June 21, 2010

RADIO SPIRITS has released a third volume of the PHIL HARRIS-ALICE FAYE SHOW
in CD format as follows:

CD-44632 - PRIVATE LIVES - 20 episodes (10 hours) 

March 11, 1951  through November 18, 1951

All shows are complete (including songs and commercials) and excellent quality.

TO ORDER GO TO:  RadioSpirits.com
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December 22, 2009
The Rancho Mirage home of Alice and Phil has been sold.
Alice Jr. and Phyllis were using it as a vacation home but it had become too costly to maintain.  
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November 14, 2009
MORE SAD NEWS!  One of Alice Faye's most devoted fans, writer ROBERT 
KENDALL of Seattle, Washington, passed away due to a heart attack on 
November l2.  Bob, as he was known to all of us, had been a good 
friend of Alice for decades and was responsible for writing many 
articles about her for Hollywood Studio Magazine and other 
publications.  We had just spoken to Bob a few weeks ago, so his 
sudden death comes as quite a blow.
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October 6, 2009
It saddens us to report that ARTHUR NICHOLSON of Hartlepool, England, died of lung cancer on September 29.  He was one of ALICE FAYE's most loyal fans and became one of her favorite friends.  On her trips to England, he would always have a beautiful spray of flowers sent to her hotel room, and during her visit, they would go on shopping sprees.  They visited each other on many of his trips to Southern California, both in Hollywood and at her home in Rancho Mirage.  He was also highly regarded by Alice's daughters, Alice, Jr., and Phyllis.  We will miss him. 
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July 20, 2009
We are pleased to announce that RADIO SPIRITS has released two 
volumes of consecutive digitally restored episodes of the PHIL HARRIS-
ALICE FAYE SHOW in CD format.  They are as follows:

l.  CD-44052 - MONEY, BEAUTY & BRAINS - 20 episodes (10 hours) - 
February 12, 1950 through October 15, 1950

2. CD-44222 - EXPLAIN THE BEER - 20 episodes (10 hours) -October 22, 
1950 through March 4, 1951

All shows are complete (including songs and commercials).

TO ORDER GO TO:  RadioSpirits.com
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THE ALICE FAYE COLLECTION - VOLUME 2  (5 DVDs) released by 20th Century Fox in October 2008
ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE (1939) - B&W Musical Drama (86 minutes)
Stars:  Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Al Jolson
Specials:  Isolated Score Track
                Funny Girl, Funny Man Featurette
                Deleted Scenes:  Weber and Fields Routine
                                             I'm Always Chasing Rainbows (Faye)
                                             April Showers/Avalon (Jolson)
                Restoration Comparison
                Advertising and Still Galleries
                Original Theatrical Trailer

HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE (1939) - Technicolor Drama/Comedy (97 minutes)
Stars:  Alice Faye, Don Ameche
Specials:  The Silent Dream Featurette
                 Buster Keaton Featurette
                 Fatty Arbuckle Featurette
                 Outtakes:  Silent sequence of Alice Faye and Buster Keaton throwing pies
                 Hollywood Cavalcade Premiere
                 Restoration Comparison
                 Advertising and Still Galleries

THE GREAT AMERICAN BROADCAST (1941) - B&W Musical Comedy (91 minutes)
Stars:  Alice Faye, John Payne, Jack Oakie, Cesar Romero
Specials:  Radio Waves:  The Real History Featurette
                 Restoration Comparison
                 Advertising and Still Galleries
                (Note:  The DVD packaging refers to a theatrical trailer, but it is not included on this DVD.)

HELLO, FRISCO, HELLO (1943) - Technicolor Musical Comedy (99 minutes)
Stars:  Alice Faye, John Payne, Jack Oakie, Lynn Bari, June Havoc
Specials:  Isolated Score Track
                Hello Again - The Remaking of Alice Faye Featurette
                Restoration Comparison
                Advertising and Still Galleries
                Original Theatrical Trailer

FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP (1944) - B&W Musical Comedy (89 minutes)
Stars:  Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Martha Raye, Mitzi Mayfair (introducing Dick Haymes)
           (Guest Stars:  Alice Faye, Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, George Jessel)
Specials:  Isolated Score Track
                The Real Four Jills Featurette
                Deleted Scenes:  It's the Old Army Game - Francis, Landis, Raye, Mayfair
                                            Comin' In On A Wing and A Prayer - Martha Raye
                                            Mamae Eu Quero - Carmen Miranda
                Restoration Comparison
                Advertising and Still Galleries

ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE is one of Alice Faye's most memorable and entertaining films.  She sings effectively many great standards plus a beautiful new ballad written for the picture.  Fannie Brice sued the studio and stars because it was obvious to her that some of the songs and the romantic interest presented in the film struck alarmingly close to home.  The studio, after much publicity, settled out of court.  Al Jolson fans will be pleased that he is prominently featured in this film and sings many of his big hits.  Tyrone Power plays a cad, but a charming one, and he and Alice Faye once again display their intense on-screen chemistry.  The film's transfer to DVD is clean and the sound is fine.  

HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE is a delightful depiction of early Hollywood from the silents to the talkies.  After being discovered by Don Ameche in a stage production, Alice Faye is persuaded to accompany him to Hollywood to star under his direction in silent films.  Among the silent film luminaries you will see are Buster Keaton, Mack Sennett, Ben Turpin, Chester Conklin, and the Keystone Kops.  Alice seems right at home and proves that she would have been a delectable silent film star.  The last half of the film shifts emphasis once talkies become all the rage.  Don ignores Alice, so her attention is drawn to handsome leading man Alan Curtis, and they eventually marry.  They become top stars as Don's fortunes are fading.  Many problems ensue, but everything eventually works out.  A thoroughly engrossing look at early Hollywood.  Although Alice doesn't sing a note, she gives a sterling performance along with her co-star Don Ameche.  The color is beautiful and clear, and we could find no problem with the sound.  

THE GREAT AMERICAN BROADCAST is a fictional account of the invention of radio with some facts thrown in.  This is a thoroughly entertaining film containing some of Alice Faye's best singing and fine performances from all of the principals.  Many of the entertainment world's best specialty acts appear, including the Nicholas Brothers, the Four Ink Spots, and the Wiere Brothers.  Alice's beautiful rendering of the haunting Where You Are with the Four Ink Spots is a gem.  The insertion of the actual newsreel footage of the Willard-Dempsey fight in the regular footage of the film is expertly accomplished.  The transfer to DVD is crisp an clear, and the sound is good.  

HELLO, FRISCO, HELLO was the vehicle chosen to return Alice Faye to the screen after the birth of her first daughter.  Her studio and fans were eager for her return.  Dressed in beautiful period costumes, Alice is stunning, with a tiny waist never seen in her previous pictures.  She sings ten songs, including a heartfelt You'll Never Know, a song which took the country by storm and won the Academy Award.  John Payne plays an unsympathetic role but acquits himself well.  Jack Oakie, June Havoc, Lynn Bari, and Laird Cregar are all first-rate.   The story is an incidental one about love lost and regained, but it is a fast-paced, beautiful movie both to the eyes and ears, with opulent sets and outstanding musical numbers.  The color in this transfer is vivid and the sound is crisp and clear.  (Note:  We must register our disappointment that the theatrical trailer used in this package is in black and white.)  

FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP brings to film the adventures of four actresses who entertained the troops during World War 2.  Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Martha Raye, and Mitzi Mayfair all appear as themselves and are all splendid, especially Martha Raye, who is always delightful to watch.  Dick Haymes is introduced in this film, and he seems very relaxed in front of the camera and sings beautifully.  Fox evidently decided to bolster the box-office appeal of the picture by including cameo appearances by three of its top female stars:  Alice Faye, Betty Grable, and  Carmen Miranda.  Betty sings Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Carmen sings I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi, I Like You Very Much, while Alice sings her signature song You'll Never Know, which was so popular during the war years.  The film has been transferred with pristine results both in picture and sound.


This second volume of ALICE FAYE films is a welcome addition to the first volume and together, with all of the varying roles she played, display the reason for her popularity.

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September 20, 2008

"The Gang's All Here" DVD Update

Our friend Philip Jaeger has sent us a report on the remastered DVD:

The color on the new dvd of THE GANG'S ALL HERE is absolutely stunning - I cannot imagine it being better- the supplements are the same as the original dvd and judging by the clips from TGAH in the supplements,  this new print is much much better--- definitely worth a repurchase!

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July 23, 2008

THE GANG'S ALL HERE Remastered

The DVD of THE GANG'S ALL HERE has been remastered and is available by itself and in the upcoming "Carmen Miranda Collection".  It has a different (and better) cover design.  Supposedly the quality is much improved over the previous issue which was included in "The Alice Faye Collection".  Is it really better than turning up the color of the first DVD?  Please let us know.

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July 23, 2008

NEW DVD SET Release date postponed.

THE ALICE FAYE COLLECTION Volume 2 has been postponed until October 7

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May 9, 2008

NEW DVD SET!!

