Product Description

Profile of the singing brothers who burst upon the pop scene in the seventies on the "Andy Williams Show", and went on to sell more than 80 million records and break countless hearts. Includes interviews with Alan, Donny, George, Jay, Jimmy, Merrill, Olive, Wayne, and Marie Osmond.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46610 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-09-27
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Amazon.com
Suffice it to say that the stories related in A&E's Osmonds: Pure and Simple are all but squeaky clean. There are no secret drug problems, no criminal activities, and no one-night-stands with groupies. In fact, there's nothing the least bit scandalous to be found in the entire 50-minute program (except perhaps, those horrendous '70s outfits). What there is, however, are tales of spirit, growth, and triumph, all of which occur while the spotlight shines on one of the most popular families in show biz.

Four decades are covered, and the story begins, of course, with the marriage of the Osmond parents, who raised nine children in Salt Lake City's Mormon community. It was on a family trip to Yellowstone that the boys discovered their distinctive harmony and decided to form a quartet. Their parents opted not to pressure the boys into using their talents but allowed the group to make its own decisions--they decided to be entertainers. The program provides a well-written history of the group's rise from Disneyland Barbershop Quartet to their seven-year run on The Andy Williams Show in the mid-1960's, and through the pop chart successes that provided a launch pad for the solo careers of both Donny and Marie.

It's probably obvious that there's a happy ending to the program, which is filled with interviews featuring every member of the joyful clan and provides a fairly broad overview of this show business force. There's also plenty of clips from The Donny and Marie Show (both the 1970s and 1990s versions), which allow us to revel in this nostalgia along with the family that created it. --Zach Lively

Customer Reviews

Great capsule of the entire Osmond family's career
This video, produced for the Arts & Entertainment Network's "Biography" series, is a nice overview of the entire Osmond family's musical career. Narrated in the traditional style of other "Biography" broadcasts, the video features many photographs, interviews and rare film and video clips of the entire Osmond family growing up in show business from 1960 to 1999. Aside from interviews from all family members, the show is interspersed with viewpoints from Andy Williams, Mike Curb (who produced much of their recorded material) and an editor from Rolling Stone (who admitted he purchased a 45 of "One Bad Apple" when it was released, much to the possible consternation of his fellow editors!). Although all of the video clips are enjoyable, there aren't as many as an avid Osmond fan might want. I would have liked to have seen more segments from the Andy Williams Show and a clip from their great performance of "Yo-Yo" from Flip Wilson's variety show. Understandably, it IS tough to highlight forty years of entertaining in a one hour program. The major theme of the entire program for the viewer is that of the remarkable binds that the Osmond family possess. Each Osmond brother (and Marie) relate the support that they received from each other. Even though their popularity has ridden the standard show business wave, every member of the family was involved in each other's undertakings and incredibly supportive. The family has held to their strong moral beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints within an industry that, obviously, is skeptical of Christian thought and practice. They all believe that their faith and family unity kept them away from the temptations that show business offers. Aside from some great music and undeniable talents exhibited over a long period of time, I came away with a greater appreciation and repect for the entire family because of this video.

Good Overview
The Osmonds-Pure and Simple is very good for people who want to know more about the Osmonds. The 50 minuit story about the Osmonds covered about 60 years. From the marriage of the Osmond parents-George and Olive-to the birth of their sons and the early career of them to the Andy Williams. It goes into some detail about what went on during the 1970's when they hit it big with things like One Bad Apple and Crazy Horses. It gives some interesting storys about that time such as Donny had to stand on a grate so he could reach the mike while singing One Bad Apple.

The show also goes into what happened to each of them after the first Donny and Marie show got cancelled in 1979. They talk mostly about Donny and Marie, though. They spend some time talking about the new Donny and Marie show and they show a humorous clip when Donny is talking about remodling a tub and Marie quips "You take baths?" Donny who has a hammer in his hand says"Don't make me use this."

All in all it is a pretty good 50 minuits spent.

osmonds
The Osmond's. Are a very talented family. The Osmond's "pure and simple" is a great look at this famous family. Gives a lot of insight into the lives of each Osmond. They have had 47 gold and platinum records and have sold more than a hundred million records. Very entertaining biography. I would also recommend the Osmond's live in concert!