PIONEERS OF TELEVISION DVD REVIEW

A blurb from PBS Home Video about Pioneers of Television: This 4-part series champions the entertainers who launched an industry. Packed with hilarious clips and nearly 100 new interviews, this series offers television at its finest.

This four part documentary from PBS was fascinating with tons of memories from many living stars from the bygone days of the golden years of television with such greats as Jonathan Winters, Betty White, Merv Griffin, Steve Allen, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Jim Nabors and Andy Griffin to name a few. The 4 parts of the series are Late Night, Sitcom, Variety and Game Shows. Bob Barker was interviewed the very day that he announced his retirement and the interviews were filmed in high definition, which gives a nice touch to the shows.

VIDEO

Shot in high definition, vintage clips are as clear as possible. Each part runs approx 55 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Late Night”-Interviews with Jay Leno/Tim Conway/Jonathan Winters/Dick Cavett/Betty White/Merv Griffin/Regis Phillbin/Tommy Smothers/Doc Severison/Ed McMahon/Arsenio Hall/Steve Allen/Hugh Downs/Sigourney Weaver/Pat Harrington/Andy Williams/Phyllis Diller/Florence Henderson/Barbara Eden/Jack Narz and Bob Ucker.

“Sitcom”-Interviews with Mary Tyler Moore/Joyce Randolph/Marlo Thomas/Art Linkletter/Tony Orlando and Rose Marie.

“Variety”-Interviews with Sid Caesar/George Slattler/Pat Boone/Peter Marshall/Jerry Stiller/Milton Berle/Red Skelton and Vicki Lawrence.

“Game Shows”-Interviews with Bob Barker/Tom Kennedy/Bob Eubanks/Chuck Woolery/Wink Martindale and Bob Stewart.

Extras

Disc 1: More Interviews with the Pioneers of Television- (15:00)

Verdict

Defiantly worth to have for the clips and interviews. If you are a fan of Classic Television, then you will totally enjoy this!


Rating: *****!

KISSOLOGY VOLUME 3-DVD REVIEW

This volume is supposedly the last volume in the “trilogy” but possibly not if Gene Simmons has anything to do with it! This set consists of the Kiss years on these discs from 1992-2000 and has on a fourth disc, there earliest recorded footage of one of their concerts in Queens New York on December 22, 1973 with makeup but no elaborate costumes and there is a special fifth disc that has a special concert for a radio station in California back in 1996. I have been a fan of the group since the late 1970’s. Not a huge fan, but one that respects what music they did. There are concerts on these discs from the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan in 1992, a MTV Unplugged special from 1995, Tiger Stadium in 1996, a mini concert of the MTV Video Awards on the Brooklyn Bridge, Dodger Stadium on Halloween 1998, a special mini concert for the movie Detroit Rock City and their “Last” concert for Pay Per View in 2000. The set also includes “Easter Eggs” which are footage from “Carnival of Souls” album, sound check footage and a performance of 2,000 Man at midnight during the Millennium concert.

VIDEO

Some footage is crisp and clear and some footage is somewhat grainy but that is due to the only available footage that could be found.

Audio

Is available in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. Some low audio on the Coventry 1973 concert.

Disc 1- 1. Revenge Tour-The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit Michigan 11/27/1992 (180 Mins)
2. MTV Unplugged-Behind the Scenes- (99 Mins)
3. MTV Unplugged-Sony Studios, New York City 08/09/1995-(91 mins)

Disc 2- 1. Revenge Tour-Tiger Stadium, Detroit Michigan 06/28/1996 –(173 Mins)
2. MTV VMA Performance-09/04/1996-(78 Mins)
3. Psycho Circus Tour-Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles, California 10/31/1998 Pt 1-(57:56)

Disc 3- 1. Psycho Circus Tour-Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles, California 10/31/1998 Pt 2-(167 Mins)
2. Detroit Rock City Premiere 08/09/1999-(98 Mins)
3. The Last Kiss-06/27/2000-(67 Mins)

Disc 4-1. Coventry-Queens, New York 12/22/1973-(43:37)“Captain Cook”

Disc 5- KROQ Weenie Roast-06/15/1996-(58:38)

Verdict

Defiantly pick this set up if you are a fan of KISS. The 1973 concert is worth the buy alone!


Rating; ****!

