George Gershwin Remembered (An American Masters Program) [VHS]

George Gershwin Remembered (An American Masters Program) [VHS]

George Gershwin Remembered (An American Masters Program) [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Arnold Sch?nberg, Clarke Peters, Ginger Rogers, Paul Whiteman, Virgil Thomson
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 100 minutes
Release Date: 1996-12-23
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: A&E Home Video
Studio: A&E Home Video

VHS Movie Reviews of George Gershwin Remembered (An American Masters Program) [VHS]

Movie Review: Fascinatin'
Summary: 5 Stars

In the PBS "American Masters" special GEORGE GERSHWIN REMEMBERED, we learn that compositional perfection and brilliance are not necessarily byproducts of long hours of work.

Gershwin's first songwriting partner, Irving Caesar claims that their enormous 1920 hit "Swanee" took all of ten minutes from conception to completion. Caesar gave George the first line of the lyric's intro ("I've been away from you a long time") and the rest just appeared like magic. This isn't the only cited case of inspiration spawning instant creation. Choreographer Hermes Pan recalls how during the filming of SHALL WE DANCE (1937) (VHS) (DVD) some incidental music was needed for a scene where leashed pets and owners stroll on ship deck; Gershwin immediately wrote the perfect thing: a piece now known as "Walking the Dog."

Cinematic highlights of this 90-minute documentary include "Blah, Blah, Blah" from DELICIOUS (1931), Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly's duet on "The Babbitt and the Bromide" from ZIEGFELD FOLLIES (VHS) (DVD), Al Jolson's blackface rendition of "Swanee" and pianist Oscar Levant with Paul Whiteman's orchestra doing RHAPSODY IN BLUE (1945) (VHS) (DVD), Gene Kelly's title ballet suite and Georges Gu?tary on a neon "Stairway to Paradise" from AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (1951) (VHS) (DVD), Judy Garland's lovely "But Not For Me" from GIRL CRAZY (1943) (VHS) (DVD Garland/Rooney box), as well as musical clips from THE GOLDWYN FOLLIES (1938) and others.

Narrated by Clarke Peters, with commentary from Kitty Carlisle (Hart), Virgil Thompson and others (mentioned elsewhere). The PORGY AND BESS segment is nicely supplemented by reminiscences from original 1935 stage performers Todd Duncan and Anne Brown. Attention is also given to Gershwin's "serious" works: "Rhapsody in Blue," "Concerto in F," "An American in Paris" and "Second Rhapsody." The music, whether popular or classical is delightful, commentaries are revealing and the story of one of the greatest of all American composers remains Fascinatin' throughout.

Movie Review: George Gershwin Remembered
Summary: 5 Stars

Anyone who loves George Gershwin and his memorable masterpieces will be enthralled with this walk through his life. I highly recommend it.

Movie Review: Gerswhin Truly Remembered
Summary: 5 Stars

George Gershwin Remembered is a great resource for anyone who wants an overview of Gershwin's life and work. Gershwin is considered to be one of the most highly regarded of all American composers, famous for his concert, stage, and film works. Almost a biography of Gershwin, this documentary tells the life of the composer beginning with his parents' emigration to the United States in the late 19th Century. They fled the Russian pogroms to arrive in New York City. This video retells the simple story of a young American boy who grows up to become a musical legend.

An interesting feature included in this documentary are the interviews by such Gershwin associates such as his sister, Francess Godovsky, his girlfriend, Kay Swift, his contemporary, Leonard Bernstein, and many others. Performances and explanations of Gershwin's works by current musicians such as conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and performer Michael Feinstein exhibit the enduring vitality of Gershwin's music. One of the highlights of this DVD is when Linda Ronstadt explains how singing a Gershwin song, while difficult, is so wonderful because of the perfect architecture with which Gershwin songs are written, like the "golden ratio."

Naturally, Gershwin Remembered chronicles both the concert hall and popular works of Gershwin, the serious symphonic works ("Rhapsody in Blue," "Second Rhapsody," "Concerto in F") alongside of his more accessible musical and film tunes ("I Got Rhythm," "Lady Be Good," "Could You Use Me," "The Man I Love," "But Not For Me," "Someone To Watch Over Me," and "Love Is Here To Stay").

Given the biographical nature of this documentary, it's not surprising that Gershwin's earlier undertakings were included on the DVD. His first published song "When You Want 'Em, You Can't Get 'Em, When You've Got 'Em, You Don't Want 'Em" is played by Michael Feinstein, who also worked as Ira Gershwin's secretary. Also included is Gershin's first hit, "Swanee," performed by Al Jolson. Gershwin's first attempt at opera music, a work titled "Blue Monday," is also chronicled. Gershwin Rememberd also tells of George's life when not playing music, exploring his love for painting and socializing.

As far as an overview of George Gershin's life, this documentary is very informative.

Movie Review: The maximum on George Gershwin in minimum time!
Summary: 5 Stars

If you are a student needing to do a research paper on Gershwin, present a report in class, or just a fan who wants to know more about the composer of masterpieces such as "American in Paris," "Porgy and Bess," and, of course, "Rhapsody in Blue," then George Gershwin Remembered is an excellent resource for you.

Presented occasionally on the A&E network, "George Gershwin Remembered" takes on George's life from the start of his days as Jacob Gershwitz to his tragic death at an early age.

Interviews with numerous Gershwin authorities are presented along with stirring remembrances of his work. A simple "must-have" for any Gershwin lover.

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Summary of George Gershwin Remembered (An American Masters Program) [VHS]

In the Roaring Twenties, all of America hummed the tunes of one man. Born in a humble Brooklyn neighborhood in 1898, George Gershwin quickly rose to dazzling heights in the entertainment world. Before his life was tragically cut short at the age of 38, the young composer had reshaped popular music into a uniquely American sound. He fused the exuberant refrains of Tin Pan Alley with the lush orchestrations of classical music and the complex rhythms of jazz in compositions like Funny Face, Porgy and Bess and Rhapsody in Blue. Featuring performances of Gershwin classics by the renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and interviews with celebrities, family members and friends, this award-winning documentary offers an intimate look at the troubled life of an incomparable American artist.

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