Description

Episodes: "Time Enough at Last" (Ep. 8, November 20, 1959) - A bookworm (Burgess Meredith) yearns for more time to read--then a nuclear holocaust leaves him alone in the world with lots of time, plenty to read, and one ironic twist! "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" (Ep. 22, March 4, 1960) - Inexplicable events cause the residents of quiet Maple Street to erupt into rioting. The residents suspect an alien invasion has occurred. If so, where are the alien monsters? "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (Ep. 123, October 11, 1963) - A salesman (William Shatner) recovering from a nervous breakdown spots a gremlin on the wing of his plane. When he attempts to alert the others, his nightmare truly begins! "The Odyssey of Flight 33" (Ep. 54, February 24, 1961) - Flight 33 picks up a peculiar tailwind and is blown off course. After apparently correcting the problem, the flight arrives at its destination--a billion years ahead of schedule! ... Read more

Reviews (17)

This is definitely the BEST volume in the DVD collection
No matter how many DVDs they put out with episodes of "The Twilight Zone," they cannot put out one with better episodes that Volume 2. "Time Enougth at Last" is THE quintessential Zone episode, adapted by Rod Serling from Lynn Venable's short story. Burgess Meredith, in what was surely his most recognizable role, plays Henry Bemis, a mild-mannered, myopic bank teller who only wants to read, but can never get away from this shrewish wife and demanding boss. But then Henry has the fortune of being in the bank vault reading a book when the world is destroyed by a nuclear war. Directed by John Brahm, no "Twilight Zone" episode ever backed a more unforgettable ending. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" finds neighbors turning on each other as unexplained events fuel their fear that human-looking aliens have infiltrated Maple Street (filed on MGM's "Andy Hardy" street). Claude Atkins and Jack Weston head a strong cast in this classic written by Rod Serling and directed by Ron Winston. "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" stars William Shatner as poor Bob Wilson, who has left a sanatorium only to take a plane flight where a gremlin keeps trying to sabotage the engine. Written by Richard Matheson, who wrote the original short story, "Nightmare" was directed by Richard Donner, who went on to be a film director of some note. "The Odyssey of Flight 33" is the only sub-classic episode on this disc. The story by Serling, directed by Justus Addiss, is of a plane that picks up a freak tail wind that sends it back in time. John Anderson as Captain Farver leads the excellent cast that makes this rather far-fetched idea utterly believable.

There's a man on the wing!
This is a superb compilation of some of the best Twilight Zone episodes ever made.

This DVD includes the following episodes: "Time Enough at Last", "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street", "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", and "The Odyssey of Flight 33".

"Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" is my favorite episode. William Shatner is a passenger on an airplane who sees an alien on the plane's wing every time he looks out the window. However, he's the only one who sees the alien - every time he yells to the stewardess or other people, the alien disappears. Everytime he sees the alien, he yells "there's a man on the wing! " It is such a great episode - it made William Shatner the star he is today!

Also, be sure to look for Burgess Meredith in "Time Enough At Last" before he was known as "Mickey" from the Rocky movies.

My only complaint is that there are not more episodes on this disk. I don't understand why CBS didn't release the episodes on a season-by-season basis.

One of the Best Twilight Zone DVDs
This second volume of Collection One might be the best of the entire Collection. "Time Enough at Last" and "Oddyssey of Flight 33" features two excellent stories with amazing and unforgettable endings. Another classic is "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," featuring William Shatner, who plays a man recovering from a nervous break down. His flight with his wife proves to be horrific. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" is a classic exploration into social psychology and mob mentality when a gang of residents on a quiet street are convinced that an alien invasion has occurred.

This second volume is well written with wonderful acting by Burgess Meredith and William Shatner. Highly recommended!

another great DVD
Vol 2 had even better episodes that Vol 1.

Time Enough At Last- Loved it! One of my favorite episodes actually. I felt very sorry for the guy. (*****)

Monsters are Due on Maple Street- Another great episode. Very surprising on who the monsters were. (****)

Terror at 20,000 feet- Uh, didn't care too much for this one. I got a little bored watching it actually. A lot of people seem to like this one though. (**)

The Odessy of Flight 33- another great and entertaining one. (***)

Your Next Stop is¿
Besides the TV Plays that you will buy this for, there are some DVD goodies (extras.):
Special "Inside the Twilight Zone" Section Written by Marc Scott Zicree
Biographical info on Rod Sterling
History of the Twilight Zone
Cast information
A season-by Season commentary
They claim to be digitally re-mastered yet there are still a few glitches and snow.
Episode 8 "Time Enough at Last" November 20, 1960

Henry Bemis (Burgess Meredith) has a healthy interest in reading; he is surrounded by people that underestimate its worth. He is conspired against by the bank president and even his wife. He works in a bank and spends his afternoons in the vault catching up on his reading. I will say no more as you and Mr. Bemis are about to enter the Twilight Zone.

Burgess Meredith will be found in several of the Twilight Zone episodes and again as the narrator of the 1983 Twilight Zone movie.

Episode 22 "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" March 4, 1960

The typical neighbors, like Claude Atkins and Jack Weston, are out doing neighbor things like mowing their lawn. They stop to hear a weird sound and see a strange light. It is assumed to be a weird meteor. All of a sudden the power goes out and nothing works no phones, no cars, nothing. This is the last moment before the real monsters came out.

Episode 123 "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" October 11, 1963

Mr. Wilson (William Shatner) is a salesman that is recovering from a nervous breakdown he had in an airplane. He is on his way down in a propeller commuter plane. You know something is amiss with him as he realizes he is next to the emergency window, over the wing. Of course his psychiatrist, Dr. Martin, would not let him fly home unless he was well. In the middle of an electrical storm, he looks out the window and I will say no more as you are about to enter the darkest part of the Twilight Zone.

This episode will be included in the 1983 movie with John Lithgow playing Mr. Wilson.

Episode 54 "The Odyssey of Flight 33" February 24, 1961

An international Jet flight, Global 33, is heading for Idawiled airport. On the way they get a sensation of great speed and go through some unknown barrier. Captain Farver (John Anderson) looses all external electronic guidance. He goes down for a closer look. I will not say anything more as you have now entered the Twilight Zone.

I wonder if we have a current remake, would Global 33 lose global positioning. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The second film in the Beach Party series returns Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello to the land of endless summer and back-projection surfing. It's as giddy as the first movie. Two inane subplots are added:Frankie is wooed by a wealthy bombshell (knockout Luciana Paluzzi), and Don Rickles trains a team of bodybuilders. The usual Beach Party trademarks are in place, including real surfing footage (much improved from the first film), Candy Johnson's shimmy dancing, and Annette's modified bikini with mesh-covered cleavage. Music is provided by Dick Dale and a rockin' Little Stevie Wonder, with most of the songs penned by a triumvirate of surf-music royalty: Brian Wilson, Roger Christian, and Gary Usher. As Frankie says, "Now you swing with me on that, or you don't swing at all." We swing.

Ski Party transfers the Beach Party vibe to snow, with a Some Like it Hot ripoff thrown in. Frankie Avalon and Dwayne Hickman go in drag to discover what girls really want, but Deborah Walley and Yvonne Craig put them in the deep freeze. It's surprisingly fun, with deranged musical appearances by James Brown and Lesley Gore. The outdoor stuff was filmed at Sun Valley. Annette Funicello cameos as a sex-ed instructor. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Buy this if you like Frankie Avalon
The best scenes in the Beach Party sequel are with Frankie Avalon singing the song "A Boy Needs A Girl" and Annette singing the song "A Girl Needs A Boy".The best scenes in Ski Party are Frankie Avalon singing a song in the sleigh ride and Annette doing a small role.

worth it for one great moment!!!
Ok, this ski party movie(or as I like to call it, SNOW BEACH)has one of the greatest moments ever in a movie. James Brown sings I feel Good, but he takes off his coat...........and he's wearing a ski sweater...James Brown...in a ski sweater... You know how some people look weird in ski sweaters: Bruce Springsteen would look weird in one, Marlon Brando? Andy Williams looks good in one, Perry Como...but James Brown?

Obviously the movie is fun(I refer to Eric Lambeth's review for details) but tnothing beats this moment.

