Copacabana [DVD]

Re-write Jan. 2009I just watched this DVD again and I must apologize. Although I previously gave it 5 stars, my first review just did not do Copacabana justice, so I had to rewrite it. Maybe I was having an off-day the first time I watched it because when I watched it a second time, all the love just spilled out all over the floor. What an absolutely beautiful moving story and movie! I found myself falling in love with Lola (Annette O'Toole) and Tony (Barry Manilow) while I watched them fall in love with each other.The movie opens, as the song says, with the Copa, now a disco. An aged, broken, and drunken Lola sits at the bar with her troubles buried in the bottom of her glass. She looks toward the dance floor and gets a vision of her love, Tony, playing piano and smiling at her. It was so sad, I could feel the pain in her eyes and heart. You know the storyline already because it follows the ever popular Copacabana lyrics (Tony and Lola fall in love; he gets killed by Rico; Lola is alone, grieving, for the rest of her life.) In between, you can enjoy the beautiful songs, and the lavish costumes and scenery. The movie again ended with Lola's beautiful vision of Tony, and it left me in tears.Barry does a great job throughout the movie singing, dancing, playing the piano, and even the accordion--and acting! And don't forget, MUSIC BY MANILOW--he arranged the songs and he wrote most of these songs, too! How talented and versatile he is and has always been! Geeze! When you watch him in the scenes, the look in his eyes is so pure--so like a young man full of love and hope and dreams of the future. He certainly loves his music because the passion shows big time. And I love the scene where he sings "Sweet Heaven" at the Copa in a white tux.Annette does such a great job as Lola, too. In her case, she sings, dances and acts and is superb! Let's not forget Joe Bologna as smarmy (I love that word) Havana nightclub owner, Rico, and a cast of other fine actors who certainly add to the movie. Of course, the colors of the glamorous costumes and sets are great. Oh, and Barry (age 42-ish) is so cute and Annette is gorgeous.By the way, to those recent articles cracking Barry about being thin--he was always thin and you can see he was thin in this DVD--so P-t-t-t-t-h!The music was recorded in Burbank, California (listed in random order)Featured songs by Barry Manilow (in association with others-in some cases):Let's Go Steppin'Aye CarambaMan WantedEl BravoSweet Heaven (I'm In Love Again) (One of my favorites)Changing My TuneThey Call Me Mr. LuckyLolaWho Needs to Dream (Another of my favorites)Copacabana (At the Copa)Blue NightsongSay No MoreWhere Have You GoneBig City BluesWhat Am I Doin' HereGoodbye My LoveI Was A Fool (To Let You Go)When Love Is GoneI've Never Been So Low on LoveSongs by others:How About YouThe Aba Daba HoneymoonDeep PurpleI Feel A Song Comin' OnChattanooga Choo ChooThere are 22 scene selections in this wonderful 95 minute musical, produced in 1985 by Dick Clark Cinema Productions, Inc./Stiletto, LTD--Executive Producer: Dick Clark. What a fine movie. I won't wait so long to watch it again. As a matter of fact, I think I will put it on again as we speak. All I can say is, "Sweet Heaven, I'm in Love, AGAIN!"

