Description

DVDs featured include:

25th Birthday Zoe Dance Moves Kids Favorite Songs#2 Elmo's World Geat Outdoors Elmo's World Head To Toe Elmos World Springtime Fun The Best of Elmo Elmo's World Happy Holidays Elmo Visits The Firehouse Sesame Sings Karaoke Elmo World Three Bears and a New Baby Wake Up With Elmo Do The Alphabet Elmopalooza! Kids Favorite Songs Elmo Musical Adventure 1,2,3 Count With Me Elmo Saves Christmas Babies, Dogs and More Elmo World Singing, Drawing and More Kids Guide To Life Learning To Share CinderElmo Elmo Says Boo Elmo World Wild Wild West Christmas Eve On Sesame Street The Alphabet Jungle Game Elmo World Birthday Games and More Bert and Ernie World Play Get Up and Dance Elmo World Flowers, Bananas and More Dance Along The Great Numbers Game Computer Caper Kids Guide To Life, Big Bird Gets Lost Elmo's Sing-Along Guessing Game Let's Make Music The Adventure of Elmo in Grouchland Kids Guide To Telling The Truth We Sing Along Elmocize Quiet time Rock and Roll Put Down The Duckie Lets Eat!Funny Food Songs Fiesta! Sing, Hoot and How! Cookie Monster's Best Bites ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Children's viewing at it's best.
You cannot go wrong with this bundle. I grew up in the 70's and 80's watching Sesame Street. My son has been watching Sesame Street since he was 11 months old and has learnt so much from the shows. We are fortunate in Australia the show is aired weekdays, the only down side is we only have a few of the dvd's available to purchase. So I didn't hestitate in purchasing them from "AMAZON". You won't be disappointed, this is children's viewing at it's best, and you too will enjoy watching Elmo and friends on Sesame Street.

Elmo Overload
These DVDs are extremely educational and was a very good buy, however, there is too much Elmo. When I saw the 1969 in brackets, I was expecting actual episodes from that time onwards. You know, with Mr. Hooper and Bob etc. There are too few of these. The old introductory music wasn't there either. It was a kill joy for me who grew up on Sesame Street in the 70s in the Caribbean but all in all it was still an excellent buy because my children absolutley love them and they are the ones who they are really for. I would definitely recommend them to everyone, especially in the UK because they don't show Sesame Street here, only rubbish like Teletubbies where one learns to say, "Uh oh." And nothing else. So guys, buy this box set!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

FORCED TO SEE GRAY
Young James' world is limited to the Negro Quarters of rural Louisiana until a tootache forces him into a world he never imagined. A trip into town to get a tooth pulled ends up as a classroom for life's lessons and ambiguities. Set in the early 1940's, "The Sky is Gray", is the film adaptation of Ernest Gaines' short story. It is a classic piece in that a young Black boy comes face to face with the contradictions in the black and white adult world. Seen through an adolescent's eyes you will feel his surprise, raise his questions and share his hurts. This wonderful film is sensitive in its portrayal of a young boy forced to grow up in a hostile world. Gaines' black and white characters move beyond the stereotypes of southern society. Through James' eyes you see a young man confronting the slave mentality of a preacher while waiting for his dental appointment. You see James' mother attempting to maintain her dignity and pride when she knows her earnings are meager.Yet you find a woman who is willing to accept kindness, on her own terms. She makes it clear to her son that they are not beggers but working people. Most of all this film teaches us the lessons youth must be forced to learn especially if they're in an environment that is determined to keep them poor, ignorant and disenfranchised. James' mother must force him to grow up fast before he is consumed by the world. James sees the grays in this adult world but there is hope that he will be able to overcome the obstacles. This is a beautiful story about adolescence, becoming a man and learning how to live with dignity and pride regardless of your status. You will enjoy this touching story that reaches into your heart and fills you with joy for James and all young boys who must walk a similar path. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nobody's mentioned Taj Mahal's music background
I found the Taj Mahal musical background a very important component of this presentation. Every element is essential in the feeling one gets, but the guitar and harmonica background really enhanced this feeling story. And during the most dramatic scenes, the music definitely punctuates the action.

