Andre Previn Movies
Born in Germany, composer Andre Previn spent much of his adolescence in Los Angeles. After studying musical composition with Mario Castenuovo-Tedasco, Previn sought out work in Hollywood, where his cousin Charles Previn was already an established composer (another Previn, Andre's younger brother Steve Previn, became a film and TV director). At 19, Previn was hired as an arranger by MGM. Functioning in this capacity and as composer and musical director, Previn was honored several times by the Academy Awards folks, earning nominations for Kiss Me Kate (1953), Two for the Show (1955), It's Always Fair Weather (1955), Bells are Ringing (1960), Pepe (1960) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), and winning Oscars for Gigi (1958) and Porgy and Bess (1959). With his first wife Dory Langdon (who, as Dory Previn, went on to an impressive musical career of her own), he composed the Oscar-nominated "Faraway Part of Town," which, as performed by Judy Garland, was the sole highlight of Pepe. Divorcing Dory in 1970, Previn married actress Mia Farrow, a union that lasted until 1979. A brilliant jazz and classical pianist, Previn has turned out several top-selling record albums, some of which have earned Grammies. From 1968 to 1979, he was director of the London Symphony Orchestra, and from 1985 to 1989 he wielded the baton for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In addition, he was heard and seen in a series of TV hi-fi commercials. In 1992, Andre Previn wrote his autobiography, No Minor Chords: My Days in Hollywood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
- Add O Thou Transcendent: The Life of Ralph Vaughan Williams to QueueAdd O Thou Transcendent: The Life of Ralph Vaughan Williams to top of Queue
This in-depth, feature length documentary explores the controversial life of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams. Often dismissed as a happy folk hero, Williams was in fact often frustrated and unhappy with both his small town life and his obligations to care for his invalid wife. Exploring both his musical and personal legacy, the film paints a multidimensional portrait of the artist. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
- Add Anne-Sophie Mutter: Mozart - Piano Trios to QueueAdd Anne-Sophie Mutter: Mozart - Piano Trios to top of Queue
In this concert film, shot at Mantua's legendary Teatro Bibiena, the five-star pianist and violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter plays Mozart's Piano Trio in C, K.448, Piano Trio in E, K.542 and Piano Trio in B flat, K.502. Andre Prévin and Daniel Muller-Schött also appear. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2002
- Add Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer to QueueAdd Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer to top of Queue
On the short list of great cinema dancers, Gene Kelly led a multi-faceted career that included acting, directing, and choreography. This documentary, narrated by Stanley Tucci, offers a look at the man's driving work ethic and his rich talent that led to such memorable classics as Singin' in the Rain, On the Town, and the Oscar-winning An American in Paris. The DVD release of this documentary offers a complete Gene Kelly filmography. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stanley Tucci, Gene Kelly, (more)
- 1999
This Lifetime Intimate Portrait tells Mia Farrow's life story with the help of interviews with Ms. Farrow herself, her children, ex-husband Andre Previn, and longtime friends and colleagues including Carly Simon, Nancy Sinatra, Natasha Richardson, and Roman Polanski. Born in 1945, the third of seven children, to actress Maureen O'Sullivan (Jane in the classic Tarzan movies) and screenwriter John Farrow, Ms. Farrow has lived a somewhat public life. Afflicted with polio as a child, she spent months in an iron lung. Later, her older brother was killed in a plane crash. She began to act on the New York stage at age 18, was in the TV series Peyton Place, and married Frank Sinatra at age 20 (divorcing 2 years later). Her starring role in Polanski's chilling movie, Rosemary's Baby, made her famous. During her nine-year marriage to conductor Andre Previn, three sons were born and three daughters adopted. Her long relationship with director/actor Woody Allen (which ended in a highly-publicized custody battle) is mentioned with restraint. Much of the focus of the film is on Ms. Farrow's life with her many children, and footage of the family at their Connecticut country home is included in this "authorized biography." ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide
- 1999
- Add Harold Arlen: Somewhere Over the Rainbow to QueueAdd Harold Arlen: Somewhere Over the Rainbow to top of Queue
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
For his first opera, noted composer Andre Previn collaborated with librettist Phillip Littell for this adaptation of Tennessee Williams Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about Blanche DuBois, an emotionally fragile woman who is forced to confront the real world by her brutal and vulgar brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski. Taped during its premiere engagement presented by The San Francisco Opera Company, this production of A Streetcar Named Desire stars Renee Fleming as Blanche, Rodney Gilfry as Stanley, and Elizabeth Futral as Stella. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Renée Fleming, Rodney Gilfry, (more)
- 1997
- Add Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz to QueueAdd Blue Note: A Story of Modern Jazz to top of Queue
Blue Note Records was founded in the 1930s and has played a vital role in the development of jazz for more than 60 years. Important works by some of the greatest jazz musicians in history -- John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and many others -- were recorded on the Blue Note label. The company's founders, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, both loved jazz (especially jazz with a bluesy element) and had true respect for the musicians with whom they worked. Featuring appearances by many artists -- and memorable music recorded in the Blue Note studios throughout the years -- this documentary explores the evolution of the genre, while telling the story of a company that marked an important period in music history. ~ Alice Duncan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Belden, Joachim Ernst Berendt, (more)
- 1992
- R
- Add A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert to QueueAdd A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert to top of Queue
Originally filmed in 1992, this Christmas performance features opera divas Kathleen Battle and Frederica von Stade alongside jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. Under conductor Andre Previn, traditional Christmas tunes are given top billing, though classic opera makes its presence more than known. Among the featured composers are Engelbert Humperdinck, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mel Torme, and Franz Zaver Gruber.
