DICKENS OF LONDON-TV DVD REVIEW

A Short Blurb from Koch Vision about “Dickens in London”-While on tour in America, Charles Dickens (Roy Dotrice) recalls the moments that shaped his life. From his penniless childhood in Chatham and London during the 1820’s to the unprecedented success he later enjoyed on both sides of the Atlantic, he traces his extraordinary experiences, which influenced many of his greatest works.

One of the all time favorite writers in English literary history was Charles Dickens. This series is the story that takes Dickens to 1867 America where he had a one man show reading his best stories. He is ailing and about at the end of his life. He dies in 1869. The series consists of flashbacks to his childhood and to his father both played by Roy Dotrice. The miniseries had a few up in coming notable actors such as John Nettles (Midsomer Murders), Ben Kingsley (Gandhi) and Roy Marsden (Sandbaggers). The set has all 13 episodes from the series. Most notably in the set is an Audience with Charles Dickens at the Ambassadors Theatre in London with the audience dressed up in period clothing with Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. He also played the same character recently in the new series of Doctor Who in the episode “The Unquiet Dead”.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! The series was done on videotape but there were no dropouts of picture at all. Each episode runs approx 48 mins.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Mask”
2. “The Deed”
3. “Blacking”
4. “Love” with Karen Dotrice and Derek Francis

Disc 2- 1. “Success” with John Nettles
2. “Fame” with John Ringham
3. “Money”

Disc 3- 1. “Possession” with Jack May
2. “Dreams” with Ben Kingsley
3. “Magic” with Ralph Michael

Disc 4-1. “Nightmare”
2. “Angel” with Roy Marsden and Milton Johns
3. “Memories” with Connie Booth

Disc 5- Bonus Disc-“An Audience with Charles Dickens” with Simon Callow
(60 Mins)


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None

Verdict

A well played miniseries. Great cast and nice extra with Simon Callow as Charles Dickens. Take a look at it!


Rating; ****!

DANGERMOUSE-THE COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from A & E Home Video about “Dangermouse: The Complete Series” Dangermouse is the smallest secret agent in the world, not to mention the funniest. Now, from the famed animation studios of Cosgrove Hall Productions (Count Duckula, The Wind and the Willows) all ten seasons of his groundbreaking, sidesplitting, globetrotting cartoon adventures are available in a single box set.

Cor! Crickey! The complete Dangermouse collection has finally arrived! Dangermouse is a delightful romp into the life of the smallest Secret Agent, Dangermouse and his animated assistant, Penfold. Together, they fight villains such as Baron Silas Greenback, who he fights in most episodes and a slew of other villains. Dangermouse actually started out as a comic strip that ran in Look-In magazine in England and was syndicated in other magazines. The animated show started in 1981. The show ran for a total of 10 seasons until 1992. Dangermouse was also the first British cartoon to break into the American TV market. It started her in the States in 1984 on Nick at Nite and still has a following to this day. Even the Simpsons pay homage to Dangermouse in an episode calling him DangerDog! Cosgrove-Hall Animation went on to produce Count Duckula, Bananaman, and 2 episodes for the Doctor Who classic story “The Invasion” for DVD. This set also includes The Unaired Pilot to Dangermouse, Sing along Karaoke to the theme song, character biographies and 2 episodes of “Count Duckula”.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Some episodes are somewhat grainy but overall, very good.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Rogue Robots”
2. “Who Stole the Bagpipes?”
3. “Trouble with Ghosts”
4. “Chicken Run”
5. “The Martian Misfit”
6. “The Dream Machine”
7. “Lord of the Bungle”
8. “Die Laughing”
9. “The World Of Machines”
10. “Ice Station Camel”
11. “A Plague of Pyramids”

Disc 2- 12. “Custard”
13. “Close Encounters of the Absurd Kind”
14. “The Duel”
15. “The Day Of The Suds”
16. “The Bad Luck Eye of the Little Yellow God”
17. “The Four Tasks Of Dangermouse”

Disc 3- 18. “The Invasion Of Colonel K”
19. “Dangermouse Saves the World…Again”
20. “The Odd Ball Runaround”
21. “The Strange Case of the Ghost Bus”
22. “The Trip To America”
23. “The Wild, Wild Goose Chase”
24. “The Return Of Count Duckula”
25. “Demons Aren’t Dull”

