Mame (1974) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This film has been considered a critical failure since the day it was released, and very unjustly so. I happen to find MAME quite charming and a lot of fun. The casting is super. I do not think Lucy was miscast, although I can understand how one might arrive at that opinion... Lucy was 62 years old during filming, but was playing a character 15-20 years her junior. Furthermore, one thing Lucy was NOT known for was being a singer, even though Mame is a musical role. But that's just what I find all the more appealing about this film... context is the key word here. Mame is not supposed to be Julie Andrews or Kathryn Grayson (although there are any number of musical actresses who would have made a fine Mame); a lower more raspy voice is more suited to the character. While no one will ever be able to top Rosalind Russell from the earlier nonmusical play and its 1958 film adaptation AUNTIE MAME, or Angela Lansbury from the Broadway cast of the musical, Lucy is in there trying her darndest and in my opinion pulls it off rather well. Playing Mame at 62 years old was no easy task I'm sure. Lucy really seems to be enjoying herself--just watch her during the "Mame" number...she almost seems to glow.
The supporting cast are outstanding. Bea Arthur is THE best Vera Charles, hands down. Seeing her and Lucy in "Bosom Buddies" is classic--whether or not they got along off camera is totally irrelavent. Robert Preston was born to play Beau, and Jane Connell reprises her role of Agnes Gooch, which she had played on Broadway. (Did you know she was nearly 50 in this film?)
MAME has been available on VHS for years, though it is now out of print, but still not really that hard to track down if you play your cards right. Unfortunately the VHS, while acceptable, is full frame (aka "pan-n-scan") and we really miss a lot by not having it in widescreen. The AUNTIE MAME DVD features the trailer for this film, in widescreen, and even that is fabulous.
COMING TO DVD IN JUNE 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mame (1974)

Lucille Ball plays Auntie mame, loving life and living it to the hilt with her nephew and assorted eccentrics in tow. Robert Preston, Beatrice Arthur and Jerry Herman's smashing Broadway score add pizazz. Year: 1974 Director: Gene Saks Starring: Lucille Ball. Robert Preston, Bea Arthur

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Mame (1974)

The Jeffersons - The Complete Third Season (1975) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)No changes within the cast yet. One highlight from this season was when Lionel Jefferson(Damon Evans) and Jenny Willis(Belinda Tolbert) became husband and wife. This episode first aired in December 1976. DE joined the Jeffersons cast in the summer of 1975 after Mike Evans,who played Lionel originally,left to produce another CBS sitcom,Good Times,which he had co-created. ME would return for the seventh season in 1980. Olivia Jefferson,George's mother still frequently visited George(Sherman Hemsley) and Louise(Isabel Sanford). Marla Gibbs is now officially a Jeffersons cast member as Florence Johnston,the Jeffersons' wise-cracking no-nonsense maid. She even guest-starred in the series premiere episode. We still hear "honky" and "zebra" coming out of George's mouth. The "honkies" are the Jeffersons' neighbor Tom Willis(Franklin Cover),their next door neighbor Harry Bentley(Paul Benedict),doorman Ralph Hart(Ned Wertimer in a recurring role) and bank President H.W. Whittendale who is also the Jeffersons',the Willises and Harry's landlord. The "zebra" is Jenny,who's half-caucasian on her father Tom's side and half-negro on her mother Helen's(Tom's wife played by the late Roxie Roker) side. Sadly,Sanford passed away on July 9,2004 at age 86 of complications from pneumonia. She was hospitalized five days earlier. Several months earlier,she received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. So I dedicate this item to the memory of Sanford.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Jeffersons - The Complete Third Season (1975)

Get ready to "move on up" with the nonstop comedic fun of the third season of THE JEFFERSONS, one of the most critically-acclaimed and groundbreaking sitcoms in TV history. With an irresistible combination of biting social satire and pure hilarity, America's funniest cast of characters are all on hand to deliver even more laughs: Geroge Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) takes up flying, wife Weezy (Isabel Sanford) struggles to keep her cool around Mother Jefferson (Zara Culley), maid Florence (Marla Gibbs) moved on in and starts trouble, son Lionel (Mike Evans) married the daughter of the next-door-neighbors, interracial couple Helen and Tom Willis (Roxie Roker and Franklin Cover), and neighbor Harry Bentley (Paul Benedict) lands himself in jail after punching out a police officer not to mention all the other wacky characters who shake things up in the "dee-luxe apartment in the sky." Created by legendary television producer Norman Lear, THE JEFFERSONS brilliantly used humor to smash stereotypes and attract huge audiences, making it one of the most popular and longest-running (1975-1985) TV comedy series ever. Remastered and made available on DVD for the very first time, this collector's three-disc set features all 24 episodes from Season Three. Sit back and let THE JEFFERSONS lift you, because now you "finally got a piece of the pie."

