To Be or Not to Be)

Starring:Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Charles Ruggles, Walter Catlett, Barry Fitzgerald, May Robson, Fritz Feld, Leona Roberts, George Irving, Tala Birell, Virginia Walker, John Kelly, Nissa (II), Asta (II), Garry Owen, Paul Guilfoyle, George Humbert, Ruth Adler, Tex C.C. Gilmore, Frank Marlowe
Director: Howard Hawks, George Cukor
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
"The love impulse in man," says a psychiatrist in Bringing Up Baby, "frequently reveals itself in terms of conflict." That's for sure. For a primer on the rules and regulations of the classic screwball comedy, which throws love and conflict into close proximity, look no further. A straight-laced paleontologist (Cary Grant) loses a dinosaur bone to a dog belonging to free-spirited heiress Katharine Hepburn. In trying to retrieve said bone, Grant is drawn into the vortex surrounding the delicious Hepburn, which becomes a flirtatious pas de deux that will transform both of them. Director Howard Hawks plays the complications as a breathless escalation of their "love impulse," yet the movie is nonetheless romantic for all its speed. (Hawks's His Girl Friday, also with Grant, goes even faster.) Grant and Hepburn are a match made in movie heaven, in sync with each other throughout. Not a great box-office success when first released, Bringing Up Baby has since taken its place as a high-water mark of the screwball form, and it was used as a model for Peter Bogdanovich's What's Up, Doc?

Re-creating the role she originated in Philip Barry's wickedly witty Broadway play, Katharine Hepburn stars as the spoiled and snobby socialite Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story, one of the great romantic comedies from the golden age of MGM studios. Applying her impossibly high ideals to everyone but herself, Tracy is about to marry a stuffy executive when her congenial ex-husband (Cary Grant), arrives to protect his former father-in-law from a potentially scandalous tabloid exposé. In an Oscar-winning role, James Stewart is the scandal reporter who falls for Tracy as her wedding day arrives, throwing her into a dizzying state of premarital jitters. Who will join Tracy at the altar? Snappy dialogue flows like sparkling wine under the sophisticated direction of George Cukor in this film that turned the tide of Hepburn's career from "box-office poison" to glamorous Hollywood star.

MGM originally promoted Dinner at Eight by touting the "all-star cast," but this is no run-of-the-mill omnibus picture. On the contrary, rather than cramming as many big names as possible into a lumbering vehicle, the movie's impeccably crafted script (by Edna Ferber and Herman J. Mankiewicz) and direction (by George Cukor) gave some immortal screen luminaries a chance to shine. For sheer bravery, John Barrymore's achingly poignant performance as Larry Renault, a washed-up matinee idol who has "outlived everything but his vanity," is unmatched. Barrymore's brother, Lionel, is equally touching as shipping magnate Oliver Jordan. Oliver vainly tries to save his family's century-old firm, at the same time hiding his financial and health troubles from his wife, Millicent, played to hysterical perfection by Billie Burke. The Great Depression is presented in microcosm as Millicent frets about throwing the ultimate society dinner, oblivious to the world tumbling down around her. She is forced to invite to her precious party such undesirables as crass financier Dan Packard ("He smells Oklahoma!"). Even worse in Millicent's eyes than Packard (Wallace Beery, doing an impressive steamroller imitation) is his social-climbing wife, Kitty (Jean Harlow, never funnier). Be sure to watch for Harlow's brief encounter with Marie Dressler, who brings an extraordinary winking wisdom to the role of aging star Carlotta Vance. As the two enter the dining room in the film's final scene, Harlow makes an offhand remark that elicits from Dressler one of the great screen double takes of all time. Like so much of Dinner at Eight, the moment is priceless.

Newspaper comedy doesn't seem like an MGM genre--ink-stained wretches don't go with Adrian gowns and white deco furniture--but Jack Conway, the designated bull in the Metro china shop (Boom Town, Too Hot to Handle) does what he can to bring some dash and flair to Libeled Lady's wildly complicated script. Spencer Tracy is the tough city editor who goes to some spectacular extremes when socialite Myrna Loy files a $5 million libel suit against his paper for calling her a notorious home-wrecker; he hires celebrated ladies' man William Powell to seduce Loy and asks his long-suffering fiancée, Jean Harlow, to marry Powell temporarily so she can play the wronged wife when Loy and Powell are discovered together. The couples crisscross, with frenetic and not entirely unpredictable results, but much of the pleasure here lies in seeing these iconic stars being so thoroughly themselves. The dialogue strains for champagne wit, but the movie's most memorable moment is pure, rotgut slapstick--Powell's bout with an unruly fly-fishing rod.

Amazon.com essential video

This Disney masterpiece from 1940 will hold up forever precisely because it doesn't restrain or temper the most elemental emotions and themes germane to its story. Based on the Collodi tale about a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, Pinocchio is among the most magical, mythical, and frightening films to come from the studio in its long history. A number of scenes make permanent impressions on young minds (just ask Steven Spielberg, who quoted the film more than once in Close Encounters of the Third Kind), and the songs ("When You Wish upon a Star") can't be beat. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A Great Lie Lesson for Pinocchio.......2007-05-22

I love Pinocchio when he lies. His nose grew and grew longer and sure gives me an idea how creative author has. It's original powerful animation that Walt Disney has to present. Also I must add when Pinocchio asking the creator Why, Why, and Why and suddenly I asked my parents why Pinocchio asking Why's. A perfect family animation film.

Was my father favorite carttoon !.......2007-04-13

My father loved Disney 's Pinocchio as a child and I still had the video tape of the carttoon in his memory !

My least favorite Disney animation.......2007-04-09

I've enjoyed a lot of classics by Walt himself - Dumbo, Bambi, 101 Dalmatians, Lady and the Tramp etc. But I just cannot bring myself to like Pinocchio. I'm sorry, but it looked like was made for babies, or four or five year olds at the most. Although, even at the age of five, I found it too childish. I've heard some reviewers say that this film is quite dark, but I just cannot believe that! Firstly, they tried too hard on the animation. It was far too saturated. The colour is all screwed up. The acting is poor. The only good well-developed character is Jiminy Cricket. The other characters are very underdeveloped, so I didn't really care what happened to them. They made Pinocchio really sickly sweet, and I didn't feel for him, he was just annoying. The plot is ridiculous. It was just Pinocchio and Jiminy running into one problem after another. Oh, and the donkey scene is not disturbing - it's just plain stupid!

All in all, Pinocchio is only of interest to VERY young children. Otherwise, do not waste your money. If you want a good family film, rent Amblimation's 'Balto' instead.

ONE OF THE ALL TIME GREATS NEEDS AN UPGRADED EDITION!.......2007-03-13

This is one of Disney's finest animated features and it has not had a complete restoration done!! Mind boggling! The print here looks like it is direct from VHS. I hope there is a 2 disc Platinum edition coming soon?

