Cats - The Musical (Commemorative Edition)

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This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than $2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.

The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory," and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.

The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory," which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theater standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns." On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from T.S. Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler

Customer Reviews:

Commemorative Edition of Cats-Tje Misoca;.......2007-09-04

As an avid Andrew Lloyd Weber fan and someone who has seen Cats no fewer that 21 times at various theaters all over the world, I was disappointed in this production. It did little to capture what it could have of the stage essence. It was too "movie-like" in how it appeared and very "untheater-like" even compared to other videos of stage productions.

Cats the musical.......2007-08-12

Well, I finally got to see Cats. I bought the DVD at a shop and saw it. Well, the production and the customes may look great to others. I found the show boring. So if you are looking for a unified theme and a purpose of theme, it is not really there. If you are looking for great, long lasting musical pieces, you would not find many, except for Memory. If you just want to see the show becasue it has so much fame, by all means. If you have high expectations, you may as well get disappointed.

Nice Costumes and That's Just About All.......2007-08-09

I loved the "Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat" DVD and always liked the "Jesus Christ Superstar" soundtrack from way back in the 70s when I would sneak into my sister's room to listen to her records. So I thought that "Cats" would be a great addition to my DVD collection and bought it to share with my three year old daughter. I found it boring. The music wasn't that great. The story was uninspired in my view. To its' credit the costumes were pretty cool. I had to laugh this week when I saw Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central's "Colbert Report" say he had "suffered through" "Cats" because I felt the same way. So I'm not the only person disappointed. My daughter liked it, though. She probably won't want to watch it again, though, so I'll most likely put it up on e-bay.

yuck.......2007-07-16

I have heard about Cats for years now so thought Id look at it and see what all the fuss was about. I HATED it! Its rather vulgar in spots, lots of catting around and really tragic that the cats finaly gave the OLD cat respect when she was dying and not before...sad and stupid...

Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

Did anyone else notice the lapses in the songs as I did, or am I going deaf?!?! I have both the video and dvd of this production, and it seemed like in the dvd:
1) the tempo in "Rum Tum Tugger" was too slow and,
2) during "The Pekes and the Pollicles", the barks could not be heard.
Strange to me- I'm curious as to whether or not anyone else had the same experience. :)

Average customer rating:

Lee Marvin Masterpiece!
A classic
Nostalgic film
SAME AS IN THE MOVIE JUST ON DVD GET IT !
Cat Ballou

Cat Ballou
Starring: Jane Fonda , Lee Marvin , Michael Callan , Dwayne Hickman , and Nat 'King' Cole
Director: Elliot Silverstein
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004TJQK
Release Date: 2000-08-08

Amazon.com

Long before Unforgiven deconstructed the Western, or Blazing Saddles lampooned it, Cat Ballou poked the genre in the eye. An altogether enjoyable comedy, the film is full of small surprises, big laughs, and wonderful character turns. Catherine Ballou (Jane Fonda) is a schoolteacher until a hired thug kills her daddy. To protect what she loves, she collects two petty criminals, a wisecracking hired hand, and a hired killer, Kid Shelleen (Lee Marvin). Unfortunately, Shelleen is a raging drunk who is so inebriated and unsteady with a gun he literally misses the broad side of a barn. However, Cat, has, as they used to say in those days, a mind of her own, and she masterminds a spectacular train heist that puts them all on the lam. Marvin won an Academy Award for his role as the derelict Shelleen, and his performances (he actually has two) are still topnotch and on target. The framing device, two wandering minstrels, played by Stubby Kaye and Nat "King" Cole, are the maraschino cherries on the top of this Wild West confection. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews:

Lee Marvin Masterpiece!.......2007-07-23

One of the most original westerns...films even...I have ever seen. The musical narration provided by Mister Nat King Cole adds to this wonderfully funny tale of a band of ill equipped outlaws aiming at revenge. Lee Marvin plays two pivotal roles which garnered the great action star and one of cinema's coolest cats awards aplenty. This is not the Lee Marvin we all grew to love and idolize, this is a Lee that will keep you smiling and chuckling throughout the film. What an amazing turn for such a fine actor. Jane Fonda also stars and pulls off the dangerous headstrong damsel that so fit the era and her own personality. I recommend this film highly. This is no Sergio Leone western, but I think you will appreciate its originality nontheless. Terrific!

