Ed Sullivan Presents the Beatles

Starring:Ed Sullivan
Studio: Sofa
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

A Really Big Shoe - the BEATLES!
Valuable for Beatle Fans and TV Buffs
WONDERFUL! Especially...
Great Nostalgia Trip!!
The Fab 4 Conquer America!

Ed Sullivan Presents the Beatles
Starring: Ed Sullivan , Ralph Paul , Bern Bennett , The June Taylor Dancers , and Art Hannes
Director: Kenneth Whelan , Tim Kiley , John Wray (II) , and John Moffitt
Manufacturer: SOFA Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

( E ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics, Vol. 4 - Elvis & Other Rock Greats
The Four Complete Historic Ed Sullivan Shows featuring the Beatles and other Artists

ASIN: B0000C3I2X
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Amazon.com

A great concept: The Beatles appeared four times on CBS' The Ed Sullivan Show, and while one is tempted to skip through this collection to watch only the Fab Four's 20 performances, there is historic value in seeing Sullivan's complete programs. With America reeling from the murder of a popular president, JFK, less than three months prior, the Beatles' Sullivan debut on February 9, 1964, ushered a renewing joy into the country's living rooms. The band kept it up another two weeks, sharing Sullivan's variety-show bills with the likes of impressionist Frank Gorshin, comedians Allen & Rossi, future Monkee Davy Jones (in a scene from Oliver!), and sundry unrepentant vaudevillians, magicians, and acrobats. Various problems with microphones and bad direction (one barely sees John Lennon on 2/9) couldn't stop the magic, and by the time the Beatles made a return trip in September 1965, the group's brilliance and wit outsized their television surroundings. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

A Really Big Shoe - the BEATLES!.......2007-06-25

Ed Sullivan, variety television host notorious for saying "shoe" instead of show was the man who brought the Beatles to American television. Viewers are treated to the February 9 and 16th 1964 viewings of the Beatles, newly arrived in America regaling their audience with songs such as "She Loves You," "Twist & Shout," "Please Please Me" and other early hits. (The Beatles were filmed on February 9, 1964 and their act was divided among the following week). As a bonus treat, you get to see artists who shared the hour with the Beatles and you see the Beatles do a special show in Miami for Ed Sullivan, filmed on February 17, 1964. The Fabs engage in some fun banter and the best part was when they harmonized the beautiful classic, "This Boy." I just LOVE that!

For the 1965 video, you get the other acts as you do on the 1964 disc. You see the other artists who shared billing with the Beatles. You get to see Soupy Sales acting a fool in 1965 with his campy, hilariously funny song, "The Mouse." On the show filmed August 14, 1965 and aired September 12, 1965 you are treated to "Help!," "Act Naturally," "I Feel Fine," "Ticket to Ride" and George introducing Paul, who does a solo of "Yesterday." Fans are at no loss for a Beatle cornucopia of treats with this set.

Valuable for Beatle Fans and TV Buffs.......2007-04-03

On September 12th 1965, I remember being allowed to stay up for the entire Ed Sullivan show so I could see my idol, Soupy Sales. I was five mind you. My tastes have changed of course, and I no longer want to "Do the Mouse in my house". While I was waiting for my love, Soupy to appear, I vaguely remember those Beatles. Of course I already knew about them as it had been 19 months since the Fabs had first entered our lives. I remember being facinated by their hair and clothes,and performance. Even as a five year old I could easily hear how different their music sounded. It sounded almost odd with it's chord changes, major and minor melodies,and Paul's screamer,"I'm Down". But odd in a wonderful way. But I was really just sitting through it all just to see Soupy. I also thought, here they are again,because the Beatles seemed to be everywhere and you just got used to that.
This is a fantastic 2 DVD set. Four hours of the four Sullivan shows that featured the Beatles. It includes the other acts as well and all of the commercials! If you are old enough, you will get de ja vu,because those commercials really went into the long term memory without us knowing it. Most of the other acts are only interesting the first time you see them, after that you will probably just want to skip to the Beatles. But the four entire uncut shows are here, complete with great sound and picture. Beautifully restored. The audience shots are facinating for their historical value. The Miami show from Feb. 16, 1964 is really nice. It's funny because for one number John and Paul's mics are adjusted so low that they both have to squat down to sing! They don't let this bother them of course, and just soldier on. Professionalism like this is so rare today in young performers. I guess that's why Sullivan was so impressed with them calling them "four of the nicest young kids to ever appear on our stage",and "a group of fine professional singers and performers". Indeed they were. If you are studying the Beatles, or you just like them, this DVD is an absolute must. No Beatle fan should be without it. I rank it up there with the Anthology DVD set, it's that good. Amazon's marketplace price is incredibaly low also. Almost too good to be true, but happliy, it is. Enjoy.

WONDERFUL! Especially..........2006-11-12

The Pillsbury commercials! as I am only 13, I didnt really no who was who but Cilla Black was wonderful! My Aunt bought this just for me because I liked the Beatles, but i ended up LOVING the rest! Very entertaining. I watched all of it within a night, but it did leave me hanging and thirsty for more! High quality, but I would also really suggest the Anthology(DVD),too, because it also shows a few clips of them on the show. A LOVELY PIECE OF WORK!!!!

Great Nostalgia Trip!!.......2005-09-25

I was 7 when I watched these shows. Great memories. And Soupy Sales is an added bonus!! Just amazing how things have changed...
Not sure if this set will appeal to the younger crowd, but for us aging baby boomers it's a fun trip.

The Fab 4 Conquer America!.......2005-02-28

These shows are excellent capsules of the early 60's, featuring not just The Beatles, but Davy Jones (part of the Oliver! cast), Frank Gorshin (whom I remember better as "The Riddler" on Batman), Soupy Sales, Cab Calloway,etc.

The point of sale, is of course, the 20 performances by The Beatles, presented in very good shape here (as opposed to the numerous copies of copies boots and chopped specials). The sound and pictures being from a 4-decade old videotape are better than expected, and kudos to whoever did the mastering.

In other reviews, the other acts get panned, but they are good as well, Sullivan wasn't just a vaudeville rehash. Part of the problem with seeing the comedians,etc. now is that you need to know about the people being referred to (such as Allen and Rossi's bits with Sonny Liston and LBJ).

Overall,well worth the price of admission for these trips back to 1964 and 1965.

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