Reviews (12)

Subtract one star. Appalling DVD ruins some classic comedy
W. C. Fields's short comedies of 1932-33, produced by Mack Sennett, offer some of this great comedian's best work. However, this particular DVD edition treats Mr. Fields (and the purchaser) quite shabbily. The sound is not always synchronized with the picture, the image is often gray, and in at least one instance the film seems to be copied from a VHS tape recorded at the slowest speed. Just plain bad; don't throw your money away (we did, and we also threw the discs away).

A General Rule of Thumb
Hmmmm....
If it's from Madacy, you will be MAD when you SEE what you paid for.

Before transferring a movie to video, these people would put a pristine print through a blender just to make sure their standards don't deviate.

Madacy=Garbage
This is one of those DVD's that doesn't deserve one star but it's as low as I could go.

Sloppy presentation detracts from classical comedy
The six short subjects on this double dvd set represent, I am led to believe, the total short subject output of the great W.C. Fields. I did not expect a crystal clear video image, as these items are about 70 yrs old, although overall the quality is not that bad. Similarly, the audio track, while a bit "crackly" at times, was quite acceptable. What did make me threaten the life span of the TV, player and disc however, was the lack of sinc between the video and audio tracks. It is rather off putting to find a second or so difference between what you see "being said", and what you actually hear. You feel you are watching a poorly dubbed foreign film. The comedy is still very appealing, but this attention to fine detail on the part of the makers of the set leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I wish I had read reviews first-now I'm stuck
I am so disappointed. I love these 6 films, and have seen them on 16MM film (superb quality) from Blackhawk films, and on so-so VHS. This DVD is the worst. I only watched "The Pharmacist" and the soundtrack is so badly recorded that you can't follow the dialogue.

Hillarious
Very Funny. My dad gave me this for my birthday,and I laughed my but off. It was kind of depressing since he was a raging alcholoic, but in the end, that is what makes hime the most fuinny. Cheap and a classic! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Complete Season DVD Boxsets Would Be Very Nice!
I didn't grow up watching The Beverly Hillbillies, it aired on TV a few years before I was born and I didn't watch the reruns when I was a little kid but I watched this show for the first time when TV Land started rerunning the episodes and I liked it and I think it is a cute show with some very funny humor. It's great that some episodes are on DVD but even better would be complete season DVD boxsets with the original music included, so please lets get the Beverly Hillbillies on DVD! Irene Ryan was terrific as Granny and so were Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett, Donna Douglas as his daughter Ellie May, Max Baer as lunkhead cousin Jethro Bodine, etc.

Educational Entertainment
I remembered the Beverly Hillbillies fondly-but-vaguely. Watching this DVD collection, I came to realize just how fundamentally good and smart that show was. It was brilliant in its conception and execution. Jed Clampett is the show's moral compass; he is a New Testament figure in his fundamental good-will toward all, trusting, forgiving, and absolutely lacking in any sort of irony or sarcasm. Granny is the ultimate Old Testament fiesty matriarch, whose superstitious beliefs are based on mistrust, fear, and retribution. Ellie May is the Wood Nymph, who most closely resembles Jed in attitude (by way of her heart, more than the moral thinking of Jed). Lastly, Jethro is the the Modern Man, who is driven by ambition, with few thoughts of consequence, who sides with Granny in schemes, tempered by his naive/shallow beliefs in Good Results. As a foursome, they confound the world that confounds them.

Mr. Drysdale and Miss Hatheway provide bookends to the Clampett clan, in the roles of Id and Super Ego, each attempting to direct and/or prevent the family's actions at cross-purposes to the other.

Everything about the show is brilliant, sweet, and silly, with a massive moral lesson hidden in the guise of a goofball comedy.

Buy this DVD and learn what you missed in Sunday School.

An Excellent DVD, with some flaws
20 episodes of the greatest show of all time, what more could you ask for? Well, the theme song would be nice, but it's not a huge deal. Who evere chose these episodes clearly knew what they were doing, "The Gient Jackrabbit" Could very well be the funniest thing I've ever seen. I have never gotten the "Buddy Ebsen Bio" to work, but that could very well be my DVD player.

Garbage
This is a waste of money. A poor collection of odd, forgotten episodes with no original music. The producers of this "classic collection" should be tarred, feathered, and pilloried.

Where`s Flatt and Scruggs
It`s like meeting old friends again.When this show first ran here in the U.K it was the highlight of my weeks viewing. To show how much Jed and his family are remembered when I mentioned to a friend I had ordered this set his first words were "Weeeellll Doggy". Now the down side. The quality is`nt what you would normally expect from D V D but I suppose to re-master all these episodes would be quite expensive. The biggest mistake is where`s the theme gone. When they all appear at the end of each episode in the doorway you expect to hear. "Come and listen to my story `bout a man named Jed". This was one of the most famous themes on T.V. Its like watching Rawhide without Frankie Laine. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful collection of Roger Corman films.
Although this isn't really billed as a Roger Corman collection he produced/directed 3 of the films and was executive producer on the fourth.

The 2 real gems are The Pit and the Pendulum and The Fall of the House of Usher both based on Edgar Allen Poe works and both starring Vincent Price in some of his best horror work. The other Corman Production is "X" The Man with the X-Ray Eyes starring Ray Milland. All three of these films have well done commentary by Corman.

The fourth film on which Corman was executive producer is The Dunwich Horror and stars Sandra Dee in something quite different from her Gidget and Tammy roles.