A classic.......2007-03-26

Always been in love with this film! Now that I have it on DVD, I can watch it and watch it and watch it! The price was really good too.

Nostalgic film.......2007-03-14

I understand why this film is so high-starred, but it simply does not deserve the five stars, nor the four. I'll try to explain. The director, as he admits in the little extra piece, intended to make a comedy in the West. He put together the basic ingredients for it: a beautiful Fonda, two young simpletons that aren't Western material -more fit for Broadway-, and a funny drunkard. Silverstein didn't have a clear idea of what kind of film was going to come out of this (as happens to all bad directors) but when he saw Lee Marvin act his role, he had one moment of lucidness, even brilliance, he told Marvin to try to make us cry instead of laugh. Boy, did that make a difference! Lee Marvin steals the show totally.

Lee Marvin was a great, a fantastic actor. But he belonged to a past era, when real Westerns were shot, when classic directors still hung around the movie studios. That day had gone, not for him, obviously, but for the industry. It makes me sad to see this film, and to see bufoons like Silverstein mockering and degrading the great American West. If it wasn't for Lee Marvin nobody would remember this film. What happens around him in this film I just don't care, he is the show. The rest belong in Park Avenue.

SAME AS IN THE MOVIE JUST ON DVD GET IT !.......2007-01-25

CATBALLOU............................. ! WE STILL LOVE YOU ?

Cat Ballou.......2007-01-22

It is a great movie, I love the singing. We realy enjoyed watching it again after so many year.

The Aristocats (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

Average customer rating:

SOOOO Cute!!!
The Aristocats is a great movie
How could you not love this movie!
It's like the feline version of Lady and the Tramp!
To Have a 2-Disc Release!

The Aristocats (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Starring: Phil Harris , Eva Gabor , Liz English , Gary Dubin , and Dean Clark (II)
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: 6305784116
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Amazon.com

Duchess and her three kittens are enjoying the high life with their devoted human mistress until the wicked butler Edgar, with his eyes on a big inheritance, decides to dope them and get them out of the picture. How can these fragile creatures cope in the unfamiliar countryside and the meaner streets of Paris? Only by meeting the irrepressible alley cat O'Malley, a rough diamond with romance in his heart. After they get a taste of the wide dangerous world, he guides them home, and Edgar gets his just desserts at the wrong end of a horse. As always, it's really the voices rather than the animation that are the heart of the Disney magic: Phil Harris is brilliant as O'Malley, Eva Gabor as Duchess is... well... Eva Gabor; but perhaps the most memorable turns are by Pat Buttram and George Lindsay, who turn the old hounds Napoleon and Lafayette into a couple of bumbling Southern-fried rednecks. Their scenes with Edgar, and the musical numbers with Scat Cat and his cool-dude band, are classic. Most striking about seeing The Aristocats now is how deeply Disney's style of animation has changed since this was at the cutting edge in 1970. Perhaps the nostalgic, dated feel are just a result of being plonked down in Belle Epoque Paris, but the illustrations are fussier (a pity) and the animation and overall pace much less frenetic (sometimes a relief) than in more recent efforts such as Aladdin. --Richard Farr

Description

Disney's 20th full-length animated masterpiece, THE ARISTOCATS is an unforgettable mix of wild adventure, colorful characters, and jazzy music your family will find absolutely irresistible! This enchanting tale begins in Paris, when a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to her family -- a family of adorable high-society cats. But when Edgar, the greedy butler, overhears her plan, he catnaps Duchess, the elegant, soft-spoken mother, and her three mischievous kittens and abandons them in the French countryside. Soon, they're being escorted home by the charming Thomas O'Malley, a rough-and-tumble alley cat, who takes them to his "pad" along the way, where Scat Cat and his band of swingin' jazz cats perform the memorable "Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat." Enriched by "high-style Disney animation" (The New Yorker) and toe-tapping music by Academy Award(R)-winning songwriters the Sherman brothers (MARY POPPINS), THE ARISTOCATS is a timeless treasure and the last animated feature to get the nod from Walt Disney himself.