My Favorite Classic Disney from Years Past.......2007-02-22

This movie is a beautifully-made masterpiece that, very unfortunately, seems to be overlooked sometimes because of other old Disney movies that were made around that time (like Snow White). However, of all the "old" Disney movies (made before the era of Eisner), this is the one that most hits the mark for me. Not only is it an interesting story with involving characters, but the overlooked soundtrack is also quite wonderful. "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee" is an old favorite of mine, and not to mention "Little Wooden Head" is a catchy little tune. This is my favorite of the oldies-but-goodies because not only does it completely hit the mark, but it doesn't rely on the old cliche of "princess captured by evil stepmother and then saved later on by a nameless Prince Charming who has no personality whatsoever". Though some of those movies are good, like Snow White, some of them are dull like Cinderella, and this movie doesn't make you make that choice.

Now I haven't always been a fan of this movie; this is more of a "grown-up" movie than many of the others that were made around that time. This is a darker tale than the likes of Snow White, and a more intense and involving one than movies like Cinderella. It also doesn't follow the oft-degraded Disney Formula, because there's no real cookie-cutter "bad guy". And since there's no real cookie-cutter bad guy, it makes it all the more interesting to see four or five villains make their entrances and exits, more like a real-life fairy tale than others. None of the villains "gets what he deserves", like in most Disney movies where they fall to their deaths.

That isn't to say that the other Disney movies aren't good. That is, however, to say that this Disney movie was ahead of its time in its innovations in realistic story developments. Granted, the story itself isn't that realistic, but we all know the story, and can take it for granted. And I'm not saying that the film is COMPLETELY underrated either. Just about everybody's heard the song "When You Wish Upon A Star", and it truly is a wonderfully sweet tune.

Speaking of which, Jiminy Cricket is a masterpiece of a character if there ever was one. And there are plenty of other great characters in this movie too: the old puppet master, Geppetto, who just wants a real boy; Cleo and Figaro, the domesticated fish and jealous cat; and of course many great villains, including Honest John, Stromboli, Lampwick, and of course Monstro, most of whom are also used for on-the-spot comic relief. But despite the comic relief, there are definitely some scenes that are too scary for the youngsters, including quite a few edgy scenes including the mad old puppeteer Stromboli. However, it's not ALL dark, which is good. There are some very fun, and some laugh-out-loud funny, scenes, both for the youngsters and for the adults.

Overall, this truly is a great movie for anybody, but especially for those who have ever been through the struggle of being a real boy. :)

Pete's Dragon (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

Average customer rating:

Pete's Dragon
Good
Pete's Dragon
Great generation after generation.
Not so good

Pete's Dragon (Disney Gold Classic Collection)
Starring: Helen Reddy , Jim Dale , Mickey Rooney , Red Buttons , and Shelley Winters
Director: Don Chaffey
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Animation | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Adventure | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

3-6 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

7-9 Years | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Fantasy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

Feature Films | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

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All Disney Titles | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

Animated Movies | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

Gold Collection | Disney Home Entertainment | Stores | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004R9A6
Release Date: 2001-01-16

Amazon.com

This story of a winsome orphan and his guardian dragon features an Academy Award-nominated score and song, Helen Reddy's "Candle on the Water." The combination of a live-action story with an animated figure was innovative in 1977, and the green dragon with pink wings will still charm youngsters today. However, its plot has the boy running from a nasty family to whom he's been sold into slavery, as well as an evil magician who tries to steal the dragon for his parts. These dark story lines may scare or bore younger children, who only want to see Elliot the dragon belch fire and give Pete rides on his back. And older children who might appreciate the plot may scoff at the relatively crude animation. This leaves a rather narrow audience window of about ages 3 to 7. A cast of veterans includes Shelley Winters, Mickey Rooney, and Red Buttons, who all turn in the hammiest of performances. Acting newcomer Reddy demonstrates both why her acting career never took off and why her singing career did. (Lines like "You're a bunch of superstitious ding-dongs" don't give her much help.) However, her sometimes awkward performance as the lonely lighthouse keeper who gives the boy a home provides the film with its heart. Bottom line: it's a keeper for diehard Disney fans, dragon lovers, and those who remember this movie fondly from their childhood. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Description

Pete, a young orphan, runs away to a Maine fishing town with his best friend--a lovable, sometimes invisible dragon named Elliott! When they are taken in by a kind lighthouse keeper, Nora (Helen Reddy), and her father (Mickey Rooney), Elliott's prank playing lands them in big trouble. Then, when crooked salesmen try to capture Elliott for their own gain, Pete must attempt a daring rescue.

Customer Reviews:

Pete's Dragon.......2007-06-27

The movie is as good as a I remember it when my daughter was little.
My four year old granddaughter absolutly loved it and was mesmerized by it
and loved playing the games.

Good.......2007-05-21

The product was in good shape. However, it took a while to get here.

Pete's Dragon.......2007-05-10

More Disney fun with a Dragon and a lighthouse family. Colors are brilliant and music sounds wonderful

Great generation after generation........2007-04-13

I remember watching this movie over and over again as a kid and now my kids are doing the same. Great for 4 - 6 year olds, they love all the classic songs and choreography.

Not so good.......2007-03-24

The movie is great but the cd is defective. It keeps on getting stuck on the same spot. I'm trying to return it but I can't get any reply to my e-mails.

Average customer rating:

Pollyanna
Pollyanna
Prompt Delivery - Product as stated
Play the "Glad Game!"
Pollyanna

Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)
Starring: Mary Grace Canfield , Gage Clarke , Kevin Corcoran , Donald Crisp , and Leora Dana
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005RRGB
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Amazon.com

Optimism shines in this classic 1960 Disney film starring Hayley Mills. When the newly orphaned Pollyanna comes to live with her wealthy aunt in Harrington Town, life looks promising. Despite her aunt's insistence on propriety and modesty, Pollyanna's cheerful, optimistic ways spread throughout the town--converting even a cantankerous recluse and a whining hypochondriac. Only Aunt Polly has trouble welcoming her young niece into her heart. In a clash between the townspeople and Aunt Polly over local politics, it's Pollyanna's influence that helps individual townspeople find the inner strength to stand up for their own beliefs. When Pollyanna is involved in a serious accident, Aunt Polly finally realizes how much she loves her niece. Can Aunt Polly and the entire town somehow restore Polly's optimism and ensure a full recovery? Pollyanna is wholesome entertainment that will leave the entire family eager to play the "glad game." --Tami Horiuchi

Description

Hayley Mills received a special Academy Award(R) for her performance as Pollyanna in this timeless Walt Disney tapestry of small-town Americana. Here you'll meet Pollyanna, the orphan who brings sunshine into the lives of everyone she meets. But her Aunt Polly (Jane Wyman) is too concerned with appearances, propriety, and local politics to appreciate her effervescent niece. It isn't until the town almost loses their "Glad Girl" that Aunt Polly realizes the power of love and lightheartedness. Featuring an impressive all-star cast and a story filled with fun, laughter, and tears, POLLYANNA will inspire your entire family and prove that the art of positive thinking is just as delightful today as it was at the turn of the century!