Other than the commentaries on the first three films the only other extras are theatrical trailers. All 4 films are in widescreen and all but The Pit and The Pendulum are enhanced for widescreen TVs. All 4 are made from very good quality masters. ... Read more

Description

This Box set features a DVD with two classic films: "BeatThe Devil (The Complete 1953 film)" and"The Jack Benny Show (aka (The Lucky Strike Program)" plus an audio CDwith 20 classic 1940's tracks from some ofmusic’s greatest artists.It includes Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, King Cole Trio, Django Reinhardt, Lena Horne, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and many more! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Oh, Bogey, Where Art Thou?
This is one strange set. The artwork and music CD are nice, but the rest is a mess. First, the music is on disc one and not disc two as stated on the package. The DVD is awful. The Jack Benny Show is so washed out, it's almost impossible to watch, which is a shame since it's a great show. It appears to have been taken from a tenth generation video bootleg. The movie Beat the Devil is better quality, but still not that great.

The only thing that got this set a one rating is the music CD. It's fun with Bogey sound bites between each slice of interesting jazz, although not much of the music really fits into any of Bogart's films. It's still worth a listen.

I wouldn't remommend paying the full Amazon price for this set, but if you buy it discounted from Amazon Marketplace, you might not be too disappointed. In other words, don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.

Scrapping the barrel foir PUBLIC DOMAIN material.
Not much of Bogart's material is public domain so cheapie companies like this end up putting out the same stuff.

BEAT THE DEVIL has been released previously, the Laserdisc is the only good copy out there.

THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM is an unusual release. This kinoscope is one of the few television appearances made by Bogart, and on a comedy show! Bogie plays it straight as he delivers his lines and sings a commercial (they worked these into the story in the old days of television). This show is a rarity worth getting the DVD for. Be aware that it is mastered from a 16mm kinoscope (filmed off of a television screen), so picture quality will not be very good. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"You can be SURE...."
They are neither movies or videotapes; they are cleaned up, digitally remastered, original kinescopes (the archival film made from the flickering image on the monitor) to show you what type of free, no-holes-barred theatre you could watch in the infancy of television. Because these were live productions done a few years before videotape (roughly between 1953 and 1957) these films are the only record of the performances- dramatic exhibitions with Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, and Ralph Bellamy; character studies from James Dean and William Shatner; and intoductions to future stars like Warren Beatty, Edward Asner, and Steve (called 'Steven') McQueen. Especially poignant is an annoyingly short documentary on the 10-year show hosted by some of its guest actors: Charlton Heston, Jack Klugman, and Cloris Leachman (who makes an especially heartbreaking commentary that many of the actors never got to watch their performances because the kinescopes were burned in their vaults years ago). There is also a marvelous sound byte from the late great John Frankenheimer (who reveals he would've continued to direct television theatre but *had* to turn to movies when the network's president decided to unilaterally cease doing the live play and concentrate on the filmed sitcom). The CBS "f-stop eye" logo is shown, along with original show bumpers (including a 1956 presidential election preview) and the legendary Betty Furness Westinghouse commercials (one of which demonstrates the new, UHF-channel plug-in adapter!!).

Nostalgia Plusssss
For a decade (1948-58)in early television, Studio One was one of the stalwarts of live drama, producing some truly classic television, along with a few monumental duds. This set (available separately as well) brings together some very interesting examples. Nostalgia buffs will get a kick out of seeing actors like James Dean, James Coburn, Warren Beatty, Steve McQueen, and William Shatner, to name a few, in VERY early roles (look for Ed Asner as "background"). But there is much more than nostalgia at work here. "The Defenders", "Laughmaker", and "The Night America Trembled" hold up as good, even, "Defenders", great, drama. "Sentence of Death" has some fascinating things to say, even if it says them less than perfectly. And "The Square Peg" shows why live comedy was often so hard to do. The picture quality is, at best, watchable (these are kinescopes, after all) and some of the goofs live TV was prone to are "preserved". An added bonus is the inclusion of all the old Westinghouse commercials which are hilarious! (Imagine! A dishwasher that can do a whole days worth of dishes...at once! A guaranteed good time for those who know what they are watching. ... Read more

Description

This 3-DVD boxed set features famous comedy 2-reelers, short subjectsand feature films from 5 comedy legends: The Three Stooges, CharlieChaplin, W.C. Fields, Buster Keaton and Charley Chase!5 hours ofdigitally restored entertainment.Fun for the whole family!

DVD #1

The Three Stooges 1949 "Malice in the Palace" Starring Moe Howard, LarryFine and Shemp Howard. (16 min.) . The Three Stooges 1947 "BridelessGroom" Starring Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard. (17 min.) . TheThree Stooges 1934 "Knife of the Party" VERY RARE!!!Starring ShempHoward and the imitation Three Stooges. (19 min.) . Charlie Chaplin 1916"The Rink" (silent) Starring Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance, James T.Kelley and Eric Campbell. (19 min.) . Charlie Chaplin 1916 "ThePawnshop" (silent) Starring Charlie Chaplin, Henry Bergman, EdnaPurviance and John Rand. (20 Min.)

DVD #2

W.C. Fields 1930 "The Golf Specialist" Starring W.C. Fields. (20 min.). Buster Keaton 1922 "Cops" (silent) Starring Buster Keaton, JoeRoberts, Virginia Fox and Edward F. Cline. (17 min.) . Buster Keaton1923 "The Love Nest" (silent) Starring Buster Keaton, Joe Roberts andVirginia Fox. (19 min.) . Charley Chase 1925 "Innocent Husbands"(silent) Starring Charley Chase. (20 min.) . Charley Chase 1926 "Tell'em Nothing" (silent) Starring Charley Chase, Gertrude Astor and VivienOakland. (20 Min.)

