Highway to Heaven - Season Two (1984) Review

Highway to Heaven - Season Two (1984)
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Highway to Heaven is one of my favorite dramatic series so I looked forward to its release into the DVD realm. Unfortunately, we now have two DVD seasons of this Michael Landon classic that features the edited episodes shown in syndication. Approximately 2-3 minutes are cut from each of these episodes.
I am fortunate to have eight of these installments recorded on VHS from the show's original network run on NBC. I know these episodes very well and it bothers me that they are not complete! The episode "Birds of a Feather" (my favorite) features a dramatic scene in which Jonathan makes the ultimate sacrifice to call attention to toxic waste dumping. Don't look for that scene here though. It's not on the DVD version of this episode.
This collection also features digital break-up on part two of "The Monster". Also, the video and audio are not in-sync! The actors speak and the voice comes in a second or two later! It is very distracting to watch.
I did enjoy the audio commentary on "The Torch" by Mrs. Landon and Highway to Heaven producer Mr. Kent McCray. I had hoped for other "extras" but unfortunately they followed in the path of all the scenes cut for syndicated purposes.
Highway to Heaven is one of the best family dramas ever produced. It should be seen and preserved on DVD in its original NBC format.
Let's hope that on the third try this series is featured in a COMPLETE set! Only then will the angels rejoice...



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The New Adventures of Kimba The White Lion - Successor of Legend Review

The New Adventures of Kimba The White Lion - Successor of Legend
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This is an official release of three episodes from the -second- time Kimba was brought to the TV screen. Some say this is the last project that Kimba's creator, Osamu Tezuka, worked on. It is different, a re-working of the old story, and takes some getting used to for us old fans. In some ways the presentation is disappointing; it feels like the series was altered for a modern Saturday Morning TV audience. The new story arc is interesting, tho, and I consider the series worth seeing. I'll be buying every tape they release.

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F Troop (Television Favorites Compilation) (1965) Review

F Troop (Television Favorites Compilation) (1965)
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Joining televisions other military comedies of the day was this overlooked gem. The thing that set "F Troop" apart from "Hogan's Heroes" and "McHale's Navy" was the fact that, while not politically correct, it was fair. The brave men of Fort Courage were as inept, sometimes moreso, than the Indian tribes of the area.
Led with a gentle hand by Captain Wilton Parmenter (Ken Berry), F Troop had a bugler who couldn't bugle, a soldier in the guard tower who couldn't see, and a cannon that usually caused damage to the fort when fired. He was ably assisted by Sgt. O'Roarke (Forrest Tucker) and Corporal Agarn (Larry Storch). Berry was adept at physical comedy, much like Dick Van Dyke he came from a dancing background. Storch was an over-the-top stand-up comic whose routine often lent itself to some fun moments in the show. Tucker was the stalwart Marshal Dillon type. Although a con-man, he had a soft spot for both Agarn and the Captain.
This collection gathers six episodes, 3 color and 3 black/white. The transfers are generally very good with minimal screen noise. The black and white episodes look a bit better, but only because of the oversaturated color of the other episodes.
Overall, for the price this is a great piece of nostagic entertainment.

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Batman - Return to the Batcave (2003) Review

