Description

A mysterious traveling circus unleashes a torrent of magic and mysticism in a dusty Arizona town."In what may be the finest performance in a fantasy film" (Guide for the Film Fanatic), Tony Randall charms and spellbinds as ringmaster Dr. Lao and his multitude of faces, a virtuoso turn that earned a special Oscar for Outstanding Makeup Achievement.Step inside the tent...and marvel. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

A well told morality tale
7 Faces of Dr. Lao can be looked at in two different ways. The movie, released in 1964, can be seen as a morality lesson. It is the story of the small Arizona town of Abalone full of citizens who suffer from greed, vanity, loneliness, and pettiness. When Dr. Lao brings his mystical circus to town, the townsfolk get a good look at themselves and don't always like what they see. For today's audience the movie is a bit slow and ponderous. The film is highly predictable and you know by the end of the film that everyone gets exactly what they deserve and once the errors in their ways are pointed out to them then they will miraculously change for the better and everyone will live happily ever after.
The second, and more enjoyable, is to focus on the performance of Tony Randall. Randall is amazing as the Chinese impresario Dr. Lao. Tony Randall portrays all seven inhabitants of Dr. Lao's circus: Dr. Lao, Merlin the Magician, Medusa, The Abominable Snowman, Pan, the serpent, and Apollonius of Tyana, he also makes a brief appearance as Tony Randall. As you are watching the film you forget that it is the same man playing all those parts, and it is widely considered one of Randall's most impressive performances. William Tuttle, who won an honorary Academy Award for his astounding make-up work, flawlessly transforms Randall from one character to the next. The film also comes from Director George Pal, who is also known for directing such classics as Time Machine and War of the Worlds, brings his distinctive blending of reality and fantasy to this film. Randall's performance, along with the incredible make-up work of William Tuttle and fine direction by George Pal make this a must see film...

Strange, wonderful, uplifting
I saw this film over 25 years ago. It made a permanent imprint on me. I had never seen anything like it (and haven't, since). It's a western, and a fantasy (but not science fiction). It's also mythological and even a bit religious. It's also a wonderful, life-affirming film. I've never been a fan of Tony Randall, who I always remember as the prissy little neurotic in "The Odd Couple," but I have to give him the greatest credit in this movie (he plays six parts!) The special effects are Ray Harryhausen stop-motion (and obviously fake) but that is part of the enormous charm of this movie--as exemplified by the amusing-looking snake in the cage with a man's face on it, and the goldfish-bowl-dwelling monster than attempts to snack on Dr. Lao. In some ways this movie reminds me of Ray Bradbury's _Something Wicked This Way Comes,_ but this is a far superior film. In fact, I'd have to call it a classic.

Tony Randall Is Pure Magic (& is also a mystical Asian man!)
"Mike, the whole world is a circus if you look at it the right way. Every time you pick up a handful of dust, and see not the dust, but a mystery, a marvel, there in your hand - every time you stop and think, 'I'm alive, and being alive is fantastic!' - every time such a thing happens, Mike, you are part of the Circus of Dr. Lao." I am so glad another fine reviewer quoted this immortal passage, and I will begin with the same, for it has informed much of my life!)

My friend Carlo mentioned to me that this fine film was playing at my local library recently and I had to pause and hold back my shock - I have not yet gotten over Tony's passing, and now I was confronted by so much lost time. Was it really forty years ago that Tony Randall stepped out of the shadow of his lightly comic performances on Broadway (of course you all remember "Oh Captain!" at the Alvin?) and shattered the world (yes, the world!) with his tour de force in "Dr. Lao?"

Now - regarding critial analysis of this film over the years, far too much emphasis has been placed on George Pal's "effects" and the like for my taste. Let's turn the spotlight back on Tony and the fine job he did playing eight different personae in this tale. Eight!

I will say this without hesitation: Certainly the finest hour (or hour and thirty one minutes) of his young career. Buy this movie for that reason alone (and children will most likely enjoy it too, I suppose. But if you do not have children, then buy it for that reason alone).

Serendipity Cinema #1
This won an Oscar for Make up, but it is not the kind of film that one would think right off as an award winner. Hey, it has the feel of Roger Corman and George Pal, with a hint of Ray Harryhausen thrown in (Although I am told it was Jim Danforth and crew who did the actual fx)I remember interviewing Tony Randall years ago, when he was touring in "The Music Man." He said his main memory was having his head and eyebrows shaved. He was distressed because it gave him ``this horrible unborn look.'' All that aside, the film is a joy. It is simple, and while seeming simplistic it is far from that. It humbly powerful. There are a thousand reasons to belittle and put down this film. If if you go in with that mindset, you will find them all. But, if you give it a willing suspention of disbelief and let the magic that hints around every corner over take you, this will be a little gem that you treasure and share with others.

I'd give Seven Stars for Dr. Lao if I could
One of the most charming and wonderful fantasy films of all time. This is the story of Abelone, a dying town in the desert at the turn of the 20th century. In arrives Dr. Lao, played with great effect by Tony Randall in what is probably his best performance ever.

With him, he brings his unusual circus and its performers. Including an Abomidable Snowman (who is barely used in the film and has no scene to himself), Merlin the Magician (very good), Pan the God of Joy, The Great Serpent, Apollonius the blind fortune teller who sees the future with absolute clarity, and the Medusa.

Basically, the townspeople must decide whether to sell their town to the misguided Clint Stark (played wonderfully by Arther O' Connell) or to stay and risk going thirsty with the town's only water source coming through a crumbling and very expensive to fix pipe.

With a little help from Dr. Lao and his circus, the townspeople eventually make the right decision.

There are just too many great scenes for me to describe, nor would I want to give away too much. I would encourage you to see this movie as it's one of the best fantasy films ever made.

