The Corner Penthouse

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment recently released the Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) 4K UHD. Read on to find out more about it...

[ SYNOPSIS ]

If Richard Pryor were accused of being the funniest man in America, this film of his incredible stage act would be Exhibit A. It is proof beyond the shadow of a doubt! Shot live at the Hollywood Palladium, the film captures all the excitement, lunacy and electric force of a Pryor performance. And though he's the only star of this hilarious show, he's never alone on stage. With him is his amazing array of characterizations as he talks about his trip to Africa in search of his roots, his early days playing one-night gigs in Mafia-owned clubs and strip joints, and numerous other outrageous topics. Finally, he talks about "Pryor on Fire" - a recounting of the accident which nearly took his life - an episode he relates with wit and a touch of poignancy. You'll laugh like you've never laughed before!

[ SPECIFICATIONS ]

The movie is presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio with a runtime of 1:21:13. The movie has been rated R. Audio languages include English. Subtitle languages include English SDH, Spanish.

[ SPECIAL FEATURES ]

All of the content listed below can be found the UHD disc.

• Theatrical Trailer (0:32) - This vintage trailer, in 4:3 aspect ratio, is missing the "Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You" end card, as found on the DVD.

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

No digital copy code voucher is included inside the standard one-disc black UHD case, but a slipcover is included.

I would like to point out something I noticed about the case artwork when I compared it the same poster artwork that appears on the back cover of the "Richard Pryor Stand-Up Comedy Double Feature" DVD set I own, which just bundles the Live on the Sunset Strip DVD with the Here and Now DVD. I noticed that the billboard that appears under Richard's foot is advertising a different movie. On the new 4K, the movie is Annie starring Aileen Quinn; on the old DVD, the movie is Neighbors, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. At first I thought that the new 4K artwork was altered, but it appears that the change from Neighbors to Annie was done way back in the 1980s, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to which version is used.


Neighbors appears in the original theatrical poster and promo photos, as well as on a 1989 VHS tape from Goodtimes Home Video. Annie appears on the CED disc release. The album version of the stand-up routine omits the billboard entirely.

[ NOTES ]

Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) is available on 4K UHD and DVD (4:3 Fullscreen). Yeah, it was never released on Blu-ray. I have to admit, a stand-up comedy special is a weird thing to release on 4K since there's not a big color palette (mostly red, black, and brown) or fast action taking place. That said, what little there is to see looks GORGEOUS in ultra high definition and Pryor's comedy is still as fanny and profane as ever. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

This item has been provided by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for review on this site.