"The Andy Griffith Show: Complete First Season" -- A Personal Review

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON



No. of Episodes: 32.
No. of Discs: 4 (Single-Sided; "Region 1").
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame OAR (1.33:1).
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Mono (English).
Color/B&W: B&W.
Release Date: November 16, 2004.

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After an agonizing delay by Amazon.com in shipping this set to me, I finally received my "Andy Griffith Season One" DVD set. (The Amazon delay seemed geared more toward nothing but pure spite than any other logical reason, since I pre-ordered the item weeks in advance of its November 16th release date -- but they elected not to ship it until November 28th for some inexplicable reason. Oh well, such delays occur in life I guess.)

Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Thelma Lou, Otis, Floyd, and the rest of the Mayberry gang have arrived on DVD in style, and with unbelievably-vivid picture quality, in this first-season boxed set. The 4-Disc set contains all 32 episodes of the rookie season of one of the most beloved programs in television history: "The Andy Griffith Show".

Beginning with the pilot episode, "The New Housekeeper" (which originally aired on CBS-TV on Monday night, October 3, 1960), "The Andy Griffith Show" settled into a comfortable eight-year run, encompassing a total of 249 episodes.

I can just about guarantee this -- The debut season of "Andy" has never, EVER looked better than on the video we find encoded on these 4 DVDs! I was simply blown away by the incredibly-clear black-and-white picture that these DVDs exhibit! In fact, I'm practically shocked by the fact these shows from more than 40 years ago could look as great as Paramount has presented them here!

There are some episodes that exhibit quite a bit of grain noise during some scenes (the Christmas episode is filled with it), and some of the ending-titles sequences are riddled with grain and dirt (which doesn't really bother me, because I normally skip the credits anyway) -- but, overall, I'd still say that these 32 episodes look mighty good -- very clear and sharp. In fact, even during the "grainier" programs, the underlying filmed image is still very sharp and undistorted (to my eyes at any rate).

My hat is off, and I'm bowing at the waist to whoever was responsible for cleaning up these shows for this DVD release.

An example of the excellent and clear video quality that I found here --- In several close-up scenes, you can literally read the tiny print on Andy Taylor's sheriff's badge! "Sheriff -- Mayberry" can be seen right on his badge in many shots; and the little "star" in the center of the badge is clearly discernible as well. Plus, each individual CRACK in the Mayberry sidewalks can be seen with ease! Remarkable quality! Just stunning, especially for a show of this age! The audio sounds excellent as well, via the 2-channel Dolby Mono tracks. And the audio is elevated to a good (decent) level, too. It's not too "low". Very good.

I think it's a very safe bet to boldly proclaim that "Anj" and "Barn" have never looked or sounded better than they do on these four Digital Discs! This set is "Dick Van Dyke Show" good, picture-quality-wise. (Meaning: this "Andy" DVD collection rivals the picture quality found in all 5 of Image Entertainment's "Van Dyke Show" full-season DVD sets. And THAT is really high praise, believe me!) :-)

The initial season of this sitcom has always been one of my favorite years during the show's 1960-1968 lifespan. We're introduced to the Taylors in the very funny debut episode, which features an incredibly-cute, 6-year-old Ronny Howard (as Opie Taylor) stealing every scene he's in. Ronny's tearful appeal to his father at the end of the show is hilarious .... "But, pa, if she [Aunt Bee] leaves, what'll happen to her? She doesn't know how to do anything -- play ball, catch fish, or hunt frogs! She'll be helpless!!"

Following the pilot episode, many more merry Mayberry escapades from the first season await us. Such as some of my personal faves: "A Feud Is A Feud", "Stranger In Town", "Andy And Opie, Housekeepers", "Quiet Sam", "The New Doctor", "The Manhunt", "Opie's Charity", "The Inspector", "Barney Gets His Man", "Bringing Up Opie", and perhaps the single best (and most touching) Christmas episode ever made for any TV show before or since, entitled simply "Christmas Story" -- in which crusty old town curmudgeon Ben Weaver (ideally played by 66-year-old veteran character actor Will Wright) surprises everyone by desperately wanting to be included in the gang's Christmas party at the Courthouse. That episode demands to be viewed each and every December.