Get 45% OFF

Click here for more information about The Jeffersons - The Complete Third Season (1975)

What's Happening: The Complete Third Season (1976) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just for the information, Season Three (September 1978 - April 1979) was the highest in it's rating reaching 28th by oudience size out of the best 30 TV shows.
In 1978 Raj and Rerun graduated from High School and moved into a shared apartment nearby. While Raj Entered College and rerun went to work. Their new neighbors were Big Earl (Police Detective) and his son Little Earl.
Six years after the 3rd season the show returned with a new name "What's Happening now" with most of the original cast.
I hope they will release "WHAT'S HAPPINING NOW" show so we can have all of the 1980's seasons too. Thanks.


Click Here to see more reviews about: What's Happening: The Complete Third Season (1976)

Get ready to laugh yourself crazy with the third and final season of "WHAT'S HAPPENING!!", the coolest comedy of the '70s. Raj, Rerun, Dwayne, Shirley and Dee are back in 22 outrageous episodes. Raj and Rerun are sharing an apartment this year, with more chances for wacky situations. Don't miss Rerun dreaming he's the Fonz, Raj's attempts to play it cool and impress an older woman, Dee's cheerleading tryout, Shirley's chance at true love, and Dwayne in drag as Suzanne Somers! Along for the ride are Raj's college buddy Snake, cop Big Earl and his son Little Earl (who has a crush on Dee). Is there money hidden in the house? Will Shirley's cookies mean big bucks? Can Rerun win the big disco contest? How hard can you laugh? Get all the answers in this collection of one of TV's greatest hits.

Get 25% OFF

Click here for more information about What's Happening: The Complete Third Season (1976)

Good Times - The Complete Third Season (1974) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)By Season Three, Good Times had fully hit its amazingly entertaining stride, delivering nonstop laughs week in and week out while beginning to introduce some more serious issues into the lives of the Evans family. People always say that J.J. got the most attention, and he certainly did draw in a lion's share of the audience (especially kids like me, who placed him behind only Fonzie on our list of characters to be imitated) with his obligatory Kid Dy-No-Mite pronouncements and hilariously goofy behavior, but the heart and soul of Good Times was still James Evans. Watching all these episodes again has been a real revelation to me. When I was a kid, I didn't like James - he sort of scared me because he was yelling all the time. As an adult, though, I have a much better appreciation of the remarkable job John Amos did playing such a strong and truly heroic husband and father who worked like a dog to support his family. Amos gives his best performance ever in Season Three's episode The Family Tree, in which he meets and comes to terms with his own father, a man who walked out on his family when James was still a kid. As for all that yelling - well, it's usually hilarious and, more importantly, understandable given the family's situation.
The Evans family experienced a number of fairly momentous events in Season Three. Thelma got engaged and almost moved to California; J.J. eloped, only finding out in the nick of time that his beloved was a junkie; Florida had to have gall bladder surgery, an event which put the family in bad economic straits for awhile (J.J.'s twelve cavities didn't help much, either); Michael got the family on the FBI watch list by requesting information from the government of Cuba; Florida got herself thrown in the slammer after picketing the local meat market (bad meat market, to be exact); Florida's bank-robbing nephew showed up and threw the family in turmoil; and J.J. learned he might have VD. Jay Leno and Debbie Allen put in guest appearances, J.J. sported his chicken- and ribs-delivery hats for the first time, Bookman turned up again and actually put on quite a show at the season-ending rent party episode (which also features the memorable "Supremes" performance), and - best of all - you had the first appearance of the man, the legend, the icon - Sweet Daddy Williams.
J.J.'s catch phrases can get a little old if you watch these episodes one after another, as do the constant arguments between J.J., Thelma, and Michael, but this was probably the show's funniest season. There is even comedy to be found in the worst of the family's struggles. Perhaps my favorite line from the whole show belongs to James - lamenting the money problems he faces after Florida's operation, he complains that his tombstone will say "Here lies James Evans, back in the hole again." Good Times was still a great show in its later seasons, but it was really never the same after Season Three and John Amos' exit.
I can't imagine not having grown up watching Good Times - during its original run and then, for many years, in syndication. I came home from school to shows like Good Times, What's Happening!!, Sanford and Son, and Happy Days; all kids have nowadays are, ugh, talk shows. Good Times was family entertainment at its best. If you're a parent, do your kids a favor and let them see just how funny TV used to be.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Good Times - The Complete Third Season (1974)

GOOD TIMES:COMPLETE THIRD SEASON - DVD Movie

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Good Times - The Complete Third Season (1974)

