Elaine Stritch at Liberty

An autobiographical monologue by one of the grand dames of Broadway that finally won its star the Tony Award she had so long deserved, Elaine Stritch at Liberty is presented here in a taping done at the Old Vic Theatre in London in 2002. At 77, Stritch, dressed in tights and white shirt, exhibits amazing energy and honesty in detailing the ups and downs of her five-decade career on the boards. She's remarkably forthright in talking about her long love affair with the bottle and relationships of varying lengths with the likes of Marlon Brando, Gig Young, Ben Gazzara, Rock Hudson, and Richard Burton. She also recounts often hilarious anecdotes about her dealings with George Abbott, Ethel Merman, Judy Garland, Noel Coward, and Stephen Sondheim, and her work in shows such as Pal Joey, Call Me Madam, Goldilocks, Sail Away, Company, Follies, and a disastrous summer stock version of The Women. And she performs occasional songs, including several for which she's renowned--“Broadway Baby,” “The Ladies Who Lunch,” and “Why Do the Wrong People Travel?” The result is rather like an enjoyable tell-all memoir, only on the stage rather than the page. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, this otherwise extra-less DVD is highly recommended. Aud: P. (F. Swietek)