Party Hearty!
Side A of the DVD contains "Muscle Beach Party." Frankie, Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) and the gang uneasily share the beach with a group of musclemen and their trainer, Jack Fanny (Don Rickles). The muscle men are the natural enemies of the surfers, taking the place of Eric Von Zipper and the Rat Pack, who are sorely missed in this movie. The recently deceased Buddy Hackett is especially funny as the guardian of the rich Italian countess, played by the beautiful Lucianna Paluzzi. At first, the countess only has eyes for Flex Martian, played by Rock Stevens (actually, it's Peter Lupus of Mission Impossible fame). After she meets Frankie and hears him sing, she falls head over heels in love with him. Recording him live at Cappy's nightclub, backed by Dick Dale and the Del Tones, she's determined to release the record and make him an international singing star. The countess almost persuades Frankie to board her yacht and sail around the world with her, when Frankie realizes that Dee Dee is his one true love. Flex and the muscle men follow them to the nightclub and, in order to win over the countess, they duke it out with the surfers. Jack Fanny eggs on the fight, while Cappy (Morey Amsterdam) watches his nightclub get wrecked. Flex's father, played by the great Peter Lorre, comes in and breaks up the fight. The countess says good-bye and sails the seas in search of true love, while Frankie and Dee Dee go on to make more beach movies. Little Stevie Wonder makes his movie debut, performing a song at the nightclub and singing a song during the closing credits.

Side B of the DVD contains "Ski Party," marking the official release of this movie. In this film, Frankie Avalon and Dwayne Hickman play the world's oldest college students, with Annette Funicello making a brief cameo at the beginning as a college professor. Frankie and Dwayne aren't getting anywhere with Deborah Walley and Yvonne Craig, so they decide to join them on a skiing vacation. Finding the men's German ski instructor too tough, they do what any red blooded, all American boy would do. They dress up as women and go to the beautiful women's Swedish instructor to learn how to ski! Robert Q. Lewis plays the inept innkeeper, and Aaron Kincaid is the playboy all the girls are after. The musical numbers in this movie are outstanding, especially "Sunshine, Lollipops And Rainbows" by Lesley Gore and "I Feel Good" by James Brown. A comic highlight is Frankie's ski jump, which has to be seen to be believed! Just for good measure, the action follows the gang back to the beach in time for a swinging number by the Hondells and the obligatory happy ending. Even though the only special features are the theatrical trailers, you really get your money's worth with this double feature DVD. Both movies reflect a more innocent time in America, and their comic appeal is timeless. In addition, the colors are sharp and bright, and the sound quality is superb. I hope that MGM releases "The Ghost In The Invisible Bikini" soon, since it is the last of the beach related movies that remains unreleased.

The best of the beach movies
I was shocked to find out Ski Party would be released on DVD. It wasn't even released on video, for crying out loud. But here it is. Fun in the sun turns to the slopes with great songs, funny moments, and witty dialogue mixed in with childish nonsense that you can expect from all beach movies. The Rats aren't in this movie, and "Freddy" (who was Bobby in The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini) is the best and sharpest beach movie bad guy out of all of em. Robert Q. Lewis, the old timey game show host, plays a fun supporting role in the picture.
You get to see Deborah Walley looking pretty hot (much better looking than she was in Elvis' Spinout), Yvonne Craig and that drop dead gorgeous body (she has no rythm whatsoever), and James Brown dancing to "I Feel Good". That dude can move!
Leslie Gore gets one scene in this movie, singing "Sunshine, Lolipops and Rainbows".
Again, musically this might be the best movie of the bunch (I think it narrowly beats out Beach Blanket Bingo). This movie also has the best flow of any of the beach movies...there are no real parts in the movie that are so embarrassing that you need to fast forward, unlike many of the other beach movies.

Pajama Party is the second best, and Beach Blanket Bingo is third. Ski Party is definitely the best beach movie AI made, and definitely needs to be in your collection. Lots of fun.

Muscle Beach Party is a bonus. Buy the DVD for Ski Party. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Night of the Meek" (Ep. 47, December 23, 1960) - Christmas in the Twilight Zone. Art Carney is a forlorn department store Santa who takes to drinking--only to find himself experiencing the nicest Christmas ever! "The Invaders" (Ep. 51, January 27, 1961) - A flying saucer lands in the attic of an isolated house inhabited by an impoverished woman--who soon becomes panic-stricken as tiny spacemen begin to stalk her! "Nothing in the Dark" (Ep. 81, January 5, 1962) - An old woman has fought with death a thousand times and has always won. But now she finds herself afraid to let a wounded policeman (Robert Redford) in her door for fear he is Mr. Death. Is he? ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Superb performances from great actors in "The Twilight Zone"
Volume 1 of "The Twilight Zone" presents a trio of classic episodes where the performances by the actors are as memorable as the stories with their infamous Twilight Zone twists. "The Invaders" is a tour de force performance by Agnes Moorhead in an episode written by Richard Matheson. Moorhead plays a woman living alone in a farmhouse who finds that a miniature flying saucer has landed on her roof. The woman has to fight against the strange tiny invaders with their advanced technology. But then remember, this is the Twilight Zone. "Night of the Meek," written by Rod Serling, finds poor Henry Corwin (Art Carney), a department store Santa who shows up drunk on Christmas Eve and is fired. Wandering the streets, he discovers a magic bag that can dispense any gift he asks for. Definitely a seasonal message from Serling and directed by Jack Smight, with John Fielder and Burt Mustin in the cast. "Nothing in the Dark," written by George Clayton Johnson, offers Gladys Cooper as Wanda Dunn as an old woman who has barricaded herself in her basement apartment for years, fearing that Mr. Death with kill her with a touch. Wanda knows that Death can take many disguises. But despite her fears, when Harold Beldon, a young policeman is shot outside her door, she drags him inside. Of course, the fact Beldon is played by Robert Redford might have something to do with her letting her guard down. This DVD includes "Inside The Twilight Zone", with information on Rod Serling, a history of the series, reviews of each episode, cast information and a season-by-season commentary. Not a bad first disc, but there is much better to come. However, you will not find a better trio of performances than you find here with Moorhead, Carney and Cooper.

Santa, Twist Endings and more are Just the Beginning
Indelible episodes, NOTHING IN THE DARK and THE INVADERS have to be two of the most viewed stories from "The Twilight Zone." Gladys Cooper and Robert Redford give very credible performances in this story of 'Mister Death' knocking at the door penned by George Clayton Johnson. THE INVADERS is a classic episode in the true sense of "The Twilight Zone." Richard Matheson wrote a memorable story and Agnes Moorehead gave one of the greatest visual acting jobs of all time. Alfred Hitchcock would probably call this episode an example of 'pure cinema.' NIGHT OF THE MEEK is a great Christmas holiday episode. Art Carney plays a drunken department store Santa who comes across a magical Santa's sack that generates gifts for those that are needy. Filmed directly to videotape and written with great warmth by Rod Serling this is one of the best and loved episodes. This is a good cross-section of shows from this series.

Awsome series!
Wow, I just watched these episodes and I was impressed. Very entertaining. I'll do a review for each episode.

Night of the Meek- This is a great Christmas episode, even though it was october when I saw it. (***)

The Invaders- When I first saw this, it really creeped me out. I was even screaming! There was a wonderful twist at the end. (***)

Nothing in the Dark- This is another one that gave me the creeps. Death comes walking up to your door. Probably the best one on the disk. (****)

The first and best of Science Fiction Television
First collection of shows from the 1959 to 1964 TV anthology by Rod Serling, which showcases both great acting and outstanding writing done by both Serling and frequent writer contributors like Richard Matheson and Charles Beaumont. Show put acting and writing ahead of any fancy special effect shots or cheap creature make-up work done (which is so commen on certain shows and films shown on a cable network today that shall remain nameless). Great first edition for anyone who likes the best of what television can offer.

Enter the 5th dimension....
Besides the TV Plays that you will buy this for, there are some DVD goodies (extras.):
Special "Inside the Twilight Zone" Section Written by Marc Scott Zicree
Biographical info on Rod Sterling
History of the Twilight Zone
Cast information
A season-by Season commentary

They claim to be digitally re-mastered yet there are still a few glitches and snow.

Episode 47 "Night of the Meek" December 23, 1961

As with short TV plays there is not real time for a buildup. Art Carney is an out of work person that plays Santa Claus. Because of his disappointment in life he indulges in libations. This leads to his dismissal as a store Santa. I will say not more as you are about to enter the twilight Zone.
Things had to move fast as there was only a half hour to complete the story.

