Customer Reviews

Days of Wine & Roses [VHS]

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

 

 

I SAW THIS VERSION OF PLAYHOUSE 90 BEFORE THE MOVIE VERSION WITH JACK LEMMON. IT IS DONE WITH MINIMAL FANFARE SO THE ACTING AND THE STORY REALLY SHINE.

There was a CBS-TV special on last spring which celebrated the "Television City" studio's 50th anniversary. Apparently, the "Playhouse 90" production of 'Days' was done there, and they ran a clip of this and other examples of their anthology-series plays. But is anyone out there aware that this was clip was a 2-inch b/w broadcast quality videotape? (If you taped the special, look at the clip against the VHS transfer of the kinescope which we all own, and you'll see a world of difference in movement. The 2-inch video master is gorgeous; it *is* the live production they did back in 1958.) But apparently, this master remained in the CBS vault and was never used for mass production; when I contacted a network liason, he told me that the ownership of that tape changed hands several times over the years and he dosen't know who has it now. Did anyone else see this special? Please let me know if you did, or if you can shed any light on the wherabouts of this video master. It should be mass produced so we consumers may purchase a copy!! Sadly, we cannot contact director John Frankenheimer; he passed away almost the exact same time this special was broadcast. Thank you, everyone.

It's apples and oranges to compare the live version with the feature film. The narrative here is different - the main character is sober and telling his story in flashbacks at an AA meeting. I think it has less impact than the film, but no less interesting.
The VHS tape looks good, and has 10 minutes of contemporary interviews. However, it's very disappointing that the VHS producers decided to edit the show and not include the Sterling Hayden host segments and end credits.

This live TV version has a whole lot more energy and intensity than the Jack Lemmon movie. The ending with him reciting The Serenity Prayer is a whole lot closer to real A.A. experience than Jack Lemmon;s ending, too.

i haven't seen it, but have heard of it.

i'll see it soon and come back.

i like Lee Remick and Jack Lemmon on their other films.