DVD #3

Buster Keaton 1931 "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath" (talkie) Starring BusterKeaton, Charlotte Greenwood, Reginald Denny, Cliff Edwards, DorothyChristy, Joan Peers, Sally Eilers, Natalie Moorhead and Edward Brophy.(70 min.) . Buster Keaton 1928 "Steamboat Bill, Jr." (silent) StarringBuster Keaton, Tom McGuire, Ernest Torrence, Tom Lewis and Marion Byron.(71 min.) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

koch- chaplin-artist in his prime 1918-1923-3 dvd set
the people at KOCHVISION may not be sticklers for accuracy, but this 3 dvd set is pretty good for the price. most of the films are good quality and the music is good too if you dont mind hearing the same music throughout all 3 discs. the big disapointment here is the GOLD RUSH, which is a copy of the later release which should have narration by chaplin, but does not. Buy that one from Image Entertainment & you will not be let down. This is not a collection for true Chaplin fans but it is a decent set for those who dont want to pay outrageous prices for the same movies, or to just watch an occasional chaplin film.

I am a major Chaplin fan
I was impressed with the picture quality overall, however what infuriated me was how the makers of this set made the claim that the music in the films was Chaplin's. It was NOT, and yet the titles clearly stated that it was. His music was far, far superior to the music on these DVDs. His music fit the atmosphere of the movies much better. AND, I was also infuritated that they used the 1942 print of Chaplin's reissue of The Gold Rush, but they did not include his narration. Thus, there are no dialogue titles, as someone else noted, for the simple reason that in the 1942 version, Chaplin spoke the narration himself. ...

Not a Big Fan, But Quality Appears Exceptional
I'm not a big Chaplin fan, but I really enjoy "The Kid"; the picture quality appeared to be exceptional. I base this on other black/white "older" movies I've seen on VHS through the years.

Nothing prime about this Koch set
This set literally steals the image from earlier (1980s and early 90s) laserdisc and video editions put out by David Shepard and Kino-- so clumsily it leaves on a credit for Shepard's accompanist when in fact there's a new score on it! Stay away from this cheapie and look for the latest Shepard/Blackhawk Films restorations of the same titles, which have much better print quality-- plus you'll be supporting the people who do the real restoration work, not bootleggers.

A solid value
The box set for Chaplin: An Artist in his Prime represents a solid value for the price. Collected together on 3 DVDs are 9 separate titles, including such greats as "The Gold Ruch", "The Cure" and "The Kid".

The picture quality for the 9 titles varies slightly, however they are all much improved over ealier versions available on video.

One striking drawback to this DVD collection is that source Koch Vision used for "The Gold Rush" is different than what was available on video tape years ago. As well as missing all the descriptive dialog screens, the film also omits two key sequences: The Death of Black Larson, and the last shot in the movie where Chaplin and Georgia kiss. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great series, but...
In the mid-1960's, Gerry Anderson, who was well-known for creating several TV series that used puppets, created what would ultimately go on to be his master work - Thunderbirds. For those of you not familiar with the series, here's a brief summary. In the 2060's, a man has assembled a rescue organization. His five sons use high-tech equipment to rescue people who would surely die otherwise. Unfortunately, the 2060's aren't too peaceful, as there are many villains and disasters waiting to happen. Read on for a list of the major characters, and why each is important.

-Jeff Tracy: The main man. An ex-Air Force pilot and astronaut, he put together the International Rescue organization, in which his five sons operate high-tech equipment to rescue people from dangerous situations.

-Scott Tracy: Jeff's oldest son, you could call this guy the "leader" amongst the brothers. He's one of the two with dark hair. Like his father, he served in the Air Force. He pilots Thunderbird 1, a rocket-powered aircraft that can reach virtually any point in the world in just hours.

-Virgil Tracy: Jeff's other son with dark hair. He pilots Thunderbird 2, a large craft generally used to transport rescue equipment, or at times, transport Thunderbird 4. His voice actor didn't return for season 2, so he sounds different in the last few episodes.

-Alan Tracy: One of Jeff's blond sons. He is the pilot of Thunderbird 3, a rocket that is used in space rescues and in reaching the space station, Thunderbird 5. In the first episode, he speaks in a voice not his own because his voice actor hadn't yet been hired.

-Gordon Tracy: Jeff's son with curly hair. He pilots the only aquatic Thunderbird, number 4.

-John Tracy: Jeff's other blond son. He is in charge of the space station, Thunderbird 5, which can monitor pretty much any point on earth.

-Brains: This guy is an engineer that helped Jeff put together the International Rescue organization.

-Kyrano: A caretaker on Tracy Island. He doesn't know that Jeff's sons are a part of International Rescue. His half brother is The Hood, IR's arch enemy.

-Tin Tin: Kyrano's daughter. She doesn't see much action, but goes on a rescue every now and again.

-Grandma Tracy: Jeff's mother. She isn't too important, but in one episode she is placed in a near-death situation.

-Lady Penelope: Internation Rescue is strictly a rescue organization; they don't pursue criminals. That's why they hired Lady Penelope. She was a rich girl who found life boring, so she took up espionage.

-Parker: Lady Penelope's butler. Unquestionably the ugliest puppet in the series. His primary role is driving Lady Penelope around in her pink Rolls Royce, FAB 1.

-The Hood: Most bad guys in the series are in a few episodes only, but The Hood is the most reoccuring nemesis. He is Kyrano's half brother, and seeks to take pictures of the Thunderbirds, although this is highly illegal. Unfortunately for him, Thunderbird 1, the one he usually tries to photograph, has an automatic camera detector. He is never actually named in the series, but was given this name years later, due to being a master of disguise.

