Product Details

• Actors: Golden Age of TV Comedy
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Full Screen, Mono, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Passport
• DVD Release Date: April 4, 2006
• Run Time: 670 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000E3L7HS
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #63,696 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Golden Age of TV Comedy

The 1950s were the Golden Age of Television and, in particular, comedy. Variety shows boasted such pioneers as Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, and Ernie Kovacs. The new medium also spawned a genre that's still going strong to this day: the sitcom.

In this funny and fascinating collection of 25 rare, vintage TV sitcoms, you'll marvel at how so much comedy could be generated with such limited production budgets - often broadcast live, with no chance to re-shoot or retake a scene.

Here are such legendary comedians as Jack Benny, George Burns, and Gracie Allen, plus beloved classics such as Topper, The People's Choice, and Love That Bob. See Betty White playing a newlywed nearly thirty years before Golden Girls; stars from Gone With the Wind and Casablanca appearing in one of the earliest black-themed shows; Jimmy Stewart's brother from It's a Wonderful Life starring in TV's first filmed comedy series, and much much more! A nostalgic delight for young and old.

Disc One

THE GEORGE BURNS & GRACIE ALLEN SHOW: TRT:134 MINUTES

First Show (1950) In this, the first episode of the series, an unctuous encyclopedia salesman (Henry Jones from The Bad Seed) is inadvertently outwitted by Gracie. With Carnation commercials worked into the story. (27:30)

Gracie's Tax Return (1950) A fussy tax assessor tries to make sense of Gracie's convoluted answers. With Carnation commercials worked into the story. (27:00)

Gracie's Checking Account (1950) A banker pays George a visit to complain about Gracie's whacky bookkeeping. With Carnation commercials built into the story. (29:30)

THE BEULAH SHOW

Beulah and the Stuffed Shirts (1950) Ethel Waters, Dooley (Casablanca) Wilson. Bill (Dooley) thinks he has to join a reading club to appear more cultured. (24:30)

The Eel (1951) A neighborhood burglar nicknamed "The Eel" puts everyone in the household on edge. Butterfly McQueen (Gone With the Wind) guest stars as Beulah's friend, Oriole. (25:00)

Disc Two

TROUBLE WITH FATHER

Black Saturday (1952) Stu Erwin, June Collyer, Willie Best. Stu tries to build his own dishwasher. (25:30)

Nothing Like a Friend (1953) Chaos ensues when Stu invites a visiting South American diplomat to dinner. A very young Martin Milner guests as Jackie's pal. (26:00)

Hate That Love Seat (1952) A misunderstanding leads to confusion over the origin of an antique love seat. (25:00)

Father Does His Homework (1953) Stu finds that running a household is harder than it looks when June is off on a trip. Nice vintage commercials for Cheerios & Betty Crocker (with Betty herself). (29:00)

The French Influence (1954) Stu thinks June has fallen for a Frenchman when he's really only her singing teacher. (26:00)

Disc Three

JACKSON AND JILL

Model Mixup (1949) Todd Karns (Harry Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life), Helen Chapman. Russell Hicks (The Bank Dick) and Fritz Feld (Bringing Up Baby) guest star. Jill tries to help Jackson but is mistaken for an escort by a potential client. (27:00)

It's Ridiculous (1953) Feeling neglected, Jill convinces Jackson that they should try and return to their early romantic days. (26:00)

Who's Who (1953) Mistaken identity involving a house painter leads to comedy and confusion. (27:00)

DUFFY'S TAVERN

Archie Faces Marriage (1954) Ed Gardner, Alan Reed. Archie doesn't realize that a pair of lady crooks is using the back room of the tavern to counterfeit money. (26:00)

Archie's Singing Contest (1954) Archie holds a singing contest at the tavern to try and interest an actress (cult favorite Mary Beth Hughes). Fritz Feld (At the Circus) plays a singing teacher. (26:00)

Disc Four

LIFE WITH ELIZABETH (1953)