Disc 4-26. “150 Million Years Lost”
27. “Planet Of The Cats”
28. “Four Heads Are Better Than Two”
29. “Tower Of Terror”
30. “The Great Bone Idol”
31. “Public Enemy No. 1”


Disc 5- 32. “The Long Lost Crown Affair”
33. “By George, It’s a Dragon”
34. “Tiptoe Through the Penfolds”
35. “Project Moon”
36. “The Next Ice Age Begins At Midnight”
37. “The Aliens Are Coming”
38. “Remote Control Chaos”
39. “The Man From Gadget”
40. “Tampering With Time Tickles”
41. “Nero Power”
42. “Once Upon A Timeslip”
43. “Viva Dangermouse”
44. “Play It Again, Wolfgang”
45. “Hear, Hear”
46. “Multiplication Fable”
47. “The Spy Who Stayed In With A Cold”
48. “Its All White, White Wonder”
49. “The Hickory, Dickory Dock Dilemma”
50. “What A 3 Point Turn up for the Book”
51. “Quark, Quark”

Disc 6- 52. “Alping Is Snow Easy Matter”
53. “AAAGGHG!! Spiders!”
54. “One of Our Stately Homes Is Missing”
55. “Afternoon Off With the Fangboner!”
56. “Beware Of Mexicans Delivering Milk”
57. “Catastrophe”
58. “The Good, The Bad and the Motionless”
59. “Statues”
60. “The Clock Strikes Back”
61. “EE-Tea!”
62. “Bandits, Beans and Ballyhoo!”
63. “Have You Fled From And Good Books Lately?”
64. “Tut, Tut, Its Not Pharaoh”
65. “Lost, Found and Spellbound”
66. “Penfold BF”
67. “Mechanized Mayhem”
68. “Journey To The Earth’s Cor!”

Disc 7- 69. “Dangermouse on the Orient Express”
70. “The Ultra Secret Secret”
71. “Duckula Meets Frankenstoat”
72. “Where There’s a Well, There’s Away”
73. “All Fall Down”
74. “Turn Of The Tide”
75. “Gremlin Alert”
76. “Cor! What A Picture”

Disc 8- 77. “I Spy With My Little Eye…”
78. “Bigfoot Falls”
79. “The Statue Of Liberty Caper”
80. “Penfold Transformed”
81. “A Dune With A View”
82. “Don Coyote & Sancha Penfold”

Disc 9- 83. “Crumhorn Strikes Back”
84. “Ants, Trees And…Whoops A Daisy!”
85. “There’s A Penfold In My Suit”
86. “Rhyme And Punishment”
87. “Pillow Fright”
88. “Heavy Duty”
89. “The Intergalactic 147”

Extras

Disc 1- Unaired Pilot-“Mystery Of The Lost Chord” (15:04)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Disc 2- None


Disc 3- Theme Song From Dangermouse Karaoke (0:19)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Disc 4- None

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- Count Duckula Episode-One Stormy Night” (23:25)
Theme Song from Dangermouse Karaoke (0:19)
Character Biographies-Text Only

Disc 7- None

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- Count Duckula Episode-Town Hall Terrors (23:12)
Theme Song From Dangermouse Karaoke (0:19)
Character Biographies-Text Only


Verdict

A fantastic set! If you have not gotten this set, get it!


Rating; *****!

HETTY WAINTHROPP INVESTIGATES-THE COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Hetty Wainthropp Investigates”-The Complete Collection” Acclaimed actress Patricia Routledge (Keeping Up Appearances) captivated American and British audiences alike as the 60-something housewife-turned detective, Hetty Wainthropp.

Move over Angela Lansbury, Patricia Routledge just took over as the world’s best amateur sleuth! I have always liked Patricia as Hyacinth Bucket in the long running, ”Keeping Up Appearances” series and she plays a no nonsense senior citizen that has a knack for asking the right questions and solving crimes. The show actually started as a pilot for the TV series entitled “Missing Persons” which she had a different husband and she looked different as well. Then 6 years later the BBC started the “Hetty Wainthroppe Investigates” series that ran for 4 seasons and 27 episodes. The show also was a springboard for the up & coming star Dominic Monaghan from “The Lord of the Rings” and now “Lost”. The show had a few known guest stars but mainly use the locals in Lancashire. This complete box set also includes the pilot story “Missing Persons” and an interview with Patricia Routledge with photo galleries and cast filmographies.


VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All episodes are filmed.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Bearded Lady”
2. “Eye Witness”

Disc 2- 1. “Fingers”
2. “Widdershins”

Disc 3- 1. “A High Profile” with Anne Reid
2. “Safe As Houses”

Disc 4-1. “Poison Pen”
2. “Lost Chords”

Disc 5- 1. “Not All There (Runaways)”
2. “Astral Plane”

Disc 6- 1. “A Rose By Any Other Name” with Ronald Pickup and Joan Sims
2. “Woman Of The Year”


Disc 7- 1. “All Stitched Up”
2. “Daughter Of The Regiment”
3. “Serving The Community”

Disc 8- 1. “Fisticuffs”
2. “Child’s Play”
3. “Pursuit By Proxy”

Disc 9- 1. “A Minor Operation” with Wanda Ventham
2. “Helping Hansi” with Wanda Ventham and Michael Troughton
4. “How Time Flies” with Tenniel Evans

Disc 10-1. “Something to Treasure”
2. “Family Values”

Disc 11- 1. “Digging For Dirt”
2. “Mind Over Muscle”

Disc 12- 1. “Blood Relations”
2. “For Love Nor Money”

Disc 13-Bonus Disc

Pilot Movie-Missing Persons (104 Mins) (1990) with Jimmy Jewel


Extras

Disc 1- a conversation with Patricia Routledge (26:04)
Photo Gallery-20 Pictures
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2- None

Disc 3- None

Disc 4- Production Notes –(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 5- None

Disc 6- None

Disc 7- Production Notes-Season 3-(Text Only)

Disc 8- None

Disc 9- None

Disc 10- Production Notes-Season 4-(Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 11- None

Disc 12- None

Disc 13- None

Verdict

I’d take Hetty over Jessica any day. A very nice series. My only concern is the packaging that the set came in. I about broke the discs getting them out. Apart from that, great!


Rating; *****!

PRIME SUSPECT 7-THE FINAL ACT TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Prime Suspect 7-The Final Act”: Jane Tennison emerges as a deeply flawed but ultimately sympathetic human being-one who accepts responsibility for her choices, knowing full well the price she and others have paid for each.

Ever since 1992, Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison has solved quite a few crimes. But this time the world is closing in on her with one last crime to solve before retiring. Her father is dying, she is becoming an Alcoholic and the looming of forced retirement sets in. This is the last story in a fine long running series, starring Helen Mirren and a fine cast of characters. This set includes a behind the scenes documentary, a photo gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! Produced on film.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. The Final Act Part 1 (92 Mins) with Frank Finlay
Disc 2-
2. The Final Act Part 2 (90 Mins) with Frank Finlay


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- Prime Suspect-Behind The Scenes Documentary (45 Mins)
Photo Gallery (20) pictures
Cast Filmographies-Text Only


Verdict

A fitting last episode for a series. Well acted and paced.


Rating: ****!

LILIES-COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about “Lilies”: Tough, sexy and heartbreaking, Lilies unsparingly depicts the often brutal realities of life in the 1920’s Britain, the bleak choices facing impoverished young women, and the fortifying power of love in its many forms.

Lilies is the story of 3 young women going through life in working-class Liverpool. A few years after World War I, the Moss family is a devout Irish Catholic family and the 3 women are wanting to get away and start there lives on their own. One dreams for acting in films the other sells corsets, but one runs the household because their mother passed away. This miniseries is quite good, sometimes realistically brutal in depicting the harshness and poverty of England just after the First World War. The miniseries is filmed entirely in Northern Ireland. The set includes a behind the scenes look at Lilies, a photo gallery and Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

There are no problems with the video quality.

Audio

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

Disc 1-
1. Episode 1-“The Chit Behind”
2. Episode 2-“The Thunderbolt”
3. Episode 3-“The White Charger”

Disc 2-
4. Episode 4-“The Tally Man”
5. Episode 5-“The Seal”
6. Episode 6-“The Release”

Disc 3-
7. Episode 7-“The Serpent”
8. Episode 8-“The Reckoning”


Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-Lilies-Behind the Scenes Documentary (15:33)
Photo Gallery (24) pictures
Cast Filmographies


Verdict

A coming of age series that looks at the struggle of family life in the 1920’s Liverpool.


Rating: ****!

