Good musical performances in an atrocious film
Robert | 05/17/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"By most measures, this is an idiotic low-budget movie from 1965 that transplants the beach blanket movie ethos into a coffee house. What little plot there is is foolish, the writing is poor, the "screwball" humor is not humorous. It almost insults the viewer.
However, it is filled with performances by folk acts, and that made this somewhat worth watching for me. Some of the performers are very commercial, but you also get Oscar Brand, a fascinating glimpse of a very young Joan Rivers doing a comedy routine and, best of all, a couple numbers by the great and now mostly forgotten Vince Martin, whose name deserves to be on the front of the box (look him up if you dont know who he is).
So, as a film its junk. As a folk variety show, its uneven but worth checking out to see some rare, vintage performances if you are into that kind of music. Bonus features include commentary from the producer.
"
Great Folksinging Early 60's Movie!!!
Nobody | Nowheresville | 06/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great folksinging early 60's movie when the music was really at it's peak about a wealthy New Yorker who buys a CoffeeHouse in Miami and falls for the singer there trying to fit in with her beatnik friends.Mostly done for the music featuring The Goldebriars,The Free Wheelers,Oscar Brand and Joan Rivers when she was part of the comedy singing trio of Jim Jake and Joan just before she became famous going solo.It's an interesting curio!!!"
A Time Capsule That Hasn't Been Opened for Years
Martin Grams, Jr. | United States | 05/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yeah! The movie known as ONCE UPON A COFFEE HOUSE is now available on DVD (under a DVD title that is obviously designed to help sell it better). It's one of those rare films that was very difficult to buy but is now available commercially. Joan Rivers is great and if you like old country songs or beach party movies, this is one you want to add to your bookshelf. The producer commentary is a great bonus. It's like a time capsule that hasn't been opened in years."