Episode 51 "The Invaders" January 5, 1961

Agnes Moorhead is a woman living alone in an old farmhouse without any conveniences such as electricity. She is preparing supper when she hears a mysterious sound. Something appears to have hit the roof. She goes to investigate. I will say not more as you are about to enter the twilight Zone.
This episode thought well played seems to drag a bit as the woman is spending a lot of time searching around and licking her wounds. She says little (ok nothing) but conveys her part well. See Agnes Moorhead again when she has a lot to say in the movie "Dark Passage."

Episode 81"Nothing in the Dark" January 5, 1962

Long After the movie "Death takes a Holiday", in this episode death (Robert Redford) takes on the appearance of a wounded police officer.
Gladys Cooper plays an old woman afraid of Death. More than the scenario, of which we all know the eventual outcome, is the interaction between the two characters. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

The Best Of The Beach
Beach Blanket Bingo is the best of AIP's Beach Party films. Unlike the other films in the series, there are actual attempts at some clever tongue and cheek writing here, Annette finally displays some of here phenomenal body, Frankie actually has a tan, and the supporting cast is much better this time around. Here we have Harvey Lembeck as Erick Von Zipper (what a great character!), Linda Evans, Marta Kristen, John Ashley, Buster Keaton, Don Rickles and the great, demented, Timothy Carey.

Director William Asher had Roger Corman's Poe movie cinematographer Floyd Crosby on this film, making it the best looking of the series. The color is rich, the compositions dynamic and the camera more mobile than usual, giving the film a greater sense of excitement.

Finally, series composer Les Baxter also had a bigger hand in writing and arranging the songs this time around, and they are much better than usual for this series -- the title tune is a standout.

If you have a taste for American-International's Beach Party pictures, this is the best, and if you've never seen one before, this is the one to start with... Loads of fun!

actually more enjoyable than the ORIGINAL "Beach Party"!
BEACH BLANKET BINGO is considered by many as their favorite "Beach Party" movie. In order, my three favorites are BEACH BLANKET BINGO, PAJAMA PARTY and BEACH PARTY.

In this sequel, Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) and Frankie (Frankie Avalon) decide to take skydiving lessons from the hard-nosed pilot John Ashley and the late Deborah Walley.

Things get complicated when up-and-coming pop singer Sugar Kane (Linda Evans) ends up in Frankie's arms - literally - and the ... Deborah decides to make Frankie an afterschool sweetheart!

Dumb-as-stumps Deadhead (Jody McCrea) falls in love with an elusive mermaid (Marta Kristen) and the always-annoying Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) and his "Rats" show up to kidnap the lovely Sugar Kane...

Featuring a memorable title song as well as great musical turns by Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello and Donna Loren.

There are also great cameo roles from Earl Wilson, Don Rickles, Paul Lynde, Buster Keaton and Bobbi Shaw (reprising her role as Keaton's dizzy sidekick).

The DVD includes the trailer. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

a fun movie even for beach party movie haters
most beach party movies are pretty bad, mainly because frankie and annette are pretty insufferable. but this movie is sharp and funny. there's a comedy killer trio with harvey lembeck, don rickles and my alltime favorite, timothy carey as south dakota slim, an evil man with a heart of gold. linda evans looks incredibly young and beautiful, while donna loren is beautiful and terrific in her number. as much as pure junk can be a good movie, this is it. besides this one, any beach party movie with dick dale in it is good. the guy just rocks, rocks, rocks.

Frankie Avalon's Best Movie
A Good movie and the Best scenes are Frankie Avalon singing the theme song and the romantic song "These Are The Good Times" in the movie a song he later sang in a episode of "The Patty Duke Show".

a masterpiece of silly fun
I want to slap Frankie Avalon silly and Annette seems like a very attractive stuffed chair. But I really, really like this move. Young Linda Evans is a slice of female heaven, Harvey Lembeck is always good no matter how lousy the Beach Party movies are, but the crowning glory is Timothy Carey as the zonked out ultra hipster South Dakota Slim, a pool playing biker sadist kidnapper tapdancer who is basically a nice guy. He has been my hero ever since I saw this movie. Lots of good dancing and music, too. I must also praise Jody McCrea as Deadhead and his lovely mermaid girlfriend. Highly recommended from a guy who really knows movies. ... Read more

Description

In VOLUME EIGHT, watch as Lucy gets chased by the masked Ramon in "Cuban Pals," gets locked up in "The Freezer," gets drunk on Vitameatavegamin in "Lucy Does A TV Commercial" and poses as the Maharincess of Franistan in "Publicity Agent." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

All you need to know: This is the one with Vitametavegamin
Volume 8 of Season One of "I Love Lucy" on DVD includes what has been universally recognized as the funniest episode of the classical sitcom. Need a clue? How about one word: Vitameatavegamin (and it's tasty too!). Even without that biggie the other three episodes by writers Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll, Jr. are way above average as well:

Episode 28, "Cuban Pals" (April 21, 1952) finds Lucy insanely jealous about the gorgeous Latin dancer (Rita Convy) who was Ricky's dancing partner back in Cuba. Whatever will the redhead do about this floozy?

Episode 29, "The Freezer" (April 28, 1952) contains another classic "I Love Lucy" sight gag. Lucy and Ethel have a new walk-in freezer that is not as big as think. As a result, the girls have to go into the meat business. Meanwhile, there is that walk-in freezer with a lock on teh door and that can only mean one thing with Lucy around.

Episode 30, "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (May 5, 1952) is an absolute classic. Lucy has been trying to get into showbusiness and she may have finally found her opportunity as a TV pitchwoman for Vitametavegamin, a cure-all tonic (that is only 23 percent alcohol). What is interesting is that Lucy is pretty good when she starts practicing. But with each rehersal using the actual product she descends into a drunken stupor and ascends to the heights of hilarity. Note: Lucy appeared in the 1946 MGM movie "Ziegfeld Follies," in which Red Skelton did a burlesque routine in which he was peddling a product called Guzzler's Gin. Whether this was indeed the inspiration for this "I Love Lucy" episode or not, it indicates the Lucille Ball's gift was not in originality but in performance.

Episode 31, "The Publicity Agent" (May 12, 1952) has Lucy "helping" Ricky's career by posing as a Middle Eastern princess who is Ricky Ricardo's biggest fan. Of course, no publicity stunt by Lucy goes unpunished.

During the first season of "I Love Lucy" in 1951-52 the show had a Nielsen rating of 50.9, which means on Monday nights literatlly half the television sets in the United States were on and tuned to CBS at 9:00 p.m. (and the show only finished THIRD in the ratings). However, the next year the show would make it to the top spot in the Nielsens with a rating of 67.3 as Lucy, both the actress and the character, gave birth. Today you can take the ratings from the four main networks and probably throw the two minor ones into the mix and still not come close to that number during any hour of the week. This is why there is "I Love Lucy" and then the rest.

Vitameatavegamin and Some Other Laughs
The eighth volume of season one brings us one of the best known and loved episodes of I Love Lucy. But there are four episodes on this disc, all of which are great.

"Cuban Pals" gives Lucy and us a chance to meet some of Ricky's old friends. But when one of them turns out to be cuter then Lucy is comfortable with, she gets a visit from the green-eyed monster.

In "The Freezer," the gals get in over their head buying meat for a new basement freezer.

When "Lucy Does a TV Commercial," she gets much more then she bargained for when the product turns out to be alcoholic. While I normally don't enjoy people acting drunk, this episode kills me every time I see it. It's a classic for a reason.

Finally, we get "The Publicity Agent." This one finds Lucy pretending to be the Maharincess of Franistan to give Ricky some much needed publicity.

This DVD is a collector's dream. The episodes are presented in their entirety, and they look and sound sharp. There are occasional flaws in the picture, but considering the source material is 50 years old, it really isn't bad at all. The sound is presented in mono. While it won't challenge your sound system, it serves the purpose well and is faithful to the original audio recording. The extras include the now familiar guest cast info, original opening, mistakes, and episode of "My Favorite Husband." It also features an excerpt from Jess Oppenheimer's books about the creation of "The Freezer" and "Lucy Does a TV Commercial."