Customer Reviews:

Pollyanna.......2007-06-28

Colorful, delightful Disney fare boasts a first-rate cast, including veterans Wyman (who's excellent), Karl Malden, Agnes Moorehead, Donald Crisp, and Adolphe Menjou, but young Mills (in her first stateside Disney appearance) steals it from all of them, carrying the movie with her natural, guileless performance. Gorgeously shot, with wonderful turn of the century detail, this is a winner from start to finish.

Pollyanna.......2007-03-12

This movie is my all-time favorite childhood. I had the sound track and played it so much that I still have it memorized (I drove my parents NUTS!), . It's a wonderful movie and I still pull it out to watch it often! If you've never seen it, get it for your kids.

Prompt Delivery - Product as stated .......2007-02-03

The movie came promptly and in good condition.

Thank you

Play the "Glad Game!".......2007-01-30

My family often tells the negative people that they need a little "Pollyanna." If you don't know the reference, you need to see this amazing old-school Disney movie. Starring Hayley Mills, also the lead in the original "The Parent Trap," it is a "feel-good" film with a positive theme. As a young adult, I have slowly been buying DVDs of all of my favorite childhood films so my children can view them in the future. (Too bad something called Blue Tooth is now being pushed!) This is definitely one of those that every young child should see! With everything from dress-up to songs to chase scenes and frightening old hermits, this film incorporates a lot of popular images for children. It does, however, have a somewhat religious undertone due to the size of the fictional town and the background of Pollyanna herself; it is not, though, overwelminly religious. Rather, it has a positive theme encouraging following the golden rule. I watched it recently with a friend of mine and some other adults and we all enjoyed it too. Way to go, Disney! Films for all ages.

Pollyanna.......2007-01-29

It was just wonderful to see and own a classic family film. It's as fun to watch now as it was when I was a kid.

On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia)

Average customer rating:

A RETURN TO NORMALCY
So Happy
On the Road...
Enjoyable!
road to comedy with bob and bing

On the Road With Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Collection (Road to Singapore/Road to Zanzibar/Road to Morocco/Road to Utopia)
Starring: Bing Crosby , Bob Hope , Dorothy Lamour , Una Merkel , and Eric Blore
Director: Victor Schertzinger , David Butler , and Hal Walker
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Road to Rio
The Road to Hong Kong
Road to Bali
The Ghost Breakers
The Princess and the Pirate

ASIN: B0001FGBZW
Release Date: 2004-05-04

Description

They are some of the best-loved film comedies ever created. Now, four of the most popular "Road" pictures, starring the unbeatable screen duo of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, are here together in this deluxe DVD collection. Join Bing and Bob as they travel the world and experience rollicking, fun-filled misadventures in the company of the alluring Dorothy Lamour in such screen gems as Road to Singapore, Road to Zanzibar, Road to Morocco and Road to Utopia. You'll laugh yourself silly with four of the titles that made Hope and Crosby one of the most successful comedy teams of the 1940s and which continue to charm and entertain audiences of all ages today.

Customer Reviews:

A RETURN TO NORMALCY.......2007-06-08

HAVING SEEN ALL OF THE ROAD MOVIES IN YEARS PAST, IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE ONCE AGAIN TO HEAR WONDERFUL VOICES, & COMEDIC ACTING AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL. MUSIC & COMEDY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE VULGAR TO BE ENTERTAINING. WHERE HAVE YOU GONE BING CROSBY?

So Happy.......2007-04-27

I looked for the Road To movies a few years back with no luck. I checked back recently, and was pleased to find this collection of the first four- and, arguably, the best four- films in the series. The package is nice, and the movies are on one double-sided DVD, which is a nice change from the unnecessarily disc-heavy sets we see so often. The transfer of the movies isn't perfect, but they're old, and it's still fantastic in both sound and picture. All four movies are wonderful, though Road To Singapore is a bit slow in coming off the ground. Hope and Crosby are revered as one of the best comedy duos of all time, and this set proves why. I'm young, and I love these movies. They're great fun for all ages, and I highly recommend getting them. Especially for that price!

On the Road..........2007-03-10

Including four of the seven films in the series, "On the Road with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby" is a collection that I'm proud to own. The Bob Hope and Bing Crosby "Road" movies are a set of classic comedy musicals that are pointless but funny! This can only be appreciated by someone who understands the relationship between Hope and Crosby and the jokes that apply to the era. A great collection for the Hope, Crosby, or Lamour fan.

Enjoyable!.......2007-01-12

Couldn't wait to get this DVD and it was worth the wait. Got a charge out of seeing Bob and Bing together. Must order the other "Road" films.

road to comedy with bob and bing.......2007-01-10

a bargain collection of their best (save "Rio which should have been packaged with it - perhaps MCA-Universal did not have the rights).
Enjoy - nothing else needs to be said!

W.C. Fields Comedy Collection (The Bank Dick / My Little Chickadee / You Can't Cheat an Honest Man / It's a Gift / International House)

Average customer rating:

W.C. Fileds Volume 1
Fantastic elaboration of some gems from the celluloid vistas!
You'd like to have a nose like that full of nickels, wouldn't you?
Two gems, two OK, one incidental.
Great classics

W.C. Fields Comedy Collection (The Bank Dick / My Little Chickadee / You Can't Cheat an Honest Man / It's a Gift / International House)
Starring: W.C. Fields , Cora Witherspoon , Una Merkel , Evelyn Del Rio , and Jessie Ralph
Director: Edward F. Cline
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classics | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Laurel & Hardy (Sons of the Desert/The Music Box/Another Fine Mess/Busy Bodies/County Hospital)

ASIN: B0002MHDY2
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Amazon.com

For anyone who loves classic comedy, the W.C. Fields Comedy Collection is absolutely essential. Film for film, this may be the best DVD showcase ever devoted to a single comedian, including all five of Fields's acknowledged classics in a sturdy, beautifully designed library-quality slipcase. One could easily lament the relative lack of bonus features (it would have been nice to have some vintage Fields radio shows and newsreel footage), but the inclusion of A&E's 1994 Biography documentary W.C. Fields: Behind the Laughter is sufficiently informative about Fields's life, career, irascible personality, and tragic alcoholism. That's all that's really needed when the films themselves are so timelessly entertaining, and they're all remarkably pristine in sound and image quality. The best way to appreciate Fields's evolving screen persona is to view these films in chronological order: In International House (1933), Fields was merely one of many Paramount stars of screen and radio (including Rudy Vallee, Burns & Allen, Bela Lugosi, Sterling Holloway, and manic bandleader Cab Calloway), but he handily steals the show, invading a Shanghai hotel in his airplane/helicopter and delivering the classic line (to Franklin Pangborn), "Don't let the posy fool ya!" It's one of Paramount's best all-star revues.

