The Spike Jones Story

Spike Jones might not seem like an obvious subject for Storyville to devote a DVD title to, but in Europe they do have a less orthodox view of what constitutes "jazz" in all of its permutations than we do here. The Spike Jones Story makes liberal use of clips from the late bandleader's television show, along with interviews with surviving members of Jones' supporting cast (including would-be Three Stooges member Mousie Garner and luminaries like Milton Berle -- who co-authored a song with Jones -- Dr. Demento, and Danny Thomas). Their interviews set the stage for a chronicle of Jones' career from the 1940s through the end of the 1950s, a period in which he rocketed to stardom with the song "Der Fuhrer's Face," issued just in time for American entry into World War II, to superstardom on radio and television, only to see his audience shrink during the 1950s as the arrival of rock & roll -- and flamboyant new performing styles -- made Jones' brand of parody and satire irrelevant. It's illuminating to watch the effectiveness of his work -- parodying pieces such as "Chloe" in the 1940s -- decline as pieces such as "Jailhouse Rock" came to dominate the public consciousness, and his efforts to have fun at the expense of Elvis Presley's torso fall flat. Still, the man had a peculiar art, and that art is examined in close detail, along with a sometimes volatile personality that made him both charismatic and also put him too far over the top for some viewers and listeners. The performance footage is in a class by itself, and the interviews -- especially of Jones' wife and some of the musicians who worked with him -- illuminate the man in all of his contradictory glory (including the fact that he is more respected in 2004 than he was at the peak of his fame in 1945-1949). The sound is good, especially on the television clips, and the vintage footage from soundies and other sources has come from very clean sources. ~ Bruce Eder|