Written by: Giuseppe Rijitano on July 7th, 2010
Release Date: UK, 2010
Directors: Various
Cast: Shirley Bassey.
DVD released: July 12th, 2010
Approximate running time: 145 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 & 16:9
Rating: E (UK)
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
DVD Release: Odeon Entertainment
Region Coding: Region 0 PAL (UK)
Retail Price: £19.99
Showbiz royalty Dame Shirley Bassey has been entertaining the world since her first UK hit single ‘Banana Boat Song’ was released in 1957 and to this day she is still releasing hit records and performing to sell out audiences. This DVD is a compilation of her very best UK TV performances featuring some of her biggest hits.
The Royal Variety Performance (1971) – Till Love Touches Your Life, (Where Do I Begin) Love Story, Yesterday When I Was Young, Love Look At The Two Of Us & Something.
The Engelbert Humperdinck Show (1971) – The Joker, The Sea And Sand and a medley with Engelbert.
The Dickie Henderson Show (1971) – Flattery Will Get You Everywhere, (Where Do I Begin) Love Story, Big Spender & There’s No Business Like Show Business.
Whittaker’s World (1971) – What About Today & (Where Do I Begin) Love Story.
Sez Les (1972) – Till Love Touches Your Life & Diamonds Are Forever.
The Rolf Harris Show (1972) – Till Love Touches Your Life, I’ve Never Been A Woman Before & Did You (with Rolf Harris).
Tarby And Friends (1984) – I Am What I Am & Send In The Clowns.
Tarby And Friends (1986) – When You’re Smiling & What I Did For Love.
Live From The Piccadilly (1986) – There’s No Place Like London & My Way.
British Academy Awards (1987) – Goldfinger & Diamonds Are Forever (Mix).
Live From The Palladium (1987) – A View To A Kill, Goldfinger & Diamonds Are Forever.
The Royal Variety Performance (1987) – There’s No Place Like London, I Could Have Danced All Night & Hey Jude.
After 10 With Tarbuck (1988) – New York New York, The Rhythm Divine & As Long As He Needs Me.
Live From The Palladium (1988) – Almost Like Being In Love, Kiss Me Honey Honey Kiss Me & The Greatest Love Of All.
The Royal Variety Performance (2005) – Goldfinger, The Living Tree & Music Was My First Love.
A stupendous collection of performances there. From the hippy trippy 70′s with beardy Rolf Harris and even an appearance from Lionel Blair to the big haired diamond studded 80′s where Shirley seemed to be getting pimped out by Jimmy Tarbuck at every turn and into the noughties with an emotional hometown (Tiger/Cardiff Bay) Royal Variety Performance in 2005. An enjoyable nostalgic trip down memory lane of UK TV’s weekend variety shows for anyone that lived through or like me grew up during the 70′s and 80′s and a time capsule of a great entertainer’s extravagant and glamorous performances for everyone else.
The DVD:
Apart from the final 2005 performance (which is anamorphic widescreen) the image is presented in 4:3 full screen as was broadcast on UK TV. This is all archive footage and it looks brilliant; vibrant colors, sharp images, excellent contrast. The audio is equally excellent with Shirley’s vocals booming out clean and clear.
Also available in the On TV series: Alma Cogan, David Whitfield & Al Read.