The Legendary Liberace

There is kitsch, there is camp, there is flamboyant excess…and then there is Liberace, to whom such terms barely begin to do justice. And just in case you've forgotten, or perhaps never knew, about this, um, colorful character and his act, this highly entertaining program (which originally aired on PBS) is all you'll ever need. Hosted by Jo Ann Castle, formerly pianist with Lawrence Welk, the program originates from the Liberace Museum in (where else) Las Vegas, a monument to the man's outrageous pianos, cars, costumes and candelabra. Featuring plenty of footage of Liberace in performance (including lots of tape from his ‘50s TV show), The Legendary Liberace proves the man was an excellent--if somewhat heavy-handed--pianist, and his renditions of everything from classical concertos to corny fare such as “The Beer Barrel Polka,” “Three Little Fishes” and even “Chopsticks” (a la Chopin) are themselves worth the price of admission. Less a documentary than a valentine, much is made here of his matinee idol status early in his career, but the only reference to his homosexuality is a mention of his death from AIDS in 1987. No matter. Liberace not only didn't take himself too seriously (“Remember that bank I used to cry all the way to?” he observes at one point. “I bought it.”), it's obvious that he also thoroughly enjoyed himself, as will anyone viewing this showcase. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)