Best of Jack Benny
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Movie Reviews of Best of Jack Benny
Movie Review: Best of Jack Benny
Summary: 5 Stars
An excellent collection. Although some of the episodes are available elsewhere, about half aren't, including some real rarities. I hadn't seen the HONEYMOONERS sketch before, with both Jack and Dennis Day doing credible impressions of Ralph and Ed. Besides Jack's own shows, there are other appearances like 2 TV plays he starred in, an TV special TELEPARADE OF STARS and a BING CROSBY SHOW he guested on. At it's very reasonable price, it is worth getting for the more unusual items, even if you have the more common ones. For the newcomer, this is the perfect introduction to Jack, with classics like HOW JACK MET MARY and the CHRISTMAS SHOPPING show, which has a wonderful performance from Mel Blanc.
Having said this of course, what we really need for all 50's U.S. comedy classics like Jack, BURNS AND ALLEN, BOB CUMMINGS and BILKO are complete season by season sets like has been done so well with I LOVE LUCY...and how about a complete collection of Jack's later hour specials, like the George Burns one brought out recently? In the meantime, this is probably the best collection to be going on with.
Movie Review: Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live in a Time Capsule
Summary: 5 Stars
This collection of episodes is fantastic. All the great stars of the day appear as guests in skits, routines and song and dance sketches. The full length episodes include the Lucky Strike commercials that are entertaining as well. The comedy writers today could take a lesson from the quality of the past material.
This collection is more than a scratchy violin rendition or Jack Benny calling "Oh Rochester". It is quality comedic entertainment that I can only compare to the Tonight Show (Johnny Carson) and Saturday Night Live (Early Years) in a Time Capsule.
The transfer to DVD is good, with some occasional blips from the day, but is not bothersome.
While the pricing is very good, I picked this up on a discount site for one third of the price, with a discount during a semi annual promotion.
Update: 4/5/08 - This is at Walmart in the bin for five bucks. This is a great price for the value and fantastic content.
Enjoy, j.
Movie Review: More Jack Benny, please!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Jack Benny Program was one of my favorite shows of all time growing up. This show needs an official release in season sets, but this Mill Creek entry will do until which time it happens.
Some reviewers downgrade this set for the "low" quality of some of the programs. It appears many people do not understand that many if not most of these episodes are from kinescopes from the early fifties, NOT film, and therefore the quality will NEVER be what a pristine 35mm struck off an original negative would be. People interested in buying this set need to be aware of the fact many of these episodes in this set were from LIVE telecasts converted to kinescope. We are lucky to have any of these shows still existing; many live shows from the "golden age" of television no longer exist. As for the quality considering the source, they are good and very watchable. I recommend this set for all vintage television fans.
Movie Review: A must have for Benny fans
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently purchased this dvd. While the video quality is not always best, this video is a must-have for Benny fans. The quality issues are more than bearable, and not the fault of the dvd itself. It is amazing that so many of these programs have survived in as great a shape as they are. I am not even through with the first disc yet, but just had to put in a plug for this. There are wonderful moments in these shows, with sight gags on a par with anything Mr. Benny accomplished on the radio. I especially (so far) have enjoyed the episode with Bob Hope as guest star. This episode has an extra delightful surprise at the end that goes to show they don't make 'em like this anymore! It is hard for Jack to keep a straight face when joined with Hope, and the sheer joy of watching these two classic masters interact is enough for this fan to urge others: order it now, you will be glad you did.Movie Review: Absolutely delightful
Summary: 5 Stars
When I ordered this, I was expecting excerpts from Jack Benny programs. Instead, to my surprised delight, there are entire programs, most complete with Lucky Strike cigarette commercials. LSMFT. Young people don't know what those letters stand for (thank goodness), but if you are old enough to be a Benny fan, the letters are indelible in your brain.
There are some very funny bits and the great characters associated with Benny: Rochester, Mary Livingston, Don Wilson, Mr. Kietzel, Mel Blanc, the race track tout, etc. etc. And then there are the guests, Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor, Johnny Ray singing "Cry," Marilyn Monroe, Vincent Price, Liberace, Humphrey Bogart--a veritable who's who of show business stars in the 1950s.
The programs hold up very well. They are still funny. They are still warm and wonderful.