Liberace Movies
Hailed as "Mr. Showbiz," Liberace was the personification of hedonism at its most extreme. Billing himself a pianist, Liberace liked to think of himself as a reincarnation of Franz Listz -- truly he was exceptionally proficient at the keyboards, but he was far more the classic entertainer, punctuating his popularized versions of light classics with lively patter and jokes, many of which were aimed at himself. Music was his bread and butter, but Liberace's real passion was for excess and flash. Liberace loved rhinestones, expensive cars, priceless pianos, and anything rococo, but it was his outrageous costumes and jewelry that immediately spring to mind when thinking of him. During some performances, he sported lavish spangled costumes weighing over 200 pounds. Born Wladziu Valentino Liberace (his friends called him "Lee") in Milwaukee, he learned much about piano playing from the legendary Paderwski, a friend of his mother. Though best remembered for his many Las Vegas appearances, his tours, and his long-running television series during the '50s, Liberace also appeared in a few feature films including South Sea Sinner and Sincerely Yours. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Soundies: A Musical History collects a number of short musical films that played on a film jukebox called Panoram in the 1940s. Many consider these films to be the very first music videos, and this documentary includes appearances by some of the most beloved musical artists of all time including Louis Armstrong. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1985
A grand piano and a simple candelabra were the trademarks of Liberace, the musician whose piano artistry, flamboyant costumes, and engaging personality earned him the nickname "Mr. Showmanship." In this program, Liberace teams up with the London Philharmonic Orchestra for a live concert with an exciting repertoire of classical pieces and pop standards. The gracious Liberace takes time, as always, to involve the audience, his family, and friends, in the televised performance. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1985
This collection of Wrestlemania matches feature some of the biggest and meanest from the WWF. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1980
Perhaps no venue could be more perfectly suited to the dazzling talent and costumes of Liberace than glitzy Las Vegas. The flamboyant pianist is in his element in this town of bright lights and grand gestures. Liberace goes all out to show why he is called "Mr. Showmanship," with a cast that includes his family, friends, and the Ballet Folklorico de Nacionale de Mexico. A Latin flair provides the theme for the show which has the audience tapping their toes and clapping their hands along with the exuberant music, and laughing at the engaging humor of the maestro Liberace. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1979
His piano and singing repertoire mixed classical standbys and sentimental hits of the day, but Liberace was a Vegas superstar for more complex reasons. One of three television specials released on video by Rhino Video, Liberace's Valentine's Day Special features the showman who embodied Las Vegas glitter and flamboyant excess. Called a "kitsch virtuoso," pianist Liberace was born Wladziu Valentino Liberace, and he was the darling of Vegas-vacationing mothers for decades, with a stage presence that was the prototype of what would become the glam rock star. In this program he arrives at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas via a hot-air balloon. He jumps on-stage in one of his patented over-the-top glitzy suits and plays several songs on the piano. He then takes the audience on a tour of the Liberace Museum, where he explains, "I collect pianos, cars, dogs, and talented people that I use in my shows." He also gives a tour of his private home, finally arriving at a small yacht christened the Queen Mary, where Sandy Duncan and Lola Falana join him. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Liberace is unprepared for Gonzo's efforts to include his tap-dancing chickens into one of Liberace's trademark flashy performances. Meanwhile, even the skits run amok as the Swedish Chef's kitchen becomes a temporary haven for the Pigs in Space crew. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liberace
- 1978
Travelling to Las Vegas to pick up a criminal suspect for extradition, Crocker (Kevin Dobson), his prisoner, and sexy "topless" magcian Sally Addison (Priscilla Barnes) are all kidnapped. This the first stage of an elaborate scheme to throw the cops off the trail of what be a bigger crime. Arriving in Vegas to investigate Crocker's abduction, Kojak ends up interrogating Sally's twin sister (also Priscilla Barnes)--and even exchanges a few pointed words with the fabulous Liberace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Narrative takes a back seat to music in this loose remake of Girl Crazy, as Harve Presnell plays a footloose young millionaire who meets perky Connie Francis and hatches a scheme to save her father's failing Nevada ranch by turning it into a resort for people waiting out their quickie Las Vegas divorces. This was an early musical vehicle for then-Broadway star Presnell, who would gain notoriety with film fans years later as a character actor in Fargo, Patch Adams, and Saving Private Ryan. Besides, how often do you get to see a musical that features Louis Armstrong, Liberace, Herman's Hermits, and Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs? ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Connie Francis, Harve Presnell, (more)
The satire in Evelyn Waugh's darkly comic novel The Loved One was originally double-edged. The book was not only an attack on the Southern California funeral industry but also a lampoon of Hollywood's "British colony," those clannish, cricket-playing English actors of years gone by who bemoaned the artificiality of Tinseltown while eagerly accepting the demeaning and insignificant movie roles they were offered. The film version of The Loved One, anxious to live up to its ad-campaign promise of containing "something to offend everybody," downplays the British-colony business (save for the presence of the magnificent Robert Morley) and pumps up the "death" gags. Innocent British poet Dennis Barlow (Robert Morse) falls in love with funeral-home cosmetician Aimee Thanatogenos (Anjanette Comer), who in turn is loved by prissy funeral director Mr. Joyboy (Rod Steiger). The latter lives with his obese mother (Ayllene Gibbons), whose eating sequence is far more hilarious (and more tasteless) than many of the film's calculatedly "black" jokes. A huge guest-star cast is headed by Jonathan Winters in a dual role as a funeral home manager and his covetous twin brother, who operates an elaborate pet cemetery. Musician Paul Williams is also on hand as a 13-year-old aeronautics genius who develops a method of sending corpses into "eternal orbit" (a plot device that Waugh neglected to include in his novel). Film historian William K. Everson has commented that The Loved One is one of the best and most underrated comedies of the 1960s. For others, especially those who might feel guilty chuckling at the sight of Anjanette Comer committing suicide with an embalming needle, it's purely a matter of taste...or lack of same. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Morse, Anjanette Comer, (more)