It's a Gift (1934) is a remake of Fields's 1926 silent It's the Old Army Game, and was the first sound feature devoted to Fields's inimitable talent. As beleaguered husband and would-be orange farmer, Fields revives vintage routines from Vaudeville and Broadway, and his first encounter with Baby LeRoy is comedy gold. You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939) features Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy and Fields's classic, still-hilarious ping-pong routine, while 1940's My Little Chickadee matches Fields (as "Guthbert J. Twillie") with Mae West, whose unforgettable on-screen banter with Fields shows no sign of their notorious off-screen animosity. In his raucous masterpiece The Bank Dick (also 1940), Fields is "Egbert Souse," lowly bank guard, unlikely hero, and manic driver in perhaps the greatest slapstick car-chase scene ever filmed. Despite the regrettable absence of Fields's final starring feature Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, this classy five-disc set is a veritable cornucopia of comedy, offering ample proof of Fields's comic genius through classic one-liners, physical routines, memorable costars, and perfect bits of business that never grow old. --Jeff Shannon

Description

W.C. Fields is an American original, the curmudgeonly master of wit and good, mean fun. In this collection of madcap classics, the famously top-hatted Fields unleashes his unique comic zing, proving himself the king of the one-liner. This special DVD collection includes The Bank Dick, My Little Chickadee, You Can't Cheat an Honest Man, It's a Gift and International House. The W.C. Fields Comedy Collection is Fields at his finest, and a must-have for anyone who loves to laugh!

Customer Reviews:

W.C. Fileds Volume 1.......2007-06-21

W.C. Fields, equal parts tragedy and triumph, was at once totally unique and an everyman. He used both his finely honed comedic and physical talents (refined in earlier days as one of vaudeville's most skilled jugglers and sleight-of-hand men) to create a cranky, crafty, crooked ne'er-do-well you couldn't help but love. His lifelong struggle with alcoholism was fearlessly portrayed on-screen as well, as in my favorite scenes in "Bank Dick" where Egbert gleefully presides at a watering hole called "The Black Pussycat Café" (with stooge Shemp Howard as bartender no less)! Though "Gift" and "Bank Dick" are my personal favorites, there is much to admire in all five of these vehicles- to wit, the great man himself. For fellow devotees of vintage comedy, and especially Fields' fanatics, this memorable box set is very much worth owning- and sharing.

Fantastic elaboration of some gems from the celluloid vistas!.......2007-04-01

Ah, yes... Wonderful collection, extremley well remastered. The bonus material is also great, though short I think. I enjoyed the biography piece as much as the DVD W.C. bio: Straight Up, which is also reccommended. Thanks to all who made this possible. As a card carrying member of the W.C Fields fan club, I can attest to this items value. Comedy at its finest from a true genius at his craft.

You'd like to have a nose like that full of nickels, wouldn't you?.......2007-04-01

I bought this box set for one reason only, it seems that's the only way to get "It's a Gift" on DVD. I have already written about "It's a Gift" elsewhere, but suffice it to say I think it is the best of W.C. Fields full-length features as it is all-Fields, all-the-time, and has some of his best bits. Although Fields mostly wrote his own material, only this and "The Bank Dick" in this set are all his; in the other films he has to share time with other performers and other writers and the films suffer for it as a result.

"It's a Gift" is a classic. "The Bank Dick" has a lot of good stuff and many consider it a classic as well. I am especially fond of the "hearty hand clasp"; the bit referred to in my title above; and the interaction between Fields, Shemp Howard, Franklin Pangborn and "Michael Finn" in the Cafe. It is a true Fields foray, complete with non-sequiters, side-trips, and throw-away-lines.

"You Can't Cheat an Honest Man" has too many diversions for Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy and a silly romance, but there are some good bits with Fields in the Circus ("Give Queenie! Cease Queenie!") and badgering apprentice Grady Sutton ("There's too much of the tomboy in you...") and customers alike ("Count yer change before leaving the window! No mistakes rectified!"). And the finale at the Upper Class Snobs party is a gas with a slew of his patented acerbic asides ("Quite a little wikiup! Where's the mob?") while Fields tells snake stories ("he sank his teeth into the Marauder's fetlock...and rattled for a Constable") causing pandemonium and fainting spells for his daughter's future mother-in-law ("pay no attention, she's been drinking too much!").

"My Little Chickadee" with Mae West is very disappointing. Fields has some good bits, especially describing a fight with a bar patron named Chicago Molly ("Ever kick a woman wearing a corset? Why I almost broke my great toe!" She came back next week and beat us both up. "Yeah, but she had another woman with her! Gray haired lady...") But too much of the film is inane Mae West flirtations with the good and bad guy of the town. Only fast-forwarding to Fields made it bearable for me.

Finally, "International House" is one of those curious 1930's mish-mashes that are really variety shows, this time with a mix of comedians and actors (Burns & Allen, Stu Irwin), musical groups including Cab Calloway, and a dopey plot. Fields brings in some needed comedy and some of that a bit risque, especially toward the end with the car, the girl, and the cat. It is more a curiosity than a fully realized film.

So this box set is a mixed bag including one for-sure (to my mind) classic (It's a Gift), one many consider a classic (The Bank Dick), one flawed but good film (You Can't Cheat an Honest Man), one flawed and mostly a dud film (My Little Chickadee), and one curio (International House). You can see that the first two films in which Fields had overall authorship and control, are the best. Worth it for those.

Two gems, two OK, one incidental. .......2007-02-12

To learn about the set, you need go no further than Amazon's own detailed and excellent review so here are a few additional comments:

- "It's A Gift" and "The Bank Dick" have a lot of similarities. The production values of the latter are much better than the former. In both films, Fields is surrounded by awful families, in the former openly antagonistic and in the latter slovenly and disinterested. The films are arguably his very best because his humour appears in its purest form. There are endless one liners and excellent supporting casts. Fields is likeable in both because he is vulnerable, a victim and a relentless optimist who sails through each situation oblivious to the mayhem he may create around him. In both films, he is sympathetic, comes out on top and you cheer.
- In both "My Little Chickadee" and "You can't Cheat an Honest Man", he is not a very nice person and accordingly audience sympathy is significantly reduced. He occupies equal screen time with Mae West in the former and Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy in the latter. Both teamings were famous. His quips with McCarthy are a continuation of his radio feud with the dummy and are quite funny. The encounter with West, however, is disappointing. The anticipation is greater than the reality. Censorship had removed the sting from her "act" and the film grinds to a halt almost everytime she appears as she swaggers across the screen, raises her eyebrows and delivers her quips. The second film, also, is not very well made and suspiciously like a series of gags linked together. It becomes tedious.
- "International House" is a screwy all star film, very typical of Paramount in 1933. It is full of radio performers like Burns and Allen and Fields steals the film. His encounter with Gracie Allen is hilarious.

