Customer Reviews

Bobby Darin Singing at His Best!

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is a string of black and white clips of BD singing on television appearances. BD sings and dances and also does several duets with big stars of the time including Joanna Sommers, Bob Hope and Jimmy Durante.

The picture quality is OK, given the age of the TV appearances (all are from pre-1968). This is similar in quality to the other offerings from Passport in the same genre (Sammy Davis Jr. Singing at His Best, Dean Martin: Memories are Made of This etc.)

One nice thing about this DVD, however, is that Passport has dropped the boring and annoying narrator that goes along with the clips in the Davis Jr. and Martin DVD's. This really plays more like a concert-- focusing only on the title performer.

Much of the content, however, is also on the "Mack Is Back" DVD as an extra (clearly the "Mack Is Back" DVD is the definitive Darin DVD to buy first given its quality and extras).

However, the end of this DVD does have a few selections that are previously unreleased on DVD. Like Darin singing "Hello Young Lovers" and "Some of these Days."

I purchased this DVD for about nine dollars and was pleased with it at that price.

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No No you reviewers have it all wrong, This is not a compliation of clips or a documentary. This is the 1961 NBC special entitled "Bobby Darin and Friends" With guest stars Joanie Sommers and Bob Hope. It was directed by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin. It is a great look at his nightclub act from this time period. You will even recognize some dialog from the album "The Bobby Darin Story" ("I'm a city kid and that makes me happy") Now to be fair I gotta agree with the others the sound isnt excellent, and the picture is a slightly fuzzy but come on this was probably taken from a kinescope from 1961. Its a bargain at the price, and an indispensable DVD for the Bobby Darin fan! It is after all his FIRST television special. So unless you are expecting 1961 to come back around again, I would suggest you snatch it up right away! Ive seen worse video copies floating around on the internet, and this is at least cleaned up! So take it from me, a long time Darin fan, this is a must have in your collection!

I do not blame the folks who gave up on this seeing it is mostly re-hashed perofrmances that are on other DVDs..and its not associated with the Estate. OK.
But, as noted by another reviewer, there is a two song TV concert from 1959-1962 of 'Hello Young Lovers' and 'Some of These Days' AND after that the "Comedy Routine" (as it is called on "The Curtain Falls - Live at the Flamingo") of impressions to the Song "One for My Baby" is on this DVD!
Those scenes are NOT ON THE TABLE OF CONTENTS! The next time you "One Star" reviewers pop online to read your own words, please take note.
I have read Jeff Bleiel's info-book 'That's All" and these two performances are NOT cataloged in the definitive Darin catalog. That makes this DVD a must have, despite the fact most of it does not qualify in that category.

I was very disappointed with dvd, it was in black and white and was not endorsed nor authorized by the estate of Bobby Darin.
I have Bobby Darin Aces back to Back and Bobby Darin Beyond the Sea,Bobby Darin Mack is Back, this Singing at his Best, does not compared to the ones listed above.

Shirley Hildreth

This DVD has some numbers from BD's 1961 (shortly after marriage to Sandra Dee) special: Bobby Darin and Friends. It was a rather iffy special IMO, but worth watching because this superstar was the youngest host of his own special to date.

Also included is some footage, from another source, with BD and Jimmy Durante, which shows his amazing skills as a mimic.

And finally the best footage, though I'm not sure of the source, but Bobby notes that it was live TV, of him singing Hello Young Lovers, Some of These Days, and doing his long routine, called The Stars Bar, of impressions to the tune of One More for the Road. For those who only know of BD as a musical talent, this will be a revelation because he was such an accomplished impressionist. The impressions he does here were just a few of the many he did.

Hello Young Lovers is especially interesting 'cause it's the only time I've ever seen him space on lyrics and freeze. He opens by totally forgetting the lyrics, and really doesn't recover for the duration of the song, instead noting ruefully that there's "nothing like live TV..." Usually he covers forgotten lyrics smoothly by continuing to sing and improvising lyrics to explain what's happening. Not here. So this episode makes it worth the price of admission to me 'cause it's so unusual.

Unbelievable! That is the only word I can think of to headline this review. I've read all of the other reviewers and had to reread them in an effort to understand the negativity. Guess what? They missed the boat! This is the only DVD I'm aware of that allows the incomparable Joanie Sommers to stretch out and shine with the incomparable Bobby Darin. I'll admit, the picture may be a little fuzzy... so what? In my humble opinion Bobby and Joanie were unique, each in their own way, but definitely unique. While astronauts were shooting for the moon they were reaching for the stars. To have the opportunity to watch them perform together once again invokes memories of a by gone era, a time not so much of innocence, but rather one of youthful abandon. Bobby and Joanie, each in their own way, left an indelible mark on the musical heart and soul of America. Every fan of Bobby's is well aware that his talent attracted every arena of show business, and as for Joanie, she is the only other person I'm aware of whose body of work is as varied as Bobby's. See the bigger picture folks 'cause it will never come this way again. Two giants of the entertainment industry at the top of their game singing and swinging without giving thought to what tomorrow may bring. We were so lucky to have them! Pay no attention to the sour grapes other reviewers regurgitate, If you're a fan of this dynamic duo disregard the medium's frailties, buy the DVD for the pure enjoyment of what was, I guarantee you will not regret it.

I was a kid when Darin was big, but my folks loved him and he and his style got into my system. This was purchased for mere joy for my husband and I. It's okay. I mean, it was a thrill to see him and watch his 'show' clips, it's just that the quality is a little less than I hoped. It's still worth the price though...I mean genuinely, it's a classic viewing and worth the ownership. We've watched this DVD quite a few times already, shared it with friends and overall we alway smile throughout and are glad to have a chunk of entertainment history revisited!

Don't bother with this unless you have to have everything Darin, the quality is not there for the money

The audio was of poor quality. Many of the scenes were seen on the DVD "Bobby Darin-Mack is Back"

Stanley W. Gold -- I accept your offer. How can I get your copy of the Bobby Darin DVD sent to me?