Divine Madness

Starring:Bette Midler, Jocelyn Brown, Ula Hedwig, Diva Gray, Irving Sudrow, Tony Berg, Jon Bonine, Joey Carbone, Randy Kerber
Director: Michael Ritchie
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Audacious, brazen, funny, and perhaps the unconscious inspiration for Madonna's shows, Divine Madness makes an absolute spectacle of itself. Bette Midler's raunchy, entertaining persona is on high in this concert film filmed in Pasadena. Midler tells dirty jokes, berates herself and the audience, and most of all belts out (some may say shrieks out) covers of Bruce Springsteen and rock and swing classics. Somewhere between "Everything's Comin' Up Roses" and "Vogue," Midler seems a bridge between eras, that of burlesque, do-anything-to-please-'em showmanship and shocking, pyrotechnic exhibitionism and aloofness. (A hint at just how old this 1980 movie feels, Midler unabashedly makes a reference to Georgie Jessel!) Directed by Michael Ritchie, whose Smile and The Bad New Bears were interesting takes on America, Divine is also a slice of the American experience. It's dirty enough to be fun and clean enough to stay just this side of bawdy. That used to be a fine American tradition. Note: The songs "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Rainbow Sleeve," which appeared in the theatrical release of this picture, are not included in this DVD. That's a shame because with Midler, more is more. --Keith Simanton

Customer Reviews:

Divine Midler.......2006-11-07

Although this isn't a new product, it is still my favorite.
The transition between songs, laughs, and visual feast are timeless.
I don't think Bette has topped this performace, at least none that I've seen.

Spend the night with Divine Miss M.......2006-09-28

Bette Midler's 1980 concert video Divine Madness celebrates the spirit of the classic Miss M in all her glory. This video tape shows a show woman at her best.

This is the DIVINE MISS M at her best, classic fifties remixes with her classic's like the Rose. This dynamic concert video was directed by Michael Richie, who also directed the Bad News Bears. Ten cameras were used to capture all the actions

When you see Midler so alive and active, you wish you were in the audience watching her. There are a few cuts in transference in film from stage, one could only wish you could see it breaks and all. In over 90 minutes, you feel the heat and excitement that is the Divine Miss M in concert and in her heyday

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

Response to #1 Bette Midler Fan.......2006-05-29

Since you have annointed yourself as the #1 Bette Midler fan, I just thought I would let you know that the reason Bette's vocals on "Divine Madness" may not live up to your standards, is because she had pneumonia during this performance. At the time, she was coerced by her manager to do the film while running a high fever due to illness. So when you take that into consideration, it really proves what a great and dynamic performer Bette truly is.

Incredible show - should be re-released with "Shiver Me Timbers"!.......2005-08-20

Watching this years ago on TV (and, thank heavens, recording it on tape to re-watch) showed me what a talent Bette Midler really is. She moves from stand-up monologues to the 40s big-band "Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy" to the moving "We Shall Be Released" that ends the show, all without missing a beat. She does "Stay With Me" and you think she must have completely shredded her vocal chords, then gets up and says "Okay, change your head" and moves into a comedy number. What a performance, and what a performer!

And what a disappointment that "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Rainbow Sleeve" are not included. "Shiver", especially, is a wonderfully whimsical and poignant number. At less than 90 minutes running time, there's plenty of room to include these. Hopefully someone will resolve whatever difficulties led to their omission and re-release the full show. It deserves to be seen!

70's Bette not up to "snuff", but great fun.......2005-07-08

Divine Madness finds Bette Midler doing her stuff in the late 1970's, right about the time The Rose was released. Her trademark energy and wild behavior are all in place and much of the material is hilarious, but, vocally, she sounds like a product of the 1970's party scene. I love Bette's voice but she seems to be singing in a much lower register than usual and the strain shows in her performance. The jokes are dated, but funny all the same and I did enjoy seeing her in her early days, before all of the Disney movies and chart topping hits of the 1980's.

Vocal criticism aside, I love Bette Midler. Since the early 1990's I have seen her in concert 5 different times, the most recent being her Kiss My Brass tour. He performances are some of the best I have ever seen, and the polish and grace she brings to the stage are unequalled by any other performer alive today (eat your heart out Barbara). My wish is that she releases a concert retrospective, bringing all of her greatest moments together on 1 DVD. Some of the material on Divine Madness, especially during the 2nd half, is classics, unforgettable Bette. I recommend the DVD to any Bette Midler fan.

Average customer rating:

Divine Madness
Madness
Manufacturer: Virgin
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

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