Product Description

Studio: Wea-des Moines Video Release Date: 06/08/1999 Rating: Nr

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78468 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-06-08
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
This 1973 televised concert announced to the world that Frank Sinatra's retirement was over. In a setting that balances the intimacy of nightclubs with a concert hall layout, Sinatra (backed by a 40 piece orchestra led by Gordon Jenkins and Don Costa) confidently delivers a slate of quintessentially Frank tunes: "I Get a Kick Out of You," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "I've Got the World on a String," and a short medley of ballads. A series of "singing sailor" film clips introduces guest star Gene Kelly, who joins Sinatra in a self-effacing song and dance number called, "We Can't Do That Anymore," followed by a gentle Kelly tap dance to Sinatra's rendition of "Nice and Easy." Having mined the past, Sinatra looks to the future with three new numbers: "Let Me Try Again," the beautiful "Send in the Clowns," and "You Will Be My Music." Sinatra's voice is no longer in its prime, but his phrasing and showmanship are topnotch and his interaction with an audience nice and easy. The Chairman of the Board wasn't just back, he was back on top singing his songs. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews

WOW! this is a SHOW.
after viewing this DVD twice, i cannot but say, this is truly a gem. this represents the lost era of american pop music. in this age of rap and hard rock, the gentleness, the elegance, the 40 piece big band. a time when ladies wore night gown and gentlemen wore black tie to show like this.... no more. i encourage young people below 30 to watch this... to learn about a time when there was good manner, elegance.

back to the DVD. sinatra may be a bit older but still sings great. gordon jenkins and don costa's big band (with string) provided superb support. also, to my surprise, i saw a few famous faces in the audience. i saw fred astaire, sammy davis jr. Lucy Ball plus many others i can't recall their names but know that they are movie stars of some sorts......

Difficult to resist
Yes, it is always difficult for me to resist peformances by Frank Sinatra. I always imagined I would dislike him, personally, but there is no question that he is one of the finest performers of his era.

This television special is a must-have for any Sinatra buff. After all, it's from when he came out of retirement in front of an all-star audience.

There's a very nice balance between what was new material from arguably his finest album (of the same title -- particularly including "You Will Be My Music", "Let Me Try Again", and "Send In The Clowns") and Sinatra standards (who can resist his joy in singing "I Get A Kick Out Of You", "I've Got You Under My Skin", or "I've Got The World On A String"). The saloon segment is typically sentimental Sinatra.

The segment with Gene Kelly is great fun! Their personal pleasure in working together is quite evident, and the blend of flash-back scenes to the MGM years and their ability to still do a few dance steps is charming.

The video quality is good for the era, but too bad it had not been recorded in stereo. However, it's difficult to imagine many people not enjoying this delightful trip into the past, and certainly one of the best television performances by a performer who didn't always shine in that medium.

Still Prime Frank
The highlight of this video is the wonderful routine between Frank and Gene Kelly. It makes you wonder why they didn't do an entire special instead of just the one segment. I strongly disagree with another reviewer who thinks that the Sinatra-Kelly segment is forced and contrived. The rapport between these two mega-stars is easy, relaxed and wonderful! Frank's voice is no longer quite the exquisite instrument it was in his Capitol days, but it has a world-weary, hard edge to it that perfectly complements an older, more reflective Sinatra. The musical highlight of this special is Frank's interpretation of " You Will Be My Music" which opens and closes the video. Not to be missed is "Ol' Blue Eyes" straight-from-the-heart rendition of "Let Me Try Again." It's capable of making you reach for that scotch and saying to yourself, " Yeah, that's exactly MY LIFE too!" And do not miss Frank's no frills version of "Send in the Clowns." I think you can almost make an argument that it's the definitive version of the song. So sit back and relax; have a scotch-on the- rocks (or several) and enjoy the entertainer of the century. And then go out and get the CD which is even better! The video and the CD perfectly complement each other and are essential purchases for any serious Sinatra-phile.