Steambath (Broadway Theatre Archive)

Steambath (Broadway Theatre Archive)

Amazon.com

This unique play presents the afterlife as a steam bath, in which dead souls continue to obsess about the same petty concerns that obsessed them in their lives, until they are cast into a dark void by God, the Puerto Rican attendant (Jos Prez). But new arrival Tandy (Bill Bixby) at first refuses to accept whats happened, and when he finally does, he pleads to be allowed to return to his life. Steambath was controversial in its day for its obscene language (which was softened for this filmed version, originally presented on PBS), its satirical take on religion, and some brief nudity by bombshell Valerie Perrine. Today its still very entertaining, but mostly as a core sampling of the surprisingly uncensored male attitudes from the dawn of the 1970s. Everyone gives a solid performance and Bixbys easy charm makes his self-centered character sympathetic. --Bret Fetzer
Rate Points :4.0
Binding :DVD
Label :Kultur Video
Manufacturer :Kultur Video
MPN :2636
ProductGroup :DVD
Studio :Kultur Video
Publisher :Kultur Video
UPC :032031263697
EAN :9780769796369
Price :$24.99USD
Lowest Price :$13.43USD
Customer ReviewsEveryone Should Try to Find and Watch This Adaptation
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :2
The intriguing and imaginative plot, the excellent acting, and the tragedy of this TV adaptation of Bruce Jay Friedmans play not being available for todays audiences have been repeated by several reviewers. They are, in my opinion, all correct in their views about this wonderful, thought-provoking "black" comedy.

I know that at least one reviewer lamented the fact that many reviewers seemed to talk more about the "nudity" than the merits of the play/movie. I have not found this to be so. And, of course, in the version shown in the United States, there is not really any frontal nudity. However, I was fortunate enough to see Ms. Perrine not only when she was performing in Las Vegas, but in the uncut version of "Steambath" that was shown in the UK and on Armed Forces Television throughout the European continent in 1973.

Quite some time ago, after months and months of searching, I finally found the censored American version of "Steambath" on VHS at kultur dot com. I could not find it at a site mentioned by another reviewer. Kultur now has this on DVD as of May 2007. I do not know whether it was in response to the requests here and elsewhere to re-release this fine film, but it is now available on sites such as this one, Amazon dot com, and for rental on netflix dot com.

If ANYONE knows where I can obtain the 1973 UNCUT version shown outside the US, would you please contact me (see my review on imdb dot com, or just write to ww1965 at gmail dot com)?

Maybe its just because Im a guy, but I think that the uncut version should be made available today because it adds to the impact of this insightful character study of the various personalities of the men (and one woman) who are "trapped" in the steam bath room. The uncut version is still very mild compared to what is available today, and it was all done very innocently. However, you knew that you were in for something unusual when Ms. Perrine suddenly appeared in what was apparently a mens shower/steam bath facility and dropped her towel! (You only see her from the waist up whenever she is turned toward you, of course. After all, this was 1973. Nevertheless, Ms. Perrine was facing the camera enough in the uncut version to make a lasting impression on this reviewer!)

Marvelous!
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
A chance to see Bill Bixby in a real change-of-pace role, playing a recently deceased man who slowly comes to realize that his life, to which he is so anxious to return, was not all it had cracked up to be. Bixby is thoroughly believable in his performance, by changes funny, anxious, fearful, supportive, intense, and even ever-so-slightly sleazy. Hes the perfect choice to head this cast in a wildly offbeat story of a group of people who, having died, find themselves in a steambath on their way to their final destination, seeking questions from the Puerto Rican attendant - who just happens to be God.

DVD is Censored
Rating Point :3 Helpful Point :0
This is a program that I saw on Public Television back in the early 70s.
When I found out this was on DVD I couldnt wait to see it again. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed to notice that some scenes were altered from the original broadcast. Call me a purist, but I love to see things the way they were originaly broadcast.

This program originally had nudity, in particular Valerie Perrines shower scene. In the original you can see her breasts, in this version you do not. There is a black bar that appeares on the bottom of the screen during the front shot of the shower scene, blocking out the nudity.(There is also another scene with her that is cut)

Now this is not that big a deal as far as the story goes, you can still enjoy the play, and it is a good one. I gave this 3 stars because of the censorship on the DVD version. What made this controversial as far as television was concerned at the time was the language and nudity.

It seems that nowadays just because its on DVD does not mean its complete.

This takes me back
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :1
I remember the first time I saw this, back in 1973. It was cutting edge content for that era and Valerie Perrines shower scene added to the controversy, but it was funny and entertaining. Now, if the PBS series that spun out from it would just be released, I would glady add that to my collection.

Steambath - A Broadway Show
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
Bill Bixby proves to be a real talent in this truly funny play in which a steambath is a sort of waiting place between death and the afterlife, and God is a Puerto Rican towel boy. The only negative to this work is that it calls for some special effects that really are pretty limp technologically - but pretty fair for its day. Valerie Perrine is actually a pretty good actress in this one.

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