Steve Allen
Nacimiento : 1921-12-26, New York City, New York, USA
Muerte : 2000-10-30
Historia
Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, writer, and advocate of scientific skepticism. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-creator and first host of The Tonight Show, which was the first late night television talk show.
Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his extensive network television career. He gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. After he hosted The Tonight Show, he went on to host numerous game and variety shows, including his own The Steve Allen Show, I've Got a Secret, and The New Steve Allen Show. He was a regular panel member on CBS's What's My Line?, and from 1977 until 1981 wrote, produced, and hosted the award-winning public broadcasting show Meeting of Minds, a series of historical dramas presented in a talk format.
Allen was a pianist and a prolific composer. By his own estimate, he wrote more than 8,500 songs, some of which were recorded by numerous leading singers. Working as a lyricist, Allen won the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition. He also wrote more than 50 books, including novels, children's books, and books of opinions, including his final book, Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio.
In 1996 Allen was presented with the Martin Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSICOP). He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Hollywood theater named in his honor.
Self (archive footage)
Del director de "I am Divine" y con una serie de invitados ilustres como Muhammad Ali o Glenn Close, llega este fascinante documental que rescata uno de los secretos mejor guardados del Hollywood Clásico. Narra el delirio de Gloria Swanson quien, aprovechando la estela de "El Crepúsculo de los Dioses", trató de volver a las luces de Hollywood con una extrañísima versión musical de la película.
Archive Footage
An illuminating portrait of Jay Sebring — the long-forgotten artist, designer, and entrepreneur who created a billion-dollar hair & beauty industry and defined iconic Hollywood styles for men.
Self (archive footage)
Un retrato divertido, íntimo y desgarrador de uno de los comediantes más queridos e inventivos del mundo, Robin Williams, contado en gran parte a través de sus propias palabras. Celebra lo que trajo a la comedia y a la cultura en general, desde los días salvajes de finales de la década de 1970 hasta su muerte en 2014.
Himself
Utilizing potent TV interviews and many forgotten performances from his 30-year career, we are immersed into Frank Zappa’s world while experiencing two distinct facets of his complex character. At once Zappa was both a charismatic composer who reveled in the joy of performing and, in the next moment, a fiercely intelligent and brutally honest interviewee whose convictions only got stronger as his career ascended.
In a triumphant career that lasted forty years Erroll Garner pushed the playability of the piano to its limits, developed an international reputation, and made an indelible mark on the jazz world. And yet, his story has never been told. Until now. The film explores Erroll's childhood in Pittsburgh; his meteoric rise in popularity while playing on 52nd street, New York's famed jazz epicenter; the origins of his most famous album (Concert By The Sea) and his most famous composition (Misty); his singular, virtuosic piano style; and his dynamic personality, both on and off the stage.
Himself (archive footage)
Elvis fans, thank your lucky stars. This jam-packed collection of pulse-raising performances from TV, movies, concerts and special events showcases the King delivering blistering renditions of 30 No. 1 hits. An outstanding introduction to the magic of Elvis Presley! This collection of 30 wonderful performances by the King of Rock 'n' Roll showcasing 21 of his #1 US and UK hits and 9 other classics. Culled from his TV guest appearances, movies, and concert films and television specials -- from 1956, the year his star ascended, to the 1970s when he reached the pinnacle of his career -- this is Elvis at his best. Highlights include Elvis singing "Don't Be Cruel" for his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and his performance of "Stuck on You" for "Welcome Home, Elvis," a TV variety special hosted by Frank Sinatra.
Himself (archive footage)
Elvis fans, thank your lucky stars. This jam-packed collection of pulse-raising performances from TV, movies, concerts and special events showcases the King delivering blistering renditions of 15 No. 1 hits. Highlights include Elvis singing "Don't Be Cruel" for his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and his performance of "Stuck on You" for "Welcome Home, Elvis," a TV variety special hosted by Frank Sinatra.