Customer Reviews:

SOOOO Cute!!!.......2007-08-11

For Persian cat lovers like me (and probably cat lovers in general) as well as those who adore all things French, this film is simply delightful! A darling little tale of a mother Persian cat living the pampered life in Paris with her kittens when the evil butler learns that the mistress of the house plans to leave everything to the cats. So naturally (being an evil butler and all) he decides to throw the cats out into the countryside where he believes that they will be lost forever or surely die. Thankfully, once there, they meet up with a loveable (is there ever any other kind in Disney films?) tramp named Tom who teaches them the joys of the "free" life. Other reviewers have said that this film isn't to the level of many of the other Disney films and they are perhaps correct. However, this is very cute, the animation is beautiful, the voices are rich, and while the music isn't much (certainly can't hold a candle to the Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast), it provides a good enough soundtrack for this cat lover's dream.

The Aristocats is a great movie.......2007-03-24

Howdy, I'm StoryMaker. The Aristocats is a great movie starring Duchess, a gorgeous white cat with three frisky kittens and a VERY rich owner. However, when she decides that when she dies her cats get the money (or maybe just all the cat food and cat toys you can buy with it XD), her greedy butler Edgar gets MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD. So mad that he plots to kidnap the kittens! However, with the help of thier new friend O'Malley the Alley Cat, they manage to get back home. This is a comical and charming movie that I reccomend you watch. When you're looking for humor, the *ever so funny* dogs will satisfy that. If you're looking for music, than you should listen to "Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat" even if everybody doesn't want to be a cat. One of the only flaws is that at the end, when they got rid of Edgar (duh I won't tell you how), the rich owner (must...remember...name...) sort of just says "Too bad Edgar left". She has no idea that Edgar was the catnapper! I mean it's just so blank. I would like it if she found out. Still, this is a super fun movie! Signed, StoryMaker. "Gotta trust the kid's review!"

How could you not love this movie!.......2007-03-23

I purchased this movie for my 15 YEAR OLD. She remembered this movie and it was one of her favorites when she was much younger. It is such a cute movie. As a matter of fact our next cats are going to be named O'Malley and Duchess. No one can go wrong with the Aristocats - young or old!

It's like the feline version of Lady and the Tramp!.......2007-03-14

Another Collector's clasic to own.Wonderful, lots of action, adventures and love.beautiful animation and music. very funny too

To Have a 2-Disc Release!.......2007-02-28

I heard recently that this excellent and entertaining film is to be released on a 2-Disc special DVD.The release should be sometime in Spring,2007.I am looking forward to it.

Average customer rating:

A movie that is purr-fectly entertaining!
Beautiful Non-Disney Gem!
Gay Purr-ee...
The Greatest Non-Disney movie of all time
Aristocats is better

Gay Purr-ee
Starring: Judy Garland , Robert Goulet , Red Buttons , Paul Frees , and Hermione Gingold
Director: Abe Levitow
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00008MTY9
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Amazon.com

This little gem has the pedigree of a purebred Persian: it features voices of no less than Judy Garland and Robert Goulet, the original songs of Wizard of Oz composers Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, and the writing talents of animation giant Chuck Jones. Garland gives life to our young heroine, Mewsette, a naive country kitty who runs off to seek the bright lights of Gay '90s Paris; Goulet is her devoted country bumpkin beau, Jaune-Tom, who sets off to find her (accompanied by the scrappy kitten Robespierre). While in Paris, Mewsette falls prey to the dastardly yellow-eyed Meowrice, and his compatriot, Madame Rubens-Chatte (played with hilarious swagger by Hermione Gingold), who runs a cathouse of ill repute off the Champs Élysées. The story is slim, itself a bit of an homage to Oz: country girl longs to spread her wings, leaves home, and has many adventures, only to discover that there's no place like home. But the stylized look of the film is breathtaking--the French countryside looks like miles and miles of Vincent Van Gogh's sensual Arles--and Garland and Goulet are in fine voice. If you love surreal animation, Judy Garland, cats, or Paris--or any combination thereof--this film will have you purring. --Anne Hurley

