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Reviews
Warner Brothers Presents (1955)
Review of "Warner Bros. Presents" (1955-56)
"Warner Bros. Presents" was the first program ever produced for television by the Warner Bros. Studio. It premiered at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 1955 on the ABC Television Network.
"Warner Bros. Presents" was an umbrella name for three rotating series loosely based on the films "Kings Row," "Casablanca," and "Cheyenne" made by Warner Bros. years earlier. The show was hosted by an affable Gig Young. The final eight to fifteen minutes of each show contained a segment titled "Behind the Cameras at Warner Bros.," which provided behind-the-scenes footage at the Warner Bros. Studio, and promoted the studio's recent and upcoming theatrical releases.
Despite an initial antagonism to the new medium of television, Warner Bros. decided to diversify into television production, after Walt Disney's unprecedented success with his anthology TV series "Disneyland," which premiered a year before.
"Warner Bros. Presents" was not a hit as it was initially conceived. The critics were not impressed and neither was the audience. However, "Warner Bros. Presents" represents a significant breakthrough in television history because like "Disneyland", it marked for the first time the association of a major Hollywood studio and a television network--a relationship that still continues today. After the unparalleled triumph of "Disneyland," Warner Bros. envisioned television as a means to promote the studio and its films. And like Walt Disney--who virtually forced himself to produce for television to obtain the remaining financing for his Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, CAthe Warner Bros. Studio was less interested in producing for television than in using the emerging medium to increase awareness of upcoming Warner Bros. theatrical releases.
Other Hollywood studios promptly jumped on the television bandwagon during the 1955-56 season, with such shows as the "Twentieth Century-Fox Hour" on CBS and the "MGM Parade" on ABC. As expressed by Christopher Anderson in his internet article about "Warner Bros. Presents" and in his excellent book, Hollywood TV: The Studio System in the Fifties, "the opening credits for 'Warner Bros. Presents' pointedly reminded viewers of the studio's movie-making legacy. As the screen filled with the trademark Warner Bros. logo superimposed over a soaring aerial shot of the studio, an announcer exclaimed, 'From the entertainment capital of the world comes Warner Bros. Presents. The hour that presents Hollywood to you. Made expressly for television by one of the great motion picture studios.'" Of the three rotating series in "Warner Bros. Presents," the only show to make a lasting impression with the public was "Cheyenne," a Western starring Clint Walker. However, the television episodes of "Casablanca" and "Kings Row" were pale reminders of the greatness of the movies they were based on.
The "Behind the Cameras" segments offered the television audience a fascinating view of film production at a major Hollywood studio in the 1950s. These segments showed viewers how sound, editing, and other studio departments contributed to the filming of a motion picture, just like Walt Disney was doing weekly in his "Disneyland" anthology series. The segments included exclusive interviews with movie stars such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as behind the cameras personnel in action.
While these segments undoubtedly have a nostalgic and historical value to movie enthusiasts today, the 50s audiences and advertisers were not impressed with "Behind the Cameras" (despite the success of similar segments in "Disneyland,"), and disliked the obvious self-promotion involved. They also rejected the poor scripts of some of the episodes in the anthology. Eventually, the "Behind the Cameras" segment was dropped. From the three rotating series, only "Cheyenne" survived and after the cancellation of "Kings Row," "Warner Bros. Presents" alternated the series "Conflict" with "Cheyenne," while "Casablanca" was gradually phased out. Despite these difficulties, Warner Bros. would go on to become a leader in television production, and "Cheyenne" would continue for eight successful years.
The success of "Cheyenne," prompted the creation of other Warner Bros. productions for television during the late 50s and early 60s, such as "Bronco," "Maverick," "77 Sunset Strip," "Hawaiian Eye," "Bourbon Street Beat," and "Surfside Six." The premiere "Casablanca" episode from "Warner Bros. Presents" can be seen in the Bonus Materials of the "Casablanca" Two-Disc Special Edition DVD under the name "Who Holds Tomorrow?" While this "Casablanca" television episode is disappointing compared to the film classic, this installment of "Warner Bros. Presents" is worth watching for the exciting opening, showing the aerial view of the Warner Bros. Studio and sprawling back lot heralded by a dramatic fanfare based on Max Steiner's music, for a beautiful Anita Ekberg in a supporting role before "La Dolce Vita" (1960), and for the show's place in television history.
We wish to give credit for some of the information above to Anderson, Christopher, "Hollywood TV: The Studio System in the Fifties." Austin: University of Texas Press, first edition, 1994.
