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THE BOWERY BOYS on DVD: continuing discussion of Warner's eventual release plans (NEW UPDATE 10/2 Po (1 Viewer)

Karrenola

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Wow-woweeee, Bowery Battalion! My two fav lines from DAT one are:

Officer: Do you get any hand to hand fighting at the Bowery [base] ?
Slip: Yeah, we um, get a lot of hand to hand fighting at da Bowery...
Sach: Especially with bottles 'n bricks.

and...

Major Louie: I'll take care of these monstrosities in my own inimitable way.

I see Emil Sitka wasn't credited in this, he should've been. He was soooooo good, his incredible comic timing puts life into a whole production even when he's only there for a hot minute.

Donald MacBride HAD to be the inspiration for any number of 'drill sergeant' parts including Louis Gossett, Jr. In 'An Officer and a Gentleman' and for R. Lee Ermey's real life career as well as his part in 'Full Metal Jacket' and voice as the green army sergeant in Toy Story. Don't know if I love watching him or hearing him more, the guy's a riot.

Know why Huntzie's line is so funny? Because it's hitting that soft underbelly, the guy delivered that from experience and any New Yorker from around his way, including and especially Leo, knew he wasn't kidding. A few guys in the real world found out the hard way just how rough Huntzie could play. Thug life, baby.
 

Tony Bensley

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Here's a Season 1 SANFORD AND SON (Episode 12: The Suitcase Case) appearance by Gabriel Dell, in which he plays a crook:


vlcsnap-2016-01-08-15h34m37s897.png


vlcsnap-2016-01-08-15h33m29s978.png


Gabe seemed to play a lot of these types of bad guy roles in the early 1970s. He's also in the Season 2 SANFORD AND SON Episode "The Party" in which he plays a Gangster Leader. I can't wait to give that episode a fresh viewing!

CHEERS! :)
 

Karrenola

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OMG Anthony!! That IS Gabe! Don't know how many times I've seen that hilarious episode not even realizing one of my Dead End Kids was in it! Sheesh.

You know that reminds me of the years I grew up watching All in the Family, looking STRAIGHT at my boy Billy Halop playing Munsen the cab driver and not even knowing it till the day we lost him.

We sure could've used today's Information Age tech back then, those guys probably could've lived another 20 years knowing how many of us are out here tweeting.

Is there any film footage at all from that Hall and Dell standup routine those two did after Huntzie did his last Bowery Boys film?
 

Karrenola

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Anyone here remember a short lived sitcom titled "The Corner Bar" that starred Gabe Dell? I recall one episode even featured Huntz Hall.
Hey William, never heard of this till you mentioned it. Just Wiki-ed it: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Corner_Bar

Seems this short lived show was the first in the US to feature a gay guy as a recurring character. Any idea if this thing is now PD? Can we see episodes online for free?
 

Dan McW

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Tony Bensley said:
Gabe seemed to play a lot of these types of bad guy roles in the early 1970s. He's also in the Season 2 SANFORD AND SON Episode "The Party" in which he plays a Gangster Leader. I can't wait to give that episode a fresh viewing!

CHEERS! :)

One of the biggest laughs in the series comes in "The Suitcase Case" when Fred, who says he doesn't know the safe's combination, suddenly spouts off something like "25 left, 35 right," as soon as Gabe puts the gun up to his nose.
 

Karrenola

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Dan McW said:
One of the biggest laughs in the series comes in "The Suitcase Case" when Fred, who says he doesn't know the safe's combination, suddenly spouts off something like "25 left, 35 right," as soon as Gabe puts the gun up to his nose.
Aww Dan, you're a guy after my own heart. I actually've got the Sanford & Son theme as a ringtone on my phone. I'll be having another look at that episode now that I know my guy Gabe's in it. And while we're on the subject, you ever seen the original British version, Steptoe & Son? As much as I love Lear and Foxx's adaptation for America, I actually like the English original better. It's deeper and goes even more for that soft underbelly, about ten years before the US version debuted.

But you know what? Neither Lear nor Speight (the British original producer) can claim originality of all the material they used, some if it has the familiar ring of our Boys of New York City. Huntzie used to get huffy and say 'All that came from us, we did it foist.' He had a good point to a greater extent than I used to realize. The main ideas in Hold That Line were, in my view, used almost verbatim in the Eddie Murphy / Dan Ackroyd film Trading Places. Ahh, dose New York values...

And speaking of ringtones, I think I'll put the opening piece to Ghost Chasers on my phone for my calendar appointment notifications. If I'm getting it right, that's the only Bowery Boys film that opens with this 'suspense/thriller' style theme, plus I really like it. Cheapo Monogram sure didn't skimp on their orchestration, great timing / syncopated rhythms, fun New Yorker flair.
 

Karrenola

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Dan McW said:
I watched an Anchor Bay tape of a (double-length/movie?) Steptoe & Son.
Yeah Dan, that was an old movie special I think. The TV series is awesome.

Back to my Boys though, do you or does anybody up in here know how I can see those productions WB does not own, the ones not PD on YouTube such as Mob Town, Mug Town and Call a Messenger? These aren't on DVD either.
 