Batman - Return to the Batcave (2003)
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I bought this a few weeks ago and I must say it was very interesting. While not nearly as funny as the original Batman show, I liked the flashbacks to what was going on in Adam West's and Burt Ward's respective lives during those days! Some may have been shocked by Adam and Burt's former womanizing but to me, that humanized even more in my eyes and I applaud them for having the guts to admit that.
Anyway, for those familiar with the old series, this is a fun romp as they try to solve who stoled the Batmobile! Still, I wish they could've done it a few years earlier while the two other main villians were still alive. By that, I am refering to Ceasar Romero (The Joker) and Burgess Merideth (The Penguin). Since this film was made, Frank Gorshin (The Riddler) has passed on though I am not sure about Julie Newmar as I think she's still alive (I know that Earth Kitt still is as she's also a former Catwoman).
On a personal note, I also have to applaud whoever picked the actors that portrayed the younger versions of Adam and Burt (especially Burt as it was dead on)! I noticed they did had to pad the stomach a bit for the actor who played Adam West because was physically in much better shape than Adam ever was! LOL!
I also liked the hip-hop version of the old Batman theme. It was an updated take on it BUT still true and respectful to the old theme as well as the more disco type one they played when Adam and Burt first put on their costumes for the first day of shooting. While I have nothing against rap and such, many times they tailor it to "being real" and that nonsense! I am glad whoever made those two pieces of music stayed true to the spirit of the show.
Finally, the references to Lyle Waggoner, the man that ALMOST got to play Batman! I liked seeing that rare footage of his screen test and the fact they almost went with the OLD SCHOOL costume (which was the same as Adam's only it was a big black bat on the chest/must like you see now on the Justice League Unlimited cartoon)!
If you buy this feature, then may I recommend you buy BATMAN - THE MOVIE from the 60's with it. And if you do, watch the movie first and I would recommend watching it at least once with the alternative commentary with Adam and Burt as much of what they talk about on that DVD is on the "Return" DVD! This way, you'll have a better understanding of "Return To The Batcave."
On its own, its a great experience for those who remember the series fondly but may be hard for newer fans to follow. I'd recommend it to die-hard Batman fans or to those that really want to know about the 60's TV show.

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Three Stooges- Nutty But Nice (1940) Review

Three Stooges- Nutty But Nice (1940)
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This disc contains 6 shorts, five of which are of excellent quality even if not all of them might be considered top bona-fide classics. The other one had the makings of a great short, but sadly is marred by the black cloud looming over it. Since a number of other reviewers have already described the plots, I'll skip the redundancy and go straight to my opinions on each.
'Hoi Polloi' (1935) is an absolute bona-fide classic, probably one which just about every fan has in his or her personal Top 10 favorites list. There's not a dull or wasted moment in here, and none of the numerous remakes of this short could ever come close to topping the classic original. This was their tenth short made at Columbia, and right around the time when they'd finally really perfected their screen characters, their comedy style, and their screen relationship. From this point on out they only got better and better.
'False Alarms' (1936) is another of my personal favorites. There are also too many great scenes in here to list; the entire thing flows so perfectly, with nary a dull or wasted moment in sight. To give just one example, I love the scene where, for one brief moment, you're made to believe that Moe actually stuffed Larry down the drain of the sink! I also love the scene near the end where Curly and Minnie (June Gittelson, his girlfriend Maisie's fat friend) are slapping one another back and forth, though if it were any other actor I'd be horrified and would view it as a shocking and unacceptable act of violence against a woman.
'A-Ducking They Did Go' (1939) is yet another perfect and hilarious classic, from their prime period. Perhaps it's not one of their top-notch classics, but I would consider it a strong second-tier classic. Among my favorite scenes are when Moe eye-pokes the inflatable duck and when Curly points a rifle at his own head so he can shoot a duck on top of it. However, the ending is recycled footage of the ending of 'A Pain in the Pullman' (1937), and feels really bizarre and out of place, particularly since it doesn't really have anything to do with everything else that just happened.
'Nutty But Nice' (1940), the title track, has a plot similar to that of 'Cash and Carry' (1937). A lot of fans don't really like either because they don't feel it's very funny or believable for the boys to be shown as chivalrous do-gooders, but it's nice to see a softer side of them, particularly knowing how much they did for disadvantaged children in real life. And seeing them as noble heroes is certainly a better fit than seeing them as cowboys in all of those Westerns they did, a role that never really fit their screen characters. Even if one doesn't care for how they're cast as do-gooders, at least one can appreciate the great fight they have with the bad guys. (On a side note, the line about the horse they encounter on the street possibly being the reincarnation of Betty's father was a bit disconcerting, since it calls to mind the premise of those unspeakably awful Besser-era shorts 'Hoofs and Goofs' and 'Horsing Around'; the less said about those, the better!)
'Higher Than a Kite' (1943) is a war-themed short, with some classic slapstick in the car repair shop and then some great satirising of the Nazis. It's much easier to watch WWII-era movies making fun of the Germans as opposed to the Japanese because the Germans were only made fun of for their horrible government, not on account of their race. The first half of the short is particularly great because we don't often see Moe getting so much physical abuse and punishment as opposed to being the one doling it out in spades. Although there is one small detail that begs for an answer, even though comedies aren't always supposed to make sense: How did that Bulldog from the US Marine Corps get behind the German lines?
'Half-Wits' Holiday' (made in 1946, though released in early 1947) is a remake of the far superior 'Hoi Polloi,' and actually could have been a pretty good short in its own right. There are some pretty good scenes, like the pie fight at the end and the dinner scene. It also was the wonderful Emil Sitka's debut as a supporting actor for the Stooges. However, it's incredibly hard to watch, heartbreaking even, knowing that Curly had his near-fatal stroke during filming (although at least he doesn't look or act as sick in this as he did in, say, 'Beer Barrel Polecats' or 'Three Loan Wolves'). It's hard watching him take physical abuse in this one regardless, knowing how sick he was. And when he walks offscreen shortly before the pie fight begins, it's a really sad feeling, knowing we'll never see him again except as in a brief cameo in 'Hold That Lion!' a few shorts later, that moments later he slumped out of the director's chair, unable to move, and crying because he was unable to speak. It's even more disconcerting to watch the pie fight, knowing that Harry Cohn, the slavedriver who ran Columbia, actually made Moe and Larry continue filming instead of going with him to the hospital. It must have taken their all to not show their real feelings during the final scene. The ending itself is also really sudden, like the director just decided to call it a day and end the film then and there, even though the ending was kind of in media res. I'm surprised the studio didn't just use stock footage of an earlier pie fight, given how enamoured they were of stock footage. Watching this short feels like being kicked in the stomach, and leaves a very heavy depressing feeling.
Still, apart from how difficult it is for most people to sit through the final short, the previous five are awesome, making this disc very recommendable.