No question, Thunderbirds is a dated series, but it has stood the test of time. I GAVE THIS SET THREE STARS INSTEAD OF FOUR BECAUSE, LIKE THE OTHER REVIEWER SAID, IT IS A HIGH PRICE TO PAY FOR THREE EPISODES. Other reviewers seem to be disappointed that the puppet strings weren't digitally removed. What's the big deal? It's obvious these guys are puppets, so why bother removing the strings? It's good to have the series on DVD, but if you REALLY want to learn about the series and its creator, Gerry Anderson, watch the episodes on Tech TV. Each episode gives you some interesting facts, and sadly many of these can't be found on the DVDs. But if you want your episodes commercial-free, DVD is the only way to go. Take my advice - If you're going to get episodes on DVD, get the box set. It may be a tad pricey, but if you get it, you'll be saving money (it's less expensive than buying each set separate.) Regardless of who you are, I suggest checking out this series. Watch an episode or two on Tech TV, and if you get hooked, buy the DVDs.

A high price to pay for 3 episodes
the last three episodes of this series are available on this 2 disk set. The episodes are great...especially "Ricochet" a very humorous episode about a pirate radio station (not a television station as described on the box) occupied by 2 poor chaps who never thought to relay their broadcasts through a satellite reciever, they live in space to send out there broadcasts, living on the cold cereal that they sponser. But Vol.12 of this set was really just "filler" material that could have been included in the earlier sets. "The making of the thunderbirds" was interesting to say the least, but being new to Gerry Andersons work, I would have liked to see something about his earlier shows like "stingray" or his next series "Captain Scarlet"."The Brains Behind Thunderbirds" was the most dissapointing for me. Seeing a....how should i say this..newly constructed "Brains".. that didnt exactly look like or sound like the original, introduce everyone to each character seemed a little strange considering that anyone who would have purchased this final set would not need to be informed as to who is who.To make it a little more entertaining they filled a lot of time showing "highlights" of about eight episodes that all fans of this show already have.The last three episodes are a must have for the die-hard fans like myself, but if I were you I would look for a used copy.5 stars for disc one..2 stars for disc two. Averages out to three stars. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Origins of Film doesn't encompass as much as the title mightsuggest. The 10-hour program showcases some of the first works by African Americanand women directors as well as early ventures into the genres of animation, fantasy,and gangster cinema from the silent era. It's not so much a definitive look at theorigins of film as it is a survey of pioneering works by often overlooked artists andgenres, and on those terms it's an invaluable, astounding set.

Divided into six programs on three discs, the set features a handful of landmarkfeatures along with collections of shorts. Oscar Michaux's groundbreaking 1919mixed-race drama Within Our Walls is a powerful portrait of the racism andinjustice faced by disenfranchised African America citizens of the time, at timesa tangled story but never less than startling and sobering. Maurice Tourneur'sassured Alias Jimmy Valentine is a striking 1915 gangster feature with amelodramatic plot (reused in the Disney comedy No Deposit, No Return!),handsome sets, and a graceful, gripping style. Alice Guy-Blache's hilarious andenergetic 1913 shorts Matrimony's Speed Limits and A House Dividedand Lois Weber's droll 1921 social satire Too Wise Wives are accomplished,sophisticated satires that wryly comment on the relations between men and women.Frank L. Baum himself wrote and produced the whimsical 1914 feature ThePatchwork Girl of Oz, an inventive, deftly directed fantasy with delightfulcostumes and storybook images. Among the other highlights: a brief survey of Americananimation from primitive proto-cartoons of 1900, some unusually graceful examples ofWindsor McCay's work from 1921, D.W. Griffith's 1912 gangster drama The NarrowRoad with Mary Pickford, and a 1923 sound short featuring singer Noble Sissleand jazz legend Eubie Blake.

The boxed set comes with a modest but informative 12-page booklet with historicalbackground and preservation notes. All films are accompanied by simple but appropriatepiano scores. A welcome complement to the ambitious Treasures from American FilmArchives, this more modest set sheds light on cinematic invention and silent filmcreativity often ignored in the official record. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

PC agenda, but a interesting collection nonetheless
When I first saw this set I felt like the title "Origins of Film" was at odds with the p.c.-revisionist film choices-- it was more like little sidepaths in the history of film that left few traces by the sound era. (To take the best known name on the set, Oscar Micheaux is interesting sociologically, and you may be fascinated by the picture of black life he captures, but he's nobody's artistic ancestor, indeed, at best competent in the silent era and rather less than that in the sound era.)

As I watched more and more of the set though-- and as enough other silent films have been released on DVD that this set doesn't have to carry the burden of living up to its title-- it's grown more pleasing. A Florida Enchantment is a jaw-dropper, a good example of how much more daring 1910s films were than 20s, 30s or 40s ones. Alias Jimmy Valentine is a terrific melodrama, with a surefire climax (that must have had them jumping in their seats) and a detached depiction of one crime that anticipates caper movies like Rififi and Heat. The animation/fantasy disc is fun (although the Oz film won't make anyone forget Judy Garland). And if the black-directed films are mainly of historical rather than artistic interest, Lois Weber and Alice Guy Blache well deserve the disc space devoted to women directors. Guy Blache was as good as anyone directing films in the 1905-1915 era, and Weber is a genuine rediscovery who achieved moments of Stroheimian intensity (never an entire movie's worth that I've ever seen, but moments) as well as dealing time and again with provocative, woman's-point-of-view material. (Too Wise Wives' comic tone makes a striking contrast to the utter seriousness of the Weber films you're most likely to have caught elsewhere, Hypocrites or The Blot.) Those three features certainly justify the price, compared to other silent DVDs, so everything else you discover and enjoy along the way is a bonus.

