Product Details

• Actors: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller, Mickey Rooney
• Directors: Gene Kelly, Bud Friedgen, David Engel, Jack Haley Jr., Michael J. Shapiro
• Writers: Al Ramrus
• Format: Box set, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Unknown)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: October 12, 2004
• Run Time: 374 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002OXVDW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,356 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "That's Entertainment! The Complete Collection" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

A history of Hollywood films and musicals produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, featuring excerpts from many beloved classics.
Genre: Documentary
Rating: NR
Release Date: 12-OCT-2004
Media Type: DVD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?!?!, October 5, 2004

By 

Nix Pix (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's Entertainment! The Complete Collection (DVD)

Upon its release "That's Entertainment!" became the biggest and brightest money maker of 1974...and it's no wonder. For a little over two hours one had the enchanted experience of being teleported to a world just this side of over the rainbow. Here is a cornucopia of magical scenes and snippets from MGM's most magnificent musicals. Directed with adroit - if self congratulatory - wit and concision by Jack Haley Jr. (son of Oz's Tin Man), "That's Entertainment!" is the sort of blindingly spellbinding extravaganza that reinforces MGM's once galvanic mottos of "art for art's sake" and "more stars than there are in heaven." At its gala premiere Jack Haley Sr. was heard declaring, "This isn't nostalgia. This is art." Rightly so, by 1974 the MGM musical had been dead for some time and the studio itself was on the verge of a restructuring that would ultimately reduce its holdings to garage sale status. But at least in this film such forgotten treasures were resurrected from oblivion to their rightful place in film history. Variety gave "That's Entertainment!" a glowing review, trumpeting, "That while many may ponder the future of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, no one can deny that it's had one heck of a past!"

Naturally, MGM just had to have a sequel. Two years later "That's Entertainment II" came out. But David Melnick's follow up was decidedly a let down on several levels. First, it removed the star cameos that so poignantly buttressed the original's vintage clips. Second, it presented the footage in a seemingly hap-hazard chronology. And finally, it interrupted the musical performances with a showcase from some of the studio's non-musical performers in a string of disjointed word play that neither enhanced the memory of their original performances or the film experience that was to be had. Though not nearly as successful as its predecessor, "That's Entertainment II" was nevertheless a box office titan.

In 1994 MGM once again revisited its vaults for "That's Entertainment III" the final installment in the series. But by now the experience was vaguely beginning to resemble grave robbing. The new film's primary selling feature was that, in addition to showcasing another round of classic performances, it also dug deep into the coffers of outtakes for a series of deleted musical numbers which, until 1994, had either never or rarely been seen. Despite these innovations the final installment to the trilogy was the one most poorly received. It's the original that continues dazzle us all and it's the original that remains the cornerstone of this newly minted DVD box set.

Warner's DVD transfers of all three "That's Entertainment!" films is a welcomed delight. After years of viewing parts one and two with poorly mastered vintage clips, these newly minted discs appear to have been the benefactors of some digital restoration. Beginning with the original film, there is a decide lack of grain and grit on this transfer that is most becoming. Colors (during the Technicolor clips) are vibrant, rich and deep. B&W images are very crisp, nicely balanced, with an often stunning gray scale and superior attention to fine details. There is only the slightest amount of edge enhancement for a picture that is very smooth. The audio has been remixed and remastered to stereo for all three films. Part II seems to suffer from slightly lower contrast levels overall, but the same review for Part I applies. The most outstanding example of digital mastering comes in Part III - a marvelously vibrant array of clips remastered (as they were for the theatrical engagement) in high def that positively glows off the screen. The audio is 5.1 surround and is remarkably aggressive throughout.

Extras include a bonus disc of musical outtakes and extras, audio only catalogue of songs and dances, the original footage of the LA premiere with all of the old time musical stars in attendance and a series of short subjects that collectively perform like a documentary on the series. There are also the original theatrical trailers for each film to be had. In the immortal words of George Gershwin..."who could ask for anything more?"

113 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Trilogy Captures Magic of Era..., September 23, 2004

By 

Benjamin J Burgraff (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: That's Entertainment! The Complete Collection (DVD)

While this trilogy of MGM musical tribute films have been available on VHS as a boxed set, the sheer quantity of unforgettable musical highlights showcased make them 'naturals' for DVD, with the format's superior 'search' accessibility, and improved picture and sound quality. There should be a 'warning label', though; these movies MAY cause you to start singing and dancing, and turn you into a musical 'junkie'!

Each film, besides offering a spectacular array of showstoppers, has a style uniquely it's own; the first, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! (1974), is the glossiest, with an array of 'guest stars' introducing clips (Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Elizabeth Taylor, Kelly, Astaire, Jimmy Stewart, and more) that is matchless; the second, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT, PART II (1976), provides a last opportunity to see hosts Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly do a bit of singing and dancing together, and expands the 'musical' format to include montages of classic comedy, and tributes to Tracy and Hepburn, and other 'non-musical' MGM stars; the oft-overlooked THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! III (1994) eschews the 'soft-focus' approach of it's predecessors, adding a 'behind-the-scenes' look at the demanding work of creating 'classic' routines, and an unflinching acknowledgement of the prejudices of the era, to the mix of musical highlights.

My only quibble is that the musical output of the other major Hollywood studios tends to be downplayed, particularly in THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!, implying that MGM had the 'corner' on the market. Certainly, the Warner collection of Busby Berkeley spectaculars of the 30s, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, and the Doris Day musicals, Fox, with Shirley Temple, Alice Faye, and Betty Grable, Columbia (Rita Hayworth), Paramount (Bing Crosby and Bob Hope), and, most significantly, RKO's classic series of Astaire and Rogers vehicles, all deserve as much recognition and credit for their input to the genre of 'classic' musicals. In terms of sheer 'star power' and overall quality, however, MGM was unmatched.

Whether you grew up loving musicals, or were introduced to the genre through recent films like CHICAGO or MOULIN ROUGE!, this collection of highlights should be essential viewing!

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ASTOUNDING COLLECTION OF PURE JOY-THE DVD OF THE YEAR!, October 12, 2004

By 

Zippidydo (Elkhart, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That's Entertainment! The Complete Collection (DVD)

As a fan of the MGM musicals, I have always loved all three THAT'S ENTERAINMENT! films, especially the first (because it started the resurgence in love for these films), and the third (because it was so innovative and creative in taking us behind the scenes). I've owned them on VHS, I've owned them on LASER DISC, but this new Warner DVD boxed set puts everything that has come before it to shame!

The new 16x9 widescreen transfers are stunning! The colors jump off the screen and the clarity is dazzling.

The 5.1 surround sound is equally amazing. It envelops you!

Best of all is the incredible assemblage of extras Warner has brought forth for the bonus disc TREASURES FROM THE VAULT. You get amazing documentaries (many not seen in years or brand new), vintage TV specials, and 17 additional OUTTAKE MUSICAL NUMBERS that were not included in the original MGM features. What a treat!

It's obvious this package was put together with a great deal of care and passion. Long live the MGM musical, and thanks to this DVD set, that mantra can be a reality!