Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains |  | Director: Lou Adler
Actors: Diane Lane, Ray Winstone, Laura Dern, Peter Donat, Barry Ford
Studio: Rhino Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $9.90
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Rating:  40 reviews
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 511847
UPC: 603497981779
EAN: 0603497981779
Theatrical Release Date: 1982
Release Date: September 16, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Recently orphaned Corrine Third Degree Burns (a 14-year-old Diane Lane) enlists her cousin (Laura Dern) and sister (Marin Kanter) to launch a punk rock band, The Stains. Three rehearsals later, The Stains score the opening slot on a cross-country tour with aging metal act The Metal Corpses (led by Fee Waybill of The Tubes) and British punk rockers The Looters (real-life punk pioneers Paul Simonon |
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Product Description
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THE FABULOUS STAINS (DVD MOVIE)
Amazon.com
Some movies just stumble towards cult, mythic status; Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains is one of those magnificent accidents. Besides in-fighting, the few previews shown to the public were unanimously panned, Paramount was at a loss as to how to market it, and the movie had never been available on DVD (or VHS, for that matter). This has just compounded its status as a "lost" film, with the few people who have seen it being evangelical in their gossip about this pseudo punk 'n' roll documentary. Now that it's here, was it worth the wait? Does it hold up over time? You bet it does. Orphaned girls (Diane Lane, Marin Kanter) along with their cousin (Laura Dern) channel their frustration into a band, The Stains. After a few gigs, the media picks up what they consider a novelty. This leads to a tour with The Looters--idealistic punks from London--and the Metal Corpses (headed by Fee Waybil of the Tubes in a perfectly oblivious performance). Head Looter takes head Stain under his wing, only to become disillusioned as he watches the American media, and by extension American teens, chose popularity over talent (as he sees it). Despite their differing views about how the movie should be handled, both the message of girl empowerment (screenwriter Nancy Dowd) and the idea that all great ideas become co-opted and watered-down (director Lou Adler) resonate throughout the film. The performances, while not uniformly great, work so well within the context of the documentary style that they have their own charm. And Diane Lane, as Stain leader Corinne "Third Degree" Burns, is simply outstanding, simmering with angst that bursts out at all the right points. A young Ray Winstone turns in a fine performance as the lead singer of the Looters, showing both contempt and sensitivity towards the fledgling Stains. Adding to its cult credentials, the rest of the Looters are played by Steve Jones and Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) and Paul Simenon (The Clash). With audio commentaries by not only director Adler, but stars Lane and Dern, this movie is not only great for any fans of Times Square and Rock 'n' Roll High School, but it's a great addition to any library of music films in general. --Robert Arambel
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 40
Great Characters, Great Soundtrack July 21, 2009
Mel Zorro
While not without its flaws, this flick features unforgettable dialogue and characters all backed by a rockin' soundtrack that really draws you into the world of the Stains.
I didn't know what to expect when I watched this film for the first time this weekend, but after watching it 3 times in a row I can almost recite it verbatim-it's that memorable.
Although the editing and flow of the story is kind of jumpy, you still can't help but be as captivated by the performances of The Stains and The Looters as their audiences are in the film. Truly captured is the raunch and struggles of the rock world (as we would imagine them) while keeping in touch with the inner struggles of the characters. Also, the supporting characters are played to great effect while never outshining the lead players.
The film isn't a parody like Spinal Tap, but neither is it as serious as something like Walk The Line. Humor is present in the film, being derived more from characterization than one-liners, but mostly the film is a study of rebelliousness fueled by hopelessness and desperation. Overall a very unique film that could only have been made when and how it was as a captured moment in time.
Of the two commentary tracks the one featuring Laura Dern and Diane Lane is by far the most informative and enjoyable. The enthusiasm the women share for the the film 20 years on is infectious and makes you realize that as 13 and 15 year olds these women almost believed they were rock stars, sometimes talking as if they really were on tour at the time.
If you're looking for a one of a kind rock and roll adventure ride, the Fabulous Stains is where it's at. Check it out!
 Empowering July 16, 2009
Kristi Weldon (Atlanta, GA USA)
I loved this as a teenager, and the girl power theme holds true today. The film played an important role in my formative years. Music by members of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Tubes is a bonus. If you want your teenage girl to feel empowered, this is a great film for opening that discussion.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!! July 10, 2009
tribaltat (Maine, USA)
Great film...great music...too bad the sound track has never been released (even though the film's credits say that it's available). Punk out!
 An awkward monster July 4, 2009
Silence (Seattle)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I caught this on TCM the same day I saw 'The Filth and the Fury' for the first time, so it was novel to see Paul Cook, Steve Jones, and Paul Simonon (Clash) on the job. But what a strange message. Not that I haven't heard of bands hacking out careers on image alone, or stolen songs--that still happens, but it's hardly a virtue. This movie really only has four songs: intentional crap by the Metal Corpses, a great song by The Looters that is stolen and regurgitated, one more song by The Looters and the obnoxious first ditty by the Stains. So really, just one good song that is overused. Plus some bits of reggae on the bus radio. Ultimately it seems this movie has nothing to do with punk rock, everything to do with coming to terms with your own hypocrisy and the corruption of self and others. It is remarkable to see Diane Lane and Laura Dern at such an age. They were practically kids! But plenty of screen presence. And Ray Winstone is great. But overall, I can barely give it a pass. Seems to be a wasted opportunity. Glad to finally see it, though.
 Uneven Mixed Bag June 24, 2009
D. Sippel (Chicago, IL United States)
If not for the casting, this film never would have been re-issued. I didn't see it back in the 80's, but probably would have loved it. I was a big Jones & Cook fan, and still own the 7 inch single of "Join the Professionals", as well as the debut album from The Professionals. I also had a major teenage crush on Diane Lane. Add in Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Ray Winstone, Laura Dern, plus Fee Waybill and Vince Welnick from The Tubes and this is a film that any fan of Punk or New Wave Rock should see.
The music is very good, although three different versions of "Join the Professionals" are a bit much. With all that musical talent on board, I would have liked to have heard a few more original numbers, with the music playing a bigger role in the film. Another reason to focus more on the music is that the direction, writing, and pacing are all over the place. At times the film grinds to a halt with stilted dialogue or pedantic monologue where at other times it leaps ahead and clean off my belief suspension bridge. I mean how the heck did The Stains go from nowhere to everywhere in a few months? They didn't even have a drummer and only seemed to have one song before they co-opted "Join the Professionals". Suddenly they become the idols of millions of teenage girls, yet still appear to have just one or two songs in their repertoire.
Over all, the good outweigh the bad. It's a huge kick to see Jones, Cook, & Simonon rock out with Winstone as The Looters, and they do get a few rousing stage numbers in. Another captivating moment for me is when The Stains play "Waste of Time" in what apparently is their debut show. As confirmed in the Lane and Dern commentary, director Lou Adler made sure that they did not practice the song ahead of time so that it would be suitably raw. Boy is it ever. It's also fairly appealing in its rawness, foreshadowing a lo-fi Slits-influenced punk sound that is probably more popular with the Indie Rock scene now than it ever was.
As a sort of Punk Rock time capsule, "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains" is recommended viewing, but it isn't something you will likely watch in its entirety more than once or twice, and for a more enjoyable viewing experience, I also recommend using fast-forward where applicable.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 40
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