Jerry Lee Lewis Movies
Known to one and all as "The Killer," mercurial rock & roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis was a child piano prodigy. Lewis was barely out of high school when he was signed by Nashville's Sun Records. Rising rapidly to the top of the charts with such hits as "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," Lewis was for many years regarded as the chief rival to Elvis Presley. His fortunes declined spectacularly in 1958 when his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin Myra Brown earned him widespread condemnation. After 12 years of performing in seedy night clubs and saloons, he made a spectacular comeback in 1970, only to suffer another setback when one of his later wives died under mysterious circumstances. He managed to survive this and many other scandals, continuing to chart his own professional course in his own way well into the 1980s. He appeared in a handful of films, notably High School Confidential (1958), and in 1988 was impersonated by Dennis Quaid in a flamboyant biopic, Great Balls of Fire. Jerry Lee Lewis is the cousin of evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and night club entrepreneur Mickey Gilley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2008
Tom Jones: This Is Tom Jones features numerous highlights from the Welsh singer's variety show. The collection includes appearances by a number of popular musical acts including The Who, Aretha Franklin, and Joe Cocker. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Jones, Sammy Davis, Jr., (more)
- 2007
- Add The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show, 1969-1971 to QueueAdd The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show, 1969-1971 to top of Queue
The Best of the Johnny Cash Show captures a number of memorable performances from the variety show hosted by the country music legend. This collection includes performances by Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Neil Young, Ray Charles, Pete Seeger, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kris Kristofferson
- 2007
- Add Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing - Live to QueueAdd Jerry Lee Lewis: Last Man Standing - Live to top of Queue
On the heels of his 2006 release Last Man Standing, seventy-something rock-and-roll piano man Jerry Lee Lewis stages a rollicking series of concerts featuring special guest appearances by such musical superstars as Tom Jones, Merle Haggard, Kid Rock, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Chris Isaac, and Norah Jones. Recorded live in New York and Los Angeles, this intimate collection of concert clips proves that while rock-and-roll may age, it truly never dies. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- 2001
- Add Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics, Vol. 4: Elvis and Other Rock Greats to QueueAdd Ed Sullivan's Rock 'N' Roll Classics, Vol. 4: Elvis and Other Rock Greats to top of Queue
The Ed Sullivan Show was the definitive variety show on television for over two decades. This compilation is comprised of a series of musical performances by some of the greatest names in rock history including a half-dozen appearances by Elvis Presley as well as songs by The Beatles, Sly & the Family Stone, and "The Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This program covers how rock 'n' roll helped to ease some societal barriers that had long prevented many minority performers from pursuing their entertainment dreams. Stars Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins discuss the way that performing music affected both their personal and professional lives. Numerous interviews with a variety of entertainers are featured, including some with Milton Berle (who hosted a TV variety show during the earliest years of television), Bo Diddley, Jerry Leiber and others. Find out what still makes so many fans believe rock 'n' roll is both a type of music and a positive force for change within society. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Some of the best rock & roll acts of the day appeared on the TV series Hullabaloo during its run from 1965 to 1966, and this home video release presents two half-hour episodes in their entirety. Gary Lewis hosts the first episode, with his father Jerry Lewis also stopping by; Gary and his group Gary Lewis and the Playboys perform, as well as Paul Revere and the Raiders, Barry McGuire, and Joanie Sommers. In episode two, Sammy Davis Jr. is master of ceremonies (and sings a few tunes as well), introducing his guests the Supremes, Sonny and Cher, the Lovin' Spoonful, and the Strangeloves. As a bonus, the video features additional performances from Marvin Gaye, Dusty Springfield, the Young Rascals, and the Searchers. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In this volume, a number of famous rap stars, including Ice T and Blowfly, are interviewed, and a video from the leaders of the New School is included. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- Add Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock & Roll to QueueAdd Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock & Roll to top of Queue
Directed by D.A. Pennebaker (Don't Look Back), this is a close look at the life and career of Jerry Lee Lewis, a man whose life seemed to mirror the flavor and content of the songs he chose to sing. Full-length performances are woven with segments detailing his rise and ultimate fall from rock stardom, culminating with his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin. Lewis performs 13 of his classic hits, captured during a 1969 performance. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- 1991
A 6 volume rock 'n' roll video series with Volume 4 featuring artists Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Paul Anka, Ricky Nelson, Sonny James, Elvis Presley and The Everly Brothers. ~ All Movie Guide
Rock and roll's original piano-pumping wild man, Jerry Lee Lewis sets the crowd on fire in this live video from his 1989 British tour. Here Lewis is joined by a handful of special guests, including Van Morrison, Dave Davies of The Kinks, Brian May of Queen, and Dave Edmunds. The Killer and his guests perform 15 tunes, including "Great Balls of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Rockin' My Life Away," "High School Confidential," "You Win Again," "I Am What I Am," and "Wild One." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- Add Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am to QueueAdd Jerry Lee Lewis: I Am What I Am to top of Queue
