Product Description

EXPERIENCE A WAR TIME SHOW OF EPIC PROPORTIONS WITH A STUNNING CAST OF ALL STAR ACTORS,MUSICIANS,AND SINGERS,PERFORMING FOR THE TROOPS DURING HOLIDAYS!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #60858 in DVD
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Format: Black & White
• Original language: English
• Running time: 120 minutes

Features

• SLIM CASE
• INTERACTIVE MENU
• AUTO START
• EASTWEST DVD

Customer Reviews

Very disappointed!
This item is noted as "COLOR". This is very misleading. I just purchased my copy and it is 100% black and white. The only color in this DVD is the cover. I was also hoping to see footage of the USO troops, but this is a studio production. There was no footage of troops except 1 shot lasting about 2 seconds. The sound is very muffled, hard to hear and understand. I do not recomment this DVD to anyone!

1958 Show Biz Xmas gift to the Armed Forces
Audio on EASTWEST's dub of USO CHRISTMAS SHOW is muffled, lacks high end and has persistent tape hiss. Video is a bit fuzzy, but acceptable. Only one dance number was abridged. Deleted performers: Sid Caesar, Red Buttons, Shirley MacLaine, Rhonda Fleming, Jane Russell, Jimmy Durante, Leo Durocher, Jo Stafford.

This two-hour variety show has been edited here to just under 90 minutes. 750 film copies were distributed worldwide by the USO to American service personnel. It was never actually broadcast. Despite transfer limitations this one is worth watching, especially for fans of the many talents on display here.

PROGRAM--
[1:29] Pres. Eisenhower Xmas greetings to military.
[1:30] Dozens of performers introduce themselves (alphabetical order).
[:25] Cyd Charisse, Dick Powell and Walter Pidgeon do patter intro of...
[5:07] Milton Berle (stand-up).
[2:20] Dinah Shore sings "They Can't Take That Away From Me" with Paul Weston's band.
[:24] Husband & wife Dick Powell and June Allyson patter intro...
[1:35] Marge & Gower Champion dance (edited)
[:25] Berle intros Oscar-winner...
[3:30] Myoshi Umeki sings "It Might As Well Be Spring."
[2:53] 21-year-old Van Cliburn solos on grand piano.
[5:24] Betty Hutton and male quintet salute the Roaring 20s with medley; she dances.
[4:26] Danny Thomas Italian dialect phone skit.
[2:18] Jane Powell sings "A Most Unusual Day."
[:20] Kim Novak, David Niven and Greg Peck patter intro...
[3:20] Benny Goodman Quintet play "Aragon."
[3:24] Gale Storm croons her '56 pop hit, "Ivory Tower."
[3:53] Dick Shawn as moronic leather jacket-clad Freddy Funky, president of the R&R Assn.
[2:47] Lena Horne's version of "I'd Do Anything."
[:13] Novak, Niven and Peck patter intro...
[3:02] Bing Crosby's "White Christmas."
[5:50] Bob Hope monologue on USO, TV westerns, missile program, the military, Elvis, Crosby.
[2:13] Anna Maria Alberghetti coloratura intros and embellishes "I've Got The World On A String."
[3:32] Ray Bolger in fatigues goof on parade ground drill sergeant. He taps for finale.
[:10] Berle intros...
[2:54] Eydie Gorme sings "When Your Lover Has Gone."
[:21] Powell, Charisse and Allyson patter intro...
[5:35] One pop hit each from Jimmie Rodgers, Frankie Laine and Tony Martin.
[1:42] Martha Raye does an upbeat "Takin' A Chance On Love."
[:42] Charisse, Novak and Allyson patter intro of...
[5:21] Jack Benny, George Burns and Jimmy Stewart as marvelous song & dance act "Goldie, Field and Glide."
[:15] Berle intros...
[2:47] Polly Bergen sings "Come Rain Or Come Shine."
[4:07] Louis Armstrong and Danny Kaye scat on "When The Saints Go Marchin' In."
[1:01] Pastiche of entire company singing "Silent Night."
[1:20] Message to military from US. Sec'y of Defense Neil McElroy.
[2:21] Closing credits: Military theme song medley from Paul Weston band and chorus.

TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 88:17