I Love Lucy is a classic TV show, and this disc features a classic episode. Not only will fans of Lucy want this disc, so will anyone who loves all time classic TV.

"Hello friends! I'm your Vitametavegamin girl!"
I was very happy to see the release of DVD Volume 8 containing 4 more episodes from the first season of the classic television series "I Love Lucy", which aired on television for six seasons between 1951 and 1957. Lucy Esmeralda MacGillicuddy Ricardo (Lucille Ball), Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), Ethel Mae Roberta Louise Potter Mertz (Vivian Vance) and Fred Mertz (William Frawley) have more hilarious hijinx occur in the four episodes presented in thid DVD:

Episode 28: "Cuban Pals" (April 21, 1952). Lucy and Ricky are visited by two of Ricky's Cuban friends (Alberto Morin and Rita Convy), as well as a dancer named Renita Perez (Lita Baron), whom Ricky used to perform with when she was a little girl. Lucy's jealousy of Renita leads to some classic hijinx at the night club.

Episode 29: "The Freezer" (April 28, 1952). Lucy and Ethel want to save money by getting a freezer to store a lot of meat that they could purchase wholesale. Ethel can get a freezer essentially for free from a relative, so Lucy orders some meat; but it's a bit more meat than Lucy & Ethel realize when three delivery men arrive (Frank Sully and Bennett Green). After they try to sell some of the excess meat, Lucy learns the true meaning of popsickle. Fred Aldrich played the butcher.

Episode 30: "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (May 5, 1952). This is one of the best known and most beloved episodes of all time. In this episode, Lucy finagles her way into doing a TV commercial during a show that Ricky has been invited to perform in. The TV commercial is for that well-known elixir, Vitametavegamin; but the director (Ross Elliott) and Joe (Jerry Hausner) fail to mention that it has a lot of alcohol in it. After several takes, Lucy gets a bit tipsy.

Episode 31: "The Publicity Agent" (May 12, 1952). Concerned that Ricky isn't getting enough publicity, Lucy poses as a princess from the fictional country of Franistan who has travelled to NYC just to hear Ricky sing. Ethel poses as her consort. Peter Leeds, Bennett Green, Richard J. Reeves and Gil Herman guest star in this episode.

If you are debating whether to purchase any of the episodes on DVD, you won't be disappointed if you are a long-time fan of "I Love Lucy". As with the other seven volumes released so far, picture quality of the episodes is superb; and being able to watch the episodes uninterrupted and uncut is fantastic. I rate these 4 classic episodes with 5 out of 5 stars!

Lucy samples Vitameatavegamin and dances the rumba!
I LOVE LUCY continues on DVD with this 8th volume of episodes from the historic first season.

"Cuban Pals" - Lucy is delighted to meet a troupe of Cuban performers, touring through America, who are old friends of Ricky's. But when she discovers that the beautiful, lithsome dancer Renita Perez will be dancing with Ricky, Lucy sets out to replace her as the "Lady in Red", with hilarious results...

"The Freezer" - Lucy and Ethel decide to buy a freezer, stocking it with more meat than they can eat...or pay for! But with Lucy's brush with the meat 'black-market' turning into a dismal failure, the girls have to go home and face the boys...

"Lucy Does a TV Commercial" - Lucy decides to appear on Ricky's new television special, advertising a rather-suspicious health tonic called Vitameatavegamin. The tonic is largely made of alcohol, and Lucy bombs (and gets bombed) as she samples the elixer during multiple "takes"!

"The Publicity Agent" - Ricky's career is in the doldrums, so Lucy decides to shake things up in the press by masquerading as the 'Maharincess of Franistan', who has come to America just to hear Ricky singing in his club!

Starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley. The DVD includes restored elements, special footage, a bonus episode of the "My Favorite Husband" radio show, flubs, guest-cast information and audio supplements. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

The Queen of Comedy on DVD.
The eighth volume of I Love Lucy's first season contains episodes 28-31, which feature some of the show's best moments, like Lucy getting locked in a freezer, dressing up as foreign royalty and doing a commercial for Vitameatavegamin. Although, like I've said before, I wish they would release season-by-season DVDs, this is still a must have collection. Lucy's brand of humor and physical gags transcends time and it shows, like always, on this set. And who doesn't love Lucy?

1. "Cuban Pals" (aired 4/21/52)- When Carlos and Maria, old friends of Ricky's from Cuba, come for a visit, Lucy insists that another friend of his, Renita Perez, should do an act with Ricky at his club. Of course, this is before Lucy sees what a gorgeous woman Renita is now. Jealous, she has Fred pose as a taxi cab driver who is supposed to take her to the Tropicana, but takes a "shortcut" through Philadelphia.

2. "The Freezer" (aired 4/28/52)- The girls buy a freezer from Ethel's uncle and decide to order two sides of beef, not knowing that two sides of beef is over 700 pounds. Lucy's scheme to steal the customers away from the butcher shop to sell her beef to them fails, so while trying to hide the meat from Ricky, Lucy gets locked in the freezer.

3. "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (aired 5/5/52)- Lucy is desperate to get a spot in the live commercial that will air during a TV show that Ricky is doing. She auditions as Lucy McGillicuddy and wins the part. But during rehearsals, she gets drunk on the Vitameatavegamin tonic that contains 23% alcohol.

4. "The Publicity Agent" (aired 5/12/52)- When Ricky thinks that his career is in a slump and that he needs some publicity, Lucy rises to the occasion to help him out. Unknowingly to Ricky, she transforms herself into the Maharincess of Franistan, who is so obsessed with Ricky Ricardo, that she travels clear around the world for a private command performance. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Both of the "Treasures" DVD's are great.....
but this one is the very best of the entire collection!

Most often the Twilight Zone DVD's have a "mix" of episodes. One really great one, one or two good ones, and a clunker thrown in for good measure (even Serling himself said there were many TZ episodes that didn't quite make the grade). This one is nothing but pure gold! All three of the episodes on this disc are the most memorable of the series.

A tip to the masses - be aware that the 45 individual TZ dvd's have recently been packaged into "collections" (which are NOT by season as they should have been - but just simply repackaged previously released volumes 1-9 in collection #1, 10-18 in collection #2, etc) that is really the way to go if you are the completist and will be getting them all.

However, if you want to try just a single Twilight Zone DVD, give this one a try and you won't be disappointed.

More Treasures of the Twilight Zone
What Twilight Zone fan wouldn't leap upon the opportunity to own three classic Twilight Zone episodes in their original condition with DVD quality? More Treasures of the Twilight Zone surprisingly managed to surpass the first Treasures in quality and extra features. I was overjoyed to see that included before each of the three episodes (The Masks, The Howling Man, Eye of the Beholder) the original teaser for the episode given at the end of the previous week's episode were included. The only disappointment that came from this DVD is the mistake in credits and reviews for the episodes. In this section they (apparently by accident) show the credits and reviews for the three episodes in the first Treasures of the Twilight Zone and include nothing about the three that are actually on the DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Pop star Frankie Avalon and former Mouseketeer Annette Funicelloinaugurated the beach movie proper (after Gidget tested the waters) with thiscelebration of surf, sand, rock & roll music, and, of course, sex. Frankiecarries Annette (named Doris in the film) over the threshold of a beach cabin asshe whispers "It's just like we're married." "Exactly!" he smiles beforetripping over a dozen friends camping out on the floor. Well, not quite, as itturns out in the boys-against-girls contest of one-upmanship and jealoustantrums. Frankie woos the pneumatic Scandinavian Eva Six and Annette flirtswith frumpy anthropologist Bob Cummings (wearing a beard that would scareGrizzly Adams). Meanwhile he secretly studies the mating rituals of the beachtribe with his eternally frustrated assistant Dorothy Malone. Harvey Lembeck(from Stalag 17) is the aging juvenile delinquent Eric von Zipper, aspastic motorcycle gang leader, while Morey Amsterdam recites silly beat poetryin a Chinese mask and surf rocker Dick Dale plays bongos and wears a goldearring. Look for bit parts by Beach Boy Brian Wilson (as a surfer) and PeterFalk (as a biker) and a cameo by Vincent Price. This first beach romp is aboutas sophisticated as a Keystone Kops farce (it ends with a slapstick free-for-allthat wouldn't be out place in the silent era), but it's dumb, fluffy fun withlots of hunky boys and pretty bikinied girls shaking their booties and makingout. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Frankie Avalon in a fun movie
Frankie Avalon stars in this fun movie.The movie has alot of fun and fun scenes.Frankie Avalon sings the theme song with Annette in the 1st scene of the movie.Frankie Avalon mentioned in a interview this was his favorite movie he starred.If you like Frankie and Annette then you will like the movie.Frankie and Annette were called the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of their generation and were a good team in movies.

