Product Details

• Actors: Toots Shor (featured), Walter Cronkite, Frank Gifford, Nicholas Pileggi, Gianni Russo
• Directors: Kristi Jacobson
• Format: Black & White, 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: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: IndiePix
• DVD Release Date: January 13, 2009
• Run Time: 84 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001E8NUCM
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,544 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Toots" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Toots Shor's name hasn't lighted up a New York sign for more than 30 years, but thanks to Kristi Jacobson, his granddaughter, it will now grace movie marquees. An established documentarian before setting her sights on her mother s father, Ms. Jacobson is a rare exception to the seemingly bottomless pool of aspiring filmmakers whose on-screen familial explorations come across as self-serving therapy sessions. Her first-rate portrait of Shor, restaurant owner and saloonkeeper extraordinaire, is anything but. Instead it s both a highly entertaining look at a man who played host and drinking buddy to many of the biggest celebrities from the 1940s and 50s and a fascinating tour through post-Prohibition New York. Mixed with archival city scenes are thoughtful reminiscences by Pete Hamill, Frank Gifford, Mike Wallace and assorted other regulars from 51 West 51st Street, home to Shor s most celebrated joint, as well as samplings of television appearances and voice recordings of the spotlight-loving Shor himself. His darker days and mob ties are also touched on, as is his eventual downfall, which was sparked by an inability or unwillingness to change with the times that held strong until his death in 1977. Cheers to Ms. Jacobson for keeping alive the memory of New York nightlife s golden era, and a man who embodied it. --Laura Kern, The New York Times

Product Description

Toots Shor is many things to many people, said Edward R. Murrow of the legendary Manhattan saloonkeeper in 1955. A friend to the famous, a crook to the feds, father, brother, gambler, bum, but most of all Toots Shor was the owner of America s greatest saloon. Directed by his granddaughter, TOOTS is a provocative, loving and unmistakably authentic portrait of the self-made, unapologetic and quintessentially American man who became the unlikely den-mother to the heroes of America s golden age. Politicians and gangsters, sports heroes and movie stars -- Sinatra, Gleason, Dimaggio, Ruth, Costello, Eisenhower, Nixon, Warren -- for 30 years, they all found their way to Toots eponymous saloon on New York s West 51st Street for food and drink, served up with a heaping side of insults and put downs. From its post-WW II heyday to its devastating decline in the 1970s, this film reveals as much about the city Toots loved as it does about the man and his enduring legacy. Featuring: Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace, Frank Gifford, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Nick Pileggi, David Brown, Peter Duchin, Maury Allen, Dave Anderson, Bill Gallo, Joe Garagiola, Sidney Zion, Gay Talese, and Gianni Russo.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy, October 3, 2008

By	Helga Campbell "Helga" (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This movie takes you back to the New York's golden age, when women got thier hair done to go out to dinner and men wore suits to the go see the Dodger's play. In the middle of it all was Toots Shore, restaurant owner and friend of many, if you had a dollar you could go ot Toots and have a drink. My grandparents and parents told me of the great times they had there, and after seeing the film, I only wish I could've been there with them.....

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must See, January 4, 2009

By	Leslie Huffman (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Young and old will love this movie and experience the life of Toots Shor. There is no question that his saloon was the "it" place in New York City and helped shaped an era. The photos are amazing and the stories and tales captivate viewers. The director, Kristi Jacobson did an exceptional job sharing his life. I highly recommend this film!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous!, December 26, 2008

By	M. Rizzuto (NYC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This movie is absolutley one of the best documentaries I have seen in a long time. It is a feel good movie about one of the best saloons in NYC during the Golden Age. From playing pranks on Jackie Gleason to having a full blown fight with Joe DiMaggio (Toots called her a "whore"), Toots Shor was an unbelievable man with a personality we would all be envious of.

His saloon was THE place to be back in the 50's and 60's. No matter who you were, you were always welcome. NO velvet ropes at Toots, everyone was VIP!

Buy this DVD today and see some amazing interviews with legends like Whitey Ford and Frank Gifford. YOu won't be disappointed!