"Warner Bros. Presents" was an umbrella name for three rotating series loosely based on the films "Kings Row," "Casablanca," and "Cheyenne" made by Warner Bros. years earlier. The show was hosted by an affable Gig Young. The final eight to fifteen minutes of each show contained a segment titled "Behind the Cameras at Warner Bros.," which provided behind-the-scenes footage at the Warner Bros. Studio, and promoted the studio's recent and upcoming theatrical releases.
Despite an initial antagonism to the new medium of television, Warner Bros. decided to diversify into television production, after Walt Disney's unprecedented success with his anthology TV series "Disneyland," which premiered a year before.
"Warner Bros. Presents" was not a hit as it was initially conceived. The critics were not impressed and neither was the audience. However, "Warner Bros. Presents" represents a significant breakthrough in television history because like "Disneyland", it marked for the first time the association of a major Hollywood studio and a television network--a relationship that still continues today. After the unparalleled triumph of "Disneyland," Warner Bros. envisioned television as a means to promote the studio and its films. And like Walt Disney--who virtually forced himself to produce for television to obtain the remaining financing for his Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, CAthe Warner Bros. Studio was less interested in producing for television than in using the emerging medium to increase awareness of upcoming Warner Bros. theatrical releases.
Other Hollywood studios promptly jumped on the television bandwagon during the 1955-56 season, with such shows as the "Twentieth Century-Fox Hour" on CBS and the "MGM Parade" on ABC. As expressed by Christopher Anderson in his internet article about "Warner Bros. Presents" and in his excellent book, Hollywood TV: The Studio System in the Fifties, "the opening credits for 'Warner Bros. Presents' pointedly reminded viewers of the studio's movie-making legacy. As the screen filled with the trademark Warner Bros. logo superimposed over a soaring aerial shot of the studio, an announcer exclaimed, 'From the entertainment capital of the world comes Warner Bros. Presents. The hour that presents Hollywood to you. Made expressly for television by one of the great motion picture studios.'" Of the three rotating series in "Warner Bros. Presents," the only show to make a lasting impression with the public was "Cheyenne," a Western starring Clint Walker. However, the television episodes of "Casablanca" and "Kings Row" were pale reminders of the greatness of the movies they were based on.
The "Behind the Cameras" segments offered the television audience a fascinating view of film production at a major Hollywood studio in the 1950s. These segments showed viewers how sound, editing, and other studio departments contributed to the filming of a motion picture, just like Walt Disney was doing weekly in his "Disneyland" anthology series. The segments included exclusive interviews with movie stars such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, and Elizabeth Taylor, as well as behind the cameras personnel in action.
While these segments undoubtedly have a nostalgic and historical value to movie enthusiasts today, the 50s audiences and advertisers were not impressed with "Behind the Cameras" (despite the success of similar segments in "Disneyland,"), and disliked the obvious self-promotion involved. They also rejected the poor scripts of some of the episodes in the anthology. Eventually, the "Behind the Cameras" segment was dropped. From the three rotating series, only "Cheyenne" survived and after the cancellation of "Kings Row," "Warner Bros. Presents" alternated the series "Conflict" with "Cheyenne," while "Casablanca" was gradually phased out. Despite these difficulties, Warner Bros. would go on to become a leader in television production, and "Cheyenne" would continue for eight successful years.
The success of "Cheyenne," prompted the creation of other Warner Bros. productions for television during the late 50s and early 60s, such as "Bronco," "Maverick," "77 Sunset Strip," "Hawaiian Eye," "Bourbon Street Beat," and "Surfside Six." The premiere "Casablanca" episode from "Warner Bros. Presents" can be seen in the Bonus Materials of the "Casablanca" Two-Disc Special Edition DVD under the name "Who Holds Tomorrow?" While this "Casablanca" television episode is disappointing compared to the film classic, this installment of "Warner Bros. Presents" is worth watching for the exciting opening, showing the aerial view of the Warner Bros. Studio and sprawling back lot heralded by a dramatic fanfare based on Max Steiner's music, for a beautiful Anita Ekberg in a supporting role before "La Dolce Vita" (1960), and for the show's place in television history.
We wish to give credit for some of the information above to Anderson, Christopher, "Hollywood TV: The Studio System in the Fifties." Austin: University of Texas Press, first edition, 1994.
Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic (2004)
Review of "Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic" (2004)
"Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic" (2004) is an outstanding documentary presented by Turner Classic Movies (TCM) about renowned Hollywood producer and director Cecil B. DeMille. It is narrated by Kenneth Branagh and features music by Elmer Bernstein, composer of the score of "The Ten Commandments" (1956), DeMille's last film.
The documentary was produced by distinguished film historians Kevin Brownlow and Patrick Stanbury. It contains interviews with such remarkable film personalities as director Martin Scorsese, actress Angela Lansbury, actor Charlton Heston, DeMille's granddaughter Cecilia (DeMille) Presley, adopted son Richard DeMille, composer Elmer Bernstein and director Steven Spielberg.
The documentary includes never-before-seen footage of how the parting of the Red Sea sequence was filmed in "The Ten Commandments" (1956), which Spielberg declared "the best special effects sequence of all time." Despite modern advances in visual effects, the parting of the red sea sequence does not cease to astonish even today. The special photographic effects were created by brilliant John P. Fulton, A.S.C., head of the special effects department at Paramount Pictures from the mid-50s to the early 60s, and earned Fulton a deserved Academy Award. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Paramount Pictures has allowed this fascinating "behind-the-scenes" footage to be shown of the massive tanks and waterfalls constructed at the Paramount lot to create the sequence. This is definitely a must-see for any fan of "The Ten Commandments" and visual effects, and alone is reason enough to watch this remarkable documentary.
The documentary was produced by distinguished film historians Kevin Brownlow and Patrick Stanbury. It contains interviews with such remarkable film personalities as director Martin Scorsese, actress Angela Lansbury, actor Charlton Heston, DeMille's granddaughter Cecilia (DeMille) Presley, adopted son Richard DeMille, composer Elmer Bernstein and director Steven Spielberg.
The documentary includes never-before-seen footage of how the parting of the Red Sea sequence was filmed in "The Ten Commandments" (1956), which Spielberg declared "the best special effects sequence of all time." Despite modern advances in visual effects, the parting of the red sea sequence does not cease to astonish even today. The special photographic effects were created by brilliant John P. Fulton, A.S.C., head of the special effects department at Paramount Pictures from the mid-50s to the early 60s, and earned Fulton a deserved Academy Award. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Paramount Pictures has allowed this fascinating "behind-the-scenes" footage to be shown of the massive tanks and waterfalls constructed at the Paramount lot to create the sequence. This is definitely a must-see for any fan of "The Ten Commandments" and visual effects, and alone is reason enough to watch this remarkable documentary.
Lionpower from MGM (1967)
Review for "Lionpower From MGM" (1967)
"Lionpower from MGM" (1967) is an excellent vintage 60s promotional short subject, in which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) showed distributors and exhibitors highlights from the studio's films scheduled to be released during the 1967-68 film season.
"Lionpower" showcases the MGM releases under a "five seasons" theme--fall, winter, spring, summer--plus what the promo calls the "fabulous fifth season." The short subject is set to the rousing theme from the film "The Magnificent Yankee," composed by David Raksin in 1950.
Since "Lionpower" is not a feature film, but only a promotional short for about 30 MGM movies, a "spoiler warning" is technically not applicable. However, we caution the reader that the article below will discuss the short subject in great detail.
"Lionpower From MGM" begins with the roar of the MGM Lion over a black background, as the main announcer (Karl Weber) proclaims, "The sound of strength!" As the regular MGM logo fades in, the announcer adds, "The symbol of power! The excitement of entertainment energy comes on like a lion! For 1967-68, Lionpower From MGM!," all set to David Raksin's magnificent score.
Boxes and circles quickly appear and disappear showing glimpses of directors Peter Glenville, Robert Aldrich, Stanley Kubrick, John Sturges, and John Frankenheimer in action, and stars Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Omar Sharif, Sophia Loren, Elvis Presley, Kim Novak, Doris Day, Lee Marvin, Jim Brown, Peter Ustinov, Suzanne Pleshette, George Hamilton, David McCallum, Stella Stevens, Julie Christie, and Rock Hudson.
The first segment of the short presents films in production or ready for release from the fall of 1967 to the summer of 1968. At this point, another announcer introduces fall as "the season of suspense," while clips are shown of "Point Blank"; "The Fearless Vampire Killers;" "Jack of Diamonds;" "Our Mother's House;" and "More than a Miracle."
The main announcer then says, "Winter the second season-Surges ahead on Lionpower." Here, scenes are presented from "The Comedians;" "Sol Madrid;" "The Biggest Bundle of Them All;" "Dark of the Sun;" "The Extraordinary Seaman;" "A Man Called Dagger;" and "Guns for San Sebastian."