Himself (Archive Footage)
The story of Tasmanian-born actor Errol Flynn whose short & flamboyant life, full of scandals, adventures, loves and excess was largely played out in front of the camera - either making movies or filling the newsreels and gossip magazines. Tragically he was dead from the effects of drugs and alcohol by the time he was only 50 & the myths live on. But there is another side of Flynn that is less well known - his ambitions to be a serious writer and newspaper correspondent, his documentary films and his interest in the Spanish Civil War and Castro's Cuba
Self (archive footage)
A documentary about the life of Errol Flynn, with recollections from friends and family.
Himself (archive footage)
"The Television Years" examines the events that took place in the years between 1956 and 1960, in which Elvis Presley excited a whole nation as the "King of Rock and Roll" in the big television shows of the time. One highlight of this time periode was Elvis' 1960 combeback hosted by Frank Sinatra, which marked his first appearance on televison after his two-year stay in the army.
Self
Documentary discussing the casting and making of "Some Like It Hot", the film voted as the Best Comedy ever made by the American Film Institute.
Himself
In 1948, Lenny Bruce was just another comic who couldn't get arrested. By 1961, all that would change.
Himself (archive footage)
Witness the last days of the Beat poet whose works would capture the very essence of the 1960 counter-cultural movement in an informative documentary featuring Allan Ginsburg's final television interview as well as remarkable deathbed footage shot by underground cinema icon Jonas Mekas.
Self
A documentary made for the PBS program American Masters about the comedy team Nichols and May.
Himself
A documentary about James Dean. People who knew him or had worked with him reminisce.
Himself
Modern comedians share their thoughts about Laurel and Hardy. Also includes archival footage of contemporary comedians. Hosted by Dom DeLuise.
Steve Allen
Griffin Mill, productor cinematográfico de Hollywood, recibe amenazas escritas de un guionista al que rechazó un proyecto. Intentan llegar a un acuerdo, pero tras una terrible discusión, Griffin lo mata. Dada la crisis económica por la que atraviesan los estudios, estos harán todo lo posible para que eluda la responsabilidad de los hechos.
himself
Rodney Dangerfield wants the hottest up-and-coming comedians for his new HBO special, but as always, he gets no respect.
Himself
More than 65,000 fans pack the Toronto SkyDome to witness The Ultimate Challenge as The Ultimate Warrior faces Hulk Hogan with both the WWE Championship and WWE Intercontinental Championship on the line. "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase defends the Million Dollar Championship against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Dusty Rhodes and more in action!
Dr. Friedman states, "There is not a single person in the world who can make this pencil." He explains that the creation of even a simple object - like the "lead" pencil - requires the knowledge of many people, lumberjacks, steel manufacturers, miners, etc. These people may not speak the same language, they may not know or like one another, yet the market enables them to combine knowledge and effort to produce wealth.
himself
Aproximación biográfica al mito del rock and roll Jerry Lee Lewis. Se narran sus comienzos como cantante, sus grandes éxitos -con sus espectaculares actuaciones donde quemaba el piano- y cómo cayó en desgracia cuando se casó con una prima suya de sólo trece años.
The sun's too bright, the traffic's going to be bad, there's too many people out there... It's just easier to sit back on the couch and laugh with Richard Lewis.
Self
Stars celebrate Bob Hope's 50 years with NBC.
Himself
Conjunto de veinte historietas narradas en forma de sketches donde se ridiculizan los programas más clásicos de la televisión americana.
Self
A compilation film of stand up performances and comedy routines featuring some of the biggest stars in the early years of television. This film was directed by Sandy Olivieri. Here is a partial list of the performers who appeared in the film Bob Newhart, Mort Sahl, Jack Benny, Lenny Bruce, Johnny Carson, George Carlin, et al.
Steve Allen
La lucha por los índices de audiencia lleva a Vic a manipular los datos de su programa en una pequeña cadena televisiva. Esto hará que su popularidad aumente y se convierta en una estrella de la pantalla.
Steve Allen and Jayne Meadows teach viewers computer terminology, basic functionality and the many common uses of home computers.
Himself / Presenter
A documentary recounting the personal and professional lives of the Three Stooges, including rare footage and interviews with family members.