Description

Magnificent. That's the voice of Judy Garland. Magnifique. That's Gay Purr-ee, a charming animated musical featuring the great Garland in one of her final roles. She's the singing and speaking voice of Mewsette, a French country cat who runs off to Paris during the Gay '90s. Director: Abe Levitow

Customer Reviews:

A movie that is purr-fectly entertaining!.......2007-08-25

I have not seen this movie in a long time. I almost forgot about it until I came across Amazon. It's colorful, delightful and features the talents of Judy Garland, Robert Goulet, Red Buttons and the immortal Paul Frees a.k.a. The Pillsbury Dough Boy! The movie was produced by the same studio that gave us Mr. Magoo and Gerald McBoing-Boing. Good story line and,well, great family stuff!!

Beautiful Non-Disney Gem!.......2007-07-20

I remember this feature when I was a 9 years old. What a different entry to the animation fare of the day. Judy Garland wonderful voice just adds to the magic! It is a visually witty tribute to the Impressionism movement of the late 19th c. I grew up with these images in my mind and would later major in painting in college. Who would have guessed my biggest inspiration was this classic?

The Harold Arlen songs are great. This is probably Judy Garlands best musical collection on film. As for children of all ages, this holds up for rainy day magic! Its better than Aristocats.

Gay Purr-ee..........2007-02-20

I first saw this on the 9 o'clock movie on CBS in the mid-sixties (it was the Friday Night Movie). I was in the first grade at the time. Forty-two years later, it still sticks with me! So, when it came out on DVD, I ordered up my copy! True, the kids today wouldn't even "waste their time." Too bad! This movie was fun to watch - is fun to watch. Judy Garland and Robert Goulet are in great form! Red Buttons is great, also!

Finally, Paul Frees' is absolutely perfect. After all, "The Money Cat Can!" (Me-owwww!!) Get yourself a copy and re-live at least a bit of our childhood when things were much simpler! Five stars for Gay-Puree!!

The Greatest Non-Disney movie of all time.......2007-02-18

I love this movie. It has Cats, singing, crazy dancing and the city of love, Paris, France. It's the greatest Chuck Jones movie ever made! This movie deserves a sequal and a prequal because we have to learn more about how Jaune Tom and Robespierre became friends. I recommemd this movie!

Aristocats is better.......2007-01-29

I'm a big Judy Garland fan and had high hopes for this one, but for our kids we vastly prefer The Aristocats over this title. The basic premise is the same, but the animation in this film is primitive and the graphics are strange imitations of French impressionists - which will be totally lost on your kids.

Dr. Seuss - The Cat in the Hat (Original Television Episode)

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
A MUST in any kid's library
The ID in the hat
Classic Seuss
Always a Favorite

Dr. Seuss - The Cat in the Hat (Original Television Episode)
Starring: Allan Sherman , Daws Butler , Pamelyn Ferdin , Tony Frazier , and Gloria Camacho
Director: Hawley Pratt
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00009ZVNN
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Amazon.com

Geared toward younger viewers, this Beginner Book Video is a static, nonmusical version of the classic Dr. Seuss tale The Cat in the Hat (1957). It should not be confused with the 1972 TV special. While actors voice original narration and dialogue, original illustrations are brought to life via cutouts, with the result that there is some activity, but characters' lips don't move when they speak. School-aged children and adults may find the effect off-putting. (On the plus side, the Cat in the Hat is voiced by the Late Show's Alan Kalter.) The second story, Maybe You Should Fly a Jet! Maybe You Should Be a Vet! (1980), was written by Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) under the pseudonym Theo. LeSieg, and is animated in the same fashion. Dr. Seuss did not illustrate the original story. As in the Beginner Book original, Michael J. Smollin is credited with the artwork. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Description

In a marvelously animated version of one of the most beloved of all Dr. Seuss tales, two youngsters find themselves at home with nothing to do on a rainy afternoon. But when the magical, mischievous Cat in the Hat arrives on the scene, they're all cat-apulted into a day of rousing, romping, outlandish antics they - and you - will never forget!