Another announcer introduces the next season stating, "Lionpower springs into spring," and clips are shown from "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter;" and "The Power." Next, an announcer says, "Lionpower roars into summer in high gear," with scenes presented from "Speedway;" "Where Eagles Dare" (no scenes are shown-only artwork is seen); "Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?;" "The Legend of Lylah Clare;" and "Ice Station Zebra."
At this point, the stylized MGM logo (only used in two films ever: "Grand Prix" and "2001: A Space Odyssey") reappears, as announcer Weber dramatically states, "This is Lionpower, spanning the year with four full seasons of exciting motion picture entertainment. And this too is Lionpower, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's fabulous Fifth, the Fifth Season, the extra power of entertainment energy that brings you these spectacular roadshow attractions!"
This sets the stage for clips from the roadshow films "Far From the Madding Crowd;" and "2001: A Space Odyssey." (Like with "Where Eagles Dare", no scenes are shown of "2001", other than the classic "psychedelic" light show at the end of the film and some artwork, all set to 1960's "The Time Machine" theme).
Lastly, the promo displays artwork for movies in development for release in 1968. Red circles surround the stylized MGM logo, as announcer Fred Foy asserts, "This is Lionpower, surging into the future on film, as MGM, a company of today, creates entertainment energy for tomorrow!" Here, only artwork is shown for "The Fixer;" "The Chinese Visitor;" "Goodbye, Mr. Chips;" "The Last Battle (not produced);" "The Appointment;" "Tai-Pan (released by another studio in 1986);" "The Shoes of the Fisherman;" "Caravans;" "The Impossible Years;" "The Phantom Tollbooth; (released in 1970)" and "The Tower of Babel (not produced).
With Raksin's great score in the background, "Lionpower From MGM" comes to an exciting finale, as the main announcer Karl Weber dramatically proclaims, "This is Lionpower! The sound of excitement! The look of leadership! The symbol of strength! The standard of excellence in motion picture entertainment! Lionpower! The sum total of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's star power, story power, production power, promotion power, for season after season, year after year. Fall, winter, spring, summer and the fabulous fifth season!"
Simultaneously, scenes flash from all the movies showcased inside four colored rectangles representing the four seasons, which had just replaced four stylized MGM lions. An iris then opens in the center, showing the burning of Atlanta from "Gone With the Wind" (1939), which was re-released in 1967-68, and scenes from "Far From the Madding Crowd" and "2001: A Space Odyssey." As Raksin's theme music reaches a crescendo, announcer Weber staunchly declares, "This is Lionpower!!!, while the regular MGM logo fades in and Leo the Lion roars.
Most of the stars in "Lionpower" are still well-known today, but the same cannot be said about a number of the movies showcased, except classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey." Some of these lesser known films are worth watching, although they are hard to find on DVD, but they play occasionally on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
As a final note, "Lionpower From MGM" is narrated by several of the great voice-over talent used by the MGM promotional department during the 60's (and 70's). These include Karl Weber, Bob Marcato, and Fred Foy, who also lent their voices to many film trailers and "behind-the-scenes featurettes" for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the period, and reportedly was produced by the late Andrew J. Kuehn. (My sincere appreciation to voice-over legend Don LaFontaine, for identifying for me who some of the narrators in "Lionpower From MGM" were.)
"Lionpower From MGM" can only be seen on Turner Classic Movies, and is worth taking a look as a unique and exciting 60s movie time capsule, the likes of which we will rarely see again. "Lionpower" runs approximately 27 minutes long.
"Lionpower" showcases the MGM releases under a "five seasons" theme--fall, winter, spring, summer--plus what the promo calls the "fabulous fifth season." The short subject is set to the rousing theme from the film "The Magnificent Yankee," composed by David Raksin in 1950.
Since "Lionpower" is not a feature film, but only a promotional short for about 30 MGM movies, a "spoiler warning" is technically not applicable. However, we caution the reader that the article below will discuss the short subject in great detail.
"Lionpower From MGM" begins with the roar of the MGM Lion over a black background, as the main announcer (Karl Weber) proclaims, "The sound of strength!" As the regular MGM logo fades in, the announcer adds, "The symbol of power! The excitement of entertainment energy comes on like a lion! For 1967-68, Lionpower From MGM!," all set to David Raksin's magnificent score.
