Home

Kitty Darling (Helen Morgan), a burlesque entertainer, fears the impact her lifestyle will have on her daughter April (Joan Peers), so she sends the girl to a convent for proper rearing. Years later, an adult April returns to her mother's life, and the two must forge a new relationship. Complications in the process arise when Kitty finds balancing motherhood and her fading career difficult, and April must fend off advances from her mother's lover at the same time she explores her first love. This musical drama fits nicely into the backstage musical and melodrama category, which explores the ups and downs of entertainers' lives when they're not performing, but the deft direction of Rouben Mamoulian helps the film exceed its place in the genre. Made just as American cinema begins to move from silent films to talkies, Mamoulian manages to transform a soapy story into a sophisticated and moving portrait of the life of an aging performer who trades on her beauty. This heartrending musical possesses even more significance given its pre-code status - a film made prior to the institution of the self-censorship of sex, violence and other controversial content that began formally in 1934 and lasted until the late 1960s.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

The style of Hawaiian slack key guitar forms the focus for this documentary. Traveling to the island, the filmmakers document the evolution of the style while also talking to the players who brought the sound to the international stage.
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

Sergei Prokofiev - Ivan the Terrible (DVD)
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

Based on a novel by Anatole France, which was itself based upon the life of an historical Thais who lived during the fourth century, THAIS is one of Massenet's most famous operas. This captivating story of a beautiful courtesan torn between spirituality and sensuality has been magnificently brought to life on stage under the direction of Pier Luigi Pizzi, and the title role, sung by Eva Mei, is a captivating interpretation of remarkable depth. Excellent visual quality and a beautiful production combine to enchant viewers with this memorable opera.DVD Features:Region (unknown)Keep CaseFull Frame - 1.33Audio: Subtitles - French, English, Italian, German, Spanish
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.

Dancing and romance collide in ROYAL WEDDING as a brother-sister dance team (Fred Astaire and Jane Powell) open their musical show in London shortly before the English royal wedding and find love of their own. Showcasing some of Astaire's most memorable dance scenes in film history--Astaire's hat-rack partner and his dancing on the ceiling (impressive even to those jaded by special effects)--this tale of finding true love when it's least expected, and least wanted, has delighted audiences since the movie's release in 1951.Flirty Ellen and dance-focused Tom have escaped the clutches of many marriage-minded partners, keeping their joint entertainment careers their first priority. When they leave New York to sail for London to open a new musical show, Ellen leaves behind many besotted men but no regrets. But when a ladies' man (and lord) falls hard for Ellen, and a British girl in the dance chorus needs Tom's help to locate her fiance, both brother and sister realize that this time love must come first.DVD Features:Region 1 EncodingSpecial Features: Direct Scene Access, Lobby Poster, Biography, Trivia Q&A.Keep Case
Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005.
For personal use only.
All rights reserved.