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

When the parental units away, the cat will play. Take a kid, and a cat, and a lot of smaller cats, and a bunch of toys, and many snowballs and other devices of childish warfare, and you get a barrel of laughs and entertainment, indeed.

You just have to be good at the fast cleanup.

A MUST in any kid's library.......2007-08-31

What can I say, it's The Cat in the Hat. You remember this book from your own childhood. Let's face it, it's one you have to own. The rhymes, the fun story, it's Dr. Seuss at his best. My kids will pick this book to read over and over, and over! Even my 19 month-old can get into the Rhyming and playful wording. If you don't already own this, you owe it to yourself and your kids to buy it.

The ID in the hat.......2007-07-24

The Id in the Hat, by Ryan Haynie

Dr. Seuss began his book, "The Cat in the Hat", with a vision: to exterminate illiteracy by creating a children's book so amazing that it would convince children everywhere that reading was "cool". If he could encourage young readers to start reading independently in their early years it would have a drastic effect on their overall literacy and desire to continue to enjoy literature later in life. His goal was noble, but he didn't account for the psychoanalytical underpinnings. The Freudian structural model explains that we all have three parts of our personality: the id, the ego and the superego. All children are born with the id: the impulsive, driving desire to feel pleasure. This is juxtaposed with the superego, or the societal morals and norms that limit behavior. The ego is left with the task to satisfy the demands of the other two parties and help keep the individual in a realistic mindset. Freud said that the formative years of a child's life are critical to the development of the ego which would be the motivating force to adopt a not-so-physically-gratifying hobby such as reading. Although Seuss creates a colorful and catchy tome in "The Cat in the Hat", he fails to accomplish his goals with his audience due to a misrepresentation of the Freudian structural model as portrayed through the fish, the Cat, and the children.

The first aspect of Freud's structural model as depicted in "The Cat in the Hat" is the superego, represented through the children's pet fish. The superego is related to one's sense of morality, consisting of his beliefs of acceptable conduct and traits and is often referred to as the conscience. The illustration of the superego through the fish is found on page 11 when the fish responds to the Cat's proposition to lolly-gag the day away in play, saying: "Tell that Cat in the Hat/ You do not want to play./ He should not be here/ He should not be about./ He should not be here when your mother is out!" The fish's disapproval of the carnal desire to "have fun", especially in the absence of parental supervision, is a perfect example of superego influence over the children in the story.

In the next page, Seuss takes the legs out from under his "conscience" by humiliating the fish in the Cat's game, "up, up, up with a fish". As the Cat lifts the fish into the air against his wishes, the fish and, subsequently, his will are disregarded. Although this representation of conflict between id and superego does follow Freud's pattern, the undertone communicated to the audience is that the superego is foolish and "wussy" compared to the impulsive id.

The irony of Seuss' dilemma is apparent: he must encourage small children to develop the habit of reading against their dominating id. In Freud's structural model, the id is the impulse-driven influence that we are born with. Its inherent characteristics include a desire to satiate one's physical desires; an influence based mainly on pleasure and instant gratification. Since reading offers no immediate pleasurable gains, it can easily be over shadowed by the powerful id in young people and result in pursuit of satisfaction in other venues such as binge eating or, in more extreme cases, delinquency. Seuss therefore has the task of satisfying the id while encouraging the ego to overcome any residual cravings.

