This is a solid history of Venice Beach during the last hundred years. Certainly no other part of LA holds the fun exotic and celebratory qualities like Venice Beach. I would like ot have heard more of that quality in the evolution of this historic site from a city on its own right to what it is now. There isn't a sense of fun or celebration in this documentary. It is an entirely factual report. Perhaps that's my own bias but a place that has the reputation of Venice needs to for my ears to be more...fun. I liked the use of Orson Wells' A Touch of Evil in the piece and the archival recordings if Hoppy-Land, Hopalong Cassidy's amusement park. We needed more stories like this. There are also some slight pops and clipping of ambience and interview cuts. Yet I do recommend this piece for regional use by stations. California residents would especially find this piece of interest.
Comments for Venice At 100: A Touch of Eden
Produced by Anthea Raymond
Other pieces by KCRW
Rating Summary
1 comment
Dmae Lo Roberts
Posted on March 13, 2005 at 09:10 AM | Permalink
Review of Venice At 100: A Touch of Eden
This is a solid history of Venice Beach during the last hundred years. Certainly no other part of LA holds the fun exotic and celebratory qualities like Venice Beach. I would like ot have heard more of that quality in the evolution of this historic site from a city on its own right to what it is now. There isn't a sense of fun or celebration in this documentary. It is an entirely factual report. Perhaps that's my own bias but a place that has the reputation of Venice needs to for my ears to be more...fun. I liked the use of Orson Wells' A Touch of Evil in the piece and the archival recordings if Hoppy-Land, Hopalong Cassidy's amusement park. We needed more stories like this. There are also some slight pops and clipping of ambience and interview cuts. Yet I do recommend this piece for regional use by stations. California residents would especially find this piece of interest.