Russ - further info - I checked 1958 and I see why you would have missed it then. It was against Lawrence Welk.
BTW - It is fun to google a tv year and then check the schedule (like on Wikapedia) It's a real trip down memory lane.
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What did you watch this week in classic TV on DVD(or Blu)? (6 Viewers)
- Thread starter Bryan^H
- Start date
BTW - It is fun to google a tv year and then check the schedule (like on Wikapedia) It's a real trip down memory lane.
Rustifer
Senior HTF Member
Well no wonder. No way was I gonna miss an episode of Frontierland, or a Donald Duck cartoon for some Western about rugged pioneers in rickety wagons bumping over the countryside searching for the nearest Howard Johnson's for breakfast.
Rustifer
Senior HTF Member
Episode Commentary
Bewitched
"The Magic Cabin" (S2E16)
Ahhh, I sure like these earlier simple episodes in B&W, pre-Tabitha and the dizzying array of Samantha's crazy relatives dropping in on every show. It got dreary.
Darrin's fretting over his new potato chip account--he's apparently hit a creative dry spell and unable to produce another highly corny advertising tagline that could've come from a fifth grader. He needs a rest. A week long bender in Reno would do it, but Larry Tate instead recommends that he and Samantha spend a quiet weekend in Larry's cabin in the woods. Larry's been trying to sell the dump for years--Darrin and Sam realize why when they drive up to the place in their '65 Chevy Nova convertible. Ramshackle doesn't begin to describe the cabin--it's akin to where the Clampetts used to live before they loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly. Hills, that is.
But no worry. The dump becomes a blank canvass for Sam as she wiggles her nose and instantly turns the place into Bill Gates' house. Darrin is so excited, he gives Sam that look--which means the newly renovated bedroom is about to get a workout. Magic is always okay when it applies to his comfort and sex life.
Puzzling over a potato chip account; Samantha giving that "I've-got-your-magic-right-here, mister" look; negotiations for sale
Meanwhile, Larry surprisingly gets an offer on his cabin from a newlywed couple. He immediately jacks up the price because deep down inside, Larry is truly the king of all weasels. The couple go to visit the property for a look-see while Sam and Darrin are off on a walk--and, of course, are astounded by the deal they are about to make. It's a damn palace, fer chrissakes--they immediately phone Larry and agree to buy it. "It's too divine to be true", they coo. Sam and Darrin return from their post-connubial bliss walk to find the couple have acquired the place. Oops, what to do now? They desperately try to dissuade the folks from the sale: evidence of black mold, plague, cicada hang-out, bats in the belfry, etc. But there's no turning back. They want it.
Larry, agog from anyone willing to shell out dough for the dump, decides to go see for himself. It becomes a crapshoot for Samantha to juggle changing the cabin back and forth from its before and after stages to coordinate visits from Larry and the newlywed couple. Hilarious.
In the end, Sam convinces Larry to do the right thing and lower the price to a reasonable number--the one and only time Larry displays a conscience. He will still rot in Hell later on.
Randoms:
I could never get over just how bad Darrin's haircut is. It's as if he's applied a cupful of Crisco to shellac the unruly mess into submission.
The newlywed couple is played by Peter Duryea and Beryl Hammond, two character actors with scant resumes who left barely a mark on Hollywood. Many enlist, but few serve.
Bewitched
"The Magic Cabin" (S2E16)
Ahhh, I sure like these earlier simple episodes in B&W, pre-Tabitha and the dizzying array of Samantha's crazy relatives dropping in on every show. It got dreary.
Darrin's fretting over his new potato chip account--he's apparently hit a creative dry spell and unable to produce another highly corny advertising tagline that could've come from a fifth grader. He needs a rest. A week long bender in Reno would do it, but Larry Tate instead recommends that he and Samantha spend a quiet weekend in Larry's cabin in the woods. Larry's been trying to sell the dump for years--Darrin and Sam realize why when they drive up to the place in their '65 Chevy Nova convertible. Ramshackle doesn't begin to describe the cabin--it's akin to where the Clampetts used to live before they loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly. Hills, that is.
But no worry. The dump becomes a blank canvass for Sam as she wiggles her nose and instantly turns the place into Bill Gates' house. Darrin is so excited, he gives Sam that look--which means the newly renovated bedroom is about to get a workout. Magic is always okay when it applies to his comfort and sex life.
