Further Tales of City (2pc)

Exploring his sexuality full tilt, Michael embarks on a series of sexual escapades involving cowboys, cops and Cage Tyler (JOHN ROBINSON) a closeted movie star. Michael's friend and neighbor Mary Ann Singleton (LAURA LINNEY) is challenged with a relationship problem of a different kind. Her boyfriend and upstairs neighbor, Brian Hawkins (WHIP HUBLEY) who has spent most of his adult life as a womanizer, comes to the realization that he wants to marry her. She, however, is hesitant to take the next step as she is focused on her career. Longing to become a serious reporter, but not given a chance by her station manager, she is forced to work as a daytime host of the "Bargain Matinee" show. Mary Ann's late boss' widow, socialite Frannie Halcyon (DIANA LEBLANC) is tormented by her daughter DeDe's (BARBARA GARRICK) apparent demise in the Jonestown Massacre. Living on Mai Tais and sleeping pills, she refuses to accept that DeDe and her children, Little Anna and Edgar were killed. She seeks advice from psychics to help her find her missing daughter. When a fortune-teller convinces her that DeDe is indeed alive, she asks for the support of society columnist Prue Giroux (MARY KAY PLACE) to make her story public. When Prue refuses to get involved, Frannie calls Mary Ann to share her secret. Since Mary Ann is always searching for a good story, she is eager to meet in hopes of finally getting a break on the evening news.

Meanwhile, Prue meets a mysterious homeless man, Luke (HENRY CZERNY) in Golden Gate Park. Immediately drawn to his intense charm, she falls madly in love with him. Little does she know that she's opening Pandora's Box when she attempts to bring him back to society with the help of flamboyant celebrity priest Father Paddy Star (BRUCE MCCULLOCH). Luke's past is far more sinister than Prue could ever imagine. Then it's revealed that DeDe Halcyon Day has spent three years in Cuba with her lover Dorothea (FRANCOISE ROBERTSON) after escaping the massacre in Guyana. She ends up in a camp for gay Cuban refugees in Fort Chafee, Arkansas and finally calls her mother Frannie in San Francisco to tell her that she wants to come home. Through DeDe's unexpected reappearance and a twist of fate, the storylines begin to intertwine and all of the characters in Maupin's tales find themselves in the midst of an unpredictable adventure.

My only problem with this release is that instead of screening all four episodes uncut, they have released them as a feature length movie.

In Britain 'More' was released on video in the same format. The result was that all the scenes at the start of each episode that had the cast/production credits on screen were cut so I, the viewer, missed out on a number of scenes. I haven't seen the TV version of 'Further' so cannot comment on whether this dvd version has cut some scenes due to the on screen credits or whether they have included these scenes minus the on screen credits. 'More' was released as six episodes back to back. 'Further' should have been released this way as well.

The production is classy although there are a few dodgy shots here and there, such as establishing shots of the ship spoilt by rain drops on the camera lens.

Viewers of 'Tales' and 'More' should enjoy this release. Viewers new to 'Tales of the City' will probably find the characters in 'Further' a bit cold and would be advised to watch the first two mini-series before watching 'Further'.

Its hard to believe that in 2003 the first mini-series will be ten years old. Lets hope it doesn't take ten years to see the last three books developed for televison.


Stunning! Does Justice to Great Book! 10 Stars!   October 3, 2002
Bunny Man! (Seattle, WA USA)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

"Further Tales of the City" continues in the fine tradition established by the first two dramatizations of Maupin's works. We can only hope for the last 3 books (and maybe "Maybe the Moon" as well??)

Fortunately, the lion's share of actors from "More Tales of the City" continues into part three. It is critically important that Mary Ann and Anna Madrigal have been played throughout by the same fine actors, and it is a great bonus that Dee Dee has also had one performer. Her look in part three is quite a change from pts. 1-2; this woman has seen great changes in her life, and has weathered them well. The experience shows.

Other important actors (especially Bryan, Michael, and Mother Mucca) continue from part two.

It is amazing how much of the plot of the book, and how much of the actual language, has been able to be incorporated into this new series. The major substantive change was the incorporation of Mother Mucca (who appears only in book 2) and a whole new subplot into Further Tales. The major deletion was the "gay bashing" of Bryan and Michael, and the shifting of the wedding scene. None of this does violence to the original plot, and none will interfere into devoutly-desired future sequels, and they add richnesses of their own.

I am a veteran of many readings of the books, and of frequent viewings of "Tales" and "More Tales", will certainly watch "Further Tales" repeatedly.

Do get this and watch it! And those of you who have produced this gem, please continue the good work!


Badly mastered DVD   May 25, 2004
S. Maxey (Chicago)
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

Four starts for the content. Zero stars for the DVD mastering.

Perhaps it's because they tried to stuff more than three hours worth of material onto 1 DVD, but like others, I too was unable to play this all the way through on my DVD player. The problems start right about at the start of episode 4, and just keep getting worse. But perhaps it's just bad mastering, because I had the same problem with the second, extras, DVD, which isn't nearly so full. It's a shame such a wonderful series is marred by a badly mastered disc.


This whole series has rated 5 stars   August 4, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

"Further" is the third filmed adaption in an ongoing series of six books by Armistead Maupin dealing with a cross section of people living in 1970s San Francisco. Part one ran on PBS around 1994. Despite high ratings, there apparently was some protest over the fact that it had sexual themes and some homosexual characters. So PBS decided to put their "member dollars" elsewhere. Too bad, since it's one of the finest mini series done on television. Part one isn't available on DVD due to some rights issues.

Showtime funded production of the second installment ("More Tales..") in the late 90s with most of the same cast , followed by "Further" in 2001. Neither parts two nor three have quite the dazzle of the original, but are still extremely entertaining. It's fun to see Laura Linney's character evolve in this film into a self-assured woman. Giving too many details about the plot would spoil the fun. But it ties up some loose ends from part two and for the character of Mrs. Madrigal, a role that Olympia Dukakis imbues with a wonderful sense of humanity. The subplot of Michael Tolliver involves a star-crossed visit to an actor's home in L.A., modeled after Rock Hudson. Absent from this series are the wretched stereotypes found in so many films with gay subplots. These people are like a cross-section of a community, all nicely drawn and interesting in their own right. Laura Linney and many other cast members seem comfortable with the nudity in the story, which doesn't seem sensationalized. It just fits theme of sexual revolution and the search for self fulfillment that seems to have been part of the late 70s era.

Overall - Highly rated. But make sure you have seen parts one and two first before tackling this third visit to 28 Barbary Lane. This is a series with a strong story most people should enjoy.


wish i could give more than 5 stars   August 8, 2004
n/a
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I once read a review saying that this film is like comfort food- I think there's no better way to say it! It's a bowl of pasta or warm chocolatey pudding. Makes you want to live their and know the characters. Mrs. Madrigal -adopt me!!!!!