Harry Connick Jr. - Harry for the Holidays

Amazon.com

Harry for the Holidays is both a traditional and musically adventurous Christmas television special, shot in high definition and originally broadcast on NBC in 2003. The unusual yet beautiful setting is the historic interior of the Bowery Savings Building/Cipriani 42nd Street; one can see an occasional car flash by through windows behind Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band. Connick's program includes holiday standards but his arrangements are novel, cutting against the melodiousness of the likes of "Silver Bells" or "Frosty the Snowman" with edgy strings, sizzling brass, and complex rhythms. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "The Happy Elf" swing like nobody's business, while "Silent Night" shifts from blues to ballad to gospel in a collaboration between Connick, Marc Anthony, and Kim Burrell. Whoopi Goldberg and Nathan Lane turn up for some cute sketches, and there's a bonus: Connick and Burrell doing the lovely "I Pray on Christmas," not seen in the NBC broadcast. A version with an audio CD is also available. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Delicious!.......2007-03-13

As a Harry Connick, Jr. fan, I already had good expectations for the DVD before buying it. Having purchased the "Harry for the Holidays" CD quite some time ago, I had put in that corner of my mind where I keep the memory for good records. I really love the choice of standards and the renditions, not to mention the original compositions from Harry's musical vault. However, I have also experienced some let-downs along the way, given the unconventional musical path Harry has trodden in the last ten years or so (Star Turtle would be, in my opinion, a remarkable flop).
With that scenario in mind, I harbored some misgivings about the consistency of the performances, because sometimes Christmas specials are anything but special. Yet, as I went through the songs, my doubts vanished and I just got carried away by quality of the arrangements, specially those of Auld Lang Syne, in which both Harry and Marc Anthony prove how a very traditional, melancholic song can be transformed into an upbeat work of art. Way to go, guys.
I definitely recommned this DVD.

Harry Holidays!!.......2006-11-06

This DVD may be shorter than any true Harry fan would like, but is still Harry and the Band at their best, as always. Anyone who loves Harry's music will love this DVD. If you have seen Harry in concert, you will miss his great banter with the crowd, as they've cut it out. This is absolutely worth the money, and a must-have for fans of Harry and the Holidays!

Harry has certainly done better.......2005-01-07

I'm a Connick fan, and think his Christmas CD's are great. But this was disappointing. Very short for the money, but I guess it was a TV show.

Feels Like Christmas Again!.......2004-11-23

I bought this CD -Harry Connick Jr. - Harry for the Holidays and I love it. The music is to die for and makes you feel warm, loved and special for the upcoming Holiday Season. A remake of "This Christmas" originally sung by the late Donnie Hathaway made tears well-up in my eyes. It's jazzy, soft and unique as Harry takes this song to a new level. The first song "Frosty the Snowman" is a big-band song, with a big-bang sound. It's a fun rendition of all Frosty songs. Harry has the charisma and knows just how to do it when he sings, "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Get this for the Holidays and buy it for the special people in your life they will thank you for seasons and seasons to come.

Average customer rating:

More than I can stand
Very cute Christmas movie
Cheesy for parents - OK for kids
Move over Charlie Brown, there's a new show in town!
Harry Connick Jr does Christmas

The Happy Elf
Starring: Lewis Black , Carol Kane , Rob Paulsen , Jr. Harry Connick , and Mickey Rooney
Director: John Rice
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A2XC12
Release Date: 2005-12-06

Amazon.com

Harry Connick Jr., whose original song "The Happy Elf" inspired this cheerful, animated Christmas special, provides the voice of a narrator straightening out a couple of misguided kids who think they've got Santa fooled about their naughty-or-nice status. Connick's character tells them about Eubie, the North Pole elf whose constant exuberance wears others down but which gives Santa an idea: send Eubie to Bluesville, where joy is squelched by a repressive town authority. There, Eubie meets up with a secret movement to bring happiness to Bluesville, and ultimately does Santa proud. The Happy Elf's computer animation evokes the look of those 1960s stop-motion classics Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, though movement is much more fluid and dimension greater. Still, this is an effort to create a new classic, and with vocal performances that include Mickey Rooney (as Santa) and Lewis Black, and some charming songs, The Happy Elf could be a perennial Christmas entertainment. --Tom Keogh

