Criterion collection #737

Title from container

"An uncompromisingly independent filmmaker, Les Blank made documentaries for nearly fifty years, elegantly disappearing with his camera into cultural spots rarely seen on-screen--mostly on the peripheries of the United States, but also occasionally abroad. Seemingly off-the-cuff yet poetically constructed, these films are humane, sometimes wry, always engaging tributes to music, food, and all sorts of regionally specific delights. This collector’s set provides a diverse survey of Les Blank’s vast output, including fourteen of his best-known works and eight related short films"--The Criterion Collection website

Originally released as documentary films 1968-1995

The blues accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins: A portrait of Texas bluesman Lightin' Hopkins created via a collection of musical performances and oral histories

Accompanying booklet (55 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 19 cm) comprises background information about the films, an essay by film scholar Andrew Horton, and a recipe

God respects us when we work, but loves us when we dance: A look at hippies and flower children as they dance and create rituals during the Los Angeles "Love-In" of Easter Sunday, 1967

Special features: Excerpt from Les Blank : a quiet revelation (a film project by Harrod Blank and Gina Leibrecht); new interviews with Harrod Blank, Beau Blank, Gerald Gaxiola, Skip Gerson, Maureen Gosling, Taylor Hackford, Werner Herzog, Susan Kell, Tom Luddy, David Silberberg, Chris Simon, and Alice Waters; related shorts by Blank: The sun's gonna shine (1968), Julie : old time tales of the Blue Ridge (1991), My old fiddle : a visit with Tommy Jarrell in the Blue Ridge (1994), The Maestro rides again! (1994), and Lagniappe (2006); two outtake performances from The blues accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins

Spend it all: A portrayal of the lives and music of the French-speaking Cajuns of Louisiana

A well spent life: A tribute to Texas songster Mance Lipscomb,

DVD; NTSC; region 1; full screen (1.33:1) presentation; Dolby digital stereo (Sworn to the drum) and monoaural (all other films)

Dry wood: An exploration of black Creole life in French Louisiana

In English, with some French with English subtitles (Spend it all, Dry wood, Yum, yum, yum!), in English, with some Spanish with English subtitles (Garlic is as good as ten mothers, Sworn to the drum), and in English (all other films); optional English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired (SDH)

Hot pepper: A musical portrait of zydeco king Clifton Chenier

Always for pleasure: An insider's portrait of New Orleans' street celebrations and unique cultural gumbo

Garlic is as good as ten mothers: A paean to garlic that explores the history, consumption, cultivation, and culinary/curative powers of the "stinking rose."

Sprout wings and fly: A tribute to Appalachian culture that profiles old-time fiddler Tommy Jarrell

In heaven there is no beer?: An exploration of the dance, food, music, friendship, and even religion of the polka

Gap-toothed women: A valentine to women born with a space between their teeth that explores issues of self-esteem and societal attitudes toward standards of beauty

Yum, yum, yum!: An exploration of the cooking and other enthusiasms of French-speaking Louisiana

The Maestro: A profile of cowboy artist Gerald Gaxiola

Sworn to the drum: A tribute to Cuban drummer Francisco Aguabella

Blues accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins / a film by Les Blank with Skip Gerson

(1968) (31 min.) --

God respects us when we work, but loves us when we dance / a film by Les Blank and Skip Gerson

(1968) (20 min.) --

Spend it all / directed, photographed, and edited by Les Blank

(1971) (43 min.) --

A well spent life / a film by Les Blank with Skip Gerson

(1971) (44 min.) --

Dry wood / a film by Les Blank with Maureen Gosling

(1973) (37 min.) --

Hot pepper / a film by Les Blank with Maureen Gosling

(1973) (54 min.) --

Always for pleasure / produced, directed, photographed, and edited by Les Blank

(1978) (57 min.) --

Garlic is as good as ten mothers / produced, directed, and photographed by Les Blank

(1980) (50 min.) --

Sprout wings and fly / directed and photographed by Les Blank

(1983) (30 min.) --

In heaven there is no beer? / a film by Les Blank and Maureen Gosling ; directed, photographed, and produced by Les Blank

(1984) (49 min.) --

Gap-toothed women / conceived, directed, photographed, and produced by Les Blank

(1987) (31 min.) --

Yum, yum, yum! : a taste of Cajun and Creole cooking / conceived, produced, and directed by Les Blank

(1990) (31 min.) --

Maestro : king of the cowboy artists / directed and phtographed by Les Blank ; producers, Les Blank, Chris Simon

(1994) (53 min.) --

Sworn to the drum : a tribute to Francisco Aguabella / directed and photographed by Les Blank ; producers, Tom Luddy, Les Blank

(1995) (34 min.)