Joe Davis

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Just watched Bowery Battalion last night. This is the one where the boys enlist during a mock air raid over Manhattan! Not enough yuks for me, which is surprising, given the amount of screen time for Louie. I'm not a big fan of service comedies in general, so that may be part of it too. I was pleasantly surprised to see Three Stooges supporting player Emil Sitka in a small role.


Here's my current rankings (best-to-worst):


1. Blonde Dynamite

2. Master Minds

3. Hold That Baby!

4. Blues Busters

5. Bowery Bombshell

6. In Fast Company

7. Angels In Disguise

8. Fighting Fools

9. Lucky Losers

10. Trouble Makers

11. Live Wires

12. Triple Trouble

13. Jinx Money

14. Bowery Buckaroos

15. Bowery Battalion

16. News Hounds

17. Smuggler's Cove

18. Spook Busters

19. Hard Boiled Mahoney

20. Mr. Hex

21. Angels' Alley
Glad to see someone else has BLONDE DYNAMITE at the top of their list! It's a fun entry that tends to get lost in the shuffle. The plot isn't elaborate, just simple and silly. It's one of the rare times in which the 'background boys' get a little bit more to do (loved seeing Whitey get drunk on 'cherry pop!') And the build-up to Louie's return home is great.

Speaking of the background boys, I was re-watching JUNGLE GENTS recently, and noticed Leo refer to Benny Bartlett as "No Lines." Or at least that's what I heard!
 

Mr. Handley

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Paul
After a short break, I'm back to watching all of the Bowery Boys films in chronological order for the very first time. Last night it was Ghost Chasers. This was a very entertaining entry as the Boys go out to bust up some phony mediums. Satch has some great lines as he and his ghostly pal Edgar (played by Lloyd Corrigan) save the day. A few more lines for Whitey and Louie is up to his usual shenanigans. The only drawback was the fat private detective (I believe that was Robert Coogan, younger brother of Jackie) and his "bit" that he did with his hands (ala Jackie Gleason). Overall, this one is firmly planted inside my Top 10 so far.

Here's the current "standings":

1. Blonde Dynamite
2. Master Minds
3. Hold That Baby!
4. Blues Busters
5. Bowery Bombshell
6. Ghost Chasers
7. In Fast Company
8. Angels In Disguise
9. Fighting Fools
10. Lucky Losers
11. Trouble Makers
12. Live Wires
13. Triple Trouble
14. Jinx Money
15. Bowery Buckaroos
16. Bowery Battalion
17. News Hounds
18. Smuggler's Cove
19. Spook Busters
20. Hard Boiled Mahoney
21. Mr. Hex
22. Angels' Alley
 

Tony Bensley

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Here's some screenshots of Gabriel Dell (As the Leader of a Gangster mob! What else?) in a Season 2 Episode of SANFORD AND SON (Episode 15: The Big Party) from early 1973:

Gabe Looking Cool In His Shades!
vlcsnap-2016-01-17-18h28m17s364.png


With Danny 'Big Black' Rey (Later Known For His LETHAL WEAPON 3 Appearance!) & Redd Foxx!
vlcsnap-2016-01-17-18h31m06s685.png


A Nice (Brief) Cheerful Moment!
vlcsnap-2016-01-17-18h30m03s395.png


CHEERS! :)
 
Last edited:

Karrenola

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Here's a Season 1 SANFORD AND SON (Episode 12: The Suitcase Case) appearance by Gabriel Dell, in which he plays a crook:

Gabe seemed to play a lot of these types of bad guy roles in the early 1970s. He's also in the Season 2 SANFORD AND SON Episode "The Party" in which he plays a Gangster Leader. I can't wait to give that episode a fresh viewing!
:)

OMG Thanks Tony for posting these pics!! You got me started on S&S all over again, but especially to see Gabe in that episode. Tried YouTube but no go, I'll just have to buy the complete DVD set I guess. :popcorn:
 

Karrenola

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After a short break, I'm back to watching all of the Bowery Boys films in chronological order for the very first time. Last night it was Ghost Chasers. This was a very entertaining entry as the Boys go out to bust up some phony mediums. Satch has some great lines as he and his ghostly pal Edgar (played by Lloyd Corrigan) save the day. A few more lines for Whitey and Louie is up to his usual shenanigans. The only drawback was the fat private detective (I believe that was Robert Coogan, younger brother of Jackie) and his "bit" that he did with his hands (ala Jackie Gleason). Overall, this one is firmly planted inside my Top 10 so far.

Here's the current "standings":

6. Ghost Chasers

Know who's REALLY good in this one, Mr Handley? Leyla Bliss as Margo the Medium. That woman was an ACTRESS. She and her husband founded one of the oldest acting schools in the country in Los Angeles. The way she sat down to 'mediate' and her switching from an elitist accent to a Tammany Hall twang just enthralled me.

I also loved the banter between Leo and that 'Madama Zola.' "NO don't call the police I...I've told you everything I know!"

That's the kind of New York line I need The Donald to say. ;)
 

Tony Bensley

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OMG Thanks Tony for posting these pics!! You got me started on S&S all over again, but especially to see Gabe in that episode. Tried YouTube but no go, I'll just have to buy the complete DVD set I guess. :popcorn:
Hi Karen!

