post

The Bootleg Files: The American Film Institute Presents a Salute to Orson Welles

BOOTLEG FILES 871: “The American Film Institute Presents a Salute to Orson Welles” (1975 televised tribute to the iconic actor/filmmaker).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: On a VHS label.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It fell through the cracks.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Unlikely.

Earlier this month, television audiences viewed the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Nicole Kidman. Unlike the other movie industry awards, the AFI honors focuses its attention on a single person who puts up with lavish praise and some mild kidding before accepting the star-shaped honor.
Continue reading

post

The Bootleg Files: Our Town

BOOTLEG FILES 862: “Our Town” (1955 television musical production starring Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint).

LAST SEEN:
On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It’s complicated.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.

One of the most prestigious and ambitious series in the history of American television was “Producers’ Showcase,” which ran from 1954 to 1957 and offered live 90-minute plays starring A-list talent. The series aired every fourth Monday of the month and a total of 37 episodes were created.
Continue reading

post

The Bootleg Files: Frank Sinatra Hosts ‘The Tonight Show’

BOOTLEG FILES 774: “Frank Sinatra Hosts ‘The Tonight Show’” (1977 episode with Sinatra filling in for Johnny Carson).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: There might be a problem with music clearance rights.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: I wish it would be released.

Frank Sinatra did not give many interviews – he certainly didn’t need the publicity, nor did he welcome questions about his personal life that he considered to be intrusive. But there was one time in Sinatra’s life when he had the opportunity to be the one asking the questions – and, believe it or not, he was very good at it.
Continue reading

post

Frank Sinatra: His Way

Those songs! Those broads! Those mob ties (alleged, of course)! On today’s episode of “The Online Movie Show,” we celebrate the movies, music and raucous off-screen antics of Ol’ Blue Eyes with Facebook’s funniest man, Anthony “The Kingfish” Vitamia.

The episode can be heard here.

“The Online Movie Show” is produced at the Platinum Wolfe Studios.