FINNEY TV MINISERIES DVD REVIEW

A blurb from BFS Video about “Finney”: A Family Legacy Smeared with Vengeful Blood-England’s “Mafia” and An impressive series, strong in atmosphere, character and detail.

An interesting 6 part miniseries entitled “Finney” was produced in 1994. It actually is based on the 1988 movie “Stormy Monday” with Tommy Lee Jones and Melanie Griffith. This miniseries stars David Morrissey (Viva Blackpool). It’s about a son from a Mafia dynasty that comes homes and opens a Jazz hall in London. Then he finds out that his father was murdered. He tries to leave the “Family Business” but “Finney” who he’s called, is in too deep. I was a little skeptical watching this, but I liked the outcome and flow of the story and really like the open shot in episode one with a long continuous tracking shot. Some notable actors appear in Finney such as John Bennett (Doctor Who), Prentis Hancock (Space: 1999), Michael Mackenzie (Ace Of Wands) and John Woodvine (Doctor Who) as Bobo Simpson from a ‘Rival” family that possibly had Finney’s father murdered, which in retaliation from Finney’s brother Steven blows the back of Bobo’s head off which Bobo is sent to hospital and when he recovers changes his personality and becomes very religious. Finney and his family try to find out who murdered their father. The set also includes Cast profiles and a trailer for the miniseries.

VIDEO

The video quality is great. The miniseries runs approx 5 hours.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. Episode 1-with John Woodvine
2. Episode 2-with John Bennett and Prentis Hancock

Disc 2-
3. Episode 3-None
4. Episode 4-None


Disc 3-
5. Episode 5-with Michael Mackenzie
6. Episode 6-with Prentis Hancock


Extras


Disc 1- Cast Profiles-Text Only
Miniseries Trailer (01:06)

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-None


Verdict

A good miniseries. England’s answer to “The Sopranos”. Which this series came out 5 years before the Sopranos.


Rating: ****!

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE BAKER STREET IRREGULARS TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars: Kids are disappearing. Policemen are being poisoned. Sherlock Holmes is under house arrest, falsely accused of crimes he didn’t commit.

A brand new story in the Sherlock Holmes legacy is entitled “Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars” puts Sherlock Holmes in peril of being arrested for murder and it is up to the Baker Street Irregulars to prove that Holmes didn’t do it. Playing Sherlock Holmes this time is Jonathan Pryce (Tomorrow Never Dies, Evita) and his trusty companion Dr Watson played by Bill Paterson (Auf Wiedersehen Pet). I am a Sherlock Holmes fan and was not disappointed. Jonathan Pryce played Holmes quite well, and in a slightly modern way to make it more interesting. The movie is based on one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous Holmes tales, “A Study In Scarlet”. A co-production between BBC1, CBBC and RDF Television and was filmed entirely in Ireland. The disc also includes cast filmographies, a photo gallery and a biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! The episodes total 114 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. Episode One
2. Episode Two

Extras

Disc 1: Photo Gallery (27) pictures
Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

A good romp through the underbelly of London to save Sherlock Holmes! A good addition to the Sherlock Holmes Cannon.


Rating: ****!

GIDEON'S TRUMPET TV MOVIE DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about Gideon’s Trumpet: In one of the finest and final performance of his distinguished career, Henry Fonda portrays Clarence Gideon, the destitute prisoner whose handwritten plea for justice changed the course of American legal history.

This was Henry Fonda’s penultimate performance as Clarence Gideon, a destitute prisoner that changes the course of legal history. The TV movie tells the story behind the landmark, 1960’s case of “Right to Counsel”. This movie aired on the Hallmark Hall of Fame in 1980. I remember having to do a piece of this movie in my drama class in High School. The movie also had a great cast including Jose Ferrer, John Houseman, Sam Jaffe, Lane Smith, Dean Jagger and Fay Wray in her last screen performance. This disc includes Cast Filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is so-so. The TV movie was done on film and there are a quite a few specks and dirt. Not really any fault of Acorn Media. Source material almost 30 years old will tend to have that. The TV Movie is 103 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Gideon’s Trumpet”-Movie

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

A good educational film about law. Henry Fonda was great in the film.


Rating: ***!

ELVIS-THE MINISERIES TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Starz Entertainment about Elvis: The Miniseries: Jonathan Rhys Meyers delivers a definitive performance in the acclaimed mini series event that depicts Elvis from the 50’s teen outcast to worldwide sensation, through his grim decline to his spectacular 68 comeback.