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THREE STOOGES:NUTTY BUT NICE - DVD Movie

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The Unit: Season Four (2009) Review

The Unit: Season Four (2009)
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I just heard on the radio that they have cancelled `The Unit'. I had thought that CBS had more sense than the other big three, but apparently not.
`The Unit' is a very riveting show. You can't help but cheer for the 4 Unit guys. They have the terrorists who are trying to harm America trying to kill them on one side, the snake-in-the-grass Colonel sabotaging them on the other side and their wives are always in danger while they are off saving the country. You can't help but pay attention and care what happens to them. I never doze off or get distracted when I'm watching that show. I guess I should say when I used to watch that show now that it is cancelled. They will probably replace this really interesting show with some reality show where jerks act like jerks.
We'll miss you Snake Doctor, Cool Breeze, Dirt Diver, and Betty Blue. We've looked forward to your show the last four years.


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Three Stooges:4 Episodes (1947) Review

Three Stooges:4 Episodes  (1947)
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First of all, I got this DVD, primarily for the public domain short films, "DISORDER IN THE COURT", "SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS", "BRIDELESS GROOM" and "MALICE IN THE PALACE", as they have never been presented on the DVD format, "respectively", until now. If you've bought the ultra-crappy editions put out by Madacy and Platinum Disc Corporation, you know what I mean. The Madacy edition has a dis-jointed audio track for both "BRIDELESS GROOM" and "SING A SONG OF SIX PANTS"...so out of sync, it's a rip-off. Then, the Platinum edition contains nearly 4 minutes of "BRIDELESS GROOM", and that's it! It is so sad to see that these people are allowed to put these DVD's on the market, with total disregard for quality. Which brings me to the item on hand, THE THREE STOOGES COLLECTION: THE EARLY YEARS, from the good folks at American Home Treasures. This disc is such a fantastic curiousity. Most will complain that the films have not been "re-mastered", or cleaned up in any sort of way, but then again, we are dealing with public domain material, which has been around for ages. Now, we have a DVD that not only successfully compiles the aforementioned Stooge shorts in their entirety, but 8 more curiousities. The other shorts are some that I've never seen. Most of which, are pre-Columbia, MGM two-reelers with Ted Healy and his stooges, Howard, Fine and (Curly) Howard. Then there are some Vitaphone short films, containing the unsung works of Shemp Howard, working opposite several other contract players. A real gem is a film entitled "ROAST BEEF & MOVIES", that stars Jerry Howard, yep, Curly, pre-Stooges! The duration of the disc, runs a little over 3 hours and 40 minutes, containing 12 shorts in all. This is a real treat for die-hard Stooge fans, like myself, and I would highly recommend it. Also, for what you get, the price is unbeatable.