Himself
The laughs are nonstop as a gang of ambitious young comics strives to make it in the exciting world of stand-up comedy at the famous comedy club in L.A., The Funny Farm. These budding comedy stars are as crazy offstage as they are on: Miguel, America s funniest illegal alien ; Miles, who can t decide if he s a black comic or a comic who happens to be black; Bruce, whose manic act borders on insanity; and Peter, the intense political satirist. The Funny Farm is a hilarious and insightful look into those who live the lives of comedians.
Self
The most glittering, expensive, and exhausting videotaping session in television history took place Friday February 19, 1982 at New York's Radio City Music Hall. The event, for which ticket-buyers payed up to $1,000 a seat (tax-deductible as a contribution to the Actors' Fund) was billed as "The Night of 100 Stars" but, actually, around 230 stars took part. And most of the audience of 5,800 had no idea in advance that they were paying to see a TV taping, complete with long waits for set and costume changes, tape rewinding, and the like. Executive producer Alexander Cohen estimated that the 5,800 Radio City Music Hall seats sold out at prices ranging from $25 to $1,000. The show itself cost about $4 million to produce and was expected to yield around $2 million for the new addition to the Actors Fund retirement home in Englewood, N. J. ABC is reputed to have paid more than $5 million for the television rights.
Himself
An exploration of the relationship between Beat Generation writers Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, and Cassady's wife, Carolyn.
Steve Allen
New Tinseltown gossip columnist Dina Moran helps faded movie star Georgia O'Hanlon dig up dirt on amoral characters.
Steve Allen
Dennis Weaver is a Joseph Wambaugh-type novelist cop and Pat Hingle is his hard-nosed superior who wants him to stick to police work or get off the force in this pilot to the short-lived series.
Self
Kermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the premiere of the Muppets' first feature film, The Muppet Movie. Hosts Dick van Dyke and Rita Moreno interview the wide array of celebrities and Muppets who attend the event. Gary Owens serves as off-camera announcer, and appears on-screen to introduce Miss Piggy.
Martin Kaplan
Members of a town's Jewish community decide to substitute for their Christian friends and neighbors so they can enjoy Christmas. The good folk humorously attempt jobs they have never done before.
Steve Allen
Homemaker Lucy Whittaker calls up President Carter to complain about a local political issue—and to her astonishment, he agrees to come dine at her house. Now Lucy has her hands full as family, friends and Secret Service agents invade her home in preparation for the big dinner summit.
Himself - Host
With an uncanny ability to mimic just about any dialect he heard and accompany it with a hilariously appropriate facial expression, classic nightclub comedian Myron Cohen built his career on the art of effective storytelling. Filmed in Warwick, R.I., and hosted by fellow comedian Steve Allen, this installment of HBO's "On Location" series captures Cohen in his element, spinning yarns that are sure to make you laugh.
Self
Over fifty of the greatest living comedians are called to a party at Bob Hope's house, where each of them is systematically killed (and their bodies thrown in Hope's pool!). Hope and the rapidly shrinking cast try to discover who is the mysterious killer known only as "Joys."
Himself
Dos ancianos actores de vodevil, conocidos en otro tiempo como "Lewis y Clark", llegaron a odiarse tanto cuando trabajaban juntos que, fuera del escenario, ni siquiera se dirigían la palabra. Cuando el sobrino de Clark intenta reunirlos de nuevo para su última actuación en televisión, los dos tendrán que hacer enormes esfuerzos para poder soportarse civilizadamente.
Self
Mitzi Gaynor in a song and dance hour with an all-male, star-studded ensemble featuring her main guests Michael Landon (Little House on the Prairie) and Jack Albertson (Chico and the Man), plus 28 celebrities as her "Million Dollar Chorus." Songs performed include: "I Got the Music in Me," "The Most Beautiful Guy in the World," and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life."
Self
Peter Lawford hosts this documentary taking a look at the life and films of James Dean.
Himself / DJ (archive footage)
The outrageous, groundbreaking comic Lenny Bruce, whose iconoclastic material in a conservative era got him into tragic trouble, is profiled by a close friend, Fred Baker, who prefers to remember the laughs Lenny Bruce's memory evokes instead of the tears. By presenting Bruce's landmark skits on the Steve Allen Show, his failed TV pilot episode and a candid interview with Nat Hentoff, Bruce's genius and anguish show through the dramatic and tragic trajectory of his career from aspiring artist to hunted "lawbreaker".
