19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank You, Sir Cliff !, September 13, 2002
This review is from: The Cliff Richard Collection (The Young Ones / Summer Holiday / Wonderful Life) (DVD)
I should start by saying that I gave this set 5 stars because Anchor Bay has done a wonderful job of presenting these 40-year old films in their original wide-screen, colourful glory--and also because I never-ever-thought that I would see them released in North America. I have been a fan of Cliff's since the 50s, but--let's face it--his success in the U.S. has only been sporadic. So having his three best musicals on DVD is a real treat for people like me !
"The Young Ones" ( aka "Wonderful to be Young" in the U.S. )was not Cliff's first film, but it was his first as a star. Overall, I would give it 4 1/2 stars, because it is still a lot of fun, and when it was released, was probably the best musical made in the UK to that point.
The plot is old and familiar--to save their clubhouse from a greedy developer, Cliff and his friends decide to "put on a show"--it helps that the group includes pro dancers like Carole Gray and Teddy Green, amusing comedians like Melvyn Hayes and Richard O'Sullivan, musicians like the Shadows and , of course, Cliff to handle the singing. The "greedy developer"--who also happens to be Cliff's "father" in the plot--is played by Robert Morley, who steals every scene he is in. I took away half a star only because there is a certain lack of chemistry between Cliff and Carole Gray, his leading lady, and also because when the Shadows ( in their original line-up ) have their big number at the end of the film--"The Savage"--it is truncated--a real shame, since they were the biggest, most exciting group in British music before the Beatles.
Thanks to the magic of DVD, you can also play "The Young Ones" while listening to the comments of its director, Sidney J. Furie. I found his comments fascinating--he not only talks about the film, but his own early days in the movie business and what it was like filming in the UK in the early 60s.
"Summer Holiday" was the second film in this Cliff Richard musical trilogy and, for me at least, it is the best--magical fun from start to finish. When Cliff appears after the opening credits, black and white turns to colour, and this fun movie gets rolling--actually "rolling" on the wheels of a bright red, double-decker London bus ( "London Transport said OK" ) that Cliff and his pals take to France, across Europe and ultimately Greece.
There are many reasons why this movie works so well. There is a great cast of young, supporting players who match Cliff's enthusiasm, and Lauri Peters is a lovely leading lady. The dance numbers are expertly done--Cliff may not be Gene Kelly
( who is ? ) but he acquits himself very well, and watch out for one of his mates played by Teddy Green, a real pro. Comic sequences are very amusing. On-location European scenery is a big plus--Cliff singing "The Next Time" with the Acropolis behind him leaves a lasting impression. The soundtrack is quite simply Cliff's best. "Summer Holiday", "Bachelor Boy", "Dancing Shoes", great production numbers and three excellent instrumentals by the legendary Shadows add up to super entertainment.
Sir Cliff was about 22 when this was filmed--he looks great, sounds great and has charm and charisma to spare. If there is one film that will explain why he has had such a long career, and remains so popular all over the globe, it is "Summer Holiday".
The "Summer Holiday" DVD is particularly gorgeous--lovely colour, excellent detail. You can also watch the film while listening to the comments of director, Peter Yates. Mr. Yates has terrific "recall" and his comments are a fascinating bonus for fans.
The last of the "trilogy" is "Wonderful Life"--aka in the U.S. as "Swingers' Paradise". I would give this movie 3 1/2 stars, mainly based on Cliff's charisma, the charm of leading lady, Susan Hampshire, a clever sequence in the middle of the film depicting the history of movies, and the beautiful Canary Islands scenery.
This film is a "must" only for Cliff diehards, because it certainly has some problems. The most glaring problem is the plot. While light-hearted musicals are not expected to be "Citizen Kane", the plot for "Wonderful Life" is anything but "wonderful". The dialogue is very lame--where "The Young Ones" and "Summer Holiday" had many amusing sequences, the comedy here--even with Melvyn Hayes and Richard O'Sullivan again on board--seems forced and flat.
The Shadows are given much bigger roles in this film--even dialogue--but there is no attempt to give them any sort of personality. Walter Slezak, as the megalomaniac movie director, has none of the humour or charm that Robert Morley displayed as the lovable "villain" in "The Young Ones". Derek Bond, a popular British actor in the 40s and 50s, is wasted in an embarrassing role as a cowardly movie star.