First in a series
As with most firsts the first film is the best as it has the fresh idea and is not rehashed. I may seem a little sophomoric these days but it filled a gap and reflected the music and culture of the time.
Frankie (Frankie Avalon) assumes he is going to spend the summer alone with Dolores (Annette Funicello). Boy is he in for a surprise. There are surfers, bikers, air planes, and Morey Amsterdam.
Robert Cummings adds a good balance to this movie as a researcher of the California beach tribe. He must keep his objectivity as he is interacting with their culture. Will he be able to or not?
We are all waiting for the word from Big Daddy.

Beach Party-what a trip!
This is your typical 60's beach movie of the era. Robert Cummings is absolutely hilarious as the scientist who tries to figure out the teenagers of the day. And of course, I am a HUGE Vincent Price fan, and I was not disappointed. He only has 2 lines in the film at the very end, but what a way to end it! He plays "Big Daddy" :-) who is asleep through the entire film but wakes up at the very end to deliver "the word." It was too much. If you're a fan of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funacello, this is a great one for you.

the film that started it all.....
BEACH PARTY was the movie that defined a generation....the California beach scene that was the epitome of cool in the sunny 60's.

Dolores (Annette Funicello) and Frankie (Frankie Avalon) head down to the coast for a summer of swingin' and surfin', only to have their romantic getaway spoiled by Frankie's loud-mouthed friends who have decided to tag along.

When a stuffy, whiskered anthropologist (Bob Cummings - LUCKY ME) and his curvy assistant Marianne (Dorothy Malone) decide to study the teens' partying habits, they end up with more than they bargained for when Professor Sutwell becomes a pawn in Dolores' game to get Frankie jealous and propose to her!

There are fantastic cameos from Eva Six, Morey Amsterdam and even Vincent Price (in a shameless promotional grab for AIP's "The Pit and the Pendulum").

See the gorgeous Candy Johnson shake her moneymaker! Hear the delightful Annette sing the tender ballad "Treat Him Nicely", and roar with laughter at the antics of Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) and his "Rats"!

Followed by numerous sequels including "Bikini Beach", "Pajama Party", "Beach Blanket Bingo", "Muscle Beach Party" and "How To Stuff a Wild Bikini".

The DVD includes both full-frame and widescreen versions of the film as well as the trailer. (Double-sided, single-layer disc).

SEE THE WHOLE EPIC "BEACH" TRILOGY
"Bikini Beach," "Beach Blanket Bingo" and "Beach Party." Most people when asked to name a beach movie, immediately refer to this Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello '60s trilogy ( I don't include the offshoot "Muscle Beach" flick as part of this authentic ouvre).

In 1963's "Beach Party" Annette went by the name Doris (an homage to Doris Day?). The plots, I use the term loosely, were almost interchangeable -- mostly surf, sand, rock 'n roll and sex -- well, mostly innocent tease really. But what's most remembered is the hope -- false as it turned out -- that the voluptuous Annette would reveal a tad more skin. And then there's Bob Cummings in a patently false beard, Harvey Lembeck as the hyper and astonishingly old juvenile delinquent Eric Von Zipper. And of course the tassled Candy Johnson shaking her bikini'd booty over, or is it under, the credits.

In "Bikini Beach" Annette is now Dee Dee (must be an homage to Sandra Dee) and Frankie stretches his chops by playing two roles. He is his standard sex-crazed surfer guy and also the gap toothed (a nod toward Terry Thomas?) Brit singer potato Bug -- apparently a spoof on the Beatles (remember, this is 1964). A drag race is part of the action and there's an ape that surfs.

"Beach Blanket Bingo" what a great title) is probably the best of the bunch. The dialogue is almost witty. And of course there's the great stone faced silent clown Buster keaton doing his timeless bits of busines. (A burned out alcoholic's sad, haunting and poignant farewell to the genius of his youth.) Don Rickles gets a major break with a part that sealed his antagonistic comic persona. Annette show a little more flesh and Frankie has a tan. The rear projection surf shots are still laughable but the over-all photography is much better. Les Baxter's score is full of energy and the title tune is actually memorable and fun. ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Steel" (Ep. 122, October 4, 1963) - In the future, only androids are allowed to box. Desperate to raise money, penniless manager Steel Kelly (Lee Marvin) must fight disguised as his own broken-down robot. "A Game of Pool" (Ep. 70, October 13, 1961) - Jesse (Jack Klugman) is a brilliant pool player whose dream of a showdown with the legendary (and dead) Fats Brown (Jonathan Winters) comes true. The stakes: his life. "Walking Distance" (Ep. 5, October 30, 1959) - Martin Sloan (Gig Young) is a frazzled executive who learns that you can't go home again after he steps back in time and meets his mom, his dad--and himself! "Kick the Can" (Ep. 86, February 9, 1962) - Has an old man at Sunnyvale Rest Home discovered a secret to regaining youth? After playing a simple child's game, he and the other residents are rewarded with rejuvenating powers! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

One Good Episode, Three Classic Ones
Vol. 3 of the Twilight Zone DVD series is one in which every episode is a winner. The worst of the four, "Steel," is a very good tale of what men think they can do themselves to bring themselves out of a difficult situation. "Kick the Can" is a touching episode that makes us reflect on fleeting youth and the idea that you are only as old as you feel. "A Game of Pool" is an example of superb acting. Jack Klugman and Jonathan Winters deliver more tension and excitement than any current television drama. Finally, "Walking Distance" is a brilliant look at trying to recapture youth and going home again.

On most other Zone DVDs, buyers are forced to stomach at least one lousy episode along with their favorites. This disc is an exception. Sure, the extras are not very "extra," but for your money, Vol. 3 contains some of the best Twilight Zone episodes on one disc.

Good acting but Volume 2 is better
This third volume of Collection One is not as impressive as Volume 2, but still features great writing and acting. "Steel" is a futuristic episode where humans are not permitted to box, but androids are. In "A Game of Pool," a poolplayer gets his wish to play the best pool player he knows. In "Walking Distance," an executive decides to walk to his old neighborhood where he learns that nothing has changed. "Kick the Can" is the final episode and features a group of residents at a seniors' home. One of them goes on a quest to regain his youth.

While Volume 3 has some fine acting and writing, the stories themselves are not Rod Serling's best work. Nonetheless, this DVD is still a good buy for any Twilight Zone fan.

Great DVD
I liked most of the episodes on this DVD.

Steel- Didn't like this one too much. I found it kind of boring. Maybe it's because I'm a girl and not really into boxing. (*)

Game of Pool- This was a good one. It kept my interest. (****)

Kick the Can- Another good one. I found it to be very sweet. (***)

Walking Distance- Wow, this was a good episode. Something about it nearly brought tears to my eyes. (*****)

If you can only buy one.....
then make it this one!

"Walking Distance" is probably one of the best 30 minutes of television ever filmed. Truly one of the very best episodes - and on most any TZ fans top 5 list.

The other episodes are not really great ones, but are also very entertaining.

'Walking Distance' and 'Kick the Can'
[a] 'Walking Distance' [Rod Serling's personal favourite episode - and mine too!] is an emotionally devastating and engrossing story of a disillusioned man who wanted to go back to his 'wonderful' childhood. Own it at any cost and watch it every few months for the rest of your life!!! The music was composed by Bernard Hermann who also did such fantastic scores for the films 'Vertigo' and 'Taxi Driver.'
[url] viewer rating 8.09/10

[b] 'Kick the Can' great performances and a beautiful story.