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Petticoat Junction (2003) Review

Petticoat Junction (2003)
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I loved watching re-runs of this show in the late 70's when I was a kid. I remember the opening theme songs being a big part of what I liked about this show. There were 2 opening theme songs. The 2nd theme song replaced the 1st one when June Lockhart joined the cast. I have one of the other Petticoat Junctions DVD (No theme songs on that one Either) and though it has only 4 episodes verses the 7 on this DVD I like it just a bit better than this one. I guess it is because one of the episodes that is titled "The Beatnik" has Dennis Hopper playing the beatnik and I am a fan of most of his work. This DVD is a good buy especially if you are a big fan of the show. None of the shows are in color as advertised, and the picture quality isn't as clear and bright as it could be. But again, one of my biggest disappointments was the absence of the opening theme song. The theme song is replaced with very boring banjo music. If you like the opening theme songs as much as I do you can give them a listen. I had both of the opening theme songs to Petticoat Junction and thought I would share them with other fans of the show. They are both mp3's. I hope you enjoy listening to them.Petticoat Junction 1963-1970 (Opening Theme, 1) (...)

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Three Stooges - Dizzy Doctors (1937) Review

Three Stooges - Dizzy Doctors (1937)
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I've been a Stooges fan for many years, and up until recently, much like everyone else, I took the wonderful talents of Shemp Howard for granted. However, now whenever I watch a Stooges video or DVD, I find myself laughing non-stop at Shemp's lame jokes, funny faces, and hilarious cackle. This DVD is chock full of Shemp, but for you Curly-lovers, there's plenty of "nyuk nyuk nyuks" to go around, as well.
Dizzy Doctors (Curly): A great short where the boys try to sell "Brighto." Brighto, Brighto, makes old bodies new. We'll sell a million bottles, woo woo woo woo woo woo.
Bubble Trouble (Shemp): Not one of Shemp's best, as it is a remake. There's a few great scenes, including Shemp trying his hand at indoor fishing and the Stooges mixing chemicals in, what else, a boot!
Brideless Groom (Shemp): A classic! One of the best Stooges shorts, whether you're a Curly or Shemp fan! Too many great scenes to describe. Must see!
Termites of 1938 (Curly): Another great episode. The Stooges, as exterminators, are somehow mistaken for male escorts. An awesome scene ensues, where the guests at an upper class party rely on the Stooges to help them with their table manners!
Listen Judge (Shemp): A partial remake of "An Ache In Every Stake," which featured Curly. This one is great as well, especially for a remake. Great scene where Moe talks back to a French chef (played by the great Emil Sitka).
The Tooth Will Out (Shemp): One of the best Stooges Westerns. Even if you don't like the Western spoofs the Stooges made, you'll love this one, as dentistry is the main focus, not gunfights and damsels in distress. Shemp does his classic blind act while trying to pull teeth, and the Stooges mix up "The Amatuer Carpenter" with their dentistry manual. You can probably guess what happens from there.
I hope this review has been helpful, but I know if you're a Stoogs fan you probably ordered this DVD before even reading the reviews! "We're not ordinary people. We're morons!"

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The Twilight Zone: Vol. 4 (1959) Review