In the case of the "Cat in the Hat", the Cat would personify (or, rather, in-feline-ify) the id: bent on having "fun" no matter the circumstances. This is apparent on page 7, where he states "I know it is wet/ And the sun is not sunny./ But we can have/ Lots of good fun that is funny!" This shows the impulsive desire for "fun" despite the sodden roadblock of a rainy day. The problem with the representation made by Seuss comes in the resolution of the conflict. As the house has been devastated by the gallivanting of the Cat, the children face the dilemma of social conflict in the form of parental discipline for having let id-dominated impulses overcome superego guidelines. Seuss overcomes this obstacle in an irrational, id-driven, fanciful, manner: through what I like to call the "Cat-in-the-Hat-traption". Riding a mysterious janitorial golf cart, the Cat in the Hat instantaneously amends the problem by magically eliminating the mess. This solution lends to the reader's mind a painless solution, or, in other words, a lack of consequences for the indulgence in id-inspired desires. Without the consequences to aid in the development of the ego, children will undoubtedly opt for the paths of least resistance in acquiring their personal pleasures, such as theft or murder, without a concrete understanding of the relationship between real-life "choice and consequence" scenarios. Seuss' solution to the problem completely destroys the Freudian model of an ego that successfully satisfies both id and superego in order to develop personality traits such as a love for reading.

The children's lack of action in "The Cat in the Hat" also misrepresents the function of the Freudian structural model. Seuss presents the children, Sally and the narrator, "I", at the beginning of the book as the main characters with a dilemma of childhood, rainy-day lethargy. As they are placed in the middle of an external struggle, Seuss successfully represents the plight of the ego through them. The ego is the reality-driven aspect of personality, burdened with the task of satisfying the demands of both id and superego while finding plausible, real-life solutions to problems. Seuss, however, gives the impression that the children are afflicted with indecisiveness. This implies to his audience of little people that personality development is hard. This is demonstrated through the lack of action of the children throughout the great majority of the book. They are portrayed as passive observers of the conflict between Cat and fish the first 82% of this book, and ultimately take no action when interrogated by their authority figure as to their most recent dealings. On the final page, we see further encouragement for the same type of apathy in the questions posed by the narrator: "Should we tell her about it?/ Now, what should we do?/ Well.../ What would you do/ If your mother asked you?" This message communicates to the audience a weak ego. With a weak ego, the entire structural model is thrown out of balance, rendering impossible the healthy development of a realistic personality. As the audience is made up of almost entirely ego-developing youngsters, this puts subconscious blocks on their normal development of personality and would encourage them to embrace drugs, sex, money, and foods high in trans fat instead of taking up reading as a healthy past-time

When Dr. Seuss embarked on his literacy-promoting campaign, he was faced by the daunting task of encouraging id-driven little ones to embrace a not-so-satisfying use of time. His attempt at inspiring the young tots to live a life in literature is noble, but poorly executed. Sure, he's sold millions of copies and entertained youthful readers for generations, but parents: beware! Though Seuss attempts to encourage little readers through a simple and colorful rhyme of a lid-donning feline, the subconscious psychological underpinnings might very well have the reverse effect on his audience for a lifetime.

Classic Seuss.......2007-07-04

My children's children are enjoying the same Seuss poetry we read at least 30 years ago. Thank you Amazondotcom for offering very reasonable and reliable books for children!

Always a Favorite.......2007-05-30

This is a timeless classic. It was both my daughters' favorite book and I couldn't wait to get a copy for my new baby boy. There's just something about the rhyming words that holds their attention. You can't go wrong with this book.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway Favorites Collection (Cats / Jesus Christ Superstar / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The Royal Albert Hall Celebration)

Average customer rating:

what?
Reasons
YAY!!!!
Good collection
Very poor sound quality for Joseph

Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway Favorites Collection (Cats / Jesus Christ Superstar / Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat / The Royal Albert Hall Celebration)
Starring: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001GWBOQ
Release Date: 2004-10-05

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The Andrew Lloyd Webber Spotlight Performance Collection includes Cats, A Royal Albert Hall Celebration, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar. The 1998 video version of Cats stars a cast assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, including Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy and Elaine Paige (the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat) whose version of "Memory" remains definitive.

A Royal Albert Hall Celebration (1998) features more than two hours of hits from star after star: Elaine Paige delivering "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" and "Memory" with her usual power, Michael Ball and Donny Osmond stretching the last vestiges of boyish charm to the very limits but still sounding great; Sarah Brightman performing an outstanding selection from The Phantom of the Opera; Antonio Banderas; and Glenn Close, stupendous and moving in songs from Sunset Boulevard.

In Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the Old Testament tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors gets a splashy, vigorous treatment with an energetic cast, Las Vegas-style glitz, and catchy, eclectic songs, including "Any Dream Will Do" and the peppy "Go, Go, Go Joseph." Former teen icon Donny Osmond is perfect in the title role, while Maria Friedman performs well as the narrator.

The 1999 stage revival of Jesus Christ Superstar became the basis for this 2000 video production, which takes the show out of ancient Jerusalem to a mix of modern New York and timeless Rome. As Christ (Glenn Carter) sees his cult of personality overtake his message and struggles with the fears of his sacrifice, he reaches within for faith and forgiveness, giving the show the spiritual dimension it so often lacks. It's an entertaining, thoughtful, and well-sung production, avoiding the tepidity of Norman Jewison's solemn 1973 film.

Customer Reviews:

what? .......2006-07-15

i want this dvd set 1.cuz i love the musicals josph,cats.and 2. i want to see superstar! i could care less for the albert hall thing. i want to see the musicals! also you must see phantom of the opera ( the best musical EVER!!!!) fiddler on the roof (not enough songs but still good!)

Reasons.......2006-05-07

Cats - This DvD performance is a must have and that is all there is to it. A brilliant piece of work with very good bonus features. I am in awe of such raw and amazing talent that this DvD contained.

Joseph - This DvD perfomance was fine, actually more than that. Though the sound quality was not brilliant, but the over all performance was divine. Very very good!

Albert Hall - This DvD performance was good. Michael Ball was as ever out-standing as were the other members of this fine collection. HOWever I did feel that Michael Crawford was missing when it came to Phantom performances, even though Antonio Banderas did a respectable job, you will never be able to rid my love of Crawford's angelic yet haunting voice.

Jesus Christ - This DvD performance was laughable. Never in my life would I have imagined that the brilliant works of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice could be butchered in such a horrible way. After seeing Cats the DvD I had high hopes. I believe the phrase being "let down" does not even begin to describe the emotion caused by this sorry excuse of a musical.

Everything about it, was a piss ass poor job. Jesus was fine, not good, but able, Mary also was not too bad, and King Herod, despite his brillance as an actor was terrible in this. However I think the prize definately goes out to Judas. I do believe a tap-dancing mute giraffe would have performed much better than this over-acting, deaf-toned, poor excuse for a 'performer'. Not only do I feel that I should get my money back, I feel I should be able to be given money for enduring it as long as I did. I am honestly disgusted in how the editors didn't cut out majority of the musical. If they did so, they would have been left with possibly 15 - 20 minutes of film and it would have been passable.

I am literary in shock! I think I need to watch 'Cats' again and regain my love for theatre from scratch. If you love yourself and love musicals and especially Jesus Christ Superstar, I beg of you don't even consider looking twice at this absolute rubbish since it will burn your eyes right out of your head, leaving you in much disdain, like me, and confused as how talent has been replaced with used toilet paper.

Thank you.

YAY!!!!.......2005-12-07

I love this entire collection. When I bought this, I wasn't very excited about Jesus Christ Superstar, because I thought it was the 1973 version. Imagine my delight when this was in fact the updated version of the show. An amazing cast draws you into the story, and finally Judas does not appear simply as a traitor or a psycho, but as someone tormented.
Royal Albert Hall Celebration--Wow! All I can say is I would love to have my 50th Birthday party like that. Hoards of stars appear singing ALW's wonderful compostions.

Good collection .......2005-09-05

Good collection of A.L.Webber's most popular musicals + Albert Hall Celebration. Only problem to take into account when ordering from Europe: All DVD's are Area 1 (North America) encoded, so most DVD players in Europe would not play them (Philips, Samsung).

Very poor sound quality for Joseph.......2005-05-25

We've watched Joseph a few times and it is visually captivating however the sound quality is awful. We have surround sound and even at full volume (maxed!) it's too low and is difficult to hear some of the singing. Then othertimes it's too loud. It's not me or my system; otherwise they work fine. The sound quality on this (as on Les Miserables Dreamcast 10th anniversary DVD) is a big dissapointment. Be ready to max your volume.

