My Life In Monsters

The Movie Palaces

June 1987 •English

A documentary about the great American movie palaces of the 1920s and 1930s. Filmed on location at some of the extraordinary theaters across the country, the program explores the diverse and priceless architecture of such greats as the Atlanta Fox, the Wiltern in Los Angeles, San Antonio's Majestic, Seattle's Fifth Avenue and, perhaps the most famous, Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Also included are stills and vintage clips of classic movies and newsreels of the era that illustrate the historical evolution and mass appeal of the movie palaces. Picture palace organist Gaylord Carter performs a variety of movie accompaniments.

Amicus: House of Horrors

October 2012 •English

For the first time on DVD, the Alpha Archives Collection proudly presents a two part feature length documentary celebrating the history of the Amicus Productions film company. Founded in the early 1960s by Americans Milton Subotsky and Max J. Rosenberg, Amicus produced some classic (now cult) horror movies, including Dr. Terror's House Of Horrors, The House That Dripped Blood, Tales From The Crypt, Asylum and From Beyond The Grave. Featuring interviews with key individuals who worked for Amicus (actors, directors, etc.), and with many rare photographs and production designs throughout, this documentary is a must-see for fans of British horror cinema.

Every Little Step

September 2008 •English

Follows the plight of real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line and also investigates the history of the show and the creative minds behind the original and current incarnations.

Jisoe

January 2005 •English

A year in the life of troubled Australian graffiti artist Justin Hughes.

How William Shatner Changed The World

November 2005 •English

William Shatner presents a light-hearted look at how the "Star Trek" TV series have influenced and inspired today's technologies, including: cell phones, medical imaging, computers and software, SETI, MP3 players and iPods, virtual reality, and spaceship propulsion.

The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead - A Classic Album Under Review

June 2008 •English

Showing for the first time how it all came together and what made it so great, the film is all at once hugely enlightening, downright entertaining, and remains the only visual document of this momentous happening ever released.

Shirley Temple: America's Little Darling

August 1993 •English

There never was a star quite like her. Adored by adults and children alike, at four she already led at the box office — ahead of Gable and Cooper. Her films saved a movie studio from bankruptcy, and a President credited her with raising the morale of Depression-weary Americans. Her earliest movies gave a foretaste of her talents and soon would become the songs and dances that helped make those movies immortal.

Rafael Azcona

September 2010 •Spanish

Four Faces of the Moon

October 2016 •English

Follow the animated journey of an Indigenous photographer as she travels through time. The oral and written history of her family reveals the story — we witness the impact and legacy of the railways, the slaughter of the buffalo and colonial land policies.

That World Is Gone

Invalid date •English

Kathy's family left on a Saturday morning in 1965. The rumble of bulldozers echoed through the neighborhood, and her block was empty. Federally-funded urban renewal had arrived in Charlottesville, scattering dozens of families like Kathy's. The once-vibrant African American community, built by formerly enslaved men and women who had secured a long-denied piece of the American dream, disappeared.

The Liberation of Paris

August 1944 •French

French Resistance's documentary during the liberation of Paris in August 1944.

Afghan Star

December 2008 •English

This documentary on the effect the talent competition "Afghan Star" has on the incredibly diverse inhabitants of Afghanistan affords a glimpse into a country rarely seen. Contestants risk their lives to appear on the television show that is a raging success with the public and also monitored closely by the government.

Trekkies 2

April 2004 •English

Denise Crosby takes another look at the huge fans of "Star Trek" and how the series from around the world has affected and shaped their lives.

Fritz Lang, le cercle du destin - Les films allemands

April 2004 •French

Saxophone Colossus

January 1998 •English

Tenor saxophone master Sonny Rollins has long been hailed as one of the most important artists in jazz history, and still, today, he is viewed as the greatest living jazz improviser. In 1986, filmmaker Robert Mugge produced Saxophone Colossus, a feature-length portrait of Rollins, named after one of his most celebrated albums.

George Lucas: Creating an Empire

January 2005 •English

A Biography of George Lucas.

Hands on a Hardbody: The Documentary

June 1997 •English

Filmmaker S.R. Bindler profiles Texas contestants trying to win a truck by keeping one hand on it longer than everyone else.

Junk Story

May 2015 •Japanese

A look back at the life and career of Japanese guitarist hide, who died under questionable circumstances in 1998.

Adele: Homecoming

May 2017 •English

The eagerly anticipated wait is over, after 5 years since the release of her last album, Adele is back! Fans have applauded her return, by breaking the record for most viewed video in a single day, reaching an astounding 28.7M views in the first 24 hours. The British singer has knocked Taylor Swift off the record, previously holding most viewed video in a single day for her Bad Blood video which reached 20 million views. “Hello” has now been viewed nearly 89 million times on Vevo alone since the day of its release, and has already topped the iTunes charts in 85 countries. The success of this debut single has blown everyone away and the rest of her album will most likely follow suit. Through her own words, video and live performance this documentary takes an incredible look at the life and times of this truly amazing young artist.

Ava Gardner: Life Is Bigger Than the Movies

June 2017 •French

A barefoot contessa, a screwed-up princess, an exquisite drunk, a bawdy aristocrat, a nightmare for puritanical America and the moguls of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Ava Gardner never stopped loving those she loved. She turned women green and made men sweat. And rejected with all her force the bulwark of normality.