There has been many versions of Elvis’s live told through film and TV. The miniseries is a well done production in the cannon of Elvis biopics. This miniseries was shown over 2 nights in 2005. This biopic shows the beginnings of the legend up through the 1968 Comeback special. Jonathan Rhys Meyers does a good job as Elvis although he doesn’t really look like the king, but he does and adequate performance trying get the subtle nuances of his character. Also in the cast is Randy Quaid as Colonel Tom Parker playing him not over the top as in other biopics and Camryn Meinham as Elvis’ Mother Gladys looking eerily dead on as his mother and Robert Patrick as Elvis’ Father Vernon. An interesting side note, the actor who portrays Red West in the miniseries is none other than Red West’s son, John Boyd West! The miniseries has the full cooperation of the Elvis estate and for the first time, Elvis’ actual recordings are used. This disc also includes deleted scenes and is in 5.1 Surround sound. As a collector’s extra the outer sleeve for the disc is black velvet!

VIDEO

No problem with video quality! The performance was done on film. The performance is 173 minutes long.

Audio

Was originally recorded in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound.

Disc 1- 1. “Elvis The Miniseries”-TV

Extras

Disc 1: Deleted Scenes (07:14)

Verdict

One of the better versions of the story of Elvis! I would recommend it!


Rating: ****!

TWO'S COMPANY-THE COMPLETE SERIES TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Two’s Company-The Complete Series: Take one flinty American Feminist, Add one steely ever so supercilious British Butler. Strike them together-with some of the wittiest dialogue ever scripted for television as tinder-and you’ve got the cracking British comedy Two’s Company.

A funny British sitcom premiered in 1975 for London Weekend Television and the complete series of 29 episodes are in one complete set for the first time! The show starred Elaine Strich as a American writer living in London with her newly appointed butler played by Donald Sinden, both by the way are still going strong at the time of this review! The series lasted 4 seasons from 1975 to 1979. The two performers are really funny and the sarcasm between the two is dripping! The show was tried in America as “The Two of Us” starring Mimi Kennedy as a Television talk show host and Peter Cook as the Butler but taking place in New York City as opposed to London, the show was not as funny as the original and did not last but a season. This set includes Text biographies of both Elaine Strich and Donald Sinden as well as Cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The video quality is good! All the episodes are on videotape with all outside scenes on grainy 16 mm film, which was typical for the time the shows were made. All discs have a Play All feature. All episodes are approx 24 minutes each.

Audio

Was originally recorded in Mono. Also here in mono.

Disc 1- 1. “The Bait”
2. “The House Keeping”
3. “Dorothy’s Electrician” wit Tony Selby
4. “The Patient” with Penelope Keith
5. “The Romance”
6. “Robert’s Mother”

Disc 2- 1. “Robert’s Record Player”
2. “The Reluctant Traveller”
3. “The Honeymoon” with Ed Bishop
4. “The Burglary”
5. “The Rubbish”
6. “The Guests”
7. “The Cleaning Ladies”
8. “A Loving Christmas” with Derek Waring

Disc 3- 1. “The Invitation”
2. “The Freezer”
3. “The Pet” with Beryl Reid
4. “The Takeover Bid” with Colin Jeavons
5. “The Virus”
6. “The Critic”
7. “The Picnic” with David Healy
8. “The Politician” with James Villars

Disc 4-1. “The Club” with John Gill
2. “The Clergy”
3. “The Salesman” with John Ringham
4. “The Visiting Scots”
5. “The Silence”
6. “The Rolls-Royce” with Bernard Kay
7. “The Friendly Aristocrats” with Milton Johns

Extras

Disc 1: Elaine Strich and Donald Sinden Biographies-(Text Only)
Cast Fimographies

Disc 2: Elaine Strich and Donald Sinden Biographies- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies

Disc 3: Elaine Strich and Donald Sinden Biographies- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies

Disc 4: Elaine Strich and Donald Sinden Biographies- (Text Only)
Cast Fimographies


Verdict

Not a bad Series. If you like Keeping Up Appearances and Are you being Served, then you’ll like this show.


Rating; ****!

A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about A Dance To The Music Of Time-The Complete Series: A brilliant adaptation of a literary masterpiece-often compared to the landmark miniseries Brideshead Revisited in scope and impact.

