Steambath (Broadway Theatre Archive)

Starring:Neil J. Schwartz, Valerie Perrine, JosÃ© PÃ©rez (II), Herb Edelman, Stephen Elliott, Bill Bixby, Biff Elliot, Kenneth Mars, Art Metrano, Shirley Kirkes, Peter Kastner, Patrick Spohn
Director: Burt Brinckerhoff
Studio: Kultur Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This unique play presents the afterlife as a steam bath, in which dead souls continue to obsess about the same petty concerns that obsessed them in their lives, until they are cast into a dark void by God, the Puerto Rican attendant (José Pérez). But new arrival Tandy (Bill Bixby) at first refuses to accept what's happened, and when he finally does, he pleads to be allowed to return to his life. Steambath was controversial in its day for its obscene language (which was softened for this filmed version, originally presented on PBS), its satirical take on religion, and some brief nudity by bombshell Valerie Perrine. Today it's still very entertaining, but mostly as a core sampling of the surprisingly uncensored male attitudes from the dawn of the 1970s. Everyone gives a solid performance and Bixby's easy charm makes his self-centered character sympathetic. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Everyone Should Try to Find and Watch This Adaptation.......2007-05-21

The intriguing and imaginative plot, the excellent acting, and the tragedy of this TV adaptation of Bruce Jay Friedman's play not being available for today's audiences have been repeated by several reviewers. They are, in my opinion, all correct in their views about this wonderful, thought-provoking "black" comedy.

I know that at least one reviewer lamented the fact that many reviewers seemed to talk more about the "nudity" than the merits of the play/movie. I have not found this to be so. And, of course, in the version shown in the United States, there is not really any frontal nudity. However, I was fortunate enough to see Ms. Perrine not only when she was performing in Las Vegas, but in the uncut version of "Steambath" that was shown in the UK and on Armed Forces Television throughout the European continent in 1973.

Quite some time ago, after months and months of searching, I finally found the censored American version of "Steambath" on VHS at kultur dot com. I could not find it at a site mentioned by another reviewer. Kultur now has this on DVD as of May 2007. I do not know whether it was in response to the requests here and elsewhere to re-release this fine film, but it is now available on such sites such as this one, Amazon dot com, and for rental on netflix dot com.

If ANYONE knows where I can obtain the uncut version shown outside the US, would you please contact me (see my review on imdb dot com)?

Maybe it's just because I'm a guy, but I think that the uncut version should be made available today because it adds to the impact of this insightful character study of the various personalities of the men (and one woman) who are "trapped" in the steam bath room. The uncut version is still very mild compared to what is available today, and it was all done very innocently. However, you knew that you were in for something unusual when Ms. Perrine suddenly appeared in what was apparently a men's shower/steam bath facility and dropped her towel! (You only see her from the waist up whenever she is turned toward you, of course. After all, this was 1973. Nevertheless, Ms. Perrine was facing the camera enough in the uncut version to make a lasting impression on this reviewer!)

Steambath - A Broadway Show.......2007-05-13

Bill Bixby proves to be a real talent in this truly funny play in which a steambath is a sort of waiting place between death and the afterlife, and God is a Puerto Rican towel boy. The only negative to this work is that it calls for some special effects that really are pretty limp technologically - but pretty fair for its day. Valerie Perrine is actually a pretty good actress in this one.

This takes me back.......2006-11-05

I remember the first time I saw this, back in 1973. It was cutting edge content for that era and Valerie Perrine's shower scene added to the controversy, but it was funny and entertaining. Now, if the PBS series that spun out from it would just be released, I would glady add that to my collection.

Steamy in many ways.......2006-08-04

The basic story has been told in many ways and also some variation. Much more popular when purgatory was a real place. This is a story of a hand full of characters that find them selves at a crossroads or a steambath in their afterlife. Seams that the deity (José Pérez) is the attendant who replaces towels and enjoys a good story.

The attraction on an esoteric level is how the people get along with each other. Then we have individuals contemplating past present. The steamy part of the play is Valerie Perrine; the first woman to show off her accoutrements on U.S. TV (4 May 1973) being in the altogether and filmed showering from the side.

The hinge point of this story is watching Tandy (Bill Bixby) who refuses to believe that the Attendant is the deity and is determent to get back to his former life. One can believe if he does not perturb the Attendant, Tandy just might pull it off.

Bill Bixby at his best.......2006-03-18

This rarely seen video was first aired in the 1970s. It discusses issues that we take for granted today, but were forming at that period of time.

The comedy throughout is satirical and delivers a strong message that crosses the boundaries of races and beliefs for everyone.

I enjoyed all the performances of the cast members and would see it again on stage if presented in a theater.

Average customer rating:

The Shvitz
Director: Jonathan Berman
Manufacturer: Docurama
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GG4Y0A
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Description

A lively and funny documentary full of "swagger and style" (The New York Daily News), THE SHVITZ takes viewers behind the bathhouse doors to explore the clubhouse atmosphere of the last American steambaths. Through award-winning cinematography, director Jonathan Berman introduces a lively cast of characters including rabbis, gangsters, models and butchers, all of them "shvitzing" (or sweating in Yiddish) together. Originally an Eastern European tradition, this secret world still manages to exist as a spirited answer to today's world of high tech spas and suburban hot tubs. As the bathers take a break from the grind of daily urban life to wash away their worries, they find conversation, rejuvenation, and unlikely friendships in the baths. THE SHVITZ points to the evolution of modern urban life, presenting a lively co-ed bathing experience that bears more than a passing resemblance to a night at the singles bar. A rare insider look at the bathhouse from its legendary beginnings, through the gay bathhouse movement, and beyond, THE SHVITZ captures the warmth, spirit, and togetherness of an age-old ritual before it fades away. DVD Features: Director and Editor Commentary; Two Bonus Films "The City" and "Third Avenue El" with Director's Introduction; Director and Crew Biographies; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

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