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This restored, animated valentine to the Beatles offers viewers the rare chance to see a work that's been substantially improved by its technical facelift, not just supersized with extra footage. The story line, cobbled together by producer Al Brodax and a committee of writers, is a broad, feather-light allegory set in idyllic Pepperland, where the gentle citizens are threatened by the nasty, music-hating Blue Meanies and their surreal arsenal of henchmen, with the Beatles enlisted to thwart the bad guys. What emerges is a vivid time capsule of the late '60s and a minor milestone in animation. Making sense of the story is second to submerging blissfully in the sights and sounds of this video treat. The music represents the quartet's zenith--Rubber Soul, Revolver, and Sgt. --Sam Suth... see description |
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Instead of opening up his production with location shooting or intricate editing, director Wilford Leach savors the artifice of its stage sets and hokey, colorful costuming, celebrating the genre's proud theatrical legacy. Ronstadt justifies Papp's gamble, having trained rigorously to meet Sullivan's acrobatic melodies--indeed, this project marked her commitment to grow beyond rock, confirmed with her subsequent exploration of classic pop with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle. Adding to the new production's mainstream allure was the theatrical debut for erstwhile country-rock siren Linda Ronstadt as the virginal Mabel, along with a plum role for another putative pop heartthrob, Rex Smith, as the "good" pirate, Frederic. When New York theatrical producer Joseph Papp decided to br... see description |
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A subplot involving a developing romance between the virginal Browne and Baryshnikov's womanizer makes for pretty window dressing. --Tom Keogh . Between MacLaine's envy over her friend's career and the attention her own ballerina daughter (Leslie Browne) is getting, MacLaine's character goes through a complicated crisis. Mikhail Baryshnikov made his film debut in this lightweight but entertaining drama about the relationship between a renowned ballerina (Anne Bancroft) and the woman (Shirley MacLaine) who had trained with her but had given up dance to become a wife, mother, and teacher. Baryshnikov's leaps are something to behold. More memorable are dance sequences featuring each in splendid performance. The two actresses carry the story very well and probably camouflage its thinnes... see description |
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