Reviews (6)

A psycho-fable of the highest merit
Yes, yes I know all the fulminations comparing this film to the play. I haven't seen the play nor read the novel, so I'm judging purely by the film, which I rate at the very highest. OF COURSE the movie is "contrived" as Leonard Maltin's movie guide has it, that's what fables do (talking wolves, trees that sing, clouds that weep and preach a moral), they present contrived situations in order to elucidate. This psycho-fable unearths the ghoulish byplay of fire and ice in all of us, Jew or Bosch, whichever side of the barbed wire of things you stand. Schell's acting is superlative, and the LANGUAGE is English at its nightmare-wittiest. To summarize: you can't like "Doctor Strangelove" and scorn this film: they're two sides of the same rifle butt.

Dr. Theodore Voelkel
Winchester Mass.

Robert Shaw will turn in his grave
If one has ever read the original play of "The Man in the Glass Booth" or at least the novel of the same name by the gifted writer and actor Robert Shaw, the film version by Arthur Hiller can only be regarded as a total disaster. Every ambivalent or critical aspect of Shaw's play has been cut out or made far too obvious, so that everybody gets the message- no thinking required. The film takes no risks. Hiller, in an interview of this DVD says (in nearly every second sentence) that he wanted to make the film "more emotional" than the play. A big mistake. And he is not honest to Shaw as he insists. However, he claims that Shaw, who had (understandably) removed his name from the credits called Hiller after the films release and loved it. One should doubt that. Shaw's two biographers, French and Carmean, tell a different story, namely that Shaw had never seen the film version. They also both reported that Shaw argued with Maximilian Schell, whom he disliked, on the set of "Der Richter und sein Henker" ("End of the Game"), where Schell was, of course, defeating the film version. Schell, in "Glass Booth", gives a performance that can only be described as total overacting, why does someone nominate this for an Oscar? He is as good as in "John Carpenter`s Vampires"- they should have cast Donald Pleasence, who was in the original stage production directed by Harold pinter. Do yourself a favour and get the book!

Maximilian Schell should have won the Oscar for this in 1975
Thirty years ago, under the aegis of the ambitious "American Film Theatre," Arthur Hiller directed a movie based on a novel by writer, director and actor Robert Shaw. (Yes the same salty seaman who was eaten by a "great white" shark in the movie "Jaws"). Whatever one thinks about the plausibility of an enormously successful wealthy entrepreneur, who is also a schizophrenic personality, torn between the morally opposite identities of a sadistic concentration camp commandant, and a Jewish holocaust survivor, Maximilian Schell as "The Man In the Glass Booth," gives an explosive performance, so extreme and so riviting, that it is suigeneris. I can't imagine another actor, with the possible exception of Klaus Kinski, successfully realizing this incredible role. It is almost unfair to the other fine actors who inhabit this film, that they can be little more than foils in what is for all practical purposes a one man show. The story is divided into two acts, the first half taking place in Arthur Goldman's luxurious Manhattan penthouse apartment, and the second half in an Israeli courtroom. Even if you do figure out his true identity before the climactic courtroom scene, it won't take away from your astonishment, I promise.

The ultimate guilt trip
While watching the 2001 release THE BELIEVER, it recalled to mind THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH. Though I haven't viewed the latter movie in over a decade, the power of Maximilian Schell's performance puts it on my list of "Most Memorable Films", though perhaps my memory of the details is fuzzy.

Schell is Arthur Goldman, a wealthy Jewish industrialist living in a Manhattan highrise apartment. Goldman is apparently a recluse, who deals with the world through his personal assistant, Charlie (Lawrence Pressman). At first, Arthur seems like a regular guy, albeit expressing outrageous views on Jews and Judaism, but it becomes apparent to the audience that the man has serious issues when he's seen burning the skin under his upper arm with a candle flame. Then, the audience and Charlie are dumbfounded when an Israeli hit team breaks in, kidnaps Goldman, and carries him off to trial in Israel as a war criminal - a former Nazi concentration camp commandant, Adolph Dorf. Goldman insists pretrial that he be allowed to wear a full SS uniform. For his own protection, then, he faces his accusers as THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH. Bullet-proof glass, that is, considering the emotional volatility of the charges to camp survivors that are present.

Schell received Oscar and Golden Globe Best Actor nominations for his depiction of a man so tortured by guilt that he would go to extremes to exorcise it. Personal guilt for having survived the Holocaust; collective Jewish guilt for not having fought back. Taking on the persona of Dorf, Goldman gleefully mocks the Jews for their meekness as they went to slaughter. The sad end to the trial is one of the most emotionally compelling scenes I've ever watched.

THE MAN IN THE GLASS BOOTH was one of the first VHS tapes I purchased back in 1979 when I bought my first video recorder. (Both the tape and the recorder were MUCH more expensive back then!) Do yourself a favor and rent this film (along with THE BELIEVER) for a thought-provoking double feature on the psyche-twisting nature of guilt.

