Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics Boxed Set (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Let me start by saying this could have been one of the great DVD sets ever released but Rhino really dropped the ball.
Some reviewers seem to think they are viewing the complete performances or the performances as "originally aired". Lets clear that up right now. These are the edited performances that aired on VH1 and in no way are they as originally performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Anyone who believes they are viewing the original performance need only compare the Beatles Ed Sullivan appearances from "Beatles Anthology" or "Beatles First US Visit" to the same performances contained in this DVD set. You will then see and hear exactly what you are missing. All songs suffer a similar editing done so skillfully that anyone unfamiliar with the songs or original broadcasts might be fooled. Don't think for a second that a group fortunate enough to appear on Ed Sullivan's show would have chosen to perform a "shortened" version of their songs. It just didn't happen. Sorry folks, but if you think you are viewing the original performance as aired you are just plain wrong.
Because of the price I was convinced that we would now see the full versions of these songs and not the hatchet job we saw on VH1. But Rhino really fooled us. One reviewer felt that the high price may be due to royalty payments to so many artists. Maybe, but I doubt it. The Hullabaloo DVD series has many artists but the set is very affordable and you get the complete performances as aired. As for groups like the Dave Clark Five being absent (they made 18 appearances on the Ed Sullivan show) it's possible that Dave Clark was able to avoid being part of this project. He was and is very protective of the usage of the DC5 material. But if he could avoid it then surely Apple (the Beatles management) would have disassociated themselves from this set as well. They are highly protective of the Beatles and would have opted out if possible. But that's another debate.
Sound quality is as good as you can expect from mono sources so long ago. Remember, Ed didn't broadcast in stereo. The so called 5.1 mix is just processed mono but does give the sound more depth than the plain mono track.
Overall this set is just a huge disappointment for the serious collector but may satisfy the casual fan although at quite a price. I would return mine for a refund if I could. I would really like to see Rhino post a response on this site and explain their decisions.

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On Sunday nights throughout the '50s and '60s, Ed Sullivan brought pop culture into America's living rooms with the most influential show of its kind. If you made it there, you had it made because for the first time, the entire county was at home watching. During the course of the show's run, many of the early rock and roll legends were featured in career-defining performances. These cultural milestones have been compiled for Ed Sullivan's Rock 'n' Roll Classics, along with archival footage and narration for insight on the artists, their eras, and their classic appearances. Now seen with half a century of hindsight , it's clear Ed Sullivan was right--his was a really big show. -Chart Toppers Volume 1: Top Hits of 1965 (Sonny and Cher, Tom Jones, 4 Seasons, Lovin' Spoonful, Herman's Hermits), Top Hits of 1966 (Rolling Stones, The Animals, The Association, The Mamas and the Papas, Lou Rawls, The Supremes) , Top Hits of 1967 (Rolling Stones, The Association, Johnny Rivers, The Supremes, The Mamas and The Papas) -Chart Toppers Volume 2: Top Hits of 1968 (Beach Boys, Chambers Brothers, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Spanky and Our Gang, Tommy James and the Shondells), Top Hits of 1969 (Brooklyn Bridge, Smith, CCR, Oliver, The 5th Dimension), Top Hits of 1970 (Jackson 5, The Supremes, Carpenters, BJ Thomas, 5th Dimension) -The Soul of the Motor City: Motortown Review (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, Jackson 5, Temptations, Stevie Wonder), Sweet Sounds of Soul (The Supremes, Four Tops, James Brown, Righteous Brothers, Temptations), Motor City Magic (Four Tops, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder)-Elvis and Other Rock Greats: Elvis Presley (Songs: Don't Be Cruel, Ready Teddy, Hound Dog, Too Much, When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold, Peace In The Valley), Move to the Music (The Beatles: Twist and Shout, Jerry Lee Lewis: Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, Martha and the Vandellas: Dancing In The Streets, Jay and the Techniques: Keep The Ball Rolling, Jackie Wilson: That's Why, Freddie and the Dreamers: Do The Freddie, Sly and the Family Stone: Dance To The Music)-The Temptations & The Supremes: The Temptations (Songs: Don't Look Back, September In The Rain, You've Made Me So Very Happy, Run Away Child, I Can't Get Next To You, Just My Imagination), The Supremes (Songs: Come See About Me, Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart, I'm Living In Shame, Forever Came Today, No Matter What Sign You Are, Up The Ladder To The Roof)-Love Songs: Classic Love Songs (The Beatles, Carpenters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Fifth Dimension, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Elvis Presley), Rock 'n' Roll Love Songs (Beatles, Lulu, Jackie Wilson, Little Anthony and the Imperials) Teen Idols (Bobby Rydell, Dino Desi and Billy, Tom Jones, Paul Anka, Bobby Darin)-Rockin' the Sixties: San Francisco Scene (Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis Joplin, CCR, Sly and the Family Stone), Smash Hits of the Sixties (Beatles, Beach Boys, Petula Clark, 4 Seasons, Tommy James), Psychedelic Sixties (The Doors, Steppenwolf, Vanilla Fudge, Temptations)-Legends of Rock: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Beach Boys, CCR, James Brown), Rock Legends - Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (Elvis Presley, James Brown, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Jackie Wilson)-The British Invasion: The British Invasion Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, The Animals, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Freddie and The Dreamers) Plus trivia tracks, selected discographies, interview with John Moffit (director), and a rare interview of Ed & Sylvia.

