Customer Reviews

Best of Password

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was born decades after this show aired but I love it. The celebrities are classy and the contestants are clearly enjoying themselves. Some of the celebrities are still famous today, including names like Dick Van Dyke, Johnny Carson, James Mason, Jane Fonda, Joan Crawford, Betty White, Sammy Davis Jr, Lucille Ball, Paul Anka, and Carol Burnett. Even the lesser-known stars have lots of personality. The contestants don't win much but that doesn't matter, in fact the word-game is actually quite addictive and can be played at home. I hope more episodes are released on DVD, including the eight 1970's episodes stored at the UCLA. Still, these 32 1960's episodes are a blast.

There is no substitute for "Password" in the Goodson-Todman archive when it comes to "star power". It was the first show to pair "civilians" with celebrities, and was one of the most challenging (and entertaining) game shows that ever aired. So it's particularly painful to have to give this set such a low mark, particularly when it's based on easily avoidable technical concerns in the presentation.

The worst problem with this DVD set is in the conversion for tape to disc-- although "Password" was preserved on beautifully crisp quad videotapes (particularly the black-and-white episodes), you'd never know it to watch this set. Unfortunately, the tapes have been transferred as 30 fps progressive images, instead of their original interlaced format. This unnecessary de-interlacing not only has the abysmal consequence of softening the image, but also results in any sudden motion causing a flickery, "flutter" in the moving parts of the image, which thoroughly robs the program of its live "video look". While still highly enjoyable in terms of content, the visual presentation is now noticeably degraded.

The disc authoring also leaves much to be desired... on my players, the video is stuttery for the first minute of each episode, and then slowly settles down and corrects itself as the episode unwinds.

So caveat emptor, "Password" fans-- with the recent shutdown of BCI (the company that issued this set) the problems in this set are never going to be fixed... but if you don't mind the quality compromises, there is still a lot to like. It **is** "Password", after all...!!

I am so glad that this is out. I have most of these episodes on tape but to see them in great quality is super! What I am curious about is if we are going to get a big surprise if a second volume comes out called "The ABC Years 1971-1975" This would be a great release but the ABC episodes are presumed to be lost. The UCLA TV archive has about 10 episodes and GSN has ran 1 episode from the 1973 season with Jack Klugman and Brett Somers. There is also an episode from 1972 with Sheila MacCrae and Martin Milner that exists as well. Let's keep our fingers crossed and if you love classic game shows, this is a keeper!

I was dissapointed by the release of Family Feud as they didn't give you complete shows or all of the stars listed. So imagine my suprise when The Best of Password came out. I've only looked at 2 of the 4 discs so far, but they appear to be complete shows in excellent quality with loads of great guest stars. Kudos to BCI! I'm already looking forward to volume two!

I think the 1967 slates may be because these are likely copies from the edited, syndicated reruns of the CBS network run of Password that local stations ran from 1967-69. The slates are probably related to either the editing or for reference by the local stations running the show. Presumably, the uncut versions of the daytime Password don't exist -- they certainly chopped them up rather jarringly for syndication and it would be great to see them with the original sponsor plugs and Allen's commercial tosses. Nonetheless, this is a special treat for game show fans, especially those of us who grew up with the erudite, gentlemanly Mr. Ludden and this addictive, classic word association game (I grew up on the glitzy 70's ABC version). Nice mix of prime time and daytime versions with quite the galaxy of stars, including Elizabeth Montgomery, Carol Burnett, and Dick Van Dyke, all with a very sophisticated 1960's air. *sigh* I always wanted to play the Lightning Round.

I had been told by another collector that the prints on GSN were better than the prints on this DVD set but didn't believe it. I got the set today and, yep, he was right. The prints -- which are currently being aired on GSN this week as a matter of fact -- are much better, than the same ones here on this expensive set. The GSN prints are much clearer, brighter and more vivid.

I also noticed the same errors in the dates as someone else noted. We all know "Family Affair" made its debut in September of 1966 and not November of 1967.

To many the quality of nostaglic television doesn't matter to them. But to purists like myself, we notice things like this and it can ruin the thrill. If you're among the latter, I'd rent the set from Netflix yourself to see what we're talking about.

I highly recommend Password to everyone to watch! Password remains my favorite game show . It is such a treat to once again watch Allen Ludden be the outstanding host he was. It is as if he never left us. And how marvelous to see once again so many wonderful celebrities many of whom are no longer with us. It is so much fun as a viewer to play along as well. This is a must see for anyone who longs for good old fashioned entertainment. They don't make them like this show anymore. I am transported back to my childhood watching these classic episodes of Password.

Surprised that there are a ton of typos on the back inside covers of the DVDs and on the actual episode menu [Eydie Gorme fans will wince] On the other hands, the DVDs are a joy to watch with a surprising funny [and scared] Joan Crawford, a charming Polly Bergen and Janet Leigh, YOUNG Jane Fonda, cute Laurence Harvey, and sassy Betty White and Carol Burnett play the game. I doubt another volume will come out so pounce!

I've always been a fan of word games, so when this DVD set came out I snatched it up. What a cavalcade of stars. Garry Moore, Carol Burnett, Joan Crawford, Eddie Albert, Lucille Ball, Sammy Davis, Peter Lawford, Jack Benny, and the list goes on. Password was a simple game that almost anyone could play, and this collection proves it. Host Allen Ludden, with his trademark glasses and gestures. I'm sure he's smiling from up above. The list of celebs should be enough for anyone to want to grab this piece of TV nostalgia, if you can find it. My set is fine and doesn't have any audio sync problems, like some other reviewers noted.

These shows were top-notch. GREAT stars, and a simple, yet enjoyable game. The black and white shows were far better than the color shows.