It's billed as "A '60s Music Flashback," but mostly "Hullabaloo" is a hoot.
How else to describe Gary and Jerry Lewis mugging their way through "Help" or Michael Landon, God bless him, gamely summoning up the chutzpah to belt out "I Like It Like That"?That's not to say it takes away from the four tapes released by MPI Home Video ($19.98 each/
$79.98); in fact, it's what makes them such a gas. For every Nancy Sinatra and Noel Harrison, you get the Hollies and the Yardbirds, who turn in a killer version of "I'm a Man."
"Hullabaloo," NBC's response to ABC's "Shindig," premiered Jan. 12, 1965. Both were Americanized spins on the far superior U.K. series "Ready, Steady, Go!" and barely registered a blip during their short runs.
Which is one reason why MPI combed the archives (eight more tapes will be out before year's end).
"One of the things that has become a tradition here is looking back and documenting history," said Sam Citro, sales VP for Illinois-based MPI. "It's become our niche over the years, our bread and butter. People like to reminisce. As a company, so do we."
"Hullabaloo" has been in the vaults two years, but it took that long to clear the rights to the music. It was worth it, Citro said.
"The music, in general, is so wonderful," he said. "When you can look at Sonny & Cher, the Supremes, Chuck Berry and these guys, it's just awesome. We wanted to be part of having some legends."
The show definitely throws it all at you. Hosts include Paul Anka, Trini Lopez and a swinging Sammy Davis Jr. Dancers jerk, swim and pony through each song, regardless of the tempo. This first set has Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Sir Douglas Quintet and Herman's Hermits, plus London segments with Brian Epstein introducing Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Moody Blues and the Searchers.
And there are bonus songs by the likes of Marvin Gaye, the Marvelettes and Gene Pitney.
But the highlight is the Top Pop Medley, where the week's guests run through the day's hits: "Nowhere Man" by the Mamas and the Papas and the Byrds' cover of "Do You Believe in Magic," with Roger McGuinn doing his best Jackie De Shannon moves.
There is little indication of the turmoil that would soon rock the country - the Byrds singing "The Times They Are A-Changing" - but in a way, that's what makes this collection such innocent fun. "Hullabaloo" is the kind of time capsule that goes down easy.
- WERE THE '70s HEAVENLY? It certainly was a nicer place musically for those of a certain age who don't get the cacophonous, rapid-fire action of MTV. For that crowd - as well as for die-hard campsters - VIEW Video has released yet another series of music videos culled from old Grammy Awards shows and studio performances. VIEW is the company that earlier this year brought us the tape of that fabulous 20-year-old "Raquel!" TV special.
There are a half-dozen or so video songs on each 30-minute tape, along with a trivia question for each performer. Did you know (or care), for instance, that Sonny and Cher first recorded under the name "Caesar & Cleo"?
Cher, with her old nose and her old husband, leads off one tape droning "The Beat Goes On." Besides Jim Croce, the Fifth Dimension and Lou Rawls, collection No. 2 also features the gone-and-forgotten Poppy Family, whose big hit was the drippy ballad "Which Way You Goin', Billy?" More still: There's Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, possibly the least lively pop group of our time.
Cassette No. 3 offers more Sonny and Cher ("I Got You Babe"), as well as the ever-sizzling Tom Jones and Linda Ronstadt. Plus, there's Bobby Darin warbling "If I Were a Carpenter."
Installment No. 1 is the best of the bunch, mainly because it's got the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, complete with a red-hot medley of "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window," "Get Back" and "Proud Mary." The mix stays interesting with performances by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Bo Diddley and a soulful duet by Rawls and Freda Payne.
The best way to track down all these socko '70s sensations is not through your local video store but by calling VIEW's toll-free order number: 1-800-843-9843.
- Russell Smith
(Dallas Morning News)
NEW VIDEOS
DiBLASIO: LIVE IN CONCERT! - DiBlasio: Live in Concert! Unrated, 1994. BMG (800-227-5000), $14.98. If you haven't heard of Raul DiBlasio, you will. A popular Latin American entertainer of long standing, the Argentinian concert pianist has found a broad-based following among Hispanics from Miami to Los Angeles. This live video is as good an introduction as any to the ponytailed pianist. Filmed in September 1994 at Miami's Jackie Gleason Theatre of the Performing Arts, this 14-song tape gives a solid sampling of DiBlasio's delicate teasing of the ivories, be it with pop ("What a Wonderful World"), Broadway ("Don't Cry for Me Argentina") or a classical medley. With his Bohemian looks and casual bearing, DiBlasio probably wouldn't care to called an American Roger Williams. But the comparison applies in terms of his easy-going approach. DiBlasio is not a singer, however. Not at all. Whether you speak English, Spanish or Swahili, you can enjoy the international sound of DiBlasio's piano playing without worrying about the words. Just remember the name: Raul DiBlasio. He's about to hit big. Unrated, 1994, BMG, 1-800-227-5000).
- Max McQueen
(Cox News Service)
JOAN COLLINS: SECRETS OF FITNESS AND BEAUTY - If you want to know how Joan Collins, who's in her 50s, stays trim and pretty, she explains it on this tape. Though it's being promoted as a video for women of all ages and fitness levels, its strongest appeal will be to middle-aged women trying to look as glamorous as Collins. From Forum Home Video, at $15.
- Dennis Hunt (L.A. Times)
DEATH VALLEY MEMORIES - An absorbing documentary that uses interviews, stills and grainy old films to chronicle the rugged life in Death Valley in the first half of the century. The most intriguing part is the anecdotes about the bizarre effects of the extreme heat. Flashpoint Films, $35, (310) 578-1112.
- Dennis Hunt (L.A. Times)