The prints of the films are excellent and the DVD contains a very informative Biography Program of Fields which adds a lot to the package. The set is good value.

Great classics.......2007-01-09

The movies are good fun of a by-gone day. It really helped to have the subtitles because the characters tend to muddle under their breath alot and without the subtitles, you would miss some of the hilarious lines.

Classic Comedies Collection (Bringing Up Baby / The Philadelphia Story Two-Disc Special Edition / Dinner at Eight / Libeled Lady / Stage Door / To Be or Not to Be)

Average customer rating:

LAUGH OUT LOUD! FUNNY!!!!
SHAME ON WARNER BROTHERS!
A wonderful collection of classic comedies
Big Belly laughs in every single movie
This is nice to have on hand

Classic Comedies Collection (Bringing Up Baby / The Philadelphia Story Two-Disc Special Edition / Dinner at Eight / Libeled Lady / Stage Door / To Be or Not to Be)
Starring: Katharine Hepburn , Cary Grant , Charles Ruggles , Walter Catlett , and Barry Fitzgerald
Director: Howard Hawks , and George Cukor
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Classic Comedies | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classics | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

Two-Disc Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
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The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man)
The Hepburn & Tracy Signature Collection (Woman of the Year / Pat and Mike / Adam's Rib / The Spencer Tracy Legacy)
The Cary Grant Box Set (Holiday / Only Angels Have Wings / The Talk of the Town / His Girl Friday / The Awful Truth)
The Cary Grant Signature Collection (Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House / Destination Tokyo / The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer / My Favorite Wife / Night and Day)
Astaire & Rogers Collection, Vol. 1 (Top Hat / Swing Time / Follow the Fleet / Shall We Dance / The Barkleys of Broadway)

ASIN: B0006Z2KXY
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Amazon.com

"The love impulse in man," says a psychiatrist in Bringing Up Baby, "frequently reveals itself in terms of conflict." That's for sure. For a primer on the rules and regulations of the classic screwball comedy, which throws love and conflict into close proximity, look no further. A straight-laced paleontologist (Cary Grant) loses a dinosaur bone to a dog belonging to free-spirited heiress Katharine Hepburn. In trying to retrieve said bone, Grant is drawn into the vortex surrounding the delicious Hepburn, which becomes a flirtatious pas de deux that will transform both of them. Director Howard Hawks plays the complications as a breathless escalation of their "love impulse," yet the movie is nonetheless romantic for all its speed. (Hawks's His Girl Friday, also with Grant, goes even faster.) Grant and Hepburn are a match made in movie heaven, in sync with each other throughout. Not a great box-office success when first released, Bringing Up Baby has since taken its place as a high-water mark of the screwball form, and it was used as a model for Peter Bogdanovich's What's Up, Doc?

Re-creating the role she originated in Philip Barry's wickedly witty Broadway play, Katharine Hepburn stars as the spoiled and snobby socialite Tracy Lord in The Philadelphia Story, one of the great romantic comedies from the golden age of MGM studios. Applying her impossibly high ideals to everyone but herself, Tracy is about to marry a stuffy executive when her congenial ex-husband (Cary Grant), arrives to protect his former father-in-law from a potentially scandalous tabloid exposé. In an Oscar-winning role, James Stewart is the scandal reporter who falls for Tracy as her wedding day arrives, throwing her into a dizzying state of premarital jitters. Who will join Tracy at the altar? Snappy dialogue flows like sparkling wine under the sophisticated direction of George Cukor in this film that turned the tide of Hepburn's career from "box-office poison" to glamorous Hollywood star.

MGM originally promoted Dinner at Eight by touting the "all-star cast," but this is no run-of-the-mill omnibus picture. On the contrary, rather than cramming as many big names as possible into a lumbering vehicle, the movie's impeccably crafted script (by Edna Ferber and Herman J. Mankiewicz) and direction (by George Cukor) gave some immortal screen luminaries a chance to shine. For sheer bravery, John Barrymore's achingly poignant performance as Larry Renault, a washed-up matinee idol who has "outlived everything but his vanity," is unmatched. Barrymore's brother, Lionel, is equally touching as shipping magnate Oliver Jordan. Oliver vainly tries to save his family's century-old firm, at the same time hiding his financial and health troubles from his wife, Millicent, played to hysterical perfection by Billie Burke. The Great Depression is presented in microcosm as Millicent frets about throwing the ultimate society dinner, oblivious to the world tumbling down around her. She is forced to invite to her precious party such undesirables as crass financier Dan Packard ("He smells Oklahoma!"). Even worse in Millicent's eyes than Packard (Wallace Beery, doing an impressive steamroller imitation) is his social-climbing wife, Kitty (Jean Harlow, never funnier). Be sure to watch for Harlow's brief encounter with Marie Dressler, who brings an extraordinary winking wisdom to the role of aging star Carlotta Vance. As the two enter the dining room in the film's final scene, Harlow makes an offhand remark that elicits from Dressler one of the great screen double takes of all time. Like so much of Dinner at Eight, the moment is priceless.

Newspaper comedy doesn't seem like an MGM genre--ink-stained wretches don't go with Adrian gowns and white deco furniture--but Jack Conway, the designated bull in the Metro china shop (Boom Town, Too Hot to Handle) does what he can to bring some dash and flair to Libeled Lady's wildly complicated script. Spencer Tracy is the tough city editor who goes to some spectacular extremes when socialite Myrna Loy files a $5 million libel suit against his paper for calling her a notorious home-wrecker; he hires celebrated ladies' man William Powell to seduce Loy and asks his long-suffering fiancée, Jean Harlow, to marry Powell temporarily so she can play the wronged wife when Loy and Powell are discovered together. The couples crisscross, with frenetic and not entirely unpredictable results, but much of the pleasure here lies in seeing these iconic stars being so thoroughly themselves. The dialogue strains for champagne wit, but the movie's most memorable moment is pure, rotgut slapstick--Powell's bout with an unruly fly-fishing rod.

