The Unknown: Jimmy Durante - The Great Schnozzola (2001)

Disappointing

There is so much that could've been there and wasn't. This is akin to an hour long TV special that uses the clips available from the network. It's pretty shallow, all in all. July 7, 2008

INK A DINKA DOO!

Jimmy Durante is just so lovable and find out what you didn't know about the great Schnozzola and you'll become his best fan! June 23, 2008

Disappointing

After seeing the Unknown Marx Brothers DVD and being impressed with the quality, I believed this DVD would be similar in content. I was very wrong. This DVD is less of a documentary about Jimmy Durante than it is a clip show of funny moments from his television show. Unfortunately, it is not marketed that way. But even if it were, wouldn't it make more sense to just watch the episodes themselves instead of seeing chopped up versions?

The extent of the information about Durante's life is as follows: he began his life with an ambition to play piano in a saloon, he was an unlikely star, and he was a good father. Period, the end. This information is relayed by quick bits with Durante's wife, daughter, and film historian Leonard Maltin, but their presence is inconsequential.

Durante had a very full life and career with far more accomplishments than just a tv show that ran a few years. Why aren't his films with Buster Keaton discussed? How did he get into the movie business? How did Inka Dinka Doo become his trademark song? When did he die?

Fortunately, we do get a glimpse of Durante's vibrant personality, which is the only reason this DVD is worth watching. His repetative jokes never get old because he delivers them genuinely every time. His bland singing voice is a treat everytime he opens his mouth. Without that level of showmanship, this DVD would be a total waste. January 5, 2008

If You LIke Leonard Maltin

Too often on DVD's that are retrospective, contemporary people who have nothing to do with the subject of the DVD are included with their silly opinions. On this it is Leonard Maltin whose head and moving mouth comprise about 1/4 to 1/3 of the one hour. Seeing Mr. Durante's wife and daughter speak today is fine. They were there. Maltin was not and while a Maltin DVD can include his opinions and insight, he does not belong here. With the plethora of people from then, both then and now, who can be included, it befuddles and annoys me why Leonard Maltin peppers this DVD so generously that it should be called "Maltin on Durante." March 11, 2006

Finally, something from a legend

There are few of the early television performers from my childhood that I remember more than Jimmy Durante. He is one of a kind, and, as this retrospective points out, it's not easy to define why he was so beloved.

There could be better jobs of putting a retrospective together, but, this is all we have so far of Durante's television variety/comedy years, so it will have to do. There were times I would liked to have seen a bit more of a particular bit, but this is a good taste of what those performances were like.

The transfer to DVD is quite good considering the age of the kinescopes and film.

If you remember Durante, you'll enjoy this video and wish there were more. January 29, 2004

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