Customer Reviews

Gaite Parisienne

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This dvd offers the only recording of this ballet I know of. The technical quality of the filming is primitive, but given the way in which iit was created it is amazing that there's anything there at all. It provides a look at some legendary dancers at their peak, but it may not be of value to those who are not deeply devoted to ballet. The accompanying material is valuable, including a view of the ballet from the inside out in an interview with Frederick Franklin, the leading male dancer on the recording, There are also available a running commentary by Franklin and subtitles which identify the principal dancers as they appear.

Although the film quality was not the greatest, it was viewable enough to see Danilova's artistry, as well as Massine's. Films like this are important because they preserve dance for future generations and provide a meaningful link into the past. There is much to emulate here and for those who have never seen the can-can danced, here it is in all its flashiness. Shades of Toulous Lautrec -- this is indeed the real thing, costumes and all. Suddenly the pictures have come to life and the dancing is perfect, even though the dancers dance with such spirit one would think they would get trampled. For those who want to go back into the past where Paris was full of passion, you won't be disappointed with this treat.

Back in the 1950's when I got out of the Navy, Gaite Parisienne was the
first ballet I ever saw live in a theater. And I saw Ballet Russe de
Monte Carlo do it. So, this looked exciting. In some ways it is exciting. The story of the making of the film is a movie of its own.
In short...the elements for this film were gathered over a period of years and finally assembled. It is wonderful to see some important artists and the production (in black and white)...but...the film is a
bit uneven...and the speeds are adjusted to fit the music...so..sometimes
the dancers appear to be dancing much harder and faster than they would
have been. If you enjoy off beat films...this version of this ballet
will thrill you. Here is the bottom line: "Gaite Parisienne" is a very
charming ballet...it deserves a fresh new production and to be filmed
in Hi-Def, Stereo etc...I will buy that one, too. At the moment this
is all there is.

I purchased this DVD thinking that I'd be watching a performance video, but Gaite Parisienne turned out to be a wonderful tribute to both the man who filmed it and one of his favorite dance performances. My 5-star rating is aimed at those who have an appreciation for big dance productions and a knowledge of the elements that go into staging these performances.

Starting in 1944, Victor Jessen went many times (hundreds?) to videotape countless segments of his favorite dance show at different venues. After about ten years, he spliced the pieces together as best as he could to try and synch up with a single musical recording (which he also made) from a 1954 performance. The result is truly amazing: a composite film of Gaite Parisienne, with scenes toggling from one performance to another--even with different casts!

There are four parts to this DVD:

THE PERFORMANCE (37 minutes). Video-wise it's literally low-budget, all b&w, with dance numbers that do not always sync up with the sound due to the incredible number of film snippets that had to be spliced together. Some of the camera angles would up chopping the heads off the dancers, but many others provided an audience perspective that creates a nice intimacy from an unusual vantage point. Think "documentary," and I'm confident you'll be okay with all the technical shortcomings. I'd strongly recommend turning on the explanatory subtitles and audio commentary (by Frederic Franklin, who danced the lead role of the Baron). It's a lively show, with lots of expressive choreography by Leonide Massine. Of course, the music is total fun.

FREDERIC FRANKLIN INTERVIEW (36 minutes). As one of the lead characters in the ballet, Mr. Franklin had tons of insight to virtually every aspect of the performances. He talks at length about his own experiences in creating roles and dancing the part of the Baron in Gaite Parisienne, Massine's influence on the production and the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo (beginning in 1938), numerous noteworthy dancers in the show, the vagaries of touring, and other characteristics of dance in the 1930's and 1940's. The interview with producer John Mueller took place in Cincinnati in October 2004; Mr. Franklin is still alive as of this writing (b. 1914).

SAGA OF VICTOR JESSEN (12 minutes). Perhaps the most amazing twelve minutes of any performance documentary I've seen. I won't spoil the surprise, but you will not believe how Mr. Jessen was able to be so prolific in filming his favorite dance company, over and over again, using crude equipment.

PRODUCTIONS FILMED BY JESSEN (2 minutes). Numerous lists of performances captured on film by Mr. Jessen over more than a decade.

I was a teenager when the Ballet Russe performed this ballet on their visit to southern Florida. I saw it twice. First at the Dade County Auditoriun in Miami. After which I ran to get a bunch of tickets to their performance at the Miami Beach Auditorium. I brought everyone I knew who would be dazzled. Both venues were less than ideal, but who cared. The dancing and brilliant choreography made up for these difficult performance spaces. Ah! What memories ... I have never forgotten seeing all those legendary dancers. If you like classical dance, buy this DVD and discover the foundation they established for today's dancers to build upon.

it was not what i expecting a recent dvd on the ballet, but to my astonishment I was taken back to the 30s it would have been an advantage if some indication was made as to the date of the film But putting this aside I watched with interst. The dancing is a bit unusual by todays standards but interesting. As a historical record of the Ballet Russe it has its merits and for those interested in history of the arts and of a famous ballet company to boot this is a must enjoyable disc to have. Yes but a bit hard on the eyes filmed in B.W and very grainy typical of the old movies but well worth the effort in watching

It is difficult to understand the obesiveness of Mr Jessen, but we are the beneficiaries -- at a time when preservation was unheard of he preserved a unique production by a company using a dance style that apparently no longer exists. Considering how it was filmed and put together the quality is quite good. The interviews and comentary by Mr Franklin are precious.

May all the gods of art bless VAI for releasing this painstaking record of The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in one of their signature performances. While this ballet didn't quite make a success in Europe, Americans adored it. Taking place in a bordello, all the levels of society mingle in some of the most unforgettable moments in ballet. Danilova is absolutely remarkable. Beautiful, sexy, dominating the stage with her radiance, she had audiences gasping. Her partner, the magnificent Freddie Franklin is her perfect match.

A great gift is the audio commentary and interview with Frederic Franklin. The interviewer isn't quite up to the task. What an opportunity he had with Franklin right there, watching the film with him, but he never seems to rise to the occasion. Nonetheless, it's a great joy to hear Franklin's comments and reactions to the performances that make up this important record of immortal artists.

The waltz with Danilova and Franklin is unforgettable. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Ballet Russe and the history of dance.

This DVD is in black and white with rather poor sound quality. The frame speed has been accelerated to make the dancers seem faster than they actually are. The dancing is generally good, though, as is the music.

Fantastic historical film of a ballet hardly known outside the ballet world and not even at all by contemporary professionals. Rare complete film of a Massine ballet recently revived by Massine's son for the Bolshoi and presently in the Bolshoi repertoire.