More Tales of the City

Starring:Olympia Dukakis, Laura Linney, Colin Ferguson, Bill Campbell, Barbara Garrick, Paul Hopkins, Nina Siemaszko, Jackie Burroughs, Whip Hubley, Diana Leblanc, FranÃ§oise Robertson, Domini Blythe, Thomas Gibson, Swoosie Kurtz, Sonia DubÃ©, Dave Groom, Michel Perron, Brigid Tierney, Heath Lamberts, Sharman Sturgess
Director: Pierre Gang
Studio: Allumination Filmwor
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

I would live on Barbarry Lane if I could
Fabulous
Tales
Something Old...something new....
Continuation of the Wonderful Tales of the City

More Tales of the City
Starring: Olympia Dukakis , and Colin Ferguson
Manufacturer: Allumination
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Further Tales of the City. Vol 2
Tales of the City (Collector's Edition)
Michael Tolliver Lives: A Novel
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ASIN: B0002X7GZM
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Description

This 2-disc set includes the laughs, tears, and nail-biting suspense of Armistead Maupin's beloved best seller in 1970's San Francisco. Included is over 4.5 hours of running audio commentary by Maupin, stars Olympia Dukais, Barbara Garrick, and Laura Linney, deleted scenes, exclusive behind-the-scenes rehearsal & film footage, production photo and props gallery, documentary, set blueprints and video tour, and cast and prouction bios including interactive video Q&A with Colin Ferguson, Thomas Gibson, Nina Siemaszko, Whip Hubley, and Paul Hopkins.

Customer Reviews:

I would live on Barbarry Lane if I could.......2007-05-19

This series is great. All the characters are unique and interesting and not your typical characture. Olympia Dukakis is phenominal as the landlady. The late 60's and early 70's are my era. I love watching this DVD.

Fabulous.......2007-04-15

"More Tales of the City"

Fabulous

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

The "Tales of the City" books are landmarks in gay literature and they are wonderful. The mini series based on the books are hallmarks of gay television and "More Tales of the City" is wonderful even if it is not quite as good as the original "Tales of the City". It begins a few months after the first series ends. The characters are the same and the story expands on the earlier series instead of creating a new series of happenings. It adds to what was already there. The only criticism is the cast changes and once you get used to the new faces, everything is just fine. In fact, everything is more than just fine, it is superb. Maybe it doesn't compare to the brilliance of the first "Tales" but it is worth seeing.
We have a few new adventures for our eccentric cast--a cruise, amnesia, romance that has been rekindled, a family reunion and older women who go to a sex club.
The character of Mary Ann Singleton progresses to an almost startling new place. She has become a man hunter and a pot fiend which is a long way from the innocent girl who came to Barbary Lane. Mona goes on a desert journey and meets someone named Mother Mucca who becomes an integral part of the cast.
The entire plot focuses on intrigue and interweaving characters and does not handle the development of personalities. But the great dialog is still there as is our beloved Anna Madrigal. The series is again wonderful and when I think how far we have come in terms of television, I think we should be proud of a series of this caliber. We all should be thankful for Olympia Dukakis--she is a wonderful actress and a brilliant Ms. Madrigal. Armistad Maupin has done us proud with his wonderful series.

Tales.......2007-01-06

You definitely have to watch all three miniseries and read all six books! They are fantastic, funny, smart, poignant, and keep you wanting more!

Something Old...something new...........2006-10-22

The 28 Barbary Lane saga continues in this second book-turned-mini-series set. The first thing you notice with this installment is that three of the original principal actors are replaced with new ones.

Chloe Webb(Mona Ramsey), Marcus D'Amico(Michael "mouse" Tolliver), and Paul Gross(Brian Hawkins) have been replaced by Nina Siemaszko, Paul Hopkins, and Whip Hubley, in their respective roles. It's not so bad if you haven't seen the first "Tales of the City," but if you have, it does create a problem with the suspension of disbelief. Not that the new actors aren't wonderful in their roles(not to mention how difficult that must be for an actor to step in as an already established character--created by another actor), it's just that the three original actors, particularly Webb(Mona) and D'Amico(Mouse), were the perfect fit.

