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
January 25, 2006
More DVD Releases!
Fox Video recently released the 1962 STATE FAIR (in the same package as the 1945 version).
And soon to come are WEEK-END IN HAVANA (February 21) and FALLEN ANGEL (March 7).
December 2005
DVD Reviews
20th Century-Fox has released on DVD the two films responsible for making Alice Faye and Tyrone Power superstars. Both films were directed by Henry King, and both were critically-acclaimed box office smashes.
IN OLD CHICAGO (1937) - Drama with music depicting the great Chicago fire Theatrical version (94 minutes) Road Show version (111 minutes)
Stars: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche
For years film buffs and Faye fans have wanted the studio to release the road show version of this film which includes scenes cut after its initial release, the most notable of which takes place in a courtroom. Our wishes have been granted with the release of this DVD. The road show version appears on one side of the disc with the regular theatrical version on the other.
The film has been transferred with excellent results: crisp images, good contrast, and defined shadings.
The audio portion of the VHS release and of prints shown on TV through the years left something to be desired, but the sound on this release is very good - - the best we've heard to date.
EXTRAS: A&E Biography - Don Ameche: Hollywood's Class Act (45 minutes)
Movietone Newsreel footage: Hollywood Spotlight, Film Premieres*
*Note: Very interesting to see the frenzy Alice Faye caused when she appeared at the New York City premiere of this film.
No trailer. Why didn't they include the trailer as they did on the VHS?
ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND (1938) - Cavalcade of Irving Berlin music (106 minutes)
Stars: Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman
Following the enormous success of "In Old Chicago," Darryl Zanuck re-teamed his three popular stars in this delightful musical, which boasted over 25 Irving Berlin standards. It became one of the biggest hits of the year.
The image on this disc is excellent, with nicely contrasted blacks, whites, and grays and good shadow detail. The one flaw is a vertical white line on the left half of the screen that appears for a while after Alice sings "Now It Can Be Told". This was not on either the VHS or laser disc releases. Could it be that Fox is not handling these with care?
The audio has a full, rich quality, and the dialogue is clear and understandable throughout.
EXTRAS: A&E Biography - Alice Faye: The Star Next Door (45 minutes)
Commentary by film score restorationist Ray Faiola
Theatrical Trailer
Movietone Newsreel footage
Footage of three deleted songs
Comment: The writer of the notes for this release could have used some help. It is stated that this film is Ethel Merman's debut film. Merman, in fact, appeared in at least a half dozen Hollywood films before making "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Is 20th Century-Fox so impoverished that they can't afford to hire a fact checker, or is it simply that they don't care about the truth?
June 26, 2005
Restored footage released!
Fox Video has finally restored "In Old Chicago" and it will be out on DVD August 9. Approximately 15 minutes of footage was cut when the film was re-released in the 1940s. Most of us have never seen the complete film. This is our first new footage of Alice since "Hidden Hollywood". Unfortunately Fox has no plans to release other Faye films at this time.
May 19, 2005
Alice on XM SATELITE RADIO
Our friend Blaise tells us that XM Satelite Radio has included three of Alice's recordings on their play list. The songs are "No Love, No Nothin'", "Slumming on Park Avenue" and "You'll Never Know".
August 15, 2004
First Alice Faye DVD from Fox!
Fox Video is about to release their first DVD of an Alice Faye movie! Can you believe it?? The film is "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and the release date is September 7.
November 2002
Another official soundtrack has been released!
ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND on Screen Archives Entertainment CD
Screen Archives Entertainment has released the complete motion picture soundtrack score to Irving Berlin's 1938 20th Century-Fox Musical ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND
DO NOT SETTLE FOR PALE IMITATIONS (such as the Hollywood Soundstage issue). THIS IS THE REAL THING!
[Linden, VA November 5, 2002] Screen Archives Entertainment, the internet-based supplier-to-the-world of motion picture soundtrack CD's, has released the complete motion picture soundtrack to Irving Berlin's 1938 20th Century-Fox musical classic ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND. The score, which features dozens of songs by America's great songsmith, is reproduced from the original 1938 studio scoring sessions. The film stars Tyrone Power, Alice Faye and Don Ameche. In addition to all of the vocal and instrumental music that appears in the film, the CD features several outtakes featuring Ethel Merman, Jack Haley and the 20th Century-Fox Orchestra under the direction of Alfred Newman.
The Album also boasts a 36 page full-color booklet heavily illustrated and with historical notes by, among others, entertainer and musical archivist Michael Feinstein.
ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND, which was a box office smash upon its release in 1938, has long been a favorite with fans of the music of Tin Pan Alley. Berlin reached deep into his song trunk to select tunes that had swept the country during his first 30 years as a successful composer. ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND turned them into current hits of the day and the songs have continued to thrive as American musical standards. The film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards. One of the winners was Alfred Newman for his superb musical direction.
Immortal musical highlights included in ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND include Alice Faye's renditions of the title tune and "When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves For Alabam"; Ethel Merman's exhilirating performances of "Heat Wave" and "My Walking Stick"; Don Ameche singing "Easter Parade" and the picture's new ballad, "Now It Can Be Told" (which is also sung by Miss Faye); and a thrilling, expanded version of "Marie" as played by the Orchestra during the Carnegie Hall sequence.