One can smile at the beginning with Levar Burton's portrayal of boyish enthusiasm, of yearning to have a gun of his own. And then the scenes after he gets the gun, the anticipation of the first shot are especially well done...you know something is going to happen. And then at first, you're smiling, maybe even laughing at the result of that first shot until you slowly realize with the boy what he's done. And then the aftermath in which he must make the choice as to which path into manhood to take.

There is much to absorb in this short film. Although the characters are black and the situation unique because of the racial implications, there is still much that can be applied to any person's life, regardless of time period, race, or sex.

This is one to watch, and watch a second and a third (at least) time to get all that is there.

THE SEARCH FOR MANHOOD
At fifteen going on sixteen the only thing that Dave wants is to become a man. Tired of plowing the hard ground and sick of the lack of respect he gets from his elders, Dave sees his way of becoming a man by having a gun. A gun has power and will give him the respect he needs.

The dramatization of the short story "Almos' A Man" by Richard Wright places before us the struggle of a young Black boy trying to come into manhood in an environment destined to break his spirit. This coming of age story shows the struggle of an adolescent coming into manhood which is common to all young boys. In this story the struggle is much deeper because we have a Black youth who must deal not only with his personal struggle but also that of a racist environment.

Levar Burton gives an excellent performance of this young boy struggling to come into his manhood. Madge Sinclair plays his stern mother who is willing to bend a little even if her husband disagrees.While watching this story you will be shown the struggles that Black parents have to endure to try and keep their children safe as well as the inner promptings of Dave's misguided sense of what it means to be a man.

Circumstances back fire on Dave as he sees that he lacks the maturity to handle certain things. So what can he do? Where can he go? Can a young Black boy become a man in hostile southern territory especially since he has become a wage slave to the white farmer? Wright challenges us to reflect on this question. Dave's rebelliousness is more than the usual stage of adolescent development. The mere fact of his race makes his choices narrower. Sit back, relax and enjoy "Almos' A Man". See how a boy in a limited world tries to become that which is denied to him and his people.

A Richard Wright excerpt
I am compelled to counter the lone other reviewer with his unfortunate failure to comprehend this superb dramatization of an excerpted passage from Wright's novel, BLACK BOY, now recognized as a modern classic.

Shown as part of the American Short Story series on PBS and, yes, introduced by a fragile and ailing Henry Fonda, the portrayal of a young black man's desire to own a gun, a symbol of what will make him a man, misfires literally and otherwise. The accident leads the boy to flee his home to escape the punishment of the landowner and the fine imposed, and yes, we may wish to know what happens to him, but his running--almos' into manhood--to catch the train, may take him north for safety and a kind of freedom.

Levar Burton, the young star of ROOTS, gives a splendid performance and was likely cast as a result of his popularity following the enormous success of the Haley novel.

The entire series is a masterpiece of the dramatization of short fiction and included "Bernice Bobs Her Hair," F. Scott Fitzgerald's early story starring Shelley Duvall and Bud Cort, "I'm a Fool," the Sherwood Anderson classic starring Ron Howard (before his directing days), and "Who am I this Time," the Vonnegut delight with Christopher Walken and Susan Sarandon.

I recall, too, that during one season of this showcase, the introductions were done by Colleen Dewhurst.

Were these to be re-run on prime time, they would hold up quite beautifully; with such great works of literature treated reverently by directors and actors, why wouldn't they.

Poor marketing in action
Why, I ask, wasn't this massively cross-referenced mini-feature grouped with (at least a couple) others in the series? This apparently aired on TV, and my sleeve claims a 51-minute duration, which could perhaps be cut in half to be accurate. Henry Fonda gives an almost random, less than riveting introduction, and the actual feature suggests that the short story on which this is based may have taken up all (or most) of 2.5 pages. The story is very simple, so that children may understand it, though the adolescent target audience would be quite a stretch today. The whole thing (especially the open ending) just confused me. I sat waiting for the "second half" until the end-of-tape auto-rewind function dashed my hopes. This could be the very antithesis of "Roots". ... Read more

Description

This play is based on the tragic true story of the first African-American to graduate from West Point. Assigned to Fort Davis, Texas in 1881, Lt. Henry Ossian Flipper was framed by white officers who accused him of embezzling government funds. The outstanding cast includes Oscar nominees Alfre Woodard (Crooklyn)and Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Redd Foxx Show
First telecast on January 18th, 1986 until April 19th, 1986.
Redd Foxx attempted a comeback in this funky little comedy about a small-time businessman in the city of New York.
Foxx plays the role in Al Hughes who is a gruff old codger running a diner/newsstand in black, inner city neighborhood.

