Kimberley Jim

This film is no better or worse than many "for easy consumption" films of the 60s. It has quite a few nice, simple songs - which even made "B" sides to some of Jim's hit singles. As a previous reviewer observed, Jim is not an "actor", but "performer" he certainly is. This film was not made to launch Jim into a movie career - more to satisfy his appreciative public - particularly in Suid Afrika. It's easy entertainment, and as such, worth a watch. I, as an avid "Jim" fan, found it perfectly acceptable....

This film was launched at the time that Jim Reeves was at his second music career stage - after being quite successful in the early 50s, he came back with a vengeance in the early 60s! His live performances attest to his ability for captivating an audience and it was this ability that made him the choice "actor" for the role of a happy go lucky chap in the rapidly expanding Suid Afrika veldts. It never pretended to be a "classic", but it is good clean entertainment.

I was a fan of J Reeves's singing for about half of the century, but for different reasons never had a chance to see him act in the only movie he made. Now I've seen it at last and I liked it. The movie was just as I expected it to be. Well, even the King Himself - Elvis -appeared in some crazy movies during his Hollywood years. Obviously the aim of the movie was to show Jim on the big screen singing some nice songs at the same time, and that was achieved. Not easy to find the DVD thou, folks. Never got released in the US?

The music is surprisingly good: the orchestration done by Bill Walker on the recommendation of Jim immigrated to the USA to become a big force in Nashville. The choice of songs was appropriate, and the performances haven't dated in any way.Jim's performance is more than adequate considering it's his only attempt.Obviously Jim would have gone on to even better material, but in no way is this inferior considering he had six weeks to learn and complete his portion. I highly recommend this film where you don't need a psychiatrist or an interpreter to explain the mumbles in the first five minutes like today's excuse for a film.I remember seeing this first at a midnight showing, with socks off and feet up on the seats, but in no way did it detract from the enjoyment which still is dear to the remembrance of a legend.

Jim Reeves still has plenty of fans out on the country music ranges, although they are nowhere as numerous or vociferous as they were right up to the close of the 20th century. For a singer who died on 31 July 1964 (in a plane crash), Jim had a remarkable after-death career, unmatched by any other country music artist. As "Kimberley Jim" is the only movie Reeves ever made, it would rank as must viewing, no matter how bad or indifferent it was. But as it happens, it's quite a pleasant film and it ranks as an excellent vehicle for his songs -- and that's the main purpose in watching it anyway! The songs were composed by Taffy Kikillus, Gilbert Gibson, Herbert Friedman, Anton de Waal, Nico Carstens, Brian Buggy, Chris du Toit, and Bill Walker (who was also the music director, conductor and arranger). Herbert Friedman is credited as "music adviser".

OTHER CREDITS: Camera assistant: Koos Roets. Props: Chris Shutte, John Lubbe. Construction manager: Wally Von Alleman. Costumes for Jim Reeves: Primarius. Women's costumes: Cas Nel. Make-up: Nola du Preez. Hair styles: Kurt of Vienna. Construction manager: Wilhelm Esterhuizen. Grip: Daniel Mashilo. Production manager: Ivan Hall. Assistant director: Jans Rauten Bach. Set continuity: Sue Berman. Sound editor: Dave Berman. Sound recording: Bonne Ter Steege, Whitney Walls. Background color: Jack Woolf. Filmed in Scanoscope and Agfa Color (processed by Irene Films).

This is the first and only movie Jim Reeves made. Sadly he was killed in a plane crash near Nashville in July of 1964. No doubt, had he lived, this wonderful man with a soft, sensual, baritone voice would have made more movies. Our loss. Love his songs and he was a pretty good actor as well. My class is studying Country Music right now. Fortunately I have a copy of this film on VHS. I don't think it is available on DVD though.