The Twilight Zone: Vol. 4 (1959)
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From my teens this is one of the series that I more fondly remember. As a sci-fi fan I was attracted by "The Twilight Zone" proposal. At that time I wasn't able to see more than a score of episodes, but they remain in my memory with extraordinary persistence.
Thanks to the technological marvel of DVD I'm able to see these amazing stories again and find them as magical & thought provoking as 45 years ago.
As the structure of the episodes are mostly bounded to a surprise ending or to the argument in a very short span of time of 25 minutes each, I'll focus my review more on outstanding features than on the topic of the episode in order not to spoil the pleasure of the viewer.
Disk 4 contains four excellent chapters; one of them is an exception to the usual Twilight Zone stuff.
1) Mr. Dingle, the Strong - Incredible! This is a joke, a whole comedic episode done tongue in cheek.
Burgess Meredith impersonates a feeble door-to-door seller permanently abused by a bully bar customer. Meredith will be best known by his characterization of The Penguin at "Batman" series and latter on by his impersonation of Mickey, Rocky's manager.
Suddenly invisible aliens mingle into human affairs starting a chain of comedic situations.
Qualification: 10.
2) Two - The story is rather simple in post-apocalyptic scenery an enemy couple is suddenly faced with each other.
The "bonus" of the episode resides in who the actors are. Nonetheless that Charles Bronson and Elizabeth Montgomery, best know as Samantha in "Bewitched".
The story was written & directed by talented Montgomery Pittman who died less than a year after.
Qualification: 10.
3) A Passage for Trumpet - A distressed & alcoholic musician jumps to suicide & enters The Twilight Zone.
It is an episode written by Rod Sterling in person delivering a nice story full of "Bradburian" resonances, urban scenery, and jazz music.
Jack Klugman impersonates Joey with outstanding brilliance & charisma. Fortunately for TLZ fans he will perform in several episodes of the series.
Qualification: 10.
4) The Four of Us Are Dying - A con-man is able to change his face to resemble whoever he wants.
We have again a story written by George C. Johnson with his usual skill.
Once more as in the previous episode excellent cinematography in charge of George Clemens contributes to the excellence of this chapter. Clemens won Emmy Award 1961 and nominations for the same honor 1962 & 1963 all due to several episodes of this series.
Special mention must be done for the charming & glamorous performance of Beverly Garland as Maggie the singer.
Qualification: 10.

This DVD series presentation has two great advantages: it has a very good price and allows buyers to choose their favorite chapters without needing to buy the whole series.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.


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Northern Exposure: Body in Question (1990) Review

Northern Exposure: Body in Question  (1990)
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This episode grabbed me by the throat and never let go. I saw it when it initially aired, and waited religiously for it to air again so I could tape it. I have always been a Northern Exposure fan, but this episode was at the same time the epitome of NE, and far beyond it. There are so many outstanding scenes and such an overwhelming gestalt, that this episode is quite likey one of the top ten episodes of ANY show in television broadcast history Yes, that includes the Newhart series finale and The Simpsons "Homer the Heretic". (For the unititiated, there have been ALOT of shows in television broadcast history.)The best scenes are 1) the town meeting where Chris and Joel debate the esoteric nature of truth vs fact as the plaid shirted townspeople cheer them on 2) Joel's hypothermically induced dream of his ancestors' (whom he has never met) passover seder in the old country where he meets elijah the prophet and 3)Holling's explanation to Joel why his bloodline is cursed and so he "desires no heirs". If by any chance the author of this sublime script ever checks in here to look at the reviews, pls email me so that I can write you a proper fan mail.

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Wanted Dead or Alive - The Complete Series (2009) Review

Wanted Dead or Alive - The Complete Series (2009)
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I was surprised to find all three seasons at such a rock bottom price. Since the price was so good, I thought it might have some cheap quality. I check-out reviews others made for single seasons. The clarity and quality on these is 9 to 9.5 out of 10. I have had no freeze or pix problems as of yet (haven't viewed ALL 9, one-sided discs). The storylines are of the quality that Gunsmoke had during the Chester and Quint years. This is a great deal for any western fan. The protagonist, played by Steve McQueen, is a bounty hunter who balances ethics with (of course) the bounty $$$ he's after. 4 to 5 *s!!!.

