Customer Reviews

The First Nudie Musical (Special Edition) [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is my all-time favorite film!

The First Nudie Musical has held its own for all these years by word of mouth and undoubtedly many pirated copies on vhs made the rounds since it was so hard to find. Even Paramount let it go to at least two other video companies I know of, and the last vhs release of it a few years ago was a collector's item in the fact that it contained the "plumber scene" which is now included on this DVD release as part of the deleted scenes. It's so good to see that people have cherished this film and are doing it great justice by giving us so much on this DVD.

I have been a true fan of this modest classic, telling everyone I know about it and forcing them to see it. No one to this day has been disappointed, especially if you appreciate extreme camp and honest to goodness silliness. The film is aware of its own low budget and uses that to its advantage, as one film critic once said "it was made for one percent of the budget of New York, New York and is a hundred times funnier!" It transcends the boundaries of a T&A comedy by actually appealing to anyone with a giddy sense of humor, straight or gay. Cindy Williams has always had a special place in my heart after seeing her performance in this film, she is top-notch here! SHE makes this film a complete experience, besides the charming and very funny Diana Canova's character of Juanita Juanita. And watch out for that very funny brief cameo by Ron Howard!

The early pressings of the DVD contain the soundtrack on CD -- what a welcome sight since I have held on to my vinyl copy of the soundtrack since it was released in 1977! Many will want this especially for the fact that Annette O'Toole was the singing voice behind the song The Lights And The Smiles! This may sound corny, but with the DVD release of The First Nudie Musical and its soundtrack right now, I feel life has come full circle for me. This has been my all-time favorite film since its theatrical release back in 1976, and I urge everyone to pay their respects and buy this DVD! You'll be glad you did and find yourself saying what Juanita Juanita said: "It's just so BIG!"

I was delighted when I first heard THE FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL was being done on a DVD. I had a 3rd-rate VHS of the movie and eagerly awaited the DVD. I was not disappointed. This is a very funny movie with some of the best showtunes heard since the great shows of the 1940's and '50's.

It is amazing that this movie could be made for $150,000! It looks as good as most million dollar productions of the time.

Unless you are offended by nudity (the movie lives up to its title), I think you will be laughing and humming along from beginning to end.

The DVD is LOADED with extras! Two commentary tracks, a behind the scenes featurette, two deleted scenes (one a mucical number of a song Barbra Streisand should record), and more.

As an added bonus the DVD comes with a Soundtrack CD that has the music from the movie PLUS instrumental versions of the songs. This is an extraordinary bonus!

THE FIRST NUDIE MUSICAL is a cult favorite that deserves a wider audience. Add it to your collection. You'll be glad you did!

I saw this movie when I was a teenager...Had to use a fake ID to get into the theatere...Back then it seemed to be so funny and naughty. Now it's just a loot of fun to watch. Don't expect much in the way of a plot or sets, but just accept it for what it is...a lot of fun. The special soundtrack CD is lots of fun and the songs are really catchy....You'll be humming "Dancing Dildoes" to yourself without even noticing!

I don't know what movie all those other people that wrote reviews saw, but The First Nudie Musical is funny! I enjoyed all (and I mean ALL) the commentaries. The commentary on the documentary is especially funny (and I can honestly say I haven't ever heard a documentary-of-a-film commentary before!) Also, the soundtrack cd for the film which is included as a bonus is good.....I've been listening to it in my car all week. In other words, get this dvd....you won't be disappointed!

The negative for the First Nudie Musical has been lost and the transfer was taken from an existing prints. The visible evidence that it was taken from print rather than a negative is during the reel changes. The excellent telecine transfer must be mentioned, as the colors are rich and vibrant. They are far superior to the older video releases. The sound is mono, but in the earlier seventies so were the majority of the films made at the time.

The film was the brainchild of Bruce Kimmel who wrote, composed the score and directed the majority of the film with Mark Haggard. Kimmel also stars in the film as the inept director John Smithee. He has an infectious laugh and plays his role with the similar expert timing he displayed on his many guest-starring roles on 70's sitcoms.

Stephan Nathan, Diana Canova (Soap) and Cindy Williams just months shy of the role that would make her famous in Laverne and Shirley also star in the film. Canova plays Juanita an aspiring actress and singer who has the thickest Cuban accent this side of Ricky Ricardo. Nathan is a very able song and dance man as he displayed in the original New York productions of Godspell and in the film version of 1776 singing the controversial "Mama, Look Sharp". Cindy Williams a very able comedic actress with great comic timing who appeared in such diverse roles in Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation, American Graffiti, Travels With My Aunt and Mr. Rico. John Kirby's scene stealing work as the very bad nudie film actor in the deleted Plumber Scene is another highlight.

The rest of the cast is filled with young raw talent and they memorable sidesplitting turn by Susan Stewart as Joy Full. Everyone has his or her moment to shine. Leslie Ackerman plays the fresh off the bus Wanna-be-star who has no idea what a nudie film or what a lesbian is; Alan Alebew as the leading man trying to pick up all the women in the film, Alexandra Morgan as Mary LaRue the Faye Dunaway of nudie Films. Look out for a young Susan Buckner as a singing and dancing prostitute (Later to appear as Patty in the film version of Grease) and Joel Blum who went on to be a Tony Nominated actor on Broadway.

Two interesting side notes: Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent of WB's Smallville) and Debbie Shapiro (later Debbie Shapiro Gravitte and then Debbie Gravitte) were two of the more notable ghost singers a la Marni Nixon.

