Les Paul Movies
Guitar legend Les Paul recounts his remarkable life in his own words in a feature length documentary that features a non-stop soundtrack of hits and interviews with such acclaimed superstars as B.B. King, Merle Haggard, Tony Bennett, and more. Classic footage of The Beatles, The Who, and The Rolling Stones, among others, highlight just what a profound influence Paul has had over the years. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Les Paul
The world of modern music just wouldn't be the same without the innovations of Les Paul, and in addition to inventing the electric guitar and pushing the boundaries of music with his "echo" (now known as "reverb") experiments, Paul also perfected the now commonplace practice of multi-track recording. In addition to his experiments with the electric guitar and modern recording techniques, Paul was also an accomplished jazz musician and star of the popular '50s television program Les Paul and Mary Ford. In this extended interview that also offers abundant clips of Paul performing and experimenting, the groundbreaking musician discusses his prophetic view of the music world -- a view that would have a lasting effect on generations of musicians. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2003
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Independent filmmaker Mark Moormann directs the feature-length documentary Tom Dowd and the Language of Music. Shot on color and black-and-white16 mm film stock, the biography is a personal portrait of legendary recording engineer and producer Tom Dowd. The man himself is featured in a series of interviews from 1996 (the year he won a lifetime achievement award from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) until 2002 (the year of his death). Filmed at Criteria Studios in Miami, FL, he is shown both at work behind the soundboards as well as reflecting on his memorable career. Other interview subjects include artists Ray Charles and Eric Clapton; record producers Phil Ramone and Arif Mardin; and surviving members of the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tom Dowd and the Language of Music premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Dowd, Ray Charles, (more)
Chet Atkins was a hero of country music, not just for his fingerpicking guitar solos but also for his studio wizardry. Throughout his career, Atkins recorded nearly 70 records and won 13 Grammy awards. This program captures the remarkable career of this musician through a blend of interviewers and performances. Featured are Atkins' appearances with musicians such as Dolly Parton, George Benson, and Peter Frampton. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The upbeat big band sounds and performances of the 1940s, originally called "Soundies," which were viewed on a Panoram machine. Highlights include Spade Cooley and his Western Dance Gang, Lawrence Welk and his orchestra performing "Nobody Knows How Much I Love You," and an appearance by Ozzie Nelson. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1980
Les Paul "and his band of renown" are shortened to simply the renowned Les Paul in this entertaining and informative documentary on one of the long-lasting talents in the music business. Excerpts from Les Paul's popular performances on radio in the 1930s highlight his quick rise to fame. His years with Fred Waring and recordings with his wife Mary Ford are balanced against his successes in designing electric guitars and one of his better-known inventions, the eight-track recording system. As urbane and versatile in person as his accomplishments suggest, Les Paul's own accounting of his past and snippets at the guitar round out this excellent documentary. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Les Paul
- 1947
Years before his tenure as "The Skipper" on Gilligan's Island, Alan Hale Jr. delivered a delightful comic performance in Monogram's Sarge Goes to College. Hale is cast as a none-too-bright marine sergeant who is ordered to take a long rest before undergoing a serious operation. For reasons best known to himself, "Sarge" decides that a college campus is the ideal locale for peace & quiet. Before long, he's helping the kids put on one of those oversized college musical shows for which Monogram was famous (or, in some circles, infamous). Freddy Stewart and June Preisser once more handle the songs-and-romance angle, while Noel Neill, TV's future "Lois Lane", is as cute as a button as the campus vamp. The musical guest stars this time out include orchestra leaders Russ Morgan and Jack McVea. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Earl Bennett, Margaret Brayton, (more)
