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Matlock Season 1: Finally

post #1 of 30
1/8/08 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
I have been waiting forever for this series to be released. I know I'll be first in line for this full season set.

Matlock DVD news: Announcement for Matlock - The 1st Season | TVShowsOnDVD.com
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post #2 of 30
1/8/08 at 10:56am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Nice! I have fond memories of watching this (and Murder, She Wrote) with my grandparents. Usually, Paramount's price is right, so I'll be getting this one...just in time for my birthday, too!
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post #3 of 30
1/8/08 at 11:46am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Grandpa Simpson will be very happy
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post #4 of 30
1/8/08 at 1:42pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Stell
Grandpa Simpson will be very happy

If he can figure out how to work that confounded dvd player.
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post #5 of 30
1/8/08 at 3:10pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

now you can hear Andy Griffith creak in 5.1 surround
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post #6 of 30
1/8/08 at 3:16pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Wow! This is *great* news!!!

I really can't understand why it took so long for this series to surface. Some of the same creative people that worked on Columbo also worked on the first few seasons of this series.

Now if I can just find a hot dog vendor ...
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post #7 of 30
1/8/08 at 7:26pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Excellent news. This show was always entertaining and while it may be blasphemy to some, I've always considered Matlock to be my favorite Andy Griffith series (I love Mayberry * also but it didn't have Brynn Thayer ).

I'm looking forward to seeing the video quality of these DVDs. The TV re-runs of Matlock can often look wretched; like a worn VHS in some cases.

Steve

* Mayberry fans should like Matlock since Andy cast various people associated with the earlier show as guest actors on Matlock (Anita Corsaut, Sheldon Leonard, Jack Dodson, Betty Lynn, and of course Don Knotts)
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post #8 of 30
1/8/08 at 8:07pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

They shot the show on film but edited it on tape. Don't expect miracles unless they go back to the original negatives and redo the editing, which is doubtful.
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post #9 of 30
1/8/08 at 10:17pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

I'm surprised Paramount isn't releasing this in split-season sets.
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post #10 of 30
1/9/08 at 7:40am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Pilot not included? I love Linda Purl.
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post #11 of 30
1/9/08 at 7:48am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

"Matlock" didn't have any musical problems which would necessitate replacements, did it?
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post #12 of 30
1/9/08 at 12:05pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen Wight
I'm surprised Paramount isn't releasing this in split-season sets.

Don't think the core audience for Matlock could live long enough for 18 split releases.
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post #13 of 30
1/9/08 at 3:22pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Quote:
Originally Posted by bmasters9
"Matlock" didn't have any musical problems which would necessitate replacements, did it?

In general, no. However Andy did occasionally whip out his guitar and sang one of his ditties. One episode did feature Randy Travis as the guest star (not playing himself) and if memory serves he sang a song on that.

Quote:

Don't think the core audience for Matlock could live long enough for 18 split releases.

Very funny. However I must add that I know multiple people who are big fans of this show that are much younger than one would expect. Given that CBS has released 3 seasons of Diagnosis Murder so far and Universal is up to season 7 or 8 of Murder She Wrote these series that were thought to skew towards the nearly dead must have a much broader fan base than some would think. The casts and writers are usually strong and I know I love seeing a lot of veteran actors on these shows. Certainly they didn't forget how to act when they turned 60, 70, or even 80+.
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post #14 of 30
1/9/08 at 3:30pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

I only make this joke because on my visits to retirement homes I have always walked past one TV showing Matlock or Murder She Wrote.
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post #15 of 30
1/9/08 at 3:37pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Quote:
Originally Posted by Corey3rd
I only make this joke because on my visits to retirement homes I have always walked past one TV showing Matlock or Murder She Wrote.

Absolutely understand and I've experienced the same thing. I got a big laugh out of one seasoned citizen who commented that she loved Matlock but that Andy Griffith was too old

These shows are played nonstop during the daytime on WGN, TBS, Hallmark, etc which certainly are aimed at the retirement crowd that is home during the day.

Steve
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post #16 of 30
1/10/08 at 4:56am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Generally, I think that "Matlock" might be a pretty good series for the money if it's presented properly (good audio/video quality, no music replacements or other edits, full-length outings, etc.).
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post #17 of 30
1/12/08 at 8:43pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

TV Shows on DVD has finally confirmed that the 90 minute telefilm pilot is indeed included with the first season set:

Matlock DVD news: Answer About Whether Pilot Telefilm Is Included | TVShowsOnDVD.com
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post #18 of 30
4/18/08 at 8:08am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Anybody else buy this? If so, what did you think?

I've only sampled disc 1 since I've spent most of my time with the Perry Mason set, but the thing that struck me is how comparitively poor these episodes look compared to the other CBS/Paramount shows that are 20 to 30 years older. Mason, Fugitive, Five 0 et all all look crisp and sharp and Matlock barely looks better than broadcast TV. Such is the reality of a show shot on film but edited on video I guess.