SWAMP THING-THE SERIES VOLUME 1

I really liked Swamp Thing when it was on TV back in the early 1990’s. It was based on the comic book of the same name. The series is closer to the comic book as to the serious nature of the episodes as opposed to the over the top tone in the first 2 movies. The star of course is Swamp Thing played very well by Dick Durock who played the character in the 2 films and all 72 episodes of the TV series. Mark Lindsey Chapman played Dr. Arcane, the constant thorn in Swamp Thing’s side. The first season was very dark in tone but had some wonderful episodes. The show was filmed in Orlando, Florida at Universal Orlando with some really good guests such as Peter Mark Richman, Roscoe Lee Browne, Sandahl Bergman and my personal favorite, Peter Palmer that the part of Orvile in “The Watchers” was specifically written for him. I had worked with Mr. Palmer in Temple Terrace and a local theater production of Lil’ Abner which at the time he was filming that very episode! This 4-disc set comprises of the first 22 episodes in order of story, which flows a little better. The set also has interviews with the co-creator of the series Len Wein and Swamp Thing himself, Dick Durock!

VIDEO

The film quality is great! Little to no specks or dirt. Each episode is approx. 23 mins each. There is a Play all feature but does not have any chapters.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Emerald Heart”
2. “Falco”-with Peter Mark Richman
3. “Treasure”
4. “From Beyond The Grave”
5. “Blood Wind”
6. “Grotesquery”
7. “New Acquaintance”-with Summer Phoenix

Disc 2- 1. “Natural Enemy”
2. “Spirit of the Swamp”-with Roscoe Lee Browne
3. “Legend of the Swamp Maiden”
4. “The Death of Dr Arcane”
5. “The Living Image”
6. “The Shipment”


Disc 3- 1. “Birthmarks”
2. “The Dark Side of the Mirror”
3. “Silent Screams”
4. “Walk A Mile In My Shoots”
5. “The Watcher”-with Peter Palmer

Disc 4- 1. “The Hunt”
2. “Touch of Death”
3. “Tremors of the Heart”-with Sandahl Bergman
4. “The Prometheus Parabola”-with Terry Funk

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: Interview with Co-Creator Len Wein (08:07)
Interview with Dick Durock (10:58)

Verdict

A great show with a great cast! Defiantly worth buying!

Rating: ****!

THUNDERBIRDS 40TH ANNIVERSARY MEGASET TV DVD REVIEW

One of the most popular of the Gerry Anderson Marionette series and my personal favorite is of course, “Thunderbirds”! The series premiered in 1964 as originally a 30-minute program. When producer Sir Lew Grade saw the show and how good it was he demanded that the episodes were to be made as a 1-hour program, which was somewhat of a problem with 9 30-minute episodes already made. The series was created after Anderson watched a news program about a German Mine disaster and how they were rescued in 1963.

The show is about the Tracy family living on a secret island in the Pacific. The patriarch of the family is Jeff Tracy, father of 5 sons and a former Astronaut. Now a little bit about each son. Scott Tracy is pilot of Thunderbird 1-a rocket plane that would normally get to a disaster scene first and set up a mobile base for the other vehicles. Brother Virgil Tracy piloted Thunderbird 2-a cargo ship and overall workhorse. Thunderbird 3 was a rocket for space missions and for maintenance for the orbiting space station, Thunderbird 5 which monitored all broadcasts for rescue missions and piloting Thunderbird 3 was Alan Tracy and Thunderbird 5 was John Tracy which left the mini submarine Thunderbird 4 that was driven by Gordon Tracy.

All the sons were named after real-life astronauts at the time. The other intrepid team member was Lady Penelope, a British agent that helped the Tracy family on many mission along with her trusty butler and bodyguard, Parker a ex prize fighter. There was a recurring villain in the series by the name of “The Hood” which is a half brother of the Tracy’s house helper, Kyrano. The most noticeable voice on the show was Canadian actor Shane Rimmer, the voice of Scott Tracy whose is most notable as the captain of the American submarine on the James Bond movie “The Spy Who Loved Me” as well as the Star Wars films. The best thing about the TV series to me was the fantastic and realistic special effects done by the legendary Derek Meddings who also worked on the Bond films and Superman films. Barry Gray who also composed many of Anderson’s series composed the music for this show.