Average customer rating:

Commemorative Edition of Cats-Tje Misoca;
Cats the musical
Nice Costumes and That's Just About All
yuck
Sound quality?

Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition)
Starring: Elaine Paige , John Mills , Ken Page , Rosemarie Ford , and Michael Gruber
Director: David Mallet
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Ultimate Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00005NGAL
Release Date: 2001-10-30

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Commemorative Edition of Cats-Tje Misoca;.......2007-09-04

Cats the musical.......2007-08-12

Nice Costumes and That's Just About All.......2007-08-09

yuck.......2007-07-16

Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss - The Cat's Musical Tales

Average customer rating:

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss - The Cat's Musical Tales
Starring: Bruce Lanoil , Anthony Asbury , John Kennedy (IV) , Kathryn Mullen , and Stephanie D'Abruzzo
Director: David Gumpel
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Kids & Family | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000286S7Y
Release Date: 2004-08-03

Average customer rating:

Commemorative Edition of Cats-Tje Misoca;
Cats the musical
Nice Costumes and That's Just About All
yuck
Sound quality?

Cats
Starring: Elaine Paige , John Mills , Ken Page , Rosemarie Ford , and Michael Gruber
Director: David Mallet
Manufacturer: Polygram Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 6305120706

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Commemorative Edition of Cats-Tje Misoca;.......2007-09-04

Cats the musical.......2007-08-12

Nice Costumes and That's Just About All.......2007-08-09

yuck.......2007-07-16

Sound quality?.......2007-07-05

Average customer rating:

mediocre treatment of a brilliant character
It's great to have a Felix Christmas!
kinda dissappointing...
The Cat Does It Again!

Felix the Cat Saves Christmas
Starring: Tom Bosley , and Dave Coulier
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Holidays | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Kids & Family | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( F ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0002JUVY4
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

mediocre treatment of a brilliant character.......2005-12-11

The only positives; cute story and it has Felix the Cat.

Outside of that, the animation is poor, the dialog pacing is just plain awful (both slow and hesitant), and the whole presentation is just mediocre at best.

This is no Twisted Tales. Nor is it the class Felix, either.

It's great to have a Felix Christmas!.......2005-04-14

I'm a huge Felix fan and really enjoyed Felix Saves Christmas! I prefer the twisted style of Felix the Cat: The Movie, but Felix Saves Christmas is a great holiday adventure. My whole family loved it! It's nice to be able to spend Christmas with my favorite cartoon cat and his pals.

kinda dissappointing..........2004-12-23

I am a pretty big Felix the Cat fan and I was very dissappointed with this movie. The quality of animation wasn't all that good, especially the timing of the jokes and a lot of the camera movements. The voices of the characters sound unexpressive and unemotional. There were some cute jokes in the movie, but I'm afraid that it just wasn't enough to save it.
If you're a diehard fan of the Felix the Cat t.v. show from the 50s, then you might like this movie since it features characters from it. I like that show, but I still wasn't very impressed. Still, it's a cute Christmas movie for kids.
The DVD special features are pretty neat though. It features a brief history of Felix with some interview snipets from the original creators. It also contains a trivia game (unfortunately based on this movie) in which of successful completion, you can unlock the Felix cartoon "Bold King Cole". Those are the cool features that save the DVD, but they're not enough to make me want to keep the DVD in my collection.
Felix the Cat Productions has a lot of potential, but they just aren't showing it with this movie. Hopefully the next Felix cartoon they make will be a lot more enjoyable.

The Cat Does It Again!.......2004-12-05

Felix the Cat Saves Christmas is a sweet, funny, and sure to be classic Christmas gem. I was looking for a new holiday movie, and Felix has always been a sentimental favorite of mine. Felix and his pal Poindexter help out Santa and have many adventures along the way. Not only was the story fun, but the movie has musical numbers too. My niece loved the Snowkid snowboarders! I would highly recommend Felix the Cat Saves Christmas for anyone looking for an alternative to the stale Christmas specials we've all seen a hundred times!

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