The remaining two episodes are not too bad and you may watch them once a year or so:
[c] 'A Game of Pool'
[d] 'Steel'

'Next stop, the Twilight Zone!' ... Read more

Amazon.com

This sixth volume of I Love Lucy's brilliant first season includes the charming "The Young Fans," in which a teenage girl (Janet Waldo, the future voice of Judy Jetson) develops a crush on nightclub star Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), prompting the latter's zany spouse Lucy (Lucille Ball) to help the girl's cast-off boyfriend (Richard Crenna) try to win her back. The problem: the moony boy falls for Lucy instead. "New Neighbors" finds Lucy and best pal Ethel Mertze (Vivian Vance) in familiar snoop mode, misinterpreting a dramatic rehearsal and concluding that a plot to murder the Ricardos is underway. "Fred and Ethel Fight" concerns Lucy and Ricky inviting the feuding spouses to dinner, unbeknownst to either of the Mertzes, while "The Moustache" involves Lucy's effort to embarrass Ricky into shaving but inadvertently sealing a false beard to her own face. Not indispensable episodes, but essential for Lucy completists. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Laughs Just Keep Coming
The second half of season one was certainly stronger, as these four episodes demonstrate.

Unfortunately, this disc starts with a weak episode. "The Young Fans" finds both Ricky and Lucy with crushes from young neighbors. Fred and Ethel are completely missing (a common complaint of mine early on) and I find the ending unbelievable. Fortunately, the other three episodes are much better.

"New Neighbors" finds Lucy thinking he's over heard a plot to kill her and Ricky when she spies on the new tenants. This episode is hysterical, especially for Lucy's impersonation of a chair.

When "Fred and Ethel Fight," Lucy and Ricky get caught in the middle. And after the Mertzes have made up, it's the Ricardos who aren't speaking to each other.

Lastly, "The Moustache" finds Lucy trying to get Ricky to shave only to wind up with a beard herself. This episode features some truly funny facial expressions from a frustrated Lucy.

This DVD is a collector's dream. The episodes are presented in their entirety, and they look and sound sharp. There are occasional flaws in the picture, but considering the source material is 50 years old, it really isn't bad at all. The sound is presented in mono. While it won't challenge your sound system, it serves the purpose well and is faithful to the original audio recording. The extras this time around feature two original openings since they changed starting with "New Neighbors." Also included are the now familiar guest cast info, trivia, mistakes, and episode of "My Favorite Husband."

While not an ideal way to be released, it's wonderful to have these shows on DVD. I can't get enough Lucy, and this disc will be played many times at my house.

I am disappointed in the way they are packaged
I agree with the comments made by Brian B. I Love Lucy should be available in box sets like all the other series. I love the show but I am very unhappy that they are not available in box sets.

Getting fed up with these bogus "sets"
I am just about fed up and at my wits end with Studios releasing these partial "sets". You know, you've seen several studios doing it: putting 4 or 5 helter-skelter episodes from a particular year or years on a DVD rather than boxing the entire season in chronological order. To say that they nickle and dime you to death by these underhanded practices wouldn't be so bad if indeed we were talking about "nickles and dimes", however, we are talking about major tens, twenties, fifties, and hundreds of dollars to fully complete these series. The unabashed greed of the Studios, represented by putting a measley four episodes per DVD is appalling. I Love Lucy is certainly not the first and only show that is doing this, but that hardly makes it any more palletable. Speaking for myself, but with certainly many, many more movie and TV buffs like myself sharing this opinion, I refuse to be lurred in to buying these partial sets any more, only to discover months later that the studio has put out the individual full seasons in chronological order. Listen, I'm not going to say that series' such as M*A*S*H, Cheers, Frazier, All in the Family, and The Simpsons are any better than I Love Lucy, but they are brilliant in their own right, and they all put out full-season box sets and I have every one of them, just as I would have I Love Lucy if they were available, but I cannot allow myself to be ripped off any more. So if any of you Studio "heads" (and I'm being kind in not using a more appropriate body part here) are listening - you will get zilch from me from this point forward until you live the words of Spike Lee and "Do the Right Thing". Just remember, a Rolls-Royce costs two or three hundred thousand dollars per copy, and they sell a few dozen every year, whereas Ford sells millions of reasonably-priced vehicles every year. Now it just happens to be a fact that Ford owns Rolls-Royce and not the reverse. There is a lesson for the greedy here, but whether they are astute enough to read it is another question: RELEASE FULL-SEASON BOX SETS!!! Get it???

Young Fans,New Neighbors,Fred & Ethel Fight, Moustache
All "I Love Lucy" episodes on this DVD are in the same order filmed. "The Young Fans", episode 20, filmed January 18, 1952, broadcast February 25, 1952. Vivian Vance and William Frawley are not in this episode. "New Neighbors", episode 21, filmed January 25, 1952, broadcast March 3, 1952. Yes that's Hayden Rorke who later was cast in "I Dream Of Jeannie" tv series. K.T. Stevens was one of Vivian Vance's closest friends. "Fred and Ethel Fight", episode 22, filmed January 30, 1952, broadcast March 10, 1952. "The Moustache", episode 23, filmed February 8, 1952, broadcast March 17, 1952.

How come when Lucy tries to help it always backfires?
With Volume 6 of Season One of "I Love Lucy" we are in the second half of the season as the show was really starting to hit stride. Lucy temporarily puts aside her eternal quest to get into show business by playing the helpful wife and neighbor on this particular quartet of episodes:

Episode 20, "The Fans" (February 25, 1952) has a young bobby-soxer (Janet Waldo) developing a crush on Ricky. Fortunately Lucy is there to help save Ricky. This episode is of historic note because it was the debut of William Asher as a director on the show. While this was the only first season episode not directed by Marc Daniels, Asher would be the primary director on "I Love Lucy" for the rest of its run. Richard Crenna also appears in this episode; he was about to become a notable character on "Our Miss Brooks," which was also produced by Desilu.

Episode 21, "New Neighbors" (March 3, 1952) has Lucy and Ethel getting the wrong idea about the new couple have just moved into the building. Yes, that is Hayden Rorke from "I Dream of Jeannie" you see in this episode. This is a good DVD for spotting future TV stars.

Episode 22, "Fred and Ethel Fight" (March 10, 1952) is something of a misnomer as a title, because while the episode starts off giving second bananas Vivian Vance and William Frawley a chance to shine as the Mertzes have a fight, it is Lucy and Rick who end up just about destroying their own marriage trying to help Fred and Ethel make up.

Episode 23, "The Mustache" (March 17, 192) presents a classic sitution comedy Lucy plot. Ricky has grown a mustache. Lucy does not like Ricky's mustache. To show him the error of his ways, Lucy comes up with her own false whiskers. However, she has, of course, put on the mustache a little bit too well...

Overall there is a nice thematic unity to these four episodes as Lucy tries time and time again to be helpful and only succeeds in making matters worse. "The Mustache" is another great example of Lucille Ball's skills as a comedian, even when all she is working with is a fake mustache. All of these episodes were written by the legendary team of Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll, Jr. The second half of Season One is clearly a lot stronger, and the best is yet to come (one word: Vitametavegamin). ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "The Dummy" (Ep. 98, May 4, 1962) - A ventriloquist (Cliff Robertson) is convinced that his dummy, Willie, is alive and evil. He makes plans for a new act with a new dummy. Plans that Willie does not support! "The Fever" (Ep. 17, January 29, 1960) - Tight-fisted Franklin Gibbs is not pleased when his wife wins a trip for two to Las Vegas. But things change when he falls under the spell of a slot machine that calls his name. "Living Doll" (Ep. 126, November 1, 1963) - Erich (Telly Savalas) is displeased when his wife buys an expensive doll for his step-daughter. He becomes even more displeased when the doll tells him it doesn't like him! "The After Hours" (Ep. 34, June 10, 1960) - A woman (Anne Francis) discovers that the floor of a department store, on which she bought a gold thimble, doesn't exist--and that her "saleslady" is really a mannequin! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of the very best Volumes in "The Twilight Zone" series!
When I looked at the lengthy list of "Twilight Zone" DVD volumes this one stuck out more than any of the others. In my opion, it has three of the most outrageously entertaining(yet still quite frightening)episodes "The Twilight Zone" has ever made. "The After Hours" is about Marsha White(Anne Francis), a simple woman who is merely looking for a gold thimble in a department store. However, when she steps into the elevator, she is guided to the 9th floor of the the 8 story building! On this supposed floor she meets odd people who turn out to be even odder when(on one of the regular floors)she sees on of them..........in manicane form! This is one of my favorite episodes of "The Twilight Zone"! Partly because of the completely unexpected ending. "Living Doll" is another shocker! Erich Sleater is a man who feels that his step-daughter is spoiled with too many dolls. So, you can imagine how he feels when his wife and daughter come home with an extremly expensive doll! You can also only imagine how he feels when(after everyone leaves the room)the doll starts saying things like "I hate you!" & "I'm going to kill you!". This is another classic that had me biting my nails to the very end of the show. I also enjoy Rod Sterling's ending words that seem to make the story feel a little too realistic. "The Dummy" is about a ventrilogoust that has an evil Dummy named Willie! Everyone thinks he's crazy but somehow he knows he's not. The only way to stop the crazieness is to get a new dummy, which the man does. However, Willie does not accept the replacement! This is a great one too but the ending doesn't really make sense. "The Fever" is by far the worst episode on the disk. It's about a man who doesn't enjoy gambling at all but while in Las Vegas a slot machine calls his name and then it seems he can never stop! The story was a little too limited for my liking and too unreal. After all, it's weird than the guy just started gambling after he hated it. Again, this is one of the best Volumes in the entire "Twilight Zone" set!

