Hollywood Screen Tests, Take 1

Starring:Martin Landau, Ricardo Montalban, Angela Cartwright, Ann-Margret, Linda Darnell, Judy Garland, Leslie Nielsen, Robert Wagner, Elliott Gould, Jo Anne Worley, Walter Matthau, Sandy Duncan, Trisha Noble, E.J. Peaker, Patricia Ferris, Rick Jason, Barbra Streisand, Karen Jensen (II), Marianne McAndrew, Albert Finney
Director: Edith Becker (II)
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

It's the equivalent of documentary fast food, but there's something irresistible about these long-shelved scraps of Hollywood history. Sometimes formal, sometimes loose, these screen tests show a batch of actors as you've never seen them--i.e., nervous, hesitant, but often flashing the X factor that separates them from the other would-be stars. Check out the 1958-model Sean Connery, or Mia Farrow auditioning for the role of Liesl in The Sound of Music (her warbling on "I Am Sixteen" suggests one reason she didn't get the role). Newcomer Ann-Margret needs no vocal help; knocking out a couple of songs, she looks about as inexperienced as Helen Hayes. Cultists will zip to Patty Duke's test for her role in Valley of the Dolls, and there's a long section devoted to the '60s Batman TV series. Lyle Waggoner as the Caped Crusader? Ah, how different screen history might have been. --Robert Horton

Description

The greatest stars in Hollywood all got their start somewhere, and now, straight from the studio vaults, you can see your favorite actors like never before! Witness the discovery of raw talent as these matinee idols in the making appear in front of the cameras for the first time, offering an amazing demonstration of the studio system at its height. If you thought the movies themselves were amazing, wait until you see how it first came together in these entertaining, enlightening looks at Hollywood legends in the making! Includes: Mia Farrow's screen test for the role of Liesl von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" and her screen test for "Peyton Place," a role she went on to win; newcomer Ann-Margret's 1961 personality test and her screen tests for "State Fair" in which her unmistakable sex appeal won her the role of Emily; Patty Duke's screen test for "Valley of the Dolls" in which she shattered her good girl persona and proved she was capable of a wider range of roles; Raquel Welch's screen test with James Coburn for "Our Man Flint;" Sean Connery's 1957 screen test for "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness;" Marlon Brando in his test for "Viva Zapata!" in 1952; Dustin Hoffman's personality test and stock test in 1966; screen tests to cast the "Batman" duo with Adam West testing with Burt Ward and Lyle Waggoner testing with Peter Deyell; director Robert Wise's marathon search for the children in "The Sound of Music," including the screen tests of Angela Cartwright, Kim Darby and Tish Sterling; rare soundtrack of Christopher Plummer singing "Edelweiss" in "The Sound of Music" as well as the final film version, with vocals by Bill Lee.

Customer Reviews:

Lots Of Stars - Not Many Shiners.......2004-04-13

This relatively brief series of vintage screen tests of the stars from the sixties is satisfying on the first take, but I cannot imagine watching it twice, other than to share it. Sean Connery looks darn good in his first test (did he ever not?) and can actually act. But, his test for "The Inn Of The Sixth Happiness" just looks weird as Sean playing a half white/half Japanese man. Mia Farrow can't exactly sing in her test for "The Sound Of Music", but she has the skills to land herself in Peyton Place; a much more appropriate place for her. Christopher Plummer shows up singing "Edelweiss" in his real voice only to be dubbed by someone else - there's not much difference. A good deal of the DVD goes to the large search for the actors for the Von Trapp family. There are a few surprises there (Kim Darby?). There's a large section on Batman and Robin and I really don't understand the importance of these tests as they are for TV and not major films. However, it's interesting to see them all nervously try out. James Coburn is an absolute riot in his test alongside Raquel Welch. Her talents are obvious, but he just dances around, arms flailing like a smiling geek, and he was considered a woman's man! Another real shocker is not that Mitzi Gaynor nailed "South Pacific", but that she overdubbed so many other film scores, like "My Fair Lady" and several others. She almost sang for Julie Andrews on the "Sound Of Music". That would have been a travesty! In summary, there are some interesting anecdotes and unknown secrets, but there are so many stars out there that a tight screen test overview would be nearly impossible. I guess that's why "Hollywood Screen Tests, Take II" was released. Note: For pre-1970's hard-core movie buffs only and there are no extras.

Good, Especially DOLLY Shots.......2004-01-10

This DVD is a good show, interesting to watch. Obviously, everyone will have different reasons for purchasing it. Some will look forward to seeing some screen tests over others.

I bought the DVD for the HELLO DOLLY screen tests and costume shots. I was amazed that this footage was not used on the newly released Fox DOLLY DVD! Extremely rare Streisand costume and wig tests and screen tests for the supporting roles are the highlight here. All of the DOLLY footage is in excellent condition. Danny Lockin's audition is very charming and it's obvious why director Gene Kelly chose him. You can even hear Kelly off screen reading with Lockin. Also interesting is Sandy Duncan's audition.

A bit disappointing..........2003-02-15

I bought SCREENTEST TAKE 1 for the Batman screentests. What was here was nice to see one time, but were obviously edited and incomplete. Also, there is unnecessary narration over the parts of it that were shown. ... Would I purchase a DVD of a Stones concert if it had a narrator commenting how good Jagger looks or how well the band held up over the years? I think not. CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS DVD EXCEPT FOR A CASUAL VIEW. Not worth the money, nor suitable for a permanent DVD library/collection/archive because of the above mentioned problems.

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