Product Description

IN 1980, THE HEAD USHER AT THE PASADENA CIVIC AUDITORIUM GIVESHIS CREW A PEP TALK: HE WANTS TONIGHT'SBETTY MIDLERSHOW TOGO SMOOTHLY

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12248 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 1999-05-18
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 95 minutes

Amazon.com
Audacious, brazen, funny, and perhaps the unconscious inspiration for Madonna's shows, Divine Madness makes an absolute spectacle of itself. Bette Midler's raunchy, entertaining persona is on high in this concert film filmed in Pasadena. Midler tells dirty jokes, berates herself and the audience, and most of all belts out (some may say shrieks out) covers of Bruce Springsteen and rock and swing classics. Somewhere between "Everything's Comin' Up Roses" and "Vogue," Midler seems a bridge between eras, that of burlesque, do-anything-to-please-'em showmanship and shocking, pyrotechnic exhibitionism and aloofness. (A hint at just how old this 1980 movie feels, Midler unabashedly makes a reference to Georgie Jessel!) Directed by Michael Ritchie, whose Smile and The Bad New Bears were interesting takes on America, Divine is also a slice of the American experience. It's dirty enough to be fun and clean enough to stay just this side of bawdy. That used to be a fine American tradition. Note: The songs "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Rainbow Sleeve," which appeared in the theatrical release of this picture, are not included in this DVD. That's a shame because with Midler, more is more. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews

5 Star Show ,4 Star Movie, 1 star DVD
I saw "Midler on the Hoof" the Broadway title of this show twice, the theatrical realease of this film at least as many times.I'd already seen the abridged video tape , so knew what to expect from this DVD.What I didn't expect however was the atrocious sound quality ,specifically the recorded volume level on this DVD .Even at full volume you can barely hear her.The contrast on the video wasn't monitored either.Someone just didn't care enough to do quality control on this one.Muted Midler ! What a shame.

Incredible show - should be re-released with "Shiver Me Timbers"!
Watching this years ago on TV (and, thank heavens, recording it on tape to re-watch) showed me what a talent Bette Midler really is. She moves from stand-up monologues to the 40s big-band "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy" to the moving "We Shall Be Released" that ends the show, all without missing a beat. She does "Stay With Me" and you think she must have completely shredded her vocal chords, then gets up and says "Okay, change your head" and moves into a comedy number. What a performance, and what a performer!

And what a disappointment that "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Rainbow Sleeve" are not included. "Shiver", especially, is a wonderfully whimsical and poignant number. At less than 90 minutes running time, there's plenty of room to include these. Hopefully someone will resolve whatever difficulties led to their omission and re-release the full show. It deserves to be seen!

The Divine Miss M at Her Best
The Divine Miss M was Bette Midler's follow up the hugely successful The Rose. Its a concert film from mid 1980 that was part of her Divine Madness tour. The concert truly is a cinematic experience, telling you a story and lifting you up and down. The movie setlist includes Big Noise From Winetka, Paradise, The Rose, Fire Down Below, Stay With Me, My Way, Chapel of Love, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, E Street Shuffle, You Can't Always Get What You Want, and ends with I Shall Be Released. Ofcourse peppered throught the movie is Bette's unmistakable talent and humour with many comic relief moments including her lounge act, Deloris Delogo The Toast of Chicago, a washed up mermaid in a wheel chair, and a few great R rated Sophie Tucker Jokes. The only flaw is the wacked out editing which took away the songs from the original theatrical release, Shiver Me Timbers, and Rainbow Sleeve. Also edited are Mother's Eyes, and Friends from the orignal tour setlist. If you like Bette Midler, then you'll surely experience the intensity and energy of this concert.