- 1955
At the height of his TV fame, flamboyant pianist Liberace starred in the lavish Warner Bros. production Sincerely Yours. A remake of the old George Arliss vehicle The Man Who Played God, the film casts "Mr. Showmanship" as famed concert pianist Anthony Warren, who at the height of his popularity is stricken with deafness. Learning to lip-read in record time, Warren sits in his luxurious New York penthouse apartment, using high-powered binoculars to spy on the various strollers in Central Park. Warren soon discovers that others have problems worse than his own and sets out to help those less fortunate souls.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liberace, Joanne Dru, (more)
- 1953
Included are two Christmas specials from 1953: Christmas with Liberace and Playhouse Past Memories. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- 195z
A Lenten period television variety special. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1950
South Sea Sinner is a remake of 1940's Seven Sinners, with Shelley Winters in the Marlene Dietrich role and MacDonald Carey as the John Wayne counterpart. Winters plays cabaret singer Coral, who manages to spark a riot wherever she goes. Carey co-stars as Jake Davis, who has been wandering aimlessly throughout the South Seas ever since he was framed on a gun-smuggling charge. These two volatile personalities become embroiled in the crooked schemes concocted by all-around villain Cognac (Luther Adler). Featured in the cast are Frank Lovejoy as Jake's best friend, and Helena Carter as the "right" girl for Our Hero. But the film's main attraction for modern audiences is the one and only Liberace, making his film debut as Coral's sardonic accompanist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- MacDonald Carey, Shelley Winters, (more)
- 1950
The five-volume set Liberace showcases the talent of the flashy pianist known as Mr. Showman. Liberace, star of television's most popular musical variety show during the 1950s, became both the top-paid and best-loved performer of the period. This series pays tribute to the flamboyant Las Vegas entertainer's talent, and offers an intimate look into his personal life. It also features a collection of clips encompassing Liberace's wide-ranging musical repertoire including classical, pop, folk, and jazz pieces. Volume one contains the songs and musical works "The Saber Dance," Liszt's "Concerto in A Major," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Moonlight Sonata," "Piano Roll Blues," and more. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1950
The five-volume set Liberace showcases the talent of the flashy pianist known as Mr. Showman. Liberace, star of television's most popular musical variety show during the 1950s, became both the top-paid and best-loved performer of the period. This series pays tribute to the flamboyant Las Vegas showman's talent, and offers an intimate look into his personal life. It also features a collection of clips encompassing Liberace's wide-ranging musical repertoire including classical, pop, folk, and jazz pieces. Volume two contains songs and musical works including "Flight of the Bumblebee Boogie," "Waltz in A Flat Major," "Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony," "Take Me out to the Ball Game," and more. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1950
The five-volume set Liberace showcases the talent of the flashy pianist known as Mr. Showman. Liberace, star of television's most popular musical variety show during the 1950s, became both the top-paid and best-loved entertainer of the period. This series pays tribute to the flamboyant Las Vegas showman's talent, and offers an intimate look into his personal life. It also features a collection of clips encompassing Liberace's wide-ranging musical repertoire including classical, pop, jazz, and folk pieces. Volume three contains the songs and musical works "Camptown Races," "Bicycle Built for Two," "Santa Lucia," "Stars and Stripes Forever," and more. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide
- 1950
This video is part of a series that remembers the celebrated television show of pianist Liberace. His colorful costumes and delightful personality, combined with his musical virtuosity, made "Mr. Showmanship" the highest paid entertainer in the world. Clips from his television show in the 1950s and '60s feature Liberace, along with his family and a wide array of talented guests. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1950
This video is part of a series that presents clips from Liberace's award-winning television show. Known around the world as "Mr. Showmanship," Liberace was beloved as much for his flamboyant attire and personality as for his virtuosity on the piano. This consummate musician, who was at one time the highest paid entertainer in the world, always made room on his show for his family and guests. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
Liberace brings his renowned "Mr. Showmanship" to Canada for this live holiday concert. Christmas is a time of celebration, with glittering colors and lights. No time could be more perfectly suited to the personality of Liberace, who lights up the stage with his flamboyant costumes and winning smile, while performing Christmas songs. Included in the repertoire are traditional carols such as "Silent Night, Holy Night," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," and "O Holy Night." The maestro also performs Christmas standards, including "The Christmas Song" and "I'll Be Home for Christmas." The ever ebullient Liberace surrounds himself with his family and friends for the joyous holiday occasion. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
