Is Ella Fitzgerald Live in Australia Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1960)

📖 The Core Premise

Ella Fitzgerald Live in Australia returns to the screen in 1960, bringing a fresh narrative to the Music, TV Movie genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Ella Fitzgerald visited Australia back in 1960. Gracefully stepping up to the microphone for the celebrated television event 'The BP Super Show', hosted by musician and entertainer Horrie Dargie, Fitzgerald delivered a mellifluous set of legendary songs in an intimate concert setting at The Embers Nightclub in Toorak Road, South Yarra Victoria. This rarely seen B&W television treat is considered to be one of the earliest audio-visual recordings of the 'First Lady of Song', backed by the smooth sounds of the Lou Levy Quartet. Beside Fitzgerald's performance of 14 memorable Jazz and Blues classics, the program also contains original BP musical interludes and jingles from the Horrie Dargie Quartet."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Ella Fitzgerald attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Ella Fitzgerald Live in Australia worth your time? If you appreciate Music, TV Movie films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Ella Fitzgerald Live in Australia misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 51 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.