The Big T.N.T. Show

Back in the 90s I set out to find a copy. It was explained to me copyright issues kept it being released. In early 00s I found a unauthorized DVD with both films by way of Japan. It's all performance here, very little of the stupid packaging that TV appearances cluttered the performers. And no lipsynching! I saw this at a large urban theater in 65 with girls screaming in the audience. Kinda cool memory. Now quality print on YouTube.

i have only seen the trailers to this movie and the T.A.M.I. show movie since i was about twelve yrs old--i remember that these were excellent concert films, with some all time world-class performances, especially by James brown, Ike and Tina, the stones, the beach boys, the byrds, Marvin Gaye, the supremes-and, as far as i can tell, all live performances, no lip-synchs!---try pulling that off w/ the divas of today-one of the reasons tom hanks' movie 'that thing you do' is so good, is that it perfectly portrays not only the look, but the feel and emotion of that era-a time when your peers wouldn't let you get away with lip-synching even if you had the nerve to try---everyone gave the best performance they could because they were inspired by, and wanted to impress, their fellow entertainers---these movies evidently are not available on video or disc---why not, and who has the rights to these movies so tied up that i cant even discover who actually owns them, much less if they will ever be released-someone is withholding on a gold mine ---could it be that legendary genius-wacko Phil spector? if anyone has any idea who or what owns these movies, please let me know, i will do what i can to get them to release these classics to video and DVD--i can be quite persuasive

Great performances to remind us that even Donovan, and Petula Clark, could send teenagers into hysterical screaming frenzies with their music. Nice sharp black-and-white photography by Larry Peerce. (And check out the knee-high white socks worn by Tina Turner's backup singers!)

So you've suffered through all those lousy rock movies from the 1950's through the beach party flicks of the 60's and you wonder, why couldn't anybody make a good movie about rock and roll? Well, here it is. The idea was straightforward--get rid of the clueless Hollywood producers and hire someone like Phil Spector to do the job. Junk those silly screenplays and actors from another generation and let the performers do what they do best--perform their music.

The well-staged concert film features a wide variety of artists, all in fine form, performing in the exciting and fast-moving days between the Beatles' explosion onto the American scene and the full flowering of psychedelia. One highlight is Joan Baez stepping out of the folk music milieu and belting out a version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" with Spector on piano. A favorite of mine is the Lovin' Spoonful romping through a couple of their hits. And if you aren't sure why Ike and Tina Turner are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, watch them here.

The camera work and editing are surprisingly good considering the bulky equipment used back then and the scarcity of other rock concert films that had come before. This is a great nostalgic trip for those who remember those days For those who don't. it gives you an idea of what all the excitement was about.

While this is filmed in black and white, and producer Samuel Zarkoff is better known for horror films, this followup to the TAMI show from the same company a year earlier holds it's own with any of these early music concert films. Filmed live over 2 days this one, like TAMI brings together a lot of great music.

One of the great electric music sequences is Pet Clark going into the audience singing her hit Downtown. It is one of many great music moments. Clark upstage Joan Baez here which is natural as she is more seasoned at this point. Baez seems nervous on stage and does one song that is totally wrong for her.

The pacing and production of the film is really good. I wish both TAMI and this one had been filmed in color. After all American International was doing films like Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine in color during this time period. I am guessing tight budgets or maybe the black and white success of the Beatles Hard Days Night or the Dave Clark 5 Having A Wild Week-end could be part of the reason?

For those of us fond of 1960's music, this film is a joy to watch.