This 1987 documentary presents the life story of influential singer, songwriter, and musician Jerry Lee Lewis, whose pioneering brand of country-blues-boogie shook the world of rock & roll. Nicknamed "The Killer," and a cousin of notorious televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, Lewis displayed a prodigious eclectic musical talent, absorbing and reworking blues, gospel, Al Jolson, rockabilly, and Hank Williams. This biography features interviews with Lewis and a lineup of performing artists and celebrities including Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Roy Orbison, Dick Clark, and Mickey Gilley. Highlights include concert footage of Lewis performing some of his greatest hits, such as "Great Balls of Fire," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Breathless," and "Crazy Arms." ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
This music documentary is produced and directed by the same filmmaker who brought Monterrey Pop to the screen. It features performances from a 1969 Toronto rock 'n roll festival. The film shows performers Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Alan White, Klaus Voorman and John Lennon and Yoko Ono with the Plastic Ono Band. Although many other people appeared in the 12-hour-long festival, the filmmaker chose to record the whole performances of these few, rather than give highlights of the entire festival. Festival-goers booed and walked out on a performance by Yoko Ono and her brand new Plastic Ono Band. Film reviewers at the time were similarly affected. Latterly, though, both her performance and this film have grown in interest and watchability, particularly given the rarity of such thorough documentation of these key performers' work in concert. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1988
A music performance video, with Fats Domino joined by Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ron Wood and Paul Schaffer. Recorded at the Storyville Club in New Orleans. Performances include "Blueberry Hill," "Walking to New Orleans," and "The Fat Man." ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
This video profiles the life and work of Ricky Nelson through the use of film, interviews and songs focusing on his work on The Ozzie and Harriet Show, singing career and the fatal plane crash in 1986. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1986
This video is a look back over the life and death of Ricky Nelson. The son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson was a child star before he became a teen idol pop star. He died tragically with his band in a 1985 plane crash. This retrospective features clips from the television show Ozzie and Harriet, as well as performance footage spanning 40 years. Friends John Fogerty, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Jerry Lee Lewis are interviewed. Songs included are "Hello Mary Lou," "Garden Party," "I'm Walkin'," and "Travellin' Man." ~ Karla Baker, All Movie Guide
- 1984
A compilation of tunes from various concerts by Jerry Lee Lewis is presented here. Some tunes include "What's I Say," "Tutti Frutti" and many others. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1983
Piano playing bad boy Jerry Lee Lewis pounds the ivory in this performance captured live in Austin Texas and originally aired as part of the Austin City Limits series. With fifteen songs including "CC Rider", "Chantilly Lace", and "Great Balls of Fire", there's sure to be a "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On". ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- 1983
This sell-out performance in the U.K. in 1983 features the Killer doing hits like "Tutti Frutti," "Good Golly Miss Molly," "Great Balls of Fire" and many others. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1978
This lively musical comedy pays tribute to the birth of rock & roll in the late 1950s and the instrumental role played by disc jockey Alan Freed who helped bring the new sound into vogue. Much of the story centers on the daring deejay's attempts to put on the very first live rock & roll stage show at the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn. To do this he must overcome the protests of concerned and angry parents, conservatives, and local police. Several performers of the era appear in the film including Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, (more)
- 1977
- Add Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977 to QueueAdd Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977 to top of Queue
Country-music legend Johnny Cash is joined on-stage by friends and family for this musical holiday celebration. Along with Christmas favorites performed by the likes of June Carter Cash and The Statler Brothers, The Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1977 feature a rendition of "This Train Is Bound for Glory" by The Man in Black with Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison Carl Perkins in memory of the late Elvis Presley. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, (more)
- 1969
One year after the cancellation of the TV series The Monkees, the "pre-fab four"-- Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, and Peter Tork -- reunited for the hour-long NBC musical special Thirty-Three and One-Third Revolutions Per Monkee. Written by Jack Good and Art Fisher (who also directed), the special was advertised as a "super-psychedelic" journey into the Monkees' history, with a demented sorceror chronicling the group from its beginnings to the present. Guest performers include Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis), the Clara Ward Singers), and Paul Arnold and the Moon Express. Given surprisingly little publicity by NBC, Thirty-Three and One-Third Revolutions Per Monkee originally aired on April 14, 1969, in the Monday night time slot normally occupied by Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
