New York Dolls Album: “All Dolled Up [DVD]”

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.

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.

AWESOME!!!!

no better Dolls film! get it NOW. see ny when it was still fun and exciting!!! see 14th street with the Academy of Music and Automat!!! see Jimmy Page's girl ( literally ) Lori Maddox tell David he is her fave!!!! see Johnny Thunders!!!

ps---i loved Eyewitness News' Joel Siegel (sp?) reviewing the dolls mercer shows for nyc television. pretty funny. commentaries are good too and mr. manitoba ( who did a great job singing for the mc5 here last year ) says something quite pithy about the heartbreakers. dig it!!!!!

For those of you who saw the Dolls back in the '70's, this is a time capsule version that brings you back to Max's Kansas City, Kenny's Castaways, Club 82, and more. The Dolls are young, brash, alive, and vital. Seeing Johnny healthy and built, or Jerry Nolan chubby, it's worth the price of admission. All of the Dolls are energetic and engaging. At the time, the world was their oyster and there was no place to go but up. Great sloppy chaotic versions of their greatest non-hits. A nice feature of the DVD is the Performance Only section, as well as the commentary. It does bog down a little in the middle, but picks right back up again as soon as the band hits the stage. Some of the comments are very funny. The black & white photography lends a "historic" feel. It's way better than it should be, given the time & technology advances since then. It ends around with the Red Patent Leather gigs at the Little Hippodrome, but without fan fare or anything maudlin.

Having never saw the new york dolls live this was quite insightful. I thought this captures the times very well.