Three good, one bad episode
I did not care for "The Fever", as I found it to have bad acting, and it was implausible - the husband was so anti-gambling, yet, agrees to go with his wife to Las Vegas for a short vacation. Why else go there?

The other eps were good, with well-done TZ material.

In "Dummy", ventriloquist Cliff Robertson and his side-kick change places.

In "The After Hours", Anne Francis has a hard time finding good assistance in a department store.

In "Living Doll", Telly Savalas argues with a back-talking doll.

This is the best of all the Twilight Zone Volumes
For those of you who are being selective in which Twilight Zone volumes you're buying; and, you plan on watching this DVD more than once, this is the best. This volume includes (1) Living Doll (Talking Tina) with Telly Savales, (2) The Fever (a taunting slot machine), (3) The After Hours, with Anne Francis, who is left in a department store after the store closes and all the people have left. (4) The Dummy (a ventriloquist). The first 3 are great, the Dummy is OK, but again the first 3 are worth the cost alone. Also, the fact that you don't have those annoying commercials anymore makes watching Twilight Zone that much better.

Some of the very Best Episodes
THE FEVER from the First season aired on January 29, 1960 and was written by Rod Serling. Everett Sloane is brilliant as a married man who continually lectures his wife on the pitfalls of gambling after winning a trip to Las Vegas. Goaded into it Sloane puts a coin into a slot machine, wins and the cycle begins. This is an interesting episode, not necessarily against gambling but one that addresses the nature of obsession and the lengths of self-destruction that it can lead to. It also addresses a familiar TWILIGHT ZONE theme about man and his confrontation with the machines that he creates. THE DUMMY from the Third season aired on May 4, 1962 and was written by Rod Serling. Cliff Robertson plays a down-and-out ventriloquist who has dilutions that his mannequin may be getting the better of him. This is an interesting study into the mind of man and the manmade with a denouement that is riveting. THE AFTER HOURS remains just as fresh and effective as when it was first aired on June 10, 1960 and its lingering haunting imagery remains engraved into one's subconscious. Who can ever forget Anne Francis as Marsha. Her impeccable performance and exquisite face are indelible. "Marsha" that very name and the way it was repeated over and over was so eerily unsettling sending chills down one's spine. This episode when compared to WALKING DISTANCE demonstrates the great versatility of Rod Serling as a writer. WALKING DISTANCE is probably the best prose that Serling ever penned where every bit of dialogue was so heartfelt and moving. In THE AFTER HOURS Serling gives us a more visual tale where the storytelling is more dependent on the images. Serling gives us a story of two strikingly opposite worlds that co-exist within a department store. The vivid contrast and the realistic depiction of those two worlds is at the core of this story that has a strange tinge of melancholy about it. Thanks to effective lighting, production design, photography, Douglas Heyes' Direction and impeccable acting it succeeds on all levels and is one of the definitive episodes of the series. Your heart kind of goes out for Telly Savalas in LIVING DOLL. As much of a no-good creep of a stepfather Savalas is, you just gotta feel bad for this guy as he gets outdone by a doll, Talky Tina. The doll is almost as evil as he is and this becomes very evident in the final scene at the bottom of the living room staircase. A lot of the viewers' ambiguous feelings are the result of Bermard Herrmann's innovative score. It has a childlike quality that taunts and teases both Telly Savalas and the viewer. This is an excellent episode written by Charles Beaumont from the Fifth season and is one of the best and most memorable from the entire series. This is an excellent volume.

!!DOLLS GONE WILD!!
To the best of my knowledge there's no specific theme to any of the Twilight Zone DVD's, but this one does, and it's --DOLLS GONE WILD!
The first episode contains the classic ventriloquist corrupted by his dummy tale ("Magic", "Dead of Night"). It stars Cliff Robertson, who looks like a puppet to begin with.
The third episode is the legendary Talking Tina story where she tells Telly "Kojak" Savalas how she's going to kill him, and accomplishes the deed.
The final episode stars Anne "Honey West" Francis as a girl trapped in a department store who gets an earful from a bunch of creepy, chatty mannequins.
The animated menu with the TZ title eyeball is classic TZ mind-bending psycho-delia. The episodes themselves are as clean as early 60's televideo can get. The sound quality ranges from good to muddy, but overall the content of these shows make up for their technical shortcomings.
Tell 'em Jerry Mahoney sent you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"Men Are Messy" raises the stakes of the eternal argument of what is "lived in" and what's a pigsty when Lucy purposely trashes the apartment for Ricky's photo shoot, not realizing the magazine is Look. In "The Fur Coat," Lucy mistakes a mink rented for one of Ricky's dancers as an anniversary gift for herself. "Lucy Jealous of Girl Singer" finds the dutiful wife overlooking a gossip column item about her husband only to find torn black lace in his pocket, which, of course, requires a stint in the chorus line to straighten out matters. In "Drafted," the most forced of the episodes, Lucy and Ethel think their men are going off to war, while the men believe both wives are with child. Socks are knitted, party guests are stuffed in the closet, and at the end the entire cast sings "Jingle Bells" in a piece restored from the original Christmas Eve broadcast. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (12)

I'M IMPRESSED....ANOTHER VOLUME NOT TO BE MISSED!!
Wow...Paramount is already releasing the next two volumes in the 'I Love Lucy' Season 1 Collection!! So much for the accusations of the company 'milking it' ...eh! Volume 3 looks to be a good one, promising lots of laughs and good clean humor that people of all ages can share and enjoy!! Volume 3 picks up where Volume 2 left off, with Paramount releasing the episodes in the order of their original broadcast dates!!

Volume 3 kicks off with....
'Men Are Messy'- Lucy divides the apartment in half giving Ricky a half to be a slob.

Next episode...
'The Fur Coat'- Ricky brings home a mink coat that he borrowed for a club act and Lucy thinks it is hers! (CLASSIC EPISODE)

Next...
'Lucy Is Jealous Of Girl Dancer'- Lucy reads a gossip article that links Ricky to a girl at the club and she gets upset.

And last but not least...
'Drafted'- Lucy and Ethel think that Fred and Ricky have been drafted.

'The Fur Coat' is the only episode in this volume that has been previously released on the home entertainment market (unless you paid the big bucks from a ***certain video club***....you know what I mean). This volume contains bonus material as the previous two volumes did. These episodes are sure to bring a smile to your face and brighten up a rainy day. Order Volume 3 today!!

4 More Laugh-Filled Episodes with the Queen of Comedy!
The people working hard to restore the original "I Love Lucy" episodes on each new "I Love Lucy" series DVD to their original content and improved quality deserve a standing ovation, and the quality and material presented on Volume 3 is no exception!

Presented on Volume 3 are four more wonderful episodes from the first "I Love Lucy" season:

1. "Men are Messy", Episode 8 (aired 12/3/1951). As soon as Lucy finishes cleaning their apartment, Ricky walks in and proceeds to throw his clothes, newspaper and food everywhere. Lucy divides the apartment into two halfs: her clean side and Ricky's messy side. In the meantime, Ricky's publicity agent gets Ricky an interview & photoshoot with a magazine. Ricky asks Lucy to get the apartment completely clean, but Lucy decides to play a trick because she mistakenly thinks it's only a musician's magazine. Will Lucy be happy with her decision to trick Ricky in the end? (Episode includes restored cigarette "product placement" scene.)

