Product Details

• Actors: Raymond Bilbool, Tommy Gallagher, Trisha Absher, Army Archerd, Maureen Arthur
• Directors: Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman
• Producers: Alicia Sams, Diandra Douglas, James V. Kimsey, Julia King, Julia Strohm
• Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Video Group
• VHS Release Date: October 26, 1999
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767020510
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,219 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It has been said that when you are sick, nobody calls you, but when you die, everyone wants to come to the funeral. So it was with Chasen's, the legendary Hollywood restaurant that opened its doors in 1936. In its heyday, every night was like a premiere and every table was filled with stars. In more recent years, however, Chasen's was shunned by contemporary Hollywood who preferred trendier and hipper eateries. Finally, after more than six decades, it was sold to a strip-mall developer and, in April 1995, was slated to close. Suddenly, Chasen's was the hottest reservation in town.

A feast for film buffs, Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's chronicles in glorious archival footage and with interviews the glamorous history and bittersweet demise of one of the last bastions of a bygone era. The restaurant's frantic and tumultuous final weeks play out against the backdrop of poignant reminiscences of loyal patrons and the venerable staff. What Sam and Sasha were to Rick's in Casablanca, bartender Pepe Ruiz (creator of a drink called the Flame of Love), kitchen supervisor Raymond Bilbool, and irrepressible waiter Tommy Gallagher were to Chasen's. Pardon the pun, but they can really dish.

In Chasen's final days, Hollywood's elite tried to crash the party. Sylvester Stallone was turned away. One waiter remarks that Ed McMahon phoned him at home, called him by name, and asked if he could get McMahon a table. "It was the first time he ever called me 'Steve,'" the waiter laughs. "Usually he just called me 'waiter.'" From the star-studded film clips to such Tums-inducing sights as Rod Steiger eating lunch, memories--as Dean Martin croons on the soundtrack--are made of this. --Donald Liebenson

Product Description

The original Chasen’s restaurant served Hollywood royalty for over fifty years and this enticing documentary celebrates the restaurant’s glory days and the bittersweet moments leading up to its climactic final course. Paying tribute to this legendary hau

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done Hollywood history-humorous poignant, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Off the Menu - The Last Days of Chasen's [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have seen this wonderful film in Hollywood, New York and Wasington D.C. and it never disappoints. There is so much in it that it is always interesting and a joy to watch. There are many fascinating persnalities--both the Chasen's staff and old Hollywood personalities-and they are portrayed with amazing sensitivity, humor and intelligence.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and thoughtful portrayal of a Hollywood Legend, October 15, 1999

By 

Robert R. Hamady ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Off the Menu - The Last Days of Chasen's [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Off the Menu is a beautifully produced movie about one of the places where old Hollywood legends where made. It is filmed as a documentary but it comes off as an entertaining collection of stories about Hollywood and the people that made it famous.

Chasens is no longer operating but is actually still standing, or was at the begining of October '99. Going inside after seeing the movie was great. The old set-up is still there and, given a bit of imagination, I could feel what it might have been like at the top of its time.

A great movie overall - I'm buying two!

RRH - 10/15/99

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great documentary!, March 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Off the Menu - The Last Days of Chasen's (DVD)

"Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's" is the best documentary I've seen in a long time. The documentary catches the audience and in a fascinating and human way describes the atmosphere, the staff who dedicated their lives serving the stars, but also deals with the evolution in the restaurant business that played a role in the closing of this famous Hollywood restaurant. It's a great documentary! Buy it!