Customer Reviews

The Original Amateur Hour

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

 

 

First off, let me say that I'm a fan of the content of this DVD. I find it funny, touching, and more. I decided to write a review because the DVD production itself disappointed me and I think more people might like to know about this aspect. In short, I recommend this DVD for content, which is great, but the DVD production itself is not.

Gripes about the production:

1. Pat Boone is the host who introduces segments. He's on camera a lot! Personally, I'd rather see just the acts.

2. Some of the segments are edited in a clumsy fashion; for example, at the end of one segment, there will be some sort of transition back to Pat Boone; however, during this transition, we can see the beginning of the next act for a few frames.

3. The identifying titles for the acts are garishly multi-colored, not in keeping with the material.

4. Some of the material seems to have been sourced from old VHS tape, or some other source that has head switching. "Head switching" is the funny lines visible at the bottom of the picture; you can see them if you watch the DVD on a computer. This is not a terrible problem but it's not a good thing either.

5. The Pat Boone host video is relatively dark.

My thought is that if you have a feeling for these sorts of acts and this sort of vintage television, you'll be glad you bought this DVD, but at the same time you may find yourself wishing the people who put it out had done a more elegant job.

This 2 DVD set is simply terrific. It brings back so many memories of the early days of TV and radio and showcases young performers like Frank Sinatra, Robert Klein, Ann-Margret and others long before they were stars. Pat Boone, who got his start on "The Original Amateur Hour" does a bang-up job as host on this must-have DVD. I would reccomend it to everyone for their home library and as a gift.

Before "American Idol" there was "The Original Amateur Hour," which in its glory days showcased talent the way it should be in this day and age...pure and simple - with no stupidity in sight. "Amateur Hour" did NOT have the glitz and glamour of today's talent shows - and (thank God) not even a Simon Cowell-esque personality.

Viewing this DVD brought back memories of watching the original series with the great Ted Mack (the revival with Willard Scott in 1992 did not even come close). What made it so enjoyable was seeing the first glimpses of stardom for the likes of Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, Connie Francis, Gladys Knight, Jose Feliciano, Raul Julia, and Irene Cara among others.

The only negative is that there should have been at least one or two more complete episodes (in this collection we get one from 1953 and one from 1970 - just before the series ended), and I hope that the next volume (more please) will be a little more extensive. Otherwise, this is a pleasant trip down TV's memory lane.