Customer Reviews

Colgate Comedy Hour: Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis Show (7-tape boxed set) [VHS]

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This seven tape set is of outstanding quality and is a must own for Martin and Lewis fans. These shows include some very, very funny moments that prove that Martin and Lewis were the best comedy team of all time. The live broadcasts capture more of the "Magic" these two performers had when they were entertaining than the Martin and Lewis movies do. You can see in the viewings of these tapes the fun these two guys had when they were together on stage performing. I hope the rest of the Martin and Lewis television programs eventually become available.

Here's a great look at Martin and Lewis unrestrained by movie scripts and endless takes. This is live tv and amazing stuff, even 50 years after it was made. Lewis is manic, scarey, mean, vicious and hilarious. Martin is himself - laid back, funny and with that beautiful voice. The lowlight is seeing Jerry's Dad sing. What a ham and it's a great laugh to hear Martin intro him and say he's on not because he's Jerry's Dad, but b/c he's a talented singer in his own right -- yea...right! Anyway, each show ends with a great short version of what I can only imagine was the insantiy of their stage show. Brilliant, but seven hours is toooo short.

This boxed set is really worth watching.It will make you laugh uncontrollably,at least that's the effect it had on me.Just knowing Jerry Lewis is coming on stage is enough to start the laughter.The segments at the end where they sing with the band are my favorites.

I was never a fan of Jerry Lewis and after watching all 7 tapes I know why--don't like his type of humor, he seemed to be in every scene and he upstaged Dean whenever he was on. On one of the shows Lewis hurt Martin by stretching his mouth (Lewis got carried away with himself as he seems to do on all of these shows). The only stars I'd heard of before on the tapes were Rosemary Clooney, Bob Fosse, Polly Bergen and a walk on by Jack Benny. They were not in any of the skits. They performed a couple numbers and disappeared. Couldn't figure out why Jack Benny bothered to show up, he didn't say anything. Maybe back in the day it was a privilege just to get him on a show.

By the end of the 7th tape of more of the same I'd had enough. I don't know why it took Dean Martin so long to leave Jerry Lewis. Thank heavens Sinatra took Martin under his wing. He gave Martin confidence and respect and Martin showed us how talented he really was. On the Martin & Lewis Colgate Comedy Hour I saw a very vulnerable Dean who had more to give if he had been given the chance.

Pros: Filmed before a live audience which gives the comedy hour a sense of electricity; the last 5 minutes of each program where Lewis & Martin are tired. They seem to finally warm up to the audience and each other.

These videos are well worth the price for all the enjoyment they have brought. Altho it's been years since we have seen these two guys together, they still have that "certain something" when it comes to timing and how to get everyone to crack up. If you are looking for a lot of "nostalgic" silliness and laughter, you have to include these videos in your library.