Betty White, Del Moore, Jack Narz. Alvin enters a photography contest; Elizabeth's quirks start to get on Alvin's nerves; a nearsighted neighbor causes problems. (26:00)

Elizabeth and Alvin dye Easter eggs; Elizabeth tries her hand at sculpting in clay; Alvin and Elizabeth spruce up their garden. (26:00)

Elizabeth tries to plant an oak tree in the driveway; Alvin tries to repair the TV himself; Elizabeth and Alvin are hassled by an aggressive carhop at a drive-in restaurant. (26:00)

Alvin comes home in a grumpy mood; Elizabeth and Alvin try to inflate a swimming pool; Alvin and Elizabeth are swindled by a crooked real-estate agent. (26:30)

TOPPER

George's Old Flame (1954) Leo G. Carroll, Robert Sterling, Anne Jeffreys. Topper intercedes in the romance of an actor and a young lady who happens to be George Kirby's ex-girlfriend. Includes Camel commercials with Red Barber and John Wayne! (29:00)

Disc Five

THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM

The Irene Dunne Episode (1953) Jack Benny, Irene Dunne, Vincent Price, Gregory Ratoff. Jack tries to take over Vincent Price's role in an upcoming movie starring Irene Dunne. Includes Lucky Strike commercials. (29:30)

The Eddie Cantor Episode (1953) Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor, Rochester. Fred Allen tries to steal Jack's show when his option comes up for renewal. Includes Lucky Strike commercials. (29:30)

Jack Dreams He's Married To Mary (1954) Jack Benny, Mary Livingstone, Rochester, Joan Benny. Jack dreams he and Mary are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary. Includes Lucky Strike commercials incorporated into the plot. (28:30)

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Sock and the Proxy Marriage (1956) Jackie Cooper, Patricia Breslin. A misunderstanding causes Mandy to think Sock is marrying someone else. (25:30)

LOVE THAT BOB

Bob Butters Beck: Beck Butters Better (1958) Robert Cummings, Ann B. Davis, Dwayne Hickman. Chuck (a pre-Dobie Gillis Dwayne Hickman) cuts a rock 'n' roll record. George Burns guest stars as himself. Includes Winston cigarette commercial. (26:30)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Twenty-five 1950's TV sitcom episodes, February 29, 2008

By	Annie Van Auken (Planet Earth) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

THE GOLDEN AGE OF TV COMEDY is an unusual DVD set of both common and rarely-seen televison sitcoms. For fans of vintage TV shows, also recommended is TV FAVORITES MEGAPACK 100 Episodes Collection.

SERIES SYNOPSES:

BEULAH-- Radio and TV program about an African-American cook/housekeeper was a television contemporary of "Amos 'n Andy." Both shows were criticized for racial stereotyping yet "Beulah" was never boycotted the way "Amos.." was. A total of 87 installments appeared on ABC from 10/3/50 to 12/23/52. Cast included Ethel Waters (Beulah), Dooley Wilson ("Sam" in Casablanca) and Butterfly McQueen ("Gone With the Wind").

DUFFY'S TAVERN-- Ed Gardner played Brooklynite "Archie" on both radio and TV in this precursor to Jackie Gleason's "Joe the Bartender" sketches and "Archie Bunker's Place." Also appearing as the popular "Finnegan" was Alan Reed (aka Fred Flintstone). "Duffy's" was produced by Hal Roach Studios. A total of 39 syndicated episodes were broadcast, beginning 1/6/54.

GEORGE BURNS & GRACIE ALLEN SHOW-- The long-running radio classic came to CBS-TV 10/12/50 for eight seasons, ending only due to Gracie's failing health. George and zany Gracie's next door neighbors were Blanche and Harry Morton. Situations usually revolved around these four characters.

THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM-- Benny's popular self-titled sit-com aired on radio and TV for over 30 years with few cast changes. His televison show often recycled radio scripts and featured almost every movie, radio and TV celebrity of that era. Cast included Jack's wife Mary Livingstone, Eddie Anderson ("Rochester"), singer Dennis Day and announcer Don Wilson.

JACKSON AND JILL-- A now-obscure series that ran four seasons, starting in 1949. Starred Todd Karns and Helen Chapman.

LIFE WITH ELIZABETH-- A gentle domestic sit-com that starred Betty White. Elizabeth and husband Alvin were the "parents" of a 185-lb. St Bernard and a little Pekinese dog. A total of 145 syndicated chapters aired between 10/7/53 and 9/1/55.

LOVE THAT BOB-- Syndicated title of "The Bob Cummings Show." Fashion fotog/playboy lives with sister "Margaret" (Rosemary DeCamp) and nephew "Chuck" (Dwayne Hickman). "Schultzy" (Ann B. Davis) is his lovestruck office girl. Bob is also pursued by "Pamela" (Nancy Kulp- Jane Hathaway on The Beverly Hillbillies). Aired 4 seasons and was an early network jumper.

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE-- The real star of this Jackie Cooper sitcom was Cleo the talking bassett hound. Premise: City councilman and ornithologist Socrates Miller (Cooper) secretly weds the daughter of Mayor Peoples (thus the series name). The couple tries to hide the marriage from her father. Show aired three seasons and 104 episodes on NBC-TV, beginning Oct. '56.

TROUBLE WITH FATHER-- Humorous tales of a high school principal (Stu Erwin), his wife and two daughters. Ran for 130 episodes and 4 seasons on ABC-TV, from 10/21/50 to 4/13/55.


CONTENTS:
(Includes episode numbers, titles, airdates and guest stars, where available.)

DISC ONE--
The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show:
(_#1) The Kleebob Card Game (PREMIERE-10/12/50) - The Skylarks/Henry Jones
(#12) The Income Tax Man (3/1/51) - Frank Jaquet/Joseph Kearns
(_#5) Gracie's Checking Account (12/7/50) - Danny Taxi/Bert Soran

Beulah:
(#38) Beulah and the Stuffed Shirts (6/19/51)
(#12) Beulah Meets The Eel (12/19/50) - Arthur Kohl/Louis Van Rooten/Casey Allen


DISC TWO--
Trouble With Father:
(_#23) Black Saturday (3/24/51) (Stu builds a do-it-yourself dishwasher)
(_#99) Nothing Like a Friend (5/15/53)
(_#53) Hate That Love Seat (10/19/51) (Stu thinks family vacation money was spent on a chair)
(_#58) Father Does His Homework (11/23/51)
(#124) The French Influence (3/2/55) - Maurice Marsac


DISC THREE--
Jackson and Jill:
Model Mixup (?/49)
It's Ridiculous (?/53)
Who's Who (?/53)

Duffy's Tavern:
(_#3) Archie Gets Engaged (1/54) - Barbara Morrison/Veda Ann Borg
(#14) Archie's Singing Contest (?) - Mary Beth Hughes/Fritz Feld/Aileen Carlyle

DISC FOUR--
Life With Elizabeth:
(_#1) Skulking Day (10/7/53)
(_#2) Episode 2 (10/14/21)
(_#3) Episode 3 (10/21/53)
(_#4) Episode 4 (10/28/53)

Topper:
(#39) George's Old Flame (7/2/54) - James Seay/Frances Rafferty/Mira McKinney


DISC FIVE--
The Jack Benny Program:
(#23) Irene Dunne Show (12/6/53) - Irene Dunne/Vincent Price
(#17) Fred Allen Show (4/19/53) - Fred Allen/Eddie Cantor
(#26) Jack Dream's He's Married to Mary (2/7/54)

The People's Choice:
(#30) Sock and the Proxy Marriage (4/26/56)

Love That Bob:
(#145) Bob Butters Beck - Beck Butters Better (12/2/58) - George Burns