The Kids Are Alright (1979)

Director:

Jeff Stein

Writer:

Jeff Stein (writer)

Release Date:

21 December 1979 (West Germany)

Genre:

Documentary | Music

Tagline:

Seeing is believing!

Plot:

From the early black and white days to their colourful hedonistic era, you will Rock! See them at their most creative, and destructive, and experience The Who: Here!

Plot Keywords:

Performance | Interview | Archive Footage | Rock Music | Rockumentary

Cast

Roger Daltrey	...	Himself (The Who)
John Entwistle	...	Himself (The Who)
Keith Moon	...	Himself
Pete Townshend	...	Himself (The Who)
Tom Smothers	...	Himself (as Tommy Smothers)
Jimmy O'Neill	...	Himself
Russell Harty	...	Himself
Melvyn Bragg	...	Himself (as Melvin Bragg)
Ringo Starr	...	Himself
Mary Ann Zabresky	...	Herself
Michael Leckebusch	...	Himself
Barry Fantoni	...	Himself
Jeremy Paxman	...	Himself
Bob Pridden	...	Himself
Keith Richards	...	Himself (as Keith Richard)

Also Known As:

The Who Rock Concert (Philippines: English title)
The Who: The Kids Are Alright (Australia)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Ramport Studios, Battersea, London, England, UK

Company:

The Who Films

Trivia:

Director Jeff Stein had to talk The Who into performing live again for the new footage shot for the film in 1977 and '78 (The '77 footage ended up not being used except for very brief excerpts). The band conceded, but after turning in an unsatisfactory performance of their show closer "Won't Get Fooled Again" at the second filming, Stein had to coax a very reluctant Pete Townshend into going back out to perform a more "definitive" version of the song so they'd have a better end to the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: Rick Danko of The Band is listed in the end credits as appearing in the film, even though his segment was deleted from the final print.

Quotes:

John Entwistle: We became rich later than I expected. Now I'm too old to enjoy my money.

Movie Connections:

Features Monterey Pop (1968)

Soundtrack:

Sparks

showcasing one of the best bands

This film came out shortly after Who drummer Keith Moon's death and as such, is a hybrid between a tribute to his work with the band and what it was probably originally intended to be, a collection of performances and material showcasing their development through their first quarter-century.

There are some great live performances here: including a smashing live version of the extended ‘Won't Get Fooled Again', stuff from the sixties' German pop show Beat Club, and many more. There are interviews (including the famous one with Russell Harty from the mid-seventies), and other bits and pieces put together. This was always the definitive line-up of the band, when their songs had spirit and their performances were technically accomplished with a touch of humour.