The soundtrack has a couple of good numbers, but doesn't remotely compare to that of "Summer Holiday".
With all these problems, the film had the misfortune to be released around the same time as "A Hard Day's Night"--suddenly "old fashioned musicals" seemed to be just that--"old fashioned".
One more point--where Sidney J. Furie's comments on "The Young Ones" were very interesting, his first statement about "Wonderful Life" is that he has no recollection of the film whatsoever ! This does not stop him from chatting about other films he made, including "Lady Sings the Blues" where he gushes about the thrill of working with Diana Ross ! Sorry Sidney--if you don't have any real memories of "Wonderful Life", why bother ?
Overall this boxed-set is a fitting testament to a star who continues today--he's now a 62-year old "Young One"--to please his fans all over the world. Again, a big "thank you" to Anchor Bay. For Cliff's many fans, this collection is absolutely indispensible !
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
outstanding, nostalgic collection, March 1, 2003
This review is from: The Cliff Richard Collection (The Young Ones / Summer Holiday / Wonderful Life) (DVD)
This amazing box-set comprises of the three musicals Cliff Richard made in the 1960's. "The Young Ones", "Summer Holiday" and the vastly-overlooked "Wonderful Life" which is only available exclusively in this box set.
THE YOUNG ONES was the top British box-office attraction of 1961, and still my favorite of all the Cliff Richard films. In the film, Cliff plays Nicky Black, the handsome son of a wealthy businessman (Robert Morley) whose talents lie in performing and not business like his stuffy father. When the local youth-club is to be torn down, Nicky, his girlfriend Toni (Carole Gray) and their friends decide to stage a benefit show, with Nicky as the "Mystery Singer".
Top stuff. Carole Gray is showcased in several splashy numbers including her song "No One But Nicky". Gray was one of the top West End stars of the day and had made acclaimed performances in "West Side Story" as well as "The Boy Friend".
SUMMER HOLIDAY was the follow-up to mega-hit THE YOUNG ONES, and features fine performances from Melvyn Hayes and Una Stubbs, with Broadway's Lauri Peters, fresh from her run as Liesl in "Sound of Music", as Richard's love interest Barbara Winters.
In the film Richard and his car-mechanic mates decide to drive a cumbersome double-decker bus from London to Athens for a vacation. Along the way they indulge in some rather amusing escapades.
WONDERFUL LIFE was lushly filmed on location in the Canary Islands, with Melvyn Hayes and Una Stubbs again co-starring. This time, a young Susan Hampshire ("Monarch of the Glen") is wooed by Richard. This film features many overly-designed dance numbers, and Richard is at his vocal best.
The transfers for all three films are remarkably-clean and free of dirt and scratches. The colors are fully-saturated and the 2-channel stereo sound serves its purpose. All three films are in their correct aspect ratio (2:35:1)
On the whole, to have all three films available in this box-set is superb. THE YOUNG ONES and SUMMER HOLIDAY are also available individually.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cliff Richard Movies on CD, March 20, 2002
This review is from: The Cliff Richard Collection (The Young Ones / Summer Holiday / Wonderful Life) (DVD)
I've not seen these on DVD yet, as they haven't been released, but I have seen the movies before. I'm giving it a 5 Star rating mainly because I can soon buy and enjoy these long sought after films!
For those of you who enjoy Cliff Richard music and his old movies, this will be a great acquisition for you! Many of his early 60s hits appear in the movies along with some other great songs. Not all the songs are great, but there is enough enjoyable music to please most everyone. I'd equate these movies with the Elvis movies and other teen idol movies from that time. They're not academy award material, but they sure are fun to watch and reminesce to -and better than most of the films from that genre. Hopefully the picture and sound quality will be good. The release of these films on DVD will be a great prize for Cliff's many fans here in the USA and for [a great price] for the three, this is a real bargain! For anyone who's a Cliff fan or who enjoys early 60s music from that era, buy this set!!! ...and for anyone who doesn't know of Sir Cliff Richard, you've been missing out on one of England's great treasures!
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