Puzzling over a potato chip account; Samantha giving that "I've-got-your-magic-right-here, mister" look; negotiations for sale
Meanwhile, Larry surprisingly gets an offer on his cabin from a newlywed couple. He immediately jacks up the price because deep down inside, Larry is truly the king of all weasels. The couple go to visit the property for a look-see while Sam and Darrin are off on a walk--and, of course, are astounded by the deal they are about to make. It's a damn palace, fer chrissakes--they immediately phone Larry and agree to buy it. "It's too divine to be true", they coo. Sam and Darrin return from their post-connubial bliss walk to find the couple have acquired the place. Oops, what to do now? They desperately try to dissuade the folks from the sale: evidence of black mold, plague, cicada hang-out, bats in the belfry, etc. But there's no turning back. They want it.
Larry, agog from anyone willing to shell out dough for the dump, decides to go see for himself. It becomes a crapshoot for Samantha to juggle changing the cabin back and forth from its before and after stages to coordinate visits from Larry and the newlywed couple. Hilarious.
In the end, Sam convinces Larry to do the right thing and lower the price to a reasonable number--the one and only time Larry displays a conscience. He will still rot in Hell later on.
Randoms:
I could never get over just how bad Darrin's haircut is. It's as if he's applied a cupful of Crisco to shellac the unruly mess into submission.
The newlywed couple is played by Peter Duryea and Beryl Hammond, two character actors with scant resumes who left barely a mark on Hollywood. Many enlist, but few serve.
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Rustifer
Senior HTF Member
Yeah right, Marv. Me and Grandma would curl up on the couch with our pudding cups and swoon over the accordion solos.
For us, Wagon Train just came on at "bad" times. It was either 6:30 Central time on Sunday or Wednesday nights. That's a few minutes before we'd leave for church. The one season that aired on Monday nights (1963/64 - and it was 90 minute episodes) came on opposite The Lucy Show/The Danny Thomas Show/The Andy Griffith Show (on CBS). There was no way we kids were going to miss that trio for a drama about a bunch of people in wagons. I saw the open and a minute or two of the show a few times during its original airings (had to leave and no "kid friendly" programs were opposite) but that was it.
I really didn't see it until a few years back after purchasing one of those random tins TMC released. That one has 3 discs from S1 and 3 discs of other "best of" type episodes. It's been a few years so I don't remember how it looked (and I can't put my hands on it at the moment to double check - it's in storage). I don't even recall my impressions of the series. That means I wasn't that impressed or possibly felt it was a rather generic western. I know it has to have been well loved as it ran 8 seasons. Then, too, there were *lots* of westerns in those days (fairly easy and relatively inexpensive to produce plus they tended to fit the morality tale style of storytelling so prevalent then) and after a while they just tended to run together (part of what killed the genre).
I really didn't see it until a few years back after purchasing one of those random tins TMC released. That one has 3 discs from S1 and 3 discs of other "best of" type episodes. It's been a few years so I don't remember how it looked (and I can't put my hands on it at the moment to double check - it's in storage). I don't even recall my impressions of the series. That means I wasn't that impressed or possibly felt it was a rather generic western. I know it has to have been well loved as it ran 8 seasons. Then, too, there were *lots* of westerns in those days (fairly easy and relatively inexpensive to produce plus they tended to fit the morality tale style of storytelling so prevalent then) and after a while they just tended to run together (part of what killed the genre).
Flashgear
Senior HTF Member
I agree of course, your reviews are supremely witty, Russ...we enjoy them immensely...you should perhaps consider attending an open mike night at your local comedy club (do those even still exist outside major markets in this comedy killing PC era?) I know you have only posted a few examples of your ad copy on HTF, but judging from your obvious comedic talent for satire and sarcasm, I'm sure you must have worked it in as much as you possibly could in your career. About Dick York's buttoned down wet head look...you would think wearing your hair tied down that tightly would be painful, I don't know...I should have asked my brother how his ducktail felt in the early '60s, I don't know if it was crisco in there, or motor oil.
Apparently, Universal brilliantly remastered season 1 to 7 (don't have season 8 yet) of The Virginian from their original 35 mm film elements when Encore Westerns wanted to strip run it for their cable channel. Good fortune for Timeless to release them in stunning deluxe fashion on DVD, with newly produced on camera interviews with some of the original cast. Season 9, the last season reboot, Men From Shiloh with Stewart Granger and Lee Majors (with a ghastly '70s porn moustache and sideburns down to his chesthair) coming on as co-stars with James Drury and Doug McClure, remains on DVD in OK video, as it didn't receive the same treatment by Universal. I won't be picking that one up. Wagon Train (the NBC years, 1957-62) looks good to very good in the Timeless sets. To my eyes, the latter 3 ABC years look mostly good to very good with the 90 minute color season 7 being the edited syndicated cuts, with about 3 to 4 minutes cut out for running times in the 70-71 minute range. The return to B+W season 8 is still very watchable to very good in PQ depending on the episode, but the least impressive of the Wagon Train Timeless sets as to PQ. Good audio on all. There are 39 one hour episodes in season one of Wagon Train...many big name guest stars in the whole run like Robert Ryan, Walter Pidgeon, Bette Davis, Jane Wyman, Sterling Hayden etc. Even John Ford directed one episode for his friend Ward Bond in season 4, not long before Bond's sudden death. John Wayne does a cameo in shadow silhouette in the Ford directed episode. John McIntire (also in S6 and 7 of The Virginian) is his usual comfortable and reliable self. Ernest Borgnine guest starred in the very first and very last episodes of the series. I'm glad to have the series on DVD, as it was as much of a staple in our household as Bonanza, Gunsmoke and Rawhide were. If I can find the time, I'll take some screen caps from the TMG Wagon Train DVDs and post them here.
