Product Details

• Actors: Dennis James, Bob Shepard
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Standing Room Only
• DVD Release Date: October 18, 2005
• Run Time: 282 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000ARXF46
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,755 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "The Original Amateur Hour" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Long before TV's "American Idol" became a mega-hit, there was one radio and television series that started the talent competition craze. It was called: "The Original Amateur Hour." Almost 50 major stars of movies, records, stage, screen and television got their start on this series. One was singer Pat Boone who hosts this entertaining glimpse into this landmark series. See the first performances of struggling amateurs such as Frank Sinatra, Nick Carter, Gladys Knight, Ann-Margret, Robert Klein, Raul Julia, Beverly Sills, and others. In this 2-DVD set, Pat Boone also shows us some of the wildest and wackiest novelty acts from "The Original Amateur Hour." From one-legged tap dancers to impressionists. And from crazy kitchen bands and one-man-bands to jugglers and saw players, the series that made the "gong" and "the wheel of fortune" famous, had them all. DVD "extras" include 2 complete "Amateur Hour" TV episodes, just as they originally aired . commercials and all, plus 2 1930's era motion picture "shorts" devoted to the series. A must-have set for anyone who watched "American Idol" and anyone who remembers the classic radio and tv series that started it all

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amateur Hour DVD: good stuff, not a great DVD production, November 8, 2005

By	E. Rudolph - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First off, let me say that I'm a fan of the content of this DVD. I find it funny, touching, and more. I decided to write a review because the DVD production itself disappointed me and I think more people might like to know about this aspect. In short, I recommend this DVD for content, which is great, but the DVD production itself is not.

Gripes about the production:

1. Pat Boone is the host who introduces segments. He's on camera a lot! Personally, I'd rather see just the acts.
2. Some of the segments are edited in a clumsy fashion; for example, at the end of one segment, there will be some sort of transition back to Pat Boone; however, during this transition, we can see the beginning of the next act for a few frames.
3. The identifying titles for the acts are garishly multi-colored, not in keeping with the material.
4. Some of the material seems to have been sourced from old VHS tape, or some other source that has head switching. "Head switching" is the funny lines visible at the bottom of the picture; you can see them if you watch the DVD on a computer. This is not a terrible problem but it's not a good thing either.
5. The Pat Boone host video is relatively dark.

My thought is that if you have a feeling for these sorts of acts and this sort of vintage television, you'll be glad you bought this DVD, but at the same time you may find yourself wishing the people who put it out had done a more elegant job.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful DVD set!, October 18, 2005

By	A. Fisher "old tv show fan" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This 2 DVD set is simply terrific. It brings back so many memories of the early days of TV and radio and showcases young performers like Frank Sinatra, Robert Klein, Ann-Margret and others long before they were stars. Pat Boone, who got his start on "The Original Amateur Hour" does a bang-up job as host on this must-have DVD. I would reccomend it to everyone for their home library and as a gift.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Golden Age of TV lives on...., June 24, 2006

By	B. J. Lane "jazzbo" (Levittown, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Before "American Idol" there was "The Original Amateur Hour," which in its glory days showcased talent the way it should be in this day and age...pure and simple - with no stupidity in sight. "Amateur Hour" did NOT have the glitz and glamour of today's talent shows - and (thank God) not even a Simon Cowell-esque personality.

Viewing this DVD brought back memories of watching the original series with the great Ted Mack (the revival with Willard Scott in 1992 did not even come close). What made it so enjoyable was seeing the first glimpses of stardom for the likes of Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, Connie Francis, Gladys Knight, Jose Feliciano, Raul Julia, and Irene Cara among others.

The only negative is that there should have been at least one or two more complete episodes (in this collection we get one from 1953 and one from 1970 - just before the series ended), and I hope that the next volume (more please) will be a little more extensive. Otherwise, this is a pleasant trip down TV's memory lane.