LAVERNE & SHIRLEY SEASON 4 DVD REVIEW

Laverne & Shirley start their fourth season still in Milwaukee working for the brewery. This season consists of 24 episodes. The show was a spin-off of Happy Days. The series lasted for eight seasons. Quite a few guest stars dropped by to visit the girls such as Hans Conreid, Toni Basil, Robert Alda, Anne Ramsey and Jay Leno. There are no special features on this set.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All discs have a Play All feature. All episodes are approx 22 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. "The Festival" Pt. 1
"The Festival" Pt. 2
"Playing The Roxy"
"The Robbery"
"The Quiz Show"
"Laverne & Shirley Go To Night School"-with Hans Conreid

Disc 2- 6. "A Date with Eraserhead"
7. "The Bully Show"
8. "A Visit to the Cemetery"
9. "A Chorus Line"-with Toni Basil
10. "Laverne & Shirley Move In"
11. "Dinner for Four"

Disc 3- 12. "It’s A Dog’s Life"
13. "Oh, Come All Ye Bums"
14. "Who’s Papa?"-with Ed Begley Jr.
15. "The Third Annual Shotz Talent Show"
16. "Supermarket Sweep"
17. "Lenny’s Crush"

Disc 4-18. "The Fire Show"-with Anne Ramsey
19. "Squiggy’s In Love"
20. "The Feminine Mistake"-with Jay Leno
21. "Tenants Are Revolting"
"There’s A Spy In My Beer"-with G.W. Bailey
"Shirley and The Older Man"-with Robert Alda

Extras

Disc 1: None
Disc 2: None
Disc 3: None
Disc 4: None

Verdict

Season 5 should be out soon. Paramount has done a good job on this set!

I REMEMBER NELSON TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about I Remember Nelson- Worshipped as a national savior, Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson masterminded the naval victories that thwarted Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain. Yet, in the midst of public adulation, rumors swirled about his private life. Nelson took a friend’s wife as a mistress and even fathered a child by her in secret.

Most British costume dramas can sometimes be a little boring, but I found that this series “I Remember Nelson” enjoyable in the fact that it is told in 4 different perspectives from 4 different people in Nelson’s life. The series originally aired on Masterpiece Theatre in 1982 starring Kenneth Colley as Horatio Nelson made famous among other things the saying “Kiss Me Hardy” referring to his Captain on ship when Nelson was hit by cannon fire and was dying down below deck. This 2-disc set has the 4 episodes from the mini series with Cast Filmographies and a Photo Gallery.

VIDEO

The video quality is good considering the age of the video! Each episode runs approx 52 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. “Love”-with Laurence Naismith, John Gill and John Forbes-Robertson
2. “Passion”-with Tim Pigott-Smith

Disc 2- 1. “Duty”-with Daniel Massey
2. “Battle”

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: Photo Gallery-26 pictures


Verdict

An engaging mini-series! If you are a sea-faring fan and like British Naval history, then you will like this!

THE SEA HUNTERS SET 2 DVD REVIEW

Clive Cussler, best known for his Dirk Pitt novels, comes “The Sea Hunters”, a documentary series that focuses on shipwrecks, maritime disasters and relic from World War 2. This set consists of the second 6 episodes that track things such as the Carpathia, the ship that saved the survivors of the Titanic which sank 6 years later due to German U-Boats and the Andrea Gail the story that became the movie “The Perfect Storm” among others! The team is led by renowned maritime Archaeologist James Delgado, which searches for these relics with submarines, 3-D imaging sonar and the latest mixed-gas dive equipment. The Sea Hunters is currently airing on the National Geographic Channel. This set includes extra footage from each episodes and a Clive Cussler Biography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The episodes run approx 48 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono.


Disc 1-
1. “The Search for Carpathia”
2. “The Search for Andrea Gail”
3. “Catherine The Great’s Treasure Ship”

Disc 2-
4. “Russalka: The Czar’s Lost Ironclad”
5. “Lost At Sea: The Great US Navy Airships: Akron and Macon”
6. “The Search for the SS Alabama”


Extras


Disc 1- Bonus Footage from first three episodes
Clive Cusslar’s Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2- Bonus Footage from last 3 episodes



Verdict

If you’re a fan of Shipwrecks and Diving, you’ll enjoy this show.

MATLOCK-SEASON 1 DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about Matlock Season 1: This 7-disc set contains all 24 Season One episodes of the immensely popular series, including the 2 hour TV movie “Diary of a Perfect Murder”, that introduced the character of Ben Matlock. Matlock is back, serving justice country-style!

My second favorite courtroom drama series has to be “Matlock”! This series was also a long running series lasting over 10 years! Matlock was a cross between Perry Mason and Columbo, where he would throw the guilty party off guard and then close the case. This 7 disc set covers the first 24 episodes with such luminaries as Dick Van Dyke, Piper Laurie, John Beck, William Conrad, Joe Penny, Jonathan Frakes, Pat Hingle and Roddy McDowell to name a few! The 2-part episode “The Don” has Joe Penny and William Conrad, which would later spin off in their own series “Jake and the Fatman”. Apart from some beginning episode teasers, there are no special features on this set. Thank God they came out with a full season set!

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also mostly uncut. There is also a Play All feature on each disc. Each episode runs approx 48 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. “Diary of a Perfect Murder”(Pilot) (91 Mins)
2. “The Judge”-with Dick Van Dyke, Piper Laurie and Bobbie Eakes
3. “The Stripper”

Disc 2- 1. “The Affair”-with Jeff Conaway and Carolyn Seymour
2. “The Seduction”-with John Beck and Alex Hyde White
3. “The Don” Part 1-with William Conrad, Joe Penny and Jose Ferrer
4. “The Don” Part 2-with William Conrad, Joe Penny and Jose Ferrer

Disc 3- 1. “The Sisters”-with Gail O’Grady and Conchata Ferrell
2. “The Cop”-with Hector Elanzio
3. “The Angel”-with Jonathan Frakes
4. “The Professor”-with Christopher McDonald and Don Porter

Disc 4- 1. “Santa Claus”-with Pat Hingle
2. “The Chef”-with Roddy McDowell
3. “The Author”-with Parker Stevenson and John Schuck
4. “The Rat Pack”-with Desi Arnez Jr and Greg Evigan

Disc 5- 1. “The Nurse”-with Billy Zane
2. “The Convict”-with Robert Pine and Larry Wilcox
3. “The Court-Martial” Part 1-with Barry Corbin, Dana Elcar and Tim Reid
4. “The Court-Martial” Part 2- with Barry Corbin, Dana Elcar and Tim Reid

Disc 6-1. “The Therapist”-with Kevin Hagen
2. “The People Vs Matlock”
3. “The Photographer”-with Billy Bob Thorton

Disc 7- 1. “The Reporter”
2. ”The Doctors”-with Norman Fell and Daniel Roebuck



Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: None


Verdict

I’m a big fan of Matlock and I am looking forward to Season 2! I also hope that they keep at least the Matlock episodes as full season sets!

PERRY MASON 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION DVD REVIEW

One of the longest running Courtroom dramas was one of my favorites, “Perry Mason” played flawlessly by the great late Raymond Burr! This 50th Anniversary set is a treasure trove of episodes over the course of its 9-year run. In this 4 disc set there are 12 classic episodes some of which are the ones where Mason loses the case and where Burr plays a dual role and the only color episode and the final episode of the series. There is also on the special features disc (Disc 4) the first Reunion movie “Perry Mason Returns” as well as audition tapes where Burr played the Hamilton Burger part while William Hopper played Perry Mason! There is also audio commentary on the episode “The Dead Ringer” with Barbara Hale and Producer Arthur Marks. A good spread of episodes to keep you interested!

VIDEO

The video quality is superb! Digitally Remastered. There is a Play All feature. Barbara Hale optionally introduces every episode. Each episode runs approx 52 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also Mono on this set.

