#737: BLANK, Les: Les Blank: Always For Pleasure (1968-95)
BLANK, Les (United States)
Les Blank: Always For Pleasure [1968-95]
Spine #737
Blu-ray
Blu-ray
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 Blank's vast output, including fourteen of his best-known works and eight related short films.
563 minutes
Color
Color
Monaural/Stereo
1:33:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2014
Director
Other Les Blank films in the Collection:
#805: A Poem Is A Naked Person (1974)
#287: Burden Of Dreams (1982)
The Films
#805: A Poem Is A Naked Person (1974)
#287: Burden Of Dreams (1982)
The Films
Blank was 33 when he directed The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins.
Blank was 33 when he directed God Respects Us When We Work, but Loves Us When We Dance.
Spend It All (1971)
Blank was 36 when he directed Spend It All.
A Well Spent Life (1971)
Blank was 36 when he directed A Well Spent Life.
Dry Wood (1973)
Blank was 38 when he directed Dry Wood.
Hot Pepper (1973)
Blank was 38 when he directed Hot Pepper.
Always for Pleasure (1978)
Blank was 43 when he directed Always for Pleasure.
Blank was 45 when he directed Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers.
Sprout Wings and Fly (1983)
Blank was 48 when he directed Sprout Wings and Fly.
In Heaven There Is No Beer? (1984)
Blank was 49 when he directed In Heaven There Is No Beer?
Gap-Toothed Women (1987)
Blank was 52 when he directed Gap-Toothed Women.
Blank was 55 when he directed Yum, Yum, Yum! A Taste of Cajun and Creole Cooking.
Blank was 59 when he directed The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists.
Blank was 60 when he directed Sworn to the Dream: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella.
Film Rating (0-60):
The Booklet
Sixty-page booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Andrew Horton.
Commentary
None.
Excerpt
From Les Blank: A Quiet Revelation, a film project by Harrod Blank and Gina Leibrecht.
Interviews
With Blank’s sons, Harrod and Beau; Blank documentary subject Gerald Gaxiola (a.k.a. the Maestro); Blank’s friends and collaborators Skip Gerson, Maureen Gosling, Taylor Hackford, Werner Herzog, Susan Kell, Tom Luddy, David Silberberg, and Chris Simon; and chef and author 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! (2005), and Lagniappe (2006).
Two outtake performances
From The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins.
Extras Rating (0-40):
60
The ExtrasThe Booklet
Sixty-page booklet featuring an essay by film scholar Andrew Horton.
Commentary
None.
Excerpt
From Les Blank: A Quiet Revelation, a film project by Harrod Blank and Gina Leibrecht.
Interviews
With Blank’s sons, Harrod and Beau; Blank documentary subject Gerald Gaxiola (a.k.a. the Maestro); Blank’s friends and collaborators Skip Gerson, Maureen Gosling, Taylor Hackford, Werner Herzog, Susan Kell, Tom Luddy, David Silberberg, and Chris Simon; and chef and author 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! (2005), and Lagniappe (2006).
Two outtake performances
From The Blues Accordin’ to Lightnin’ Hopkins.
Extras Rating (0-40):
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