Over the years, the series has spawned 3 motion pictures-“Thunderbirds Are Go” in 1966 and “Thunderbird 6” in 1968 and most recently “Thunderbirds” in 2004. This megaset includes all 32 digitally remastered episodes in glorious 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound. For prints that are over 40 years old, they look and sound superb. Also in the set are a behind the scenes featurette, a making of featurette and a Tech TV episode version with pop up info and a 40 minutes retrospective with Gerry Anderson about his TV series and much more.


VIDEO

The video quality is great! All episodes are shot on 35 mm film with little to no dirt or specks. Each episode runs apporx 51 mins each.


Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Trapped In The Sky”
2. “Pit of Peril”
3. “City Of Fire”

Disc 2- 1. “Sun Probe”
2. “The Uninvited”
3. “The Mighty Atom”

Disc 3- 1. “Vault of Death”
2. “Operation Crash Dive”
3. “Move and Your Dead”

Disc 4-1. “Martian Invasion”
2. “Brink Of Disaster”
3. “The Perils of Penelope”

Disc 5- 1. “Terror In New York City”
2. “End of the Road”
3. “Day Of Disaster”

Disc 6- 1. “Edge of Impact”
2. “Desperate Intruder”
3. “30 Minutes After Noon”

Disc 7- 1. “The Imposters”
2. “The Man From MI5”
3. “Cry Wolf”

Disc 8- 1. “Danger At Ocean Deep”
2. “The Duchess Assignment”
3. “Attack of the Alligators”

Disc 9- 1. “The Cham Cham”
2. “Security Hazard”
4. “Atlantic Inferno”

Disc 10-1. “Path of Destruction”
2. “Alias Mr. Hackenbaker”

Disc 11- 1. “Lord Parker’s “Oliday”
2. “Ricochet”
3. “Give of Take a Million”

Disc 12- Bonus Disc

The Brains Behind the Thunderbirds-featurette- (54:18)
The Making of the Thunderbirds- (09:21) in B/W
Pit of Peril-pop up episode form Tech TV- (44:09)
Gerry speaks: An Inside look at Anderson’s 7 fantastic series- (40:57)


Extras

Disc 1- Behind the Scenes featurette –(03:24)

Disc 2- Photo Gallery

Disc 3- Behind the Scenes featurette –(03:24)
Photo Gallery

Disc 4- Photo Gallery

Disc 5- Photo Gallery

Disc 6- Photo Gallery

Disc 7- Photo Gallery

Disc 8- Photo Gallery

Disc 9- Photo Gallery

Disc 10- Gerry Anderson-The Creator –Nowhere on the disc.
Photo Gallery

Disc 11- Photo Gallery

Disc 12- See Above

Verdict

A well-done production! Defiantly get this one for your collection!


Rating; *****!

CHANCER SERIES 2-TV DVD REVIEW

A short blurb from Acorn Media about Chancer Series 2: He’s back! In the complete second series of this British TV hit, Clive Owen turns on his megawatt charm as an irresistible rogue with a taste for scams, swindles, and romance.

The second and final series of the show are on this 2-disc set. The season is much darker in feel and tone from the first series. Chancer confesses and goes to prison and come back out and tries to the get his life back together. Again the music is by Jan Hammer from Miami Vice fame. This series also boasted 2 people that when on to bigger things, Louise Lombard who went onto the CSI TV series and Christopher Eccleston that went on to play the 9th Doctor in the newly re-vamped Doctor Who series. This set has Cast filmograpies. This set also comprises the final 7 episodes of the series.

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- 1. “Jo” with Louise Lombard and Christopher Eccleston
2. “Ashes”
3. “Secrets”
4. “Remembrance”

Disc 2- 5. “Blood”
6. “Fall” with Michael Kitchen and Terry Molloy
7. “Sacrifices”


Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmogrphies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None


Verdict

Again a darker look for series 2 but very well done! I would recommend it!


Rating; ****!

BLUE MURDER SET 2-TV DVD REVIEW

This second set comprises the final 4 episodes of the series. Like other British Crime shows, this show relies on “Fine Tooth Comb” attention to Police rules to solve the murders. These stories are as good and riveting as the first set. If I am not mistaken Blue Murder has been shown on BBC America but not on any PBS stations. The set includes the last 4 episodes with cast filmographies and texted interviews form stars Caroline Quentin and Ian Kelsey.

