Search - Goodnight, We Love You - The Life and Legend of Phyllis Diller on DVD

Get to know Diller on her last night out

joseph Corey | Raleigh, NC United States | 12/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very nice documentary on the legendary comic, Phyllis Diller. The focus is on her final stand up performances. But we learn so much about her and the people that have been a part of her life. Much better than an A&E biography. I didn't know she was a painter.

The bonus is you get one of her final shows uncut.

This is must viewing for anyone who enjoyed her."

A glimpse into the world of the legendary comedian

W. Oliver | Alabama | 12/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 2002, the 84 year-old legendary comedian Phyllis Diller decided to retire from doing stand-up comedy. But never retire altogether! As her son Perry says in the documentary, "We never use the R word in mother's house. She will never retire. She'll always be working at something." Today Diller continues to make appearances in films and on tv and continues to paint, another of her many talents. "Goodnight, We Love You" provides the viewer with a glimpse into Diller's private and public life and shows what a consummate professional and caring and giving person she truly is.

This wonderful documentary follows Diller as she prepares for her final appearance in Las Vegas. We see her arriving at the hotel, inspecting her rooms, rehearsing, applying her make-up, wig and costume, and her 5-minute "quiet time" that she demands before every performance. It is a grueling routine and Diller is a perfectionist and pro when it comes to the set-up of her stage, lighting and sound. We also get a glimpse inside her beautiful Brentwood home which includes rooms for her wigs and costumes. She also shows off one of her many antique automobiles and her red kitchen, where she often prepares gourmet meals. Her home office contains huge filing cabinets where thousands of her jokes (all of which she wrote!) have been filed, cross-referenced and organized.

Throughout the documentary, comments are provided by fellow comedians such as Don Rickles, Lily Tomlin, David Brenner, Bonnie Hunt and others as well as people who have worked with Diller through the years like her personal secretaries (who were given the name "Dustbuters"), agents, etc.

Extras on the dvd include her full 43-minute final performance in Las Vegas, a question and answer session with Diller and director Gregg Barson and a "Dustbiter Reunion," where Diller meets up with many of her former secretaries."

An Exceedingly Kind And Classy Lady

Richard Sullivan | Los Angeles, CA USA | 01/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though I am still actively stalking Phyllis Diller to this very day, my association with her goes back to 1971. People always ask me, "Is she really that funny in person too?" Is she EVER! Unlike many comedians, like Jerry Lewis for instance, who was often actually quite morose offstage, Phyllis was and is a genuinely funny lady. In the 1980s I shot a feature on Phyllis for the Los Angeles Times Sunday HOME magazine, and spent the entire day at her home in Brentwood. Because prepping the shots took up most of my time, Phyllis would keep bouncing into whatever room I was setting up to shoot in, or the yard, to check on me, feed me, bring me something to drink, and always make some wonderfully off-the-wall comment or joke that made my work that day a luxury. Even though I have worked as a photographer for, and with, approximately 200 celebrities, Phyllis remains one of the people I can count on one hand who treated me with warmth, kindness, and inclusion. We photographers are basically a throw-away, interchangeable commodiity in Hollywood, but Phyllis has always treated me with respect and regard. And I love her for it. And you'll love this DVD!"

What a Wonderful Legend She is....

Bradley G. Bailey | Glenwood Springs, CO | 01/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An excellent documentary of the best female comedian of our time. Certainly the best of the 20th century!! Well filmed, with great interviews from her peers. The special features are wonderful with a full uninterrupted version of her final performance. Truly Wonderful!!"