Unfortunatly, Tony Randall passed away recently and he never liked giving interviews about this film. Which is a real shame since the DVD extras are pretty barren. My understanding is that Mr. Randall did not like how the script left out so much of the original book and that too much attention was paid to "romance" between Barbara Eden (who is just gorgeous) and John Ericson (in a great supporting turn).

I found it rather interesting that Dr. Lao pronounces his name "Dr. Low", yet everyone else, including a very attentive boy, calls him "Dr. La-ow". As an aside, the episode of MST3K when Joel Robinson leaves the Satelite of Love for good ("Mitchell"), he recites the "Circus of Dr. Lao" poem. But he calls him "Dr. Loo". I guess no one is ever suppose to get the pronounciation right.

Look for an eight character played by Tony Randall. He appears briefly without makeup just after Dr. Lao introduces his pet fish after the "parade of performers" scene. While the crowd around him claps with delight, Tony just slowly shakes head in disbelief. A wonderful little scene. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Definitely a contender for the underwhelming title of Best Elvis Movie, this handsomely shot Western actually makes Elvis act, rather than coast on his personality. (As though to underscore the point, the two obligatory songs are dispensed with under the opening credits and in the first scene.) Don Siegel was probably the best director the King ever worked with, and he draws a quietly smoldering performance from Elvis, who was still undeniably raw. Even better, Siegel captures an existential starkness to homestead and town, and calmly makes a pro-Native American case without preaching (Elvis plays a half-breed caught between sides in an Indian vs. settlers dustup). Yes, this was 30 years before Dances with Wolves--there were actually quite a few such movies during this era. All in all, a decent picture, and an indication of where Elvis's career might have gone if he hadn't given himself over to fluff. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (19)

this is Elvis Presley at his best and with the best
i've seen all Elvis's movies, but Flaming Star is the one film whereby his talent as an actor in a dramatic role comes forth highly convincing on the screen. John McIntyre and Delores Del Rio; superbly cast as parents of two brothers who through racial conflict pull apart, then rejoin to save the life of the other. A classic western with Steve Forrest at his best and Barbara Eden in a role you can't easily forget. Too many great actors to mention here. This movie, which I do hope will be on DVD, is not shown enough on t.v. movie networks and i believe has never received the recognition it so deserves. Elvis should have won an academy award for his portrayal as Pacer. to me, there is no other Elvis movie but Flaming Star. Get your hankies out girls; toward the end of the film, when Pacer (Elvis) rides into the hills in search of the "Flaming Star".

How much violence does it take to screw up a movie?
Parents: this film was rated from the parental rating: Objectionable for children.

Elvis Presley stars in this almost gory film. Which takes Elvis into Western movies.

Elvis Preseley plays an indian in Flaming Star. His character name is Pacer Burton.

His mother (Dolores Del Rio) is killed by a white man (Douglas Dick).

And leaves home. This is not one of Elvis best movies. I am a big Elvis Presley fan.

I have seen a lot of better movies that Elvis Presley was in. Like Jailhouse Rock. He tries to prove that he can do a lot more than singing.

And in a lot of movies, he sings. But I don't see how any Elvis Presley fan whould enjoy this movie.

I'm giving this movie 2 stars for one reason. A. He doesn't sing very much in this movie. There are two songs in this movie (and none are sung after the first 10 minutes).

He ties his brother (Steve Forrest) to a horse and joins other indians.

This movie was oringally written for Marlon Brando. And dropped out of the movie and Elvis takes his place.

I might have given this movie more than two stars if more songs was added. If Elvis wasn't suppose to sing in this movie the songs should have been cut.

this is Elvis Presley at his best and with the best
i've seen all Elvis's movies, but Flaming Star is the one film whereby his talent as an actor in a dramatic role comes forth highly convincing on the screen. John McIntyre and Delores Del Rio; superbly cast as parents of two brothers who through racial conflict pull apart, then rejoin to save the life of the other. A classic western with Steve Forrest at his best and Barbara Eden in a role you can't easily forget. Too many great actors to mention here. This movie, which I do hope will be on DVD, is not shown enough on t.v. movie networks and i believe has never received the recognition it so deserves. Elvis should have won an academy award for his portrayal as Pacer. to me, there is no other Elvis movie but Flaming Star. Get your hankies out girls; toward the end of the film, when Pacer (Elvis) rides into the hills in search of the "Flaming Star".

A Good Movie
Barbara Eden is Great in the movie playing Steve Forrest's character's girlfriend.Elvis sings the theme song and in the square dance scene he sings a song though he doesn't sing any other songs after that.The movie is a western drama and a good movie.Dolores Del Rio is in the movie also.Directed by one of the best directors Don Seigel who directed Clint Eastwood.The DVD has the original movie commercial.