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 Each episode runs approx 69 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “The Spartacus thing”
2. “Make Believe”

Disc 2- 1. “In Deep”
2. “Steady Eddie” with Jack Ellis

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: Caroline Quentin Interview- (Text Only)
Ian Kelsey Interview- (Text Only)


Verdict

A very good series. Caroline Quentin is superb!

Rating; ****!

BLUE MURDER SET 1-TV DVD REVIEW

This was an interesting take on a cop show with a female Detective Chief Inspector that has to juggle Police work, being a single mom, having to deal with her wayward husband and go against a system that do not like women in charge. That’s a handful! If you are a fan of British TV, you’ll be able to handle the accents, if not you might have a slightly tough time understanding some of the dialog. I have no problem with it. The show is not fast paced, more relying on character development. The show is a little graphic at times when they come to a crime scene, but other than that, well done. The set includes the first 6 episodes with cast filmographies.

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 Each episode runs approx 69 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Cry Me A River” Part 1
2. “Cry Me A River” Part 2

Disc 2- 1. “Hit & Run”
2. “Up In Smoke”

Disc 3- 1. “Fragile Relations”
2. “Lonely”

Extras

Disc 1: Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Verdict

A very good series. Caroline Quentin is surprisingly good! Looking forward for set 2!


Rating; ****!

BANACEK-SEASON 2 TV DVD REVIEW

One of the better NBC Mystery Movie Series is back for a second season 3 DVD set! Banacek! Played by the late George Peppard. This set comprises the last 8 episodes and with a special bonus the original 96 minute pilot! These episodes ran during the 1973-74 TV season. The show was about a Boston-based freelance investigator who solved crimes for insurance companies for usually a fee of 10% of the value of the insured’s property. As usual for the Mystery movies there were a huge amount of guest stars such as Cesar Romero, Gary Lockwood, Jim Davis, Eric Braeden, John Saxon to name a few. This 3-disc set has no other extras other than the Pilot movie.

VIDEO

The video quality is great! Digitally remastered and restored for the first time on DVD.
All episodes are approx. 73 minutes long. The movie is 96 minutes long. There is also a Play All feature.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “No Stone Unturned”-with Gary Lockwood and Don Stroud
2. “If Max is so smart, Why Doesn’t he tell us where he is?”-with Anne Baxter, Richard Jordan and Jim Davis
3. “The Three Million Dollar Piracy”-with Dick Gautier and Tito Vandis

Disc 2- 1. “The Vanishing Chalice”-with Cesar Romero, Eric Braeden and John Saxon
2. “Horse of a Slightly Different Color”-with Tim O’Connor and Anne Francis
3. “Rocket to Oblivion”-with Linda Evans, Andrew Prine and Dick Van Patten

Disc 3- 1. “Fly Me-If You Can Find Me”-with Sterling Hayden and Victoria Principal
2. “Now You See Me, Now You Don’t-with Pat Harrington and Peter Marshall


Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: Missing Pilot Movie-“Banacek”-(96 Minutes)-with Ed Nelson and J Pat O’Malley


Verdict

Defiantly a set to own and with the Pilot Movie on the set, it is now complete!

Rating: ****!

DOCTOR WHO-NEW SERIES 3 TV DVD REVIEW

The third season starts off with a whole new companion! The series stars David Tennant as the doctor with Freema Agyeman as Dr. Martha Jones. It was nice not to see Rose in this series. Her character was getting all too mighty and the character needed a rest, although I hear that she will be in the last few episodes of the upcoming fourth season.

This season also had the yearly Christmas special entitled “The Runaway Bride” with Catherine Tate as the bride. The season itself was up and down this year with some fantastic episodes such as Human Nature/The Family of Blood, Blink and Utopia to the downright disappointing Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks and the Last of the Timelords. This set has quite a few extras such as audio commentaries on all 14 episodes and there are also outtakes, deleted scenes with Freema Agyeman’s and David Tennant’s video diaries and the confidential cut-down documentaries and Dr Who BBC 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. “The Runaway Bride”-with Catherine Tate (60 mins)
2. “Music & Monsters”-Confidential Documentary” (58:29)

