Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: HBO/UAV Corp
• VHS Release Date: May 25, 1993
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302034590
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #242,680 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

This one-hour HBO concert captures one of America's singular talents at an important crossroads. Bette Midler had just "gone legit," after receiving her Oscar nomination for The Rose and appearing in a few--quality not withstanding--feature films. This is the time between Midler's outrageous nightclub act of the '70s and her "Wind Beneath My Wings" sentimental journey of the late '80s. In other words, the Divine Miss M is fiercely alive from the opening number, appearing onstage in a red dress that is actually square, of all things. Director Thomas Schlamme fills the breaks between songs with jazzy, artist "things" (paintings, animation), which are not needed--we miss Midler's personal antics with the crowd. However, musically, the concert delivers the goods including a comic salute to disco, a song about her favorite physical assets, or the drop-dead, emotional wallop that ends the tape, "Stay with Me Baby." The finale shows us a singer who blends performance and acting so naturally, we know we have a genuine original here. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bette at her best, January 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bette Midler - Art or Bust (VHS Tape)

This one will make you laugh , and it will make you cry. Both. I promise. A spectacular performance. In this concert is Bette at her best, a cross between Barbara Streisand and Janice Joplin, but with her own sense of humor mixed in. The only problem is the bits of old films incorporated into the video. They aren't bad, in fact the one filmed at the United Jewish Appeal is great, but they break up the overall effect of the concert that is the main part of this video.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BETTE, THE SONGSTRESSES SONGSTRESS!!!!, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bette Midler - Art or Bust (VHS Tape)

Bette is truly an international icon!! She is spectacular in "Art or Bust". Bette is captivating, energetic, and fantantic!! You'll go on a roller-coaster of emotions while watching this immaculate piece of art. This video should be renamed "Excellence of Bust". And, of course, she never busts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Midler at her best!, November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Bette Midler - Art or Bust (VHS Tape)

This is Bette at her best! Midler sings, in concert and is at her best. If you've ever wanted to see Midler live, see this video. All her charisma shows here. She show us why she is a gigantic multitalent.(She tells a few jokes and then shows film clips of her days at the baths.) One can see why she became so acclaimed when one sees her perform at a New York bath house(a gay hangout in the early 70's). It is truly amazing.