DVD Elvis Presley - Ed Sullivan Shows
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Review(s): DVD Elvis Presley - Ed Sullivan Shows | |
| Packaging too big...contents too small. |
Do we really need such a large set for just three episodes of Ed Sullivan? How about this...get ALL of Elvis 1950's TV appearances, and put them in one set. Forget the extra acts, just give us 100% Elvis.... compile all his appearances on Stage Show (Dorsey Brothers), Milton Berle, Steve Allen, and yes, Toast Of The Town with Ed Sullivan. Now THAT would be a great collection. Much more material, and it could probably fit in the same size packaging as this set.
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| Three "really big shews," thanks to Elvis' appearances (which rate 5 stars) |
The release of this DVD set is important for a number of reasons. As with the Beatles DVD of their 1964-65 Ed Sullivan appearances (available separately), the complete original broadcasts allow the viewer to see legendary performances in the context of what passed for mainstream entertainment back in the day (1956-57 for Elvis, mid-sixties for the Beatles). As such, the impact of these paradigm-busting pop culture legends can be compared and contrasted with the entertainment norms of their respective eras, as opposed to measuring them by ill-fitting contemporary standards. In other words, although neither Elvis nor the Beatles are shocking by today's standards, the high quality of their actual musical performances is what is going to get these DVDs watched repeatedly by most purchasers. By the way, the video and audio restoration (from kinescopes) is remarkably well done.
It would be inaccurate to say that Elvis was not "ready for prime time." given the fact that his Ed Sullivan appearances broke ratings records when they originally aired. Nonetheless, his segments were controversial to the point where he was filmed from the waist up on the third show (not all three, as is sometimes reported). Elvis and his acclaimed original band (guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black, and drummer DJ Fontana, plus the Jordanaires on backing vocals) perform well-known hits ("Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," "Ready Teddy," "Too Much," etc.), and even a gospel tune on the "censored" third show ("Peace In The Valley"). Several of these tunes are performed on two or even all three broadcasts. Furthermore, some viewers conditioned by pop culture mythology to expect an Elvis-shaped tornado swiveling constantly on stage may be disappointed to see that Presley's then-shocking gyrations are only significantly evident on "Ready Teddy" (1st show) and "Hound Dog" (2nd show). Of course, there's more to Elvis' talents than meet the eye.
Even given the pop cultural context that the release of the entire shows provide, is is still amazing how shocking his appearances were considered to be, given how generally unthreatening he appears on camera. I've always been a bit annoyed by Elvis' habit of tossing little humorous asides into his performances (e.g., self-conscious lyric alterations, exaggerated facial or vocal expressions ... that in my opinion suggest that Presley doesn't have confidence that he would ever be accepted as anything more than a short-lived fad, and thus wants to appear to be in on the joke). However, these mannerisms are kept to a minimum here: they seemingly make him less threatening to audiences not used to the relative fury of rock'n'roll, but are not done to excess so as to detract from the impact of the music itself.
The only drawback to issuing the entirety of the Ed Sullivan shows is that most of the other performances are painfully dated (which is why I rated the DVD 4 stars rather than 5, which Elvis deserves). Sullivan seemed to favor vaudeville-era musical and comic stage performers, circus acts, etc. (which to be fair was a winning formula that kept him on the air from 1948 to 1971). It's not that the other guests don't have particular talents (as some suggest), but it is ironic that most of them don't stand the test of time, whereas supposed flash-in-the-pan Elvis' performances hold up well a half-century later. In fact, most DVD viewers are likely to be familiar with only one other guest among the three shows (an early appearance by famed comedienne Carol Burnett). Particularly if one is interested in the larger pop culture picture, there is a fascination in seeing these timeworn acts perhaps once or twice. Fortunately for subsequent viewings, there is an option in the menus to view only the Elvis segments and bonus material (which are why this DVD set exists in the first place). For Elvis and rock'n'roll fans, these moments will be worth the price of admission.
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| History spread over three DVDs |  |
For those of who weren't born when Elvis struck America, here's the undiluted wonder. You get all three complete Ed Sullivan shows from his early days. You even get the ads for Mercury cars. Besides Elvis, you get to see the rest of Ed's cast of characters. Even that Senor guy who speaks to his hand. What's amazing is that there are so few ad breaks.
The only bummer is that this is each disc only has 1 show. This could have been a 2 DVD set.
A perfect gift for the Elvis lover. Or just someone who wants to watch Ed Sullivan in a non-highlights format.
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