Product Details

• Actors: Louis Prima, Sam Butera, Ron Cannatella, Frank Federico, Will Friedwald
• Directors: Don McGlynn
• Producers: Don McGlynn, Celia Zaentz, Joe Lauro
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: May 8, 2001
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005B6MZ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,216 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good insight into the man and his music., September 9, 2001

By 

David Kenner (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Louis Prima - The Wildest (DVD)

This is a nice bio of one of the legends of Las Vegas and beyond. Louis' life is explored from his family's immigration on through to his death in the late 70s. There are many insightful moments represented here thanks to interviews with music historian Will Friedwald, Prima's bandmates Sam Butera, Keely Smith, Gia Maione and others as well as members of Prima's family. Overall it's a nice production but I wish there could have been more concert footage where instead a song like "Just a Gigolo" is played over stock footage of the Vegas strip and people gambling in casinos. What concert footage there is though, is priceless with Louis, Keely and Sam hamming it up for "Just a Gigolo" and "That Old Black Magic" as well as a duet with Gia Maione on "I Want You" that is one of this video's highlights. The main problem with the video is that it leaves you wanting more. Much more.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fitting tribute to one wild cat, September 30, 2002

By 

D. B. Spalding (Korova Multimedia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Louis Prima - The Wildest (DVD)

Great review of this jazz master's career, from New Orleans, to New York (where he penned the immortal "Sing, Sing, Sing") and on to his later triumph as a Vegas showman. His gift, and his gab, are clearly on display here through archive footage and kinetoscopes of early TV appearances with Keely Smith. Loaded with interviews, photos, recordings and rare films. If you think you knew about Louis Prima, this documentary will open your eyes. Among some of the funniest moments are some footage of Louis recording the Disney tune "I wanna be just like you" for THE JUNGLE BOOK. A great film about one of the 20th Century's great jazz artists.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining, hilarious documentary, May 14, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Louis Prima - The Wildest (DVD)

This documentary is a real treat. Louis Prima was such a tremendous showman, with so much energy. The places he lived - New Orleans, Las Vegas - are also fun to watch. But it is the performances, particularly with his wife Keely Smith, that are a blast to watch. I'd recommend this to any music fan, but particular those who like the Rat Pack, rhythm and blues or New Orleans music. But Louis is so fun, I think just about anybody would have a great time watching it.