From the MCRFB NEWS archive: 1964
MEDIA, PRESS, TEENERS GETS BIG EYEFUL PREVIEW
NEW YORK — Electronovision debuted its second theater film presentation and the first specifically for teen audiences at a special press preview Wednesday, November 11. It provided a stirring emotional experience, presenting 12 top record acts for one hour and 40 minutes.
The Electronovision process was first used to capture Richard Burton’s Broadway performance of “Hamlet,” which was later shown in theaters during a special two-day period. The process utilizes cameras, up to ten at a time, that looks like TV cameras. The images received are fed into a master control room where a director chooses the image he selects to edit on a master tape. From this tape, a commercial motion picture film is produced and prints of the film is marketed for general theater view.
The latest production is called “The T.A.M.I Show” and features Jan and Dean, who will host the show with performances by Chuck Berry, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, the Beach Boys, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, the Supremes, the Barbarians, James Brown and the Flames, and, the Rolling Stones.
TAMI stands for Teen-Age Music International, an international non-profit organization set up “to understand teen-agers, to recognize their needs, their wants, their attitudes and their principles . . . to help them establish a position of respect in their communities, and in our total society.” TAMI proposes to accomplish these goals through almost the universal teen-age interest in music. This show indicates that the people involved clearly have their finger on the pulse of the teenager.
The film opens at a wild pace with five minutes of fast-moving action showing the performers en route to the Santa Monica, Calif., Civic Auditorium. The acts are in buses, taxis, trucks, motor scooters and even on sidewalk skate boards. Film credit appears over the action.
The pace never slackens and the crowds of teen-agers in the audience rarely let up with their din of adulatory cacophony. It adds aural impact and spurs performers to give frenetic performances. James Brown stands out with a fabulous performance that will enhance his position as an artist and open new vistas of opportunity. The press applauded at the end of his stint.
Lesley Gore came across in a warm, sincere manner. Teen-agers obviously adore her as an artist and it looks as though though this gal can bridge the gap to the adult market, if her performance serves as any criteria.
Record dealers in cities where the T.A.M.I show will be screened should experience record sales by the dozen artists highlighting the film. Many excellent tie-ins should be advantageous as well between the dealers and the theater owners.Both could stand to gain. The only showings to be made, except the premiere, will be during the holidays, December 19 through January 3, 1965.
At least 1,000 prints of the film will be in circulation in the U. S. during the holiday season, with some “bicycled” between showing from one theater to another. World-wide distribution, showing will require another additional 1,200 prints.
Los Angeles was slated to have the world premiere of the film on Saturday, November 14, in 33 theaters. The premiere comes 16 days after theater filming in Santa Monica. The print shown to the press came only 13 days after the live performance, giving an indication of how the Electronovision process can be utilized to capture people and events (such as this film process suggests) in more present timeline fashion. William Sargent, Jr., president of Electronovision, Inc., plans a feature every month, beginning in early 1965. The process is so good and so was the direction by Steven Binder, credit musical direction by Jack Nitsche and David Winters was behind the choreography behind the film. Al Ham of Joy Records served as music consultant and his deft touches are apparent in the film’s score.
Sargent told Billboard that his firm is presently in contact with record companies to whom the artists are under contract, relative to securing approval for a soundtrack album to be released by his firm. He is not interested in singles. “The album could be bigger than the picture, couldn’t it?” he commented. END
___
(Information and news source: Billboard; November 21, 1964)
Addendum: For more information on the 1964 filming, production, and the bio/story behind ‘The TAMI Show,’ go here.
In 2009, the much sought-after film ‘The TAMI Show,’ was finally released on DVD. The 2009 DVD edition was entirely remastered in HD sound and picture quality. For more info and current availability of this 2009 ShoutFactory DVD release, go here to Amazon.com.
For more sensational ‘TAMI Show’ videos on YouTube go here.
Also, check out this USA Today article Concert film ‘TAMI Show’ captures rock in its 1964 glory (dated March 19, 2010) on the TAMI Show Collector’s Edition DVD release.