There are no chopped-up, edited episodes here. These programs have been fully restored to their original length, approximately 25-and-a-half minutes each (with some eps. running closer to a full 26 minutes!), including the complete "epilogue" scenes at the end of each show. These epilogues are rarely included on syndicated prints shown on commercial television.

The original voice-overs at the beginning of the shows are also intact here, as well as the original whistling opening credits. (They sound like the Real McCoy to my ears anyway; others might disagree with this assessment however.)

These episodes' closing credits DO sound a bit different from what I think are the "original" closing whistling credits, but I'm not altogether certain. At any rate, even if they have been altered (for whatever reason), they sound pretty close to the originals.

Even the original CBS-TV "opening and closing eye" logo is included at the end of each of these episodes!

These 32 episodes are arranged on the DVDs in "Air Date" order (not by Film Date). There are exactly eight episodes on each of the discs.

There are no bonus features included in this set, which is a bit disappointing. But getting all the full-length episodes from Season One in this kind of jaw-dropping superb quality is the most important thing here, to be sure. Perhaps future "Andy" season sets will contain a few bonus supplements, such as cast-member interviews and original CBS commercials (which would be welcome indeed). But even without any extra bonuses, I could not be happier with this stellar boxed set!

THE PACKAGING ..... This four-disc compilation from Paramount Studios features very nice packaging, including individual "ThinPak" plastic cases for each of the set's 4 discs.

I have a (very) minor complaint about the slim cases -- Paramount has used a different style "ThinPak"/"Slim Case" for this set than I have ever seen before. I've only seen the "Dick Van Dyke"/"Family Guy" style of "Nexpak" slim cases. But Paramount went with "Scanavo" brand cases here. Which is OK, I guess, except that these Scanavos don't have one important feature that makes sure you CAN'T get a "floater" in the mail (or at a B&M store) -- that being: that little "ring" on the left side of the case that keeps the disc securely attached to its hub when the case is closed. The Nexpak brand has this useful "ring", and as a result, I'd prefer that style of slim case.

To drive home the importance of just that little "ring" -- I DID get 1 floater (resulting in minor scratches on the disc) in my "Andy Griffith Show" set, PLUS two other discs that were about half-way off the hub when I opened the cases. Not a good percentage, IMO. If "Nexpaks" were utilized, the "floater" rate drops to Zero.

Anyway, that's just a minor annoyance re. the packaging of this set. I actually traded those Scanavo cases for some extra empty "Nexpaks" that I had on hand. The only problem with the "trade" is that the "ring" on the left side makes a portion of the case's text hard or impossible to see & read. Oh well...ya can't have everything
I guess.

A relatively-strong and substantial outer slipcase box houses the four separate plastic slim cases (which are just half the thickness of a normal keepcase). Not too tight a fit either. The cases slide in and out of the outer box with ease, with no crowbar required, which is nice.

Each of the slimline cases sports different "T.A.G.S." cover art, along with essential episode information located on the inside of the clear, see-through cases (including episode titles, program descriptions, and original air dates). The disc art is equally impressive, with images of Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee, and Barney adorning the discs themselves (with the picture on the disc matching what is found on that platter's ThinPak case cover). When any disc is removed from its tray, a "Mayberry Fun Fact" is revealed (printed on the case insert underneath each disc).

There are no separate paper enclosures or inserts. But no such added items are really needed, since all the info about the shows is available to view right on the clear cases themselves.

The back side of each of the 4 individual cases displays (in a rather clever fashion) the episode titles of the 8 programs that are included on that disc. These titles are listed on what is meant to represent "Official Mayberry Courthouse" stationery -- complete with simulated handwritten memos to Andy and Barney, coffee stains, and dried-on "drink rings". A unique "down home" kind of a touch here, I think.