A billion, trillion stars!
For the star to end all stars, Elvis, this movie is greatness among a movie career that's, well, not so great. Finally on DVD, with beautiful picture quality, I adore this movie. There is no cheese here.
This is not chock full of songs, this is not a musical, and the few musical numbers here are well-done and in context. You don't get a cheesy 1960's sounding song in this 19th century western, the songs actually sound like they belong. Again I must stress, there are only a few songs and they don't take anything away from, rather they add TO the film. That man could sing, but surprise surprise, he could also act.
He is a halfbreed. Part white, part Native American. Constantly he is torn between loyalties, but moreso from this deep desire to remain fair to all in his life. The scenes of tenderness are of the utmost affection, and the scenes of violence express the real anguish of such a life. I'm not exaggerating when I say that sometimes when I watch this movie I feel as if I'm spying on a 19th century scene, it's that convincing, friends.
There is such a magical quality about this movie. It's so different from anything Elvis had done before or since that it almost seems like he would have done the film for free...he loves what he's doing and puts his soul into it.
Note that Col. Parker scoffed at the idea of "his boy" Elvis doing a "political" film like this. The Colonel was not one who liked to stir the pot too much when he felt the mixture was just right. This is one of few occasions where Elvis went ahead and did what he thought was the right project. If anyone is curious, check into the numerous films that were offered to Elvis and refused by the Colonel. Least of which was the now legendary 1968 'Comeback' Special in which Elvis both re-invents and re-establishes his throne as the King of Rock and Roll. The Colonel wanted the 1968 special to be a cheesy xmas show with Elvis in a tuxedo singing to snowmen and Santa (which would have probably been the colonel in a red suit). What a disaster and a loss that would have been.
Anyway - Elvis shines like the bright star he is in Flaming Star. Absolutely terrific, wonderful movie that I can't say enough good things about. I have not one complaint except that there weren't more cast from this dye. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
20,000 Leagues Underthe Sea gets a dose of On the Beach in Irwin Allen's visuallyimpressive but scientifically silly Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.While the Seaview, the world's most advanced experimental submarine,maneuvers under the North Pole, the Van Allen radiation belt catches fire,giving the concept "global warming" an entirely new dimension. As the Earthbroils in temperatures approaching 170 degrees F, Walter Pidgeon'smaniacally driven Admiral Nelson hijacks the Seaview and plays tag withthe world's combined naval forces on a race to the South Pacific, where he plansto extinguish the interstellar fire with a well-placed nuclear missile. Butfirst he has to fight a mutinous crew, an alarmingly effective saboteur, not onebut two giant squid attacks, and a host of design flaws that nearly cripple themission (note to Nelson: think backup generators). Barbara Eden shimmies toFrankie Avalon's trumpet solos in the most formfitting naval uniform you've everseen, fish-loving Peter Lorre plays in the shark tank, gloomy religious fanaticMichael Ansara preaches Armageddon, and Joan Fontaine looks very uncomfortableplaying an armchair psychoanalyst. It's all pretty absurd, but Allen pumps it upwith larger-than-life spectacle and lovely miniature work. --SeanAxmaker

Fantastic Voyage
2001: A Space Odyssey took the world ona mind-bending trip to outer space, but Fantastic Voyage is the originalpsychedelic inner-space adventure. When a brilliant scientist falls into a comawith an inoperable blood clot in the brain, a surgical team embarks on atop-secret journey to the center of the mind in a high-tech military submarineshrunk to microbial dimensions. Stephen Boyd stars as a colorless commander sentto keep an eye on things (though his eyes stay mostly on shapely medicalassistant Raquel Welch), while Donald Pleasance is suitably twitchy as theclaustrophobic medical consultant. The science is shaky at best, but theimaginative spectacle is marvelous: scuba-diving surgeons battle white bloodcells, tap the lungs to replenish the oxygen supply, and shoot the aorta likedaredevil surfers. The film took home a well-deserved Oscar for Best VisualEffects. Director Richard Fleischer, who turned Disney's 1954 20,000 LeaguesUnder the Sea into one of the most riveting submarine adventures of alltime, creates a picture so taut with cold-war tensions and cloak-and-daggersecrecy that niggling scientific contradictions (such as, how do miniaturizedhumans breathe full-sized air molecules?) seem moot. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Two Voyages to the Top of Cheap, Fun Entertainment!
If you love sci-fi even a little bit, and especially if you came of age in the 60's and 70's, how could you possibly go wrong getting both of these movies in widescreen format for the price of a few espresso beverages?

Sure, the science is nutty, and the effects are dated, but it's about being entertained! The effects are enjoyable and pleasing in their own retro kind of way.

My one complaint regarding "Voyage..." is that there is no ambient "ship noise", like the deep, barely perceptable humming of engines. That would have made it seem much more like a submarine than a bunch of sets.

To me, the greating single reason to watch "Voyage.." is to see Walter Pidgeon play a character so very similar to the mad scientist he played on Forbidden Planet. This time he's a "mad admiral", and he drives most everyone else mad too.

And that's only half the DVD! You also get Fantastic Voyage. I remember when this movie was first released. It made quite an impact, and it spawned a Saturday morning animated series of the same name that was one of my favorite morning cartoons.

This DVD has more "bang for the buck" than most any other single DVD I know of.

One classic, one not-so-classic
As is often the case with double-feature DVDs, there is usually one decent movie and one lousy one, the B-side being a movie which probably would not sell well on its own. In this case, Fantastic Voyage is the good movie and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea the weak flip side.

In Fantastic Voyage, several people are reduced to cellular size to heal a man from the inside. The science may be flimsy (Isaac Asimov had enough problems with the ending to rewrite it in his novelization), but the tale itself is good and the special effects are nice. The human body comes off as a surrealistic dreamworld, far from reality but neat to look at.

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, however, is a seriously flawed movie. The science is below par even for a movie like this (in one scene, we see ice sinking in water!), and the story and characters are nothing very spectacular either. Even the effects are not very great, although there are a couple scenes that do look nice.

Fantastic Voyage is a four star flick, VTTBOTS just two stars. As a pair of movies, this is okay, but if you only watch the former film, you will still get your money's worth.

Barbara Eden and Frankie Avalon
Barbara Eden is the Best actress and is Great.The best scene is with Barbara Eden dancing and Frankie Avalon playing the trumpet in the movie.Frankie Avalon sings the theme song of the movie.Buy this DVD if you Love Barbara Eden and Frankie Avalon.