Robbed
OK, Jack Nicholson did a nice little job in Cuckoo's Nest---his usual scenery munching, overdone performance. However, if fairness truly prevailed in 1975 and Max Schell was a cozy denizen of mainstream Hollywood, he would have taken the Oscar hands down for this remarkable and powerful tour de force of acting brilliance. Arthur Hiller crafts a minimalist piece of cinematography that features acting---not moviemaking gimmickry. This film is a true sleeper which seems to finally and deservedly be waking up 28 years after its creation. ... Read more

Reviews (37)

Ain't nothin' dirty goin' on.
The Best Little Whorehouse had a very bumpy transfer from stage to screen. The show itself was a Broadway success but the show failed miserably in overseas ventures. The main money behind the stage show was Universal Studios so it was only natural that they would bring it to the screen. They attached Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton to the cast, which seemed like a real score but, they also did an awful lot of reworking, enough to make the story lose its cohesion and heart. Most of the songs were cut and Ms Parton and Patrick Williams composed 2 new songs. The film was not well received, with only Charles Durning receiving positive notices.

Much of the fault lies in the new story ideas. Gone were subplots involving the girls at the Chicken ranch, which showed such promise on stage. That was arguably the heart of the show. Even Ed Earl and Miss Mona's personalities were softened as the story suddenly revolved solely around their relationship. They also went overboard to show Reynolds and Parton in a good light.

Many other shows have suffered a similar fate but have faired better by offering up new or expanded dance routines and musical numbers. But, we have no such luck here. The musical numbers are few and far between. A solo song with Burt Reynolds singing was cut making it even that much shorter. So, the film is not one of the best transfers but, like in most cases, it's all we got. Enjoy it the best you can. Ain't nothin' dirty goin' on.

The Best Little DVD One Could Wish For!
I have been waiting for The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas to be released on DVD for a few years now and finally it has arrived! It sure was worth the wait! The picture transfer is fantastic. Great clear images and a remastered soundtrack. The widescreen opens the picture up and gives audiences glimpses of things that were never able to be seen on the video. But the most exciting part of the DVD are the great bonus features: a short behind the scenes documentry (featuring interviews with Parton, Reynolds, Higgins and even Edna Milton, whom the character of Mona is based upon), outakes (hilarious bloopers from the set), and the original theatrical trailer (using an original song sung by Dolly about the premise of the movie). I only wish that Burt Reynolds deleted musical number had been included but I guess we can't have everything! I consider this DVD a MUST HAVE for any of the following people: Theater lovers, Dolly fans, Texans, Whores.... EVERYONE! Do yourself a favor and buy, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas... Its a howling good time!

A Delight!!!
I was in college when this movie came out and I missed it back then. I didn't think it was going to be any good.

I ended up buying it, as I'm collecting every movie that's ever been nominated or has won an Oscar, that's available on DVD. I was reluctant to purchase this one, but the price was excellent, and grabbed it.

What made this movie such a treat is the quality of the photography by William Fraker, the musical numbers, especially "Hard Candy Christmas" (fabulous!)and "I'll Always Love You" (which I cannot understand why it wasn't nominated for an Oscar as best song, since Dolly Parton wrote it, to my knowledge, for this film and it is great!); the dancing, superb; the whole tongue-in-cheek approach (albeit for adults--this is not a movie for kids) works; and they way they got away with all the whole thing, is astonishing. Granted, it's based on a very popular Broadway musical, but they seldom translate well to the screen...and with Burt and Dolly in the leading roles? Well, they're fabulous! Dolly is simply magical, and everything about her is perfect for her role as the madam Miss Mona.

Charles Durning as the governor of Texas does a brief but smashing job--it's a brilliant sequence, and now I understand why he was nominated as best supporting actor for this movie.

Overall, if you want to have a good time, light fun, listen to some good tunes, and ultimately feel strangely satisfied and happy, I recommend this film. It's actually excellent and hasn't aged a bit in 20 years...it's more fresh today than probably back when I was in college and thought it was "trash".

Now I think it's a pleasure. Not for kids, however. But adults who aren't as snobbish as some college students can be at times, will get a kick out of this surprising delight!

i love this movie
the DVD is Fantastic - it's crisp and the songs sound great - this is one of those movies that you have to see, and once you do, you'll be hooked... I think this movie is so wonderful because the actors obviously are enjoying themselves...Plus, anyone think Charles Durning looks a little like Dubbya? hee hee hee - even the song fits!

Makes an excellent social commentary
This movie is incredibly entertaining from beginning to end and goes through a wide range of emotions and human trials and tribulations - humor & sadness, triumph and failure, loyalty and hypocrisy, etc.

I think that most people watching this movie miss, what is to me, the most important point of the entire movie.

You have a small town with a whorehouse that has been in existence for over 100 years. The people in the town have no problem whatsoever with the whorehouse. In fact, many of residents talk about why they support it.