Disc 2- 1. “Smith & Jones”-with Roy Marsden (44:27)
2. “The Shakespeare Code”-with Angela Pleasance (45:43)
3. “Gridlock” (44:59)

Disc 3- 1. “Daleks In Manhattan” (46:53)
2. “Evolution of the Daleks” (46:26)
3. “The Lazarus Experiment”-with Mark Gatiss (43:05)
4. “42” (45:29)

Disc 4-1. “Human Nature” (45:00)
2. “The Family of Blood” (42:56)
3. “Blink” (43:42)

Disc 5-
1. “Utopia”-with Derek Jacobi (45:53)
2. “The Sound Of Drums”- with John Sims (46:12)
3. “The Last of the Timelords” (51:24)



Disc 6- Doctor Who Confidential (Cutdown Versions)

1. “Meet Martha Jones”-(13:09)
2. “Stage Fright”-(11:55)
3. “Are We There Yet”-(11:47)
4. “A New York Story”-(11:26)
5. “Making Manhattan” –(11:44)
6. “Monsters, Inc” –(12:09)
7. “Spacecraft” –(11:57)
8. “Alter Ego” –(11:59)
9. “Bad Blood” –(12:03)
10. “Do You Remember the First Time?”-(12:36)
11. “Ello, Ello, Ello”-(12:13)
12. “The Saxon Mystery”-(12:28)
13. “The Valiant Quest”-(07:03)


Extras

Disc 1: David Tennant’s Video Diary-The Runaway Bride (09:16)
Audio Commentaries on Runaway Bride
Freema Agyeman’s Studio Tour (18:15)
Deleted Scenes- (18:01)
Outtakes- (05:27)
BBC Trailers- (02:52)

Disc 2: Audio Commentaries on Smith & Jones, The Shakespeare Code and Gridlock
David Tennant’s Video Diaries on the first 3 stories (28:51)
Trailers- (0:52)

Disc 3: Audio Commentaries on Daleks in Manhattan, Evolution of the Daleks, The Lazarus Experiment and 42
David Tennant’s Video Diaries on the next 4 stories (28:56)
BBC Trailers (01:11)

Disc 4: Audio Commentaries on Human Nature, The Family of Blood and Blink
David Tennant’s Video Diaries on the next 3 stories (40:02)

Disc 5: Audio Commentaries on Utopia, The Sound of Drums and The Last of the Timelords
David Tennant’s Video Diaries on the last 3 stories (27:03)
BBC Trailers-(01:28)

Disc 6: None


Verdict

A good season with ups and downs and a new companion. Season 4 is going to be very interesting! Get this season for your collection!


Rating; *****!

HAWAII FIVE-O SEASON 3 TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about Hawaii Five-O Season 1: Join Steve McGarrett and his heroic Five-O force as they solve crimes, unmask villains and “Book’em” in 24 episodes from the legendary show’s third season.

Hawaii Five-O is back for a third season on DVD! McGarrett and the crew are back to fight crime and international threats to Hawaii. Again like the first 2 seasons, this season has quite a few guest stars such as Eric Braeden before he was on The Young and the Restless and with Diane Muldaur, Martin Sheen, Edward Andrews, Joan Van Ark, Sorrell Booke and Academy Award winning actress Anne Archer in one of her first TV productions. This season also shows the return of McGarrett’s arch nemesis-Wo Fat played wonderfully by Khigh Dhiegh who shows up twice this season and throughout the run of the series and the final episode. There are 24 episodes to this season and some of them are syndication prints and are not uncut. The only “Special Feature” for this set are the original episode promos for the next week’s show except the episodes “Over Fifty?-Steal” and the two 2 part episodes “FOB Honolulu” and “The Grandstand Play”.