One of the top ten sci fi pictures any time
Fantastic voyage is a real imaginative picture. A group of scientists will make a weird voyage , in the deep of the human body . They have just a hour to win in this dramatic mission.
They are sent through the blood current and they will have to minimize and destroy a serious damage in the brain of an eminent personality.
This film sooner or later will be remade . I don't have any doubt about.
But the challenge to win this original film is hard to reach. The script , the dramatic tension along this tour de force , the amazing inside locations around the lungs , heart brain and optycal nervous are first rate! plus the incredible cast: Artur O Donell , Edmund O'brien , Stephen Boyd , Donald Pleasence and the unforgettable and seductive beauty Raquel Welch give this film of Richard Fleisher two thumbs up about the top ten gem sci fi pictures , because he would make five years after Soylent Green another must in your collection.
Watch this movie .
A permanent triumph and a gorgeous visual experience!.

Great Quality reproduction
As I've viewed more DVD's I have found that there is a lot of quality difference, especially when porting old movies.

This DVD, although burned on both sides, has fine quality and produces a good viewing experience.

There aren't a lot of extras, which is disappointing, but there are some trailers for other classics such as all four The Fly movies (that is the two with Vincent Price, the one with Gena Davis, and the other one ;)

The movies themselves are Irwin Allen classics. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea features Peter Lorre in one of his last movies, and a close up of young Barbara Eden's rear end doing some version of the twist. Global Warming, 60s style! This movie launched a TV series with the same name but with different actors. Good adventure yarn.

Fantastic Voyage is a little more substantial offering. I believe THE Issac Asimov was the technical advisor/script consultant. I remember when this came out the special effects were considered fantastic. They still hold up pretty well, although the computers and electronics are dated. It's sort of a proto-nanotechnology exploration. Raquel Welch is the babe in this one. They shrink some scientists and a submarine down to molecule size and inject them into a VIP's bloodstream to cure him from injuries he received from an assasin. In many ways it was ahead of its time conceptually. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Where's Frankie And Annette When You Really Need Them?
I thought this would be a lighthearted comedy, in the tradition of the "Beach Blanket Bingo" movies, but I was wrong. This film is heavy on melodrama and light on comic relief. Three California surfing buddies travel to Hawaii to catch the ultimate waves at Waimea Bay. Naturally, the veteran surfers there resent them, but to such a degree that it borders on hatred. A wipeout causes damage to Fabian's surfboard, which later causes him to crash into another surfer, who is carried on to the beach with a bloody, broken nose. Another surfer gets drunk on New Year's Eve and dives off a steep waterfall, and ends up cracking some ribs. Frankie Avalon and his gang sometimes wiped out, but they never emerged from the ocean bloodied and battered. The final surfing showdown is an endurance test to determine who is the best surfer in the world. The competition goes on and on and on, becoming an endurance test for the viewer. I can sum up my feelings for this movie in two words - wipe out!

Ride, ride, ride... the wild cliche!
Dudes, babes, and fabulous footage of the north shore of Hawaii, plus the classic theme song co-written by Brian Wilson and sung by Jan & Dean. This is about as good as '60s beach movies get, partly a good impersonation, part pure Hollywood fantasy, of my own childhood backdrop of surfing action in southern California and Hawaii. Dig the scenes in which the "surfers" are waiting for their waves on perfectly calm blue water on what is probably a giant studio backlot wading pool! Thrill as their doubles paddle out to attack the scary gray curls of Waimea Bay "and conquer those waves 'most thirty feet high"! Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden are among the girls on the beach.

It's cool, buddy boy.

Guaranteed to get sand in your shorts!
A group of handsome, well-built, "young" board heads take a Hawaiian vacation to ride the wild surf of Hawaii. The boys fall in love within ten minutes of meeting their bikini-clad, beautiful female groupies who reluctantly watch as surf bum beaus risk life and limb in the unpredictable waves. Never a swear word is uttered and everything has a happy ending. Barbara Eden plays the spunky "Augie Poole," the original party girl who brings lots of laughs to the show.

There is no doubt that this is that rare film that is fun for the whole family to watch. The scenic footage of the Hawaiian islands is beautiful. The scripts are corny and the acting enthusiastic, but overall a fun film to watch. Although the actors played the parts well, they seemed a little bit too old (thirty-something) to play the proverbial beach-boy-in-college scene. But ten minutes into the show, we're too caught up in the undertow to care about trivial things like time and age!

Ride, ride, ride, the wild surf...
Campy, campy, campy, campy, campy ! Great nostalgic film . Sometimes when I watch it I think, "man, this movie didn't age well " and then other times I think, "who cares! This is a fun movie !" Far better than most of the stuff that Hollywood has been trying to pawn off on us for years .

Ride The Wild Surf
In 1964 three friends went to the show to see a surf movie for the first time. We returned to see this movie over and over again, (7 times to be exact). Being young and impressionable we wanted to be like Fabian, Tab Hunter, and Peter Brown riding Big Waves in Hawaii and falling in "Love" with girls like Susan Hart, Shelley Fabares and Barbara Eden. This movie made our summer of '64 a fantasy summer, we went to the beach, tried to surf, listened to Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys and dreamt of the girls in "Ride the Wild Surf". By todays standards this movie seems "Hokie", but for three fourteen year old boy's in 1964 it was a movie and Summer to remember. ... Read more