Boxes and circles quickly appear and disappear showing glimpses of directors Peter Glenville, Robert Aldrich, Stanley Kubrick, John Sturges, and John Frankenheimer in action, and stars Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Omar Sharif, Sophia Loren, Elvis Presley, Kim Novak, Doris Day, Lee Marvin, Jim Brown, Peter Ustinov, Suzanne Pleshette, George Hamilton, David McCallum, Stella Stevens, Julie Christie, and Rock Hudson.
The first segment of the short presents films in production or ready for release from the fall of 1967 to the summer of 1968. At this point, another announcer introduces fall as "the season of suspense," while clips are shown of "Point Blank"; "The Fearless Vampire Killers;" "Jack of Diamonds;" "Our Mother's House;" and "More than a Miracle."
The main announcer then says, "Winter the second season-Surges ahead on Lionpower." Here, scenes are presented from "The Comedians;" "Sol Madrid;" "The Biggest Bundle of Them All;" "Dark of the Sun;" "The Extraordinary Seaman;" "A Man Called Dagger;" and "Guns for San Sebastian."
Another announcer introduces the next season stating, "Lionpower springs into spring," and clips are shown from "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter;" and "The Power." Next, an announcer says, "Lionpower roars into summer in high gear," with scenes presented from "Speedway;" "Where Eagles Dare" (no scenes are shown-only artwork is seen); "Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?;" "The Legend of Lylah Clare;" and "Ice Station Zebra."
At this point, the stylized MGM logo (only used in two films ever: "Grand Prix" and "2001: A Space Odyssey") reappears, as announcer Weber dramatically states, "This is Lionpower, spanning the year with four full seasons of exciting motion picture entertainment. And this too is Lionpower, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's fabulous Fifth, the Fifth Season, the extra power of entertainment energy that brings you these spectacular roadshow attractions!"
This sets the stage for clips from the roadshow films "Far From the Madding Crowd;" and "2001: A Space Odyssey." (Like with "Where Eagles Dare", no scenes are shown of "2001", other than the classic "psychedelic" light show at the end of the film and some artwork, all set to 1960's "The Time Machine" theme).
Lastly, the promo displays artwork for movies in development for release in 1968. Red circles surround the stylized MGM logo, as announcer Fred Foy asserts, "This is Lionpower, surging into the future on film, as MGM, a company of today, creates entertainment energy for tomorrow!" Here, only artwork is shown for "The Fixer;" "The Chinese Visitor;" "Goodbye, Mr. Chips;" "The Last Battle (not produced);" "The Appointment;" "Tai-Pan (released by another studio in 1986);" "The Shoes of the Fisherman;" "Caravans;" "The Impossible Years;" "The Phantom Tollbooth; (released in 1970)" and "The Tower of Babel (not produced).
With Raksin's great score in the background, "Lionpower From MGM" comes to an exciting finale, as the main announcer Karl Weber dramatically proclaims, "This is Lionpower! The sound of excitement! The look of leadership! The symbol of strength! The standard of excellence in motion picture entertainment! Lionpower! The sum total of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's star power, story power, production power, promotion power, for season after season, year after year. Fall, winter, spring, summer and the fabulous fifth season!"
Simultaneously, scenes flash from all the movies showcased inside four colored rectangles representing the four seasons, which had just replaced four stylized MGM lions. An iris then opens in the center, showing the burning of Atlanta from "Gone With the Wind" (1939), which was re-released in 1967-68, and scenes from "Far From the Madding Crowd" and "2001: A Space Odyssey." As Raksin's theme music reaches a crescendo, announcer Weber staunchly declares, "This is Lionpower!!!, while the regular MGM logo fades in and Leo the Lion roars.
Most of the stars in "Lionpower" are still well-known today, but the same cannot be said about a number of the movies showcased, except classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey." Some of these lesser known films are worth watching, although they are hard to find on DVD, but they play occasionally on Turner Classic Movies (TCM).
As a final note, "Lionpower From MGM" is narrated by several of the great voice-over talent used by the MGM promotional department during the 60's (and 70's). These include Karl Weber, Bob Marcato, and Fred Foy, who also lent their voices to many film trailers and "behind-the-scenes featurettes" for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the period, and reportedly was produced by the late Andrew J. Kuehn. (My sincere appreciation to voice-over legend Don LaFontaine, for identifying for me who some of the narrators in "Lionpower From MGM" were.)
"Lionpower From MGM" can only be seen on Turner Classic Movies, and is worth taking a look as a unique and exciting 60s movie time capsule, the likes of which we will rarely see again. "Lionpower" runs approximately 27 minutes long.