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Experience the performance then listen to the discussion of its merits. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1989
Narrated by Burt Lancaster, Benny Carter: Symphony in Riffs provides a comprehensive overview of the life and career of jazz saxophonist Benny Carter. Widely known as one of the originators of the big band sound, Carter's influence can still be heard in modern jazz and big band performances. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Berlioz to QueueAdd Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Berlioz to top of Queue
This program is part of the acclaimed Sounds Magnificent series, showcasing some of the great works in Western classical music. Andre Previn acts both as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and host of the show, which explores the lives and times of the composers, as well as featuring selections from their works. This episode presents a performance of the Symphony Fantastique, written by the colorful composer Berlioz. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Beethoven to QueueAdd Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Beethoven to top of Queue
This program is part of the acclaimed Sounds Magnificent series, showcasing some of the great works in Western classical music. Andre Previn acts both as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and host of the show, which explores the lives and times of the composers, as well as featuring selections from their works. This episode features a biography of the composer Beethoven, as well as performances of his Symphonies Numbers 5 and 7. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Tchaikovsky to QueueAdd Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Tchaikovsky to top of Queue
Conductor Andre Previn explores the critical backlash against wildly popular composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky before leading the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 'Pathetique'" in this installment of a series produced to showcase a variety of popular works from the concert repertoire. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Brahms to QueueAdd Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Brahms to top of Queue
This program is part of a special series, featuring Andre Previn conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in works of some of the world's greatest composers. Previn educates his audience on the background of the composer and the opus, and then the music begins. This volume contains Brahms' "Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98." ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Shostakovich to QueueAdd Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Shostakovich to top of Queue
This program is part of the acclaimed Sounds Magnificent series, showcasing some of the great works in Western classical music. Andre Previn acts both as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and host of the show, which explores the lives and times of the composers, as well as featuring selections from their works. This episode features a biography of Russian composer Shostakovich, along with a performance of his Symphony Number 5. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
- Add Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Haydn & Mozart to QueueAdd Sounds Magnificent: The Story of the Symphony - Haydn & Mozart to top of Queue
This program is part of the acclaimed Sounds Magnificent series, showcasing some of the great works in Western classical music. Andre Previn acts both as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and host of the show, which explores the lives and times of the composers, as well as featuring selections from their works. This episode presents renditions of Haydn's Symphony 87 and Mozart's Symphony 39. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Conductor Andre Previn conducts Dimitri Shostakovich's "Symphony Number 5" and discusses the changes from 19th to 20th Century classical music and the influences in Russia that affected Shostakovich's musical compositions. The first half of this video consists of Previn offering an explanation about Shostakovich's life and career and the conventionality of style and structure in this symphony in comparison with some of his earlier works. The second half of the ninety-minute video contains Andre Previn conducting a performance of this work. Classical music aficionados and general viewers will appreciate this video, coming to understand the man, his career and the end result of his talent in concert. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide
- 1984
This documentary tells the story of the man who many think was the greatest composer who ever lived. Narrated by Andre Previn, the film chronicles Beethoven's illustrious musical career and stormy personal life. Born in Germany in 1770, he showed an early interest in music and was tutored first by Mozart and then by Haydn. He soon rose to become the preeminent composer of his day, bringing his Romantic sensibility to music, creating orchestral works of unprecedented power and dynamism. Like many Romantics, Beethoven was an idealistic supporter of the French Revolution and dedicated his Eroica Symphony to the young Napoleon. He later became disenchanted when Napoleon made himself emperor in contradiction to the revolution's egalitarian ideals. The film gives insight into Beethoven's inspiring triumph over his humiliation from incurable deafness, which struck him at the height of his career. Andre Previn conducts Symphony No. 7 and excerpts from Symphony No. 5. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1984
