Red Skelton, Vol. 1

Starring:Red Skelton
Studio: Alpha Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

ESTHER WILLIAMS! Just in time for the Summer...looks like another winner from Warner!
Music, water, & comedy combine in a great film collection
Instant Entertainment...Just add water
Finally, Esther makes the dive into DVD

Esther Williams Collection, Vol. 1
Starring: Esther Williams , Lucille Ball , Red Skelton , Cyd Charisse , and Van Johnson
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classic Musicals from the Dream Factory, Vol. 2 (The Pirate / Words and Music / That's Dancing / The Belle of New York & Royal Wedding / That Midnight Kiss & The Toast of New Orleans)
Lucille Ball Film Collection (Dance Girl Dance / The Big Street / Du Barry Was a Lady / Critic's Choice / Mame)
On the Riviera
The Doris Day Collection, Vol. 2 (Romance on the High Seas / My Dream Is Yours / On Moonlight Bay / I'll See You in My Dreams / By the Light of the Silvery Moon / Lucky Me)
Can-Can

ASIN: B000PC8AL4
Release Date: 2007-07-17

Customer Reviews:

ESTHER WILLIAMS! Just in time for the Summer...looks like another winner from Warner!.......2007-07-02

I am going to be broke this Summer, and it's going to be Warner Home Video's fault. Every week they seem to be releasing something I've been waiting for to arrive on DVD.

Esther Williams was one of the most successful screen performers for several years in the '40s and early '50s, and it's no wonder. She was gorgeous, had a wry screen personality, a nice singing voice, and..oh yeah, she swam a bit.

This collection looks outstanding, and it's nice to see that Warner has included their usual cache of vintage extras, including those neat radio promos they have been using lately.

Aside from Esther's spectacular aquatics in BATHING BEAUTY and NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER, there are many other wonderful aspects to these films. Red Skelton is hysterically funny in BB and ND, Cugat is always entertaining as well, and who can resist Tom & Jerry in DANGEROUS WHEN WET. Beautifully done. There are also some great songs here, particularly the Frank Loesser score for NEPTUNE'S, and the Arthur Schwartz/Johnny Mercer tunes in DANGEROUS WHEN WET are all terrific....and let's not forget Charlotte Greenwood's star turn in the AIN'T NATURE GRAND number. Most importantly, there's Miss Williams, who was quite a knockout in every way.

I'm particularly happy to see that the packaging says Volume One. While every film here is a winner (my personal favorites are NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER and DANGEROUS WHEN WET), I would assume Warner could give us another 2 sets of Esther's best, but for the moment I remain most grateful for this first volume. Viva Esther!

Music, water, & comedy combine in a great film collection.......2007-06-30

These films are something like underwater Busby Berkeley films, so if you like the MGM musicals of the 40's and 50's, and/or you like Busby Berkeley's work you'll likely appreciate this collection. I rate this set as five stars for those people who appreciate the light-hearted romantic comedy and music of these types of films. If you are looking for gut-wrenching drama or film noir and are not open to these kinds of films, look elsewhere. Also, if you like the comedy of Red Skelton or Lucille Ball, they both show up in some great comic performances in a couple of these films.

Bathing Beauty (1944)
Costars Red Skelton in a comedy about a songwriter who enrolls in a women's college to win back his estranged swimming-teacher wife. Highlights include music from both Harry James and his Music Makers and Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, Skelton in a pink tutu doing unforgivable things to Tchaikovsky and a spectacular, trendsetting `chlorine-and-chorine' finale.
Special Features:
Robert Osborne hosts "TCM's Private Screenings with Esther Williams"
Oscar-nominated Short "Main Street Today"
Academy Award-winning cartoon "Mouse Trouble"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Easy To Wed (1946)
This is a remake of the 1930's screwball comedy Libeled Lady, although outside of the skeleton of the plot the comparisons are few. Particularly funny is Van Johnson afloat with a baleful spaniel who knows a lot more about duck hunting than he does, and a drunken scene featuring the antics of Lucille Ball. Actually, Lucy steals the show in more than a few scenes here. When the local paper runs an untrue story claiming an heiress (Esther Williams) is a husband stealer, she prepares to sue for libel. So an employee of the newspaper (Keenan Wynn) comes up with a plan to improve the paper's chances in court: He'll arrange a sham wedding between his fiancée (Lucille Ball) and another newsroom employee (Van Johnson), send said employee to woo the heiress, and thus have a real husband-stealing story.
Special Features:
Oscar-nominated Pete Smith Specialty comedy short "Sure Cures"
Classic cartoon "The Unwelcome Guest"
Theatrical trailers of "Easy to Wed" and "Libeled Lady"
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

