ptb-8 This is a very good documentary and I strongly believe anyone who is remotely interested in live and musical theater, and the who's who of American theatrics will lap it up with glee. Great interviews with possibly everyone you might want to see (preserved and lucid) as well as incredible footage of the relevant past. It is the old footage that for me is the riveting charm of such a doco and it is as delightful as it is startling. The roll call of those recently departed is a touching climax to what has already been a most heartfelt experience. If you have relatives or friends who know of even a few of the astonishing talented genuine human beings celebrated here it will be one of the major highlights of your shared film viewing. I saw this doco as a cinema film and it truly is captivating and astonishing. If only we can have more of this type of doco capturing those who were there in those legendary times, I believe there is a solid and appreciative audience. Don't miss this!

originaltopherp Honestly, there's nothing better you could do with your time or money than buy this movie and watch it immediately.I'd heard glowing reviews of this movie, so as soon as it hit Chicago I was first in line, bringing a friend along. The next day, I was back there again, with another friend in tow.Myself, my friends, and everyone else I know that's seen this movie feel it is the most important documentary ever made about Broadway. They say history is made by the people who lived it, and here--from his own personal passion--Rick has amassed the largest number of living legends ever to appear in the same film. Rather than a bland collection of facts, this movie is filled with life and energy and stories--both silly and heartfelt--by the people who were actually there. You can't beat Chita Rivera talking about the original production of WEST SIDE STORY, or Angela Lansbury and MAME, or countless others.As you watch, you're simply spellbound by the love and dedication that went into preserving these people on film and more so, by the love and dedication these legends have for Broadway stage. Your heart aches to be there, with them, in all the glory and splendor they recreate from their recollections.Quite simply, if you care about theatre in any way shape or form, this movie is required viewing. And if you don't care about theatre, this movie will make you a convert to the magic that is live theatre. Rick McKay is a saint of the performing arts and deserves entry into the theatre hall of fame for this movie, right alongside all the legends he interviewed.The only thing you could possibly have against this film is that it's too short. It's two hours, and when it's done, you want to sit for another two, and I imagine another two after that.

vonthurnundtaxis I saw this film in New York in June and loved it then and I just saw a press screener of the DVD - it is amazing what the filmmaker has done. In addition to being incredibly entertaining as a film, this is destined to be an invaluable historic reference. There are dozens of interviews with actors giving us a first person account of Broadway's Golden Age by those who were there, creating it.The DVD has at leat 30 minutes of interviews with the cast of the upcoming (I hope soon) "Next Generation" including: Betty Buckley, Jason Alexander, Doug Sills, John Barrowman, Cady Huffman and Daisy Eagan. There are also deleted scenes, one has Marian Seldes on Katharine Cornell - I cannot imagine how this was not in the original film. The movie could have been twice as long and still held up. It's also fun to see the alternate ending on the DVD and the red carpet footage of the NY and LA openings. This is not a rental, you will want to own it and watch it when you want to be entertained, or inspired, or moved, or laugh. This film is incredible.

justgotothemovies-1 I saw this film at the Santa Barbara Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary. We were the first audience to see the finished film on 35 mm in a theatre and the excitement was palpable. The fimmaker, Rick McKay, introduced the film and brought Eva Marie Saint (who won the Oscar for "on the Waterfront" with Brando) on stage with him afterwards for a question and answer session. I don't know when I have had a more exciting night in a movie theater. The film was brilliant and the filmmaker was wonderful in the film as he took us on a journey, but just as passionate and funny in person as he and Miss Saint warmly answered questions afterwards.The film is something very, very special. I don't honestly think a studio could have ever made this film - or a network either. It is such a personal, passionate and magical film. It is a mixture of more stars than I have *ever* seen in a movie - all telling their own personal stories of starving and starting out in New York - and old archival footage of perfomrances that have never been seen before. Not movie clips - but real, live perforances. It was staggering. It is about a time that is so cmpletely gone, but oddly enough, it was not sad, but very inspiring. It made me believe that if this kind of history could have been made in this century, and if this kind of movie can be made today, then anything is possible. what a wonderful feeling...The night I saw it there were people sitting on the floor in the aisles and standing room only in the back of the theater with people looking over each others shoulders. And nobody complained and nobody left. People did cry and they did laugh and they did applaud over and over during the movie though. When was the last time (if ever) that you saw that happen?We may have been the first audience to see this movie but we won't be the last. This movie is going to win an Oscar. Mark my words.