Listen to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn while discussing the lives and careers of these two composers. Both men were responsible for laying the groundwork for the type of musical composition called the symphony. Between these two composers, they wrote over 150 symphonies that changed Western music forever. Their works influenced the development of the symphony orchestra and later symphonic forms and styles. Since the symphonies of Haydn and Mozart are part of the essentials of classical music, find out what took place behind the writing of each symphony. Andre Previn conducts, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs Haydn's "Symphony No. 87 in A" and Mozart's "Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat." ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide
- 198z
Haydn and Mozart are honored in this concert by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Previn. ~ All Movie Guide
In the year 2018 violence has been outlawed and corporations have replaced government as the ruling party following the demise of politics. With the absence of war or conflict, a forcibly passive population's bloodlust is satisfied by a brutal new sport known as Rollerball. A high-octane melding of the outlawed sports of the past, the worldwide phenomenon of Rollerball has resulted in a corporate-backed sensation. The most popular athlete in the world, Jonathan E. (James Caan) has steadily risen through the ranks to become a legendary veteran of the sport. When the corporate backers of Rollerball begin to fear that Jonathan's popularity has instilled him with a potentially dangerous amount of power, a thunderous struggle between man's free will and the oppression of the masses threatens to shatter the fragile strings that the puppet masters use to manipulate mankind. His determination to remain with the sport flying in the face of the very reason Rollerball was conceived, the corporate rulers hatch a plot to abandon the rules in hopes that Jonathan will be killed and their grip of power will remain an unyielding chokehold on an increasingly bloodthirsty populace. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Caan, John Houseman, (more)
The second Biblical epic to be turned into a musical by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, this box-office disappointment recounts the last week in the life of Jesus Christ in rock-opera format and from the surprising point of view of Christ's betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Carl Anderson stars as Judas, who has begun to believe that Jesus (Ted Neeley) has sold out and started buying into the mythology that's quickly springing up around him. Particularly disturbing to Judas is the relationship between Jesus and his friend Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman), a prostitute. When Jesus throws a temper tantrum at the moneylenders in a temple, Judas determines to work with the Pharisees who want to put Jesus on trial as a false prophet. Following his success with the adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof (1971), director Norman Jewison experimented with a hippie-influenced sensibility on Jesus Christ Superstar (1973). Among such touches are depictions of the cast arriving via bus to mount the show, modern high-tech weaponry in the hands of the ancient Romans, and on-location filming in Israel. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, (more)
- 1971
A widow finds her life unbearably dull and so becomes a volunteer CIA agent. She is sent to Mexico City for her first assignment and though her intentions are good, she ends up tossed into a jail. This was one of actress Rosalind Russel's final films and is sadly, considered among her very worst. Using a penname, she also wrote the screenplay. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- R
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is given the Ken Russell treatment in The Music Lovers, which means that there is plenty of music, plenty of passion, plenty of debauchery, and plenty of excess. Tame by Russell's later standards (Lisztomania), The Music Lovers nevertheless thrives on creative and sexual anguish. Richard Chamberlain plays Tchaikovsky with a bug-eyed intensity as a composer consumed by his art -- so consumed that his romantic attachments become bisexual and irrational. He falls in love with Nina (Glenda Jackson), the hysterical trollop he marries with dire consequences. As he explodes emotionally, his public performance of Piano Concerto in B flat minor becomes a cue for flashbacks to a series of discomforting childhood events that suggest incestuous relations with his sister. Back in real time, Tchaikovsky has to deal with Nina's outbursts while juggling his homosexual urges and his almost hidden desire for Count Anton Chiluvsky (Christopher Gable). The film also details the curious relationship between Tchaikovsky and his rich patroness, the middle-aged widow Madame Nadedja von Meck (Isabella Telezynska), who loves Tchaikovsky deeply, but refuses to meet him -- their only communication being through letters, even though he lives on her estate. Andre Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky's music. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Chamberlain, Glenda Jackson, (more)