On an Island with You (1948)
This musical comedy feature moonlight swims, swaying palms, Technicolor sunsets and...cannibals. Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse get the swimming, swaying and sunsets and Jimmy Durante, of course, gets the cannibals. Williams is a swimming movie star pursued by two handsome suitors on the set of her latest film. Features Xavier Cugat and his orchestra playing some lovely songs.
Special Features:
Vintage Romance of Celluloid series short "Personalities"
Classic cartoon "The Bear and the Hare"
Theatrical trailer
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Neptune's Daughter (1949)
Betty Barrett (Betty Garrett) mistakes Jack Spratt (Red Skelton) for the South American polo team captain José O'Rourke (Ricardo Montalban), and relentlessly pursues him. Meanwhile, the real O'Rourke pursues Betty's sister Eve (Esther Williams). The resulting mistaken identities and romantic complications turn into a great mix of slapstick and flirtatious fun. Garrett and Skelton's comedy is particularly appealing. The film features songs by Frank Loesser including Baby, It's Cold Outside, winner of the 1949 Best Song Oscar. The film has a happy ending and culminates in a stupendous water ballet.
Special Features:
Outtake musical number "I Want My Money Back"
Esther Williams cameo sequence from 1951's "Callaway Went Thataway"
Oscar-Nominated Pete Smith Specialty comedy "short Water Trix"
Oscar-nominated cartoon "Hatch Up Your Troubles"
Theatrical trailers of this movie and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

Dangerous When Wet (1953)
This film has Williams playing Katy, a farm girl from a health-obsessed family who finds romance with Williams' future real-life husband Fernando Lamas while training to swim across the English Channel. In the film's key sequence, Williams swims along with cartoon stars Tom and Jerry.
Special Features:
Outtake musical number "C'est La Guerre"
Pete Smith Specialty comedy short "This Is a Living?"
Classic cartoon "Name to Come"
Esther Williams musicals trailer gallery
Subtitles: English (feature film only)

The descriptions of the special features are from a press release from Warner Home Video.

Instant Entertainment...Just add water.......2007-06-07

I am so glad The Esther Williams collection is finally being released. She was the most beautiful star at MGM, if not in all of Hollywood. What a great selection of films too. "Easy To Wed" features a comical, but gorgeous Lucille Ball. "On An Island With You" is a personal favorite and Esther is at her most beautiful here. I am hopeful TCM will release a second volume to this collection and include Esther's 1956 drama "The Unguarded Moment". In it, she plays a high school music teacher who is being stalked by a young John Saxon. "Thrill Of A Romance", "This Time For Keeps" "Easy To Love" and "Jupier's Darling" would complete the set nicely. Miss Williams proves she is a star both in and out of water!

Finally, Esther makes the dive into DVD .......2007-04-28

For years I've been waiting for this Esther Williams DVD collection and hallelujah they have finally arrived. These five films from 1944 to 1953 are the best, but hopefully the remainer of her aquatic musicals will soon follow. BATHING BEAUTY is among the top of my favorites list thanks to Red Skelton, Xavier Cugat, Ethel Smith's Tico-Tico and Esther's spectacular flaming water fountains swim finale. I gave a five star rating just becasue it contains five great musicals. Hopefully the picture and sound quality will give justice for this rating.

Average customer rating:

The Best of Red Skelton, Vol. 1 & 2
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Red Skelton's Greatest Skits, Vol. 1 and 2

Average customer rating:

Red Skelton's Greatest Skits, Vol. 1 and 2
Starring: Red Skelton Show
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Comedy | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Television | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Red Skelton America's Clown Prince Vol. 2
Red Skelton: Public Pigeon No. 1
Christmas With Red Skelton
Red Skelton: Bloopers, Blunders, and Ad Libs
Red Skelton - King of Laughter

ASIN: B0009YA3S6
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Average customer rating:

The Red Skelton Show, Vol. 1
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Average customer rating:

I liked the first episode the best

The Red Skelton Show, Vol. 1
Starring: Edward J. Heim , Eve McVeagh , Carol Worthington , Bob Duggan , and Brad Logan
Director: Ed Hiller , Jack Donohue , Seymour Berns , John Gaunt , and Martin Rackin
Manufacturer: Critic's Choice
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Television | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Red Skelton Show 2 (B&W)
Christmas With Red Skelton
Jack Benny Program Vol 4
Roy Rogers Show 3 (B&W)
Hazel - The Complete First Season

