Search The Archive
"The movie is a beautiful thing. No documentary about any musician will make you so glad to be alive."—San Francisco Examiner
Don McGlynn is a MIFF regular who just about qualifies for his own office. His consistency brilliant music biographies have enthralled Melbourne audiences for the past three years. Once more McGlynn has delved into hidden vaults of unseen archival treasures, integrating fabulous performance footage, celebrity interviews and colourful anecdotes into a loving history of the inimitable Louis Prima. Prima is much admired for such classics as Sing, Sing, Sing and Oh Babe as well as his numerous combos that combined extreme musical proficiency with outrageous humour. From his lean early years through the triumphant big band era, tours, television and his graceful autumn period during rock's ascendancy, Prima was the consummate showman. His musical prowess earned him love, loyalty and respect from fellow musicians; his warm humour, style and charm made him irresistible to the ladies. The pick of high energy stage and screen performances are captured in McGlynn's opus as are interviews with surviving band members including Keely Smith, Sam Butera Gia Maione and Jimmy Vincent.