The Jeffersons - The Complete Sixth Season (1975) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Wow! I feel like a little kid at Xmas time, with the long awaited release of Maude on March 20th, a six season release of All in the Family Feb. 13th, and another installment of The Jeffersons!!! Thank you Sony!!! Eventhough I'm thankful to see The Jeffersons being released, it would be nice if there was some kind of tribute or rememberance of cast members who are no longer with us, which include Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Isabel Sanford, and Mike Evans. I was looking at an episode of All in the Family today on dvd (The one when George and Louise move on up), and it was kind of sad to realize that more than half of the original cast of the Jeffersons is gone, along with Mother Jefferson.
Unfortunately, most shows from the 70's don't get the royal treatment with dvd extras like current tv shows. It just seems like the studios just don't care enough to take the time to include the actors, who are a major part of the shows success. I'm sure Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, Paul Benedict, and Belinda Tolbert would love to share their stories of being apart of a sitcom classic!!! Oh well, I guess I'll just be grateful to even get The Jeffersons and All in the Family on dvd!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Jeffersons - The Complete Sixth Season (1975)

The Jeffersons was a breakthrough series – the first television show to feature a well-to-do African American family living in luxury. In its sixth season, the show remained fresh thanks to the unconventional wit of series developer Norman Lear (TV’s "All in the Family" and "Good Times") and its very popular characters including loud-mouthed George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley), his long-suffering wife Louise (Isabel Sanford), and their wise-cracking maid Florence (Marla Gibbs).Highlights this season include the two-part "The Arrival," where Lionel (Mike Evans), returning to the role he originated) and wife Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert) welcome baby Jessica (leave it to George to worry about the color of the baby) and the "Brother Tom," where George teaches Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) how to act black in order to impress his wife Helen (Roxie Roker). A landmark of classic TV, the sixth season of The Jeffersons tackled taboos while delivering the biggest laughs ever.

Get 45% OFF

Click here for more information about The Jeffersons - The Complete Sixth Season (1975)

Norman Lear TV Collection (19 discs) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Does Sony not realize that anyone who would be willing to fork over $100+ for a set like this is a true completist and would rather have continuations of stalled series such as Maude, One Day at a Time, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, All in the Family or The Jeffersons?
The casual viewer would not be interested in a set this pricey. The first several seasons of most of these shows are available for $10-15 in the bargain bins of your local WalMart on any given day.
The true aficionados WOULD HAVE bought a single or double disc release of the bonus features only that are included on this set for a $20-25 price point, but if Sony thinks we will fork over a ridiculous amount of cash, they are mistaken.
Someone will eventually upload these interviews and lost pilots to Youtube. I will save my money and watch them there, thank you very much!
Sony, I am willing to buy ALL remaining Seasons of Maude, One Day at a Time and Mary Hartman, but it's YOU who chooses not to release them, so it's your company's loss.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Norman Lear TV Collection (19 discs)

Legendary broadcast pioneer Norman Lear is known for creating some of the most acclaimed and top-rated television series of all time! Now you can own the first seasons of these classic hit shows in one collectible set, plus over six hours of exclusive new bonus features: All in the Family Good Times The Jeffersons Maude Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (first 25 episodes) One Day at a Time Sanford & Son One of the most respected men in the entertainment industry, Lear has garnered four Emmy Awards® and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. In addition, his philanthropic efforts include founding the People for the American Way and the Norman Lear Center at USC's Annenberg School of Communication; he also continues to be a strong voice for First Amendment rights.

Get 38% OFF

Click here for more information about Norman Lear TV Collection (19 discs)

Maude - The Complete First Season (1972) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)OK enough already Sony--we've been waiting over a year now for Season 2 of this, perhaps the best sitcom ever on television. What's the problem? I've re-watched my Season 1 discs too many times now, I want what's next....why do you do this to us? Why bother releasing a series at all if we're only going to get a Season 1 teaser?
C'MON NOW...respect the fans. Do what's right, release all of the "Maude" episodes--and get with it on Season 2.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Maude - The Complete First Season (1972)

Emmy Award-winner Beatrice Arthur stars in this beloved, groundbreaking sitcom created by Norman Lear. Maude was first introduced as Edith Bunker's outspoken, liberal cousin on the classic TV show "All in the Family." Her spinoff, set in Tuckahoe, New York, focuses on Maude's daily adventures at home with fourth husband Walter (Bill Macy), divorced daughter Carol (Adrienne Barbeau), and Carol's son Phillip. Joining in on the fun is housekeeper Florida (Esther Rolle, TV's Good Times), and conservative next-door neighbor Arthur (Conrad Bain, TV's "Diff'rent Strokes"). Guest stars include Rue McClanahan (TV's "The Golden Girls"), John Amos (TV's "Good Times"), and Tom Bosley (TV's "Happy Days"). Blessed with some of the best TV comedy writing ever, along with controversial plotlines, the show is just as hilarious and surprising today as it was when it debuted in the top ten in the early 1970s. Full of memorable one-liners, including her famous warning "God'll get you for that, Walter!"

Get 45% OFF

Click here for more information about Maude - The Complete First Season (1972)