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Peanuts: 1960's Collection (A Charlie Brown Christmas / Charlie Brown's All-Stars / It's the Great Pumpkin / You're in Love / He's Your Dog / It Was a Short Summer) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)This 2-disc set is going to be released on July 7th, 2009. It contains the classic heartwarming Charlie Brown/Peanuts Specials that aired from 1965-1969, which are all six specials that aired in the sixties. Those specials are:
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
The perennial Christmas classic about the down on his luck Charlie Brown and his adorably pathetic Christmas Tree. This is where the Peanuts Specials all began.
Charlie Brown's All-Stars (1966)
It's ball season and Charlie Brown faces a moral dilemma when he can get his team new uniforms and a shot at being part of an official league if he is willing to kick Lucy, Violet, Patty, Frieda and Snoopy off the team.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Another perennial classic about poor Charlie Brown getting more trick's than treat's and ever optimistic Linus spending the night in a humble pumpkin patch. He believes in the Great Pumpkin.
You're In Love, Charlie Brown (1967)
Charlie Brown just wants the courage to meet his crush, the little red haired girl. When Linus and Peppermint Patty try to help things only get worse for good old Chuck.
He's Your Dog, Charlie Brown (1968)
Snoopy is supposed to return to Daisy Hill Puppy Farm for obedience training but winds up at the house of Peppermint Patty instead. Will Charlie Brown get his dog pal to come back home?
It Was A Short Summer Charlie Brown (1969)
At summer camp the boys are losing everything to the girls and putting up with poor conditions. Will the boys be able to prove themselves as winner's before the end of the summer? Maybe some help from the Masked Marvel (aka Snoopy) can do the trick.
Five of these six specials were either Emmy nominated or winning. Here they are being presented with remastered picture and sound quality, and on top of that the last two specials have never appeared on DVD before this. The set also includes a documentary, "The Maestro of Menlo Park - Profiling Composer Vince Gauraldi", which takes time to look at the life of the jazz musician who wrote the classic 'Linus and Lucy' Theme as well as other peanuts music.
There have now been forty-one specials in the Peanuts franchise and I'm hoping that they will work on releasing them all in these sort of chronological sets. This set is great for those who haven't bought the other Peanuts releases yet or fans that don't mind double dipping knowing that this time if these releases continue they will be in for a complete set.
All these specials are great for those looking to relive childhood memories or share wholesome entertainment with their children while teaching them core values. I understand television has to evolve to reflect the current times but I wish more current shows could show half the moral undertones found here in these specials. Luckily with this DVD set those interested in wholesome family entertainment can now share these six classic specials with their children.

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All the Peanuts episodes from the 1960s remastered all in one set. Timed to release around anniversary of Woodstock Festival where Woodstock will be the mascot.