Devilish interface, divine content
Unlike my equally beloved 'Treasures' box set, this isn't an overview of clips and interesting short moments. 'Origins' offers full length animation and silents. This isn't a slick package, and the interface is so cumbersome as to be annoying, but it's well worth the time.

"A Florida Enchantment" alone is worth the price of admission, (Although I dispute the claim that it was filmed in Lauderdale. There are several obvious signs that it was filmed in the northern secton of the state.) In this film, a young woman wishes she were a man after finding her fiance unworthy. There isn't space to discuss every film on this set - but with just this example you get a remarkable look at 'hidden' homosexual humour in early film. The actress playing the lead gives a startlingly modern performance in her male guise. The whites in blackface are mesmerizing when you realize they were probably very common roles.

Moments after she makes her trusted maid a man, the blackface actress turns into a violent drunken criminal who attempts to sexually assault another maid. (If your jaw didn't drop before then, it will be hitting the floor now.)Will our heroine enjoy life as a man? Will she get the girl of her dreams? Will she long to return to her life as a woman? Controversial when it was made, controversial today. And it's just one of the remarkable works on this set.

You will not regret this purchase. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

half good/half bad
Flying Deuces is perhaps the best Laurel & hardy film ever. I loved it, however it is offset by possibly the worst Laurel & Hardy film ever in "Utopia", Stan Laurel looked very thin and unhealthy and old and Hardy was the biggest he had ever been in the films...although there were humorous parts to it overall it was a pretty big stinker...but "Flying Deuces" is worth the purchase by itself.

From the French Foreign Legion to Utopia w/Laurel & Hardy
This DVD combines an above-average Laurel & Hardy effort wit the last feature film produced by the screen's greatest comedy team. "The Flying Deuces" gets its name from the final sequence where Laurel & Hardy escape from a firing squad in an airplane. The boys get in this predicament because Ollie is jilted by his girl friend (Jean Parker) and wants to commit suicide. Despite Stan's more than willing help the attempt fails and the boys end up joining the French Foreign Legion instead. Needless to say, Stan and Ollie are not very good soldiers, hence the appointment with the firing squad. The comedy routines in the film are okay, but there is nothing special. The best moments are the more musical ones, especially a nice soft-shoe routine and Stan playing a prison bedspring like a harp. Not a classic, but certainly a worthwhile effort from the boys. This 1939 seven-reeler was directed by Edward Sutehrland for RKO and co-stars Charles Middleton, James Finlayson, Reginald Gardiner, Jean Del Val and Clem Wilenchick. Note: One of the writers receiving screenplay credit for "The Flying Deuces" was Harry Langdon, the great silent comic who was just a notch below the celebrated triumvirate of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd.

"Utopia" was originally released in 1952 as "Atoll K" and later as "Robinson Crusoeland," and finds an aging Laurel & Hardy have inherited a yacht and an island. The boys set off to see along with a refugee as their cook and a stowaway. The yacht sinks in a storm, but a newly created atoll (hence the original title) emerges from the sea to give them a place to live. They are then joined on their new little paradise by Suzy Delair, who is running away from a jealous fiancee. Together they all create their own private little utopia, where everything is just perfect until uranium is discovered and all of the nations of the world begin to battle over ownership of the atoll. Just as the boys are about to be lynched, the atoll sinks back beneath the seas. Whatever its title, this final film from Laurel & Hardy certainly provides mixed feelings. The political satire angle is ambitious, but scarcely appropriate for comedians who rely so much on visual humor (compare with the Marx Brother's classic "Duck Soup"), although the sequence where Hardy distributes key political posts to every but Laurel (he gets to be "The People") is good. But most of the sight gags are not typical Laurel & Hardy routines and several people have claimed the best gags were cut from the film. There is also the shock of the appearance of Stan Laurel, who had been ill before the production and looks like he is at death's door. "Utopia" is a sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team.

Audio not in sync
The movies are good, especially Flying Deuces, not so much Utopia but the aggravating thing is poor quality of the Madacy distributed DVD. It sucks. The audio is not in sync with the video, not even close. What a ripoff, why can't they get such a simple thing like that right? Save your money !!

Mixed Bag
This is a mixed bag from L&H. Being that it's probably in the Public Domain, "Flying Deuces" is all over the place on DVD and when I was a kid in the 70s, it showed up a lot on TV.

This was a pretty good film. The other reviewers have discussed the plot, so I won't go there. Not up to the (sadly) seldom seen "Pardon Us" or "Pack Up Your Troubles," but a good time-killer. There is an oddly moving scene where Ollie tries to talk Stan into joining him in a foiled suicide effort by saying, "What will you do? Without me, people will stare at you and wonder what you are." Stan cries without going into his usual whiny shtick. This leaves a bizzare, but touching aftertaste. Then there's the famous "Shine On Harvest Moon Sequence." This scene, like much of the movie, doesn't exactly cause you to bust a gut and slap your knees, but it does make you smile.

