No Applause, Just Throw Money.

• Author: Rothenberg, Robert S.

Direct Cinema Limited /28 minutes / $34. 95

Never underestimate entertainers' ability--or desperation--to find some way to eke out a living while waiting to strike it rich. Some may wait on tables or work at odd jobs; others take to the streets to coax coins and, they hope, a few bills from whatever audiences they can draw with their acts. This amusing video follows a number of street performers around New York City and watches them at work.

A dizzying array of unicyclists, dancers, singers, poets, comedians, mimes, contortionists, magicians, sword swallowers, jugglers, fire eaters, street artists, tightrope walkers, and musicians of every sort--playing classical music, jazz, rock, and rap on all types of instruments, including drums made...