Mitzi Gaynor DVD 'Razzle Dazzle' Available 11/18

Before there was TV's hit Dancing With The Stars, there was Mitzi Gaynor --- the original television star dancer!  Mitzi Gaynor dazzled audiences with her annual award winning network television variety spectaculars, from 1968 to 1978, averaging over 30 million viewers each, showcasing the singing, dancing and comedic talents that made her a star in the theatre, film, television, nightclub and concert worlds.

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of her first televised special (Mitzi, NBC, 1968) and the 50th anniversary of her break-through Golden Globe nominated performance in the blockbuster film Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, City Lights Home Entertainment in association with Green Isle, Inc. is releasing "Mitzi Gaynor – Razzle Dazzle!  The Special Years," a new documentary encompassing the ultimate collection of song and dance performances from Gaynor's classic network television specials unseen for three decades. 

The acclaim and accolades continue:  Tonight, July 30, The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presents "TV Moves --- Live!"  A salute to 60 years of dance on television, for Los Angeles' John Anson Ford Amphitheater, Gaynor is the evening's special guest; the night will include a montage of highlights from her specials, an onstage interview by Kenny Ortega, and a dance recreation of the "Poor Papa" number from her second (1969) television special; two of her original dancers, Alton Ruff and Randy Doney, will join the other dancers on stage, performing together for the first time since 1973.

Available on November 18, 2008, "Mitzi Gaynor – Razzle Dazzle!  The Special Years" provides a reflective and entertaining glimpse into television variety at its zenith and takes a nostalgic trip through Gaynor's special television years in a look at the groundbreaking performances, extraordinary costumes and triple threat talent of Mitzi Gaynor in a wealth of digitally remastered clips, rare photos and footage from Gaynor's personal archive which illuminate the behind-the-scenes stories and impact of these landmark television events.

"Mitzi Gaynor – Razzle Dazzle!  The Special Years" features numbers choreographed by some of film and theatrical dance world's most influential choreographers, including Peter Gennaro (Tony-winner for Annie, and co-choreographer with Jerome Robbins for West Side Story), Danny Daniels (Tony-winner, The Tap Dance Kid), Robert Sidney (The Dean Martin Show) and Tony Charmoli (Woman of the Year).

In addition to the highlights of Gaynor's classic performances are new interviews with Gaynor herself, world renowned Emmy® winning costume designer Bob Mackie, Tony-winner Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked, Pushing Daisies), director/choreographer Tony Charmoli, dancers Alton Ruff and Randy Doney (who performed with Mitzi on the road and in her TV specials), Nine-time Emmy® Award winning comedy legend Carl Reiner, best-selling author and critic Rex Reed, and Tony  nominee Kelli O'Hara, currently starring on Broadway as "Nellie Forbush" in the 2008 Tony Award® winning version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, the role made famous by Mitzi Gaynor in the 1958 film version.

At the 1967 Academy Awards® Mitzi Gaynor made a dazzling appearance before 65 million viewers, becoming one of the most sought after performers in television.  Her first television special, Mitzi, was broadcast a year later in October, 1968; critical reaction was universally over-the-moon in praise.  During the next decade she continued to deliver her unique brand of performing magic to the millions of viewers who looked forward to her annual television events.

"Mitzi Gaynor – Razzle Dazzle! The Special Years" will be syndicated nationally to public television stations this fall marketed as a special vehicle for local major market pledge drives.  The DVD release will feature over 60 minutes of DVD "extras" not seen in the Public Television version including full performances.DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

8 Extended Glittering
Musical Performances
"Mitzi and Mackie: Look Back in Fashion!" featurette
"Uncensored and Unseen":
Mitzi's Egyptian Dance
Mitzi is "The Kid":
2 Full-Length Performances
Mitzi and Friends Salute
Sondheim's "Company"
"Mitzi & George Hamilton at the Movies" Full-Length Comedy Sequence from Mitzi's 1968 Special
Razzle Dazzle Photo Gallery
Mitzi and Bruce Vilanch Live in San Francisco 2008
5.1 Audio – Dolby Digital
Digitally Remastered and Restored

Street Date: November 18, 2008

DVD Order Due Date: October 21, 2008

DVD Pricing: $24.98

Feature Running Time: 105 minutes