This one's all about the ladies. In Stage Door, an absolutely terrific 1937 gem, a Manhattan boardinghouse for aspiring actresses houses an amazing roster of golden-era performers--some of whom, like their characters, were just breaking in. It's hard to say who's in best form here: Katharine Hepburn in blueblood mode, Ginger Rogers streetwise, Andrea Leeds suffering, Lucille Ball and Ann Miller impossibly young, and Eve Arden being, well, splendidly Eve Ardenish. The sassy comedy and sober life lessons are wonderfully mixed by the underrated director Gregory La Cava (My Man Godfrey), who captures the brashness of '30s female chatter in a much pleasanter way than the more famous The Women. Hepburn's sublime attempts to wrestle with the line about calla lilies being in bloom will make you smile long after the movie's over.

Customer Reviews:

LAUGH OUT LOUD! FUNNY!!!!.......2007-06-09

Six of the all time great movies. Its a must for classic movie fans. You really get to see how good Jean Harlow was at comedy in "Dinner at Eight". Lets not forget Carole Lombard what a great comedian and actress she was in "To Be or Not To Be" her last film before she was killed in plane crash. Sometimes we forget how good they really were. They just don't make good movies like these anymore. I couldn't name you a good actor today with this much staying power. There will never be another Cary Grant, James Stewart, William Powell and Katherine Hepburn. You can watch these movies over and over. I know I will..

SHAME ON WARNER BROTHERS!.......2007-05-05

Shame on Warner Brothers for calling this collection a COMEDY Collection. And the other reviewers - where's your candor? Yes, Philadelphia Story is a classic comedy. But DINNER AT EIGHT, which has a few (a very few) funny moments, is, in fact a very dark story involving suicide, hateful marriages and people at the end of their means; with no particular redeeming quality. STAGE DOOR, it had funny moments, yes, but always with a very sad, dark suicide looming. TO BE OR NOT, this is like a skit, a joke, being stretched out to an hour and a half. LIBELED LADY was funny, but hardly a CLASSIC. BRINGING UP BABY is screwball comedy, but we all know that this was NEVER considered a CLASSIC. My recommendation (now that I feel bad I spent so much based on the other reviewers) - buy the films you know individually. One at a time. PHILADELPHIA STORY is a MUST HAVE.
Then you can laugh at the rest of us for buying movies we'll never watch.

A wonderful collection of classic comedies.......2007-03-20

I just recently finished watching all of the movies in this boxed set, and I couldn't be happier with it. Warner's has been going boxed set crazy over the past couple of years, boxing up into collections just about every movie in their vaults. Some collections are good, and some not so good, but this one is excellent. Three of the movies are well known, and the other three are less known. Probably the best known film is "The Philadelphia Story" that got Katharine Hepburn out of her "box office poison" era for good and won James Stewart his only Best Actor Oscar - about two or three Oscars shy of what he should have had in my opinion.

"Dinner at Eight" is a 1933 ensemble comedy using the "Grand Hotel Formula" that had won that film the Best Picture Oscar the year before. It is a comedy revolving around a group of people preparing to go to a dinner party and shows how their lives strangely intertwine beyond even their awareness. Remarkably, I don't think it even got nominated for an Oscar, but it has held up well over time and has one of the best last lines of any movie ever. As everyone is planning to go into dinner Jean Harlow is telling Marie Dressler how she has been reading that machinery has been taking over everything and soon they would all be replaced by machines. Marie Dressler looks Jean Harlow up and down as only she could do and says "My dear I don't think you need to ever worry about that."

"Bringing Up Baby" has Katharine Hepburn playing a scatter-brained young lady who gets Cary Grant involved in her inane plot to transport a tame leopard her brother sent her to her country estate. The film moves at such a fast clip with so much going on that it seems exhausting, but it is great entertainment. This film actually didn't catch on that much until years later.

"Libeled Lady" was the pleasant surprise of the bunch. I had never seen it before but it was quite funny. It all revolves around a false rumor about a young lady that gets reported as truth in a New York paper. The paper faces a libel suit and financial ruin if a way is not found to set up the "libeled lady" so that she appears to be in a genuine scandal, thus lessening the paper's chances of losing in court. This film has some great physical comedy from William Powell of all people.

"To Be Or Not To Be" is a comedy set in World War II Poland and involves an attempt by the occupied Poles to stop a spy from getting to German headquarters with the names of members of the resistance. It pairs Carole Lombard with Jack Benny, but strangely enough the combination does work.

"Stage Door" is a very good film about a group of women living in a boarding house all trying to make it on Broadway. I'm not sure what it is doing in a set of comic movies, though. It is actually more of a melodrama than a comedy, though it has some very witty banter between the struggling actresses at their rooming house and a great performance by Adolphe Menjou as a sophisticated cad, which is a part he played so well in several films of the 1930's.

There are bonus discs included with "Bringing Up Baby" and "The Philadelphia Story". "The Philadelphia Story" includes a feature on Katharine Hepburn's life and career, and "Bringing Up Baby" has a second disc that has a similar tribute to Cary Grant. There are also features included on the directors of these two films. My advice is to buy this set. It's a tremendous value and will give you many hours of entertainment.

Big Belly laughs in every single movie.......2006-06-17

I defy you to find a modern day movie where the wise cracks are funnier than any thing you'll find in each and every one of these 70 year plus old movies! Most of the dialogue was spoken at Tommy Gun blast speed, with every word clearly enunciated - a feat in itself! All the men are mostly in suits or tuxes, and the women wear the most beautiful outfits, created by the top designers in the world at the time. Visually, these movies are a feast for the eyes. It also helps that most of the actors and actresses were considered the most handsome and beautiful at the time. Hey - I can get ugly at home! The quality is also excellent considering how old these movies are. I'm an old-movie buff and I remember browsing the TV guide when I was a teenager and then setting my clock to get up at 3am to catch one of these movies whenever they were on. They still hold up and now I can watch them whenever I want and I am grateful. This is a must-have if you like a good story line, clever dialogue and honest laughs.