Amazon.com

From the Terrace is one of Paul Newman's lesser-known films, but it's a worthy showcase for the actor's developing screen persona. Like Butterfield 8, this is a slick, prestigious adaptation of a John O'Hara novel, about loose morals and forbidden love among the wealthy elite. Director Mark Robson lacks the mastery of melodrama that Douglas Sirk would've brought to this material, but he's still on target with O'Hara's tale of a prodigal son (Newman) who rejects his late father's steel mill in favor of big-business conquest, only to find his trophy wife (superbly played by Newman's off-screen wife, Joanne Woodward) straying into the arms of her former fiancé, while he falls in love with a socialite (Ina Balin) with whom he's much more compatible. A well-tuned drama of marital discord and unchecked ambition, From the Terrace was sharply adapted by Ernest Lehman between the triumphs of North by Northwest and West Side Story, and Newman's brooding performance gave him a solid boost to his iconic role in the 1961 classic The Hustler. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Excellent oldie.....
A view FROM THE TERRACE is what Paul Newman's character David Alfred Eaton has of his future wife Mary (JoAnne Woodward). The screen play was based on a best-selling novel of the same name by John O'Hara. Given it was released in the 1950s when sex on the screen was verboten and not much more explicit in novels (ban a book in Boston), one must appreciate the work it took for Newman and Woodward to give these performances.

Like many other teenagers of my generation, I was "in love" with Paul Newman. Newman could make female hearts flutter by simply looking at the camera with his big blue eyes. Many other teens preferred Marlon Brando, his peer and rival for female affection. I believe these two actors were the Leonardo de Caprio and Brad Pitt of their day, although in the long run, Newman (like de Caprio) has had more staying power and gracefully made the transition to mature roles.

In the 1950s, to see a film one had to attend a theater, where the screen was usually covered with a huge velvet curtain. FTT played at the Center theater in my small town, and I saw the film six times after it was released. I was able to get into the theater for a quarter, and as my allowance was $3, this was no small sacrifice. So, you might say this film was one of my all time favorites.

Watching it again almost 50 years later, I wondered how I would react, and of course the passage of time and arrival of many other actors and vast changes in filmmaking have affected the way I view the film and Newman, but I still like him enormously, and this film holds it's own, though the storyline may seem archaic.

This film is about infidelity and divorce and the price of success, a story line that may be lost on generations raised in an age of no-fault divorces and dual earner households. Once upon a time, divorce and infidelity were considered absolutely scandalous, and financially disastrous. In fact, if you divorced, your life was ruined. Many couples stayed together and suffered the ignominy of a cheating spouse. FTT was a ground-breaking film because it tackled these issues head-on.

The DVD version of the film is well done, and the price reasonable (technicolor and cinemascope production). Do your self a favorite, buy this DVD and add it to the shelf where you keep CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF and other 50's favorites.

I absolutely adore this movie
I saw this movie for at least the third time today and I told myself: go ahead and get this on DVD because you watch it every time it comes on TV. Well, I just simply must have it near me. I love the "how do you like them apples" part in the movie. What a move! I love every minute of this movie. It is like a short story! I love the dialogue! Watch it people!

My View From The Sofa
Paul Newman has many more famous roles...but for some reason, this is one of my all time favorite movies of his. It comes on the Love Stories, AMC, or TCM cable channels every here and now...or you could just buy it like I did.

He's nice, determined, well-meaning Alfred Eaton, who starts off with lofty, wealthy ideas about what is important in life...the right woman, the right career, the right friends...and showing them all how important he can be when he has them. Ultimately, he learns that what is important is only what feels right to him alone.

I love his story of personal discovery as much as his love affair story with Natalie. Alfred and Natalie have this beautiful scene where they are saying goodbye, they're barely touching, but it's the most painfully romantic thing to see.

Paul Newman and his wife Joanne Woodward have some excellent scenes in this movie also with real good comeback dialogue. He's the hardworking, decent man and she's the desperate-to-impress and just plain desperate society wife. She self-righteously and hurtfully accuses him of adultery with a girl with no guts when she's been sleeping with her ex-fiancee all along. She actually calls her lover and arranges a tryst while her husband is in the room!!!! She has guts!!!! (if little else) Unbeknownst to her, Alfred has exhaustingly if unaffectedly (if you can look unaffected and disgusted at the same time, that is) done his best to makes her invisible in the room, but she probably just becomes invisible without any real effort on his part to make her so by that point. Their voices just have the most impactful tones...especially when they get to play off of each other. I can play their final scene over and over again where she says she won't give him a divorce and he says,"Any further communication between you and me will be through legal channels." He has the most genuine smile on that handsome face in that moment than through the entire movie!!!!!

This movie is actually pretty long, but not a moment is wasted. It all comes together in the end when Alfred finally chooses what he actually wants instead of what he's supposed to want.

Maybe it's because it's so subtle and not at all like a "movie" that it seems to be largely overlooked by everyone except me and 20 other people. Paul Newman is one fine, naturally classy actor, I say.

Unfaithfully Yours
Every few years, I sit back and enjoy "From the Terrace" for what it is. As good old fashioned "potboiler", John O Hara's screen adaptation is not quite as sprawling as say....Edna Ferber's works, but nonetheless is a decent potboiler in its own right. Alfred (Paul Newman), discharged from the Navy after WW II is the ambitious, disaffected son of nouveau riche steel mill owner Samuel Eaton, (Leon Ames). Seeking to make his own unique mark in the world he spurns his father's hopes of joining the business and decides his fortune is to be made elsewhere. Along the way, he meets his future blue-blooded trophy wife Mary St. John (Joanne Woodward) and soon discovers her appetites are far in excess even to his own ambitions. Landing a job at a prestigious Wall Street firm in an oblique way that is a potboiler's trademark, Alfred comes under the watchful eye of old money and traditional expectations by J.D. MacHardie (masterfully portrayed by Felix Aylmer). I very much enjoyed all the scenes in which Aylmer's MacHardie was highlighted and I can almost smell the stodginess of old money, ritual table manners, wood paneled walls, cigars, and brandy that were part of his ultra-conservative environment. Soon enough, while on a trip to scout business opportunities, Alfred meets Natalie (Ina Balin), the unattached daughter of a wealthy coal mine owner. Knowing full well of his marital status, she consents, even encourages his attention and unfaithfulness. Balin manages to pull this off with a naive sweetness without ever seeming cheap or trashy. Infidelity is a major theme in this work and I'm sure its frank discussion must have sparked many a controversy when this film was released very early in 1960. Veteran actress Myrna Loy was given near top billing as Alfred's alcoholic and unfaithful mother, yet her on-screen performance was limited to the first reel of this nearly 2 1/2 hour film. I enjoyed the brief on screen appearance of young Barbara Eden as a flirtatious socialite. Patrick O'Neal was perfectly cast as the smarmy Dr. Jim Roper, the illicit lover of Mary St. John. Over his long acting career, Paul Newman has delivered solid performances again and again. This is one of his lesser known works but serves as a fine example of why he was so popular with the audience as a silver screen heartthrob. Watching this film today and being mindful of his lasting marriage to Joanne Woodward just serves to make this movie all the more compelling to me. I hope you will agree.