In addition to the wonderful characters that make up the Barbary Lane family, we are introduced to Colin Ferguson(Burke Andrew) who does a fine job of portraying the amnesia-stricken love interest to Laura Linney's Mary Ann Singleton character. There's definite chemistry between the two and you feel that Mary Ann has finally found the "one." But of course, nothing is what it seems on Barbary Lane, and the couple find themselves at a bitter-sweet end.

We are also introduced to another new character played by Jackie Burroughs. Burroughs portrays Mother Mucca and boy what a character she is! Another stellar performance.

The set contains two dvds. On disc one you'll find episodes 1-4. Disc two contains episodes 5 & 6 along with the special features.

Special features include:

* Deleted scenes with commentary by Maupin

* Cast bios, including some Q&A with Ferguson, Gibson, Siemaszko, Hubley and Hopkins.

* Home video and virtual blueprints of the 28 Barbary Lane set

* Background notes on Anita Bryant-this provides info on the Bryant campaign "Save Our Children"

* Behind the scenes-this shows four scenes during rehearsals, shooting, and the final print

* Scrapbook-includes some production notes and Maupin's commentary on writing the screenplay. It also includes a photo gallery

All in all, MTOTC is a fantastic follow-up to "Tales..," with the exception of the new actors. Otherwise I would have given this set five stars! I know I'm being harsh and that I should just get over it...but I can't help myself!

Continuation of the Wonderful Tales of the City.......2006-08-09

Again, you have the warmth, laughter and wonderful characters from "Tales" coming back into the second installment. I am sorry there weren't more of the original actors from the original PBS series, but we have the pleasure of seeing Olympia Dukakis, Barbara Garrick, Laura Linney, and Thomas Gibson returning in their respective roles. This installment shows the influence Alfred Hitchcock had on Armistead Maupin's work; part romance, part mystery, with many scenes that will leave an indelible impression. Who will ever forget the meaning of "Transubstantiation" or the macabre scene in the church? I imagined the blue-haired ladies fainting in their pews if such an appendage were to seemingly fall from the sky and plop onto the altar...it's also a rather campy commentary on the church that Maupin slyly slips in. And once again, Mr. Maupin makes another Alfred Hitchcockish appearance in this film.
The actors do a great job, even the ones who replaced Mona and Michael Tolliver. I highly recommend this DVD.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Series Suffers from Actor Replacement
Hot, Cool, Fun
Great continuation of a great series
serie that is joyable to watch again and again
Fun & Exciting Plot Twists at "28 Barbary Lane"

More Tales of the City
Starring: Olympia Dukakis , Laura Linney , Colin Ferguson , Bill Campbell , and Barbara Garrick
Director: Pierre Gang
Manufacturer: DVD International
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Further Tales of the City. Vol 2
Tales of the City (Collector's Edition)
More Tales of the City
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ASIN: B00000F0L7
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Series Suffers from Actor Replacement.......2007-01-05

Often, the "extras" included in DVDs are extraneous or disappointing, adding little to the value of the title film. This is not the case here. The EXTRAS included on the disc offer a lot of insight into the series, the actors, and the characters.
First of all, replacing key actors in the roles of characters we've grown to love greatly distracts, and diminishes the experience. Period.
In the actor interviews included in the EXTRAS there are hints that there are some very interesting reasons why certain actors --none of them stars-- returned. One would think that with the cult following of the orginal, and the notoriety engendered by right-wing philosophy that real life representations should be excised from the popular media, that any actor in his right mind would fight valiantly to reprise his/her role. If anyone knows of a website that discusses the reason for the replacements, please let us know.
The most egregious replacement is that of Paul Gross as Brian. Wimp, uh, I mean Whip Hubley is a bland milque-toast totally lacking the necessary personality -and the good looks- essential to make the Brian lothario character believable. In his interview he states he never read the book or saw the original Tales Of The City [!!], and he thinks that was the right thing to do, lest he be influenced by Paul Gross' authentic, edgy turn. The result is a characterless character. We feel sorry for Laura Linney and Nina Siemaszko having to strain to play off an actor so completely lacking in understanding of the Brian character.
The idea that anyone would consider replacing Marcus D'Amico's Michael Tolliver is bizarre, and I'd love to know the rationalization there! Paul Hopkins is very likeable and brings his own bright personality and charm to "Mouse", but the fact remains, replacing this key character was very risky business and greatly distracts from the viewers' experience.
Billy Campbell as Dr. Jon Fielding is extremely likeable despite his character's flaw of chasing after the "A-gays" for approval, and he displays a great deal of charm and humanity here, as he also did in his TV series "Now and Again". Interestingly, he comes off very poorly in his interview. He seems totally bored with and distanced from the role/project, has nothing of value to say, and leaves us with the impression that the warmth and humanity he displays in his screen roles is truly just an "act".
Laura Linney's [Mary Ann] and Colin Ferguson's [Burke] interviews are intelligent and add a lot to the understanding of the characters and the enjoyment of the series, as does of course author Armistead Maupin's. We wish Parker Posey's very bright portrayal of Connie Bradshaw had been expanded so she'd have more to do.
But for true fans, despite the changes, this second installment of Tales is wonderfully entertaining and satisfying. We can't change history, so if you can get past the casting of new actors in the roles of characters we grew attached to in the original Tales Of The City, you'll enjoy yourself immensely.

