About this release
"This collection of 22 documentaries by the independent filmmaker Les Blank includes restored versions of his features The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins, God Respects Us When We Work, but Loves Us When We Dance, Spend It All, A Well Spent Life, Dry Wood, Hot Pepper, Always for Pleasure, Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers, Sprout Wings and Fly, In Heaven There Is No Beer?, Gap-Toothed Women, Yum, Yum. Yum! A Taste of Cajun and Creole Cooking, The Maestro: King of the Cowboy Artists, Sworn to the Drum: A Tribute to Francisco Aguabella, as well as eight additional shorts made by Blank."
Where to buy
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner Network member, FilmShelves earns from qualifying purchases. These links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Disc 1
BD
The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins (1968)
31 min
DocumentaryMusic
A musical portrait of Texas bluesman 'Lightnin' Hopkins. The film includes interviews and a performance by Hopkins. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2002.
Credits
Director
Skip Gerson
Les Blank
Cast
Lightnin' Hopkinsas Self
Billy Bizoras Self
Mance Lipscombas Self
Ruth Amesas Self (as Ruth 'Blues' Ames)
Cinematographer
Les Blank
Producer
Les Blank
God Respects Us When We Work, But Loves Us When We Dance (1968)
20 min
Documentary
Les Blank's poetic documentation of 1967's Los Angeles Easter Sunday Love-In. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2002.
Credits
Director
Skip Gerson
Les Blank
Spend It All (1972)
41 min
DocumentaryMusic
Another short documentary of "Real Food, Roots Music, and People Full of Passion for what they do!", Spend It All is Les Blank's spirited look at the French-speaking Cajun community of southwest Louisiana. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
Credits
Director
Les Blank
Cast
Marc Savoyas Self
Nathan Abshireas Self
Editor
Les Blank
A Well Spent Life (1971)
44 min
DocumentaryMusic
A musical portrait of Texas blues songster Mance Lipscomb.
Credits
Director
Les Blank
Skip Gerson
Cast
Mance Lipscombas Himself
Elnora Lipscombas Herself
Hattie Franklinas Herself
Alfred Franklinas Himself
Editor
Les Blank
The Sun's Gonna Shine (1969)
10 min
DocumentaryMusic
A lyrical recreation of Lightnin’ Hopkins’ decision at age eight to stop chopping cotton and start singing for a living. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2013.
Credits
Director
Les Blank
Cast
Lightnin' Hopkinsas Himself
Images
Release Details
- Packaging
- Blu-ray Case
Catalogue Info
- Added by
- Matthew Simpson
- Date added
- June 10, 2026