Peter Allen: The Boy From Oz [DVD]

And he was GREAT but is usually remembered for his flamboyant stage appearances (well, actually, they were great too ---- if a little campy!) But that didn't seem to bother him because the REAL greatness was his auto-biographical approach to the lyrics he wrote. A particular song might catch on, might even become a hit for someone ----- another one might be puzzling, with a message slightly over someone's head. But every emotion he wrote about was a REAL one he had experienced. His lifestyle got more publicity than his talent, but even being discovered by Judy Garland (or more precisely by her fourth husband when she was in a coma) never diminished his talent. But she decided she enjoyed Peter more than husband #4 when she woke up, so 4 made way for 5, and she made Peter her opening act, and also her son-in-law when he quickly became Liza Minnelli's first husband. It soon became obvious why she would be his first and only wife ---- but they remained close, always. In fact Liza recorded four of the numbers he had written, and they became stand out songs for her --- "The Tragedy of Butterfly McHeart," the bittersweet "Simon" and the even more bittersweet "Harbour" which he had written ABOUT her, and a rollicking ("I Think That I Like Trains) MORE THAN I LIKE YOU!" Unfortunately she recorded another of his songs ("Don't Cry Out Loud," which she changed to "CRY Out Loud") when trying to perform on stage years later in a show "produced" by her fourth husband (name not worth mentioning) who had enough greed in his soul to also make a CD version of the show called "Liza's Back!" Well, sadly she WASN'T, and it's a shameful reminder of the immense, actually overwhelming talent the superstar once possessed The list of Peter Allen's musical genius could go on (and on) but you'll see and hear many of his masterpieces ("I Go To Rio," "Everything Old Is New Again," "I Honestly Love You," "Bi-Coastal," and "Tenterfield Saddler" which beautifully, painfully tells details of his youth in Australia, his very humble and kind grandfather, and his alcoholic father who took his own life.) This is truly a classy and classic DVD tribute to a gifted songwriter AND entertainer who left us far too early ----- but leaving us all with a wonderful musical inheritance.

What a HUGE talent Peter Allen is and was. He was a prolific composer and an outrageous entertainer. You will love this mix of friends' interviews and performances by Peter. You'll want to watch this one more than once. I love it!

My husband and I LOVE Peter Allen. Bought his albums back in the 70's. Saw "The Boy From Oz" on Broadway. I purchased this DVD for my husband's birthday in November. Opened it and we watched it immediately--could not wait! Great clips and terrific interview with the director. Only downside is I'll have to buy my husband another present in November!

A good doco in memory of the Aussie Broadway star could more be contributed with 10-15 minutes of his live performing.

I was a long-time fan of Peter Allen and had seen Hugh Jackman's wonderful performance in the Broadway show. Showed this DVD to friends who saw the show and they wished they had seen this DVD first, as they were not really that aware of the real Peter Allen's talents.

By all means - The Boy From Oz! I love everything Peter Allen did, and am glad to have it to watch over and over. Thank you.

It wasn't as good as I thought it would be, rather amateurish actually. I bought it mainly because of all the commentary regarding the Joan Rivers funeral and the singing of the song "Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage" which I understand was wrenching and had everyone in tears and laughter at the same time.

This is the Real story of Peter Allen.I saw him perform live and this Australian music documentary accurately shows his life story told by those he knew.

You forget who the real Peter Allen was. We forget how good he really was!!

Peter Allen starb, genau wie Freddie Mercury und viele andere, viel zu früh. Aber er hinterlässt den Musikfreunden ein paar unvergessliche Songs.Nach dem Selbstmord seines Vaters beschloß Allen eine Karriere als Künstler, was in den 60ern in Australien nicht so einfach war. Zwar wurde Allen berühmt, aber nicht über die Grenzen des Landes hinaus.Der Durchbruch kam als er auf einem Judy Garland Konzert Liza Minelli kennenlernte. Obwohl Allen homosexuell war heirateten die beiden - doch die Ehe hielt nicht lang.Nach der Trennung machte Peter Allen eine legendäre Karriere in den USA und war der erste offen schwule Künstler, der einen Plattenvertrag bekam.Auf dieser DVD finden sich neben Kommentaren von bekannten Gesichtern, wie Harry Connick Junior und Carol Bayer Sager, auch Performances von z.B. Bette Midler (Tenterfield Saddler - allerdings versemmlt sie es ;-)Alte Super 8 Aufnahmen aus dem Allen'schen Privat-Studio, sowie Doku-Ausschnitte aus australischen TV-Interviews machen diese Sendung zu einem Muss.Peter Allen war sehr eigen, egozentrisch, musikalisch inbrünstig und leidenschaftlich.Nach seinem Tod an Aids 1992 leben seine Lieder weiter.Z.B. "Arthur's Theme" gesungen von Christopher Cross, oder die Hit-Ballade "I honestly love you" von Olivia Newton-John.Der einzige Nachteil dieser Disc ist eine fehlende Untertitelspur, die es vereinfachen würde alle Details mitzubekommen.Dennoch eine anrührende und gehaltvolle Dokumentation mit grandioser Musik!

QUITE GOOD BUT VERY SHORT

Ich wurde vor etwa zwei Jahren auf Peter Allen richtig aufmerksam, durch ein Musical über sein Leben, das damals noch am Broadway lief. Seit dem hat mein Interesse an ihm nicht mehr nachgelassen. Die DVD zeigt Liveaufnahmen und Berichte von Menschen die ihm nahe standen und gewährt einen Einblick in das Leben eines Menschen und Künstlers, der wie kein anderer, so viel Talent, Liebe, Humor, aber auch Traurigkeit in sich vereint hatte. Die DVD ist nicht synchronisiert, aber selbst einfache Englischkenntnisse reichen um den Zauber zu spüren, der von ihm ausgeht. Kein Wunder, dass (nicht nur ) Liza Minelli sich in so einen Menschen verlieben konnte!