This is nice to have on hand.......2006-03-10

Sometimes my life, like so many others, gets a little overwhelming. These are perfect for when you need a 2 hr. break from reality. Make the popcorn, pull the shades, pop one of these in and totally escape. And it's cheaper than therapy. :-)

Average customer rating:

Discover or rediscover "I married Joan"
retro enjoyment
Watch Out Lucy, Here Comes Joan Davis
The Series
AN UNJUSTLY FORGOTTEN COMEDIENNE

I Married Joan Collection 1
Starring: Joan Davis , and Jim Backus
Manufacturer: Vci Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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I Married Joan Collection, Vol. 2
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Private Secretary:Vol 1 TV Series

ASIN: B0001EQIII
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Description

I MARRIED JOAN starred Joan Davis, a movie and radio comedienne billed as "America's Queen of Comedy," and Jim Backus, the voice of MR. MAGOO and the popular character Thurston Howell III from the GILLIGAN'S ISLAND TV series. The show centered on Joan, a scatterbrained housewife, and her husband, Bradley Stevens, who was a staid and settled domestic court judge. Beverly Wills, Joan Davis' real-life daughter, also co-starred on the show playing the part of her sister. The show was cut from the same mold as the I LOVE LUCY series, with Joan Davis' comedy antics derived from the physical school of humor. Ms. Davis produced the show under her own production company for NBC and the series ran for three years between 1952 and 1955. This special DVD collection, on 2 discs, contains 12 complete episodes from the TV series: Prize Fighter, Wall Safe, Joan's Haircut, Changing Houses, Talent Scout, Bad Boy, Honeymoon, Home Movies, New House, Neighbors, Alienation and Sister Pat. Bonus Features: Actor Bios| Previews| Episode Selection Specs: 2-DVD9s; Dolby Digital Mono; 318 minutes; B&W; 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1952-1955; SRP - $14.99.

Customer Reviews:

Discover or rediscover "I married Joan".......2007-06-25

Joan Davis (radio comedian) plays an empty-headed house wife. Jim Backus (Peter Bowers in "Boys' Night Out") plays the husband, Judge Bradley Stevens (1952-1955) (38 episodes, 1952-1955).

Each episode is a wholly contained story that starts out sane and logical. As time go on unlikely elements creep in to make the situation hysterically ridicules. Eventually everything is wrapped up. The actors and their characters is what make this comedy work so well.

Disk 1:
Prize Fighter
Wall Safe
Joan's Haircut
Changing Houses
Talent Scout
Bad Boy

Disk 2:
Honeymoon
Home Movies
New House
Neighbors
Alteration
Sister Pat

retro enjoyment.......2007-04-04

It's a great product, if you liked the tv show this is just a copy of it. The picture quality is excellent.

Watch Out Lucy, Here Comes Joan Davis.......2006-02-21

I've always been a fan of Joan Davis in "I Married Joan". Her humor was never insulting to her public, she did her physical comedy that was believeable, interesting and funny. Her co-star husband, Jim Backus ( Mr. Howell in Gillian's Island), was the perfect straight man because you have to be good at setting up the funny situations and timing.
To get a preview of Joan Davis, watch her in the Abbott and Costello movie called "Hold That Ghost", its a classic.

The Series.......2005-10-20

All these episodes were funny, but the ones that were the funniest were not included in these. I hope there will be more in the future.

AN UNJUSTLY FORGOTTEN COMEDIENNE.......2005-04-02

This is a very pleasant collection of episodes from Joan Davis's TV series. While the writing is seriously uneven, and there are production shortcomings (it looks much more slapdash in execution than such contemporaneous filmed comedy series like Phil Silvers, Lucy, and Burns and Allen) the talent of Joan Davis still glows.... More sardonic than Lucille Ball (and for some of us, more appealing bcause of this), she was just as adept at physical comedy (and Jim Backus provides solid support). ALthough few episodes in this set are wholly satisfying ("Alienation" might be the best) each one contains at least a few shining moments when Miss Davis's comic smarts come through (any female comedy performer could do worse than to study her technique).... It was probably a tactical error not to shoot the show in front of a studio audience (a la Lucy); had the cast had real people reacting to them-- rather than an often annoying laugh track-- the show might have kicked into overdrive....And if you like Joan Davis on TV, be sure to catch her teaming with Abbott and Costello in HOLD THAT GHOST (1941).

Average customer rating:

"R" rated - NOT family friendly
dumb, but dumb is good sometime
Thumbs Up
Thumbelievable
Where is Thumbatrix?

All Thumbs - The Complete Collection
Starring: All Thumbs
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
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Thumb Wars - The Phantom Cuticle
Kung Pow! Enter the Fist
Hardware Wars - The Original Edition
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Star Warp'd

ASIN: B00006LPEB
Release Date: 2002-11-19

Description

There's thumbthing for everyone in this 6 DVD box set from writer/director Steve Oedekerk (Kung Pow: Enter the Fist, Jimmy Neutron, Ace Ventura)! Includes "Bat Thumb" (2001, 28 min.) - Super hero Wuce Bane and his sidekick Blue Jay must save Gaaathumb City from the evil, despicable, and poorly dressed "No Face." "The Blair Thumb" (2001, 28 min.) - A clever tale about three thumbs who encounter terror during their search for the truth behind The Blair Thumb. "Frankenthumb" (2002, 32 min.) - Gasp as a deceased Thumb is brought back to life in this outrageous spoof of the gothic horror classic. "The Godthumb" (2002, 31 min.) - A gripping tale of true crime mixed with sensationalistic falsehoods and wrapped in vicious mobster stereotypes. Don't fuhgeddaboudit! "Thumb Wars" (1999, 29 min.) - Reluctant hero Loke Groundrunner and his tasty companion Princess Bunhead battle Black Helmet Man and the Evil Thumbpire! "Thumbtanic" (1999, 27 min.) - They thought nothing on earth could come between them. Then, they hit an iceberg...

Customer Reviews:

"R" rated - NOT family friendly.......2007-03-18

If it were not for the many sexual innuendos in these movies, I would have rated them maybe a 3 because I do enjoy some satire. But I wanted to draw attention that these movies have similar adult humor as in the Simpsons cartoon and Saturday Nite Live....so buyer beware. These movies are not rated professionally but the content should be described on Amazon as to what may be offensive to some. I bought this collection because of 2 reviews on Amazon that said these were clean and innocent enough for kids. Although one did say in the title that not all the Thumb movies were OK for children. I didn't see that person's headline or 1 star..only that they put in their review "innocent enough for children". I goofed and listened to those reviews. I wish I hadn't. If only I could have rented it first but I couldn't find it to rent. Our kids love the Star Wars movies so I thought Thumb Wars and the other thumb movies would be funny to watch together as a family. Sure they're somewhat funny but I wasn't laughing hysterically and we "all" were caught off guard by the sexual innuendos. I'm only going to list their real characters because I forgot their humorous thumb names. Case in point: 1 scene has the Obiwan and Luke thumb characters getting down on the floor and looking up the dress of the hologram of Princess Leah. Another scene has Obiwan telling Luke to make sure he doesn't have any girl clothes on underneath his own clothes? Oh yeah...then there's the scene when Obiwan wants to seal a deal with Luke and asks that they touch their tongues together (which doesn't actually happen, thank God)....and another, where R2D2 and C3PO are getting intimate with each other before someone interrupts them when entering the room. I'm sure there was more. We didn't even finish watching that movie. Our 15 year old had enough sense to walk out of the room. If this is the kind of humor that you want your kids to see, I'm sure you'll love it. As for me, I'm going to try and return the collection or throw it out. Think twice before wasting your hard earned money on them!

dumb, but dumb is good sometime.......2006-11-10

sometimes you just need to laugh at something. the Thumb movies will make you laugh - promise. what an incredible idea, and Steve makes it work.

