Product Details

• Actors: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, Gale Gordon, Bob Hope
• Producers: Gary Morton, Hal Collin, Sheldon Keller
• Format: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: February 6, 2001
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000056N8P
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #106,852 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "CBS Salutes Lucy - The First 25 Years" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is Lucy at her finest: getting drunk on Vitameatavegamin, stuffing chocolates down her dress on the assembly line, sinking in quicksand with Jack Benny, and making movie deals with fellow cleaning woman Carol Burnett. This 1976 tribute to Lucille Ball captures prize moments from her three television series (most notably I Love Lucy), highlights from her movie career, and excerpts from numerous other TV appearances. Each segment of the 97-minute special is introduced by famous cohorts, from series regulars such as ex-husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and Gale Gordon to sometime coworkers like John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dick Van Dyke. Although she lived another 13 years after this special was made and had a fourth go at a TV series, this DVD captures the most brilliant moments of her trademark physical comedy. The red-haired queen of American comedy makes an appearance at the end when Jimmy Stewart gives her an honorary plaque, making for a nostalgic moment. A short time later the credits roll, revealing that Ball's production company was behind the tribute and reminding viewers she wasn't a bad businesswoman either. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Product Description

Known as the funniest woman in television history, Lucille Ball was one of a kind. With her outlandish schemes and deadpan zingers, the red-headed actress became legendary, and with her TV shows in wide syndication for years, loved for generations around the world. For good reason, CBS adored Lucy and in 1976 gathered the cast members and many guest stars to participate in a very special television celebration of Lucy's amazing TV life--"CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years." Guest stars include Jimmy Stewart, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, George Burns, Jack Benny, Carol Burnett, William Holden, Bob Hope, Harpo Marx, Dean Martin, Red Skelton and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! We Have Some Lucy On DVD!, May 21, 2001

By	Benjamin Okuly (Ohio) - See all my reviews

Let me first say that as far as picture quality goes on this DVD, I would rate that with 4 stars. However, the content of this DVD makes up for the picture quality. Not that the picture is bad, I just feel that during remastering some of the clips could have been a lot clearer. With that aside, let me say that this is a super DVD to have in your collection. As of right now it is the only place you can find anything of "I Love Lucy" available on DVD, and this is the only place any clips of "Here's Lucy" can be found. If you want to relive many of your favorite Lucy moments from the past, this is the place to go. Here you can find some of the classics like the famous Vitameatavegamin, or the candy factory, or even the time when Lucy and Vivian (on "The Lucy Show") installed the shower and got stuck in it while it kept filling with more and more water. The great thing about this DVD is that it helps remind the viewer why Lucille Ball was/is as important as she has remained, and probably will be, to the television and entertainment world.

I hope that the people at Paul Brownstein Productions start to release more rare Lucille Ball shows, such as her 1977 special "Lucy Calls the President" that reunited her with many of her costars like Gale Gordon and Vivian Vance. I think that we as fans need to let the companies that hold the rights to these shows know that there is a demand for them, and pass on the simple message that it's "Time To Open The Vaults!"

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

This DVD is a MUST HAVE for true Lucy fans.I ordered mine as soon as it was released, and trust me, you won't be disappointed! It's truly a fairy tale story of the first 25 years,and makes you realize even more what a wonderful person and actress she truly was. My rating A++++++++++

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A LUCY CELEBRATION, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

This program was made in the 1970's but you'd think it was just done today--the quality is tremendous! This DVD has a little bit of everything for Lucy fans. Of course, there are the expected clips from all three of her television series, but there's much more than just that. One section showcases Lucy's comedic skills. Another focuses on her dancing abilities. Dick Van Dyke hosts a section showing what a competent mime Lucy was (her Chaplin impression was genius). A lot of former guest stars and co-stars are interviewed to give their takes on the Queen Of Comedy. The best thing about this DVD were the long overdue interviews with Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and Gale Gordon. I don't think ANY other program has ever done this.

And the roster of commentators--Van Dyke, Carol Burnett (proving that Lucy COULD sing), Sammy Davis Jr , Dean Martin, Richard Burton, John Wayne, and Danny Kaye (showing an INCREDIBLE Lucy comedic clip from his variety show). The ultimate moment was Jimmy Stewart presenting Lucy with an achievement award.

Although there are no extras on this DVD, just scene selections and the program, they are not missed. The program has enough in it to keep you interested.

Considering the poor treatment Lucille Ball has been given on DVD (Madacy's substandard Lucy Shows), this DVD is a breath of fresh air.