It's the people elsewhere that have a problem with the whorehouse. It's something that they don't condone and they want to force their beliefs on the people in the town, disregarding completely how the people in the town itself feel.

It's a problem that exists in America and is one that I personally think is brought to light in this cleverly written musical. People are busy worrying about what their neighbors are doing rather than focusing on their own lives. Most of it comes from religious wackos like the one portrayed by Dom Deluise.

The serious commentary is cleverly hidden within the dancing, singing and action, but it's still there. Taking this into consideration adds a new dimension to the film and the viewing experience. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you think a gaggle of big-screen goons like Cruella, Jafar, and Captain Hook can muscle Mickey off Disney's House of Mouse stage, guess again. Here, the leader of the pack proves he's made of more than Swiss cheese in a Halloween battle to bounce the bad guys--banded together for the first time--from the belly-laugh-generating hot spot where he pulls host duties. Best of all, the classic-character misadventures keep rolling amid the maelstrom: Donald gets the short end of the broom when a busybody witch blows in, Goofy bungles a once-in-an-afterlife time shot at being a ghost, etc. By the time the mouse houselights go up, the evil cadre's out on its cartoon ear with only a song--the showstopping "It's Our House Now!"--to its credit. The hospitality's not so hot, but the frantic, feature-length dice of shorts and devious doings will find Disney devotees dancing in the aisles. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Another cute Disney cheapie
Just like Christmas's "Snowed in At the House of Mouse," this direct-to-video 70 minute film is made up mostly of new and classic Disney cartoons (this time all with a Halloween theme), with little bits of new animation in between focusing on Mickey and pals running a toon nightclub with all the Disney characters in the audience. In this story, about five or six of the classic Disney villians decide to take over the House of Mouse, though their reign lasts only about ten minutes. All in all, it sounds cute and worth it for the nine shorts that are sprinkled throughout.

A definite Disney Cheapie
All of the cartoons in this DVD are Disney classics. When I was little, we had these cartoons in their original anthology form, when the Mirror-Mirror of Snow White was narrating the whole thing. We watched it faithfully every Halloween as a sort of 'tradition'. Then we grew up and kinda fell out of it, but a recent nostalgia for the days of old inspired me to get this DVD.

All of the classics remain the same; they are truly golden. BUT, the host's narration and the resulting theme thereof were very very cheap. The vocal acting was awful and the plots were not what you would expect from a Disney production. That is why it's so cheap. But if you long for the Halloween classics that you thought were lost just like I did, go ahead and get this movie; it's a good buy. If you're buying it for your children, it's not a bad buy either. Who knows? Maybe it will become their Halloween 'tradtion', just like it was for me back in the day. ^_^ And believe me, those are memories that you look back on with fondness and longing.

My 5-year-old loves it!
I'm not going to discuss audio or video quality, even tho I'm both an audiophile and videophile to the point of occasionally considering therapy. I buy this stuff for her. The Disney villains are at the heart of the Disney success, and they are collected together here doing their thing. You'll find no excessive violence or inappropriate messages/themes/language. It won't teach her rocket science, brain surgery, or the meaning of life, but if you're looking for another DVD to add to your collection to entertain your child in the car, at the restaurant, or at home, this one works. It makes her happy, even after 20 or 30 times through, so it makes me happy too. Enjoy the time off duty!

Not what it promises to be
The box description would have you believe that the plot of this "movie" is a tour de force where Mickey and the gang square off against a horde of classic Disney villains. Don't be fooled. This is merely a shorts collection with a weak framing sequence. There are three classic Disney shorts, but they aren't enough to save the show, and they will surely be available on some of the Walt Disney Treasures collections if they aren't already. The rest of the shorts are from Walt Disney Television Animation and since I recognzed one of them I would suspect that none of them were created specifically for the movie.
As for the villains, their appearance is little more than an overblown cameo. They do indeed take over the House of Mouse as promised, but they wait until around the last twenty minutes of the movie to actually do anything and it seems their intent was just to keep on showing shorts that star Mickey and the gang. Not quite what you'd expect from a gang of some of the most evil figures in cartoons.
So if you're buying this because you've been a fan of Disney villains all of your life, you're going to be disappointed. If you're buying it to distract the toddlers for seventy minutes, I'm sure it will do the trick. I just used to expect more from any animation that bore the name of Disney.

Not What I Expected
I expected a little more out of Disney, but with their track record lately, I don't know why I was surprised at their lack of creativity. I thought this would be more centered around the villians trying to take over the "House of Mouse", but instead it was mostly old Disney cartoons with small clips of the villians plotting a take over in between. Definately NOT a DVD worth buying. My son begged me to purchase it, but I rented instead. My daughter, who was 7 year old at the time, was terribly bored throughout the movie. The only reason I rated it with 2 stars instead of just 1 was because my 6 year old son enjoyed it, however he has expressed absolutely NO interest at all in seeing it again. If you really want to see it, go for it, but I advise you to rent it first before buying. ... Read more