A Dance to the Music of Time is a BAFTA-Award winning British miniseries that has never been shown here in the U.S. Based on the 12-volume literary saga debuted in England in 1997. The miniseries is very much like Brideshead Revisited for the extravagance of it all. The story looks at 50 years of British upper class life from the 1920’s through the 1960’s that follow friendships, Adultery, Ambition and Failure. The miniseries has quite a few notable British Actors and Actresses of stage and screen including John Gielgud, Miranda Richardson, Edward Fox, Zoe Wanamaker, Colin Baker and many more. The miniseries is also uncut with Adult Language and Nudity. This set also includes Cast Filmographies and photo galleries.
VIDEO

The video quality is quite good! All the episodes are on film. Film quality is quite good with little to no dirt or specks

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. Film One-with Edward Fox and John Gielgud (105 mins)

Disc 2- 1. Film Two-with Edward Fox, James Villiers and Zoe Wanamaker (102 mins)

Disc 3- 1. Film Three-with Miranda Richardson and Zoe Wanamaker (103 mins)

Disc 4-1. Film Four-with Colin Baker and Miranda Richardson (103 mins)

Extras

Disc 1: Biography on Anthony Powell- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies

Disc 2: Cast Filmographies

Disc 3: Cast Filmographies

Disc 4: Photo Gallery (16) Pictures
Cast Filmographies


Verdict

A unique look at the Upper Class British way of life through the years.


Rating; ****!

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE SEASON 1 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from BCI/New Line about Wanted: Dead or Alive Season 1: Hollywood Superstar Steve McQueen, the “King of Cool” launched his legendary career in the groundbreaking series Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Wanted: Dead or Alive was a western TV show in a sea of Westerns shows at the time, but this show was different. The show was about a Bounty hunter with a heart that was rare in a Western. Wanted: Dead or Alive was actually a spin-off show from a show called Trackdown that starred Robert Culp. Steve McQueen plays Bounty hunter Josh Randall. He usually would donate his bounties to charity and would help his prisoners if they were in the right. He also carried an unusual-looking gun. He carried a shortened Winchester 1892 model Carbine called the “Mare’s Leg” which is odd because the show supposedly took place in the 1870’s! This set includes the first 36 episodes with a lot of extras which are a 6-part documentary which is actually a Biography channel bio on Steve McQueen, 3 featurettes on the TV series, 3 colorized episodes and more!

VIDEO

The video quality is very good! All the episodes are on film. All episodes are Digitally Remastered and look great! All discs have a Play All feature.

Audio

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

Disc 1- Side A
1. “The Martin Poster” with Michael Landon, Nick Adams and Dabbs Greer
2. “Fatal Memory” with Vic Perrin
3. “The Bounty”
4. “Dead End”

Disc 1- Side B
5. “Passing the Shawnee Bill” with Alan Hale
6. “Giveaway Gun” with Everett Sloane
7. “Ransom For A Nun”
8. “Miracle At Pot Hole” with Anthony Caruso and Jay C Flippen

Disc 2- Side A
9. “The Forth Headstone”
10. “Till Death Don Us Part” with Gerald Mohr and William Schallert
11. “The Favor” with Skip Homeier
12. “Ricochet” with J Carroll Naish and Regis Toomey

Disc 2-Side B
13. “Sheriff of Red Rock” with James Best and John Litel
14. “Die By The Gun” with John Larch and Warren Oates
15. “Rawhide Breed” with George McCready
16. “Eight Cent Reward” with Virginia Gregg, Jay North and Richard Reeves

Disc 3- Side A
17. “A Drop To Drink” with Dabbs Greer
18. “Rope Law” with Darryl Hickman, Robert Strauss and Sidney Blackmer
19. “Six Up To Bannach” with James Best
20. “The Spur”

Disc 3-Side B
21. “Reunion For A Revenge” with James Coburn and Ed Kemmer
22. “Competition” with Pat Crawley and Charles Aidman
23. “Call Your Shot” with William Schallert
24. “Secret Ballot” with Deforest Kelley

Disc 4-Side A
25. “The Corner” with John Litel and Don Gordon
26. “The Eager Man”
27. “The Legend” with Michael Landon, Victor Jory and Warren Oates
28. “Railroaded” with Edgar Buchanan
29. “Double Fee”
30. “The Kovack Affair” with James Coburn

