A Good Start For A Classic To Come To DVD
Benjamin Okuly | Ohio | 06/01/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I first got my DVD, I knew I just had to have this! I've been a fan of "The Honeymooners" for as long as I can remember (I'm currently 22) and I knew I would enjoy this DVD very much! And I really do. It's something that a fan of Jackie Gleason and "The Honeymooners" should have in their collection. My problem with the DVD lies in the fact that two of the programs on here, "Funniest Moments Vol. 1 and Vol. 2" have already been released on video, and infact are in my video collection. These are nice programs to see if you're interested in not just "Honeymooners" clips, but also clips of Reggie Van Gleason, Joe the Bartender, and other classic Jackie Gleason characters. The third program is one that I had not seen before, "The Wit and Wisdom of Ed Norton," which is a salute to our favorite sewer worker. Again, a very nice program with some pretty good clips. The final program is "Letter To The Boss," which is an entire "Honeymooners" skit from November 14, 1953. This is one of the first "long" skits featuring these characters, and while this is a nice one to feature, there probably are better skits to use. However, the quality is nice and clear (for a kinescope) but why just present the skit? Would it have hurt MPI to release the entire "Jackie Gleason Show" from that week with the June Taylor Dancers and Gleason's monologue included, as well as credits and commercials? That would have made this an automatic 5 stars! I think this is worth having, but like my title says, a good start to introducing a classic to the digital age.Before I close, I would just like to mention that there are several "still lost" episodes in the vaults. These include the original "Honeymooners Trip To Europe" shows performed live in 1957, and the performed again in 1966 from Miami. These 1957 shows feature Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph (while the laters would have Sheila MacRae and Jane Kean) and these have not been seen since their original airing in 1957. If MPI wants to release a really great, valuable DVD set, then let's suggest releasing these lost gems!"
ANNOYING NARRATION
JOHN FINNERTY | OSTERVILLE, MA United States | 01/27/2003
(2 out of 5 stars)
"WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FOUR-STAR PRODUCT WAS REGULARLY INTERRUPTED BY A NARRATOR WHO THOUGHT HE WAS A COMEDIAN. HE WASN'T. THE FUNNY STUFF SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT TO THE PROS WHO DIDN'T NEED ANY HELP."
Great bit of Nostagia
forrie | Nashua, NH United States | 12/18/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The "Very Best of" is a only a snapshot. I wish there were more completed episodes included. ( ie. top 10 shows ). There was one weak episode. If you are a "Honeymooners" buff this will only wet your appetite for more. There is almost 2 hours of entertainment."
I couldn't agree with you more.
Kevin Podszebka | Syracuse, NY | 09/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with everything that the first reviewer stated. Except one thing, mine won't be collecting dust on the shelf. It will definately be a regular watch for me. I do hope that a nice box set of all episodes will be put out on DVD. That would be a nice opportunity to put the anniversary show on. And if they could get the european episodes that would be a really nice bonus."