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Julia Child - The French Chef (2005) Review

Julia Child - The French Chef (2005)
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Most episodes are in black and white. It's definitely vintage television. Some shows I can find in her companion book, The French Chef - ISBN 0-345-42542-1; others like The Spinach Twins and French Fries I can't even find the individual recipes in the index let alone the show.
Each DVD contains a couple of printable recipes, and there's also a Julia Biography.
The 18 episodes on the three-disc DVD are:
Starters and Sidedishes
1. The potato show
2. Your own french onion soup
3. Bouilabaisse à la Marseillaise
4. The spinach twins
5. Salad Niçoise
6. French fries
Main Courses
1. Bœuf Bourguignon
2. To roast a chicken
3. The lobster show
4. To stuff a sausage
5. Tripes à la mode
6. The whole fish story
Baking, Desserts, and other Classics
1. Queen of sheba cake
2. Cheese and wine party
3. Apple dessert
4. Mouse au chocolat
5. The good loaf
6. The omelette show

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Cooking legend and cultural icon Julia Child, along with her pioneering public television series, The French Chef, introduced French cuisine to American kitchens.In her passionate and sometimes breathless way, Julia forever changed the way we cook, eat, and think about food. Entertaining, fun, and real in a way that influenced every television cooking program that followed, The French Chef embraced Julia's passion for food and teaching and reflected her joie de vivre: "If I can do it, you can do it...and here's how to do it!" Now chefs of all ages and abilities can share Julia's love of fineFrench food and learn to cook some of her most-loved dishes with this special collection of 18 episodes from her original 1960s series, The French Chef.In her signature style and with bloopers intact, Juliademonstrates such classic recipes as boeuf bourguignon from her debut show, salade Nicoise, bouillabaisse a la Marseillaise, mousseline au chocolat, and many more delicious dishes.Bon appetit!

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The Long, Long Trailer (1954) Review

The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
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Watching the Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz film "The Long, Long Trailer" some 50+ years after it was made, is a rather surreal experience. By 1953, The "Baby Boom" was indeed booming, tract housing was all over the place like crab grass, trailer parks multiplied like jackrabbits, and Americans were inundated with the wonders of "space age" technology. Big, flashy-looking cars, refrigerators, TV sets, "streamlined" furniture, and snazzy clothes were the things that everyone wanted to have. It was as if America wanted to wipe away its gritty, unglamourous past and face the space age all polished and waxed and Simonized. To see Eisenhower's America as depicted by MGM in better-than-real-life Technicolor and filmed largely on MGM's backlot (interspersed with location photography of Yosemite Park,etc) I feel like I'm watching home movies that were shot in a suburb of a distant planet! "The Long, Long Trailer" was made to capitalize on the overwhelming popularity of TV's "I Love Lucy", which finally made a star of 40ish Lucille Ball, who had never really achieved "big stardom" in the 20 years she had been in showbiz. So, if you REALLY loved Lucy, you could go and spend money to sit in a theater and watch Lucy and Desi on a big screen in an "Air-Cooled" theater in COLOR, and with no commericials! This film has always been a favorite of mine, ever since I first watched it with my sister on our parents' blonde wood console black-and-white TV back in the mid 1960s. See Lucy fall in the mud (I have to admit I get a rather sadistic pleasure out of watching this bit over and over again). See Lucy try to prepare a gourmet dinner while in a moving trailer, with disastrous results (God, the things they did to this lady!) See Desi perform a medley of songs while driving a huge convertible, pulling an even MORE huge trailer, all in stunning Technicolor. How could you NOT like this film? I must have seen this film at least 50 times when I was growing up! Detractors call this film one long "I Love Lucy" episode which, of course it is, but it certainly isn't dull, and Lucy and Desi were very talented, hardworking people. Who cares about their less-than-happy personal life? The supporting cast is great, filled with many characters actors who had long, long careers, such as Marjorie Main, Keenan Wynn, Moroni Olson, Madge Blake, and Bert Freed. The picture quality on the DVD is beautiful, with crisp imagery and breathtaking color. One can really understand why Lucille Ball was dubbed "Technicolor Tessie". She looks great. The location photography is picture-postcard lovely, and all of the pathologcally "Fifties" trappings, such as the Helen Rose clothes and humongous cars, remind us of a VERY different time. This film is a real time piece, it brings back very fond memories of a time that really seems "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." Where's my TV dinner?

