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Elly Roberts reviews
Demon Vision
- Cat.no: DEMONDVDM008
- Released: March 2006
- Format: DVD 9
- Rating: Main feature 6/10; Bonus 6/10
- Running time: 120 minutes (plus 50 minutes bonus material)
- Region: 2, PAL
- Fullscreen: 4:3
- Sound: Dolby Stereo 2.0
- Classification: E (Exempt)
- Languages: English
- Retail price: £9.99
- Extras: None
‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ is back,as Francis Albert Sinatra gets yet anotherdust-down with the release of a documentary originally released in 1997. HisLife And Times, released March 20, is a timely coincidence as the newhigh-tech show hits the Palladium in London. It can never be said that thisDVD provides us with anything new about his career or personal life,obviously, due to the date it was made.
Part one, comprising his most significant events, is crammed with endlessfilm clips, mostly ‘Theatrical Trailers’, which become more and moreirritating as the chronology or time line unfolds.
Rising through bands like Harry James then onto Tommy Dorsey, followed byhis solo work we get a celebration of his career, and little about hiscontroversial side.
In terms of actual Sinatra input, there’s snippets of radio interviews thatdon’t always marry-up to the visuals which is equally as irritating. We doget to see ‘The Chairman’ reflecting on his role in the legendary film, TheManchurian Candidate along with the writer and producer. It doesn’t shy awayfrom the horrendous gaffs either, like the monumental disaster Dirty DingusMagee.
If you’re looking to advance your knowledge, forget this. If you’restarting-off, it’s a more than adequate package, but it’s a bit of a slog.You simply can’t knock the research – the archive footage is splendid, butthe outcome is very ‘dated’. The narrative is very ‘Hollywood’, with some ofthe sound quality woefully inadequate. One concluding observation isSinatra’s progression from band singer to Grammy award winner, then on toOscar winning actor (From Here To Eternity), who could handle the serious/ comedic roles to musicals. A remarkable achievement for a man with aperforated eardrum.
Part two looks at his live TV appearances on the Bob Hope, Dean Martin showsand his charitable work.
Bonus features include more TV snippets from the Bob Hope show and others.This final part could be run as a CD listening experience, though not onyour conventional CD player.
Coming in at a whopping 3 hours, (a condensed version of 80 hours worth offootage from the video series) it’s far too long for the casual viewer.
Definitely one for Sinatra anoraks.
The full list of tracks included are :
1. Nothing At All
2. Kick Out Of You
3. Send In The Clowns
4. Witchcraft
5. You Make Me Feel So Good
6. Medley
7. There Is Your Face (duo with Dean Martin)
8. Before Me
9. Her Hand Belongs To Somebody Else
10. All Through The Night
11. Gone With The Wind
12. I Love Paris
13. The Lady Is A Tramp
14. Once Before
15. Maybe This Time
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.