Description

Based on Grammy®-winner Harry Connick, Jr.'s original song, THE HAPPY ELF will be sure to ring in the season with loads of holiday laughter. This delightful animated adventure is the story of Eubie, one of Santa's helpers whose overly optimistic outlook is put to the test when he decides to bring Christmas joy to a sad little town called Bluesville. Will Eubie's unbridled enthusiasm be too much for the town's austere authority? Featuring the voice and brand-new holiday songs of Harry Connick, Jr. and the voice talents of Carol Kane, Lewis Black, Rob Paulsen, and Mickey Rooney. With tons of comedy and adventure along the way, THE HAPPY ELF is destined to be a Christmas classic the whole family will enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

More than I can stand.......2007-01-12

I am ten years old and this movie might be fun for toddlers (ages 2-4) but I did not like it. It is short, quite strange, and whenever I watch it I run to my room and slam the door. I cannot stand this movie. The best part of this movie is that when you touch a certain place on the case, it (the case) lights up and sings. When my mom bought it, it was rated four and a half stars, but it was quite a dissapointment. If you want to watch the worst movie ever, buy this item!

Very cute Christmas movie.......2006-12-27

The children (ages 2-3) love this movie, and request to watch it all the time. It is a very cute movie, but the little girl in the beginning of the movie says "Shut up!", which is something I don't want the kids to pick up. Overall, the kids love it, and I recommend this movie as a very cute, slightly cheesy Christmas movie.

Cheesy for parents - OK for kids.......2006-12-25

It was a good movie for my 7 year old - cheesy for me . . . Most of the movies I can sit through, Dora, Barbie, My little Pony . . . but I couldn't sit through this one. The good thing is it's not that long . . . so you won't be overwhelmed.

It's OK - not bad, but I wouldn't suggest for them to PICK that one . . . maybe I'd hide it for a few months to save myself!! LOL

Move over Charlie Brown, there's a new show in town!.......2005-12-31

Add this to your list of favorite Christmas programs! After seeing the show on NBC, I had to own it for my 9 year old daughter (OK, so it was really for me!)

This is a very cute show based on a toe-tapping song by the incomparable Harry Connick Jr. Watch as Eubie the Elf tries to spread a little holiday cheer and niceness. Go out and get yours today- you won't want to wait until next year to see this!

Harry Connick Jr does Christmas.......2005-12-30

Harry Connick Jr! Isn't that enough! Okay, so I'm a big fan of the man, but this show's pretty good on its own, although the music and narration wouldn't be the same without him.

Forty-five minutes is a little shorter than I cared for, but that's what they gave us (an extra few minutes wouldn't have hurt much). We get to follow a Happy Little Elf called Eubie who tries to make some naughty kids turn nice. Not too sappy, and still a possible Christmas classic.

The DVD set's not too shabby. Aside from the film there are quite a few extras including a box that lights up and plays a little tidbit from the theme music.

There are quite a few good laughs in here. This film is very suitable for the older kids, but not for babies; teens and adults with a since of humor will also enjoy this flick. It will even be nice throughout the year!

Harry Connick Jr. - Harry for the Holidays (DVD & CD) (Amaray Case)

Average customer rating:

Delicious!
Harry Holidays!!
Harry has certainly done better
Feels Like Christmas Again!

Harry Connick Jr. - Harry for the Holidays (DVD & CD) (Amaray Case)
Starring: Harry Connick Jr.
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00064AERO
Release Date: 2004-10-19

Amazon.com

Harry for the Holidays is both a traditional and musically adventurous Christmas television special, shot in high definition and originally broadcast on NBC in 2003. The unusual yet beautiful setting is the historic interior of the Bowery Savings Building/Cipriani 42nd Street; one can see an occasional car flash by through windows behind Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band. Connick's program includes holiday standards but his arrangements are novel, cutting against the melodiousness of the likes of "Silver Bells" or "Frosty the Snowman" with edgy strings, sizzling brass, and complex rhythms. "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "The Happy Elf" swing like nobody's business, while "Silent Night" shifts from blues to ballad to gospel in a collaboration between Connick, Marc Anthony, and Kim Burrell. Whoopi Goldberg and Nathan Lane turn up for some cute sketches, and there's a bonus: Connick and Burrell doing the lovely "I Pray on Christmas," not seen in the NBC broadcast. An accompanying audio CD features a number of extra tracks ("The Christmas Waltz," "Nature Boy"). --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Delicious!.......2007-03-13

Harry Holidays!!.......2006-11-06

Harry has certainly done better.......2005-01-07

I'm a Connick fan, and think his Christmas CD's are great. But this was disappointing. Very short for the money, but I guess it was a TV show.

Feels Like Christmas Again!.......2004-11-23

DVD:

DVD

DVD