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Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz live slaphappily ever after as newlyweds honeymooning in The Long, Long Trailer, breezily directed by Vincente Minnelli. They quickly find that the interior of a moving trailer is ideal for tossing a Caesar salad - and everything else. That backing up their 40-foot, three-ton home is only a little more difficult than threading a needle wearing boxing gloves. And that trailer-park folks are neighborly sorts who turn the lovebirds' rig into the wrong, wrong trailer by crashing the wedding night. Co-starring comedy pros Marjorie Main and Keenan Wynn (Ball's frequent co-star in her MGM days), this smash was filmed at the height of the I Love Lucy craze and is packed with the inventive sight gags and physical humor that made the series a TV landmark. If you like the Trailer, you're going to love the movie!

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Combat - Season 4, Conflict 2 (1962) Review

Combat - Season 4, Conflict 2 (1962)
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I reviewed COMBAT SEASON 4 CONFLICT 1 where I highlighted some episodes of the season. I want to devote this review to only one episode, HILLS ARE FOR HEROES, which I consider to be one of the finest war movies ever made!
Hills are for Heroes was a 2 part episode which appeared late in the season. It is directed by Vic Morrow and you see the beginnings of what might have been a fine directing career. The story centers on Hanley (Rick Jason) who is ordered to capture two hills, both of which are guarded by bunkers with heavy machine guns. Each attempt to take the hills results in failure, and Hanley begins to question his own effectiveness and leadership. A wounded Saunders provides the support Hanley so desperately needs. To compound the problem, Kirby becomes the voice of the squad as he argues about the stupidity of their efforts. He becomes the powerful moral center of the piece as the body count continues to rise.
If you are familiar with the film HAMBURGER HILL (made many years later), then you have a firm comparison on how this COMBAT episode is structured. HILLS ARE FOR HEROES foreshadows what will become commonplace in Vietnam, namely, the inanity of war, and the great expense of lives for meaningless territory.
Rick Jason, and especially Jack Hogan, does some of there best work in this episode, no doubt encouraged by Vic Morrow's capable directing hand. Some of the scenes are simply incredible. For example, one of the soldiers is shown dying through his eyes, and everything spins about him in slow motion. This first person account of death brings the point home, and Morrow handles it well. The scenes of the interior of the bunkers, and the German soldier manning the machine gun are shot at menacing angles. Even quieter moments, such as Kirby touching an exposed plant root, contemplating that this might be the last thing he touches, are expertly handled by Morrow. Besides the great action set pieces, there is time to flesh out the characters, especially the "Green Shirts", or secondary roles.
I know I run the risk of over hyping Hills are for Heroes to the point where you might end up disappointed, but I am so certain you will enjoy this episode, that you will find the purchase of CONFLICT 2 worth it for this episode alone. As I mentioned previously, this two part episode ranks as one of the best war movies ever produced, and it is a lasting testament to the late Vic Morrow and Rick Jason.
Enthusiastically recommended!!


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Northern Exposure - The Complete Fifth Season (1990) Review