2. "The Fur Coat", Episode 9 (aired 12/10/1951). Ricky brings home an expensive fur coat that he rented for a club act to show it to Lucy. Ethel puts it on, Lucy walks in and gets upset because she doesn't have one. Ricky tells her that it's not Ethel's, so Lucy assumes it hers! She puts it on and never wants to take it off. Ricky & Fred think of a way to get the coat back. Will Lucy find out that the coat really isn't hers?

3. "Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer", Episode 10 (aired 12/17/1951). Ricky's publicity agent writes a provocative article about Ricky and his new, beautiful girl singer/dancer. Lucy gets jealous, especially after Ricky brings home a piece of the girl's black lace costume that he accidentally tore. Lucy & Ethel go to the club to spy on Ricky and girl. How close will Lucy try to get to Ricky and girl during a musical/dance performance?

4. "Drafted", Episode 11 (aired 12/24/1951). Lucy reads a letter that Ricky gets from the War Dept. telling him when to report. Lucy thinks he's been drafted, but he's really just doing a show at a base. Ricky enlists the help of Fred for the show, so Ethel thinks he volunteered. Since Lucy & Ether are busy knitting, Ricky & Fred think one or both of the women are pregnant. Will they figure out what's really going on? (Restored prologue scene of Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel all dressed as Santa Claus since the show aired on Christmas Eve.)

Before purchasing any of the "I Love Lucy" series DVD's, I had some initial misgivings because I have seen every episode multiple times over the years on commercial television. However, after watching the restored episodes, I could not be more pleased that I did buy them! To date, I have purchased all 4 DVD's currently available and I plan to buy all of them as they become available.

If you're a fan of the Queen of Comedy at her best (as well as Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance & William Frawley), you will probably love owning each of the "I Love Lucy" series DVD's! Thanks for all the many wonderful laughs Lucille Ball!

Beginning to Find Itself
I Love Lucy first began to show signs of the sit com we would all come to know and love with these episodes. While not the height of the show we'd love later, they are enjoyable.

"Men are Messy" finds Lucy and Ethel trying to break their husbands of being slobs. While the ending is not up to the rest of the episode, the beginning is hilarious.

In "The Fur Coat," Lucy thinks a coat Ricky has rented for his act is a gift for her. When she refuses to take it off, he must go to great lengths to get it back. Wonderful all the way around and the best of the show so far.

"Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer" finds Lucy believing the gossip in the paper about the new dancer (not singer) at the club.

The weakest episode, "Drafted" finds the girls thinking that the men are entering boot camp. This is one of the weakest in the series. Originally airing on Christmas Eve, this episode features a special restored holiday tag at the end not shown in syndication.

The writers are still relying too much are Lucy and scripts from the radio show. But the other characters are beginning to develop. While not my favorite, the best is certainly yet to come.

This DVD is a collector's dream. The episodes are presented in their entirety, and they look and sound sharp. There are occasional flaws in the picture, but considering the source material is 50 years old, it really isn't bad at all. Brief things cut for syndication have been added back in, adding to the fun. (I can't believe the humorous references to the original sponsor they managed to work in.) The sound is presented in mono. While it won't challenge your sound system at all, it serves the purpose well and is faithful to the original audio recording. The extras feature the original opening plugging the show's sponsor (the episodes themselves use the heart we're used to from reruns), info on the guest cast, an inconsistency already in episode to episode continuity, and two episodes of Lucy's radio show "My Favorite Husband" that got reworked for the show.

True, the way season 1 was released isn't nearly as nice in terms of sets as other shows have gotten. But this is still a classic comedy with decent bonus material to make any fan happy.

The restored "long kiss" is here, not seen since 1951.
"Men Are Messy", episode 8. Filmed October 25, 1951, Broadcast December 3, 1951. Note: Kenny Morgan who played Kenny, the Press Agent, was married to Lucille Ball's cousin, Cleo, and was Desilu's PR Representative. Includes "restored scene" not seen since 1951. "The Fur Coat", episode 10, but shown as ninth episode. Filmed November 9, 1951. Broadcast December 10, 1951. "Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer", episode 11, but shown as tenth episode. Filmed November 16, 1951. Broadcast December 17, 1951. The restored "long kiss" is here, not seen since 1951. "Drafted", episode 9, but shown as the eleventh episode. Filmed November 2, 1951. Broadcast Christmas Eve, December 24, 1951. Includes a special surprise "Christmas" tag scene that hasn't been seen since 1951. (It is simular to the "lost" Chrismas special episode they had with a young Little Ricky later in the series) This special scene is 3 minutes long. Much more bonuses. Boy, those prop men are good at changing the time on the living room clock, aren't they? Notice that barometer changes too.

The BEST
Who could ever dispute the Best comic of all time. The entire season is loaded with good, clean humor for everyone young and old to enjoy! ... Read more

Description

Episodes: "Nick of Time" (Ep. 43, November 18, 1960) - A superstitious newlywed (William Shatner) becomes obsessed by a penny fortune-telling machine. But are his pennies revealing his future--or determining it? "The Prime Mover" (Ep. 57, March 24, 1961) - Ace Larsen has discovered that his business partner (Buddy Ebsen) can move things with his mind! They set out for Las Vegas and win--for a while anyway. "It's a Good Life" (Ep. 73, November 3, 1961) - He knows your every thought, can feel your every emotion. He can eliminate all you hold dear. Who is he? A 6 year old boy (Billy Mumy) from Peaksville, Ohio! "The Mind and the Matter" (Ep. 63, May 12, 1961) - A book on the power of thought enables an irritable worker (Shelley Berman) to re-create the world exactly as he wants it. But what he wants and what he gets are two different things! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

An Excellently Conceived Volume
THE PRIME MOVER from the Second season aired on March 24, 1961 and was written by Charles Beaumont and is an episode that deserves repeated viewing. Dane Clark and Buddy Ebsen operate a small diner. When Clark discovers that Ebsen has telekinetic powers he drags him off to Vegas to make a killing at the casinos. This is a good-natured episode as opposed to THE FEVER on the allure and pitfalls of gambling. What really makes this episode so repeatedly viewable are the performances of Dane Clark and Buddy Ebsen. It's like water and oil. Clark is the "fly by the seat of your pants - happy go lucky guy" who will try anything for a dime. Ebsen stands for reason and patients. Ultimately we learn to use the tools we are given with a sense of responsibility tempered with passion. This is an excellently conceived and delivered episode. IT'S A GOOD LIFE from the Third season aired on November 3, 1961. It was written by Rod Serling and is one of the most famous episodes of the series. Serling's introduction, which leads up to Billy Mumy's wide-eyed stare into the camera, is an indelible and disturbing image. The jack-in-the-box scene is also unforgettable and equally disturbing. Even Serling's dialogue is so memorable and conjures up images of fear. Just the mention of "the cornfield" sends chills down the back. Anyone who has seen this episodes knows what I am referring to. Anyone who has not must see it! The excellent cast includes John Larch, Cloris Leachman, Tom Hatcher and we must not forget Billy Mumy. Director Jim Sheldon really captured the fear and terror of the captive inhabitants of this rural community. NICK OF TIME from the Second season aired on November 18, 1960 and was written by Richard Matheson. Traveling newlyweds William Shatner and Patricia Breslin stop in a luncheonette while their car is being repaired. While in a booth an ever-confident Shatner puts a coin into a fortune-telling machine adorned with the bobbling head of a smiling plastic devil. Each question and answer begins to make Shatner question his fate to the point that he becomes unraveled about his future. Thematically this is similar to THE FEVER where just one more coin in the machine may give you solace. This is a fascinating episode that bears repeated viewing just to observe the ease at which one can be drawn in. However, the denouement makes the morality of the story clear. THE MIND AND THE MATTER directed by Buzz Kulik from the Second season aired on May 12, 1961 and was written by Rod Serling. Clerk, Shelly Berman eliminates people from the face of the earth by using the power of thought that he mastered from a book given to him. He soon repopulates the planet with people who look exactly like him with disconcerting results. Though lighthearted in nature this episode attempts to reveal life as others view each of us. Be careful of what you wish for. Volume 9 is a good well-balanced representation of THE TWILIGHT ZONE.