Glad you liked the pics! SANFORD AND SON is usually not that expensive and is certainly well worth buying--A great show from my childhood!

It's currently around $32 on Amazon for all 6 (OK, 5½) seasons: http://www.amazon.com/Sanford-Son-C...&keywords=sanford+and+son+dvd+complete+series

CHEERS! :)

Tony
 

Mr. Handley

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Paul
Just watched Let's Go Navy! last night. This one is sheer silliness from start to finish. The Boys join the Navy to find a pair of crooks and the crooks aren't even IN the Navy! That's about it for "plot", but the non-stop gags more than make up for the gaping story holes. A little bit of Satch and the talking bird goes a long way, but overall I rank this one firmly in the Top 10. Look fast for Emil Sitka as Louie's mailman...always a treat to see him pop up in those tiny roles.

Here's my current rankings (best-to-worst):

1. Blonde Dynamite
2. Master Minds
3. Hold That Baby!
4. Blues Busters
5. Bowery Bombshell
6. Ghost Chasers
7. Let's Go Navy!
8. In Fast Company
9. Angels In Disguise
10. Fighting Fools
11. Lucky Losers
12. Trouble Makers
13. Live Wires
14. Triple Trouble
15. Jinx Money
16. Bowery Buckaroos
17. Bowery Battalion
18. News Hounds
19. Smuggler's Cove
20. Spook Busters
21. Hard Boiled Mahoney
22. Mr. Hex
23. Angels' Alley
 

Mr. Handley

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Half way! I just watched Crazy Over Horses last night. Another totally silly entry, but I loved it! The only drawback for me was Satch's blackface routine, but thankfully it was pretty short. A solid Top 10 entry for me.

Here's the current rankings at the half-way point:

1. Blonde Dynamite
2. Master Minds
3. Hold That Baby!
4. Blues Busters
5. Crazy Over Horses
6. Bowery Bombshell
7. Ghost Chasers
8. Let's Go Navy!
9. In Fast Company
10. Angels In Disguise
11. Fighting Fools
12. Lucky Losers
13. Trouble Makers
14. Live Wires
15. Triple Trouble
16. Jinx Money
17. Bowery Buckaroos
18. Bowery Battalion
19. News Hounds
20. Smuggler's Cove
21. Spook Busters
22. Hard Boiled Mahoney
23. Mr. Hex
24. Angels' Alley
 

Karrenola

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I think both Let's Go Navy and Crazy Over Horses are at the bottom of my list, seeing the racist elements and the acceptance of animal cruelty in filming in those days is like eating a burnt Pop Tart.

There's a lovely bird in my home and though we both love the Let's Go Navy 'Brrrrrrhahahaaaa! Two Gs!' voiveovers, that bird in the cannon bit ruined it for us. And what in the world was that stupid bit with the 'native' tattoo artist and his daughter? She looked even worse than that 'dancing' Elaine was doing in that Seinfeld episode, and that's saying something. But I did love Huntzie's rant at the police station about how far up he'd take it and about whose idea joining the Navy was.

I love the ladies Louie gets to mind his store, in Crazy Over Horses it's 'No horses, Louie's oadaas!' That long joke about My Girl in the beginning was dangerous but very informative as to how much censors in those days could allow. The switching horses around would've been great without the insulting bits with the black guy, though his abilities do shine through that messed up script.

I still like these two films, though, they are most valuable to me as historical records of the times. :wave-hello:
 

Karrenola

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Guys, what ever happened to Jan Kayne who did that one stint as Louie's waitress / Slip's love interest in Ghost Chasers, did a couple of stints on the Milton Beryle Show then just disappeared? Did McCarthy slash Winchell put the finger on her or something? Nothing on her on Wiki. I really like her performance in Ghost Chasers. Stellar.
 

Mr. Handley

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Just watched Hold That Line last night. A bit of a letdown after the previous two films. No more Whitey, which probably had something to do with it. It's a bit of the old Trading Places gimmick, with two old coots betting whether the Boys can be made into college material. Satch invents a "vitamin" formula that turns him into a super-stud on the football field (an early form of steroids, perhaps?). Louie gets awkwardly shoe-horned into the plot and the boys dress up in drag, but overall the big belly-laughs just weren't there for me most of the time. I'd rank this one in the middle of the pack.

Here's my standings thru the first 25 films (best-to-worst):
1. Blonde Dynamite
2. Master Minds
3. Hold That Baby!
4. Blues Busters
5. Crazy Over Horses
6. Bowery Bombshell
7. Ghost Chasers
8. Let's Go Navy!
9. In Fast Company
10. Angels In Disguise
11. Fighting Fools
12. Lucky Losers
13. Hold That Line
14. Trouble Makers
15. Live Wires
16. Triple Trouble
17. Jinx Money
18. Bowery Buckaroos
19. Bowery Battalion
20. News Hounds
21. Smuggler's Cove
22. Spook Busters
23. Hard Boiled Mahoney
24. Mr. Hex
25. Angels' Alley
 

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