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Many Saturday nights - early (here it ran in syndication as well as "live" for some reason with the syndication episode airing around 5:30 or so - there was *always* something else to watch during the later, network, episode) - left The Lawrence Welk Show as the only choice (or rather the better of the available choices). If it wasn't nice enough to be outside that's what I'd "watch" usually as I read and/or did other things with the set on. I always hoped the Lennon Sisters would be on as I had a crush on Kathy and Peggy.
And a one and a two and a...
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Many Saturday nights - early (here it ran in syndication as well as "live" for some reason with the syndication episode airing around 5:30 or so - there was *always* something else to watch during the later, network, episode) - left The Lawrence Welk Show as the only choice (or rather the better of the available choices). If it wasn't nice enough to be outside that's what I'd "watch" usually as I read and/or did other things with the set on. I always hoped the Lennon Sisters would be on as I had a crush on Kathy and Peggy.
And a one and a two and a...
I remember many nights of being bored stiff having to sit through The Lawrence Welk Show at my grandparents house. It didn't help matters for this TV nut (who had to watch the tube, no matter what, if it was on) that I had to suffer through 60 Minutes and All in the Family afterwards.
Thanks for the feedback on the Wagon Train sets, Randall...plus confirming what I've heard about the inferior quality of Men From Shiloh (S9 version of The Virginian). Too bad it doesn't look so hot...love that Ennio Morricone theme tune, though!
We have determined that I'm a very early TV brat (OK - I'm older than dirt - worse, I'm older than Russ). I spent my first TV year (1949-50) at my Grandmothers and she liked The Liberace show, The Kate Smith Hour, Life begins at 80 and at least one I liked Kukla, Fran, and Ollie. Yep TV time could get pretty boring. Oh - she also watched wrestling when Gorgeous George was on.Many Saturday nights - early (here it ran in syndication as well as "live" for some reason with the syndication episode airing around 5:30 or so - there was *always* something else to watch during the later, network, episode) - left The Lawrence Welk Show as the only choice (or rather the better of the available choices). If it wasn't nice enough to be outside that's what I'd "watch" usually as I read and/or did other things with the set on. I always hoped the Lennon Sisters would be on as I had a crush on Kathy and Peggy.
And a one and a two and a...
You have to remember, at this stage of television we had a morning show that would scroll the weather temps from around the world as they played "Ragmop" and put the camera on a pair of Guinea Pigs in a cage. Almost as good as some of todays shows.
CORRECTION - As comes with age some of my dates are off. I did watch Liberace with my Grandma but the show didn't start until 1952.
And to keep this thread somewhat on topic - Liberace streams on Amazon Prime who also sells DVDs of Kate Smith and Kukla Fran & Ollie
Liberace
Kate Smith Hour
Kukla Fran & Ollie
Gorgeous George Wrestling
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I saw Kukla, Fran, & Ollie a few times but couldn't say just when. I was born in 1955 so it's likely it was a rerun of some type as the show ended in 57. I do know they creeped me out a bit and have often wondered if they're why I've never cared for "puppet shows" of any type.
My maternal grandmother *loved* wrestling. My mom was a hairdresser and did grandma's hair (a perm) once a month. They *always* came on Saturday morning, arriving in time to watch "Studio Wrestling." I loved my grandma but hated wrestling (still do) and that she came and disrupted my normal Saturday cartoon regimen was very conflicting. I can still see her wiry frame bouncing up and down on the chair, fists pumping the air, yelling at the TV: "Look out! He's got a chair! He's got a CHAIR!! He's gonna get ya with it!" She absolutely loved Jerry Lawler and hated Tojo Yamamoto. Tojo would wear traditional Japanese sandals and often take one into the ring to use as a weapon.
Lawler in his early years:
Tojo Yamamoto (real name - Harold Watanabe) and the type sandals he used:
I also saw The Liberace Show a few times. It had to have been when there was nothing else on as my parents nor grandparents ever watched that one.
