Jack Benny DVD Collections

[Frank Nelson]

I was searching Amazon.com for J.B. DVDS and there appears to be two 5 disc collections put out over the last couple of years. One of the collections they didn't have a picture of and not much information about what shows were covered. Can anyone tell me the contents of these collections & if they're worth purchasing?

[shimp scrampi]

The Madacy 5-disc set is probably the best of the multi-disc collections. Be forewarned though, that all of these are public domain and vary wildly in quality and editing of episodes. Madacy is probably the best compromise between acceptable (not 100%) quality and number of episodes (24) on the set. I haven't seen the Passport collection, but the five discs is misleading, there are only about 2 episodes per disc, so very little material just spread out to make you think you're getting more. Passport's set does have a few shows not on other collections, plus an old Benny movie "The Medicine Man". The Goodtimes 2-disc set is another decent option, some of the episodes' quality is fairly poor, but the discs are double-sided, so it is essentially a 4-disc set and is about $10 cheaper than the Madacy set. Unfortunately all of these sets have a lot of overlap, plus one or two episodes that aren't on the others.

There are reviews of each scattered around the forums.

I'd suggest getting the Madacy set for the core of the common shows and then supplementing other episodes you're interested in from the IJBFC library!

[_bill]

the topic that lists whats on the 24 episode set is in "Review: Jack Benny Collection - 24 episodes on 5 DVDs!" in this section.
As for the Passport collection, it's watermarked, logoed and edited; one of the hour shows has one of the guests cut out... even in cases where that set has material that others don't, I'd wait for the material to appear, probably in better condition, unaltered, elsewhere.

[Clyde]

The DVD's that Laura offers in the IJBFC video library seem like a great place to start with DVD's. I really must send a couple in to get copies of those two specials.....hmmm.....reminds me of the great line: Jack: a SPECIAL is when a pound of coffee is marked down fifty cents...now THAT's a SPECIAL!!".

[Jack Benny]

If you want to find the 24 episode set quickly on any of the auctions sites just search for "Jack Benny DVD 24" and you should see it. You should be able to get it for around $20. It's got a red cover, and it is the best bet all around in my opinion as well. Laura's "Special Collections" #4 is calling my name with 10 great episodes not available on any other DVD collection - two of which feature Jimmy Stewart (my other favorite actor). You also get Mel Blancs final "tour-de-force" as Professor LeBlanc!

Special Collection 4
11/6/55 - Guest Isaac Stern
12/1/57 - Guest Van Johnson
11/30/58 - Guest Oscar Levant
2/8/59 - Guest Danny Thomas
12/13/59 - Jack goes to a meeting of the Jack Benny Fan Club
2/21/60 - Jack plays his violin to cure insomnia
12/11/60 - Guest Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart - Jack goes to a concert
4/8/62 - Jack fantasizes about being a violin teacher
10/29/63 - Guest Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stewart - Jack wants to be in a movie
2/18/64 - Professor LeBlanc goes insane

[Frank Nelson]

I just found the 24 episode 5 disc set yesterday at Best Buy. Of course I just hate giving away free advertising like that.

Jimmy Stewart is my other favorite actor too, so I'll be needing to order Laura's Special collection as well.