Steve Allen
Billy Bright, un conocido cómico de vodevil, llega a Hollywood en la dorada época del cine mudo para convertirse en uno de los más famosos y queridos personajes del público, realizando infinidad de películas. Pero Billy no se parece en nada al personaje que interpreta: es infiel a su mujer Mary, abusa de su ayudante Cockeye y para colmo, para olvidar comienza a beber, lo que hace que su carrera comience a dar tumbos. Pero el tiempo le dará una segunda oportunidad, ya anciano, para relanzar su carrera.
Herschel Lucas
A bumbling art expert, hired by an insurance company to protect a Rembrandt on loan from the Louvre, schemes to steal it.
Self (archive footage)
Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels, bloopers, satirical short films and promotional and government films of the 1950s and 1960s are intercut together to tell a single story of various creatures and societal ills attacking American cities.
Radio Announcer
Un corte de suministro eléctrico en Nueva York sirve de excusa argumental para esta comedia de enredo realizada a base de historias encadenadas que afectan a variopintos personajes.
Steve Allen
Mientras perseguía a un asesino enloquecido, un policía no ve más solución que disparar a un hombre que lo amenaza. Acto seguido, deberá demostrar ante sus superiores que lo hizo en defensa propia.
Bookstore Customer with Little Boy (uncredited)
A man is mistaken by foreign agents for a defecting cosmonaut and must prove his identity while evading capture.
Jazz Pianist on the Creative Process & Self-Teaching. Here is the late, brilliantly original jazz pianist in intense conversation with his composer brother, Harry, on the nature of creativity in jazz. Occasionally, they stroll to the piano for a musical illustration (Evans play splendidly).
Dr. Herman Schlick
Tras seis años desaparecida, una mujer es rescatada por la marina norteamericana. Los problemas surgen al volver a casa, pues su marido se ha vuelto a casar.
Songs
Sociology professor Steve MacInter is conducting a survey at Collins College about the mores and lifestyles of the young people. Some of the good citizens begin to find exception to his sociological survey when they find out it includes questions about sex. Reporter Betty Ducayne receives an anonymous tip that the good professor is engaging in corruption of youth and when Steve's past comes up to haunt him, all heck breaks loose.
Steve MacInter
Sociology professor Steve MacInter is conducting a survey at Collins College about the mores and lifestyles of the young people. Some of the good citizens begin to find exception to his sociological survey when they find out it includes questions about sex. Reporter Betty Ducayne receives an anonymous tip that the good professor is engaging in corruption of youth and when Steve's past comes up to haunt him, all heck breaks loose.
Himself - Cameo appearance
Hank Whirling intenta mantener un circo con problemas económicos, aunque un saboteador pondrá todos los medios a su alcance para que fracase. (FILMAFFINITY)
Benny Goodman
Película biográfica del llamado rey del swing Benny Goodman, desde los diez años de edad (1919), hasta su cénit en el concierto de su banda en el Carnegie Hall en 1938.
Self
TV goes Hollywood when Steve Allen visits Universal-International to prepare for his upcoming title role in "The Benny Goodman Story."
Peter Pepper
I'll Get By is an updated remake of the 1940 20th Century-Fox musical Tin Pan Alley. William Lundigan and Dennis Day play William Spencer and Freddie Lee respectively, successful song publishers who make hits out of such numbers as "I Got a Gal in Kalamazoo", "Deep in the Heart of Texas", "You Make Me Feel So Young", "There Will Never Be Another You", and other favorites (the rights to all of these songs were conveniently held by 20th Century-Fox). The partnership has some hard times, especially during the feud between ASCAP and the radio networks, when only public-domain songs like "I Dream of Jeannie" were permitted to be broadcast.
Writer
This film is a compilation, with narration by Steve Allen, of comedies from the old Mack Sennett silent studio. Sennett, himself, appears in a cameo at the end of the film.
self
This film is a compilation, with narration by Steve Allen, of comedies from the old Mack Sennett silent studio. Sennett, himself, appears in a cameo at the end of the film.
