The Big T.N.T. Show (1966)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Larry Peerce

Release Date:

28 October 1966 (Finland)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

This was the night when the all-time greats of rock 'n roll, traditional blues, country western and folk rock came together for the biggest bash in the history of show business!

Plot:

Live performances by some of the top rock-and-roll acts of the mid 60s. Includes Ray Charles, The Byrds, Joan Baez, Ike and Tina Turner, Donovan, The Lovin' Spoonful, and several more.

Plot Keywords:

Sequel | Concert Film | Rock Music | Independent Film

Cast

Joan Baez	...	Herself
Gene Clark	...	Himself (as The Byrds)
Mike Clarke	...	Himself (as The Byrds)
The Byrds	...	Themselves
David Crosby	...	Himself (as The Byrds)
Chris Hillman	...	Himself (as The Byrds)
Roger McGuinn	...	Himself (as The Byrds)
Ray Charles	...	Himself
Petula Clark	...	Herself
Bo Diddley	...	Himself
Donovan	...	Himself
Steve Boone	...	Himself (as Lovin' Spoonful)
Joe Butler	...	Himself (as Lovin' Spoonful)
John Sebastian	...	Himself (as The Lovin' Spoonful)
Zal Yanovsky	...	Himself (as Lovin' Spoonful)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

This film belonged to a genre of films that began in the mid 60s that were actually stage productions broadcast on Closed Circuit TV and recorded on Kinescope for theater distribution. These films also included the heralded The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) as well as the theatrical 2nd version of 'Harlow (1965/II)' starring Carol Lynley.

Movie Connections:

Featured in No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005)

Soundtrack:

One, Two, Three (1-2-3)

Concert film captures the excitement of '60's rock.

So you've suffered through all those lousy rock movies from the 1950's through the beach party flicks of the 60's and you wonder, why couldn't anybody make a good movie about rock and roll? Well, here it is. The idea was straightforward--get rid of the clueless Hollywood producers and hire someone like Phil Spector to do the job. Junk those silly screenplays and actors from another generation and let the performers do what they do best--perform their music.

The well-staged concert film features a wide variety of artists, all in fine form, performing in the exciting and fast-moving days between the Beatles' explosion onto the American scene and the full flowering of psychedelia. One highlight is Joan Baez stepping out of the folk music milieu and belting out a version of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" with Spector on piano. A favorite of mine is the Lovin' Spoonful romping through a couple of their hits. And if you aren't sure why Ike and Tina Turner are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, watch them here.

The camera work and editing are surprisingly good considering the bulky equipment used back then and the scarcity of other rock concert films that had come before. This is a great nostalgic trip for those who remember those days For those who don't. it gives you an idea of what all the excitement was about.