A view of the male in society.
Based on John O'Hara's novel, Alfred Eaton wants success in his own right but also seeks happiness for himself. He ventures out to New York leaving behind his cold, unloving father and alcoholic mother. As he is settled, he meets Mary St. John at a party in Southhampton. She is engaged to a psychiatrist Jim Roper. She rebuffs him at first but laters falls in love with him, calling off her engagement to her fiance. The two marry. However, their marriage is on the rocks. As Alfred gains success and social status, Mary feels isolated from his affection and has sexual affairs outside of the marriage. A business venture in rural Pennsylvania force him to confront his past and his future. Having dinner at the Benzinger home, he falls in love with the daughter Natalie. Strikingly beautiful and raven-haired, she is the one who understands him and is affectionate towards him.
Alfred Eaton, is relatively like most men. They want to gain recognition and respect from the social and economical community and at the same time, be happy with themselves. However, success doesn't always bring happiness. Happiness comes from within. Eaton's lack of affection from his father caused him to seek happiness elsewhere but he was forced to make hard decisions that would not only affect his career, but himself. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you had a baking soda-powered Seaview submarine when you were a kid, then you're probably a fan of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, either the movie or the TV show, where that high-tech sub originated. And therefore you're probably a fan of that show's creator, producer-director Irwin Allen, the subject of this documentary. Allen is probably best known for starting the disaster film craze in the '70s with hit movies like The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, where he earned the title of "Master of Disaster." But perhaps he's best loved for the string of TV series he made in the '60s: Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, The Time Tunnel, and the bizarre Land of the Giants. The documentary glosses over Allen's film career, rightly spending more time on the TV shows, revealing Allen's penchant for monster costumes and using stock footage. We find out that Allen often filmed some sequences for black-and-white shows in color so he could use them later as stock footage. Also, when he needed to shoot a sequence that was supposed to be inside a whale, he saved a fortune by using leftover sets from Fantastic Voyage. The format of the documentary is corny, hosted by Bill Mumy and June Lockhart, along with "The Robot," all from Lost in Space, all hamming it up. But there is such a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage that any fan of Allen's TV shows will want to own this disc. Especially noteworthy is a bonus 55-minute featurette of series proposals, including lengthy footage of two shows that didn't make it, City Beneath the Sea and The Man from the 25th Century. That's worth the price of the disc. --Jim Gay ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Barbara Eden starring in her Best Movie
Barbara Eden starring in her best movie.She plays Stella in Harper Valley and is Great in the role.The movie should be in DVD since it is her Best movie.She sings a song in the movie and the best scenes are with her and the daughter Dee and when she is at the Meeting.Based on the song of the same name.There were 29 episodes of the TV Show based on the movie that should also be in DVD since Barbara Eden is Great in the role and the movie is fun and funny and a good family movie and show.Barbara Eden is the Best actress.The movie and all 29 episodes should be in DVD.Universal MCA should know that there is many people that would like the movie and all 29 episodes in DVD.

Good Movie
I have not seen this movie in years as I lost my only video I had taped off television. I agree with the other reviewer(s) that this movie should have a DVD release so we can share with our kids (mostly for myself though) :)I hope it happens, soon. Lesser quality movies have been issued DVD releases, so I hope it will happen for Harper Valley P.T.A.

Should be Put on DVD!
I have fond memories of going to see this movie Harper Valley P.T.A. in a theater when I was a kid, about 12 or 13 years old and I just really liked it and the great cast, especially Barbara Eden, Susan Swift and Nanette Fabray and I think this funny movie should be put on DVD!

This was SHOCKING for its time Right Tame now but Funny!
This is effectively a story about a nice widowed fast city woman, with painted lips and long tapering lashes wearing short short mini skirts.This vamp and vixen moves to a quiet way conservative sleepy town named Harper Valley.She dares to join the PTA that bastion of moral rectitude.Her outspoken progressive ways are immediately held suspect.She in her short skirts is proclaimed by Harper Valley PTA a vile role model for young people.She is labelled by the PTA as a person not fit to shape the minds of impressionable youth.

She is in truth a good woman of honest if not pure motives and unsullied honor.The town would have you think she was the devils agent...P>The song of the same name tends to tell the story of the movie but its still well worth the watching.It's more funny now than shocking....

harper valley pta
I am using this space, 'cause I AM NOT ABLE TO SEND MY ORDER ABOUT THIS VIDEO! Can You help me?
Thanks ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Fantasy Film Worlds Of George Pal DVD
Whether you are a Sci-Fi fan or not, buy this DVD ! The star line-up of actors, writers, and directors explaining their parts in the various films outlined is worth the price of addmission. You'll be surprised-and perhaps amused-at some of the faces, and the films they worked on. But be warned: You'll want to race right out and buy everyone of George Pal's films after you view this great DVD. Hats off to Arnold Leibovit.

