The Abbott & Costello Show – The Complete Series Collector’s Edition
May 26, 2010 by admin
Filed under TV Show Site
Description
Who’s on first? Featuring the routines that made them comedy legends, this special collector’s set includes all 52 episodes from the hilarious Abbott and Costello Show. Digitally restored and re-mastered, this complete collection is filled with DVD extras and never-before available bonus material…. More >>
The Abbott & Costello Show – The Complete Series Collector’s Edition
Some say opportunity only knocks once…well, for those of us who missed THE ABBOTT AND COSTELLO SHOW in its previous DVD releases this is another chance to add all of the 52 episodes to our collection. The shows, digitally remastered, look and sound great and, as one might expect, contain many of the classic routines A&C made famous throughout their careers. For the devoted A&C fan, this is a must have!
In addition to the shows on eight discs, this boxed set includes a ninth DVD of special features: “Hey, Abbott” 1978 TV special hosted by Milton Berle, a 1948 short film entitled “10,000 Kids and a Cop,” interviews with Chris and Paddy Costello, and “Lou Costello Home Movies: Holidays and Celebrations.” There are also a couple of bonus features included amid the shows: a classic routine reel and more Lou Costello home movies at home and in Europe. You will also find four high-quality postcards featuring stills of the comedy duo.
The 52 episodes are listed on the covers of the two inner DVD cases, as well as in the Commemorative Booklet that comes with the set so it will be easy to find the shows you want to single out for another viewing. This booklet includes biography information on the show’s cast and a history of A&C’s career. The one potential drawback is that the fold-up boxed set comes in the traditional cardboard cover and may not hold up well over time. The inner DVD plastic cases, however, are well-protected and should hold up just fine.
The comedy of Abbott and Costello remains as funny today as when it was originally broadcast. This set gives the viewer the chance to once again sit back, laugh, and marvel at how these two men made such meticulously crafted routines look so easy. The A&C fan can’t go wrong with this set!
Rating: 5 / 5
This collection is well worth the money. First of all, the quality is awesome. I still can not believe all the extras , including the home movies,interviews with Costellos daughters, Milton Berle special and the short film Lou Costello did as a tribute to his son that tragically drowned. The product would have been worth the money ,even without all the extras. These shows are still funny, yes even the second season. The menus are easy to navigate, with the info commerative booklet explaining the discs as well as giving bios on the recurring characters. All in all, this set should be a model as the way dvd sets should be marketed. This is a true gem and many thanks to e1homevideo for perfection. They even threw in postcards of our beloved comedians. Remastered , restored and more than enough extras to keep most ‘buffs’ happy; This set shall be cherished and other companies can take a lesson from how well this was done.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve read some of the reviewers on here complaining about the Abbott & Costello Show re-release being unnecessary and other gripes. Well let me say that this product is much better than the latter. First off the quality is better. On the previous release the disks were in cruddy cases that had a funny smell to it. Some of the disks had scratches or other flaws to them and usually one of the disks would not play at all. They were an inferior product. I had to return two season 1′s because of this problem. Then when I tried to buy it again from a different party they were asking for upwards of one hundred to two hundred dollars. Like i’m going to pay that for something that shouldn’t cost more than 30 or 40 dollars tops (Dang Robbers!)On this new product you get all the extra’s the other ones had plus extra bonuses they didn’t have. The price is reasonable. The quality is better.I haven’t had one problem with this set. And I finally have all of the Abbott & Costello Show without going through all the headaches of the previous release.
Rating: 5 / 5
Bud Abbott & Lou Costello had a chance to do what no other comedy team could do: Every entertainment venue possible in their day. Being partnered in vaudeville, they quickly climbed the showbiz ladder to Broadway and then Hollywood. They made 36 films between 1941 and 1956; many of which were box office hits during their heyday (1942-1952). They also had a very succesful radio show, made personal appearances, and then in 1951; created their own television show.
Many comedy teams were seemingly forced to make movies with sub-plots and bad musical numbers. Laurel & Hardy and Martin & Lewis were forced to play second banana in their own features from time to time. Even though the musical numbers were better in Bud & Lou’s feature films, there were many unnecessary sub-plots. Why? Because it was believed that comedians couldn’t carry a full 90 minute vehicle. Having been victims of the Hollywood system, when it came time to do things their own way–they created a half-hour show starring them with no sub-plots (and sometimes no plot!).
The show was a half-hour sitcom showcasing their wonderful routines from the 1940s. Season One is infinitely superior, as many memorable routines and word-plays were re-packaged for the new TV audience. Season Two, while still good, is more like a classic short subject/sitcom with a few classic routines added.
I’m sure my review here hasn’t added anything new, but as man in his early 20s, I must say these episodes are very funny and very timeless. There are no references to politics, sex, etc. The things we think make comedy today, didn’t make comedy then. Bud and Lou didn’t need sex to be funny, they just needed a funny scream “Heyyyy Abbotttt!” You know you’re in for a treat in when you hear that at the beginning of each show. One of my friends asked me why I like these older comedies, I said, their timeless. He couldn’t believe that comedy back then didn’t consist of politics and culture-based humor the way it does today.
So, here in this very inexpensive package are 9 DVDs, 52 episodes, and 4 hours of special features including interviews with Lou’s daughters: Paddy & Chris Costello, home movies, a 1978 special hosted by Milton Berle, a short film about Lou’s Junior Youth Foundation and a 44 page booklet; detailing the show, cast, and episodes.
If you’re a fan of classic TV and looking for something cheap with good quality laughs to watch, this is it. Most season set collections are at least $50; but here it’s only a little over $37. This show is also a great way to introduce kids to Abbott & Costello. There’s no reference to politics or culture of the day, just plain comedy a kid can enjoy in an easy half-hour setting. If you are looking for a way to get kids interested in the duo, this is by far the best way.
Bud and Lou would go on to make a few relatively succesful/bland films between the end of the show (1953) and their split (1956); so in a way, this is their last great bow. We see Bud & Lou still strong as their career is coming to a near end, and they really go out on top in this series. This is their last best work, and should be enjoyed for generations to come.
Rating: 4 / 5
As a kid, I rarely watched Abbott & Costello….& after buying this collection, I now realize what I missed. They are in the league of “The Three Stooges” & “Laurel & Hardy,” the GREATS of yesteryear. There are no comics around today to match these people. The DVD collection is very good, both audio & video. Like a time machine, I can now go back & enjoy a better time back in the 1950′s when TV was great. You won’t regret adding this set to your collection.
Rating: 5 / 5