Today's Favorite Movie: The Big T.N.T. Show (1965)

Rock 'N Roll. . . and Then Some

The Lovin’ Spoonful

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The Big T.N.T. Show

Directed by Larry Peerce

★★★

(1965 - USA) 93 min. B&W

Ray Charles, Petula Clark, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Bo Diddley, Joan Baez, The Ronettes, Roger Miller, The Byrds, Donovan, Ike and Tina Turner, David McCallum. True, no follow-up to 1964’s essential The T.A.M.I. Show could ever measure up. True, the Byrds and Donovan sets are surprisingly stiff. And David McCallum’s contributions are negligible. But there’s plenty of great stuff here, thanks to Charles, Ike and Tina, Bo Diddley, Ronnie Spector, and Baez (her take on “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” lands). But what’s up with all those stiffs in the audience? What a glum lot. It’s Ray Charles, assholes! I know the guy can’t see you, but. . . Director Peerce canceled out whatever rock ’n roll cred he earned here with his subsequent biopics of John Belushi (Wired) and Priscilla Presley (Elvis and Me).

Currently streaming on YouTube.