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American Dreams - Season One (Extended Music Edition) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)"American Dreams" is a show that could have been on the air during the very timeframe in which it was set. In it's entirely too short three season run, it was a standout, simply because it was well written, wonderfully acted, and just plain entertaining - something to which the millions of reality shows and "Law and Order" clones cluttering the airwaves couldn't begin to compare. "American Dreams" captured both the lingering innocence and the burgeoning counter culture of the 60's. Kids spent their time listening to records and watching "American Bandstand", but surreptitiously attended war protests on college campuses. Dads earned a living and handed down advice and discipline while moms cooked balanced meals, but after the children were in bed, they discussed such taboo subjects as women's rights, race relations, and birth control. All of these subjects were addressed intelligently and realistically, but the writers never failed to add humor to the scripts as well.
Much of the show was from the viewpoint of Meg Pryor (played by the wonderful Brittany Snow). We first meet Meg as a sweet 15 year old who realizes her lifelong dream of becoming a dancer on "American Bandstand". The two hour pilot episode finds Meg and her wild child best friend Roxanne scheming to be pulled from the daily lineup of hopeful dancers outside the Philadelphia television studio where "Bandstand" is filmed, for a guest appearance on the show. It takes some conniving on the part of the always hilariously outrageous Roxanne, but one day the impossible happens, and both girls make it onto the show. Meg doesn't believe it could possibly get any better - until she catches the eye of one of the show's producers, who offers her a regular spot. Her ecstasy is short lived when she finds out that not only was Roxanne was not asked to be a regular, but her father will not allow her to be on the show. Meg's determination finally wins her father's permission, but her guilt over Roxanne leads to her decision to quit. A resolution is reached when the producer is impressed by Meg's loyalty and invites Roxanne to be a regular as well, but the pilot ends on a somber note with the assassination of President Kennedy.
This episode is characteristic of the rest of the season (and Seasons 2 and 3 as well). "American Bandstand" features prominently in the series as we follow Meg and Roxanne's daily adventures as dancers and minor celebrities. One of the highlights of the series was the outstanding performances of many 21st century bands playing 60's acts such as Jay and The Americans and The Kinks. However, it also tackles heavier issues, such as the Vietnam War (a major focus of Season 2, which follows the active duty of Meg's brother J.J.) and racism. Many storylines feature Henry, a black employee of Meg's father's appliance store, and his son Sam, with whom Meg forms a close friendship despite disapproval from both families and society in general. Over the course of the three seasons, Meg develops from a starry eyed "good girl" to an intelligent, socially conscious young woman, who challenges the gender roles set for her and always follows the path that she knows is right. But the show never forgot how to have fun as well.
"American Dreams" was one of the finest television shows ever produced. Thumbs down to NBC for not recognizing what they had. If only they'd given it a fighting chance (putting it in a decent time slot and allowing the episodes to be re-run in the off season), it would have been remembered as a legend years from now!


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AMERICAN DREAMS:SEASON 1 EXTENDED MUS - DVD Movie

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TV's Greatest Game Shows - A Tribute to the Pioneers of Television Quiz Shows (2008) Review

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(More customer reviews)THERE IS ALSO A COMPANION BOOK OF THE SAME NAME THAT IS REALLY COOL WITH OLD PICTURES, TRIVIA, BEHIND-THE-SCENES STORIES, ETC. CHECK IT OUT AT TV's Greatest Game Shows Book - Television's Favorite Game Shows from the 50's, 60's & More! TV's Greatest Game Shows Book - Television's Favorite Game Shows from the 50's, 60's & More!What were they thinking when they came up with some of these wacky shows?? This is a great DVD that gives you a little background of some of the famous and not so famous game shows that were so widely viewed in the past. Some of the clips are really amazing!! My teenage kids even get a kick out of watching this and my Mom and Dad loved reminiscing about the shows they used to watch. Quality is good and narration is excellent. ALSO CHECK OUT TV'S GREATEST COMEDIANS DVD FOR A TRIP DOWN TV COMEDY LANE! TV's Greatest Comedians - A Tribute to the Pioneers of Television Comedy

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An Incredible Collection of Over 20 Classic Shows - Celebrity Hosts -Guest Appearances from the Biggest Names in Hollywood!America's love affair with television grew by leaps and bounds in the 50'sand 60's and so did its appetite for TV game shows. Night after night,network and syndicated shows kept Americans glued to their sets waiting tosee who would become the next BIG WINNER!From the wacky and weird to the quickest and most challenging games ever created, you'll be treated to over 90 minutes of some of the best andworst game shows to ever hit the tube! Laugh along at live bloopers,learn little known facts about the shows and re-live great moments withsome of the most famous hosts and celebrity contestants in televisiongame show history!I'VE GOT A SECRETTO TELL THE TRUTHTRUTH OR CONSEQUENCESSTUMP THE STARSBEAT THE CLOCKYOU BET YOUR LIFEMASQUERADE PARTYTHE $64,000 CHALLENGETHE PRICE IS RIGHTTIC TAC DOUGHCHANCE OF A LIFETIMETHE NAME'S THE SAMEPDQAnd many more...INCLUDES THESE PIONEERS OF TELEVISION GAME SHOW PRIME TIME TV:GARY MOOREBILL CULLENSEBASTIAN CABOTBERT PARKSJUNE LOCKHARTROSS MARTINGROUCHO MARXVINCENT PRICEBETSY PALMERBESS MYERSONJAN MURRAYBOB CRANEMONTY HALLAnd many more...Color & B/W

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