THE ALICE FAYE COLLECTION Volume 2 is due  August 26

ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE

HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE

GREAT AMERICAN BROADCAST

HELLO FRISCO HELLO

FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP

Overall we are more pleased with these selections than those in the first set.  But why "Four Jills"?.  Perhaps it is a bonus, since most of the Fox sets have four movies.  Thank you Fox.

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February 26, 2008

New DVD Release of STOWAWAY is scheduled for April 22.

Unfortunately Alice is not pictured on the box, but it will be great to have this on an official DVD.

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January 28, 2008

There will be a rare screening of  NOW I'LL TELL at the on February 13, 14, and 15 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City

http://www.moma.org:80/calendar/films.php?id=7537&ref=calendar

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THE ALICE FAYE COLLECTION (4 DVDs) released by 20th Century Fox in February 2007

THE GANG'S ALL HERE (1943) -Technicolor Musical Comedy (103 minutes)

Stars:  Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, Phil Baker, Benny Goodman

Specials:  Commentary by film professor Drew Casper
                    Busby Berkeley:  A Journey with a Star featurette
   Alice Faye's last film:  We Still Are
   The Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show excerpts
   Deleted Scene:  $64 Question
   Restoration comparison
   Still gallery
   Original theatrical trailer

LILLIAN RUSSELL (1940) - B&W Musical Biography (127 minutes)

Stars:  Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Henry Fonda, Edward Arnold

Specials:  The Real Lillian Russell featurette
   Restoration comparison
   Still gallery
   Original theatrical trailer

  ON THE AVENUE (1937) - B&W Musical Comedy (89 minutes)

Stars:  Dick Powell,  Madeleine Carroll, Alice Faye, The Ritz Brothers

Specials:  Commentary by musical historian Miles Kreuger
   Featurette:  Alice Faye On Screen
   Deleted Scene:  The Plumber with Alice Faye and The Ritz Brothers
   Restoration comparison
   Still gallery

THAT NIGHT IN RIO (1941) - Technicolor Musical Comedy (91 minutes)

Stars:  Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Carmen Miranda

Specials:  Featurette:  Alice Faye Off Screen
   Deleted Scene:  The Chica Chica Boom Chic
                                  with Alice Faye and Don Ameche
   Restoration comparison
   Still gallery
   Original theatrical trailer
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There has been some dialogue about the disappointing color of THE 
GANG'S ALL HERE.  All we had to do was press the tint and color 
buttons on our remote, and the color was gorgeous and astonishing as 
only Fox musicals are.  Don't take this movie seriously - - just sit 
back and enjoy one of the most colorful, fast-moving, and 
entertaining musicals of the forties with so many of our favorite 
performers.  The production numbers are astounding, with The Lady in 
the Tutti-Fruitti Hat and The Polka Dot Polka numbers taking the 
honors.  LILLIAN RUSSELL is an expensively mounted musical biography 
and features Alice Faye at her most beautiful.  The closeup of her 
singing "Blue Lovebird" with the black background against her blonde 
beauty takes your breath away.  The movie does get somewhat bogged 
down in the last half, especially with the tiresome Weber and Fields 
routine.  Alice portrays the turn-of-the-century glamour queen with 
dignity.  Most of the film has been transferred to DVD with good 
results except for a faint emulsion line that appears for a while 
about two-thirds of the way through, which is unfortunate; however, 
it does not spoil enjoyment of this lavish production.  ON THE 
AVENUE is definitely Alice Faye's picture.  Her rendition of "This 
Year's Kisses" can't be beat.  The Ritz Brothers had talent, but it 
was not controlled and often went over the top.  Alice gets a little 
feisty in this picture, and she's a kick.  Madeleine Carroll is Dick 
Powell's love interest in this movie, and Alice gets jealous and 
bares her claws. The film has been expertly transferred to DVD with 
excellent results.  Faye, Ameche, and Miranda are all very good in 
THAT NIGHT IN RIO.  The story is really delightful, with Don playing 
a dual role.  Alice looks sexy and smashing.  Miranda was at her best in her films with Faye (Rio, Havana, and 
Gang's).  She was great until she became a caricature of herself in 
later films (even going blonde).  A beautiful transfer to DVD with 
gorgeous color hues.  The sound is crisp and clear for ALL FOUR of 
the above films.

All in all this is a very satisfying package showcasing one of the 
foremost and loveliest singing actresses in the history of Hollywood.

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September 15, 2007

PAPER DOLL BOOK REPRINT
Paper Studio Press is pleased to announce the reproduction of the lovely Alice Faye paper doll. The
cover art by Norman Mingo features three Alice Faye dolls, and the clothing pages include costumes
from Alice's roles in "Tin Pan Alley," "Lillian Russell," "Weekend in Havana" and others. There are over
40 costumes and accessories in all. This 1941 reproduction has been digitally restored to showcase
the beautiful colors and designs of the original. An added star biography by fashion expert, David
Wolfe, makes this reproduction extra special.

