Off The Bookshelf Mr. Big Search VHS

Bookmark the site

Return to Homepage

US Shopping
UK Shopping

VHS : Search

Search VHS - select a category

1.Jazz Singer (1927) starring: Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer, Otto Lederer directed by: Alan Crosland November 04, 1994
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $2.98
The disc of shorts is worth the price alone. But with the booklet and wonderful restored film and commentaries, just a great package.

2.Rhapsody in Blue starring: Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, Charles Coburn, Julie Bishop directed by: Irving Rapper September 01, 1998
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $8.37
As a Hollywood biopic this is only average. Too much of the film is devoted to Gershwin's supposed romantic involvement with two women, who are both entirely fictional. Far more important in reality was his friendship with Oscar Levant, who was not only the composer's best friend but also after his death was widely recognized as the most authoritative interpreter of his major works for piano, Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F. Levant's presence in the film lends it some historical authenticity. Also present are Al Jolson, a legendary figure in the history of American popular entertainment and the interpreter of Gershwin's single most popular song, "Swanee", and Paul Whiteman, the bandleader who collaborated with Gershwin in the premiere of Rhapsody in Blue. (Fred Astaire is sorely missed.) There ... Read More

3.Rose of Washington Square starring: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Al Jolson, William Frawley, Joyce Compton directed by: Gregory Ratoff January 01, 1998
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $4.65
Fanny Brice sued (and won big money) over the clear references to her own life, and Alice Faye is not the person to do justice to the song "My Man" (see Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" if you want real emotion) but this is still an engrossing film with Al Jolson performing some of his signature somgs. Faye adds little to the role of a Ziegfeld star who marries poorly, but her likeability is all that is needed. Tyrone Power is all charm and attempts to add some substance to his role as a neer-do-well gambler. There's also Bill Frawley of I Love Lucy fame in a small role, but for me the film is an unequalled chance to see Al Jolson at his very best. Jolson avoids the over-acting of his earlier starring films (near the end of his film career, he accepted third billing here) but then no one ... Read More

4.The Jolson Story starring: Larry Parks, Evelyn Keyes, William Demarest, Bill Goodwin, Ludwig Donath directed by: Alfred E. Green
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $3.71
Buy this film, you'll be very pleased. I was. Also, this is very difficult to find, thankfully we have Amazon.

5.Hallelujah I'm a Bum starring: Al Jolson, Madge Evans, Frank Morgan, Harry Langdon, Chester Conklin directed by: Lewis Milestone September 01, 1998
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $3.06
(This is a review of the VHS version.) This movie is a real find. It's done in an unusual light opera format and features a lot of rhyming sing-song that almost anticipates some of the more clever rhyming action of modern rap artists. The movie was ahead of its time in another way too. It shows a nearly egalitarian interracial friendship - the friendship between two hobo characters played by Al Jolson and Edgar Connor. The relative lack of a racial divide between them carries over to the rest of the film. When the Mayor of New York, wonderfully acted by Frank Morgan, hands out a job in a bank to Jolson, who's briefly determined to reform out of his idle hobo ways - the Mayor at the same time hands out a job in the bank to Jolson's black compatriot. It's true the two are then ... Read More

6.Singing Fool starring: Al Jolson, Betty Bronson, Josephine Dunn, Arthur Housman, Reed Howes directed by: Lloyd Bacon September 01, 1998
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $37.95
"The Singing Fool" is relatively unknown compared to the previous year's "The Jazz Singer", probably because it was the first feature film with synchronized dialogue. However, 1928's "The Singing Fool" is important for a number of reasons. For one, it was the first talking picture many people ever saw. Remember that in order to exhibit a talking picture special equipment had to be installed in the theater, and theater owners weren't sure enough of the future success of talking pictures to invest in that equipment until after "The Jazz Singer" came and went. Also, "The Singing Fool" was the top box office draw of 1928. In fact, with the Great Depression just over the horizon, no film made more money until "Gone with the Wind" in 1939. Finally it is one of the very few talking pictures that survive from the year 1928 due to the ... Read More

7.Mammy (1930) starring: Al Jolson, Lois Moran, Lowell Sherman, Louise Dresser, Hobart Bosworth directed by: Michael Curtiz September 01, 1998
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $15.90
The story of this film is mediocre. Al Fuller, one of the stars in a vaudeville act, is in love with his best friend's girl. However, his best friend treats the girl badly. The two get into a fight about the way she should be treated, and another cast member frames Al, making it look as if he tried to murder his best friend. The supporting cast is not memorable enough to carry the show to its limit which makes it less engaging than it could be. The songs in this films are not outstanding either, except for the often used "Let Me Sing And I'm Happy" which Jolson emotes with passion. The lyrics seem to truly illustrate Jolson's own love for music and performing. The reason this film gets four stars instead of three is because of the outstanding performer Al Jolson. Yes, he was stagy and yes he was egotistical, ... Read More

8.Wonder Bar starring: Al Jolson, Kay Francis, Dolores del Rio, Ricardo Cortez, Dick Powell directed by: Lloyd Bacon September 01, 1998
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $27.49
t's interesting to see the wide variety ratings here instead of the usual Amazon five's and one's. It is not shocking although it is complex. It is like a three-ring circus with the antics occurring while the show goes on rather than an opera were the show illustrates the action. Three men love Delores del Rio, there is intrigue involving a bracelet hidden for insurance purposes, multiple breakups, two older men cheating on their wives who are trying to cheat on them (they were pretty free-wheeling and funny), a man whipping his girlfriend (they are dancing) as part of the show and non-stop action.There are pre-code references to adultery and homosexuality but those never should have been banned in the first place. Berkeley's choreography is terrific as always. The problem is that there is too much going on and the plot is hard to follow especially ... Read More

9.The Jazz Singer starring: Al Jolson, May McAvoy, Warner Oland, Eugenie Besserer, Otto Lederer directed by: Alan Crosland
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $3.99
The disc of shorts is worth the price alone. But with the booklet and wonderful restored film and commentaries, just a great package.

10.Mr. Big starring: Al Jolson, Claudia Dell, Louise Closser Hale, Lloyd Hughes, Eddie Phillips directed by: Alan Crosland August 11, 1993
Average Rating: >>More Details		Used Price: $59.95
The disc of shorts is worth the price alone. But with the booklet and wonderful restored film and commentaries, just a great package.

page 1 of 2
1 2

Off The Bookshelf gives you a unique shopping experience, you can find all the products you like within a few minutes online, locate the latest charting CD's, DVD's & Games, read user reviews on the bestselling Books and Household products. All items are available to buy Used (at a greater saving) or New (at a great discounted RRP). Add the items to your shopping basket, pay securely online and we send these products to be delivered to your door. We take great pride in being able to offer you the great savings partnering with Amazon, offering you cheaper prices than the high street retailers, we have thousands of discounts on all the the items you can buy off the shelf and hope you find the website easy to use.

Thanks for visiting and browsing Off The Bookshelf

In association with Amazon.com

SME-WS
HolidayHavens - Holiday Rental Accommodation