I really like this good-looking packaging very much. The color photo used for the front of the outer slipcase, depicting Andy and Opie fishing, captures the homespun feeling and spirit of "The Andy Griffith Show" just perfectly, in my opinion. And from a purely physical standpoint, this is the type of sturdy DVD packaging design that should hold up well (and look like new) for many years to come -- as long as nobody is careless and fires Barney's lone bullet through the case, that is.


More Info About This DVD Compilation:

SUBTITLES / CAPTIONS -- No player-produced Subtitles are included, but English "Closed-Captioning" is available.

IS THERE A "PLAY ALL" OPTION INCLUDED? -- Yes, indeedy!

CHAPTER STOPS INCLUDED? -- Yes. There are 5 chapter stops for each episode, including a much-appreciated "break" immediately after the conclusion of the opening credits.

MENUS -- Simple and static. No music. No long transitions. Beautiful! The Main Menu doubles as an "Episode Selection Menu" as well. No Episode Sub-Menus are included, so there's no individual chapter access from the Menu. Appropriately, a "Sheriff's Badge" serves as the Menu indicator/(pointer).


EASTER EGGS -- None.

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"The Andy Griffith Show" has been loved by millions of people for many decades since it first entered American living rooms in the Fall of 1960. Between its first-run airings and being shown in syndication, it's been said that the show has never been off the air since its inception. And now, thanks to Paramount's deluxe set of the show's complete first season, it's bound to find even more new fans and gain still more "air time", via the DVD format.

So -- do Andy, Barney, and Company a big favor and pick up a copy of this sparkling DVD set. You'll then be able to see Barney's debut-episode "jaywalking" tirade as many times as you please, in full Digital splendor, and in pristine clarity:

"Now why did ya do that, Andy?! You know she was guilty. I seen her do it! Now she's gonna go and tell all her friends how she got away with it, and the next thing you know people are gonna be jaywalking all over the place and disregarding 'keep-off-the-grass' signs and everything!! Why Mayberry's gonna turn into a regular SIN TOWN!!" --- Bernard Fife; "The Andy Griffith Show"; Episode #1; LOL! :-)

This Paramount Studios DVD boxed set gets a...........

Highest Possible Recommendation!

www.amazon.com/review/RKSJFOYHL0YWE

www.blogger.com/profile/12501570830179992520

Thank you, Steve.

I don't use them much; but it's nice to "know they're there" (if needed).

Perhaps other "TAGS S.1" owners can chime in here in this thread regarding whether I'm all alone in not being able to get the Captions to work on this boxed set -- or whether the Captions really are messed up or not on there at all. I'd like to know. Because the captions are definitely advertised as being on there. Each disc and each slimcase has the "CC" symbol on them. One or two Amazon reviewers have stated that the Captions are on there and working for them. Beats me.

I tried every "Caption" setting and every "Text" setting on my Toshiba RPTV -- and no dice on any setting.

BTW -- What on Earth do all of those additional Caption settings do anyway? I've NEVER had anything come up on screen using ANY other Caption setting on my TV except the first "C1" setting. But there are seven other options as well. All of which are totally useless, AFAIK. Odd.

Indeed. And after seeing and hearing about the overall quality of Paramount TV-on-DVD collections, it makes me all the hungrier for a stellar Paramount boxed set of The Fugitive (1963-1967).

DanFe -- That Danny Thomas/Make Room For Daddy set is already out (Sept. 28). .....

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...v=glance&s=dvd



I, too, would have liked very much to have had the "Andy Pilot" from the Thomas series included on the TAGS-1 set. That would have been nice, sitting right in front of the "TAGS" premiere ("The New Housekeeper") on Disc #1. Perhaps a future set might include it. But it makes much more sense (chronologically) to have placed it on the first-season DVD set, of course.

