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Written by Gregg Shapiro
Oct 20, 2010
‘Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones’
‘Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones’
(Eagle Vision)
Long before Martin Scorcese trained his camera on Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and the rest of the Stones in “Shine A Light,” filmmaker Rollin Binzer (“The Providence Effect”) captured the band in all its glory. Binzer filmed The Rolling Stones’ 1972 North American “Exile On Main Street” concert tour and presented it as the documentary “Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones.”
The concert is highlighted by the magnetic Jagger. With his trademark stage moves, eye shadow, face glitter and skin-tight stage-wear, it’s hard to take your eyes off him. The Rolling Stones perform songs from “Exile…” as well as such classics as “Gimme Shelter,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” with energy and enthusiasm.
DVD bonus features include a 2010 interview with Jagger, tour rehearsal footage and more.
‘Evening Primrose’
(E1)
Now available on DVD, the black-and-white “Evening Primrose,” features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a teleplay by James Goldman. This ABC Stage 67 television production from 1966 is like a musical “Twilight Zone” episode. The cult favorite tells the story of poet Charles (the late Anthony Perkins), who hides in Stern Brothers Department Store after closing. Locked inside, Charles sees this as the perfect place to hide away and write his poems.
Charles discovers, however, that he’s not the only one with that idea. There are others, posed as mannequins during the day, who have been hiding there since before Charles was born. Mrs. Monday (Dorothy Stickney), the self-appointed leader, keeps the rest of them in line with the help of right hand man Rosco (Larry Gates). Among those under Monday’s harsh and watchful eye is 19-year-old Ella (Charmian Carr), who catches Charles’ attention.
Charles agrees to stay with the mannequines in the store forever, then gets to the task of writing. But he can’t get Ella off his mind. While he tries to write sonnets about her, he realizes he’s fallen in love. Ella continually warns Charles that it’s not allowed, but he pursues her relentlessly. She finally agrees to be with Charles and begs him to take her where she hasn’t been since she was a child: the outside world. But can Charles and Ella sneak away without “the Darkmen” (Mrs. Monday and her terrifying associates) finding out about their plan?
“Evening Primrose” would have been better if it contained at least one memorable Sondheim composition. The acting is as stiff as, well, mannequins. The Rod Serling-esque twist does give the story a bit of zing, but not before you find your attention drifting.
The DVD includes more than 80 minutes of bonus features, including a fascinating audio interview with Ms. Carr and some audio-less full-color test footage with Perkins.