The book size is 9 1/2 x 11 1/2, just a little smaller than the original, with cardstock covers and 8
clothing pages, printed on acid free paper.

Available for $12 plus $3.95 shipping from Paperdoll Review:

http://www.paperdollreview.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=308

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August 2, 2007

JASMINE CDs

When Jasmine Records released the first of these 2-CD sets of Alice Faye's musical performances on the screen, our website had not yet been created.  With the release of the second 2-CD set, we have decided to review them both at this time.

 JASCD-105/6  ALICE FAYE - - - GOT MY MIND ON MUSIC (released in 1997)
 JASCD-141-2  ALICE FAYE - - - I FEEL A SONG COMING ON (released in 2007)

 The combination of these two releases is the most comprehensive tribute ever accorded this wonderful singing star, with a total of 106 tracks. 

Almost a dozen of these songs were deleted from various Faye films.  The sound is bright and clear and is among the best released on CD of her screen performances. 

Both sets have been beautifully packaged and have extensive notes by Geoff Milne.
 We compliment Jasmine Records for a job well done.

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April 18, 2007

"On the Avenue" MISSING INSERT

It has come to our attention that some of the "On the Avenue" DVDs are missing the paper insert inside the box.  If your DVD does not have the insert, let us know and we will arrange to have one sent to you

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November 21, 2006

The Film Forum in New York City is showing two of Alice's early films:  The ultra-rare NOW I'LL TELL (December 9) and SHE LEARNED ABOUT SAILORS (December 20)

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October 23, 2006

ALICE FAYE DVD BOX SET COMING FROM FOX VIDEO.

Due from Fox Video in February 2007 are four more of Alice's films on DVD.  They are "On the Avenue", "Lillian Russell", "That Night In Rio", and "The Gang's All Here".

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DVD Reviews

WEEK-END IN HAVANA (1941)    Musical Comedy  (80 minutes)

Stars:  Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, John Payne, Cesar Romero

This delightful forties musical has been expertly transferred to DVD, with Fox's superior color and sound intact.

        Extras:   Trailer
                      Commentary by Jeanine Basinger
                      Still Gallery

A great deal of knowledge and thought went into Jeanine Basinger's commentary on all aspects of this film, and she does a masterful job.  ONE ERROR:  She mentions that Alice Faye remarked that nobody cared when she retired in 1945.  What Alice actually said at that time was that she didn't think anyone would care if she retired.  Quite a different meaning there.  The lapse of time would prove Alice wrong,  for in 1947 Motion Picture magazine published an article entitled ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER in which it reported that two years plus after her retirement, Alice was receiving more fan mail than many of the studio's stars who were  actively making movies and revealed how much the fans missed her and wanted her to return to films.

 

FALLEN ANGEL (1945)   Film Noir   (97 minutes)

Stars:  Alice Faye, Dana Andrews, Linda Darnell

This interesting film has been transferred to DVD with great care.  The images are clear and the sound is crisp.

EXTRAS:  Commentary by Eddie Muller and Susan Andrews
                   Publicity Gallery
                   Still Gallery
                   Unit Photography Gallery
                   Trailer

The commentary by film noir historian Eddie Muller and Susan Andrews, daughter of Dana Andrews, is both interesting and informative.  Mr. Muller reveals a wide range of knowledge about film noir as well as the history of Hollywood in general.  Susan Andrews offers information about her father (he studied opera) and is, by her own admission, a little biased in his favor.

ALICE FAYE'S LAST STARRING ROLE - Approaching 30 years of age and tired of making musicals, Alice Faye, feeling secure and fulfilled in her marriage and family life, stood up to Darryl Zanuck when he insisted that she forget thinking about doing drama and concentrate on musicals..  She flatly refused and rejected more than two-dozen scripts sent to her before agreeing to do a straight dramatic role in FALLEN ANGEL.  She was not happy with the outcome of the film, claiming that pivotal scenes that defined her character during Andrew's courtship of her were cut from the film by Zanuck, which resulted in her character being one-dimensional and less interesting (we know this for a fact because we have a copy of the original script).  She was so incensed with Zanuck that she left the studio and sat out her contract for many years.  Sixteen years later she returned to Fox to play the mother of Pat Boone in the third remake of State Fair. Zanuck was gone!_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

February 15, 2006

New CD release

MUSIC FROM HOLLYWOOD - Vol. 3

Details on our "Recordings and Videos" page