From Deseret News archives:

Dramas shine at Palm Springs festival

Published: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 12:21 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Although it was the documentaries that soared at this year's chilly Sundance Film Festival, two weeks earlier at the sunny Palm Springs Film Festival, it was the very fine and very varied array of dramatic films from around the world that were most often on people's lips.

Not that documentaries didn't play a big part at Southern California's 12-day January fest as well; there were, in fact, three documentaries in particular that were right up there at the top of almost everyone's list: "Hollywood Singing and Dancing," "The Pixar Story" and "Autism: The Musical."

Watch for "Hollywood Singing and Dancing" when the extended three-hour version is scheduled to play on PBS this coming March. Hosted by Shirley Jones and accompanied by sparkling interviews with such stars as Debbie Reynolds and Liza Minnelli, it follows the Hollywood musical from presound days, through Busby Berkeley's black-and-white yet kaleidoscopic dance spectacles, through the heyday of "Singin' in the Rain" and other '40s and '50s favorites, right up through Bob Fosse's "Cabaret," Rob Miller's "Chicago" and the recent knockout, "Dreamgirls."

Story continues below
For once, musical numbers are seen in their entirety, such as Fred Astaire's breathtaking tap dancing up the wall and across the ceiling and tiny Shirley Temple mimicking her beaming old black partner as they cleverly tap dance up the wooden staircase and back down again. And if you've never seen — or forgotten — the jaw-dropping woodsman in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" doing modern dance while brandishing a heavy ax, this is just one more thing in "Hollywood Singing and Dancing" that's definitely not to be missed.

"The Pixar Story" is a fascinating documentary of how the three-dimensional and highly detailed animation of today began — and how it has developed. What fun it is to watch Tom Hanks and Tim Allen at their microphones doing the voices for Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

"Autism: The Musical" is an eye-opener — and a guaranteed heart-warmer. It's uplifting to watch Elaine Hall dedicate her life to helping youngsters with varying types of autism find themselves and learn to cope in the world around them. And when an otherwise awkward and somewhat gooney-acting girl becomes transformed as she maturely, beautifully and flawlessly sings a Joni Mitchell song, you'll find yourself weeping with joy and wonderment.

And there were other enlightening documentaries such as "Black and White Plus Gray," chronicling the relationship between photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, promoter Sam Wagstaff and singer/poet Patti Smith; and "As Seen Through Their Eyes," recording the personal paintings and testimonies of survivors of the Holocaust.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Palm Springs Film Festival

"The Trap" from Serbia is electrifying film about a father and son.

previousnext

Latest comments

Coaches decline to call BYU-Utah

I am not coaching anymore so I can pick the game as I see it. I go with...

of the portable type that you use for small infants are a great place for...

@ ryan All the classical Greek and Roman emblems, laurel wreaths, lyre...

Utes need Wide to run wild

send them home crying... 'Mama, RoJo picked me twice 'Dada, Eddie ran...

In truth, the Utes will succeed despite, and not because of BYU connections....

I am a teacher. I use to hate teachers. Now I am one. Here is the deal. Not...

'Ninja Assassin' way over the top

It is supposed to be. Anyone who saw the preiviews knows that. Good one JV

BYU ties give Utes an edge

8-1 all-time in games where both teams were ranked 7 win of last 9 games...

I dont understand what you meant?

Boys basketball rankings

The Jags played ok ball and beat West High by 25. The young guys are looking...

Advertisements