It would be really nice to release this show on DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

2005 DVD REQUEST
I was born in 1970 and watched 'Eight Is Enough' on TV and in syndication (PAX TV) for most of my life. When I grew up I always wanted to live in a neighborhood like the Bradfords and have friends like Tommy with three or more hot, available, sisters...unfortunately, when I did grow up it was during the 80's and I lived in Texas. Needless to say, life was nothing like the television show and still to this day, I have yet to find a community or a group of people that are as cool as the ones portrayed in this show. The last of the 'Star Wars' saga is coming out this month in the theaters and back then the original 'Star Wars' movie had just come out and 'Eight Is Enough', a show which epitomizes the values of an era that has long come and gone has not been given a DVD release like 'The Brady Bunch' or 'The Partridge Family'. I liked 'The Brady Bunch' and 'TPF' but it always seemed fake to me like 'The Monkees' and I never really got into it like 'EIE'. If whomever is in charge of the rights to this show would put it out on DVD with a really cool 1970's-ish cover (NO DOUBLE SIDED DVD'S!!!) and some cool special features I'd buy it in a heartbeat, and be eternally grateful. It's a shame that in the time that we're living in we don't have more positive family role models on television, and instead have channel after channel of reality shows and military/cop dramas that aren't nearly as cool as 'Chips', 'Magnum P.I.', or 'Simon & Simon', in my opinion. Oh, also, release 'Simon & Simon' on DVD and I'll buy that as well. I love that show!!!

First Season (1977)
I can't believe that with the popularity of -- and push for -- family programming, this marvelous show isn't on the shelves available for purchase.I sure loved it as a young kid, and I would love to have this one in my home for the rest of my family to enjoy.

Even though Betty Buckley wasn't on the show until the second year as Abby, the first short season was a decent offering.Dick Van Patten as Tom Bradford was maybe one of the best TV dads on television ever.

The first year was so brief, so it would be great if whoever owns the rights would release seasons one & two TOGETHER (like the "Dallas" set).Betty Buckly, after all, was one of the best things to ever happen to this series.

01 - Never Try Eating Nectarines Since Juice May Dispense (3-15-77)
Elizabeth is arrested for drug possession, and David (played by Mark 'LUKE SKYWALKER' Hammil in this episode only - Grant Goodeve took over in episode 2) moves out on his own.
**The title of this episode is really just a clever way that Tom and Joan remember the names of all their 8 kids - Nicholas, Tommy, Elizabeth, Nancy, Susan, Joanie, Mary & David (from youngest to oldes)**

02 - Schussboomer (3-22-77)
Mary's single friend (who's also pregnant--GASP!) stays with the Bradford family and clashes with Tom.Apparently Diana Hyland who played Tom's wife Joan, passed away around the time this episode first aired, forcing them to eventually have the mother character die--and allow Betty Buckly to join the cast as the woman Tom would soon marry!

03 - Pieces Of Eight (3-29-77)
Tom and Joan argue when she insists on continuing her photography career while his newspaper is shut down by a strike.

04 - Women, Ducks & The Domino Theory (4-5-77)
Tommy gets stood up by his date, and Tom and David pretend to be interested in their annual hunting trip (Charlene Tilton gust stars).

05 - Turnabout (4-12-77)
David dates an older woman, played by Adrienne Barbeau (she played Bea Arthur's daughter on "Maude" and Oswald's mother on "The Drew Carey Show")

06 - Quarantine (4-19-77)
The entire family gets quarantined at the house, forcing David to run errands for them "on the outside."

07 - 'V' Is For Vivian (4-26-77)
Tom's sister (Janis Paige) comes to visit and annoys Tom by encouraging the kids too much.

08 - Hit And Run (5-3-77)
Tommy accidentally breaks a window at a church, Joanie meets a land developer who is in conflict with Tom, and Elizabeth lands three dates for the same high school prom.

09 - The Gipper Caper (8-10-77)
Tom's friend 'The Gipper' challenges the Bradfords to a game of touch football. ... Read more