The soundtrack CD to ALEXANDERS RAGTIME BAND was produced by Ray Faiola of Chelsea Rialto Studios, Craig Spaulding of Screen Archives Entertainment and Nick Redman. The compact disc sells for $20 and can be ordered from www.screenarchives.com or by calling 1-540-635-2575. It is also available at Footlight Records in New York City.
October 2001
There is finally a real BIOGRAPHY of Alice in the works. It is very well researched and very well written. Titled "Alice Faye, A Life Beyond the Silver Screen", it will be released in the fall of 2002.
May 26, 2001
BIG NEWS - The Faye film that almost nobody has seen since its release in 1934, "Now I'll Tell", will be shown at the Film Forum in New York City on Monday, June 18. Too bad we don't have time to plan a convention. For more information go to www.filmforum.com
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May 26, 2001
The next showing of HIDDEN HOLLYWOOD III will be on June 6 at 3:00 pm PST. After that please check American Movie Classics web site at www.amctv.com
April 2001
Watch the American Movie Classics (AMC) schedule for HIDDEN HOLLYWOOD III.
It includes Alice in outtakes from "Hollywood Cavalcade" and Go In and Out the Window, the lost song from "Tail Spin".
December 2000
The Fox Movie Channel is having an all-day Alice marathon on Christmas Day.
When are they going to show more of the rare ones?
As confirmed by Jefferson News Corp, Monday, November 6, 2000 - Alice Jr. and Phyllis have received $2.6 million each from their mother's estate (see April item below). Justice L.M. Steiner presided.
September2000
New CD release
There is a new CD release from England. It is titled "You'll Never Know - A Tribute", on the ASV label (AJA 5303).
This CD contains all of Alice Faye's commercial recordings of the 1930s with the exception of "My Future Star" and the unreleased "I Feel A Song Comin' On," the master of which has been apparently lost or destroyed. The sound on this release is the best we've heard yet on these twenty tracks.
The remaining five tracks on this album are taken directly from the soundtracks of her films with the exception of "I'll See You In My Dreams," which was cut from the final version of"Rose of Washington Square" and is derived from a studio recording.
The notes by Peter Dempsey are a mixed bag -- informative, but in several instances erroneous and opinionated. Check the FAYE FACTS on this web site for accuracy.
This could have been the definitive release of Alice's 1930s commercial recordings if only they had included "My Future Star" and omitted the five soundtrack recordings. Opportunity lost.
All in all, a nice addition to the Faye CD catalogue and worth having.
April 2000
This item appeared in the April 4, 2000 issue of "The Globe". Those 'in the know' have confirmed that it is factual:
It's been two years since actress Alice Faye-widow of Jack Benny's sidekick Phil Harris-passed away. But their daughters are still fighting a nasty legal battle for their multimillion dollar inheritance.
Phyllis Harris-Middleton,55, and Alice Regan,57, blame the delay in executing their mom's will on their father's former stockbroker Lew Marsten, who was named a trustee of the estate, despite their objections.
"We're going through hell," says Harris-Middleton, of Palm Springs, Calif. "If our parents knew what was happening, they'd be turning over in their graves!"
Famed second banana and big band leader Harris left his multi-million dollar estate to Faye, star of the musicals Alexander's Ragtime Band and Tin Pan Alley, when he died at age 91 in 1995.
When Faye Passed away at 82 (83) in 1998, she willed everything to her daughters. But "the estate just sits there gathering dust," says Regan, and the sisters' attorney, Howard Sanger, is not sure why.
Meanwhile, the sisters claim they've had to cough up an additional $700,000 in taxes and penalties to the IRS!
Last year, a California judge admonished Marsten for the delays and ordered an accounting of Harris' stock portfolio.
"He sold it immediately, at a huge loss to us," fumes Regan, who lives in New Orleans.
Adding insult to injury, the sisters say Marsten hired his own lawyer, James Green, at the sisters' expense - billing them a whopping $50,000!
While Marsten and Green refuse to comment, Harris-Middleton insists: "We'd rather give the money to charity than see one more penny go into these guys' pockets. We just want to settle this and let our parents rest in peace." -STAN OLIVER
December 1999
For the first time there is an OFFICIAL release of an Alice Faye movie soundtrack (besides "State Fair").
Varese Sarabande/Twentieth Century-Fox have just put out a CD of the complete (plus extras) soundtrack of ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE. This is exciting news for anyone who loves Alice or Al Jolson.
So toss out your Italian and Sandy Hook bootlegs -- you have NEVER heard Alice like this. The sound is amazing.
On the Varese Sarabande label (302 066 089 2).
List price is $17.95
Let's all show our support so that maybe there will more releases like this in the future!
Also available here for the same price is another new CD from Varese Sarabande/Twentieth Century-Fox with both the 1945 and the 1962 versions of STATE FAIR.
HOWEVER, this is a different story. There is actually less of Alice on this CD than on the original Dot LP. It seems the original source recording of "Our State Fair" was unusable, so these 'purists' decided to drop the song entirely! Our advice: hang onto your old LP if you are fortunate enough to have one. |
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