At least the shows are entertaining and Linda Purl is wonderful in her role certainly much better than the actress used in the pilot.
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post #19 of 30
4/18/08 at 1:00pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve...O
Anybody else buy this? If so, what did you think?

I've only sampled disc 1 since I've spent most of my time with the Perry Mason set, but the thing that struck me is how comparitively poor these episodes look compared to the other CBS/Paramount shows that are 20 to 30 years older. Mason, Fugitive, Five 0 et all all look crisp and sharp and Matlock barely looks better than broadcast TV. Such is the reality of a show shot on film but edited on video I guess.

That's not a guess, but a hard fact.
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post #20 of 30
4/18/08 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

I have to admit that I rather enjoyed this set. Hopefully Paramount won't wait forever to release the next season.
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post #21 of 30
4/18/08 at 10:55pm

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

This is a release that I'm thinking about buying but can anyone verify that the S1 set is the uncut versions?
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post #22 of 30
4/19/08 at 5:13am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Willis
This is a release that I'm thinking about buying but can anyone verify that the S1 set is the uncut versions?

According to on-line reviewers only the last episode of the first season seems to have any footage missing:

DVD Talk Review: Matlock - The First Season

I've only had an opportunity to view the first disc but it was fairly obvious that scenes that had been cut from the syndicated versions of the show were back.
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post #23 of 30
4/19/08 at 7:46am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

With all due respect to DVD Talk, they are wrong. The review at Gord's site contradicts the DVD Talk review and says that the last episode is uncut running at about 48 minutes. I checked my disc of the last episode and confirmed that it runs 48 minutes.

The only episode I wondered about was the pilot listed at 91 minutes. A two hour movie of that era would run about 97 minutes. That doesn't mean it is cut; perhaps it just ran short. Any Matlock buffs know for sure?

As I said before, video issues aside, the entertainment value is quite high. I loved this show during its original run and will gladly buy all seasons as they are released. I think CBS erred in releasing this the same day as the Mason set, but their marketing people have more info than I do so hopefully this sold well for them.
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post #24 of 30
7/22/08 at 8:22am

Re: Matlock Season 1: Finally

It's been a few months since Season 1 (and a few weeks since its unofficial "spin-off" Jake and the Fatman) was released. Any news on when/if we may see Season 2 of Matlock?

If there is to be a second season release, I really hope it's in one complete set, and not the much-hated split season that Paramount seems to be so fond of inflicting on the public.
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post #25 of 30
8/1/09 at 2:25pm
I've just got round to watching season 1 and am thoroughly enjoying the program.

I had forgotten how good it was.

What I am shocked at though is the awful picture quality.  I realize that it was edited on video but episode four The Stripper must rank as about the worst I've seen for some time.  The color at the top of the frame is slightly flickering just like you used to get with tracking problems on VHS tapes.

Notwithstanding this, I look forward to watching the rest of the season and already have seasons two and three ready to watch.
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post #26 of 30
8/1/09 at 3:27pm
Thread Starter 
You are talking about a television series, or rather the season, was produced back in 1986. You have to take into consideration that there is a lot of material, television shows and movies, that probably weren't cared for all that much. I had no problems with my copy of Matlock Season and I still have to sit through and watch Season 2, purchase and watch Season 3. Matlock is still one of my favourite television shows.
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post #27 of 30
8/1/09 at 3:45pm
Oh yes I am still enjoying the show very much.  It was just the exceptionally poor quality of this particular episode.
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post #28 of 30
8/1/09 at 3:49pm
Glenn,  Mark makes a good point and I've noticed the picture Q with Matlock S1 as well but as Mark said, it's a great show.  I'm watching this one for the 1st time on DVD and it's been one of my best blind-buys.  Don't ask how I missed this one in the 80's   I was deep into sports on cable TV back then. 

Gary's the one that got me plugged in this show.  That's another one I owe that guy in Fla

Gary knows this, but this is strange.....I'm not a big fan of the Andy Griffith Show but I've really liked him when he guests in other shows.  Weird....his guest spot in The Bionic Woman S1 is one my all-time favorite episodes.  Another one is that spot in the Centennial miniseries.

As for Matlock. I'm having problems pacing myself through the S1 set.  I have that problem with my other favorite TV/DVD's.  Perry Mason's history

Matlock's got just the right amount of country lawyer feel and a good mystery storyline in each episode.
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post #29 of 30
8/1/09 at 6:21pm
I'm definitely interested in trying this one out. I am a big Andy Griffith fan with the original Andy Griffith show as one of my all time favorites. I saw a few episodes of this in repeats and enjoyed it at the time and Andy is perfect casting for the southern lawyer type. While the questionable video has held me back a little it has been primarily the price. I just haven't seen a good enough deal on it yet. Some day.
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post #30 of 30
8/2/09 at 3:58am
I had forgotten how good it was and am really enjoying watching them.  It's a pity they don't make shows like this nowadays.
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