I Want to Live!

Starring:Susan Hayward, Simon Oakland, Virginia Vincent, Theodore Bikel, Wesley Lau, Philip Coolidge, Lou Krugman, James Philbrook, Bartlett Robinson, Gage Clarke, Joe De Santis, John Marley, Raymond Bailey, Alice Backes, Gertrude Flynn, Russell Thorson, Dabbs Greer, Stafford Repp, Gavin MacLeod, Wendell Holmes
Director: Robert Wise
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Susan Hayward won an Academy Award® for her performance in the compelling 1958 classic I Want to Live! Hayward plays Barbara Graham, a "good-time girl" with a heart of gold and absolutely no instincts about when to drop a bad association. After bouncing in and out of the prison system for a series of petty crimes, Graham suddenly finds herself framed for murder and facing the death penalty. Hayward is simply marvelous, giving a wrenching, complex performance without ever becoming maudlin. Director Robert Wise ratchets the tension up to a nearly unbearable level, making Barbara's moments of hope as agonizing as those of her despair. The film is based on the story of the real-life Barbara Graham, taken from her letters and interviews with reporter Ed Montgomery. Montgomery himself appears as a character, and the film is surprisingly evenhanded about condemning his own role in Graham's conviction. This is definitely a must-see for Hayward fans. --Ali Davis

Description

Prostitute, party girl, perjurer, bad-check passer, petty criminal. She's all this and more...but is she a murderer? Susan Hayward won 1958's Best Actress Academy AwardÂ(r) for her "sensational, nerve-shattering performance" (Los Angeles Times) in this harrowing, "must-see" (The Motion Picture Guide) tale that will leave you breathless with suspense. Arrested for fatally beating an elderly widow, Barbara Graham (Hayward) at first goads the police, refusing to answer their questions. But when an alleged accomplice turns state's evidence, Graham insists that she's innocent. Condemned by the press and the public, Graham is found guilty of murder and sentenced to die in the gas chamber. But as her execution date nears, Graham desperately attempts to expose the truth and save her life against all odds.

Customer Reviews:

Going the Wrong Way.......2007-01-07

This film is based on a factual story from Ed Montgomery, a reporter for the `San Francisco Chronicle'. It shows a jazz club, later a vice cop shows up and arrests Babs. We see Babs dancing at a party, later she agrees to provide an alibi for two crooks; This leads to a perjury conviction. She is given good advice to correct her behavior; but she doesn't listen. Babs tries to live a normal life, but her husband used drugs and things go bad. Babs hooks up with her old buddies. [The film skips over the Monahan murder; was Babs a decoy?] The police trail Babs and catch the two murderers. Barbara Graham acts tough and hard-boiled, and refuses to cooperate with the police when offered a deal. She is indicted along with the others for the murder of Mrs. Monahan. A lawyer advises her about the forthcoming trial, she needs an alibi. Babs foolishly trusts another inmate, a friendly stranger, to arrange an alibi. In desperation she agrees to cooperate with this stranger. [No warning about Miranda.]

The state's witness was part of the gang, but he will testify against the others and then be released for his testimony. That stranger turns out to be an undercover policeman; Babs' goose is cooked. Babs' letter to her husband was intercepted; he is no help. They are all convicted and sentenced to death. Barbara is sent to the woman's prison, "the campus". A psychiatrist evaluates Babs, and thinks she did not commit the murder. (Babs is left-handed and could not have struck the victim with her right hand.) He advises Ed Montgomery to write stories that will present Babs in a better light. Babs' appeal is turned down. Her hope is raised by a Supreme Court appeal, but that is rejected. Babs' case sells a lot of newspapers, win or lose.

Babs is transported to San Quentin for execution of her sentence. She is prepared for death. Her lawyer files another petition, and keeps trying. The preparation of the gas chamber begins. Babs will go first, followed by the two men. Tension mounts as the Governor grants a stay to let her lawyer make his appeal. But it is not allowed. The witnesses gather around the gas chamber. Then its time. Babs last request is for a mask; she doesn't want to see the strangers there. The film shows the graphic details of her death.

Susan Hayward deservedly won the highest Hollywood award for her acting in this drama. The undertones of this story is to question the death penalty as it was applied to Babs. The improvements in scientific testing and other reforms might have saved Babs today (if she was not involved). Do newspapers and broadcast media still present a one-sided view of a suspect? Even after the Supreme Court ruling on "Shepard vs. Ohio"? Newspapers are no longer a locally operated business today. The warning in this film is to be careful of who you hang out with. Those who need this advice will ignore it.

Excellent Drama.......2006-11-03

Susan Hayward's work in "I want to Live!" is outstanding. Robert Wise did an excellent job in directing and telling Barbara Graham's story.

"Get your paws off! I soil easy!".......2006-06-15

So says fifties "Goodtime Girl" Barbara Graham to one of her sleazy male companions in this true story of Graham's ultimate frame-up and execution for a murder she didn't commit. Susan Hayward won an Oscar for her brilliant portrayal of of party girl Graham. Here we see film noir, the marginalized fifties' film genre, enter into the Hollywood mainstream. Director Robert Wise uses harrowing black and white cinematography and a jagged, jazz-oriented musical score to emphasize Graham's isolation from the larger society. Graham was a petty criminal and an assertive, tough woman who had to fend for herself. When one of her accomplices asks her, "whaddayado?" she answers truthfully--"I do what I have to." This 1958 film, which calls into question the "justice" in the criminal justice system, looks ahead to the social upheaval of the sixties when the both the antiwar and the civil rights movement would put America on the carpet. The film also, in the figure of reporter Ed Montgomery, shows how her case became a media juggernaut that became impossible to stop, even when her innocence became evident. Graham's absolute powerlessness in the film reminds reminds us how little power women had in the male-dominated postwar era. Hayward was an amazingly talented, instinctual actress--and perfect for this role. Graham wasn't an introspective woman and Hayward wasn't an introspective actress. Hayward was on Graham's wavelength, so to speak, and her performance here is uncanny. This film is definitely an American classic.

