First of all, if you watch this movie, go to the James Brown and the Flames set. This is the greatest performance on film of any Brown performance that you will ever see anyplace. Brown defies gravity in a routine that goes beyond even Michael Jackson's Moonwalk. The film has him come out for 2 encores and according to legend even the other performers and the orchestra gave Brown a standing ovation.
This film had it been widely released in the 1960's would have a cult following today. Rock and Roll, R&B, Surf Music from the US and UK are all represented here plus Motown. It's all great and the film makers let the music headline here. The tough part is there are times when the sounds of 16 year old girls screaming does come through but most of the time this early wide screen presentation is about the performers with some shots of the audience. There is so much classic modern music here that I'd be hard pressed to find more in less than 2 hours of film.
Jan & Dean are the hosts. Since Jan Berry had a major car accident within a year of this being filmed, this is a rare glimpse of him at his best. This duo does some humor as hosts, perform the theme song, hype a little old lady from Pasadena, and skate board their ways through the show. After the opening skateboarding credits, this gets a fast start.
From 1958 Chuck Berry leads off with Johnny B. Goode which all Back To The Future fans will recognize. Then he goes into the classic Maybellene. Surprisingly, the classic is then picked up by Gerry and the Pacemakers (From Liverpool like the them song refers too). Then they do 2 songs and Chuck Berry returns with the classic Sweet Little 16. Then they alternate with the Pacemakers doing 3 songs and Berry doing the classic Nadine.
Next, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles do a 3 set, followed by Marvin Gaye doing 4 songs. Then in a real treat, 18 year young Lesley Gore does a powerful 6 song set. This is her best performance on film and considering she is just 18 years young, the power of her voice captivates the show.
Jan and Dean follow with 2 songs and the real treat is the now restored on this you tube version original Beach Boys 4 song set. For years this was missing from the film due to legal copyright issues. It is a welcome add back. The Beach Boys set is as good as any I have ever seen on film. After them, the now often forgotten Billy J Kramer & the Dakotas from Bootle, UK do 4 of their hits.
The original Supremes with a young Diana Ross then perform 4 of their hits including the smash Where Did Our Love Go and it is great to see this, and hear it. The least know group, the Barbarians from Cape Cod, Mass. sneak in for 1 song. From here, James Brown and the Flames take over the show after a little humor intro from Jan and Dean. Brown brings it all on the last song, Night Train as he takes everything he has and puts it on stage.
Finally, it's time for 6 songs from the Rolling Stones. It amazes me how many people are confused thinking this is the group from Liverpool on this show.(As I said before it's the Pacemakers). With the Stones here, the only thing that is missing is the Beatles but they were not here. The Stones lead off with Time is on my side and It's All Over Now. Mick Jagger is more animated dancing on stage here trying to follow the show stopping James Brown. Hard as he tries, he does not equal it. They even open with Chuck Berry's Around and Around trying to follow Brown.
The Stones final song is "Let's Get Together". When they do this all the performers and dancers get on the stage. This is wonderfully symbolic of how these artists music brought them all together for this show, Records at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Oct 28 and 29th 1964 with some the audience getting free tickets, this film rolls together the best of this music. It's still incredible to see. I only wish they had taken the whole cast on stage thing and put together a medley at the end.
American International pictures did this special production at the time. While the picture is high tech for this era, the sound is not. What's great is with these artists, even though it's not stereo it's great to hear and see these artists go through these classics. I am in awe of this program even though it's been many years since it was done.
This film had it been widely released in the 1960's would have a cult following today. Rock and Roll, R&B, Surf Music from the US and UK are all represented here plus Motown. It's all great and the film makers let the music headline here. The tough part is there are times when the sounds of 16 year old girls screaming does come through but most of the time this early wide screen presentation is about the performers with some shots of the audience. There is so much classic modern music here that I'd be hard pressed to find more in less than 2 hours of film.
Jan & Dean are the hosts. Since Jan Berry had a major car accident within a year of this being filmed, this is a rare glimpse of him at his best. This duo does some humor as hosts, perform the theme song, hype a little old lady from Pasadena, and skate board their ways through the show. After the opening skateboarding credits, this gets a fast start.
From 1958 Chuck Berry leads off with Johnny B. Goode which all Back To The Future fans will recognize. Then he goes into the classic Maybellene. Surprisingly, the classic is then picked up by Gerry and the Pacemakers (From Liverpool like the them song refers too). Then they do 2 songs and Chuck Berry returns with the classic Sweet Little 16. Then they alternate with the Pacemakers doing 3 songs and Berry doing the classic Nadine.
Next, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles do a 3 set, followed by Marvin Gaye doing 4 songs. Then in a real treat, 18 year young Lesley Gore does a powerful 6 song set. This is her best performance on film and considering she is just 18 years young, the power of her voice captivates the show.
Jan and Dean follow with 2 songs and the real treat is the now restored on this you tube version original Beach Boys 4 song set. For years this was missing from the film due to legal copyright issues. It is a welcome add back. The Beach Boys set is as good as any I have ever seen on film. After them, the now often forgotten Billy J Kramer & the Dakotas from Bootle, UK do 4 of their hits.
The original Supremes with a young Diana Ross then perform 4 of their hits including the smash Where Did Our Love Go and it is great to see this, and hear it. The least know group, the Barbarians from Cape Cod, Mass. sneak in for 1 song. From here, James Brown and the Flames take over the show after a little humor intro from Jan and Dean. Brown brings it all on the last song, Night Train as he takes everything he has and puts it on stage.
Finally, it's time for 6 songs from the Rolling Stones. It amazes me how many people are confused thinking this is the group from Liverpool on this show.(As I said before it's the Pacemakers). With the Stones here, the only thing that is missing is the Beatles but they were not here. The Stones lead off with Time is on my side and It's All Over Now. Mick Jagger is more animated dancing on stage here trying to follow the show stopping James Brown. Hard as he tries, he does not equal it. They even open with Chuck Berry's Around and Around trying to follow Brown.
The Stones final song is "Let's Get Together". When they do this all the performers and dancers get on the stage. This is wonderfully symbolic of how these artists music brought them all together for this show, Records at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Oct 28 and 29th 1964 with some the audience getting free tickets, this film rolls together the best of this music. It's still incredible to see. I only wish they had taken the whole cast on stage thing and put together a medley at the end.
American International pictures did this special production at the time. While the picture is high tech for this era, the sound is not. What's great is with these artists, even though it's not stereo it's great to hear and see these artists go through these classics. I am in awe of this program even though it's been many years since it was done.