Warner Archive In 2017. Take A Shot! (1 Viewer)

[JamesSmith]

Neil, you and Frank, hold Many Happy Returns in such high esteem. What was it about that show that was so special?
Just asking.

James

 

[Flashgear]

James, not to answer for Neil Brock or Frank, but I can give you my 2 cents about Many Happy Returns...it was a single season 1964 to '65 sitcom...John McGiver played the complaints and returns manager for a big city department store "Krockmeyer's"...his corner of hell and a comedic take on the "customer is always right" theme...I don't remember the show very well, I was 8 going on 9 when it first aired... but I do have a single episode from 16 mm film in my collection to judge it by, which was funny...McGiver was a very good character actor that turned in many memorable appearances in a lot of TV shows like Twilight Zone ("Sounds and Silences") and Mr. Terrific for instance...among his films, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Manchurian Candidate...here he is in a publicity photo for Many Happy Returns with co-star Elena Verdugo...

Elinor Donahue (Andy Griffith Show) and Mark Goddard (Lost in Space) costarred as McGiver's daughter and son in law...

 

[JamesSmith]

Thanks Flashgear.

James

 

[Ron1973]

James, not to answer for Neil Brock or Frank, but I can give you my 2 cents about Many Happy Returns...it was a single season 1964 to '65 sitcom...John McGiver played the complaints and returns manager for a big city department store "Krockmeyer's"...his corner of hell and a comedic take on the "customer is always right" theme...I don't remember the show very well, I was 8 going on 9 when it first aired... but I do have a single episode from 16 mm film in my collection to judge it by, which was funny...McGiver was a very good character actor that turned in many memorable appearances in a lot of TV shows like Twilight Zone ("Sounds and Silences") and Mr. Terrific for instance...among his films, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Manchurian Candidate...here he is in a publicity photo for Many Happy Returns with co-star Elena Verdugo...

Elinor Donahue (Andy Griffith Show) and Mark Goddard (Lost in Space) costarred as McGiver's daughter and son in law...

Lol!!! Justin Addison, the weather man on The Beverly Hillbillies, who argued with Granny over Cecil the Weather Beetle!

 

[Neil Brock]

Neil, you and Frank, hold Many Happy Returns in such high esteem. What was it about that show that was so special?
Just asking.

James

My two reasons:

1 - The episodes have always been scarce as the show has never re-aired anywhere in the taping era and 16mm prints are hard to find. I believe I have around 3 in my collection after almost 40 years. Not only that, but unlike many other rare shows, which are plentiful in archives like UCLA and Library of Congress, no episodes reside at either nor at Paley.

2 - I watched the show regularly when it was on and I was 7 years old. Doesn't mean that it was a good show, as I learned when I got to see other short-run sitcoms that I liked at that age, but I would still like to see more episodes.

 

[HenryDuBrow]

Some nice WAC news from their Facebook page.

 

[JamesSmith]

My guesses for June

Symbiotic Titan season 1
Hanging with Mr Cooper season 2 (or 3)
Temple Houston
What I like about you season 3
New Adventures of Tarzan (seasons 2and 3)
James

 

[Neil Brock]

Temple Houston would be interesting. Very rare series.

 

[Guy Foulard]

Some nice WAC news from their Facebook page.


View attachment 37933

Based on the novel by Joseph Wambaugh, creator/consultant on Police Story. I'll be picking this one up.

 

[shoeshineboy]

I'd buy both Blue Knight editions; now if someone added Lloyd Bridges' Joe Forrester to the list, that's a blue triple!

 

[JamesSmith]

News. News. We need news. So far, we only know of two television releases from WB Archives this month. Can we get any other hints for summer releases?

James

 

[LouA]

I'll go with

1) Many Happy Returns
2) The Little People
3) Mr. Novak
4) Adam's Rib
5) Assignment: Vienna

I'd be in for all of those. Father Of The Bride would be nice too. Seems like Colt 45 has dropped off WBA's radar.

 

[John Sparks]

All I want is SHE LOVED A FIREMAN from 1937 so I can donate it to my fire museum Old Fire Station 27, here in Hollywood, CA.

 

[Randy Korstick]

I'd be in for all of those. Father Of The Bride would be nice too. Seems like Colt 45 has dropped off WBA's radar.

Last time I asked about 3-4 months ago they said it still needed to finish music clearance and after that it needed to be remastered. So it is still on their radar although maybe not for this year.

 

[MartinP.]

Many Happy Returns... [...] I don't remember the show very well, I was 8 going on 9 when it first aired... [...] McGiver was a very good character actor that turned in many memorable appearances in a lot of TV shows [...]

I was around that age, too, but remember the show as something I liked watching, I'm guessing because I liked John McGiver. Most people might remember him from the episode of Gilligan's Island where he played butterfly collector Lord Beasley. So, like Neil Brock, I'd like to see some episodes.

 

[Jack P]

McGiver's pompous windbag persona that he did so well in so many TV and film parts is precisely the reason why his casting as the paragon of virtue and nobility in "The Manchurian Candidate" is the most unintentionally funny part of the movie.

 

[LouA]

McGiver's pompous windbag persona that he did so well in so many TV and film parts is precisely the reason why his casting as the paragon of virtue and nobility in "The Manchurian Candidate" is the most unintentionally funny part of the movie.

I watched the show when I was in High School. I recall that it was McGiver's showcase, but he made an excellent lovable curmudgeon and the supporting cast was good as well . I remember it being standard 60's sitcom fare which happened to be set in a Dept . Store , but if it gets a WBA release I'll be pre-ordering .

 

[Neil Brock]

It's one claim to fame is that it was the first series to ever air after a Lucy show that didn't crack the Top 30 in the ratings.

 

[JamesSmith]

Guys. Since June/July is comic con month in several cities, I'm going to guess that there might be some animated series or sci-fi stuff coming out during this time.


James

 

[Larry.P]

It's one claim to fame is that it was the first series to ever air after a Lucy show that didn't crack the Top 30 in the ratings.

When I was helping with "The Lucy Show" Season 1 DVD set, we were going through original broadcast elements and there was a short promo for "Many Happy Returns" at the end of some of the episodes. Since then I have been wanting to see that series. I always liked McGiver.