The Fifties: what a bold decade.......2006-04-09

The accusing finger of the ethic once more pulled the trigger with this superb based on a real drama, about a woman unfairly accused and who sustains her innocence against all the odds. Remarkable acting of Susan Hayward that deserved her not only the Academy Award but the coveted Cannes Festival Award as Best Actress in her lifetime role.

i want more susan to live, on dvd!.......2006-02-27

with so little of susan hayward's work on dvd, this film ranks high in my dvd library. it is no surprise that susan is at her best here in her only academy award winning performance. But after viewing it again, one can not help but wonder why there are not more of her great performances on dvd, ie, i'll cry tomorrow, back street, etc. This is a huge departure from the soap opera drama often associated with miss hayward.
this is a must for hayward fans and a must for all classic film buffs. i can be a difficult viewing at times because it is so real, so raw, much like the feeling i got watching charlize theron in monster.

Average customer rating:

take you on a sea cruse youl see lots of things along the way in the watter
Still a Classic
CANDY MAN !!
Great Video
Nanny and Christopher Give Thumbs Up

Kidsongs: What I Want to Be
Starring: Alexandra Picatto , Katie Polk , Christian Buenaventura , Aaron Harvey , and Kevin Williamson II
Director: Bruce Gowers
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Kidsongs - A Day at Old MacDonald's Farm
Kidsongs - Cars, Boats, Trains and Planes
Kidsongs - Ride the Roller Coaster
Kidsongs: Let's Play Ball
Kidsongs - Very Silly Songs

ASIN: B00007L4MS
Release Date: 2003-02-11

Description

Play along with the Kidsongs Kids as they imagine all of the wonderful careers they can have when they grow up! Climb aboard a firetruck and slide down the pole with real-life firefighters, take a cruise on a Coast Guard cutter, ride a bucking bronco and sample goodies at a candy factory as the kids explore all the fun things they want to be with songs like "Candy Man," "I Wanna Be a Fireman," "School Days," and more!

Customer Reviews:

take you on a sea cruse youl see lots of things along the way in the watter .......2007-02-18

hi my names christian i mean dosens of kids even love this video even mrss willhower does the one i just visited today i visted her 4 kids and my girlfriend katelyn mrss willlhowers daughter said that she loves it even i do even prinses naimi well katelyn me and baley and even naimi and her faimley get all the songs stuck in there heads even niki does and i forget who else we wached lots of kidsongs tapes today i hope you enjoy the movie i am haveing a sleepover with katelyn and baley tonight iam even haveing a sleepover with the boys

Still a Classic.......2003-03-26

My children are nearly 12 years about. She loved the BabySongs and KidSongs videos. Now my two year old is loving the same videos. Always classics - kids love them. And my husband and I sing along too.

CANDY MAN !!.......2002-09-30

Hal Schafer as the candy man is excellent. He puts so much energy into his character. Schafer is a wonderful actor and i am dissapointed that i havent seen him in any other videos!

Great Video.......2001-09-11

This kidsong video is of Kids that show you a variety of different occupations. It really shows the audience (kids of- course!) that you can be just about anything when you grow up. The video goes through occupations like a movie star, teacher, doctor, truck driver, candy man, police officer and fireman.

Nanny and Christopher Give Thumbs Up.......2000-09-10

My three-year-old grandson has watched this video dozens of times since receiving it over a year ago. He loves the songs, including, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," "Short'n Bread," "Skip to My Lou," and of course, "Old McDonald." The animals are a big hit with him, although I think the cow is actually a bull. The kids are cute, and all races are represented. And, even I am not sick of it, however, I am a Grandmother.

Product Description

DVD And CD Special Edition Special Features: Interactive Menu`s Interview (October 1999 in London) Discography, Biography, Sleeves, Chapter Search Photogallery

Cheap Trick - Silver Live Concert (Vol. 2)

Average customer rating:

[Four of Five stars] Only second half of Silver as an Import, Cheap Trick fans...don't be fooled

Cheap Trick - Silver Live Concert (Vol. 2)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Cheap Trick At Budokan: The Complete Concert
Rockford

ASIN: B000BWD45K

Product Description

CHEAP TRICK live at Budokhan. TRACKS: 1) I Know What I Want; 2) Woke Up With A Monster; 3) Never Had A Lot To Lose; 4) You're All Talk; 5) I'm Losin' You; 6) Hard To Tell; 7) Oh Claire; 8) Surrender; 9) Just Got Back; 10) Day Tripper; 11) Who D' King; 12) Credits. ++++ DVD FEATURES: This officially licensed release from South Korea is All-Region NTSC Code 0 (playable worldwide) with BOTH DTS and Dolby Digital Sound in ENGLISH (with optional subtitles in English, also).

Customer Reviews:

[Four of Five stars] Only second half of Silver as an Import, Cheap Trick fans...don't be fooled.......2006-11-23

A good half of a great concert but not the
better half!

Average customer rating:

Going the Wrong Way
Excellent Drama
"Get your paws off! I soil easy!"
The Fifties: what a bold decade
i want more susan to live, on dvd!

I Want to Live! [Region 2]
Starring: Susan Hayward , Simon Oakland , Virginia Vincent , Theodore Bikel , and Wesley Lau
Director: Robert Wise
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video