I HAVE BEEN A BARRY MANILOW FAN FROM THE FIRST SONG HE CAME OUT WITH. HIS MUSIC TUGS AT YOUR HEART AND MAKES YOU WANT TO SMILE, DANCE, AND CRY ALL AT THE SAME TIME. WHEN THIS MOVIE CAME OUT, I RECORDED IT BECAUSE I NEW IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL, WHICH IT WAS. WELL, SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY RECORDED OVER IT BY MISTAKE NOT LONG AFTER IT AIRED, AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR IT EVER SINCE. MY FAVORITE SONG IN THE MOVIE IS "WHO NEEDS TO DREAM". WHEN HE SINGS THAT SONG IN THE STREET, IT GAVE ME BUTTERFLIES IN MY STOMACH. I LOOKED EVERYWHERE FOR THE SONG, BUT COULDN'T FIND IT ON ANY OF HIS ALBUMS. MY BROTHER FOUND IT ON THE INTERNET NOT LONG AGO, AND DOWNLOADED IT ON MY COMPUTER. NOW WHEN I WORK ON MY COMPUTER, I CAN LISTEN TO IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I NEVER GET TIRED OF LISTENING TO HIM. MY MOTHER WHO IS 77 YEARS OLD ALSO LOVES BARRY, AND LOVES THIS MOVIE. SHE IS ALWAYS BRINGING IT UP AND SAYING HOW MUCH SHE WANTS TO SEE IT AGAIN. WELL, I ALSO BOUGHT THE VHS VERSION FOR HER 78TH BIRTHDAY WHICH IS IN AUGUST. SHE DOESN'T KNOW I FOUND IT. SHE WILL BE SO SURPRISED! I REALLY HOPE I GET IT IN TIME FOR HER BIRTHDAY WHICH IS AUGUST 24TH. I JUST WENT TO HIS CONCERT HERE IN ARIZONA, AND HE JUST GETS BETTER WITH TIME. I LOVE HIM, THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RELEASING THIS BEAUTIFUL MOVIE. IT WILL BRING JOY TO MANY! ANNE FROM AVONDALE ARIZONA.

Copacabana is a great movie. If you like 1940 type musicals with a lot of singing and dancing, you'll love this movie. I can watch it over and over again and never get tired of it. The song and dance production numbers are done so well. Who Needs to Dream and Sweet Heaven I'm In Love Again are two of the best musical numbers I've seen. If you're not already in love with Barry you will be after you see Who Needs To Dream. This is a must for any Barry Manilow fan. Barry never ceases to amaze me with his talent. You will not be disappointed with this DVD.

I had forgotten what beautiful music Barry Manilow could create. It was mind blowing to hear these wonderful songs from back in the 80's, and have them be new to me. The story is cute and Barry is charming. Kudos to the choreography and costumes, and an excellent cast. Having recently read his autobiography , I see many similarities between Barry and Tony. I wish I had seen this film years ago. I guess life got in the way. By all means, if you are a lover of Barry Manilow and his music, this is a must see.

Imagine if you will, an old 20th Century Fox musical; one starring, say, John Payne, Alice Faye, and Don Ameche wherein 2 young performers fall in love, seek stardom, have a falling out, but finally get together for a happy ending.All accompanied by a typical, i.e. better-than-average but just short of memorable, song score. Then, at the end, Al Pacino in "Scarface" enters and utters "Say Hallo to my li'l fren'" That's this film (and, no, I'm not giving anything away, that's the song,too!)Add to this a script by JAMES LIPTON! Yes, "Actor's Studio" James Lipton!(Is "Manilow" his least or most favorite word?)and you've got a unique treat.

This video is quite impossible to find. Thrilled I now have it. The story line is corny, but just to hear and see Barry sing "Who Needs to Dream" makes the price of this "Copacabana" made for TV movie DVD worth it. Positively dreamy scene.

I’ve searched for this movie for years & when I did find it occasionally, it was priced too high. I’m so glad to have found a great DVD in great shape from CDepot.

I have been wanting a DVD of this version of Copacabana for years but knew that it had been "out of print" for a while. I took a chance getting a used copy, and it was great! The seller was very prompt in sending my order, and the DVD was in the exact condition as the seller advertised. I am enjoying watching this movie again. It was always one of my favorites. I love the music!

I remember watching this on tv and having a vhs tape of it for years. So glad to have found this dvd version. I enjoyed revisiting the characters and musical numbers.

I liked everything about the film but I have not watched it since it came out on vhs.

Quality good but could only watch on laptop as it was not compatible for my DVD player in the Uk !!!!!!!

So happy and fast delivery

the greatest film ever ,hilarius