VIDEO

The episodes are digitally remastered. Most episodes are uncut. Each episode runs approx 50 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “And Time to Die”-with Gerald S O’Loughlin and Khigh Dhiegh
2. “Trouble in Mind”-with Milton Selzer and Harry Guardino
3. “The Second Shot”-with Eric Braeden
4. “Time and Memories”- with Diane Muldaur, Martin Sheen and Edward Andrews

Disc 2- 1. “The Guarnerius Caper”-with Albert Paulsen and Ed Flanders
2. “The Ransom”-with Andrew Duggan and Peter Bonerz
3. “Force of Waves”-with John Vernon and Dewey Martin
4. “Reunion”-with Simon Oakland and Barry Atwater

Disc 3- 1. “The Late John Louisiana”-with Don Stroud and Alfred Ryder
2. “The Last Eden”-with Ray Danton and Paul Stevens
3. “Over Fifty?-Steal”-with Hume Cronyn
4. “Beautiful Screamer”-with Lloyd Bochner and Anne Archer

Disc 4- 1. “The Payoff”-with Albert Salmi, Paul Carr and Madlyn Rhue
2. “The Double Wall”-with Monte Markham, Sorrell Booke and Joan Van Ark
3. “Paniolo”-with Royal Dano
4. “Ten Thousand Diamonds and a Heart”-with Tim O’Connor and Logan Ramsey

Disc 5- 1. “To Kill or Be Killed”-with John Anderson
2. “F.O.B Honolulu” Pt 1-with Khigh Dhiegh and Roger C Carmel
3. “F.O.B Honolulu” Pt 2-with Khigh Dhiegh and Roger C Carmel
4. “The Gunrunner”-with Paul Burke and George Murdock

Disc 6-1. “Dear Enemy” -with Vera Miles and Gary Collins
2. “The Bomber and Mrs Moroney”
3. “The Grandstand Play” Pt 1-with Pernell Roberts and Barry Atwater
4. “The Grandstand Play” Pt 2-with Pernell Roberts and Barry Atwater

Extras

Disc 1: Episode Promos

Disc 2: Episode Promos

Disc 3: Episode Promos

Disc 4: Episode Promos

Disc 5: Episode Promos

Disc 6: Episode Promos


Verdict

Great to have the next season of Hawaii Five-O. The picture quality is stunning! Come on Season 4!



Rating: *****!

CRIME TRAVELLER-COMPLETE SERIES DVD REVIEW

This series I really enjoyed which was a cross between Doctor Who and Time Trax about two detectives that have a time machine from the other detectives father that they can go back but not forward in time to stop or solve a crime. They also have to get back to the time machine when they are supposed to or they will be permanently locked in a loop of infinity. The series stars Michael French as Jeff Slade and Chloe Annett as Holly Turner whose father built the time machine is now in a loop of infinity. The series lasted only 8 episodes and was not commissioned for a 2nd series due to a change in management at the BBC. There are no extras in this set.

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

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Jeff Slade and the Loop of Infinity”
2. “A Death In The Family”-with Mary Tamm
3. “Fashion Shoot”

Disc 2- 1. “Revenge of the Chronology Protection Hypotheses”-with John Gill
2. “Sins of the Father” with Stephen Greif
3. “Death Minister”

Disc 3- 1. “The Lottery Experiment”-with Zienia Merton
2. “The Broken Crystal” with Angela Pleasence

Extras

Disc 1: None

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None


Verdict

A very good enjoyable series. A shame there were not anymore episodes made. I recommend it!


Rating; *****!

RISING DAMP-THE MOVIE DVD REVIEW

After 4 very successful seasons and countless awards, Rising Damp becomes a movie! This film premiered in 1980, two years after it went off the air with all the original cast members came back except Richard Beckinsale who sadly passed away before the film was made so a new character was introduced to take place of Beckinsale. His name was Christopher Strauli as John. The movie’s plot was ideas from 8 episodes of the series for Leonard Rossiter did not want to do anything new but to retell the story. The new tenant in the building and vying for Miss Jones’s affections was none other than Denholm Elliott of Indiana Jones fame. The movie also received awards for its comedy. It made back its 120,000 pound budget. This disc also contains the original theatrical trailer and cast filmographies.

VIDEO

The movie was done on film. From a very good film print. The movie is 94 minutes long.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Rising Damp-The Movie”-Movie-with Leonard Rossiter, Frances De La Tour, Denholm Elliott, Christopher Strauli and Don Warrington

Extras

Disc 1: Original Theatrical Trailer- (2:26)
Photo Gallery-25 pictures
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

I would recommend this movie if you are a fan of the show or British Comedy get the movie!


Rating: ***!

MELISSA-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Acorn Media about Melissa: Written by famed English crime writer and dramatist Francis Dunbridge, this PBS Mystery classic stars Peter Barkworth, Ronald Fraser and Moira Redmond.