A Brilliant Composition Of A Brilliant Man's Works!
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal is truly worlds of wonder! Arnold Leibovit, producer of this marvelous documentary, has done a wonderful job at encapsulating the colorful life and career of producer/director George Pal - from his meager beginnings as a cartoon artist, through his years of creating the stop-motion animated short films, fancifully named "Puppetoons", and into his wonderful works of feature motion pictures. The documentary guides us with affection through Pal's career, by way of interviews with the cast, crew and peers of his films, and includes interviews with Pal himself. His work touches a cord within all of us - the child that lives within and is dazzled by science and fantasy, prophetic visions and flights of fancy. All who have known or worked with him remember Pal with delight - "He was a sweet, sweet man; ...a gentle man.", as Tony Randel puts it when telling of his experience of working with Pal. This was a sentiment felt by all who have had the honor of knowing and working with Pal. This documentary thoroughly captures the whimsy and kind heart of a man who not only was a dreamer, but was one who inspired us to dream. People like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg only stand on Pal's shoulders, and continue the line of imaginative filmmaking which he started. The contemporary term "eye candy" can so easily be applied to this documentary, for it is a treat to see this montage of works by the master that started it all. Thanks George! And thank you Arnold Leibovit, for giving us this special and delightful glimpse into the life and works of a man who will never be forgotten! The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal was obviously a labor of love!

George Pal is 20th Century's Most Significant Talents
During the science fiction and fantasy boom of the 1950s, few names could compare with George Pal. In many ways the pioneering visionary in the ways we view outer space and fantastic creatures on the screen, he turned out a string of masterpieces as both director and producer, using his experience with puppeteering and special effects to bring previously unimaginable sights to stunned audiences around the world.

This informative and extremely entertaining documentary takes a thorough look at Pal's career, from his early days in Hungary and Germany making European shorts with various types of puppets combined with simple techniques involving painting and glass. His transition to Hollywood following the rise of Naziism allowed him to bring his Puppetoons to audiences of impressionable children, but the move to live action proved to be even more fruitful. His groundbreaking Destination Moon presented a heightened new realism for cinematic space travel, and he soon realized that science fiction could become a trememndous box office draw. His literary adaptations remain loved by audiences today: The War of the Worlds, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, The Time Machine, tom thumb, and his last film, the pulpy Doc Savage:Man of Bronze.

The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal assembles a who's who of Hollywood filmmaking, combining actors who worked on Pal's productions (such as Rod Taylor,Tony Randall, and Barbara Eden) to admirers like Joe Dante and Ray Harryhausen (who worked with Pal along with animation legend Willis O'Brien). The clips from Pal's early works are especially tantalizing and could have gone on much longer; "Sleeping Beauty" in particular looks like a dazzler. Unlike standard Hollywood biographies, this one keeps up a rapid pace and keeps a steady flow of fascinating clips and home movies to provide a solid, well rounded portrait of a man who loved entertaining people in any way possible.

The Image DVD looks quite good for a mid-'80s documentary, with strong colors and no noticeable compression flaws. The contrast level and clarity vary wildly from clip to clip, for obvious reasons, but such is the nature of an archival beast. The mono audio also gets the job done quite well for its age. The disc also includes a host of Pal-related extras, such as promotional material for many his films from Destination Moon to Doc Savage, as well as more interview footage deleted from the final cut, some additional home movies, some warm and intriguing comments from Puppetoon veterans, and a peek at the newsreel premiere footage for Brothers Grimm. In short, no fantasy film buff should be without this disc, and hopefully his entire catalog will one day be available to perfectly complement this love letter to one of the 20th Century's most significant creative talents.

Finally George Pal & This Documentary Will Get Their Due!
I originally saw Arnold Leibovit's documentary, "The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal," a dozen or so years ago, and it has not dimmed in the years since. In fact, the extra footage and the new clarity have only improved the experience of seeing this great man's legacy. Leibovit's affectionate treatment of his subject is like a throwback to a more respectful era.

George Pal is a Superior film on a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Legend!
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal by director Arnold Leibovit is without a doubt one of the finest tribute films ever made! There are no words that can fully describe the emotional high one gets when watching this splendid epic journey. If you grew up on these classics as I did, this film is a tremendous treat. There is a sincerity and emotional impact that comes through "Fantasy Worlds" that few films can match. Of particular note are the absolutely sensational interviews- a Who's Who of Sci-Fi & Fantasy from Gene Roddenberry, Ray Bradbury, Rod Taylor, Alan Young, Russ Tamblyn,Tony Randall to Robert Wise, Roy E. Disney, Ray Harryhausen, Chesley Bonestell and many many other film notables including George Pal himself. The film incorporates gorgeous colorful crystal clear clips that are just not little snippets but long fully realized sequences. I''ve never seen a film like this do that. It is really a credit to Mr. Leibovit to have done such a marvelous and meticulous job. The interviews are also amazing. Overall an absolute MUST for anyone interested in the films of George Lucas or Steven Spielberg or modern sci-fi. None of what we see today could ever be possible without the staggering contributions of George Pal. I will treasure this DVD always. PS I have seen a preview copy and just wait until you see the bonus section. It includes new materials not contained on the original video release that will knock your socks off. Must be two hours of new material alone! ... Read more

Description

When Donald's wealthy wife leaves him and takes his restaurant with her, help comes in the unlikely form of his gardener (Gerardo Mejia) and recent lottery winner.The gardener offers him a new restaurant if he agrees to marry his beautiful but shrewish sister (Laura Elena Harring) so she can get a green card.Donald's luck seems to have gone from bad to worse as he finds that he has not only married an incredibly feisty woman but also an equally eccentric and wacky family.Cultures clash and roles reverse in this zesty comedy that proves love knows no borders. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Barbara Eden in one of her Great TV Movies and roles
Barbara Eden is Great in this TV Movie.This DVD is Great because Barbara Eden is in almost every scene and it is a mystery drama and Barbara Eden plays the role Great.This is one of her Great TV movies. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Blink Blink...where 's I dream of Jeannie DVD?
I'm anxiously awaiting the release of the I dream of Jeannie series on DVD. It is one of my all time favorite shows and I've become a serious collector of I dream of Jeannie items. Please hurry and release this wonderful show on DVD!!!