Yeah, that "Anj" is a howl in a lot of these early TAGS shows. I love it when he's "pickin'" at Barney. -- "You haven't trouble-checked today? Well, then, let's trouble-check!"

Can you elaborate on this comment re. "interlace artifacts"? What exactly does this entail?


Yes, you're quite correct. The brief reference to "Gomer" in my review doesn't apply to a S.1 set. I shall fix that comment. (Well, at least I didn't say anything about Helen, Goober, or Howard.)

Thanks. And ... "Lots of luck to you and yours!"

OK, thanks Jeff.

Jeff:

I just looked up your Digitally Obsessed review, and noted these remarks re. some technical aspects of the "Andy S.1" DVD set ...........

Run Time: 13h:41m:39s.
Layers: single.

Jeff: You actually counted each second of run time here? (And I thought *I* was dedicated to Anj and Barn! )

Anyway, your 13 hr., 41 min. time is definitely more accurate than what Paramount has on the box (it claims 15h; 15m.).

Your figure averages to 25.65 minutes per episode, which is obviously correct given the show's uncut running time.

I still wonder where Paramount gets the extra 94 minutes? T'ain't there -- unless there's 90 minutes of buried Easter Eggs somewhere. I haven't seen any though.

But your remark in your dOc review re. "Single Layered" discs cannot possibly be accurate -- can it? 205 minutes, over 3.4 hours, of GOOD-quality PQ jammed onto a single layer? Surely not. .... Surely. Not. .... Right, Anj?

If Paramount accomplished THIS type of great PQ using just a single layer of each disc, for eight shows per single layer, then it's a miracle of high proportions!

Is there any way (by just looking at a disc) to tell whether it's single- or double-layered?

DanFe, Dave Miller, and Jeff U. ...........

Any of you guys have working "Captions" on your "TAGS S.1" sets?

Thanks for the info, Jeff. You provide one more confirmation that no Captions are on the discs, period -- despite the packaging being riddled with "CC" designations. Curious. But evidently NOT all that uncommon; because some of the All In The Family DVD sets also dupe us into thinking the captions exist when they don't. Wonder why companies want to mislead like that? Very strange indeed.

"Irresistible" is one episode I hadn't watched prior to writing my review. I didn't screen each & every last ep.; I skipped around the discs.

Just now took a look at Irresistible, and I can see defects ONLY when pausing and stepping forward while in Pause mode. Then the artifacts/wavy lines become visible. But when running the program in regular speed, it looks just as good as the other eps. I've seen -- beautiful (IMO)!

But you're right with regard to that ep. and the "freeze" artifacts. It won't "step forward" smoothly either (frame-by-frame). It's choppy in "step" mode. Of course, I can't really fathom ANYONE wishing to watch an entire 25-minute TV program in "step-frame" mode; but I suppose some misguided soul might have a desire to see it that way for some obscure reason. LOL.

But in "real time", Irresistible looks just as irresistible as the other eps., in my view.

In closing this post, let me just make one thing perfectly clear, once and for all! ..............

"The pick-pockets are mine -- all mine!!"

I'm just curious (not passing judgment) -- For some potential DVD purchasers, are the inclusion of Captions/Subtitles really & truly a make-it-or-break-it issue when it comes down to deciding whether or not to buy a great classic show like "T.A.G.S." on DVD? If so, I find it very hard to believe, and would encourage anyone with that opinion to re-consider.

The Dick Van Dyke Show season sets (by Image) have no captions (or subtitles) at all either, and those, too, are exceptional products, in this writer's opinion.

I'd hate to think that the simple lack of captions could tip the scales so far that it reaches the "No Sale" category. To me, that's analogous to not buying a car I love because it's only got 4 drink cup holders, instead of the desired 6.

IOW -- You'll be missing a lot of good stuff by refusing to buy based on lack of captions alone. (But, to be fair, perhaps that's just exactly your point -- anyone who is hearing impaired would indeed be "missing too much", sans Captions.)