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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Show Biz Eras Merge For the Better, August 4, 2006
I couldn't wait to watch these nostalgic shows and reminisce and this set is more than I expected. The great (one of a kind) performances and music are only part of the enjoyment; these shows are a virtual historical document of a special era. The fashionable dress (young, beautiful, carefully quaffed women in cocktail dresses and guys in tuxedos and suits, cigarette smoke fills the air, and the booze freely flows). The hip comics, some working at their peak and others in the development stages of their careers; the classic lounge acts doing their well rehearsed and perfectly timed routines. And, then there are the stars, the biggest stars of the time from stage, TV, movies and music and the young stars of tomorrow; it's revealing to watch Cher before she evolved into "Cher" and fascinating to see the young, fragile and soulful Tina Turner.
I am especially impressed with the moments that capture, what have to be, the one and only time many of these performers worked together; a young Linda Rondstadt and a mature Billy Eckstine sitting at the piano doing "God Bless the Child" - I can't imagine that magic duet was ever repeated anywhere else, for that matter the segment featuring Sammy Davis Jr., Anthony Newley and Jerry Lewis displaying true comic and musical genius is a captured treasure.
I viewed the entire set in one sitting and am eager to see what Playboy will offer next. In a modern world of faux celebrity and studio enhanced recording artists, it's refreshing to be reminded of what qualifies as quality entertainment. By the way, Hugh Hefner appears very much at ease as host of the eclectic blend of guests.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
WOW!, June 25, 2006
I've been waiting for someone to acquire the rights to this for many years! There were actually 2 Playboy After Dark shows produced. The first aired in syndication in the late 1950's and used as its format the idea of you being invited to a swanky Chicago bachelor pad (in reality a Chicago tv studio) with your host being Hugh Hefner himself welcoming you to a typical evening's party at which you never knew who might turn up. People like Sammy Davis Jr., Ella Fitzgerald or even Lenny Bruce might be convinced to get up and "do their thing". This show had a definite jazz-flavor to it and its voyeuristic-feel might seem pretty cheesy at first glance until you realize just how many of the people seen here are no longer with us and to see them in a loose-format setting is something special.
The second Playboy After Dark aired in the late 1960's and had a much more rock and roll feel to it. This time the show originated from Los Angeles (since the magazine was now based there) but the "party at Hef's" format was largely the same and variety of talent just as fascinating. Although there's no indication of which shows are included here I've seen bootleg footage from the series and hope these sets include bands like The Grateful Dead, Deep Purple (pre-"Smoke on the Water"), The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo-era), as well as Linda Ronstadt (in her early-70's "Hand Sown-Home Grown" look, when she was GORGEOUS!)
And oh, yeah, there's Playmates too, but these aren't "The Girls Next Door"!
These are definitley time-capsule performaces! I can only hope this is the first of several volumes.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Waiting a long time!!!, August 2, 2006
I've been waiting for a long time to see these shows. I picked mine up yesterday at Tower and it's better than I remember. If you are buying these 3 dvd's for the rock music you have missed the boat and the party! The whole Penthouse and Playboy After Dark shows are one big party with beautiful women, men and some great entertainers and singers all mixing together. This isn't any rock collection, this is a party with everyone mixing together. I love the music, watching a bare footed Linda Rondstadt doing a song with Billy Eckstein is priceless. I love the Sonny & Cher and I barely remember Ike & Tina Turner looking like that but man can they cook. I've never been a big fan of Sammy Davis Jr. but I am now. The same with Lenny Bruce. What a riot! If you are looking for a rock and roll collection, go find a KTEL video. This is the stuff of legends and one of a kind and I for one am glad this is out and can't wait for the next shows to be out on dvd. Were the skirts really that short then?
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