Tony Bennett Movies

One of America's finest interpreters of the great standards of the '40s and '50s, Tony Bennett performs 13 classic songs, including "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," "One for My Baby," "Sophisticated Lady," "My Funny Valentine," and "Don't Get Around Much Any More," in this concert taped in 1981. Bennett is accompanied by pianist Ralph Sharon, who also performs a solo number of his own. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

After a bad day at work, a man suddenly gets a new job -- as the world's new Heavenly Father -- in this comedy. Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is a television reporter working in Buffalo, NY, who has been growing increasingly dissatisfied with his existence, and after an especially bad day, he flies into a rage and curses God for making his life miserable. To Bruce's great surprise, the Supreme Being Himself (Morgan Freeman) appears, and tries to convince Bruce of the enormity of his task. Bruce, however, isn't buying it, so God gives him a chance to find out what he's up against; God bestows all of his powers on Bruce for a week, to see how he'd handle things. At first, Bruce has a great time bending the world around him to his will, much to the puzzlement of his girlfriend, Grace (Jennifer Aniston), but after six days God stops by to remind Bruce he hasn't done much to make the Earth a better place. Disappointed, God presents Bruce with an ultimatum -- he has one day to improve the world in a concrete way, or God will toss the planet back into the void. Bruce Almighty was directed by Tom Shadyac, who previously teamed with Jim Carrey for Liar, Liar and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The legendary jazz musician Count Basie performs in his concert that originally aired as a special on CBS cable TV in 1981. He perform just under two-dozen songs including such standards as "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "It Don't Mean a Thing," "Fascinating Rhythm," and "Send in the Clowns." Assisting Bassie at certain points during the show are fellow performers Tony Bennett, George Benson, and Sarah Vaughn. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

The career of the "first lady of song," Ella Fitzgerald, is spotlighted in this 90-minute documentary. Featuring the most comprehensive concert footage of Fitzgerald ever assembled, rare interviews with her family and colleagues, and the Decca & Verve photos, this edition of the American Masters series should not be missed. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide

Songwriter Harold Arlen is the subject of this documentary. Arlen wrote several songs for famous artists, but remained in the shadows as singers such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett received the acclaim. Arlen's most popular song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", the noted song from the Wizard of Oz, is added to the title. Filmed performances by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Mel Torme, and many others are included as they sing songs penned by Arlen and take part in several interviews that make up the bulk of this film, but his life is also well documented. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide

Judy Garland: Duets collects several television appearances by the singer in which she performs with fellow celebrities. The release includes collaborations with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin, and Lena Horne. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

The premise of MTV's Unplugged series is to strip away the layering of high-end quality production of a popular song, pare it down to its essential elements, and present an acoustical version of that song. On this video the theme of romanticism defines each video of some of the best love ballads of a generation, including "I'm Ready" by Bryan Adams, "Still Crazy After All These Years" by Paul Simon, "Let Her Cry" by Hootie & the Blowfish, Duran Duran's "Ordinary World," "Please Don't Go" by Boyz II Men, Tony Bennett's "It Had to Be You," "Strong Enough" performed by Sheryl Crow, crooner Chris Isaak's "Somebody's Crying," and "Old Love" by the venerable Eric Clapton. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide

In this special episode of the acoustic-oriented MTV showcase, Tony Bennett (joined by the Ralph Sharon Trio) sings a set of favorites and new numbers in the easygoing but swinging style he made famous, including "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," "All of Me," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," and "They Can't Take That Away From Me." Includes guest appearances from Elvis Costello and k.d. lang. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Hosted by standup comedian David Steinberg, ABC television's Music Scene was a unique, eclectic, and never-equaled program that the network nevertheless canceled after half a season. It aired prime time on Tuesday nights and ran an unusual slot-time of 45 minutes (paired with Aaron Spelling's 45-minute dramatic series The New People, about hip college kids stranded on an island). Music Scene regulars included Lily Tomlin and Larry Hankin. This sixth episode in the video release of the series features James Brown performing "Mother Popcorn," Dusty Springfield doing "A Brand New Me" and "The Look of Love," The Everly Brothers harmonizing a medley of their hits, Joe Cocker singing "Something," and Zager & Evans singing their hit sci-fi song about the "progress" of humanity, "In the Year 2525." Each week's musical guest line-up was based on Billboard Magazine's hit-record charts, so these episodes provide priceless television performances by virtually every major music star from the time, whether they worked in rock, country, soul, folk, or pop. Steinberg went on to become a successful television director. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide

Many of today's most popular artists gathered to perform in a tribute to holiday music at this concert held by the Placido Domingo Society. Many well-loved chestnuts are aired here, performed by the likes of Tony Bennett, Charlotte Church, Vanessa Williams, and, of course, Placido Domingo. Songs performed include "White Christmas" and "Silent Night." ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide

Originally telecast live and in color, this NBC special would be especially valuable to see again, especially if one is a dyed-in-the-wool baseball fanatic. Emceed by Gene Kelly, the 90-minute extravaganza brings together dozens of special guests from Baseball and Showbiz to commemorate in song, sketch and story, the opening of the 1957 baseball season. Among the special's many highlights: The introduction of 1956's MVPs, Mickey Mantle and Don Newcombe; comedy playlets starring the likes of Robert Alda (father of Alan Alda) and Ed Gardner of Duffy's Tavern radio fame; songs performed by Janis Paige, Tony Bennett, and ventriloquist Paul Winchell (with the help of dummy Jerry Mahoney); a "dream outfield" segment built around Stan Musial, Leo Durocher and Ted Williams; a "baseball rock-n-roll" specialty sung by Bill Hayes; old-time baseball newsreel clips, narrated by radiocaster Mel Allen; and a special closing messege, delivered by then-Commissioner of Baseball Ford Frick (long before his vilification as the architect behind the "asterisking" of Roger Maris' 61st homer). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A heartless actor scrambles to the top of show business' sleazy summit in this drama. Frank Fane (Stephen Boyd) is a Hollywood leading man who is desperate to boost his career by winning an Academy Award, and he doesn't care who he has to betray to achieve his goals -- including his former best friend and PR man, Hymie Kelly (Tony Bennett), lonely acting coach Sophie Cantaro (Eleanor Parker), slimy agent Kappy Kapstetter (Milton Berle), and long-suffering girlfriend Kay Bergdahl (Elke Sommer). However, as Frank waits for his name to be called, certain that victory is in his grasp, fate has a little secret in store for him. The Oscar marked Tony Bennett's onscreen acting debut. The screenplay, based on the novel by Richard Sale, was written in part by award-winning author Harlan Ellison, who is known to often take comical potshots at the film, which he considers a low point in his career. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide