ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES-COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

One of the most beloved British sitcoms of all time is now out on DVD in a complete series collection. “Only Fools & Horses” is a show about a fast talking Cockney market trader living in an low rent apartment building in south London with his younger brother and their grandfather and later their Uncle while selling low quality & illegal goods. They also have a questionable company that sells on the black market, and most famously they drive a grubby three-wheeled van known as a “Reliant Regal”.

The trio also hangs out at a pub called “The Nag’s Head”. The show lasted solidly from 1981 to 1991 and had Christmas specials off & on until 2003 with 64 episodes produced. They finally became millionaires by the series end and lost it all only to get some of it back before the show finally stopped in 2003. Some well-known actors & actresses graced the show such as Tony Anholt, Jim Broadbent, Roy Marsden, Christopher Ryan, Richard Branson, Barry Gibb and Joan Sims.

The show also won countless Bafta and Comedy awards over the years there has also been a spin off show called “The Green, Green Grass” in 2005 without David Jason & Nicolas Lyndhurst. This set includes all 64 episodes with all the Christmas specials with a making of documentary with photo galleries and trailers for other BBC series.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on videotape with filmed outdoor shots. All episodes run approx 32 mins each except Christmas specials.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1- “Big Brother”-with Roger Lloyd Pack
2- “Go West Young Man”-with Caroline Ellis
3- “Cash & Curry”
4- “The Second Time Around”
5- “A Slow Bus To Chingford”
6- “The Russians Are Coming”-with Derek Newark


Disc 2- 7- “The Long Legs of the Law”
8- “Ashes to Ashes”
9- “A Losing Streak”
10- “No Greater Love”
11- “The Yellow Peril”
12- “It Never Rains”
13- “A Touch of Glass”-with Geoffrey Toome


Disc 3- 14- “Homesick”-with Gilly Flower and Renee Roberts
15- “Healthy Competition”
16- “Friday The 14th”
17- “Yesterday Never Comes”
18- “May The Force Be With You”-with Jim Broadbent
19- “Wanted”
20- “Who’s A Pretty Boy”-with David Jackson

Disc 4- 21- “Christmas Crackers” (58:00)
22- “Diamonds Are For Heather” (58:00)
23- “Thicker Than Water” (58:00)

Disc 5- 24- “Happy Returns”
25- “Strained Relations”
26- “Hole In One”-with Colin Jeavons
27- “Its Only Rock and Roll”
28- “Sleeping Dogs Lie”
29- “Watching The Girls Go By”
30- “As One Door Closes”

Disc 6- 31- “From Prussia with Love”
32- “The Miracle Of Peckham”-with Carol Cleveland
33- “The Longest Night”
34- “Tea For Three”
35- “Video Nasty”
36- “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”


Disc 7- 37- “To Hull & Back”-with Tony Anholt and Jim Broadbent-1985 Christmas Special (90 mins)
38- “A Royal Flush”-with Peter Tuddenham-1986 Christmas Special (76 mins)

Disc 8- 39- “The Frog’s Legacy”-with Joan Sims-1987 Christmas Special (59 mins)
40- “Dates”-with Nicholas Courtney (79 mins)

Disc 9- 41- “Yuppy Love”
42- “Danger UXD”
43- “Chain Gang”

Disc 10- 44- “The Unlikely Winner Is….”
45- “Sickness & Wealth”
46- “Little Problems”-with Roy Marsden, Christopher Ryan


Disc 11- 47- “The Jolly Boy’s Outing”-with Wanda Ventham-1989 Christmas Special (79 mins)

Disc 12- 48- “Rodney Come Home”-1989 Christmas Special (73 mins)

Disc 13- 49- “The Sky’s The Limit”
50- “The Chance of a Lunchtime”
51- “Stage Fright”

Disc 14- 52- “Class Of ‘62”-with Jim Broadbent
53- “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Uncle”
54- “Three Men, A Woman and a Baby”

Disc 15- 55 & 56- “Miami Twice-The Movie”-with Richard Branson and Barry Gibb-1991 Christmas Special (139 mins)

Disc 16-57- “Mother Nature’s Son-1992 Christmas Special (64 mins)
58- “Fatal Extraction”-1993 Christmas Special (82 mins)

Disc 17-59- “Heroes and Villians”-1996 Christmas Special (58 mins)
60- “Modern Men”-1996 Christmas Special (58 mins)
61- “Time On Our Hands”-with Michael Jayston-1996 Christmas Special (58 mi)

Disc 18- 62- “If They Could See Us Now!”-2001 Christmas Special (70 mins)
63- “Strangers On The Shore”-with James Ellis-2002 Christmas Special (73 mi)
64- “Sleepless In Peckham”-2003 Christmas Special (73 mins)


Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- Making of “Only Fools… (67 mins)
Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Peckham Concise Trotter Dictionary- (Text Only)

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Photo Gallery
Trailers for other BBC Shows

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- None

Disc 11- Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailers for other BBC Shows

Disc 12- Trailers for other BBC Shows

Disc 13- None

Disc 14- None

Disc 15- None

Disc 16- None

Disc 17- None

Disc 18-None

Verdict

An infectious series, when you watch it, you’ll get hooked! Lovely Jubbly!


Rating; *****!

HAMISH MACBETH-COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

Hamish Macbeth is a series of mystery novels by M.C. Beaton that was turned into a TV series that ran from 1995 to 1997, starring Robert Carlyle. The series takes place in a small fishing village in the Northern part of Scotland, just like where my grandmother was born. Robert Carlyle plays a policeman that is the Constable of the village where interesting and weird things happen. Some actors in this series went on to bigger things. Shirley Henderson who played Isobel went on to portray Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films as well as Carlyle himself with Trainspotting and The Full Monty and Alistair Mackenzie that went on to star in the TV series Monarch of the Glen. This set includes all 3 seasons minus one episode “West Coast Story” presumably because of the extensive use of excerpts from the movie “West Side Story” and could not get the clearance to have it on DVD. The set also includes cast biographies and a behind the scenes featurette.

VIDEO

Excellent quality. There is also a Play All feature for every disc. Each episode runs approx 50 mins each.

Audio

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


Disc 1- 1. “The Great Lochdubh Salt Robbery”
2. “A Pillar of the Community”-with Phyllida Law
3. “The Big Freeze”

Disc 2- 1. “Wee Jock’s Lament”
2. “A Bit of an Epic”

Disc 3- 1. “A Perfectly Simple Explanation”
2. “In Search of a Rose”-with Alistair Mackenzie
3. “Isobel Pulls it Off”

Disc 4- 1. “Radio Lochdubh”
2. “No Man Is An Island”-with Michael Mackenzie
3. “The Lochdubh Deluxe”-with Andrew Keir

Disc 5- 1. “The Honorable Policeman”
2. “Deferred Sentence”
3. “Lochdubh Assassin”
4. “The Good Thief”

Disc 6- 1. “The Trouble with Rory”
2. “More Than A Game”
3. “Destiny Pt 1”
4. “Destiny Pt 2”



Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Cast Biographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Good Morning with Anne and Nick-Hamish Macbeth- (04:54) 03/22/1996
Trailers to other BBC Shows

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: Cast Biographies- (Text Only)
Trailers to other BBC Shows


Verdict

I enjoyed watching this series very much and would love to actually visit the location sometime!


Rating; *****!

IRONSIDE-SEASON 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Shout Factory about “Ironside Season 2”- With superb story lines dealing with socially important topics like racism, drugs, abortion and terror on a college campus, Ironside’s second season continued the tradition of attracting special guest stars-including Milton Berle, Anne Baxter, Bill Bixby, Ricardo Montalban, Burgess Meredith, Ed Asner and many more.

All 26 episodes from the second season are on this set. This show continued to springboard actors and actresses that have gone on to bigger things such as Sorrell Booke, Paul Winfield, Chad Everett and Ed Asner to name a few. The film quality is still very impressive. Returning for a second season was Don Galloway, Barbara Anderson and Don Mitchell with Galloway and Mitchell along with Burr were the only three actors that were in every episode in its 8-year run.


VIDEO

The video quality is superb! It seems that the episodes are not digitally remastered; however the video quality is excellent. There is a Play All feature.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Shell Game” with Sorrell Booke, Charles Aidman and Lisa Todd
2. “Split Second To An Epitaph Pt 1” with Joseph Cotton, Troy Donahue and Andrew Prine
3. “Split Second To An Epitaph Pt 2” with Joseph Cotton and Troy Donahue
4. “The Sacrifice” with Ricardo Montalban, Robert Alda and Phillip Pine

Disc 2- 1. “Robert Phillips Vs The Man” with Paul Winfield and Diane Ladd
2. “Desperate Encounter” with Gene Raymond
3. “I, The People” with Milton Berle, Julie Adams and George Murdock
4. “Price Tag: Death” with Ralph Meeker and Clu Gulager

Disc 3- 1. “An Obvious Case of Guilt” with Anne Baxter and Warren Stevens
2. “Reprise” with Eddie Firestone
3. “The Macabre Mr. Micawber” with Burgess Meredith
4. “Side Pocket” with Jack Albertson

Disc 4-1. “Sergeant Mike” with Bill Bixby, John Dehner and Robert Cornthwaite
2. “In Search Of An Artist” with Broderick Crawford
3. “Up, Down and Even” with Alfred Ryder and Richard Anderson
4. “Why The Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Club Met On Thursday” with Arthur O’Connell and Ellen Corby

Disc 5- 1. “Rundown On A Bum Rap” with James Gregory and Clifton James
2. “The Prophecy”
3. “A World Of Jackals” with William Smithers and Charles Dierkop
4. “And Be My Love” with Chad Everett

Disc 6- 1. “Moonlight Means Money” with Skip Homeier
2. “A Drug On The Market” with Ray Danton and Alan Caillou
3. “Puzzlelock” with Simon Oakland and Dabbs Greer

Disc 7- 1. “The Tormentor” with Cary Collins and Mary Ann Mobley
2. “A Matter Of Love & Death”
3. “Not A Whimper, But A Bang” with Ed Asner and John Zaremba


Extras

Disc 1-7 : None


Verdict

Again, a great season of episodes! Come on Season 3!


Rating; *****!

YOUNG INDIANA JONES-THE WAR YEARS-VOLUME 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount Home Video about “Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Volume 2: From the creative mind of George Lucas comes a must-own action-packed, 9 disc DVD collection. This second set in a three volume series includes more than 13 hours of special features that explore the history behind the adventures of one of cinema’s greatest heroes: Indiana Jones.

This next set is the War Years mainly around World War I. The journeys of this show started in 1908 to 1920. This volume covers 1916 to 1917. This time, Young Indy meets up with such Historical figures as Lenin, Frank Kafka, Mata Hari, Albert Schweitzer, Baron Von Richtofen to name a few. There are also some well known stars as well such as Jacqueline Pearce, Jon Pertwee, Anthony Daniels, Christopher Lee, Terry Jones, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Daniel Craig and Colin Baker. This set also is crammed full of documentaries, some which are about World War I and the Middle East with a Timeline and much, much more!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All episodes are shot on 16mm film but have been Digitally Remastered.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Trenches of Hell”-with Sean Pertwee (88 mins)

Disc 2- 1. “Demons of Deception”-with Jacqueline Pearce (92 mins)

Disc 3- 1. “Phantom Train Of Doom” (93 Mins)

Disc 4-1. “Oganga The Giver and Taker of Life” (88 mins)

Disc 5- 1. “Attack of The Hawkmen”-with Jon Pertwee and Anthony Daniels (96 Mins)

Disc 6- 1. “Adventures in the Secret Service”-with Christopher Lee and Joss Ackland (91 mins)

Disc 7- 1. “Espionage Escapades”-with Tim McInnerny and Terry Jones (95 mins)

Disc 8- 1. “Daredevils of the Desert”-with Catherine Zeta Jones, Daniel Craig and Colin Baker (81 Mins)

Disc 9- 1. Bonus Disc
Interactive Timeline-DVD Rom
Historical Lecture-War & Revolution-(62 Mins)
Special Delivery Interactive Game-DVD Rom

Extras

Disc 1- The Somme: Storm of Steel- (26:48)
Siegfried Sassoon-A War Poet’s Journey (30:08)
Robert Graves and The White Goddess (30:17)
I Am France-The Myth of Charles De Gaulle (30:07)

Disc 2- Into the Furnace-The Battle of Verdun (28:45)
Marshal Petain’s Fall From Grace (30:41)
Flirting with Danger: The Fantasy of Mata Hari (29:53)
Reading the Enemy’s Mind-Espionage in World War I (24:20)

Disc 3- Chasing The Phantom-Paul Von Lettow-Vorbeck (24:53)
Dreaming of Africa-The life of Frederick Selous (25:06)
At Home & Abroad-The Two Faces of Jan Smuts (32:16)

Disc 4- Albert Schweitzer-Reverence For Life (29:47)
Congo-A Curse of Riches (32:39)
Waging Peace-The Rise of Pacifism (26:02)

Disc 5- War in the Third Dimension: Aerial Warfare in World War I (26:43)
Blood Red-The Life & Death of Manfred Von Richthofen (24:34)
Flying High for France-The Lafayette Escadrille (26:13)
Anthony Fokker- The Flying Dutchman (27:30)

Disc 6- Karl: The Last Habsburg Emperor (29:49)
The Russian Revolution-All Power to the Soviets! (33:35)
V.I Lenin-History Will Not Forgive Us (33:53)

Disc 7- Impresario-Sergei Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes (28:13)
Ballet-The Art of Dance (32:15)
From Kafka’s Dark Truth (31:21)

Disc 8- Lines In The Sand-The Middle East and the Great War (34:29)
Colonel Lawrence’s War-T. E. Lawrence and Arabia (36:05)


Verdict

I highly recommend this set and the last volume should be out in the spring!


Rating; *****!

UNDERDOG-ULTIMATE COLLECTION TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Genius Entertainment/Sony Classic Media about “Underdog-The Ultimate Collection” – Now you can enjoy the 1960’s classic cartoon superhero in a whole new way! Eighteen complete episodes, all digitally re-mastered!

When I was 4 years old, I would put a towel around my neck and become “Underdog”! My aunt was “Sweet Polly Purebread”. I watched Underdog every time it was on and then in syndication. The Underdog Ultimate Collection set is out. I personally would not call the collection “Ultimate” more like “Best Of” because there are only 18 full episodes in the 3-DVD set. This 3 disc set comprises of full shows from episodes 7 thru 12, 19 thru 22 41, 42, 47, 48, 51, 52, 55 and 56. An “ultimate” collection to me would be all 62 full episodes with a ton of extras. Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong about this set! The episodes are digitally re-mastered and look light years better than they did in syndication. The special features are nice with an interview with the show’s co-creator Joe Harris and some original promos from the series as well as a sing-a-long to the theme music and more.

VIDEO

The episodes are Digitally Re-mastered. The episodes are approx 53 mins each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono. Very strong sound.


Disc 1-
1. “The Big Dipper” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)
2. “The Gold Bricks” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)
3. “Fearo the Ferocius” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)

With Go Go Gophers, Klondike Kat and Commander McBragg

Disc 2-
1. “The Great Road Robbery” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)
2. “The Big Shrink” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)
1. “The Marbleheads” Part 1 & 2 (53 Mins)

With Go Go Gophers, Klondike Kat and Commander McBragg


Disc 3-
1. “Weathering the Storm” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)
2. “Riffraffville” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)
3. “Round and Round” Parts 1 & 2 (53 Mins)

With Go Go Gophers, Klondike Kat and Commander McBragg

Extras


Disc 1- Interview with Co-Creator Joe Harris (08:40)
The Underdog Show’s Family of Characters
Original Opening of Short Subjects (03:53)

Disc 2- Underdog Theme song sing-a-long (01:10)
Archival Broadcast Promos (01:24)

Disc 3-Underdog Show Trivia Challenge
Storyboard: The Nut of Nog (06:11)


Verdict

If you are truly a fan of Underdog as I am, you will greatly enjoy this set! Get it for Christmas!


Rating: ****!

THE MOD SQUAD-SEASON 1 VOLUME 1 TV DVD REVIEW

Another great trip down memory lane! The Mod Squad was a very popular series for its time and was Aaron Spelling’s first prime time series when it premiered on 1968. The co-creator of the series was Danny Thomas. The basic plot for the series was 3 young people on the wrong side of the law that was given a chance by the police to work for them instead of a life in prison. The series starred Michael Cole as Pete Cochran, Clarence Williams III as Linc Hayes and Peggy Lipton as Julie Barnes. The person who changed their lives was Captain Greer played by the late Tige Andrews. The show lasted 5 seasons and 123 episodes. This volume consists of the first 13 episodes in crystal clear quality. There are also 3 featurettes about the series with Michael Cole and Peggy Lipton.

VIDEO

All 13 episodes have been Digitally Remastered. Each episode runs approx 51 mins. There is also a Play All feature

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is good to very good.


Disc 1- 1. “The Teeth of the Barracuda”-with Brooke Bundy
2. “Bad Man On Campus”-with J Pat O’Malley
3. “My, What a Pretty Bus”-with Henry Jones

Disc 2- 4. “When Smiley Comes Marching Home”-with Lou Gosett Jr
5. “You Can’t Tell the Players without a Programmer”-with Julie Adams
6. “A Time to Love, A Time To Cry”-with Robert Lansing and Rex Holman
7. “Find Tara Chapman”-with Yvonne Craig and Sid Melton

Disc 3- 8. “The Price of Terror”-with James Best and Herb Vigran
9. “A Quiet Weekend in the Country”-with James Gregory
10. “Love”-with Arthur Franz and Isabell Sanford

Disc 4-11. “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Starlet”-with William Smithers and Joan Van Ark
12. “The Guru”-with Dabney Coleman and Adam Roarke
13. “The Sunday Drivers”-with Paul Carr and Woodrow Parfrey



Extras

Disc 1: Forming the Squad- (15:00)
Inside “The Teeth of the Barracuda”-(09:34)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Friends of the Mod Squad- (16:10)

Disc 4: None


Verdict

A great series and waiting on Volume 2 to come out! Go buy it!

Rating: ****!

P.S. Today is the 1st Anniversary of this blogsite! I want to thank everybody that has helped me with this site and my regular website and it hard to believe this is review 142!

David

SONIC UNDERGROUND-VOLUME 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Shout Factory about “Sonic Underground Volume 1: In the third animated series based on the popular SEGA videogame character, Sonic The Hedgehog along with his siblings Sonia and Maniac-battles the evil Dr. Robotnik, while making time for his real passion…their rock band, Sonic Underground.

This Sonic series is the last in a long line of Sonic: The Hedgehog shows. This show premiered in the summer of 1999. It was also the last time that Jaleel White was the voice of Sonic. This time the plot for the series is that Sonic with his siblings, Sonia and Maniac fight Robotnik on a Global scale on Sonic’s home planet of Morbius. Sonic’s mother, Queen Aleena Hedgehog is prominent throughout the series. One of the most popular characters, Tails does not show up this time. Another character is introduced in the form of “Knuckles”. Jaleel White provides the voices of all 3 siblings. Each episode has a “Music Video” pertaining to their adventures. On an interesting note, the voice of Knuckle’s great-grandfather is none other than 007 himself, Sean Connery! The show was believed to have ran for 65 episodes, but actually only 40 episodes were produced. This set comprises of the first 20 episodes. The set also includes a bonus CD of some of the more popular songs on the series and some special features!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The episodes were digitally remastered. There is also a Play All feature. Each episode runs approx 22 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1-
1. “Beginnings” -song “Someday”
2. “Getting to know you” -song “Working Together In Harmony”
3. “Harmony or Something”-song “We’re All In This Together”
4. “To Catch A Queen”-song “Have You Got The 411”
5. “Mobodoon”-song “I’ve Found My Home”
6. “The Price of Freedom”-song “Money Can’t Buy”
7. “Underground Masquerade”-song “Let The Good Times Roll”
8. “Tangled Webs”-song “The Children Light The Way”

Disc 2-
9. “The Deepest Fear”-song “Face Your Fear”
10. “Who Do You Think You Are?”-song “We Need To Be Free”
11. “Last Resort”-song “Listen To Your Heart”
12. “Come Out Wherever You Are”-song “Society Girl”
13. “Winner Fakes All”-song “Built For Speed”
14. “A Hedgehog’s Home is Her Castle”-song “Let’s Do It To It”
15. “Artifact”-song “You Can’t Own Everything”
16. “Bug”-song “Never Give Up”

Disc 3-
17. “Sonic Tonic”-song “I Wish I Was The Fastest Thing Alive”
18. “Friend or Foe”-song “Not Always What They Seem”
19. “Head Games”-song “Take A Chance”
20. “When in Rome…”-song “When There’s A Will, There’s A Way”

Disc 4-Audio CD

1. “Sonic Underground Main Title”
2. “Lets Do it to it”
3. “I wish I could go faster”
4. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”
5. “Mummy Wrap”
6. “The Morbius Stomp”
7. “We’re the Sonic Underground”
8. “Lady Liberty”


Extras

Disc 1- Music Videos from the first 8 episodes

Disc 2- Music Videos from the next 8 episodes

Disc 3- Developing the Underground- (07:20)
Songs from the Underground (08:54)
Storyboard to Screen: Opening Titles (01:04)
Original Conceptual Art- (Heroes, Villains and Vehicles)
The Art of Morbius- (0:58)

Verdict

A fun little show to watch. Volume 2 will eventually comprise of the final 20 episodes.



Rating: ****!

KING OF KENSINGTON SEASON 1-TV DVD REVIEW

I remember watching this show on my local CBS station late night in the late 1970’s in Tampa, Florida. The show was great! It was one of the first Canadian sitcoms and one of the most popular and loved series in Canada. The series starred Al Waxmen as Larry King, a mom & pop grocery store owner that has a huge heart and helped people out. Larry also had a group of friends that he would hang out with. Many now well-known stars had their break on this show. A 12-year old Mike Myers (Austin Powers) was in an episode of this series. Up until Al Waxmen’s death in 2001, Myers kept in touch with Waxmen. Myers also name the heroine of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery by the last name of Kensington, in honor of the show. Other guests include Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy and Dave Thomas from the TV series: Second City Television”. This 2-disc set consists of the first 16 episodes and also has 2 Audio Commentaries from the creator of the series as well as a vintage “60 Minutes” type news program that interviewed Waxmen in 1978.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Outdoor scenes for the opening theme music is grainy, but that was the practice with programs in the 70’s. Each episode runs approx 22 mins long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Variety Store”
2. “Hot Line Host”
3. “Mr. Help & The Tax Audit”
4. “Save Old George”
5. “Where’s Cathy?”
6. “Half Way Home”-with Eugene Levy
7. “Lady Who Came To Dinner”
8. “The Gambler”

Disc 2- 1. “Joy Of Kensington”-with Andrea Martin
2. “The Real Mrs. King”
3. “Scouts Honor”-with Mike Myers
4. “The Christmas Show”
5. “The Detroit Story”-with Dave Thomas
6. “Cathy’s Hobby”
7. “Duke’s Dilemma”
8. “Delma’s Decision”

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary by the show’s creator for “Half Way Home”

Disc 2: Audio Commentary by the show’s creator for “Scouts Honor”
Interview with Al Waxmen- (1978) (18:15)

Verdict

By all means, get this show on DVD! It’s worth the buy! Bring on Season 2!

Rating: *****!

DOCTOR WHO COMPLETE NEW SERIES 2- TV DVD REVIEW

I was just getting use to Christopher Eccleston and then he goes and quits the show after one season! The second season starts off with a whole new doctor! The new series stars David Tennant as the doctor with Billie Piper as Rose for another season. Again I was skeptical about a new doctor but was quickly pleased with the new pick. This season also started the yearly Christmas special. In this season it is called appropriately “The Christmas Invasion. Mickey and Rose’s mom joins the cast in more episode than in the previous season and the season has some really good and not so good episodes but defiantly my favorite is the 2-part season finale, the “Army of Ghosts” and “Doomsday”. This set has quite a few extras such as audio commentaries on all 14 episodes and what is called “In-Vision commentaries with the actors and you can actually watch them as they watch the episode! There are also outtakes, deleted scenes Billie Piper’s and David Tennant video diaries and the Children in Need Special that links the 9th doctor to the 10th.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good being filmed on Digibeta! Excellent quality. There is also a Play All feature for every disc.


Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also able to hear it in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

Disc 1- 1. “Christmas Invasion” (58:50)
2. “New Earth”-with Zoe Wanamaker (44:03)

Disc 2- 1. “Tooth & Claw” (44:33)
2. “School Reunion” (44:14)
3. “The Girl In The Fireplace” (44:42)

Disc 3- 1. “Rise Of The Cybermen”-with Roger Lloyd Pack (46:04)
2. “Age Of Steel” (45:42)
3. “Idiot’s Lantern” (45:10)

Disc 4-1. “The Impossible Planet” (45:19)
2. “The Satan’s Pit” (47:12)
3. “Love & Monsters” (45:08)

Disc 5-
1. “Fear Her”-(43:52)
2. “Army Of Ghosts”-(43:21)
3. “Doomsday”-(46:24)


Disc 6- Doctor Who Confidential (Cutdown Versions)

1. “New, New Doctor”-(12:34)
2. “Fear Factor”-(12:08)
3. “Friends Reunited”-(12:21)
4. “Script to Screen”-(12:36)
5. “Cybermen” –(10:30)
6. “From Zero To Hero” –(10:20)
7. “The Writer’s Tale” –(11:07)
8. “You’ve Got The Look” –(10:35)
9. “Myths & Legends” –(09:11)
10. “The New World of Who”-(11:39)
11. “The Fright Stuff”-(12:25)
12. “Welcome To Torchwood”-(12:43)
13. “Finale”-(10:03)

David’s Video Diaries- (85 mins)


Extras

Disc 1: In Vision Commentary on Christmas Invasion
Audio Commentaries on New Earth
Outtakes- (08:18)
Deleted Scenes- (16:05)
Billie’s Video Diaries- (04:18)
Children In Need Special- (07:14)

Disc 2: Audio Commentaries on Tooth & Claw and School Reunion
In-Vision Commentary on The Girl In The Fireplace
Deconstructing Big Ben (04:51)
On Set with Billie Piper (19:03)
Trailers- (1:02)

Disc 3: Audio Commentaries on all Rise of the Cybermen and Idiot’s Lantern
In-Vision Commentary on Age Of Steel

Disc 4: Audio Commentaries for The Satan’s Pit and Love & Monsters
In-Vision Commentary for The Impossible Planet
Designing Doctor Who (20:50)
The Adventures of Captain Jack (08:30)
Trailers- (02:27)

Disc 5: Backstage At Christmas: Behind The Scenes footage from the Christmas Invasion

Disc 6: None


Verdict

A very good start to the new incarnation of Doctor Who. Get it for your collection!


Rating; *****!

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE SEASON 3-TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from BCI/New Line about Wanted: Dead or Alive Season 3: For the first time on DVD, comes the final 26 episodes of the complete third season of the hit television series “WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE”. The show that launched the career of big-screen legend Steve McQueen.

This DVD set wraps up this underrated and extremely well done western series. This set consists of the final 26 episodes of the series with such guest stars as James Coburn, Mary Tyler Moore, Cloris Leachman, Richard Anderson and Warren Oates. This set also includes short features about Steve McQueen’s character and about his famous rifle. McQueen’s movie career was heating up and was purposely making it difficult for everyone until the network canceled the series and let him go.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks All discs have a Play All feature.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 69. “The Trial”-with James Coburn and Paul Burke
70. “The Healing Woman” with Harold J Stone
71. “Journey For Josh”
72. “The Looters” with Dennis Patrick
73. “The Twain Shall Meet” with Mary Tyler Moore
74. “The Showdown”
75. “Surprise Witness” with Lee Bergere

Disc 2- 76. “To the Victor” with Richard Farnsworth
77. “Criss-Cross” with Mark Rydell
78. “The Medicine Man”-with Cloris Leachman and J. Pat O’Malley
79. “One Mother Too Many” with Joyce Meadows
80. “The Choice”
81. “Three For One” with Terry Becker and Richard Anderson
82. “Witch Woman” with Jeanette Nolan
83. “Baa-Baa”

Disc 3- 84. “The Last Retreat” with Warren Oates
85. “Bounty For Josh”
86. “Hero In The Dust”
87. “Epitaph” with Richard Anderson
88. “The Voice of Silence” with Roy Barcroft
89. “El Gato” with Noah Berry
90. “Detour” with Howard Morris
91. “Monday Morning”

Disc 4- 92. “The Long Search”
93. “Dead Reckoning”
94. “Barney’s Bounty” with Noah Berry

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Featurettes- “The Art of the Replica” (04:11)
“The Mare’s Leg” (08:36)
“The Women of the Series” (09:54)
“Reckless” (08:38)
“Winchester: A Weapon of Legend” (08:15)
“The Autry National Center” (17:50)
“The Matchmaker” (07:46)

Verdict

A fitting end to a series. Well worth the buy!


Rating; *****!

THE STRANGE CASE OF THE END OF CIVILIZATION AS WE KNOW IT DVD REVIEW

In between Fawlty Towers Series 1 and Series 2, John Cleese made a strange but funny short film entitled “The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It!” Basically the plot is that the grandson of Sherlock Holmes and his trusty companion, Dr Watson with his Bionic Nose, tracks down the only living descendant of Professor Moriarity. This is a low budget spoof on Sherlock Holmes and the mystery genre as well! The film also stars Arthur Lowe as Dr Watson, Connie Booth, Delholm Elliott, Joss Ackland and Nick Tate to name a few.

VIDEO

Lots of scratches and film dirt and it also looks like that it has been taken from a VHS Master because there is dropout during the titles and the first part of the film.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It”-with John Cleese, Arthur Lowe, Connie Booth, Delholm Elliott, Joss Ackland and Nick Tate

Extras

Disc 1: None

Verdict

Very funny in parts but uneven. Get it if you’re a fan of John Cleese.


Rating: ***!

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SPIKE MILLIGAN DVD REVIEW

This documentary is a intimate and person portrait of the comic genius of Spike Milligan, done through the eyes of his brother, three daughters and his third wife. Spike trotted the thin line between genius and debilitating depression. The celebrities who discuss his career are Joanna Lumley, Michael Palin amoung others. The documentary is possible through video, audio and photographic archives. This film was a co-production with Film Finance Corporation Australia, RTE-Ireland among others. This disc includes 2 audio commentaries by the director and Spike himself and also with Spike’s three daughters and 6 featurettes about different aspects of Spike’s life and home movies.

VIDEO

The video quality great! The documentary is 134 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Life & Legacy of Spike Milligan: I told you I was Ill”

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary with the Director and Spike himself!
Audio Commentary by Spike’s Three Daughters
Spike: The Godfather of Alternative Comedy- (04:05)
Spike and Monty Python- (03:47)
Spike The Soldier- (07:15)
Spike The Activist- (04:27)
The Milligans of Sligo- (04:02)
The Daffodil Story- (02:41)
Spikes’ Home Movies- (09:28)


Verdict

A wonderfully well done and sometimes haunting documentary about the life of Spike Milligan. I would highly recommend it!


Rating: ****!

THE SANDBAGGERS SET 1 TV DVD REVIEW

The Sandbaggers series has been best described as the “Best drama show that most people never saw”. The show was a Cold War drama set at the same time that the shows were produced. The show also delved into the lives of British and American Intelligence specialists. This show was wonderfully complex in the storylines and was grim but very realistic in the way the British had to deal with defectors, assassinations and going behind the Iron Curtain. The series stars Roy Marsden as Neil Burnside who is Head of Operations of Britain’s Secret Intelligence Services (SIS) or otherwise known as MI6. The show was a one point vetoed by the sensors to an episode where it dealt with sensitive information that the Second series of episodes were one short. This set comprises of the first 6 episodes with a never before released episode on DVD. The series was shot in the usual fashion prevalent in the 70’s that all outside scenes were shot on usually grainy 16 mm film and all indoor shots were done on videotape.

VIDEO

Videotape portions are just fine. Outdoor scenes were somewhat speckled and dirt on the film portions. No fault of BFS!

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “First Principles”-with Olaf Pooley
2. “A Proper Function of Government”-with Stephen Grief

Disc 2-
3. “Is Your Journey Really Necessary?”
4. “The Most Suitable Person”-with Stephen Grief and Christopher Benjamin


Disc 3-
5. “Always Glad To Help”-with Peter Miles
6. “A Feasible Solution”
7. “Special Relationship”-Previously Missing Episode


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-A Guide To Sandbaggers’ Abbreviations- (Text Only)


Verdict

If you love multi-layered complex stories, then this is the show for you! I really enjoyed it!


Rating: *****!

THE VICAR OF DIBLEY-THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION-TV DVD REVIEW

This absolutely hilarious British comedy “The Vicar of Dibley” premiered in 1994 and has been off and on the air and finished this year 2007. Vicar of Dibley is set in a small Oxfordshire village called Dibley, which is assigned a female vicar or Pastor following the 1994 Church of England’s stance on female Vicars in the priesthood. The show stars Dawn French, half of the French & Saunders comedy team. The characters in the show are so funny and no doubt based on real people. The opening of each shows something funny happening and after the closing credits, the Vicar and her assistant are sitting in the side room where the Vicar tells a joke which is usually off color and either doesn’t get the joke or takes it literally which is just as funny. The series ran 20 episodes and 4 Comic Relief mini-episodes, which are on this 5 DVD box set.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All episodes are done on videotape and have no problems with it.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Arrival” with Roger Lloyd Pack
2. “Songs Of Praise”
3. “Community Spirit”-with Kylie Minogue
4. “The Window and the Weather”
5. “Election”
6. “Animals”

Disc 2- 1. “The Easter Bunny”
2. “The Christmas Lunch Incident”
3. “Engagement”
4. “Dibley Live”
5. “Celebrity Vicar” with Terry Wogan
6. “Love & Marriage” –with Clive Mantle

Disc 3- 1. “Autumn”-with Clive Mantle
2. “Winter”
3. “Spring”
4. “Summer”

Disc 4-1. “Merry Christmas”-with Rachael Hunter (53:58)
2. “Happy New Year” (47:42)

Disc 5- “Handsome Stranger (53:17)
“The Vicar in White” (55:29)


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None


Disc 3: Ballykissdibley (11:35)
Behind the scenes of 1999 Comic Relief Red Nose Day (04:11)
1999 Red Nose Day Special (13:43)
The Real Vicars of Diblry (13:43)
Photo Gallery 32 pictures
Cast Biographies-(Text Only)
Trailers

Disc 4: Dibley Defrocked-Documentary (10:56)
2005 Comic Relief Sketch (14:07)
Cast Biographies
Trailers

Disc 5: The Vicar Of Dibley Story-Documentary (59:06)


Verdict

Please go and get this set!!! A very funny look at country life and religion in general.


Rating; *****!

INSPECTOR MORSE COLLECTION 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from BFS Video about Inspector Morse Collection 1: “Award winning actor John Thaw stars as the melancholy, enigmatic and romantic Inspector Morse, a man who never uses his first name and who finds solace in real ale, classical music and difficult crosswords. Together with his able Sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whately), Morse uses his considerable intellect and passion for truth and justice to investigate death and murder in the English university town of Oxford.

One of the best mystery shows to come out of England in quite sometime! John Thaw plays Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, A CID officer or (Criminal Investigation Department) with the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England. The TV series comprises of 33 two-hour episodes, this set has the first 6 episodes. The TV series ran from 1987 to 2000. The show also had some noticeable guest stars such as Patrick Troughton, Michael Gough, Elspet Gray, Michael Hordern, Simon Callow and Elizabeth Hurley.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good. Slightly grainy in places but otherwise good! Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Dead Of Jericho”-with Patrick Troughton

Disc 2- 1. “The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn”-with Michael Gough and Clive Swift

Disc 3- 1. “Service of All the Dead”-with Michael Hordern

Disc 4- 1. “The Wolvercote Tongue”-with Simon Callow

Disc 5- 1. “Last Seen Wearing”-with Elizabeth Hurley

Disc 6-1. “Bonus Specials”

Extras

Disc 1: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 2: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 3: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 4: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 5: Biographies-Text Only
Filmographies-Text Only
Trivia-Text Only

Disc 6: “The Mystery of Morse”-Documentary (50:41)


Verdict

I have been a fan of Inspector Morse for sometime and these first episodes were a joy to watch. If you are a fan of mystery shows, this series is one of the best! Defiantly worth the buy!


Rating: *****!

WILD WILD WEST-SEASON 3 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about The Wild, Wild West Season 3: The explosive Third season contains all 24 action-packed episodes on 6 discs-digitally re-mastered in FULL COLOR. Take another ride into THE WILD WILD WEST.

The third season of Wild, Wild West now on DVD! The digitally remastered episodes are just as sharp and clear as the first and second seasons and this season went back to more of a western storyline and started going away from the wild “Batman” type stories. Michael Dunn’s health was deteriorating and was only in 1 episode that season. Robert Conrad as James West and Ross Martin as Artemus Gordon return for the third season. This season also has 24 episodes that are uncut. There are quite a few guest stars such as Robert Duvall, Susan Oliver, Ray Walston, Jack Elam, Khigh Dhiegh, Paul Fix, Beverly Garland, Mark Lenard and Nick Adams to name more than a few. An on-the-set mishap from a fall from a chandelier caused a concussion to Robert Conrad’s head and halted production to the point that the last three episodes from the season had to be pushed to the fourth season. I did enjoy the stories this season. Again, there are no extras to this set as the previous season set.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also uncut. Each episode runs approx 51 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Night Of The Bubbling Death”-with Madlyn Rhue and Harold Gould
2. “The Night of the Firebrand”-with Pernell Roberts and Lana Wood
3. “The Night Of The Assassin”-with Robert Loggia
4. “The Night Of Dr Loveless Died”-with Michael Dunn and Susan Oliver

Disc 2- 1. “The Night of the Jack O’ Diamonds”
2. “The Night Of The Samurai”-with Thayer David and Khigh Dhiegh
3. “The Night Of The Hangman”-with Martin E Brooks and Paul Fix
4. “The Night Of Montezuma’s Hordes”-with Ray Walston and Jack Elam

Disc 3- 1. “The Night Of The Circus of Death”
2. “The Night of the Falcon”-with Robert Duvall
3. “The Night Of The Cut-Throats”-with Brad Dillman and Jackie Coogan
4. “The Night Of The Legion of Death”-with Anthony Zerbe and Donnelly Rhodes

Disc 4- 1. “The Night Of The Turncoat”-with John Mcgiver
2. “The Night Of The Iron Fist”-with Mark Lenard, Bo Hopkins and Red West
3. “The Night Of The Running Death”-with Oscar Beregi
4. “The Night Of The Arrow”-with Frank Marth

Disc 5- 1. “The Night The Headless Woman”-with Richard Anderson and Dawn Wells
2. “The Night Of The Vipers”-with Nick Adams and Red West
3. “The Night Of The Underground Terror”-with Nehemiah Persoff and Jeff Corey
4. “The Night Of The Death Masks”-with Milton Selzer

Disc 6- 1. “The Night Of The Amnesiac”-with Ed Asner and Kevin Hagen
2. “The Night Of The Undead”-with John Zaremba
3. “The Night Of The Simian Terror”-with John Abbott and Richard Kiel
4. “The Night Of The Death Maker”-with Wendell Corey and J Pat O’Malley


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Verdict

Great show and great picture quality. No extras. One more season to go!


Rating: *****!

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-SEASON 3 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Paramount about Mission: Impossible Season 3: “From behind the Iron Curtain to the jungles of Central America, Mission: Impossible really amps up the action as the international phenomenon returns for its third season on DVD, with 25 digitally restored and remastered episodes on 7 discs!

The third season is where the show started to peak. Some of the show’s best episodes were produced in the third season. The show was also going through a lot of behind-the- scenes problems such as the show going over budget every episode and problems with the writers. The creator of the show Bruce Geller, and Desilu studios were also butting heads over everything and was almost canceled. Most if not all of the season’s episodes were top notch, but not all was well with the cast. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were unhappy and wanted more money, which they were not given. They left at the end of the season. The video quality as usual is stunning considering the age of the episodes and as with seasons 1 & 2, the audio has a 5.1 Dolby Surround mix. This set also comprises the next 25 episodes of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is fantastic! Episodes are also uncut. I’ve not seen the show this crystal clear! There is also a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. But you can switch it to 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound!

Disc 1- 1. “The Heir Apparent”-with Charles Aidman and Torin Thatcher
2. “The Contender” (Part 1)-with Robert Conrad and Sugar Ray Robinson
3. “The Contender” (Part 2)-with John Dehner
4. “The Mercenaries”-with Pernell Roberts, Skip Homier and Vic Tayback

Disc 2- 1. “The Execution”-with Victor Gardenia
2. “The Cardinal”-with Theodore Bikel and Barbara Babcock
3. “The Elixir”-with Ruth Roman and George Gaynes
4. “The Diplomat”-with Alfred Ryder, Fernando Lamas and Sid Haig

Disc 3- 1. “The Play”-with John Colicos, Michael Tolan and Barry Atwater
2. “The Bargain”-with Albert Paulsen, Robert Pine and Warren Stevens
3. “The Freeze”-with Donnelly Rhodes and John Zaremba
4. “The Exchange”-with John Vernon and Will Kuluva

Disc 4- 1. “The Mind of Stefan Miklos”-with Steve Ihnat, Ed Asner and Vic Perrin
2. “The Test Case”-with Richard Bull and Paul Carr
3. “The System”
4. “The Glass Cage”-with Lloyd Bochner and Larry Linville


Disc 5- 1. “Doomsday”-with Khigh Dhiegh and Sid Haig
2. “Live Bait”-with Martin Sheen, John Crawford and Anthony Zerbe
3. “The Bunker” (Part 1)-with Lee Meriwether and Milton Selzer

Disc 6-1. “The Bunker” (Part 2) -with Lee Meriwether and Milton Selzer
2. “Nitro” - with Titos Vandis and Mark Lenard
3. “Nicole”-with Joan Collins and Logan Ramsey

Disc 7- 1. “The Vault”-with Nehemiah Persoff
2. ”Illusion”-with Fritz Weaver, Martin E Brooks and Kevin Hagen
3. “The Interrogator”-with Henry Silva and Gunner Hellstrom

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Disc 6: None

Disc 7: None



Verdict

There are no special features or Extras on this set. The episodes this season are not totally uncut. Some are edited, more likely they are syndication prints and not the original uncut prints.



Rating: *****!

MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.-COMPLETE SERIES DVD REVIEW

I was one of the unfortunate ones who did not receive a review copy of the complete series of the Man From U.N.C.L.E.; instead I received 2 episodes with a few extras promo disc. It is hard to give a review with just 1 disc, having said that, I can tell that having the complete collection in your collection is a must. The packaging what I have seen is very neat with an attaché case and if the rest of the episodes are like the ones on the promo disc, then they are in very good condition. All 105 episodes are on 41 discs with loads of extras with interviews and mini documentaries and the 3rd movie made from the 2-part episode “The Alexander The Greater Affair” with introductions to the episodes by Robert Vaughn and David McCallum. Not a definitive collection, but very close. What would have made it a truly definitive collection would have been the rest of the movies made from the 2 part episodes and the 1983 reunion film. All and all, a very good collection.

VIDEO

Although not digitally remastered, the episodes come from very good film prints.

Audio

What I have heard on the disc, it sounds very strong and clear.

Verdict

Time Life and Warner Home Video have done a really good job and took proper time to make this collection worthy of buying. I would recommend it!


Rating: ****!

DOCTOR WHO-NEW SERIES 1 TV DVD REVIEW

I was very skeptical when I heard that after 16 years, they were going to relaunch Doctor Who again. It was tried briefly in 1996 with the TV movie but did not take for it being too “Americanized” by critics. The BBC took the new show on and instead of being filmed in England as it always has been; it is being filmed in Cardiff, Wales! Christopher Eccleston stars as the Ninth Doctor and his companion for his adventures is Billie Piper as Rose Tyler. There are 13 episodes at 45 minutes each as opposed to the traditional 25 minutes 4 to 6 part stories. My personal favorite stories from this season are-“Dalek”, “Father’s Day”, “The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances” and The Parting of the Ways”. This set has quite a few extras such as Interviews with Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper and audio commentaries on all 13 episodes by the cast and crew, Featurettes and trailers.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good being filmed on Digibeta! Excellent quality. There is also a Play All feature for every disc.


Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also able to hear it in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

Disc 1- 1. “Rose” (44:12)
2. “End of the World”-with Zoe Wanamaker (44:45)
3. “The Unquiet Dead” (44:49)

Disc 2- 1. “Aliens Of London” (45:02)
2. “World War Three” (42:57)
3. “Dalek” (45:19)

Disc 3- 1. “The Long Game”-with Simon Pegg (44:28)
2. “Father’s Day” (42:56)
3. “The Empty Child” (41:46)
4. “The Doctor Dances” (42:51)

Disc 4-1. “Boom Town” (43:19)
2. “Bad Wolf” (42:51)
3. “The Parting Of The Ways” (45:31)

Disc 5- Doctor Who Confidential-Cut Down Versions
1. “Bring Back The Doctor”-(11:56)
2. “The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly”-(11:06)
3. “Tardis Tales”-(11:03)
4. “I Get A Sidekick Out of You”-(10:48)
5. “Why On Earth”-(13:03)
6. “Dalek”-(10:45)
7. “The Dark Side”-(11:29)
8. “Time Trouble”-(12:46)
9. “Special Effects”-(14:03)
10. “Weird Science” –(13:11)
11. “Unsung Heroes and Violent Death” –(12:31)
12. “The World Of Who” –(13:19)
13. “The Last Battle”-(09:32)
14. “Backstage ATC Headlights (09:18)


Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentaries on all 3 episodes on this disc
BBC Breakfast interview with Christopher Eccleston (11:43)
Destroying the Lair (03:24)
Making of Doctor Who with Russell T Davies. (15:33)
Waking the Dead- (18:09)
Laying Ghosts”-(08:24)
Launch Trailers –(02:45) pm
Storyboard of Opening Sequence (0:48)


Disc 2: Audio Commentaries on All 3 Episodes
Deconstructing Big Ben (04:51)
On Set with Billie Piper (19:03)
Trailers- (1:02)

Disc 3: Audio Commentaries on all 4 Episodes
Mike Turner’s Mocks of Balloons (05:32)

Disc 4: Audio Commentaries on all 3 Episodes
Designing Doctor Who (20:50)
The Adventures of Captain Jack (08:30)
Trailers- (02:27)

Disc 5: Backstage At Christmas: Behind The Scenes footage from the Christmas Invasion


Verdict

A very good start to the new incarnation of Doctor Who. Get it for your collection!


Rating; *****!

LOVE AMERICAN STYLE-SEASON 1 VOLUME 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about “Love American Style” Season 1 Volume 1- This season One, Volume One collection boasts an unprecedented lineup of celebrity guest stars in 12 episodes on 3 discs who will keep you roaring with laughter from start to finish.

I grew up watching “Love American Style” when it was first shown briefly and then watched it when it was in syndication. The show was an anthology of comedic short stories with an ever changing cast all to do with “Love” in one way or another. In one story, which is not in this volume, is the pilot to the legendary TV series “Happy Days”! Also between stories are very quick vignettes that play like a “Laugh-In” sketch which at times, were funnier than the stories themselves! There are lots of noticeable names that graced the show as well as newcomers to the world of entertainment, such as Jane Wyatt, Estelle Winwood, Gary Lockwood, Bill Bixby, Sid Casear, Peter Palmer and Regis Philbin to name a few as well as a very young Lesley Warren and Harrison Ford! This volume is considered a “Vanilla” release meaning there are no extras except the episodes being unedited.

VIDEO

I don’t think the episodes are Digitally Remastered but the film prints are quite crisp and in very good shape. The episodes are approx 51 mins each and are shown in Airdate order.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Audio quality is also in Mono. Very strong sound.


Disc 1- Episode 1 (50:56)
1. “Love and a Couple of Couples”-with Yvonne Craig
2. “Love and the Hustler”-with Flip Wilson
3. “Love and the Pill”-with Jane Wyatt

Episode 2 (50:57)
1. “Love and the Living Doll”-with Estelle Winwood and Arte Johnson
2. “Love and the Letter”-with Robert Clay
3. “Love and the Joker”-with Larry Storch
4. “Love and the Unlikely Couple”-with Barbara Rhoades

Episode 3 (50:55)
1. “Love and the Phone Booth”-with Dwayne Hickman
2. “Love and the Doorknob”-with Gary Lockwood and Stephanie Powers

Episode 4 (50:56)
1. “Love and the Legal Agreement”-with Bill Bixby and Denny Miller
2. “Love and the Militant”-with Barry Nelson
3. “Love and Who?”-with Sid Caesar

Disc 2- Episode 5 (51:55)
1. “Love and the Modern Wife”-with Bob Crane and Angelique Pettyjohn
2. “Love and the Phonies”-with Richard Deacon and Phyllis Diller
4. “Love and the Single Couple”

Episode 11 (52:02)
1. “Love and the Dating Computer”-with Broderick Crawford
2. “Love and the Busy Husband”
3. “Love and the Watchdog”-with Patsy Kelly

Episode 7 (51:54)
1. “Love and Take Me Along”-with Ozzie Harriet and Harriet Nelson
2. “Love and the Advice”-with Tina Louise and Avery Schreiber
3. “Love and the Geisha”-with Carolyn Jones and Red Buttons

Episode 13 (51:56)
1. “Love and the Burglar”-with Noel Harrison and Judy Crane
2. “Love and the Roommate”-with John Beck and Ted Bessell
3. “Love and the Wild Party”-with Peter Palmer and Robert Reed

Disc 3- Episode 14 (51:41)
1. “Love and the Big Leap”-with Rich Little and Jessica Walter
2. “Love and the Good Deal”-with Hans Conreid, Norman Fell and Jane Wyatt
3. “Love and the Former Marriage”-with Harrison Ford and Carl Betz

Episode 6 (51:54)
1. “Love and Mother”-with Morey Amsterdam and Tom Smothers
2. “Love and the Dummies”-with Scatman Crothers
3. “Love and the Athlete”-with Marty Allen
4. “Love and the Shower”-with Carl Ballentine and Joe Flynn

Episode 9 (51:54)
1. “Love and the Mountain Cabin”-with Peter Marshall, Leslie Parrish
2. “Love and the Divorce Sale”-with Andrew Prine, Lesley Warren
3. “Love and the Comedy Team”-with Jack Carter and Regis Philbin

Episode 17 (51:54)
1. “Love and the Positive Man”-with Hamilton Camp
2. “Love and the Other Love”-with David Hedison
3. “Love and the Bachelor”-with Ann Southern


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-None


Verdict

My only question is, I wonder the logic of some series being put out as full seasons or complete series and for others, volumes in between seasons. I am sure there is a very good reason for it.


Rating: ****!

DAVINCI'S INQUEST SEASON 2-TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Da Vinci’s Inquest Season 2: Combining the intricate realism of Law & Order with the high-tech forensics of CSI, Da Vinci’s Inquest has a social and moral resonance that makes it truly unique. In this complete season, you’ll see why Da Vinci’s Inquest has earned international acclaim and devoted fans.

The continuing stories of Dominic Davinci are in this next set of 13 episodes from the award winning series ‘Davinci’s Inquest”. In this season sees the genius of Davinci’s red light district and safe injection site for sex workers and drug addicts and other stories include a story about bodies turning up in the backyard of a senior boarding house. This series has won countless awards including the Gemini award for Best Dramatic Series for nearly all the seasons it was on the air as well as Best Performer in a Series for Nicolas Campbell. This set also includes an interview with series creator Chris Haddock and a photo gallery, a Chris Haddock Bio and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All discs have a Play All feature. All episodes are approx 47 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. “A Cinderella Story” Pt 1
2. “A Cinderella Story” Pt 2
3. “The Hanged Man”
4. “Tommy’s on the Corner”

Disc 2- 5. “His Wife”
6. “Sister’s Light”
7. “A Nice Home in the Country”

Disc 3- 8. “Blues In A Minor”
9. “The Looking Glass”
10. “The Lottery”

Disc 4-11. “Bang Like That”
12. “Fantasy”
13. “Reality”


Extras

Disc 1: Interview with Creator Chris Haddock (05:10)
Photo Gallery (20) pictures
Chris Haddock Biography
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None


Verdict

One of the better crime shows from the North Country! Season 3 will hopefully be out soon.


Rating; ****!

DAVINCI'S INQUEST SEASON 1-TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Da Vinci’s Inquest Season 1: A richly talented ensemble cast joins award-winning actor Nicholas Campbell in this critically acclaimed crime series. With this complete first season comprising 13 thrilling episodes, you can savor the delicately nuance drama of Da Vinci’s Inquest from the very beginning.

Da vinci’s Inquest is a Canadian Drama Series in the vein of Quincy ME and CSI about a Coroner in Vancouver, British Columbia. The show stars Nicolas Campbell as Dominic Davinci, a crusading Doctor who seeks the justice in the cases that he investigated. This set includes the first 13 episodes of the series. What I like about this show is the plots and problems that they deal with and the style of the show is not your typical flashy CSI style but straight storytelling. The series ran from 1998 to 2005. Also in this set are a trailer for the series and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! All discs have a Play All feature. All episodes are approx 47 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. “Little Sister” Pt 1
2. “Little Sister” Pt 2
3. “Little Sister” Pt 3
4. “The Quality of Mercy”

Disc 2- 5. “Known to the Ministry”
6. “We All Fall Down”
7. “The Stranger Inside”

Disc 3- 8. “Gabriel”
9. “The Most Dangerous Time”
10. “The Bridge”

Disc 4-11. “Final Chapter”
12. “The Hunt”
13. “The Capture”

Extras

Disc 1: Trailer for series-(02:17)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None


Verdict

Defiantly a cross between CSI and Quincy M.E. Very stylish and made before CSI. Season 2 should be just as good!


Rating; ****!

DAY ONE-TV MOVIE DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about Day One: This Emmy-winning historically accurate tells the complex and moving story of the Manhattan Project. Racing against the Nazi war machine and enduring intense military and political pressure, allied scientists wrestle with the challenge of creating the ultimate weapon.

Day One is a historically accurate, TV drama shown in 1989 that shows the story behind the development of the atomic bomb in WWII that was eventually used on the Japanese in 1945. This movie was based on the non-fiction book written by Peter Wyden and produced by Aaron Spelling for CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame. The movie also featured an all-star cast including Brian Dennehy, Michael Tucker, Hume Cronyn, Hal Holbrook, Barnard Hughes, David Ogden Stiers and in one of his first roles, Tony Shalhoub (Monk). This disc also includes Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is fair due to the original condition of the film when it was gotten by Acorn Media. Not fault of theirs! The TV Movie 140 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Day One”-Movie

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

A well-done production about the Atomic Bomb. Also well acted. I would recommend it!


Rating: ****!

DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC-SURVIVAL TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from BBC Warner about Doctor Who-Survival: The Doctor takes Ace back to her hometown of Perivale, only to find that something is very, very wrong. Many of Ace’s old friends and neighbors have disappeared while domestic pets become victims of unseen killers. Will the hunter become the hunted when only the fittest survive?

Survival was the last story from the Original run of the series. Not necessary a fitting end to a series, but not a bad story either. Starring Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor and Sophie Aldred as Ace, they face the Cheetah People and the last story to feature Anthony Ainley as the Master, well sort of. Ainley was not asked to return as the Master in the 1996 TV movie but was asked to film links for a new computer game called “Destiny of the Doctors”. This would be the absolute last time that he would play the Master. This 2-disc set is jam-packed full of extras! There were so much that they had to use a second disc with deleted and extended scenes, bloopers and 3 documentaries on the making of Survival and beyond with an audio commentary with McCoy, Aldred and Andrew Cartmel with an optional commentary for episode 3 by a fan who won a Dr Who competition and much more.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The performance was done on videotape. The total story is performance is 72 minutes long.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is also available in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

Disc 1- 1. “Survival”-with Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and Anthony Ainley (72 mins)
Part One (24:16)
Part Two (24:14)
Part Three (24:22)

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary by Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and Andrew Cartmel
Fan Commentary on Episode 3
Isolated Music
Cat Flap-Pt 1 (28:05)-Documentary
Cat Flap-Pt 2 (33:56)-Documentary
Deleted and Extended scenes (09:17)
Outtakes (16:25)
Continuities (03:04)
Photo Gallery (54) pictures
Radio Times Listing on DVD Rom
Production text notes

Disc 2: Endgame (44:18)-a what if Dr Who Continuation
Search for Science (19:19)-Children’s program
Little Girl Lost (16:33)-A look back at Ace
Destiny of the Doctors (13:49)-Anthony Ainley as the Master, one more time!



Verdict

A very nice 2-disc set to close the original series after 26 years. Another Dr Who sighting. In 1985 at a convention in Miami, Florida, I also met Anthony Ainley while he was being an MC at the costume contest there. Go out and get it!


Rating: ****!

BENNY HILL-THE COMPLETE MEGASET DVD REVIEW

A blurb from A & E Home Video about “Benny Hill-The Complete Megaset” Never aired in the US in full-length form, this complete collection of the Thames episode of The Benny Hill Show.

Ah, Benny Hill! What can I say about him…Comic Genius! The Benny Hill Show ran for 20 years from 1969 to 1989 for a total of 58 50-minute shows that were produced roughly 3 to 5 a year. He had done over 585 sketches with some of his most famous roles with the likes of Fred Scuttle, Chow Mein, A Clown and Tex Cymbal to name a few.

What is show and humor Politically Incorrect? Yes, but for its time, it was generally accepted. Toward the end of the shows run, it became not accepted and the show was eventually cancelled. In all of the sketches that he did about 5% of them was Benny chasing the women, but for the remaining 95% of the time HE was being chased or rejected by the women. That seems to be the misconception for a lot of people that he is the "Dirty Old Man". Was he a comic genius? I think so because he comedy and his timing were excellent! Some of the sketches and his humor fell flat, but so do quite a lot of the Saturday Night Live shows! Benny Hill once visited the home of Charlie Chaplin-THE comic Genius and in his TV room on a very long shelf, there were an entire row of videotapes with the words Benny Hill on them. For THE comic genius to consider Benny to be a comic genius is a high honor indeed!

This megaset includes all 58 episodes with all of the sketches and songs he did along with two documentaries about him and a rare 30 minute short called “Eddie In August” and 3 Interview shorts with the Hill’s Angels dancers reminiscing about the times on the show. For time constraints I will not be able to list every thing on every episode. What I will do is list the most well known sketches and how long each show ran. In the near future, I will list all of the sketches and songs on the show in a different section of the site.

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are shot on videotape with filmed outdoor shots.


Audio

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

Disc 1- Show # 1-Ye Olde Wishing Well, Sound Delay Interview (52:19)
Show # 2- The Short Happy Life Of Maurice Dribble (50:58)
Show # 3-Tommy Tupper in Tupper Time (50:30)
Show # 4- The Hitchhiker, Rouge Nudist, Sound Of Frankenstein (51:26)


Disc 2- Show # 5- Underworld Water of Jacques Custard, Chow Mein (50:42)
Show # 6- A Tribute to the Lower Tidmarsh Volunteer Fire Brigade (48:17)
Show # 7- Crime Doesn’t Pay and Top of the Pops (51:22)
Show # 8- Undercover Sanitary Inspector, Revered Gray (47:56)

Disc 3- Show # 9- French For Starters, Chow Mein & Cookie (50:24)
Show # 10- Chow Mein: At Home with Henry McGee (50:22)
Show # 11- The Dimpton Drinking Club & The Great Pretender (50:08)

Disc 4- Show # 12- Pierre De Tierre, Chow Mein At Customs (50:31)
Show # 13- Undercover Nazis, Chow Mein Meets Nicolas Parsons (51:08)
Show # 14- Woodstick and Autumn Fashion Parade (50:51)
Show # 15- Christmas Booze Up and Yackanory (49:27)

Disc 5- Show # 16- Chow Mein: At Home with Henry McGee II, Jackie Wright’s Holiday (50:42)
Show # 17- The Deputy and The Dalton Abbott Railway Choir (48:33)
Show # 18- Spot Black and Band At The Park (50:16)
Show # 19- The Great British Dancing Finals (50:28)

Disc 6- Show # 20- Film Time and The Minstrel Boy (48:35)
Show # 21- Coalpits and Short Unhappy Life of Ted Tingle (48:52)

Disc 7- Show # 22- Beach of Waikiki and A Long Dry Summer (50:17)
Show # 23- The Art Of Rolf Harris and J Arthur Mein (51:19)
Show # 24- The Stamp Collector ad Tex Cymbal: Golden Boy (49:23)
Show # 25- Jack & Jill and Sports Day (50:16)

Disc 8- Show # 26-Strangers in the Night and Transistor Radio (49:57)
Show # 27-Murder on the Oregon Express (50:58)
Show # 28- Getting to know you and Supersonic (50:01)
Show # 29- Sun Awards-The New Avengers and Bionic Baby (49:09)

Disc 9- Show # 30- Villain of the Year and Scouts and Guides Fete (49:37)
Show # 31- Husky and Starch, Casanova and Deep In My Heart (49:41)

Disc 10-1 Show # 32-Digger Blue Private Eye and The Widow (51:28)
Show # 33- Telephone Exchange and Friday Night Fever (50:50)
Show # 34- Leprechaun TV and Wondergran Meets Dracula (50:33)
Show # 35- Carmen, O’Jack and The Race (49:35)

Disc 11- Show # 36- The Scarlet Pimple and Women’s Lib TV (50:53)
Show # 37- The Medieval Jester and The Fudpuckers (50:11)
Show # 38- The Tree Musketeers (51:32)


Disc 12- 1. Show # 39- Michael Caine and Wondergran Meets Dr Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde (51:13)
2. Show # 40- Channel Surfing and Undercover Sanitary Inspector (50:26)
3. Show # 41- Big Poppa and Man Wanted (50:45)

Disc 13- Show # 42- School Teacher and the Monte Carbolic Show (50:44)
Show # 43- The Video Machine and Cops & Robbers (50:38)
Show # 44- Me & My Shadow and Super Teech (50:47)

Disc 14- Show # 45- Holiday and Saucy Boy (50:09)
Show #46- Scuttlevision and Club Bizarre (51:38)
Show #47- The Vagabond and the Hot Shoe Show (50:15)

Disc 15 Show #48- School Teacher, Brand Names and the B-Team (51:06)
Show # 49- Foe Ever Love and School Mistress (51:17)
Show #50- The Weather Hut and Dibbles Health Fun (50:15)

Disc 16 Show #51- The Love Ship, The Bucket and The Handyman (50:40)
Show # 52- Living the Dream and European TV (51:12)
Show # 53- The New York Slob and Cagney and Lacy (50:53)

Disc 17- Show # 54- Brooklyn Benny and The Halitosis Kid (50:42)
Show # 55- Bronco Benny and Joggers (50:36)
Show # 56- The Birthday Party and The Crook Report (50:39)

Disc 18- Show # 57- Heroes Through the Ages Chow Mein-Home Catering (50:36)
Show 58- Pepy’s Diary, The Good Guys and Gone Fishing (50:35)


Extras

Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- Documentary-Benny Hill-The World’s Favorite Clown (52:11)
Benny Hill Trivia Quiz # 1

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- Biography-A & E-Humor and Controversary-Benny Hill (45:14)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 2

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- Rare Short-“Eddie In August” (25:07)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 3

Disc 10- None

Disc 11- None

Disc 12- Interviews-I was a Hill’s Angel- (16:06)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 4

Disc 13- None

Disc 14- None

Disc 15- Hills Angels-Off The Record (11:57)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 5

Disc 16- None

Disc 17- None

Disc 18-Hill’s Angels in Conversation (10:04)
Benny Hill Trivia Games # 6

Verdict

If you are a fan of Benny Hill, you’ve got to get this set! By all means, it is well worth the price!


Rating; *****!

FUTTOCKS END-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from SRO about Futtock’s End: Futtock’s End is a classic British ‘sound effect’ comedy that stands in illustrious company alongside Peter Sellers’ Running Jumping and Standing Still, Eric Sykes’ The Plank and Ronnie Barker’s A Home of One Own, The Picnic and By The Sea.

I have always been a big fan of the Two Ronnies and with the Silent Comedy shorts they have done together and separate including this one. They did two together that were “The Picnic” and “By The Sea”. This story is about a weekend gathering at a decaying country home called “Futtock’s End” while having saucy mishaps going on between the staff and his guests. This short film stars Ronnie Barker as General Futtock and Michael Horden as his trusty butler with Richard O’ Sullivan (Man About The House). This disc also includes an audio commentary by the director of the film, Bob Kellett.

VIDEO

The video quality is not that bad! There are a few specks and dirt but not bad. The film is 47 minutes long. The film was released in 1969.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Futtock’s End”-with Ronnie Barker, Michael Horden and Richard O’Sullivan

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary by Director Bob Kellett

Verdict

A laugh out loud film! With lots of slapstick! I would recommend it!


Rating: ****!

THE AMAZING MRS PRITCHARD-TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard- “She’s got people talking!” That’s what everyone says about Ros Pritchard, the successful supermarket manager and mother who ignites a political firestorm when she stands for Parliament and ends up winning the general election.

The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard is about a manager of a big grocery store that has had enough of the politics of England and thinks she could do better. She becomes the 2nd female Prime Minister in England’s History. The show is best described as West Wing with an Anti-establishment slant. Ros Pritchard succeeds Tony Blair as Prime Minister. A scandal erupts and Ros has a choice of either resigning or staying with the job. You’ll have to watch to find out! This set includes a Cast Fimography.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx. 59 mins each. It is presented in Widescreen.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Episode 1”
2. “Episode 2”
3. “Episode 3”

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

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Verdict

A Sleeper of a show. Defiantly watch & and then buy it! It is showing on Masterpiece Theater.

Rating: ****!

MONARCHY-SET 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Monarchy Set 2- With a deft blend of disciplined scholarship and dramatic flair, Dr David Starkey continues his epic documentary on English royal rule.

The documentary series continues from the 1660’s to 1789, going through the plague that swept across Europe with millions of people dead, to the madness of King George III. The set also includes a biography of Dr David Starkey.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Each episode is approx 48 miss each. The show is presented in Wide screen.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Return Of The King”
2. “The Glorious Revolution”
3. “Rule Britannia”

Disc 2- 1. “Empire”
2. “Survival”

Extras

Disc 1: Dr David Starkey Biography- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None


Verdict

Lavishly produced and painstaking researched! Well Done!!!

Rating: *****!