I'm happy with my basic cable service of 70 or so channels, a good conventional TV, and a reasonable supply of tapes and DVD's.
But I have a friend, a real audiophile, who has a home theater and more electronic equipment than the average commercial recording studio. He had transferred a copy of this film, along with the excellent 1-hour biographical program from PBS, which detailed Prima's life and music, to a single DVD. Prima's associates, who commented during the PBS program, covered his addressing the twist in this film as adapting to what was the trend at that time.
Whatever -- when musicians, like the Dorseys, Harry James, and even Glen Miller, have appeared on-film, whether in "biopics" or supposedly "dramatic" stories, there is one unfailing result: they confirm with certainty they are musicians, NOT actors.
Actually, Louis Prima does far better than most, as well as his long-time cohort, Butera. This was obviously due to the fact that both engaged in more patter, audience interaction, etc., during their shows, than average musician.
The cast is engaging, the plot so cornball it reminds one of Marx Brothers' presentations long ago, or, say, Steve Martin's more recently -- only sans acting talent.
But Prima and Butera's music is outstanding, and always was. And watching June Wilkinson doing the twist is akin to seeing one of those displays of the solar system in a museum, with the planets moving in multiple orbits.
Mark this film for its nostalgia, music, and cornball fun -- not on basis of the "thespians'" aptitude or plot intricacy.
But I have a friend, a real audiophile, who has a home theater and more electronic equipment than the average commercial recording studio. He had transferred a copy of this film, along with the excellent 1-hour biographical program from PBS, which detailed Prima's life and music, to a single DVD. Prima's associates, who commented during the PBS program, covered his addressing the twist in this film as adapting to what was the trend at that time.
Whatever -- when musicians, like the Dorseys, Harry James, and even Glen Miller, have appeared on-film, whether in "biopics" or supposedly "dramatic" stories, there is one unfailing result: they confirm with certainty they are musicians, NOT actors.
Actually, Louis Prima does far better than most, as well as his long-time cohort, Butera. This was obviously due to the fact that both engaged in more patter, audience interaction, etc., during their shows, than average musician.
The cast is engaging, the plot so cornball it reminds one of Marx Brothers' presentations long ago, or, say, Steve Martin's more recently -- only sans acting talent.
But Prima and Butera's music is outstanding, and always was. And watching June Wilkinson doing the twist is akin to seeing one of those displays of the solar system in a museum, with the planets moving in multiple orbits.
Mark this film for its nostalgia, music, and cornball fun -- not on basis of the "thespians'" aptitude or plot intricacy.