Search - New York Dolls - All Dolled Up on DVD

It's like you were there

joseph Corey | Raleigh, NC United States | 10/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I few years back I tried to make a documentary about the New York Dolls, but things fell apart. luckily everything I wanted to do when talking to Syl about the project have happened - they reunited (thanks to Morrisey) and have toured. One of the cool things when I was putting together elements in the proposal, I was able to see some of Bob Gruen's video and it was amazing. And it's even nicer that Bob has put together to footage for all of us to appreciate (and at a price much cheaper than what it was going to cost me to get the rights from Bob).

I've seen a sneak of what's been put together for this film and if you are a Dolls fanatic, you will be in pure bliss. It's the Dolls at their peak. So dig this band that should have been bigger than Aerosmith and Kiss."

You Best Believe I'm in Love L-U-V

matthewslaughter | Arlington, VA USA | 12/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not ever having seen live footage of the New York Dolls in their prime before, this documentary comes as a complete revelation to me. Gruen and Beck's footage is rough, but, hey, so was the band. Given amazing access (we are there at the photo shoot that produced the cover for the 1985 compilation "Night of the Living Dolls" and "The Real Don Steele Show" performance of "Personality Crisis" that resulted in the cover for "Too Much Too Soon"), this film shows the Dolls as not only a professional, rowdy rock n' roll group, but as a charismatic bunch of young men. Not only that, they are much more savvy and intelligent than they are usually portrayed in textual accounts of the group. There is some footage from the Malcolm McLaren/Lipstick Killers era, which has Johnny Thunders more in the limelight than during 1972 and 1973, but this is not really the focus of the film. The bonus material is good, but not great: there is a curious interview of Bob Gruen by Handsome Dick Manitoba from the Dictators, and two commentary tracks (one by David JoHansen and another by Sylvain Sylvain). This is must for any New York Dolls fan, and an excellent video intro to the group."

Another place-another time

R. Wagner | Worthington, Ohio United States | 03/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was there. My best buddy and I caught the Dolls on their 1973 promotional tour in Pittsburgh. What a knock out! I was a senior in high school and heavy into the developing Glam Rock genre-having already seen Bowie, Mott, Queen, Iggy and Bolan I was itching to see if the Dolls show would live up to the power of their debut LP. After seeing them live I realized how much Todd Rundgren had homogenized them when producing their LP. These guys rocked like the Stones used to. This DVD captures that time. It's gritty and raw and has the appearance of a bootleg-not that this is a bad thing. It's honest for sure. Watching this labor of love makes me miss those days when anything could and often did happen. I followed Johnny Thunders to the end and getting to see him at his fiercest (in these live tracks) and getting to see him in his unguarded moments was worth the price of the DVD. The commentary tracks by Syl and David are much more than informative-so much background on this time and place. Instead of buying those overdone compilations or collections of demos and sub-par audio bootleg tracks, drop a dime here and you'll be mighty glad you did. Sorry for those who missed those heady days of the early 70's. First glam then REAL punk. To bad that you can't put your arms around a memory."

"Dolls" Sea Scrolls....

"The Woj" | Downers Grove, IL | 04/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A true revelation for any New York Dolls fan; especially since many of us never got an opportunity to see the band live (let alone view any decent quality, non-bootleg quality live footage). This dvd is extremely well produced with a coherent and logical flow. This is high quality stuff and not (I repeat not) bootleg quality like so many other videos of the same era. The video is outstanding considering the technology at the time (the footage was shot with a first generation black & white video recorder). Although the sound is not "excellent" or "soundboard" quality, it is very good and quite listenable. From Max's Kansas City to the Whiskey in LA, we get clear, crisp live footage of the band. Seeing an energetic Johnny Thunders is worth the price of this dvd alone. I would also like to add watching this dvd confirms my belief Jerry Nolan was/is one of the best rock drummers ever. Unlike today's live videos, where the editing switches camera angles every split second, there is something refreshing and honest about seeing an entire band working a stage in B&W. A band that is "a band", not some corporate, Disney manufactured product. An interview with Bob Gruen by "Handsome Dick" Manitoba of The Dictators is added as a bonus. Any fan of the Dolls needs to buy this ASAP...debating this purchase is not even an option. I guarantee you will not regret it."