A classic BBC murder mystery has premiered on DVD with the miniseries called “Melissa” staring Peter Barkworth as Guy Foster an unemployed Fleet Street reporter that has a new career as a novelist. Everything changes when his wife Melissa is murdered and all the clues point to Guy and he goes on a journey to clear his name. The movie also stars Ronald Fraser. The movie was based on the works of Francis Durbridge who wrote many episodes of the Paul Temple TV series. The miniseries spans 3 episodes. The disc also includes cast filmographies and a biography of the author Francis Dunbridge. The episodes were filmed the standard BBC way where all inside shots were shot on videotape and the outdoor shots were done on grainy 16 mm film. No fault of Acorn.

VIDEO

The video quality is not that bad! The performance is 150 minutes long. There is also a Play All Feature.

Audio

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

Disc 1- 1. “Melissa”-with Peter Barkworth and Ronald Fraser

Extras

Disc 1: Francis Dunbridge Biography- (Text Only)
Cast Filmographies- (Text Only)

Verdict

An entertaining whodunit with a good supporting cast. I would recommend it!


Rating: ***!

MCHALE'S NAVY SEASON 2-TV DVD REVIEW

McHale’s Navy second season is on this 5 disc with the next 36 episodes. Again starring Tim Conway in one of his first TV roles playing Ensign Parker and the Commander of the PT boat base, Captain Binghamton played by the late Joe Flynn. More guest stars were in this season most notably Bernie Kopell, Joyce Bulifant and George Kennedy. This second season set special features has reminiscing of the series by its star, Ernest Borgnine.

VIDEO

The video quality is superb! Digitally Remastered. There is a Play All feature. Excellent quality. Each episode runs approx 23 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1-
1. “The Day The War Stood Still”
2. “The Binghamton Murder Plot”
3. “McHale and His Schweinhunds”-with Mako
4. “Is There A Doctor In The Hut?”-with Bernie Kopell
5. “To Binghamton with Love”
6. “Have Kimono, will Travel”-with Mako
7. “Today I am a Man”-with Joyce Bulifant

Disc 2-
1. “Jolly Wally”
2. “Scuttlebutt”
3. “The August Teahouse of Quint Mchale”
4. “French Leave for McHale”-with George Kennedy
5. “The Happy Sleepwalker”
6. “A Letter for Fuji”-with Mako and John Zaremba
7. “My Ensign, The Lawyer”

Disc 3-
1. “Orange Blossom for McHale”
2. “Creature from McHale’s Lagoon”
3. “A Medal for Parker”-with Herb Virgan
4. “The Balloon Goes Up”-with Mako
5. “Who’ll Buy My Sarongs?”
6. “Evil-Eye Parker”
7. “The Great Impersonation”
8. “Urulu’s Paradise West”


Disc 4-
1. “Dear Diary”
2. “Babette Go Home”
3. “The Novocain Muntiny”
4. “Stars Over Taratupa”
5. “Comrades of PT 73”-with Sue Ann Langden
6. “Return of Big Frenchy”-with George Kennedy
7. “Alias PT 73”

Disc 5-
1. “The Rage Of Taratupa”
2. “Ensign Parker ESP”
3. “The McHale Mob”
4. “Carpenter in Command”
5. “Marryin’ Chuck”-with John Zaremba
6. “The Dart Gun Wedding”
7. “A Da-Da for Christy”

Extras

Disc 1 : Ernest Borgnine Remembers- (08:00)

Disc 2: Tim Conway Remembers-(09:25)

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None


Verdict

More great episodes from a TV classic! Season 3 is on its way shortly!


Rating; *****!

MCHALE'S NAVY SEASON 1-TV DVD REVIEW

McHale’s Navy actually started out as a Drama called “Seven Against The Sea” which was an episode in the Alcoa Presents anthology series which Ernest Borgnine playing the same part in the TV series, Lt Commander Quinton McHale. The series was changed into a comedy and was very popular in its 4-year run. Also starring is Tim Conway in one of his first TV roles playing Ensign Parker and the Commander of the PT boat base, Captain Binghamton played by the late Joe Flynn. The show ran 4 seasons and 138 half-hour episodes. This season set consists of the first 36 episodes and also for special features has a crew reunion with some of the original cast.

