Dusty Springfield

This is a strange hybrid of documentary and clip compilation -- with clips of Dusty Springfield popping up at the outset, viewers suddenly get moved over to a documentary-style presentation by Petula Clark and B.J. Thomas, whose comments introduce a dazzling array of television performances by Springfield, including what looks like a genuinely live (as opposed to mimed) period performance of "I Only Want to Be with You" -- given her joyous rendition of the latter and her wrenchingly emotive performance of "What's It Gonna Be" (which includes Springfield's own comments), it becomes clear that this delightful hourlong program is easily worth its relatively high asking price. The full-screen image is crisp and sharp, within the limits of preservation of the original clips -- which look great and sound better -- and the DVD comes with a good onscreen text bio of Springfield (as well as of the two hosts) as a bonus feature. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide