WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY:ORIGINAL BRITISH VERSION SEASONS 1 & 2 REVIEW

A blurb from A & E about Whose Line Is It Anyway The Original British Series Season 1 & 2-Uncut and Uncensored:” Now on DVD by riotous demand, WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? THE COMPLETE SEASONS 1 & 2 features all 30 episodes from the show’s initial seasons. Host Clive Anderson directs the action-assigning points at random and enduring quips about his disappearing hairline-as players like Jonathan Pryce and Stephen Fry perform preposterously funny antics in games of “Authors” and “Wrong Theme Tune”. Spanning from 1988 to 1990, WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? THE COMPLETE SEASONS 1 & 2 teems with remarkable energy, razor sharp wit, and explosive fun.
Finally on DVD, the original series that started it all, the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway! The TV series was the brainchild of Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson. The show started off as a pilot for Channel 4 in 1988. The pilot was successful and an additional 11 episodes were produced and then for season 2, 15 more were made. The creators would audition comedy talent from Britain, America and Canada. You’ll see for the first time Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops and later on Colin Mockery before the American version was ever made. This set consisting of Seasons 1 & 2 are the first 30 episodes from the series. You also get 2 1-hour compilations shows with unused footage from each season, the only Christmas special they ever did which was done in season 2 and 2 great interviews with the creators of the series.


VIDEO

The video quality is great! Shot on videotape, there are no dropouts. There is a Play All feature on each disc.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is Mono on each disc. Clear and sharp sound.


Disc 1- 1. Pilot Episode- with John Glover, Jimmy Mulville, Josie Lawrence and John Sessions
2. Episode 1-with-Archie Hahn, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton and John Sessions
3. Episode 2- with-Archie Hahn, Rory Bremner, Jimmy Mulville and John Sessions
4. Episode 3-with-Stephen Fry, Peter Cook, Josie Lawrence and John Sessions
5. Episode 4-with-Tony Slattery, Betty Thomas, Paul Merton and John Sessions
6. Episode 5-with-Josie Lawrence, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Merton and John Sessions
7. Episode 6-with-Graeme Garden, George McGrath, Jan Ravens and John Sessions
8. Episode 7-with-Tony Slattery, Jonathan Pryce, Rory McGrath and John Sessions

Disc 2- 1. Episode 9-with-Richard Kaplan, Griff Rhys Jones, Paul Merton and John Sessions
2. Episode 10-with-Michael Mc Shane, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery and John Sessions
3. Episode 11-with-Stephen Fry, Josie Lawrence, Enin Reitel and John Sessions
4. Season 1 Compilation 1-Unused Footage from previous shows
5. Season 1 Compilation 2-Unused Footage from previous shows
6. Season 2 Episode 7-“Christmas Special”-with-Greg Proops, Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, Sandi Toksvig, Tony Slattery and Michael McShane (approx 40 Mins)
Season 2

Disc 3- 1. Episode 1-with-Greg Proops, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery and Michael McShane
2. Episode 2-with-Archie Hahn, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery and John Sessions
3. Episode 3-with-Ron West, Griff Rhys Jones, Paul Merton and John Sessions
4. Episode 4-with-Greg Proops, Josie Lawrence, Paul Rider and Michael McShane
5. Episode 5-with-Ryan Stiles, Sandi Toksvig, Tony Slattery and John Sessions
6. Episode 6-with-Ron West, Jimmy Mulville, Paul Merton and John Sessions
7. Episode 8-with-Ryan Stiles, Josie Lawrence, Neil Mullarkey and Michael Mc Shane
8. Episode 9-with-Archie Hahn, Jonathan Pryce, Paul Merton and John Sessions

Disc 4-1. Episode 10-with-Lee Simpson, Jan Ravens, Tony Slattery and Michael McShane
2. Episode 11-with-Josie Lawrence, Arthur Smith, Sandi Toksvig and Michael McShane
3. Episode 12-with-Michael McShane, Chris Langham, Sandi Toksvig and John Sessions
4. Episode 13-with-Greg Proops, Josie Lawrence, Tony Slattery and John Sessions
5. Episode 14-with-Ron West, Sandi Toksvig, Tony Slattery and Rory McGrath
6. Episode 15-with-Josie Lawrence, Paul Merton, Tony Slattery and Michael McShane
7. Season 2 Compilation 1-Unused footage from previous shows
8. Season 2 Compilation 2-Unused footage from previous shows

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: Interviews with Creators Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson Part 1 (20:20)
Interviews with Creators Dan Patterson and Mark Leveson Part 2 (18:53)

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None




Verdict

If you are a fan of Improv and want to see the genesis of this great series, then by all means go and buy this set! I can’t wait for the next set to come out!


Rating; *****!

ROBIN OF SHERWOOD SET 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Robin Of Sherwood-Set 1”- The centuries-old legend of Robin Hood was never more vividly brought to life than in this acclaimed British Series. Combining real history with elements of magic and mysticism, and set against a backdrop of gritty medieval realism, Robin Of Sherwood has captivated fans of all ages.

Robin Of Sherwood is a show that has been a long time coming to DVD. Robin Of Sherwood is one of the best interpretations of the Robin Hood legend! It started on Showtime here in the states in the late 1980’s to early 1990’s. Robin Hood was played by Michael Praed before he played the marrying prince in ABC hit “Dynasty”. What I liked about the show was the mysticism and the gritty realism of the series. The first 2 seasons have been digitally remastered for the first time on DVD. The first set covers the first 13 episodes. This is a 5-disc set with the 5th disc solely devoted for bonus features. Most TV shows on DVD do not get an extra DVD for just that. You get 3 Audio commentaries from the creator Richard Carpenter along with directors from the series. There are also 2 retrospective documentaries filmed just a couple of years ago. There is also a behind-the-scenes special with additional hour of unseen footage from the special, outtakes from both seasons and US, French and Textless opening title sequences and Cast Filmographies. What a great set to own and enjoy!


VIDEO

The video quality is superb! Digitally Remastered. There is not a Play All feature. Excellent quality.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Robin And The Sorcerer” Part 1 with Anthony Valentine*
2. “Robin And The Sorcerer” Part 2*
3. “The Witches Of Elsdon”
4. “Seven Poor Knights From Acre”

Disc 2- 1. “Alan A Dale”
2. “The Knight’s Fool” with John Rhys Davies*
3. “The Prophecy” with Simon Dutton and George Baker

Disc 3- 1. “The Children Of Israel”
2. “Lord Of The Trees ” with Oliver Tobias and Jeremy Bulloch
3. “The Enchantment” with Anthony Valentine and Jeremy Bulloch


Disc 4-1. “The Swords Of Wayland” Part 1 with Rula Lenska*
2. “The Swords Of Wayland” Part 2 with Anthony Steel*
3. “The Greatest Enemy” with Jeremy Bulloch

Disc 5- Special Features Disc


Extras

Disc 5 : The Making Of Series 1 (1 Hour)
The Making Of Series 2 (41:00)
The Electric Theatre Show-Behind The Scenes Special (24:10)
Series 1 Outtakes (08:26)
Series 2 Outtakes (07:05)
Us Title Sequence (02:39)
French Title Sequence (06:58)
Textless Title Sequence (05:42)
Unseen Footage from the Electric Theatre (Approx 1 hour and 11 minutes)
Cast Filmographies



Verdict

I would defiantly recommend buying this set! The picture and audio quality are great! The extras are phenomenal! I can’t wait for Set 2!


Rating; *****!

SATURDAY MORNING MEMORIES:THE SPACE SENTINELS AND THE FREEDOM FORCE-THE COMPLETE SERIES

Blurbs from Entertainment Rights about “The Space Sentinels and The Freedom Force-The Complete Series”- Centuries ago, the cosmic computer entity known as Sentinel One transported three young Earthlings to his domain, granting them astonishing powers and eternal youth. Now, they protect the human race from super-villains, marauding aliens, tampering time-travelers, and vengeful deities. The trio of heroes-super strong Hercules, shape-changing Astraea, and lighting-fast Mercury-have become legends, guarding mankind as…the Space Sentinels!

Headquartered in the sand swept Valley Of Time, five legendary heroes also defend humanity, using their awesome powers to defeat magical menaces, rampaging robots, and mythological threats. Joining the familiar strongman Hercules are the magician Merlin, super-adventurer Sinbad, armored giant of the east, Super Samurai, and the beauteous Egyptian heroine known as Isis! Together, they are The Freedom Force!

The Space Sentinels started out as the Young Sentinels in 1977 about three young people that were taken out of time and sent to a otherworldly domain to help a super computer called Sentinel One to protect mankind from super villains and aliens bent on taking over the universe. I enjoyed the show when it was shown on NBC. The other series that are on this set is The Freedom Force. The Freedom Force was part of the well-liked Tarzan and the Super Seven series in 1978 on CBS. It had the most powerful heroes of all time such as Isis, Sinbad the Sailor, Merlin The Magician, Hercules and Super Samurai. It lasted only 5 episodes but was well received. This set other than having the complete series of both shows has a good amount of extras. Both shows have image galleries, scripts of all episodes of both series, interviews with the creators of the shows, original presentations and much more. A very well made set.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Both series are digitally remastered and have a Play All feature. Episodes are also uncut.

Audio

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


Disc 1- Side A
1. “Morpheus: The Sinister Sentinel”
2. “Space Giants”
3. “The Time Traveler”
4. ”The Sorceress”
5. “The Return Of Anubis”
Side B
6. “The Wizard Of Od”
7. “The Prime Sentinel”
8. “Commander Nemo
9. ”Voyage To The Inner World”
10. “Loki”

Disc 2- Side A
11. “Fauna”
12. “The Jupiter Spore”
13. “The World Ship”
Side B-The Freedom Force
14. “The Dragon Riders”
15. “The Scarlet Samurai”
16. “The Plant Soldiers
17. ”Morgana’s Revenge”
18. “The Robot”

Extras

Disc 2-Side A-Image Galleries-The Space Sentinels
Interviews with: Lou Scheimer (03:16)
Michael Reaves (07:20)
Robert Kline (04:48)
David Wise (06:04)
DVD-Rom Content-Scripts from all 13 episodes
Young Sentinels: Original Presentation (02:34)
Live Action Audition (04:53)

Disc 2-Side B-Image Galleries for The Freedom Force
The Magic Of Filmation-Documentry (32:43)
Interviews with: Lou Scheimer (02:31)
Buzz Dixon (06:08)
Darrell McNeil (04:13)
DVD –Rom Content: Scripts for all 5 Episodes

Verdict

A very good set to own. Two series for the price of one! Well-written series with loads of extras!



Rating: ****!

SATURDAY MORNING MEMORIES:GROOVIE GOOLIES-THE COMPLETE SERIES

A short blurb from Entertainment Rights about “The Groovie Ghoulies-The Saturday Mourning Collection: A haunted, misfit monsters, rock and roll, and laughs! You’ll find it all in Horrible Hall, when Frankie, Drac, Wolfie and the whole Goolie gang cut loose with their unique brand of mirth and merriment. Amidst all the monsterrific mayhem, you can rock out when the Goolies take the stage to play one of their catchy tunes!

I remember watching this show on ABC around 11 o’clock every Saturday morning. The show had a “Laugh-In” type of fast paced humor and some really good songs, one that was very popular-Chick A Boom! The show ran for years on Saturday mornings along with the Saturday Superstar Movie which one of the Goolie episodes was made into “Daffy Duck Meets the Groovie Goolies!” This set is the most definitive collection for any Goolie fan. There are Audio Commentaries on the first 2 episodes, an Audio excerpt about how Filmation started, a sing-a-long song, image galleries and the best of the extras a 45 minute Docu-comedy hosted by Wally Wingert and Daniel Roebuck with interviews from Forrest J Ackerman, Alice Cooper and Ron Chaney to name a few. A wonderful set that finally shows appreciation for this rarely seen show!

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The episodes were digitally remastered. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “When I Grow Up” * -songs “Monster Cookbook and When I Grow Up”
2. “Population Party” *-songs “1. 2., 3 and Population Party”
3. “Lights Out”-songs “Cling Clang and Lights Out”
4. “Goolie Garden”-songs “Goolie Garden and Monsters On Parade”
5. “Monster Trio”-songs “Monster Trio and Super Ghoul”
6. “Feed The Ghost Some Garlic”-songs “Feed The Ghost Some Garlic and Midnight”

Disc 2-
7. “Frankie”-songs “Frankie and Be Kind To Monster’s Week”
8. “What’s In The Bag”-songs “What’s In The Bag and When The Moon Is Full”
9. “Goolie Picnic”-songs “Goolie Picnic and Little Texas Goolie”
10. “Where You Going Little Ghoul”-songs “Noises and Where You Going Little Ghoul”
11. “Gool School”-songs “Gool School and Bumble Goolie”
12. “Save Your Good Lovin’ For Me”-songs “Save Your Good Lovin’ For Me and “Chick-A-Boom”

Disc 3-
13. “Darlin’ Darlin’”-songs “Darlin’ Darlin and Kings and Queens”
14. “Shadows”-songs “Shadows and Lovely Night For Scaring”
15. “Witches Brew”-songs “Witches Brew and Creeper Crawler”
16. “Goolie Swing”-songs “Gollie Swing and Goolie Get Together”


Extras

Disc 1- Audio Commentary for “When I Grow Up” with Lou Scheimer and Darrell Mc Neil
Audio Commentary for “Population Party” with Lou Scheimer and Bob Burns

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-Goolians: A Docu-Comedy-Hosted by Wally Wingert and Dan Roebuck with Forrest J Ackerman, Alice Cooper, Ron Chaney and much more! (46:27)
Sing-A-Long-“Goolie Get Together (02:51)
Creation Of Filmation (08:10)-(Audio Only)
Image Galleries-Model Sheets
Cel Gallery
PSA Ad
DVD Rom-Scripts 1-16 and Series Bible (aka Kookie Spookies)


Verdict

If you’re a Horror fan and also love Saturday Morning cartoons, you will love this set. All 16 episodes with a ton of extras. A very good choice for your collection!



Rating: *****!

SATURDAY MORNING MEMORIES:FLASH GORDON-THE COMPLETE ANIMATED SERIES

A blurb from Ink and Paint about Flash Gordon: The Complete Animated Series:” Forced to crash-land his space ship on Mongo-a bizarre planet ruled by the tyrannical Emperor, Ming the Merciless-Flash Gordon and his companions, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov, face danger and excitement! To save themselves from doom at the hands of the evil Ming and his ruthless Metal Men, they must find a way to bring together the citizens of Mongo and their leaders, including Thun the Lion Man, winged King Vultan of the Hawkmen, and bow-wielding Prince Barin of Arboria.

Flash Gordon was a childhood movie serial hero that I used to watch on our local Saturday afternoon Horror show called “Creature Feature” with the host Dr. Paul Bearer. Filmation did a great job with the character in this 1979 animated series. The animation was a mixture of classic Filmation animation and a process called “Roto-scoping” where they would trace over live footage to make it look more life like. Again, BCI Eclipse and Ink and Paint have done a fantastic job with this set and it is packed full of extras with Audio Commentaries on 3 episodes and even a bonus episode of Flash Gordon from the “Defenders of the Earth” series among other extras.


VIDEO

The video quality is very good! Note that starting in season 2 the episodes were 2, roughly 12 minute episode to make one show. The shows were also done like chapters from the old movie serials. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. It is Mono on this set but can be heard quite clearly.

Disc 1- 1. “A Planet in Peril” *
2. “The Monsters of Mongo”
3. “King of the Hawkmen”
4. “To Save Earth”
5. “The Beast Men’s Prey”
6. “Into The Water World”
7.“Adventure in Arbaria”

Disc 2- 1. “The Frozen World”

2. “Monster of the Glacier”
3. “Blue Magic”
4. “King Flash”
5. “Tournament of Death”
6. “Castaways in Tropica”
7. “The Desert Hawk”

Disc 3- 1. “Vultan-Revolt of the Powermen”
2. “Ming’s Last Battle”
3. “Gremlin The Dragon/Royal Wedding”
4. “Sir Gremlin”*/Deadly Double
5. “The Game/The Seed”
6. “Witch Woman/Micro Menace”
7. “Flashback/The Warrior”

Disc 4-1. “The Freedom Balloon/Sacrifice of the Volcano Men”
2. “Beware of Gifts/The Memory Bank of Ming
3. "Survival Game/Gremlin’s Finest Hour”*


Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on “A Planet Of Peril” by Lou Scheimer and Darrel McNeil

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Audio Commentary on “Sir Gremlin” by Lou Scheimer and Tom Ruegger

Disc 4: Audio Commentary on “ Gremlin’s Finest Hour” by Michael Reeves
Blasting Off with Flash Gordon! -Documentary (21:32)
Storyboards-Barin Sequence and Metalmen Sequence
Bonus Episode-“Escape form Mongo” from Defenders of the Earth series (21:56)
Flash Gordon Chronicles-Heroes, Villains, Aliens settings- (Text Only)
DVD-Rom Feature-Scripts for all episodes, storyboards and Flash Gordon Bible


Verdict

If you are a fan of the comics of the newspaper and of the old movie serials or Science Fiction for that matter, then you need to get this set! The picture and audio quality are great. The extras are quite good and the audio commentaries give insightful information that was not presently known about the workings of the show.


Rating; *****!

RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY-THE LOST EPISODE TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about Rumpole Of The Bailey-The Lost Episode: Witness the birth of British barrister Horace Rumpole, who emerges in all his claret-quaffing, cheroot-smoking glory in this original BBC television play created three years before the launch of the long-running RUMPOLE series. Hear his first utterances of the wifely sorbriquet “She who must be obeyed” his first recitations of Wordsworth in the loo, and his first cynical musings about the nature of justice-until now lost to television history.

One of my favorite British TV shows was Rumpole of the Bailey. The Great Late Leo McKern played the Wordsworth quoting London Barrister Horace Rumpole and his “She who must be obeyed” wife Hilda. This episode which was the pilot of Rumpole of the Bailey as shown on a program that premiered plays and pilots for TV shows called PLAY FOR TODAY which was shown in 1975, three years before the regular series started that ran from 1978 to 1992. Leo McKern passed away on July 23, 2002. The Play is entitled “Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt”. This disc includes the “Lost episode” history, glossary of British legal lawyer terms and cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The episode was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Rumpole and the Confession of Guilt”

Extras

Disc 1: “Lost Episode” history- (Text Only)
Glossary of British legal terms- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Verdict

This episode was thought, “Lost” but lucky for us it wasn’t. This is the very beginning of the long running Rumpole series. Defiantly get it to complete your Rumpole collection.


Rating; *****!

ELEVENTH HOUR TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Eleventh Hour: Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation) brings his commanding screen presence to the role of Ian Hood, special scientific troubleshooter for the British government. Backed by his tough-minded bodyguard Rachel Young (Ashley Jensen), Hood takes on rogue cloners, ruthless polluters, resurgent viruses, and other menaces at the very frontiers of contemporary science.

Eleventh Hour is an absolutely riveting bit of television. Patrick Stewart is great as the retired scientist Ian Hood working for the government as a scientific advisor. The stories are very well written on the “This could really happen” type of scale. If your old enough or you are an Anglophile like me, it reminds you of a one man “Doomwatch”, which was a great series too! There are four stories one that deals with human cloning, a smallpox virus epidemic, global warning and a cancer cure-all. The special features include text interviews with Patrick Stewart and co-star Ashley Jensen with cast filmographies.
VIDEO

The video quality is great! Shown in widescreen.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Resurrection”
2. “Containment”

Disc 2- 1. “Kryptos”
2. “Miracle”-with Roy Marsden


Extras

Disc 1: Text interviews with Patrick Stewart and co-star Ashley Jensen
Cast filmographies

Disc 2: None


Verdict

A well acted and action packed stories with good video and audio quality. Great for any fan of Patrick Stewart.


Rating: ****!

COMPLETE RIPPING YARNS TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about The Complete Ripping Yarns- Monty Python fans rejoice! This Renowned BBC series, created and written by Python stalwarts Michael Palin and Terry Jones, provides more of the same surreal, bawdy, tasteless and absolutely gut splitting hilarity you know and love.
In 1975, Michael Palin and Terry Jones from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, co-created a very funny British satire on the Old Boy stories called “The Ripping Yarns”. From 1975 to 1979 they made 9 stories ranging from Victorian London, German POW Camps, the Peruvian Andes and the Indian Raj. This set for only 9 episodes is packed with extras! You have which is fairly rare, an Audio commentary on every single episode with Michael Palin and Terry Jones. A laugh track free option is on all episodes except 1 and 4. A deleted scene from “Murder at Moorstones Manor”, photo gallery, a 30 minute documentary on Michael Palin called “Comic Roots” from 1983, restoration clips from what was originally shown to brand new with new video technology. A DVD-Rom features all 9 scripts from the show and a commemorative 22-page booklet that contains an in-depth history of the series.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered and restored for the first time on DVD.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Tomkinson’s Schooldays”-with Ian Ogilvy
2. “The Testing Of Eric Olthwaite”
3. “Escape From Stalag Luft 112B”-with Roy Kinnear
4. “Murder At Moorstones Manor”
5. “Across the Andes By Frog”-with Denholm Elliott and Don Henderson
6. “The Curse Of The Claw”-with Tenniel Evans and Aubrey Morris

Disc 2- 1. “Whinfrey’s Last Case”-with Richard Hurdall and Edward Hardwicke
2. “Golden Gordon”-with Bill Fraser and John Cleese
3. “Roger of the Raj”-with John Le Mesurier

Extras

Disc 1: Audio Commentary on all episodes on this disc with Michael Palin and Terry Jones
Deleted scene from “Murder At Moorstones Manor (04:04)
Audience free track Option for episodes 2,3,5 & 6

Disc 2: Audio Commentary on all episodes on this disc with Michael Palin and Terry Jones
Documentary-Comic Roots: Michael Palin from 1983 (28:55)
Restoration Clips (02:00)
Audience free track for remaining episodes

Verdict

Indeed! Monty Python fans rejoice. A well done and packed 2 disc set with a lot of extras to make any fan of Monty Python happy.

Rating: *****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 3 DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 3: A Britcom gem form the 1970s, with a main character so loathsome he’s irresistible.

In this third season, new tenants include a flamboyant actor (Peter Bowles) and an exotic dancer who tests Rigsby and Ruth coming back from a failed engagement delighting Rigsby to no end! This was the last season for Richard Beckinsale who went on to do other roles. Sadly, in 1979 Richard Beckinsale died of a massive heart attack at the age of 31.


VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “That’s My Boy”
2. “Stage Struck”-with Peter Bowles
3. “Clunk Click”-with Derek Francis
4. “The Good Samaritans”
5. “Fawcett’s Python”
6. “The Cocktail Hour”
7. “Suddenly At Home”


Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

If you are a fan of British comedy then you need this in your collection.


Rating; ****!

TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED SET 4 DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Tales of the Unexpected Set 4:” Mixing dark humor with horror and fantasy, these entertaining tales each build up to a startling final twist. This DVD set includes all 20 episodes from the last of the sixth season, part of the seventh and eighth seasons, available uncut for the first time.”
This set continues the horror and mystery stories with a touch of black humor. It had a cavalcade of British and American actors in these interesting 25-minute episodes.

VIDEO

The video quality is superb! Videotape episodes are sharp and clear and filmed one had 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- 1. “The Wrong ‘Un”
2. “The Luncheon”-with Gayle Hunnicutt and Jacqueline Hill
3. “The Tribute”-with Eleanor Bron
4. “Hit & Run”
5. “The Best Chess Player In The World”-with Michael Jayston
6. “Have A Nice Death”
7. “The Last Of The Midnight Gardeners”-Patrick Mower

Disc 2- 1. “Accidental Death”-with Jacqueline Hill and John Hug
2. “The Reconciliation”
3. “The Mugger”-with Roy Marsden
4. “Skeleton In The Cupboard”-with Charles Dance and Zoë Wanamaker
5. “The Colonel’s Lady”-with Pauline Collins, Joss Ackland and Gareth Thomas
6. “The Surgeon”-with Thorley Waters
7. “The Verger”-with Richard Briers and Patricia Routledge

Disc 3- 1. “The Facts Of Life”-with Jim Broadbent
2. “Wink Three Times”-with Peter Davison and Liza Goddard
3. “The Dead Don’t Steal”-with Glynis Barber and Michael Wisher
4. “The Finger Of Suspicion”-with Michael Brandon
5. “A Time To Die”-with David Suchet
6. “Mr. Know-All”-with Topol

Extras

Disc 1: Authors Of The Unexpected-Authors that have worked on the program- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

The picture and audio quality are great. If you love all things British and anthology series, then it wont disappoint.


Rating; ****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 2 DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 2: A snooping and sneering landlord and his hapless tenants make comedy magic in one of the most popular Britcoms of all time.

Leonard Rossiter’s character Rigsby is defiantly the landlord from hell! In this second season, Ruth has found another man and it leaves Rigsby in a quandary, so he sets his sights on a new tenant, an aritists model named Brenda played by Gabrielle Rose. There is also a special Christmas episode for the season finale. This disc has interesting production notes and cast filmographies. It was not generally known, but because of Richard Beckinsale’s character in the show Porridge that he was playing at the same time as Rising Damp he had to wear a long wig to cover up his short hair.


VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Permissive Society”
2. “Food Glorious Food”
3. “A Body Like Mine”
4. “Moonlight and Roses”
5. “A Perfect Gentleman”-with Henry McGee
6. “The Last Of The Big Spenders” with Campbell Singer
7. “Things That Go Bump In The Night”
8. “For The Man Who Has Everything” (Christmas Special)


Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

An extremely funny comedy series. Leonard Rossiter’s potrayal was sharp and very funny. If you are a fan of British comedy then you need this in your collection.


Rating; ****!

TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED SET 3 DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Tales of the Unexpected Set 3:” The playfully macabre adult stories of Roald Dahl launched this legendary series, which continued with stories of the same humorously creepy ilk. Each standalone episode is a tasty tidbit of horror served up with a startling twist of fate. This DVD set includes all 21 episodes from the fifth and part of the sixth seasons, available uncut for the first time.”

Tales of the Unexpected started in 1978 in the vein of another British anthology series, Thriller, but was distinctive in its own way. It had a cavalcade of British and American actors in these interesting 25-minute episodes. These are the original British versions with straight story.


VIDEO

The video quality is great! Videotape episodes are sharp and clear and filmed one had 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- 1. “Blue Marigold”-with Ralph Bates
2. “The Eavesdropper”
3. “Operation Safecrack”-with Sir John Mills
4. “Run, Rabbit, Run”-with Leslie Caron
5. “Stranger In Town”-with Derek Jacobi and Jennifer Connelly
6. “The Moles”-with Fulton Mackay
7. “Decoy”

Disc 2- 1. “Pattern of Guilt”-with Jeannie Linden
2. “A Harmless Vanity”
3. “Death Can Add”-with Ian Holm
4. “Death In The Morning”-with Carol Drinkwater
5. “What Have You Been Up To Lately?”-with Peter Barkworth
6. “Absence of Emily”-with Patsy Byrne
7. “A Man With A Fortune”-with Shane Rimmer

Disc 3- 1. “Who’s Got The Lady”-with Richard Johnson, Robert Beatty and Victoria Tennant
2. “The Skeleton Key”-with Peter Jeffrey
3. “A Passing Opportunity”-with George Sewall
4. “The Memory Man”-with Colin Blakely, Judy Geeson and Bernard Cribbins
5. “A Sad Loss”-with Hayley Mills
6. “Clerical Error”
7. “The Vorpal Blade”-with Peter Cushing
Extras

Disc 1: Tunes Of The Unexpected-Composer Ron Grainer- (Text Only)
Tales Trivia- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 4: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

I would highly recommend buying the entire series! If you love all things British and anthology series, then you won’t be disappointed.


Rating; ****!

RISING DAMP SERIES 1 DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Video about Rising Damp-Season 1: In a series called the pinnacle of British comedy, the miserly and mean-spirited landlord of a rundown boarding house is hilariously one-upped by his luckless tenants.

Leonard Rossiter’s character Rigsby is a lot like Archie Bunker in All In The Family. His know it all attitude and odious ways play well off the other two characters in the show. The show started off as a play called the Banana Box with most of the original cast from the play going straight to the TV show. Leonard Rossiter plays Rigsby, the loathsome landlord of a rundown tenement in London. Richard Beckinsale from the Porridge TV series plays Alan, a long haired medical student and Don Warrington most recently played the World President in the new Dr Who series episodes The Rise of the Cybermen/Age Of Steel plays Phillip and Frances de la Tour plays Ruth, a love starved woman after Rigsby. The show lasted for 4 seasons and was voted the highest rated ITV sitcom in the top 100 comedy shows of all time. This disc has interesting production notes and cast filmographies.


VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Excellent quality.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Lodgers” aka Rooksby (Pilot for the series)
2. “Black Magic”
3. “A Night Out”-with Derek Newark
4. “Charisma”
5. “All Our Yesterdays”-with Derek Newark
6. “The Prowler” with George Sewell
7. “Stand Up and Be Counted”


Extras

Disc 1: Production Notes- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

An extremely funny comedy series. Leonard Rossiter’s potrayal was sharp and very funny. If you are a fan of British comedy then you need this in your collection.


Rating; ****!

TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED SET 2 DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Tales of the Unexpected Set 2:” The playfully macabre adult stories of Roald Dahl launched this legendary series, which continued with stories of the same humorously creepy ilk. Each standalone episode is a tasty tidbit of horror served up with a startling twist of fate. This DVD set includes all 23 episodes from the third and fourth seasons, available uncut for the first time.”

Tales of the Unexpected started in 1978 in the vein of another British anthology series, Thriller, but was distinctive in its own way. This set continues the horror and mystery stories with a touch of black humor. It had a cavalcade of British and American actors in these interesting 25-minute episodes. These are the original British versions with the writer Roald Dahl introducing the episodes for a few of the stories in the 3rd season and then the shows started off with narration.


VIDEO

The video quality is superb! Videotape episodes are sharp and clear and filmed one had 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- 1. “The Flypaper”-with Alfred Burke
2. “A Picture Of A Place”-with Michael Troughton
3. “Proof Of Guilt”-with Roy Marsden
4. “Vengeance Is Mine Inc”
5. “A Girl Can’t Always Have Everything”-with Joan Collins and Pauline Collins
6. “Parson’s Pleasure”-with John Gielgud and Lee Montague

Disc 2- 1. “The Stinker”-with Denholm Elliott, Joss Ackland and Patricia Quinn
2. “I’ll Be Seeing You”-with Anthony Valentine
3. “The Party”-with Robert Morley
4. “Would You Believe It”-with Richard Johnson and Nigel Havers
5. “Vicious Circle”
6. “The Boy Who Talked With Animals”-with Stuart Whitman

Disc 3- 1. “The Best Of Everything”
2. “Shatterproof”-with Eli Wallach
3. “The Sound Machine”-with James Warwick
4. “Never Speak Ill Of The Dead”-with Colin Blakley
5. “The Last Bottle In The World”-with Nigel Hawthorne and Anthony Qualye
6. “Kindly Dig Your Grave”

Disc 4-1. “Completely Foolproof”-with Telly Savalas
2. “There’s One Born Every Minute”-with Frank Finley
3. “ Bosom Friends”
4. “ The Way To Do It”
5. “Hijack”-with Denis Quilley

Extras

Disc 1: Tunes Of The Unexpected-Composer Ron Grainer- (Text Only)
Roald Dahl’s Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 4: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)


Verdict

I would highly recommend buying the entire series! The picture and audio quality are great. If you love all things British and anthology series, then it’s well worth the money.


Rating; ****!