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Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: DVD
Brand: UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP DISTRIBUTION
EAN: 0855280001304
Format: Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: First Independent
Manufacturer: First Independent
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: First Independent
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 04, 2006
Running Time: 78 minutes
Sales Rank: 23184
Studio: First Independent
Theatrical Release Date: 2005
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Editorial Review:
Description:
Arthur Kane of the legendary band the New York Dolls rockets to the top of the glam rock scene. Then with the death of a band member, the group bottoms out and eventually splits up. Arthur disappears from the music scene and in a surprising twist of fate, becomes a Mormon librarian. Years later, Morrissey (of the Smiths) offers Arthur the opportunity to go back into the spotlight and revisit a life he thought was lost forever. New York Doll is a heartfelt story about second chances and an incredible music journey.
Amazon.com:
For a look at a 'Killer,' New York Doll is a surprisingly tender portrait. But then Arthur 'Killer' Kane, bass player for the New York Dolls, was a gentle soul at heart. In his feature film debut, director Greg Whiteley ably explores the dichotomy between the stone-faced rocker with the 'killer' bass lines and the mild-mannered librarian at LA's Mormon Family History Center. Kane never had much of a home life, but he loved rock and roll, and found a second family with the Dolls. It was, to say the least, a dysfunctional one. Fame came fast, but money didn't follow, and the band imploded 'because of our bad behavior.' Kane struggled with alcohol and other problems before finding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1980s. He turned his life around, but refused to let go of the past. He wanted to get the band back together. Jerry Nolan and Johnny Thunders died in the 1990s, but Kane’s dream didn’t. 'For 30 years I was ignored and told that I was a loser,' he states. Whiteley doesn't preach or condescend, but allows Kane to tell his own story, bolstered by comments from friends and associates. As Morrissey, who kick-started the group’s 2004 London reunion, explains, 'For everybody there's an artist that captures you at just the right time... The Dolls were that for me.' Featuring David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain, Iggy Pop, Chrissie Hynde, and Mick Jones, New York Doll was nominated for the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Attention Garage Rockers, Moz Lovers, and Mormons!
How do you go wrong with a documentary about the New York Dolls, Morrissey, and Mormonism? Yes, the film NEW YORK DOLL offers this all, but more importantly, it offers the truly bittersweet story of one man who's ultimate wish is fulfilled just when he needs it most.
You'll learn the story of Arthur Kane, who tasted rock glory as the bassist for the New York Dolls, only to lose it all as the group imploded in a storm of addiction, egos, and too much too soon. Arthur was left with a terrible drinking problem, and the memory of once being on top of the world, one that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
Luckily, Arthur has two guardian angels, Morrissey and Mormonism. After losing everything he had and turning into a complete drunk, Arthur manages to get sober and find stable, although slightly less glamorous employment, based on his dedication to the Church of Mormon. With the help of his faith, he lives a quiet peaceful life but constantly dreams of reuiniting with his old bandmates to reclaim their glory that was cut short way too soon.
Now enter Arthur's second guardian angel, one many might argue is much holier than the Church of Mormon and happens to be the NY Dolls biggest fan- Morrissey. When he's given the chance to organize a music festival, Morrissey invites the Dolls to play, which means Arthur's wish will be answered- his band will reunite and he'll experience rock stardom once again.
I don't want to give too much away, but ... Read More
Rating:  - Sincerely I remain, Arthur Kane
In his eulogy as song "NY Doll", Robyn Hitchock sang, "People touch you. How do I explain?" This sentiment could also apply to this truly wonderful look at the life, more the latter life, of Arthur "The Killer" Kane. And what an intriguing picture it paints of this former New York Doll and glam/punk-rock icon. The Arthur Kane most of us knew was the bedazzled, lurching creature that anchored the New York Dolls in the 1970s, a quiet foil to David Johansen's flamboyant stage persona (think of the dynamic between John Entwhistle and Roger Daltry, or lack thereof, and you get the idea). In fact, Kane was once referred to as "the only living statue in rock-and-roll."
But this film brings Kane into sharp focus in the early 2000s. Not the drug casualty that rumor had him to be, and certainly not anything like his former self in the Dolls, aside from the lumbering, stoic demeanor being still evident. No, the Killer was alive & well, a recovering alcoholic who had been sober for years, and was now working as a volunteer librarian in the genealogy center at the Los Angeles Temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is truly an odd vision to see this man, known for his outlandish glam attire and frothy hairdo, appearing as a way more than normal man in a white dress shirt and tie. And that's where the film starts to get really interesting.
To say more would do an injustice to the beauty of this tale of Kane's last years. Needless to say, though, it ... Read More
Rating: - Touching...
I am just so fascinated and in love with this story.
I have caught it twice on Showtime...I know the New York Dolls, I was too young to have discovered them in the '70's. Well, ok, truth be told I was an 8-year old busy trying to be Major Tom of "Space Oddity"...so I overlooked the Dolls.
But in the 1980's discovered them and loved them. I got a chance to see David Johanson live pre-Buster Poindexter and also saw Johnny Thunders. So those were the only two Dolls I knew of.
I have re-discovered them AGAIN, having seen them just this past February (2008) in Chicago. Wow. They are just as good as ever...Syl Sylvain, and the new guitarist Steve Conte...of course Syl is a legend also and the new guitarist is fantastic. Even looks a bit like Johnny did back in the day.
I knew *of* Arthur "Killer" Kane, but that was all until I saw this documentary. I am enthralled.
There is a great deal of old Dolls footage, and I love the interviews of Chrissie Hynde, Sir Bob Geldof, and Morrissey. These are the artists I really grew up idolizing in the '80's.
I dont'want to give away too much about the film. Everyone else has covered the details. The guitars in the pawn shop, Arthur's conversion to Mormon, the reunion concert in London...everything.
Everyone knows Arthur has passed away. But the way it happened....incredible.Just amazing.
Everything in this man's life was *so* meant to be. There are no ifs, ands ... Read More
Rating: - Doll Redux Redemption
Many great reasons abound to watch the film "New York Doll," about the weirdo world of Arthur Kane. It's an accurate documentary on a difficult subject with which to be objective: the post-rock-stardom life of a well known musician who bottomed out without financial success. Kane had been by far the weirdest individual of one of America's weirdest bands after all.
It provides the only cool footage of Kane's band, the legendary USA glamsters of the early 1970's The New York Dolls, besides Bob Gruen's excellent, exhaustively documented "All Dolled Up."
It's a true bridge between organized religion and rock & roll craziness, the Apollonian/Dionysian ideal, insofar as the filmmaker, a fellow Mormon like the film's subject, had to travel the same psychic distance to understand Kane as Kane had to in order to understand his newly embraced religion.
It shows the New York Dolls reunion in London's 2004 Meltdown, fun in itself, with footage of an astonishing insight of understanding backstage. Flamboyantly extroverted lead singer David Johansen immediately intuits that he's gone too far teasing Kane about the latter's newly embraced religion, instantaneously does an about face, backs off and joins in Kane's pre-gig band prayer. I like this.
Kane passed away within days of the reunion. Luckily this testament to his redemption remains.
Rating: - Rock Redemption
I heard about the movie and ended up luckily going to the premier in Salt Lake. The Dolls are a little before my time but I was aware of them and their influence. I completely loved this film, it is pretenseless, pure and riveting. I was unaware of the ending before hand and found myself touched by it. Well done.
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