Thumbs Up.......2006-07-09

Each thumb movie satirizes it's respective movie in a hilarious way. The movies are clean so the whole family can enjoy them. My children and I find ourselves quoting the lines from the thumb movies often.

Thumbelievable.......2006-06-26

OK, I just had to come up with some stupid pun for my title. Sorry. Anyway, this set is well worth the money. While the rest of the movies are hit-and-miss, Thumb Wars, Thumbtanic, and The Godthumb are instant classics. All it really takes to enjoy any one of these shorts is a basic knowledge of the film they are parodying (if that's not already a word, it is now). More extensive knowledge of the film allows the viewer to pick up on the subtler details of the shorts, details that are well thought-out and sure to provide the well-versed audience with a laugh or two. The variety of the shorts in the box set ensures that almost anyone will be able to sit down and enjoy at least one of these shorts, and for the price at which they are offered, I highly recommend this set.

Where is Thumbatrix?.......2006-01-04

i enjoyed Thumbs very very very much :) But guys where is THUMBATRIX? its 2006 and we are waiting 3 years for this and the new thumb installments they had announced :( please if someone has any info on this please post it :)

The Sid Caesar Collection - The Fan Favorites - 50th Anniversary Edition

Average customer rating:

Classic TV
Expensive
Sid Caesar collection-Fan Favourites
Re-packaging of previous box set ASIN: B00005Q65F
THIS WAS LIVE TV!

The Sid Caesar Collection - The Fan Favorites - 50th Anniversary Edition
Starring: Sid Caesar , Imogene Coca , Carl Reiner , Howard Morris , and Jack Russell (III)
Director: Nat Hiken , Max Liebman , and Clark Jones
Manufacturer: New Video Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00022FW86
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Product Description

One of the greatest comedians ever, Sid Caesar has been making America laugh since the 1950s, when he ruled airwaves with his Emmy® Award-winning "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar s Hour." Now, for the first time ever, 20 of his fans all-time favorite sketches have been brought together in one hilarious DVD collection. Selected through an Internet poll, these skits represent some of the most beloved, admired, and side-splittingly funny moments of Sid s career. From his lunchtime gymnastics in "Big Business" to one of television s most famous ad-libs in "Gallipacci," this collection proves why generations of fans have come to love Sid Caesar, the original king of comedy. Turn back the clock to the golden age of comedy and join Sid for 20 of his fans favorite sketches as voted on by you, the fans.

SPECIAL FEATURES
Bonus Sketches: "Pantomine at Coney Island," "Continental Express," and "The Beauty Contest;" Interview Extras with Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, and Nanette Fabray; Sid Caesar Audio Commentary on "Auto Smash Up," "Gallipacci," and "Break Your Brains;" Original Scripts of "Auto Smash Up," "Newspaper Movie," and "The Professor;" Photo Gallery; Cast and Writer Biographies; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

System Requirements:

Running Time 277 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

When we worked together," reminisces Sid Caesar, "it was magic, and you don't question magic." So just enjoy this essential three-disc collection of vintage sketches from Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. To work on these programs was to attend "the Harvard of Comedy," and this "great amalgamation of talents," which included Carl Reiner, Imogene Coca, Howard Morris, Nanette Fabray, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Larry Gelbart, and Neil and Danny Simon, were at the head of their class. "We did everything," Caesar notes at one point, and the proof is on these discs: domestic sketches ("Life Begins at 7:45"), game show parodies ("Break Your Brains"), spoofs of foreign films ("U-Bet-U"), opera ("Gallipacci"), and classical music (and a pantomime of "the 1812 Overture"). It is a testament to the knowledge, technique, and taste of those who created the show that these 50-year-old sketches hold up as well as they do. This was the golden age of live television, when anything could happen, and the cast would have to go with it. In "Gallipacci," Caesar's make-up pencil breaks when his character, a heartbroken clown, is applying make-up to his face. Without missing a beat, Caesar rises to the potentially disastrous occasion with one of the most inspired ad-libs in television history.

In between the sketches, the cast members and writers, a virtual Who's Who of comedy, affectionately recall working with each other, and creating these classic sketches. Each DVD includes bonus sketches. Caesar also provides illuminating commentary on selected sketches. More than a television time capsule that vividly re-creates a bygone era, this priceless collection is also a master class for aspiring comedy writers and performers. It is not a coincidence that one of Caesar's signature characters was called "the Professor." --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

Classic TV.......2007-05-13

What a nice DVD set. I received this DVD as a birthday gift and it really made my day.

Expensive.......2006-01-07

This is overpriced for 23 sketches and we didn't need the coments from the 11 comedians. The space should have been used for more sketches.

Sid Caesar collection-Fan Favourites.......2005-07-08

Even with the kinescope(?) reproduction, the quality of the collection given its early age, is quite satisfactory, and just as funny as it was when I first watched its original TV production.

Re-packaging of previous box set ASIN: B00005Q65F.......2005-07-04

This is GREAT LIVE TV. But beware, it is a re-packaged, re-issue of the previous "Sid Caesar Fan Favorites" box set by a different distributor ASIN: B00005Q65F.

If you already have that older Out-Of-Print box set there is no need to buy this one. BUT if you missed out on that one, then this is a MUST BUY DVD set!

THIS WAS LIVE TV!.......2004-12-01

GREAT!SUPERB! A PLEASURE TO REVISIT THESE ABOSLUTLY FUNNY SKITS.
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LIKE SINCE.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE TRIES BUT MISSES THE CHARM.
BUY THIS DVD TODAY.
YOU WILL LAUGH UNTIL YOU CRY.

Average customer rating:

I love Bill Murray & Harold Ramis!!!

Groundhog Day/Ghostbusters/Stripes
Starring: Classic Comedies Collection
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000BYRCQK
Release Date: 2006-01-17

Customer Reviews:

I love Bill Murray & Harold Ramis!!!.......2006-07-15

I must say that I love Stripes and Ghostbusters while Groundhog day isn't my favorite movie. I can still quote Stripes and some of Ghostbusters which greatly impressed my teenage son. These movies are super!!!!!! The team of Bill Murray & Harold Ramis is excellant. They really have a great chemistry whether it is acting together or whether Ramis is directing Murray. I highly reccomend these movies!!
Judi

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

Mysteries of Egypt (Large Format)

Hot Chick

Rio Bravo/Searchers/The Wild Bunch [3 Discs] [1956] (REGION

DVD: Brian's Song/Rudy 2-Pack

Excessive Force 2