My dad loved The Dean Martin Show. I just happened to be watching with him (like some of you guys, I'm a life long TV nut and would/will watch anything that's on even if I don't like it) the night they substituted a balsa wood piano. Dean came out the door, skipped over to the piano, hopped on it like always, and it collapses. I've never seen dad laugh so hard - ever - before or since.
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I saw Kukla, Fran, & Ollie a few times but couldn't say just when. I was born in 1955 so it's likely it was a rerun of some type as the show ended in 57. I do know they creeped me out a bit and have often wondered if they're why I've never cared for "puppet shows" of any type.
My maternal grandmother *loved* wrestling. My mom was a hairdresser and did grandma's hair (a perm) once a month. They *always* came on Saturday morning, arriving in time to watch "Studio Wrestling." I loved my grandma but hated wrestling (still do) and that she came and disrupted my normal Saturday cartoon regimen was very conflicting. I can still see her wiry frame bouncing up and down on the chair, fists pumping the air, yelling at the TV: "Look out! He's got a chair! He's got a CHAIR!! He's gonna get ya with it!" She absolutely loved Jerry Lawler and hated Tojo Yamamoto. Tojo would wear traditional Japanese sandals and often take one into the ring to use as a weapon.
Lawler in his early years:
Tojo Yamamoto (real name - Harold Watanabe) and the type sandals he used:
I also saw The Liberace Show a few times. It had to have been when there was nothing else on as my parents nor grandparents every watched that one.
My dad loved The Dean Martin Show. I just happened to be watching with him (like some of you guys, I'm a life long TV nut and would/will watch anything that's on even if I don't like it) the night they substituted a balsa wood piano. Dean came out the door, skipped over to the piano, hopped on it like always, and it collapses. I've never seen dad laugh so hard - ever - before or since.
I Still love the Dean Martin show. It is hard to get complete uncut versions. In fact I have a fondness for Variety type shows in general and I miss them. One great one was the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show. In one night you could see a juggler, a comedian, listen to big band, pop, and rock and roll. In fact contrary to popular opinion, Elvis first TV performance was there and not on Ed Sullivan.
ADDED actual performance
ADDED: You guys got me searching again and I ran across this site.
https://www.reruncentury.com/series/pd/?s=1309
It lists TV listings by year along with links to many shows in public domain and links to DVDs for others. FUN.
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Nice find, Marv! That's a pretty cool site and pairs very well with Wikipedia's TV listings. I especially like the Amazon links to physical media (although they're mostly title searches so you have to be careful to make sure you get what you're looking for - a few really don't have the series you might want - Swiss Family Robinson is one of the 70s shows like that - the one that aired on ABC has never seen DVD release but there are 2 other TV series on the link, neither of which is the Irwin Allen one with a young Helen Hunt and Willie Aames).
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Yea - The only Swiss Family Robinson I've seen is Gray Market.
Rustifer
Senior HTF Member
As always Randall, thanks much your your kind words and support, as well as all others here that seem to tolerate my demented scribbles.
Here's a small secret: I like writing my commentaries even more than you guys endure reading them. Having long since retired from my ad career, this is a cathartic exercise for me to jiggle my brain synapses to squeeze out whatever creative juices I have left.
My lovely wife, who still works, asks me each morning the question I dread most; "What are you going to do today?"
Well, I can't say I'm training for a 5K marathon, going fishing for bass in some remote lake, volunteering at the local soup kitchen or anything else that sounds more active than watching old TV shows--because I'm not. It took me 50 damn years of hard work to finally achieve the privilege of couch potato status. But when I explain to her that I'm reviewing classic shows, taking notes, writing and editing my efforts--she accepts it as productive. Whew.
Okay, I still mow the lawn, cook weekend meals and occasionally get the mail just to avoid the appearances of being a total slug.
Bryan^H
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2005
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- 9,537
The Brady Brides (1981)
Gorilla of My Dreams
The quality of the DVD is pretty sub-standard. Color pops, but the poor clarity in detail ruin the experience a bit. But this is the best it will ever look and it is indeed a rarity so I am quite satisfied.
Gorilla of My Dreams
The quality of the DVD is pretty sub-standard. Color pops, but the poor clarity in detail ruin the experience a bit. But this is the best it will ever look and it is indeed a rarity so I am quite satisfied.
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Rustifer
Senior HTF Member
Yeah you are. You still got your musket from Gettysburg?
Rustifer
Senior HTF Member
Great posts, Howie. Even more interesting than what we used to watch is what we remember our lives were like back then. Incredibly relatable for many of us.
ClassicTVMan1981X
Screenwriter
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Bryan^H
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2005
- Messages
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bmasters9
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2008
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- 6,480
- Real Name
- Ben Masters
CBSTD?
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