I have never given any DVD four cool guys before, of course this is the first time I've used cool guys in my reviews at all.
But seriously folks, this is a great set of DVD's for the Lucy fan or The Benny fan. The episodes are absolutely prestine, and you can definately see that they come form film stock and not video tape. I have never seen Jack in color so clearly!
Jack is featured in two episodes, a blooper, a rehearsal, and a skit from one of Jack's specials with Lucy and Johnny Carson. Tee Benny stuff is worth the price of admission alone, but you also get 22 other great episodes with Lucy, her kids and tons of guest stars.
I was expecting to get a better copy of the Lucy episode where she goes to Jack's vault, but was pleasantly surprised when instead there were two episodes that I have never seen before. Both are very different, but both are excellent as well. The first comes from 1968, and has Jack playing himself, as the owner of a resort that lucy is staying at. THe second episode is an amazing tour-de-force for both Lucy and Jack. It's from 1970 and is called, "Lucy and Jack Benny's Biography." It suposedly goes through Jack Benny's life and the women who have influenced and worked with him. All of the female characters are played by Lucy. I't starts with Lucy playing Jack's mother, then goes to his days in the Navy, then Vaudville, and so on.
I kept thinking I wonder if they will do radio, and I was pleasently surprised when they did! It's great to see Jack in front of an old style microphone in 1970 with a script in his hand. He tells a drinking joke about Phil. Then on comes Lucy...dressed as...Mary Livingstone! She looks great...then she opens her mouth...out comes the voice of the real Mary Livingstone!!! It's definately Livy! Lucy's lipsynching is bad, but the part is wonderful. Mary reads a letter from home, and Jack comments just like old times! I would assume that this is the last time Jack and Mary have this kind of fun banter before his death 4 years later.
I am so thankful to Lucy Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., for making this fantastic episodes available in such high quality. It definately feel like a labor of love for them. They have nice commentaries and guest commentaries all over the place. I feel like I have gotten more bang for my buck from this DVD release than any other I have ever purchased. I picked it up over on Amazon brand new for under $25 including shipping!
