Customer Reviews

Peter Allen - The Boy From Oz

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With all the hype around Hugh Jackman's theatrical portrayal a few years back, I wondered if the REAL Peter Allen was as fabulous (YES!) as I had remembered. I tracked down this documentary to see if what I remembered might well be just a pretty memory. But from the very opening credits of "Quiet plese, there's a Lady Onstage," I was putty in his hnds. Peter reaffirmd his musical talent and showmanship - with a cherry on top. The brilliance of Peter, was that he could keep an a family audience happy, and then, play a late night la dolce vita extravgaza for the gay commnity, or perform on he Miss Universe Pageant. But it's so important to keep sight there was Peter Allen was the real deal and a clever devil - a bit wicked, sassy and naughty - and oh so exhuberant and talented- who could take us from laughing and dancing - and then break our hearts with his lovely ballads.

Hugh Jackman did his homework and did a heroic job that deserved the Tony. I loved how he could "channel" Peter. But till, even now, given the chance, I'd rather see Peter.

This well-made documentary takes you back to the party hard, pre-AIDS hedonim that informed some of Peter's performing work, and foreshadows the how our culture was on the cusp of change. Songs like CONTINENTAL AMERICAN and I GO TO RIO were show stoppers in the gay/straight/bi clubs in San Fracisco back in the day. Peter's energy, charisma and songwriting talent were mind-blowing then, and in retrospect, more than ever. So sad that he passed away so young, especially since the life-sustaining AIDS cocktail was just on the horizon. I would love to see how his creative talent could have become so much richer. But, least, now, we'll never have to see him as a celebrity Judge on American Idol.

This documentary takes you into a time warp - If you saw the show and loved it or if you saw the show and didn't love it, or you don't know who Peter Allen was...get your hands on this DVD documentary and discover the real Peter Allen. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll dance.

Extra bonus was the interview with the late, charming Ben Gannon, a charismatic storteller who sheds light on how hard it was who produced the Australian and American shows. The documentary was created to generate interest and raise money and thanks to Ben Gannon, we can all revisit that singing, dancing, tender
force of naure that WAS Peter Allen!

I was a long-time fan of Peter Allen and had seen Hugh Jackman's wonderful performance in the Broadway show. Showed this DVD to friends who saw the show and they wished they had seen this DVD first, as they were not really that aware of the real Peter Allen's talents.

When to see Peter Allen and this brings back so many memories. Really very Good

Not to be confused with the musical of the same name this is the 1995 Australian documentary of the same name that gave the show its title. It features exclusive archive footage of Peter Allen on stage, clips from a This is Your Life special plus Peter performing with his mother in law Judy Garland and ex-wife Liza Minnelli (as well as a member of the "Allen Brothers" with the non-related Chris "Allen" Bell). There are interviews with his friends and colleagues including Bernadette Peters, Harry Connick, Jr., Carole Bayer Sager (his most frequent collaborator) and Bette Midler (who does a hilarous version of Peter's autobiographical "Tenterfield Saddler" at the end, as taken from a tribute concert, during which she forgets the words because the lyrics fell out her hands!) Of course this has not been updated to include footage from the musical which opened on Australia with Todd McKenney in 1998 and on Broadway with Hugh Jackman in 2003, but there is a mention of it in a bonus interview with Ben Gannon who produced both the film and the musical.

Peter Allen was an Entertainer in the Company of Jolson; Garland; Bassey; Dietrich; Sammy Davis - a True Original! AND one Helluva Songwriter ALSO Amazingly Energetic on Stage!

A good doco in memory of the Aussie Broadway star could more be contributed with 10-15 minutes of his live performing.