ASIN: B0009N1MH8
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Customer Reviews:

I liked the first episode the best.......2006-10-11

I hope the Product information has been changed. I write this as of 10/10/06. If it still says GUEST STAR Errol Flynn, THAT"S WRONG!!! That having been said, this group of episodes from The Red Skelton Show is a delightful collection. The picture quality is as best as could be remastered from 1950's TV master print. This quality is better than a copy of "What's my Line?" that I recently purchased. The 1st episode has a young Jamie Farr playing straight man to Skelton's inept sailor character, and Buster Crabbe as their Cheif Petty Officer. Any current or former Navy man or woman will get a kick out of Crabbe's reading from the drill manual. The other two episodes have Mickey Rooney as a defense attorney defending.... you guessed it- Freddie the Freeloader, and Jane Powell (who flubbs a line) as a princess.

Average customer rating:

Very Poor Quality
Good old fashioned family fun
Poor Quality
Worst quality video that I have seen on a DVD !
DO NOT BUY THIS DVD

Red Skelton - Vol. 1 & 2
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

Very Poor Quality.......2004-08-30

I agree with the other reviewers. Avoid this one at all costs. Picture quality is that of a VHS tape recorded at EP speed about 100 times. An insult to a very funny man's legacy.

Good old fashioned family fun.......2004-01-29

I recently watched this DVD and loved every minute of it! The entertainment, the jokes, Red Skelton is always absolutely incredible. He's got a terrific sense of humor, and can keep the laughs rolling. There's a few jokes that are intended for the parents in the audience, but they are presented in such a way that the kids don't need to be put to bed early. I loved the show where he was up with John Wayne! Keep in mind, some of these shows were made 60 years ago, or more, television has come a long way, baby! The picture quality is a bit rough compared to what we get now, same with audio. They didn't always have the great recording that's available now. I felt that the picture quality contributed to this disk, this is how anybody that watched it the first time would have seen it. Good old fashioned family fun!

Poor Quality.......2003-06-28

The video and sound was very very poor. A sad commentary on just a great man. Why include the songs. One bought this to see Red not the song and dance group. The DVD was not indexed so you couldn't skip. I wanted a DVD of his best skits. This was just some shows and not even his best. Avoid this DVD like the plague. You will be very disappointed.

Worst quality video that I have seen on a DVD !.......2002-01-23

I love Red Skelton, the VHS tapes of some of his best shows have a great quality to them, so you would think that the DVD would at least be better. Well, this DVD set has the worst picture quality I have every seen.

The only redeeming quality was seeing John Wayne with Red Skelton.

Recommendation: Don't buy.

DO NOT BUY THIS DVD.......2001-04-09

The quality of this DVD (and I use the word quality loosly) is horrible. It's worse than the worst scratchy old video tape. Red Skelton is GREAT, and seeing JOHN WAYNE in a comedy sketch was fun, however, its nearly impossible to get past the poor visual quality.Very blurry. Ugly. A real injustice to a wonderful entertainer.

Average customer rating:

Red Skelton, Vol. 1
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000V4974
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Average customer rating:

DVD has poor VHS EP quality of classic live TV comedy.

Red Skelton - Vol. 1
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

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

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

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004YNV1
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Customer Reviews:

DVD has poor VHS EP quality of classic live TV comedy........2001-07-08

You will enjoy the live skits as Red adlibs with his guests. Unfortunately, you better enjoy this on a small screen TV. The DVD is mastered from a second generation VHS tape recorded at EP speed. The faces are blurry and hard to see. It's bad quality DVD's like this that makes one worry about what DVD companies to buy from.

Average customer rating:

Red Skelton, Vol. 1
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

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

Average customer rating:

No captions!! No color!

Red Skelton, Vol. 1
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0002W4TU8
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Customer Reviews:

No captions!! No color!.......2004-11-24

Having looked at several similar products, I was excited to notice this one was advertised as closed-captioned. I thought it would be a great gift for someone who is deaf and enjoys good comedy. When it arrived, the actual product box did not mention CC so I played the DVD myself. . . no captions and it is in black and white (which was not a big deal). Having no captions makes it unsuitable for my purpose.

DVD:

DVD

DVD

DVD

Beres Hammond: Music is Life - Live from New York

Great People of the Bible: Apostle Paul : DVD

Monkey Business [Diamond Collection] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Shark Hunter

Taz-Mania 5