First season (1965-66)
This was the only year the show was filmed in black and white.The theme song was also a little different.And there was a voiced-over opening credits sequence that was eventually replaced by the animated opening we all remember.

01 - Pilot: The Lady In The Bottle (9-18-65)
Tony discovers Jeannie after opening her bottle on the deserted island where his space capsule crash lands.

02 - My Hero? (9-25-65)
Tony has to defend Jeannie from the evil Ali.

03 - Guess What Happened On The Way To The Moon (10-2-65)
Jeannie provides Tony unwanted help on his survival mission with Roger.

04 - The Marriage Caper (10-9-65)
Tony's fiance, the General's daughter, wants him to take an assignment overseas.

05 - G.I. Jeannie (10-16-65)
In order to be close to Tony, Jeannie becomes a WAAF.

06 - The Yacht Murder Case (10-23-65)
After Jeannie is seen on a yacht with Tony, Tony is accused of murder when Jeannie suddenly can't be found.

07 - Anybody Here Seen Jeannie? (10-30-65)
Jeannie causes Tony to flunk his physical so he won't be sent out into space.

08 - The Americanization Of Jeannie (11-6-65)
Jeannie follows advice from a magazine on how to be a modern American woman.

09 - Moving Finger (11-13-65)
Jeannie is on the verge of becoming a movie star, but then we learn that Jeannies can't be photographed.

10 - Djinn And Water (11-20-65)
Jeannie helps Tony turn salt water into fresh drinking water.

11 - Whatever Happened To Baby Custer? (11-27-65)
Bill Mumy (LOST IN SPACE!) plays a brat who tries to squeal on Tony & Jeannie to Dr. Bellows.

12 - Where'd You Go Go? (12-4-65)
Jeannie strikes up a romance with Roger (who still doesn't know about who she really is) to make Tony jealous.

13 - Russian Roulette (12-11-65)
A female Russian cosmonaut winds up with Jeannie's bottle, so Tony schemes to get it back.

14 - What House Across The Street? (12-18-65)
Jeannie finally accepts Roger's marriage proposal to make Tony jealous, and conjurs up a house for herself right across the street from Tony's.

15 - Too Many Tonys (12-25-65)
Jeannie conjurs up a Tony clone to make the real Tony jealous.

16 - Get Me To Mecca On Time (1-8-66)
It's the Day of Ramda, so Tony has to take Jeannie to Mecca or else she will disappear.

17 - Richest Astronaut In The World (1-15-66)
Roger discovers the truth about Jeannie and steals her (and her bottle) from Tony.

18 - Is There an Extra Genie In The House? (1-22-66)
Roger dates Dr. Bellows' neice (Judy Carne) - Emmaline Henry also appears in this episode, but not as Dr. Bellows' wife!

19 - Never Try to Outsmart A Jeannie (1-29-66)
Jeannie begs Tony to take her on his trip to Rome, but she can't get a passport.

20 - My Master The Doctor (2-5-66)
Jeannie blinks Tony into the operating room when Roger needs his appendix removed.

21 - Jeannie & The Kidnap Caper (2-12-66)
Tony orders Jeannie not to use her powers to help him anymore - and then he's kidnapped by the Chinese.

22 - How Lucky Can You Get? (2-19-66)
Tony and Roger are promoted to Majors, so they go to Reno to celebrate.

23 - Watch The Birdie (2-26-66)
Jeannie turns Tony into a professional golf player.

24 - Permanent House Guest(3-5-66)
Dr. Bellows insists on moving in with Tony after he sees an elephant in Tony's living room.

25 - Bigger Than A Bread Box (3-12-66)
Roger goes to a fortune teller, so Tony and Jeannie plot to expose her as a (...).

26 - My Master The Great Rembrandt (3-19-66)
Jeannie turns the painting Tony made into an authentic Rembrandt, making Dr. Bellows suspect him of forgery and larceny.

27 - My Master The Thief (4-2-66)
Jeannie reclaims a pair of old shoes from a museum because she thinks they used to be hers, and of course Tony is blamed.

28 - This Is Murder (4-9-66)
Tony tries to keep Jeannie from killing a visiting princess.

29 - My Master The Magician (4-23-66)
Dr. Bellows finds Tony floating in his chair in his living room, so he lies and says he practices magic.

30 - I'll Never Forget What's Her Name (5-7-66)
Tony gets amnesia and falls in love with Jeannie, so she takes advantage of the situation and tries to get him to marry her.

Package DVD in a bottle
Can't wait for Jeannie to come out of a DVD bottle box set.
Really looking forward to it....

Thanks,

AJ

Comon get going!
I wish that whoever is putting out this dvd will hurry up! This show was great! I watched it at my grandmother's house all the time! I love this series and the andy griffith show better than any other series from the 50's 60's time period. When this show finaly comes out I suggest that you buy it right away! The first season will very probbly come out first so the theme song will be different. The later season's theme song is the one that is remembered today. ... Read more