Northern Exposure - The Complete Fifth Season (1990)
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NORTHERN EXPOSURE SEASON 5 EPISODES
1.) Three Doctors (episode 77704)
Joel contracts Alaskan flu; Ed wakes up in strange places; Shelly loses her singing voice.
First aired Monday, Sep 20 1993
2.) The Mystery of the Old Curio Shop (episode 77705)
Maggie probes odd behavior by an antique store's owners; signs of aging disturb Maurice; Joel investigates Jewish influence on American Indian language.
First aired Monday, Sep 27 1993
3.) Jaws of Life (episode 77707)
The mobile dentist's annual visit creates anxiety; a wax sculpture of Maurice is too authentic.
First aired Monday, Oct 4 1993
4.)Altered Egos (episode 77702)
Bernard's new love cohabited with Chris; Marilyn screens dates by their medical history; Joel fears the loss of his New York edge.
First aired Monday, Oct 11 1993
5.)A River Doesn't Run Through It (episode 77708)
Maurice tries to outsmart a wealthy American Indian in a land deal; Maggie is asked to be homecoming queen.
First aired Monday, Oct 25 1993
6.)Birds of a Feather (episode 77701)
Joel's visiting parents adapt easily to Cicely; Holling's disdain for sports causes Shelly concern over their baby's athletic future.
First aired Monday, Nov 1 1993
7.)Rosebud (episode 77703)
Ed faces a career impasse while organizing the Cicely Film Festival; Joel makes excuses for not joining the volunteer fire department; guest Peter Bogdanovich.
First aired Monday, Nov 8 1993
8.)Heal Thyself (episode 77711)
A demon makes Ed doubt his future as a shaman; Holling's jokes during Lamaze class infuriate Shelly; Maggie misses the laundromat.
First aired Monday, Nov 15 1993
9.)A Cup of Joe (episode 77712)
A terrible secret threatens Holling and Ruth-Anne's friendship; aspiring pilot Chris is anxious over the written exam.
First aired Monday, Nov 22 1993
10.) First Snow (episode 77709)
The town prepares for winter; a healthy 80-year-old patient tells Joel she is dying.
First aired Monday, Dec 13 1993
11.) Baby Blues (episode 77710)
Depressed Shelly flees her baby shower; a Hollywood agent wants Ed to change his script; Chris seeks his feminine side.
First aired Monday, Jan 3 1994
12.)Mr. Sandman (episode 77706)
The aurora borealis causes residents to swap dreams, exposing secrets.
First aired Monday, Jan 10 1994
13.) Mite Makes Right (episode 77715)
A musician stalks Maurice, who mulls buying a violin as an investment; Maggie is obsessed with dust mites.
First aired Monday, Jan 17 1994
14.)A Bolt From the Blue (episode 77713)
Joel tries to talk down a terminated ranger from his fire tower; Adam ruins Maurice's President's Day fireworks display.
First aired Monday, Jan 24 1994
15.)Hello, I Love You (episode 77714)
On the day she is to give birth, Shelly sees her child in the future; their relationship frustrates Joel and Maggie.
First aired Monday, Jan 31 1994
16.)Northern Hospitality (episode 77716)
Friends think Joel is a freeloader, so he throws a dinner party; Chris revises his play list after a song he played drove a listener crazy.
First aired Monday, Feb 28 1994
17.) Una Volta in L'Inverno (episode 77718)
Joel and Maggie wait out a storm in a secluded cabin, then Ed shows up; Shelly helps Ruth-Anne study Italian.
First aired Monday, Mar 7 1994
18.) Fish Story (episode 77722)
While fishing, Joel hooks a fabled sea monster; customer demands drive Ruth-Anne to steal Chris' motorcycle; Maurice ridicules Holling's painting.
First aired Monday, Mar 14 1994
19.)The Gift of the Maggie (episode 77717)
Joel feels professionally isolated, so Maggie flies in another doctor; Maurice stays with Holling and clan after his furnace explodes.
First aired Monday, Mar 28 1994
20.) A Wing and a Prayer (episode 77720)
Maggie hires Maurice to help her build an ultra light, then fires him when he gets bossy; Ed betrays Ruth-Anne's confidence.
First aired Monday, Apr 11 1994
21.) I Feel the Earth Move (episode 77721)
Maggie thinks Joel's kindness is making her ill; Maurice tries to duck Ron and Erick's wedding; Holling is the caterer; guest Joyce Van Patten.
First aired Monday, May 2 1994
22.) Grand Prix (episode 77723)
Maurice organizes a wheelchair race; Ed helps a contestant; Ted tries to impress Marilyn with a rich client.
First aired Monday, May 9 1994
23.)Blood Ties (episode 77725)
Maurice turns a local blood drive into a competition; a surviving boyfriend visits Maggie.
First aired Monday, May 16 1994
24.)Lovers and Madmen (episode 77724)
Maurice sneaks a violinist out of a sanitarium to help him woo Semanski; Joel is surprised he is the only one awestruck by his discovery of a frozen mammoth.
First aired Monday, May 23 1994

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NORTHERN EXPOSURE:SSN 5 - DVD Movie

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Three Stooges: They Stooge to Conga (1943) Review

Three Stooges: They Stooge to Conga  (1943)
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Three of the Stooges best anti-war shorts: YOU NAZTY SPY!; I'LL NEVER HEIL AGAIN; and THEY STOOGE TO CONGA. The first is best, with Moe's brilliantly timed lampoon of Hitler, and Curly's Mussolini take-off which instantly became a classic. Directed and produced by Jules White.

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