Disc 4-Side B
31. “Bounty For A Bride” with Michael Pate
32. “Crossroads” with John McIntire and Clu Gulager
33. “Angels Of Vengeance” with John Dehner
34. “Littlest Client” with Anthony Caruso and William Schallert
35. “The Conquerors” with John Dehner, Michael Pate and Paul Carr
36. “Amos Carter” with Edgar Buchanan

Extras

Disc 1-Side A
Genesis of Wanted Dead or Alive (Text Only)
Steve McQueen Biography Part 1 (Text Only)
Colorized episode of “The Martin Poster”

Disc 1-Side 2
Photo Gallery- (22) Pictures
Analysis-The Bounty Hunter-Part 1 (13:47)

Disc 2-Side A
Steve McQueen: Life In The Fast Lane-Part 1 (09:16)
Steve McQueen: Life In The Fast Lane-Part 2 (07:42)


Disc 2-Side B
Steve McQueen Filmography- (Text Only)
Steve McQueen Biography Part 2-(Text Only)
Colorized Episode of “The Favor”

Disc 3-Side A
Photo Gallery- (24) Pictures
Analysis-Angel or Devil-Part 2 (13:47)

Disc 3-Side B
Steve McQueen-Life In The Fast Lane- Part 3 (06:29)
Steve McQueen-Life In The Fast Lane- Part 4 (05:22)

Disc 4-Side A
Steve McQueen Biography Part 3-(Text Only)
Colorized Episode of “Six Up To Bannach”

Disc 4-Side B
Steve McQueen-Life In The Fast Lane- Part 5 (06:41)
Steve McQueen-Life In The Fast Lane- Part 6 (09:20)
Photo Gallery- (24) Pictures
Analysis-Dead End-Part 3 (10:47)


Verdict

A very good first season. The show that truly launched the career of Steve McQueen. Looking forward for series 2!


Rating; *****!

WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE SEASON 2 TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from BCI/New Line about Wanted: Dead or Alive Season 2: For the first time on DVD, comes all 32 episodes of the complete second season of the hit television series “WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE”. The show that launched the career of big-screen legend Steve McQueen.

The series continues with the following 32 episodes. From the middle of the season till the end of the season, Josh Randall gets a partner of sorts by the name of Jason Nichols played by Wright King. A couple of well-known writers wrote for the series. Samuel A Peeples went on to write for the series Star Trek and Charles Beaumont wrote for the Twilight Zone. It also started the beginning of careers for James Coburn, Robert Strauss, Wayne Rogers and Warren Oates to name a few. This set includes all the episodes from the second season uncut which were also Digitally Remastered and a featurette called “The Women of Wanted: Dead or Alive

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- 37. “Montana Kid”
38. “The Healing Woman” with James Westerfield
39. “The Matchmaker” with Royal Dano
40. “Breakout” with Phillip Pine
41. “ Estralita” with Charles Aidman
42. “The Hostage” with Alexander Scourby and Lee Van Cleef
43. “The Empty Cell” with Lon Chaney and Deforest Kelley
44. “Bad Gun” with King Donavan

Disc 2- 45. “The Tyrant” wit RG Armstrong
46. “Reckless” with Everett Sloane
47. “Desert Seed”
48. “Twelve Hours To Crazy Horse” with John Dehner and Dabbs Greer
49. “No Trail Back”
50. “Man on Horseback” with Jeanne Cooper and Jay Silverheels
51. “Chain Gang” with William Schallert and Richard Reeves
52. “Vanishing Act”

Disc 3- 53. “Mental Lapse” with Harry Townes
54. “Angela” with Wayne Rogers and Warren Oates
55. “The Monster” with Martin Landau
56. “Most Beautiful Woman” with Arthur Franz
57. “Jason” with Wright King and Pierre Watkin
58. “The Partners” with Richard Farnsworth
59. “Tolliver Bender” with John Carradine
60. “A House Divided” with Stafford Repp and Don Gordon

Disc 4- 61. “Triple Vice”
62. “Black Belt” with Richard Crane
63. “The Parrish” with Susan Oliver and Don Dubbins
64. “Vendetta” with Harry Townes
65. “Death Divided By Three”
66. “The Inheritance” with Ed Kemmer
67. “Prison Trail” with Claude Akins and Beverly Garland
68. “Pay-Off At Pinto”

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Featurette- The Woman of Wanted: Dead or Alive (11:07)

Verdict

A solid second series. One more season to go! Hopefully Season 3 is on the way soon!


Rating; *****!