Hot, Cool, Fun.......2006-12-31

I just flat out enjoyed this show from so many different perspectives its hard to even list them. It is like a breath of fresh air!

Great continuation of a great series.......2006-04-14

Again - faithful to the book and the characters, More is a real winner. In "More," things really start to get surreal and the situations a little crazy - but this accomplished cast pulls it off easily. Some cast changes are a bit off-putting at first, but once you make the transition - it's cake; good cake!

serie that is joyable to watch again and again.......2005-07-04

I like the touch of the writer, Maupin, in these tales. I saw it for the very first time on TV about ten years ago, and now I got it on DVD. Lots of friends watched the serie on TV.

Fun & Exciting Plot Twists at "28 Barbary Lane".......2002-10-08

"More Tales of the City" is a fictional, 6-part mini-series exploring the lives of gay and straight residents of a San Francisco apartment house at the address "28 Barbary Lane". A sequel to the original "Tales of the City" 6-part mini-series which aired several years earlier, both are based upon a newspaper serial started in 1976 by Armistead Maupin, who later coverted it into a set of novels. "Tales of the City" is based upon the first novel. "More Tales of the City" is based upon the second novel and continues the lives of the characters brought to life in the first installment.

Returning to the cast from the original "Tales of the City" mini-series are Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal (the landlady of the 28 Barbary Lane apartment house), Laura Linney as Mary Ann Singleton (a career-minded secretary), Barbara Garrick as Deirdre 'DeDe' Ligon Halcyon Day, Bill Campbell as Dr. Jon Philip Fielding and Thomas Gibson as Beauchamp Talbot Day. Replacing former cast members are Nina Siemaszko as Mona Ramsey (searching for her identity), Paul Hopkins as Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver (searching for 'Mr. Right'), Diana Leblanc as Frances 'Frannie' Alicia Ligon Halcyon and Whip Hubley as Brian Hawkins. New to the cast are Colin Ferguson as Burke Christopher Andrew, Swoozie Kurtz as Betty Borg Ramsey and Jackie Burroghs as Mona 'Mother Mucca' Ramsey (a brothel owner).

In this segment, Mona Ramsey is searching for her self identity and doing everything she can to avoid her controlling mother, Betty Ramsey. She leaves San Francisco on a bus and meets 'Mother Mucca' and agrees to work at Mother Mucca's brothel in Neveda as a receptionist. There, she discovers some startling truths about herself, Mother Mucca and Anna Madrigal. In the meantime, Beauchamp is causing problems for his secretary, Mary Ann, and his wife, DeDe, who becomes impregnated by an Asian worker. DeDe's mother, Frances, ventures off to rediscover her sexuality at an exclusive club. While searching for 'Mr. Right', Michael becomes paralyzed and it rekindles his romance with Dr. Jon Philip Fielding. Several things that happen at the end of "More Tales of the City" lead into its sequel, "Further Tales of the City".

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Series Suffers from Actor Replacement.......2007-01-05

Hot, Cool, Fun.......2006-12-31

I just flat out enjoyed this show from so many different perspectives its hard to even list them. It is like a breath of fresh air!

Great continuation of a great series.......2006-04-14

serie that is joyable to watch again and again.......2005-07-04

I like the touch of the writer, Maupin, in these tales. I saw it for the very first time on TV about ten years ago, and now I got it on DVD. Lots of friends watched the serie on TV.

Fun & Exciting Plot Twists at "28 Barbary Lane".......2002-10-08