Alice Cooper: The Strange Case of Alice Cooper (1979)

Simply Perfect

Overrated

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Having been a huge Alice fan for many years now, it was a treat to finally get this concert film on DVD. Wow, what a difference a few years make. If you compare this to his two earlier concert films, "Welcome to My Nightmare" and "Good To See You Again, Alice Cooper", you can visibly see the toll that alcohol and the rock n' roll lifestyle had taken on this man. He looks like an emaciated corpse in this film, as opposed to the robust young man who appeared in his previous films. Setting that aside, Alice once again manages to put on a helluva show featuring many songs from his "From The Inside" album, most of which aren't even performed live anymore. Alice's appearance makes his performances even more wild and crazy looking. It's interesting to note that this was the last hurrah of the 70's classic rock Alice Cooper. As he moved into the early eighties, his music became more pop-punk and new wave influenced, until his physical breakdown in '83. Then he resurfaced in '86 as a revitalized hard-rock/metal act which is more or less the same Alice that we have today. While still capable of putting on excellent concert performances, there is something nostalgic and almost magical about his 1970's concerts. Definitely worth a look for all Cooper fans. I gave this 9 stars as there are some glitches in the video, and occasionally the sound is muddy - but even that isn't too bad for a 30 year-old concert.

I recently viewed Alice Cooper and Friends and the reviews stated he was drunk and lethargic. I was at that Anaheim show on 6/19/77 and he looked pretty good to me. Mellower, or more mature I thought at the time. But in this one, from 1979, he was totally demonic and insane. He also looked skinny and sickly, and swung a vodka bottle around for the first few songs, finally breaking it (very realistically) over the head of guitarist, Davey Johnstone (formerly from the Elton John Band and I mistook him for Mick Ronson of the Spiders From Mars!)In the opening, he speaks of how he used to drink two bottles of whiskey a day! Well, he looked much better in the Anaheim show! I guess this is the image he wanted to project, but sort of turned me off. Marilyn Manson must have seen this! The similarities are striking! Musically a great show, but disturbing to me!

Concert filmed in San Diego during the Mad House Rock tour. The concert was after the release of the "From the Inside" album and nearly all the songs from it are performed live, although some are cut short. The only songs that weren't done were "Jackknife Johnny" and "Millie and Billie". Of course, all the usual hits like "18" and "Only Women Bleed" are on it too, but sound different because of Alice's backup band "Ultra Latex" plays them with a different style. The concert is great and lots of fun to watch new props used with the then new songs. Unfortunately, the video only appeared on VHS sometime during the late 70's or early 80's and no official DVD has been released.