Utopia is another matter. This is a really strange story about L&H inheriting an island and trying to start their own society with a group of castaways. The only reason anyone needs to see it is so that they could say they saw the last L&H film. I tried to watch this one 4 times before I could get all the way through without falling asleep. Peee-ooey. What a sad way to go.

just to clear things up
i just wanted to clear things up for some of the laurel and hardy fans out there. i bought this dvd with some doubt because i heard the sound was out of sync. this is not true and the sound and video are just fine and easily watchable. the picture quality isn't top notch by today's standards, but definitely nice, nothing you'll hate.

as for the content, the movies aren't the greatest things they've made, but its a good watch if youre looking for something to relax to at night.

note, if youre trying to decide which dvd to buy, and can't decide. DEFINITELY pick up the dvd that has "busy bodies" on it. i recently bought that one as well, and i must say thats my favorite film with those two. the dvd also has 4 other episodes on it. ... Read more

Description

The following are included in this five volume set:
Volume One
Man From Utah
Sagebrush Trail

Volume Two Riders Of Destiny
The Star Packer

Volume Three Dawn Rider
Trail Beyond

Volume Four Lawless Frontier
Randy Rides Alone

Volume Five Winds Of The Wasteland
Lucky Texan ... Read more

Reviews (6)

very bad
very bad quality and waste of money. Will never buy from madacy again

Poor picture quality
I purchased this DVD set recently and was very disappointed by the transfer quality used. Some of the films were actually clear in both visual and sound, but others were so poor that they looked like they were transferred from a 3rd or 4th generation copy VHS tape.

John Wayne Collection - 5 Pack
These 10 movies in 5 DVDs from Madacy Entertainment are of the poorest quality that you will find. Most of them look like they are 5th generation copies of VHS tapes that were then copied to DVD. I was looking forward to adding to my collection of John Wayne DVDs, but I would not keep these if they gave them away. I will never buy another DVD from Madacy again.

Very Sad Transfer
I bought this box set of " John Wayne Collection " because ever since i was a small boy i have been a big fan of the Duke (j.wayne)that most of his early films have never been seen in London,England (Great Britan). so for many years they have been showing nearly the same films over and over again ( E.G Rio Bravo,The Alamo and True Grit). But now that Dvd is here with great sound and picture,I thought now is the chance to buy not only John Wayne's movies but some other great action,comedy and various other dvd.... I have to say most films are great on dvd and i have had 5 or so very bad ones..... When i saw this box set i was very happy until now : 5 discs,early 1933 films ( great i thought,never seen them in my life ) And now that i am watching the first dvd while writing these words..... Here is what i am thinking What the hell was the company thinking of,this box set is cheap very bad picture quality so dark..... it's like a bad vhs to vhs copy then transered to dvd,I can not see the actors,let alone the scenery.And even the sound is so low..you can not hear it. please if you are interested in buying the collection stay away from the 5 pack (madacy) collection it's so bad.

So last word look around for a better deal. If any one out there knows if they are going to release the same movies with better picture and sound please let me know..Thank you

A Trip in Time: a Vision of Yesteryear
The 5 DVD collection of John Wayne rates high in my book. It takes the viewer back not only in the early life of a most notable actor but also in the early years of film making. The 10 movies in this set were all made in 1933 and 1934. Consider that Talkies didn't exist until 1930-31 you have the rare oportunity to see what highlighted the movies top billing and see the movies as did the viewing audience saw them at that time.

If you are expecting the quality of "The Alamo" or "North to Alaska" forget it. The technology at the time was pressed one sided, paper, records that had to be correctly timed to the movie you were watching. Dolby and surround sound wasn't even heard of.

What you get to see is John Wayne as the movies earliest "Singing Cowboy" billed as "Singing Sandy". These are great if you view them with the knowledge of how and when they were produced and enjoy seeing how John Wayne started a career that ended with the United States Mint striking a special medal simply stating "John Wayne - American". ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great Shows, Horrible Quality.
I recently found this two-pack in a bargain bin for five bucks, Being a Lucy fan I snatched it up and brought it home. Well all I can say is that I'm glad I only paid five bucks for it. On the up side the shows are highly entertaining and they highlight an era in television that rarely receives it's due, But on the down side the tranfer looks like it's been pooped on and at times all you see is a white screen with an outline of Lucy. But the shows almost make this DVD a good value, bottom line! BUY IT FOR FIVE BUCKS. Any higher it's a bad value. ... Read more

Description

This massive 6-disc collection includes "The Twilight Zone, Volumes 1-5," featuring 19 classic episodes, plus "Rod Serling, Submitted for your Approval" (1998, 90 min.), a comprehensive and fascinating biography of the late Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone!" Episodes: "Night of the Meek" - A forlorn department store Santa has a surprisingly nice Christmas. "The Invaders" - An woman in an isolated house is stalked by tiny spacemen. "Nothing in the Dark" - An old woman believes a wounded policeman is really Death. "Time Enough at Last" - A nuclear war leaves a bookworm with time to read. "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" - The residents of a quiet street suspect an alien invasion. "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" - A nervous man spots a gremlin on the wing of his plane. "The Odyssey of Flight 33" - A peculiar tailwind blows a plane off course--by a billion years. "Steel" - A penniless manager fights, disguised as his robot boxer. "A Game of Pool" - A pool player dreams of playing against the late great Fats Brown. "Walking Distance" - A frazzled executive steps back in time and meets--himself! "Kick the Can" - An old man discovers the secret to regaining youth. "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" - A man is given super strength by a Martian experimenter. "Two" - Two survivors from opposing sides of a nuclear war must start a new world. "A Passage for Trumpet" - After his suicide, an trumpeter is given a second chance. "The Four of Us are Dying" - A man with the ability to change his face devises a plan to elevate himself. "Long Distance Call" - Billy's toy telephone receives calls from his dead Grandma! "I Sing the Body Electric" - A young girl learns to accept her new grandmother--a robot! "The Lonely" - A convict jailed on an asteroid is given a female robot companion. "Probe 7, Over & Out" - The lone survivors of two annihilated planets must begin new lives. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Man Does Not Live by Bread Alone
Rod Serling was a man of great literary and social intellect and integrity. Ahead of his time and somewhat less respected because of the genre he worked within and made him famous, he is now recognized as one of the great pioneers into the realm of sophisticated storytelling combing intellect and emotion. His great vision and realization, "The Twilight Zone" remains a testament of his contribution to the Arts and Humanity. It has been said "Man does not live by bread alone." This 40th Anniversary Gift Set is very representative of "The Twilight Zone" television series. There are 19 episodes included. They are not all classics but they do show the diversity of the series held together by a common theme and I think that is what strengthens this set. The 90 minute feature, "ROD SERLING: Submitted For Your Approval" which I originally viewed on Public Television is also included. It is one of the best biographical documentaries I have ever seen. Of the 19 episodes included there are some truly great titles such as "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," "Kick the Can," "Night of the Meek," "Two," "I Sing the Body Electric" and "Walking Distance" and "The Lonely," both with heartfelt and endearing Bernard Herrmann scores. This is a good way to start collecting "The Twilight Zone" on DVD. These transfers are excellent and truly have to be seen to be appreciated.