The hilarious songs and dialogue by Kimmel obviously inspired the South Park creators' Trey Parker and Matt Stone in their offbeat songs and humor in their films South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut and Orgazmo. This includes the "infamous" words uttered by Cindy Williams so lovingly, "stunt co**" that found their way into their films. Kimmel was the first and therefore has the freshest take on the material. The film is briskly edited to 97 minutes.

The DVD has commentary by Kimmel, Williams and Nathan on one track of the film, Kimmel and Nick Redman, and Michael Rosendale on the other. There is also commentary on the deleted scene and musical scene. And what might be a first an audio commentary on the making of documentary features.

All will have an enjoyable time and is highly recommended.

The title sounded interesting so I thought it was worth a look and although not the best film I've ever seen, it was certainly one to see.

Charming and well thought out movie that should remain a cult movie for the next 25 years too.

The plot is basically a film in a film. We watch as a crazy team attempt to put on the world's first sex musical. The film is certainly more comedy than porn so don't be put off. Give it a try.

As with the original Little Shop of Horrors, technical quality is not the issue here. This silly little film represents at least a minor landmark in cinema history and now that it's available on DVD, everyone can judge for themselves. Schlock doesn't begin to describe the technical aspects, but Cindy Williams is a delight as Rosie the Secretary, giving a performance alternately subtle and outrageous. Years of Laverne and Shirley may have done more harm than good to her overall reputation, but this film shows that she could have been the equal of Goldie Hawn in films.

Lots of special features in the DVD (including several Easter Eggs), but grab one soon, as the bonus soundtrack CD will not be included in later pressings.

When this little film turned up in 1975 I was living in one of the few cities it was first released to. I remember sitting in a huge theatre with 9 other people and we were all howling our heads off. The run was about 2 weeks and I saw this movie 11 times. In the ensuing years I taped it on cable. My video tape is wearing out and this DVD is like Christmas Day.
The main feature is in remarkably good shape. In an interview writer, director and producer Bruce Kimmel said that the master was literally unusable in some areas. It had to be completely rebuilt. The joys of the digital age. In a nutshell it centers around a movie studio that is going to be reposessed unless they put on a movie that is a success. The brilliant young head of the studio decides a porno nude film would put them in the black. One of the creditors insists that his nephew direct the film. Just the beginning of the trouble. A colorful, funny group of characters sing and dance their way across the screen for 94 minutes. It is a truly funny movie. "Dancing Dildos" is a hoot.
Also on this DVD is the standard photo gallery, theatrical trailer. However a "making" of the film documentary is very funny indeed. Great interviews and film scenes with Cindy Williams, Bruce Kimmel, Stephen Nathan and others associated with the film. Rumor has it that Ms Williams wanted to buy every print of the film after Laverne and Shirley became popular.

Also included in this deluxe package is a cd of the soundtrack. It has a very funny, bright melodious score. In fact, it would make a great Broadway musical. What a novel idea.

If you want to have a fun 2 hours watch "The First Nudie Musical".

when this movie first came out i paid $89.95 for the video......created memerble moments from the movie in shows that i choregraped for charites. know on dvd is a thrill''''''''''

One of the greatest aspects of the DVD format is that it has brought underground cult films to a mass audience. No longer do you have to wonder about the oddball titles you've only heard about or that you've always wanted to see. These films might have been screened in large cities, but soon disappeared only to be whispered about nostalgically or forgotten completely. In my collection, I have two such films--musicals with rabidly supportive fan bases. And while I admire elements of both films, viewed with modern eyes--they are largely notable for their historic curiosity factor only.

"The First Nudie Musical," from 1975, is a slight and amusing romp about a filmmaker trying to save his studio by making an ADULT musical. A spoof of conventional "let's put on a show!" type movie musicals--the film's humor is sweeter than you might imagine from it's title. In fact, most of the supposed outrageousness is saved for the actual production numbers. With corny costumes, mildly titillating lyrics, and nice sight gags--these songs can be fun if inconsequential. Taken out of it's time period, however, there is nothing particularly shocking about this picture. There is plenty of non-sexual nudity, if you didn't guess that from the title. It is interesting to see Cindy Williams and Diana Canova before they went on to become sitcom stars. Everyone is game and the mood is light. You might chuckle a few times, but it's a low budget affair that's just isn't as funny as you would hope.

"The Apple," from 1980, has different aspirations--but elicits some of the same emotions. This is a rock opera spoof set to a sci-fi beat. With campy costumes, bad power ballads, and a classic struggle between good and evil--this film assaults your senses. It bludgeons you with it's very nature. When a young innocent singer is seduced by fame and fortune and the devilish Mr. Boogalow--it's up to her folksinging partner to save her soul and all of humanity. Designed to be outrageous, it was likely a spectacle when it premiered. Time, however, has dulled some of its glitter--and again, you might be wishing the film were a bit funnier than it actually is.

I think both of these musicals have intrinsic historical value. I love things that try to push the boundaries of mainstream film. For film lovers or curiosity seekers, I recommend you check out either or both films--if they sound interesting. My lower ratings are more for the casual viewer. As satire, spoof or camp--in their day--these films were noteworthy. To a modern audience, they might just seem bad. But if they were meant to be bad, does that make them good? That's a conundrum I leave at your feet. KGHarris, 10/06.