VIDEO

The video quality is superb! Digitally Remastered. There is a Play All feature. Excellent quality. Each episode runs approx 23 mins each.

Audio

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

Disc 1-
1. “An Ensign for McHale”
2. “A Purple Heart for Gruber”
3. “McHale And His Seven Cupids”
4. “PT 73, Where Are You?”
5. “Movies Are Your Best Diversion”-with Mako
6. “Operation Wedding Party”-with Don Matheson
7. “Who Do The Voodoo”

Disc 2-
1. “Three Girls On An Island”
2. “McHale’s Paradise Motel”
3. “The Battle of McHale’s Island”
4. “The Day That Captured Santa Claus”
5. “Beauty and the Beast”
6. “The Captain’s Mission”-with Walter Brooke and Mako
7. “Send Us A Hero”

Disc 3-
1. “The Captain Steals A Cook”
2. “The Ensign Gets A Zero”-with Don “Red” Berry
3. “The Big Raffle”
4. “One Of Our Engines is Missing”-with Ted Knight
5. “The Natives Get Restless”
6. “The Confidence Game”
7. “Six Pounds From Paradise”


Disc 4-
1. “Washing Machine Charlie”-with Mike Farrell
2. “Nippon Nancy Calling”
3. “One Enchanted Weekend”-with Mako
4. “The Mothers of PT73”
5. “HMS 73”-with Ben Wright
6. “A Wreath for McHale”
7. “Portrait of a Peerless Leader”-with Herb Vigran

Disc 5-
1. “Instant Democracy”
2. “Camera, Action, Panic”-with Arte Johnson
3. “Alias Captain Binghamton”
4. “Parents Anonymous”
5. “McHale’s Millions”
6. “The Hillbillies of PT73”
7. “The Monster of McHale’s Island”
8. “Uncle Admiral”

Extras

Disc 1 : Cast Reunion with some of the original cast- (19:19)

Disc 2: None

Disc 3: None

Disc 4: None

Disc 5: None


Verdict

If you’re a fan of classic TV, you’ll love this show! The picture and audio quality are great! I can’t wait for Season 2!


Rating; *****!

GUNSMOKE SEASON 2 VOLUME 1-TV DVD REVIEW

A blurb from Paramount about “Gunsmoke” Season 2 Volume 1- Saddle up for 20 more episodes of trailblazing action, Drama and excitement as the greatest Western in TV history returns in season Two of Gunsmoke!

The first half of the second season of one of the longest running Drama TV series ever is “Gunsmoke”. I grew up watching Gunsmoke when it was in first run but towards the end of the series. This is the first time that I have seen these episodes for I did not at the time have Encore Westerns. The cast is the same apart from Dennis Weaver who was in it the first 9 years of the show until Ken Curtis came in to play Festus. This season also started a writing affair with the now well-known director and writer, Sam Peckinpah. I have notice that the tag for the first few minutes of the show used the same footage in numerous episodes. This set consists of the first 20 episodes and the special feature here is some classic sponsor spots from the L & M cigarette company.

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 26 mins each.

Audio

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


Disc 1-
1. “Cow Doctor”-with Tommy Kirk
2. “Brush At Elkader”-with Paul Lambert
3. “Custer”
4. “The Round Up”
5. “Young Man With A Gun”
6. “Indian White”-with Stanley Adams
7. “How To Cure A Friend”-Phillip Abbot

Disc 2-
1. “Legal Revenge”-with Cloris Leachman
2. “The Mistake”-with Mike “Touch” Connors
3. “Greater Love”-with Claude Akins
4. “No Indians”
5. “Spring Term”-with Harry Townes and Stanley Adams
6. “Poor Pearl”-with Denver Pyle and Constance Ford
7. “Cholera”-with Paul Fix and Stuart Whitman

Disc 3-
1. “Pucket’s New Year”-with Richard Deacon
2. “The Cover Up”
3. “Sins of the Fathers”-with Angie Dickinson
4. “Kick Me”
5. “Executioner”
6. “Gone Straight”-with Carl Betz and Tige Andrews

Extras


Disc 1- None

Disc 2- None

Disc 3-Classic Sponsor Spots (02:44)


Verdict

These episodes were solid good Western tales. I’m looking forward to volume 2!


Rating: ****!