TGG Direct: The Life Of Riley (First Version, Jackie Gleason) (Complete Series) (1949-1950) (1 Viewer)

Brian:C · Apr 20, 2012

This release slipped through the cracks. Saw it while browsing. Hard to find but sold and shipped by amazon for only $6.95. Oldies also has it. Amazon number is : Boo4m20ybw.
2 Disc set released on 2011 by TGG Direct. I ordered it and all 26 episodes are in the set. Quality is good. Soft VHS type of picture. Remember this is 1949. No restoration but very watchable. Not direct from film transfers, just dupes.
Great price for a rare series that I've only seen one episode of,
Brian

Joe Lugoff · Apr 20, 2012

All the episodes can be seen on Archive.Org, but they're the 22 minute syndicated versions. I assume that's what's on the DVDs ... ?

Neil Brock · Apr 21, 2012

I wish the Bendix version would come out but that's now property of Fox so it ain't ever gonna happen.

vnisanian2001 · Apr 21, 2012

Neil Brock said:
I wish the Bendix version would come out but that's now property of Fox so it ain't ever gonna happen.

Well I hope they don't start a "MOD" program, like Warner, especially given their nightmare of a treatment on many of their older shows on DVD, and the fact that they are right up there with CBS as the hands-down worst studio ever in securing music rights. Warner deserves to have one, Fox, not so much.
If Fox won't let the indies have them at a realistic and reasonable price, then they shouldn't release them on their own. It's only fair.

Professor Echo · Apr 21, 2012

Can't beat the price, but I'm the fence about this only because I streamed a couple of episodes and didn't enjoy them very much. I love Gleason, but he was so over the top as Riley, even for Gleason, that I'm just not sure it's a good fit for me. Except for Ozzie & Harriet and The Honeymooners, I have problems relating to early TV sitcoms, especially ones inspired by old time radio. They just seem sooooooooo corny.

Can anyone confirm that the eps on this set are edited? How about sponsor tags and/or original commercials?

Brian:C · Apr 21, 2012

Professor Echo said:
Can't beat the price, but I'm the fence about this only because I streamed a couple of episodes and didn't enjoy them very much. I love Gleason, but he was so over the top as Riley, even for Gleason, that I'm just not sure it's a good fit for me. Except for Ozzie & Harriet and The Honeymooners, I have problems relating to early TV sitcoms, especially ones inspired by old time radio. They just seem sooooooooo corny.
Can anyone confirm that the eps on this set are edited? How about sponsor tags and/or original commercials?

They are syndicated prints but I can't see this ever getting a restored and uncut prints release. I checked the archive.org and the first episode on the disc release looks way better. Viewed on 47" TV. If your not interested in vintage tv of the 50's or Jackie Gleason, I wouldn't recommend it.
Brian

Professor Echo · Apr 21, 2012

No, I love Gleason, but the two shows I watched were kind of excessively Gleason if that makes any sense. But yeah, early television sitcoms are not my fave by any means though I am going to stream a few more and see if I want to spring for the DVD set. Thanks for the info, Brian!

DeWilson · Apr 21, 2012

As some of you may or may not know, the reason Gleason got the part is because Bendix's contract with Paramount wouldn't allow him to do Television - So while Bendix was Chester on Radio still,Gleason was on TV.

JoeDoakes · Apr 23, 2012

Brian:C said:
This release slipped through the cracks. Saw it while browsing. Hard to find but sold and shipped by amazon for only $6.95. Oldies also has it. Amazon number is : Boo4m20ybw.
2 Disc set released on 2011 by TGG Direct. I ordered it and all 26 episodes are in the set. Quality is good. Soft VHS type of picture. Remember this is 1949. No restoration but very watchable. Not direct from film transfers, just dupes.
Great price for a rare series that I've only seen one episode of,
Brian

Are these from kinoscopes?

Joe Lugoff · Apr 23, 2012

No, this series was filmed in Hollywood.

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TGG Direct: The Life Of Riley (First Version, Jackie Gleason) (Complete Series) (1949-1950) (1 Viewer)

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Brian:C

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Joe Lugoff

Neil Brock

vnisanian2001

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Professor Echo

Brian:C

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Professor Echo

DeWilson

JoeDoakes

Joe Lugoff

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