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5.0 out of 5 stars
"Happiest Peppiest Rhythm Time of Your Life ... VCI Ent. (2007)", November 13, 2007
This review is from: Showtime USA, Vol. 1: Everybody's Dancin' and Varieties on Parade (DVD)
VCI Entertainment and Kit Parker Films presents "SHOWTIME USA VOL. 1: EVERYBODY'S DANCIN & VARIETIES ON PARADE"" --- (Dolby digitally remastered) --- Find yourself a front-row seat as the curtain once again rises on the fun-time of a lifetime! --- Great fun for fans of vaudeville, minstrel shows and vintage musicals --- So perk up your ears and put on your dancin' shoes as lost chapters from the big book of Live Entertainment history are re-opened in this one-of-a-kind classic compilation of feature films from the late 1940s to the and early '50s --- Many of the most memorable vaudeville headliners preceding and including that era strut their stuff in these extravaganzas--the singers, dancers and acrobatic acts that got that generation's toes tappin' and funny bones ticklin' --- Some performers are seen here in their only on-camera appearances --- For the true buffs, there is also rare home-movie footage of live vaudeville acts and a trio of expert historian commentators offering a high-energy crash course in the medium's history --- and much, much more!
"Showtime USA, Vol. 1 - Everybody's Dancin' / Varieties on Parade" - The happiest peppiest rhythm and riot time of your life! - Directors Will Jason and Ron Ormond
"Everybody's Dancin'" (1950, 65 min)
Dance hall owner Dick Lane, in desperate need of "name" attractions, is helped by country music legends who agree to star in a TV special at his emporium. Appearances by Spade Cooley (The King of Western Swing), the Sons of the Pioneers (including Ken Curtis and Shug Fisher), outstanding vaudeville specialties with guest stars Jimmy Ellison and Russell "Lucky" Hayden, both appeared in the "Hopalong Cassidy Film Series", are the real draw in this hour film.--- Also featured: Richard Lane, Hal Derwin, Barbara Woodell, Sid Melton and Roddy McDowall --- Special foonote, Spade Cooley had his first first hit song "Shame, Shame on You", became his theme song. He was dubbed the "King of Western Swing". He was so successful as a singer and musician, he owned two properties in southern California and a yacht.--- Another footnote, actor and radio personality Dick Lane appeared on the Spade Cooley Show, he wore cowboy chaps and became known as "Leather Britches", accentuating each Chevrolet commercial by slapping the fender -- Lane was also Inspector Farraday in the "Boston Blackie" film series starring Chester Morris as Boston Blackie in the early '40s.
"Varieties on Parade" (1951, 57 min)
It's vaudeville on film as the camera passes a box office and ticket taker, proceeds to a front-row seat, and watches as master of ceremonies. Jackie Coogan comes out on stage to introduce singers, dancers, acrobats, jugglers, cyclists--even a skit spoofing the silent film "The Kid" which made Coogan a famous child star! --- Featuring Jackie "The Kid" Coogan, Eddie Garr M.C., Tom Neal, Eddie Dean (Had his own Singing Cowboy Film Series), Iris Adrian and Lyle Talbot.
BIOS:
1. Spade Cooley (aka: Donnell Clyde Cooley)
Date of Birth: 17 December 1910 - Grand, Oklahoma
Date of Death: 23 November 1969 - Oakland, California
2. Dick Lane (aka: Richard Lane)
Date of Birth: 28 May 1899 - Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Date of Death: 5 September 1982 - Newport Beach, California
SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES:
1. Commentaries on Varieties on Parade, by film historians Richard Roberts, Brent Walker and Randy Skretvedt
2. Scene Selection
3. Short subjects: "Foto Facts: Part 1" (1947) & "Vaudeville Home Movies" (1948)
Great job by VCI Video and Kit Parker --- looking forward to more Nostalgic Collections --- order your copy now from Amazon or VCI Entertainment where there are plenty of copies available on DVD, stay tuned once again for top notch releases --- where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films and treasures to the collector.
Total Time: 122 mins on DVD ~ VCI Entertainment ~ (11/13/2007)
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