| Description |
2 videodiscs (128 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in. |
| System Details |
DVD, Region 1, Dolby Digital stereo, television presentation aspect ratio, 1.33:1. |
| Performer |
Marjoe: Marjoe Gortner. Thoth: S.K. Thoth (aka Stephen Kaufman). |
| Credits |
Marjoe: Edited by Larry Silk ; cameramen, Ed Lynch, Ken Van Sickle, Richard Pearce ... [et. al.]. Thoth: Edited by Emily Paine ; cameras Don Lenzer, Mead Hunt, Jason Summers ... [et. al.] ; all music written and performed by S.K. Thoth. |
| Note |
Thoth: "The following film contains an expanded end-credit sequence, adding two minutes to its original screen time. Thus it differs slightly from the film that won the Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject in 2002."--title screen. |
|
Marjoe: Originally produced as a motion picture in 1972. Thoth: Originally produced as a documentary in 2001. |
| Summary |
Marjoe: Filmed before televangelism became a phenomenon, this biography/expose details the rise, fall, and self-exposure of Marjoe Gortner, a one-time child evangelist and church tent preacher. Marjoe would rather have been a rock star-with a different upbringing might have been-but this is as close as he can get. That he manipulates the spiritual passions of his audience is subordinate to the satisfaction of performing and connecting emotionally. Even as he spouts meaningless religious rhetoric, and takes the money of those expecting miracles and salvation, is he not giving the people exactly what they want, performing the spontaneous and charismatic rites of Pentecostal Christianity in a manner that is skillful and respectful of the traditions and expectations of that faith? |
|
Thoth: Before high rents sent him to New York to live with his mother and perform at Central Park's Angel Tunnel, Thoth was a fixture at BART stations in San Francisco. Thoth's lovely countertenor, adept violin, and haunting, otherworldly songs are employed in service to his fantasy kingdom. Created in his youth, "the Festad" serves as the basis for his opera, but began as a refuge from the racism encountered by those of mixed-race in the 1960s. From son of New York intellectuals to androgynous street performer, Thoth has trod a twisty path, illustrated by this film. |
| Contents |
Marjoe: Two black eyes -- Under the radar -- Into a frenzy -- Piece of the action -- Saving the youth -- This is a business -- Feel the beat -- Glory be to Jesus -- Taking a bath -- What I really think -- God bless you -- Credits. |
|
Thoth: In order to live -- The lands of Festad -- Psychotic behavior -- Blurring the lines -- Process of loss -- Credits. |
| Note |
Marjoe: Special features: Filmmaker biographies; About Docurama; DVD catalog/trailers. Thoth: Special features: Excerpts from Thoth's opera; Filmmaker biography; About Docurama; DVD catalog/trailers. |
| Awards |
Marjoe: winner, 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary, Features (Howard Smith, Sarah Kernochan). |
|
Thoth: winner, 2002 Academy Award for Best Documentary, Short Subjects (Sarah Kernochan, Lynn Appelle). |
| Note |
GMD: videorecording. |
| Subject |
Gortner, Marjoe.
|
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Thoth, 1954-
|
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Evangelists -- United States -- Biography.
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Street music.
|
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Street musicians -- New York (State) -- New York.
|
| Genre/Form |
Feature films.
|
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Biographical films.
|
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Documentary films.
|
| Added Author |
Smith, Howard.
|
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Kernochan, Sarah.
|
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Appelle, Lynn.
|
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Gortner, Marjoe.
|
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Thoth, 1954-
|
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Cinema 10.
|
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Mauser Productions.
|
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Amateur Rabbit, Inc.
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Docurama (Firm)
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New Video Group.
|
| Added Title |
Thoth |
| ISBN |
0767087887 |
|
9780767087889 |
| Standard No. |
767685976937 |
| Music No. |
NVG-9769 Docurama |
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