellow members of Seattle rock royalty from Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains.
Alice Cooper ripping into ferocious versions of Eighteen and Under My Wheels before closing the set with Rob Zombie on School's Out.
The Hurdy Gurdy Man Donovan is joined onstage by John Mellencamp for a chilling performance of Season of the Witch.
Complete HOF induction speeces including Don Henley inducting Randy Newman, Neil Young inducting Tom Waits and many more.
The Rock Hall induction ceremonies further immortalize the legends of rock and the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE puts four singular and electric concerts together into one spectacular collection -- a must-have for music lovers everywhere!

About Time Life
Time Life is one of the world's pre-eminent creators and direct marketers of unique music and video/DVD products, specializing in distinctive multi-media collections that evoke memories of yesterday, capture the spirit of today, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. TIME LIFE and the TIME LIFE logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's mission is to engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. The institution carries out its mission by giving voice to the stories of the people, artifacts and events that shaped rock and roll - through Museum exhibits, materials in the Museum's Library and Archives, traveling exhibitions, and a wide array of innovative educational programs and activities. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays (and Saturdays through Labor Day), the Museum is open until 9 p.m. For more information, please call 216.781.ROCK (7625), visit rockhall.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@rock_hall) and Instagram (@rockhall).

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT, 2010-2014
 
Type: DVD (4 Discs)/Blu-ray (2 Discs)
Running Time: 481 mins.
Genre: Music DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (16 x 9)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/Stereo 2.0

From Rush and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Abba and Alice Cooper, Get Front Row Seats to "ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT: ENCORE", on BD/DVD on 9/21

See Legendary, Never-Before-Released Live Concerts with Time-Life's Multi-Disc Set, "ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT" -- 4/24

"Watch out for the music. It should come with a health warning: It can and should make you think the world can be a better place." -- Peter Gabriel

THIS APRIL, TIME LIFE GIVES HOME AUDIENCES FRONT ROW SEATS TO LEGENDARY, NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED LIVE CONCERTS FEATURING THE BIGGEST NAMES IN CLASSIC ROCK

"ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT"

Available for the First Time at Retail on Any Format, the Four Hall of Fame Ceremonies Featured Include 53 Live Performances from Iconic Inductees Such as Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, Peter Gabriel, Green Day, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Journey, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ringo Starr, Rush and Yes -- Rare Artist Collaborations and More!

The DVD (4 Discs; $34.99srp) and Blu-ray (2 Discs; $39.99srp) Sets Will Be Available on April 24, 2018, Currently Available to Pre-Order Today; Also Available Day-and-Date AreFive ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT Digital Albums ($9.99srp) Available on iTunes, Amazon and Leading Digital Platforms

FAIRFAX, VA (March 13, 2018) -Each year, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honors rock music's pioneering figures during a prestigious, black-tie ceremony. As the Hall of Fame enters its third decade, it's these singular induction ceremonies -- featuring the biggest names in classic rock from the '60s, '70s and '80s - that have become nearly as iconic as the artists they celebrate. This April, Time Life and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame give home audiences front row seats to the four most recent incredible induction ceremonies with ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME: IN CONCERT.

Never before available at retail on any format, these four memorable live concert events are filled with the kind of collaborations and jam sessions that have made Rock Hall concerts legendary. With egos set aside -- in many cases original band lineups perform together for the first time in years -- inductees and friends take the stage to deliver once-in-a-lifetime performances, often with a truly mind-blowing combination of talent.

"From the first induction ceremony in 1986, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has sought to honor the top names in all genres of rock 'n' roll," says Joel Peresman, President of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. "These ceremonies have provided unique once-in-a-lifetime moments as the inductees and presenters come together to celebrate the legacy of these artists and it's a privilege to produce this important part of music history and to share it with you!"

This ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT, 2014-2017 set - a must-have for every music lover -- features poignant reunions, moving and often hilarious induction speeches, and 53 iconic performances.

Among the unforgettable highlights on the DVD and Blu-ray sets:

Bruce Springsteen joining inductees E Street Band for the deep cut classic "E Street Shuffle" from the Boss's second album, from 1973.
Legendary grunge-rock group Pearl Jam delivering thundering performances of "Alive," "Given to Fly" and "Better Man."
The two surviving members of Nirvana joined on stage by Lorde, Annie Clark, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett for emotional renderings of the group's biggest hits.
Cat Stevens performing a spine-tingling version of "Father & Son" that turned the massive Barclay Center quiet as a church.
Journey performs three classics: "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)," "Lights" and "Don't Stop Believin'."
Ringo Starr being welcomed into the Rock Hall with a little help from Paul McCartney.
Original Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos joining the band for the first time in 6 years tearing through their early hits including "Surrender" and "Dream Police."
Five of the original members of Chicago performing on stage for the first time in 25 years.
Features complete Hall of Fame Induction speeches including Coldplay's Chris Martin inducting Peter Gabriel and Metallica's Lars Ulrich inducting Deep Purple.
Day-and-date, Time Life will also release the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT Digital Album Collection. Comprised of five digital releases respectively spanning the ceremonies from 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014, 2015 and 2016-7 (each priced at $9.99), they will contain the same groundbreaking live performances from the home entertainment sets, with bonus performances from Rush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Alice Cooper, Donovan, Dr. John, Heart, The Hollies, Darlene Love, Leon Russell, Small Faces/Faces, The Stooges, Tom Waits and others. The digital releases will be available on iTunes, Amazon and all other leading digital retailers.

About Time Life
Time Life is one of the world's pre-eminent creators and direct marketers of unique music and video/DVD products, specializing in distinctive multi-media collections that evoke memories of yesterday, capture the spirit of today, and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. TIME LIFE and the TIME LIFE logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc. and affiliated companies used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc., which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc.

About the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's mission is to engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll. The institution carries out its mission by giving voice to the stories of the people, artifacts and events that shaped rock and roll - through Museum exhibits, materials in the Museum's Library and Archives, traveling exhibitions, and a wide array of innovative educational programs and activities. The Museum is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Wednesdays (and Saturdays through Labor Day), the Museum is open until 9 p.m. For more information, please call 216.781.ROCK (7625), visit rockhall.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@rock_hall) and Instagram (@rockhall).

ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT, 2014-2017

Type: DVD (4 Discs)/Blu-ray (2 Discs)
Running Time: 674 mins.
Genre: Music
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (16 x 9)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1/Stereo 2.0

See Legendary, Never-Before-Released Live Concerts with Time-Life's Multi-Disc Set, "ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN CONCERT" -- 4/24