In the Zone
Twilight Zone is one of the most creative pieces of Americana. What Serling succeeded in doing was to combine a first rate scifi imagination with a concern for the human condition and the basic questions of existence. He questions, he doubts, he moralizes, but without overt preaching. Instead, he gives us his imaginative tales that combine suspense and innovative plots, meaningful characters and strange circumstances. All this entertains and teaches a lesson at the same time. And you are likely to learn something new from Serling's biography, which is also included in the 40th Anniversary Gift Set. Owning The Twilight Zone is like owning a piece of America.

Great compilation!
I have seen this DVD and it is great. It contains 6 discs featuring 19 "Twilight Zone" episodes, plus a special feature on Rod Serling! The episodes are: Volume 1 - "The Invaders" (1961, Ep. 51); "Night of the Meek" (1960, Ep. 47); "Nothing in the Dark" (1962, Ep. 81) Volume 2 - "Time Enough at Last" (1959, Ep. 8); "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street" (1960, Ep. 22);"Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" (1963, Ep. 123); "The Odyssey of Flight 33" (1961, Ep. 54) Volume 3 - "Steel" (1963, Ep. 122); "A Game of Pool" (1961, Ep. 70); "Walking Distance" (1959, Ep. 5); "Kick the Can" (1962, Ep. 86). Volume 4 - "Mr. Dingle, the Strong" (1961, Ep. 55); "Two" (1961, Ep. 66); 'A Passage for Trumpet" (1960, Ep. 32); "The Four of Us are Dying" (1960, Ep. 13). Volume 5 - "Long Distance Call" (1961, Ep. 58); "I Sing the Body Electric" (1962, Ep. 100); "The Lonely" (1959, Ep. 7); "Probe 7, Over & Out" (1963, Ep. 129). Also included--American Masters presents: "Rod Serling, Submitted for your Approval" (1998, 90 min.).

Not intended for the serious collector
If you are a serious collector -- or if you are shopping for a gift for a big fan of this show -- then you really should investigate the "Twilight Zone Collection" box sets.

The entire series is available in a total of 5 sets. This 40th Anniversary Gift Pack is not comprehensive enough for a serious collector. It contains exactly the same material as Vol 1-5 of "Collection 1," which goes beyond that, all the way to Vol 9.

The Twilight Zone - 40th Anniversary - Major Disappointmen
I cant believe how cheaply they packaged this set. I have a twilight zone collection and each volume is packaged in a classy DVD cover. I was expecting 5 volumes that had the similar package.......WRONG......They have put these DVD's in a cheap plastic CD holder that is a totally different size and look than the rest of the collection. I would rather pay the difference and get the volumes individually. WHAT A CHEAP WAY TO PACKAGE THIS PRODUCT. ESPECIALLY WHEN MOST OF US BUY THEM TO COLLECT. TALK ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The horses are still the stars
Please realize that these b-westerns were made in the 1930's to be weekly entertainment. We didn't have TV's and the movie was king. However, times have changed. Is this movie still worth watching? Yes.

The Star Packer has one plot gimmick-a hollow tree trunk in the middle of a road in a western town. Once you accept the tree trunk, the movie is actually a decent movie. The story doe not bog down and keeps moving. A westrern has to have some good horse riding in it, and there are some good western action scenes which includes a couple of horse chase scenes. If you like this movie, you might like another early Wayne movie titled "Desert Trail."

Just click on the photo.
The 4 John Wayne films listed on this DVD are "riders of destiny,starpacker,sagebrush trail and man fom Utah".It is just his 1930s b-grade films and not really worth buying.

Wondering
Which films are included in this 2-pack?