Disc 1-
1. “The Case of the Wary Wildcatter”-with Barbara Bain
2. “The Case of the Treacherous Toupee”-with Robert Redford
3. “The Case of the Envious Editor”-with James Coburn
4. “The Case of the Barefaced Witness”-with Adam West and Paul Fix

Disc 2-
1. “The Case of the Counterfeit Crank”-with Burt Reynolds
2. “The Case of the Shoplifter’s Shoe”-with Leonard Nimoy
3. “The Case of the Constant Doyle”-with Bette Davis
4. “The Case of the Deadly Verdict”-with Julie Adams (Mason loses case)

Disc 3-
1. “The Case of the Bountiful Beauty”-with Ryan O’Neal
2. “The Case of the Twice Told Twist”-with Victor Buono (Only Color Episode)
3. “The Case of the Dead Ringer”-Burr plays a dual role
4. “The Case of the Final Fadeout”-with Dick Clark and Denver Pyle (Last Episode of the Series)

Disc 4- Special Features Disc-See Extras


Extras

Disc 1 : None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Audio Commentary on Dead Ringer with Barbara Hale and Arthur Marks

Disc 4: Perry Mason Returns-Reunion Movie- (95 Mins)
Perry Mason Talent Tests- (19:16)
The Case of Erie Stanley Gardner featurette- (11:32)
Syndication Promos- (01:03)
Raymond Burr Charlie Rose Interviews- (12:09)
Raymond Burr on “Person To Person”-(11:39)
New Barbara Hale Interview (19:55)
New Arthur Marks Interview- (18:33)
Photo Gallery-61 pictures
“Stump the Stars-Perry Mason Cast- (11:05)
William Talman anti-smoking message- (07:13)
CBS Executive Anne Nelson Interview- (04:31)


Verdict

A very well done set! I would highly recommend this set for anyone to buy!

THE LAST DETECTIVE SERIES 4 DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about The Last Detective Series 4: Beleaguered by life and belittled by his colleagues, “Dangerous” Davies (Peter Davison, DOCTOR WHO, ALL CREATURES GREAT & SMALL) cracks five all-new cases in the detective series that has delighted legions of loyal fans.

This box set is the final five episodes from Dangerous Davies. This time around his wife actually takes him back and also lets Mod live with them. Five more great stories arrive in this set for series 4. Davies still gets the least promising cases and his colleagues still mock him but he also solves some pretty good cases too. These episodes also has a few really good guest stars such as the Who’s Roger Daltrey, Leslie Phillips and New Doctor Who’s Camille Cordi and comedienne, Josie Lawrence. The special features are the same as series 1 & 2 and 3 with the exception of a really interesting video interview with the star himself, Peter Davison!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Episodes run approx 69 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Is also in Mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. “Once Upon a Time on the Westway” with Camille Cordi, Roger Daltrey and Anthony Valentine
2. “Dangerous Liaisons”
3. “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Willesden”

Disc 2- 1. “The Man From Montevideo”-with Josie Lawrence
2. “Dead Peasants Society”-with Leslie Phillips and Owen Teale


Extras

Disc 1: Cast filmographies
Leslie Thomas Biography

Disc 2: Peter Davison Video Interview (23:07)


Verdict

I really enjoyed this series. Peter Davison consistently puts out great performances! Well worth the buy!

FORTYSOMETHING-COMPLETE SERIES DVD REVIEW

A rather strange but funny series starring Hugh Laurie who also directed the first 3 episodes is about a middle-aged man hence the title “Fortysomething” who is a Doctor that is having a mid-life crisis and a affair or two. The series also stars Anne Chancellor from “Suburban Shootout” as his wife who also may be having affairs as well. By sheer coincidence or irony, the very next project for Laurie was to go to America to star in a TV series about a strange Doctor in the series “House”! This series had a few well-known British actors such as Sheila Hancock, Clive Mantle and Laurie’s comedy buddy for 10 years, Stephen Fry. Special Features include a text only Biography on Hugh Laurie and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks Each episode runs approx 49 mins each. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono but very clear!

Disc 1- 1. “Episode 1”-with Sheila Hancock and Clive Mantle
2. “Episode 2”-with Stephen Fry
3. “Episode 3”

Disc 2- 1. “Episode 4”
2. “Episode 5”
3. “Episode 6”

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)
Hugh Laurie Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None


Verdict

A very good series. If you are a fan of Hugh Laurie, pick this one up!