A typical old western with a formulaic plot.
I found these movies to be extremely formulaic. The plot wasn't all that bad though and seemed to at least move. The most disappointing factor of all is that it's on DVD and the sound is terrible. You can't understand half of what they say. It sounds like they recorded off of a bad speaker that keeps popping. At one point the film even scrolls. Disappointing use of media, okay plot, excellent for camp value. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This set of five titles from the British phase of Alfred Hitchcock'searly career serves as an outstanding reflection on the great director's evolving preoccupations and pet themes in the 1930s. The earliest inclusion is the 1930 Murder, starring Herbert Marshall as a famous stage actor who takes it upon himself to investigate a murder for which a young actress has been wrongly convicted. Clever and witty, the film finds Hitch exploring the blurry dualisms of reality and illusion, guilt and innocence, and watching and doing. The 1932 Number 17 is Hitchcock in a particularly playful vein. A bit bored by the "old dark house" Gothic tone of the story, he uses the film as an opportunity to push the limits of camera mobility, the emotional underpinnings of shots, and the sheer fun of using model trains and other vehicles to create climactic chases. In the 1934 version of The Man Who Knew Too Much, the director matches a sophisticated tone with a gut-wrenching tale of a child kidnapped by spies. A fascinating study in contrast with Hitch's 1956 edition of the story (the one starring James Stewart and Doris Day), this film highlights both his interest in the burden of secrecy as well as his youthful efforts at visual experimentation. The 1936 Sabotage is a stunning story of a naive woman's revenge-killing of her husband, a German spy, and the subsequent cover-up of her deed both by fate and by a police detective who chooses to keep quiet about her guilt. Finally, the 1936 Secret Agent, starring John Gielgud, Robert Young, Madeleine Carroll, and Peter Lorre in an espionage story of concealed identities and assassination, is dense with ideas about lies and the brutality of the hidden. A few features later, Alfred Hitchcock belonged to Hollywood, and the American cinema took a giant leap forward. But in this boxed set can be seen the blueprint of his genius. The prints of the films used in this set are serviceable and probably comparable to average 16mm classroom or museum presentations. The DVDs also include Hitchcock filmographies, trivia questions, a director biography, and scene access. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (14)

good movies, decent video, poor sound quality
The movie's in this series are very good and, in my opinion, worth owning. These early works are in themselves good movies but seeing them after seeing his later works you can see how Hitchcock formulated his ideas and used them again in his later works. The video quality of these movies is watchable but they are not letterboxed. The sound quality on some of them is really poor to the point that I had a hard time understanding some of the dialogue. The special features of the DVD are also not that great (eg. no subtiles)

You know you want them all
You can look up the individual reviews. Not as good as his other collections but one should be complete. Of course some individual titles will go out of stock. Others may not be your favorite. However you will have friends and relatives that will want to compare Alfred's various styles. Look for his cameos. A single case makes the movies easier to keep track of and look better on your video storage wall. Being DVDs this is a one-time investment. With the advent of multiple DVD changers you will be able to keep Alfred ready at a moments notice. I tried buying individual as I had the money and found shipping was getting very expensive that way. So bite the bullet and buy the collection. Also check out The Alfred Hitchcock Collection I.

Yes, but ....
I love Hitchcock, but .... The big disappointment in this set is that all of the movies look like they were copied from old videotapes -- they're out of focus and have an amazing number of dropouts, flashes, and flickers. Save your money. Tape them from late night cable.

A+ for content. F- for quality
I bought this set and was disappointed. The chapter selection isn't user friendly. The bonus trivia game isn't anything to write home about. And lastly, the picture and sound quality are bad. Some scenes are blurry and the dialogue is hard to decipher at times. Close caption doesn't work on any of the DVD's. Please wait for Criterion or another quality company to release these movies remastered. Criterion did an excellent job on both 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes. Both are pricey, but well worth the money. This set is not.

Poor Quality DVDs
The contrast on the films can be poor. Limited special features not necessarily related to the film on the disk. No way to display the time or what chapter you are watching. It seemed that no effort was taken to ensure a good print was used to master from. Gosh, I wish I had the money I had spent on these discs so I could get decent copies of these movies. ... Read more

Description

In 1937 Chester Gould's immortal comic-strip crime fighter made it tothe big-screen in a Republic Pictures' 15-chapter serial titled "DickTracy" starring Ralph Byrd.This classic serial plus 4 full-lengthfeature films are all here, digitally restored, in this 3-DVD boxed set!Ride with Dick Tracy, Pat Patton, Tess Trueheart, Vitamin Flintheartand Junior as they fight evildoers "The Spider," "Splitface," "TheClaw," "Cueball," and "Gruesome" (played by Boris Karloff!) A full 9hours of "family-friendly" detective fun!!!

DVD #1

Dick Tracy 15-chapter serial 1937 - Chapters 1-12.Starring Ralph Byrd.A master criminal called "The Spider" puts Dick Tracy's brother Gordonunder a hypnotic spell that turns him against Dick Tracy. (240 min.)

DVD #2

Dick Tracy 15-chapter serial 1937 - Chapters 13-15.The concludingthree chapters in this action-packed serial. (50 min.) . Dick Tracy,Detective 1945 Starring Morgan Conway.The first of four RKO Radio DickTracy films.Dick is faced with a series of murders in which thevictims are all from different social and economic backgrounds. (61min.) . Dick Tracy vs. Cueball 1946 Starring Morgan Conway.Expensivediamonds are stolen but before the thief can fence them, he is strangledby ex-con Cueball.Cueball continues his killing spree on those hebelieves are trying to swindle him.

(62 min.)

DVD #3

Dick Tracy's Dilemma 1947 Starring Ralph Byrd.This time, Tracy is hoton the trail of a villain named The Claw, known for the steel hook hehas in place of a hand.After The Claw kills a man while heisting ashipment of furs, Tracy will stop at nothing to bring him to justice.(60 min.) . Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome 1947 Starring Ralph Byrd.Tracytracks down a clever gang of bank robbers who utilize a special gas thatfreezes people in their tracks for several minutes.Masterminding thegang is Gruesome, played by Boris Karloff. (65 min.) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent restoration
All the movies (and serial) in this 3 DVD set have been digitally restored and it shows. The movies fare the best, with beautifully pristine prints free of scratches, reel changes and the usual other problems one encounters with films from this era. They really have been cleaned up superbly. The original 15 episode serial is also very clean, although the white levels are a little too high, but this is a fairly minor quibble. Only the Boris Karloff movie "Dick Tracy Versus Gruesome" is a little less clean than the others, exhibiting slightly more grain. But overall it's a very fine job. Audio is clear and free of hiss. ... Read more