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Special Features
- 20 episodes on four discs
- Interviews with cast and crew
- Two hours of the Saturday morning cartoon It's Punky Brewster
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Punky Brewster: Season One proves the old, family-friendly sitcom is as captivating for kids today as it was in 1984. Somewhere in the tradition of Silas Marner and Chaplin's The Kid, Punky Brewster breathes new life in the story of an isolated bachelor who takes in a lost and forgotten child. Thanks to the inspired casting of Helsinki-born, journeyman actor George Gaynes (The Crucible) as misanthropic photographer-turned-foster dad Henry Warnimont, the tradition stays strong in Punky Brewster even as the series paints the world in primary colors for a young audience.
Gaynes's autumnal Henry is the gruff-but-lovable loner who discovers 8-year-old, abandoned Punky (Soleil Moon Frye) squatting with her golden lab puppy, Brandon, in an empty apartment across from his own. With great reluctance, Henry allows the loquacious, spunky Punky to stay with him until she's situated with Chicago's youth services, then misses her the moment she's gone. After a cute showdown with officials in court (Punky cracks wise atop the judge's desk), Henry and his moppet become a family, and the series explores the many ways in which the duo (well, Henry, actually) learns to accommodate a shared life. In "Punky Gets Her Own Room," the impetuous heroine turns Henry's dusty study into a brightly painted bedroom, much to her new dad's shock. "Parents Night" finds Henry annoyed that he's supposed to show up at his charge's school when he'd rather be working. Punky Brewster's initial 22 episodes wisely allowed the core relationship between man and girl to settle before introducing other significant characters and story threads. By the season's middle, however, other relationships and conflicts develop, including a romance for Henry and trouble with bullies at school. It's all good, family entertainment that doesn't condescend. Special features include three segments from the subsequent, animated It's Punky Brewster series. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
The hit family TV sitcom Punky Brewster on DVD for the first time!
Soleil Moon-Frye stars as the orphaned little girl with an indomitable spirit, who, with her faithful dog Brandon, brings light and laughter into the life of a grumpy, old photographer played by George Gaynes.
Punky Brewsters' first season from 1984 on NBC was a Sunday night hit - and this box set features all 23 episodes!
Specials features:
• Interviews with cast & crew
• 2 hours of the popular Saturday morning cartoon, It’s Punky Brewster, featuring many of the voices from Punky Brewster.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I LOVE Punky Brewster! I got this DVD set for my birthday and it has been just wonderful!
Punky Brewster is a GREAT family-friendly show! Its wonderful for all ages & is one of the few shows out there that a whole family can watch together without worrying about kids seeing graphic violence, or other inappropriate material.
For those who have not heard of, or had the chance to see this timeless 80's classic, Punky Brewster is about an adorable, and feisty 8 year old who was abandoned by her mother in a shopping center (after her father had walked out on them), She has been living in a vacant apartment, with her cute Golden Retriever puppy, Brandon, when she is found by the apartment building's manager, Henry Warnimont, a gruff, and grumpy photographer, who's been living alone, having isolated himself, both physically and emotionally since the death of his wife a year after their marriage.
At first Henry reluctantly takes her in, telling her that she can stay with him until Children's Services can find her mother. But then Henry and Punky begin to develop a close attachment to each other as the lovable Punky starts drawing Henry out of his shell, and making him feel emotion, and love once again.
Meanwhile, when it becomes apparent that Punky's biological mother cannot be found, and even does not want to be found, Children's Services takes Punky from Henry, and places her at Fenster Hall, an emergency children's shelter. That's when Punky and Henry discover how much they miss each other and want to be together. After Punky runs away from Fenster Hall to return to Henry, then Henry realizes the difference that Punky has made in his life, and how much they really love and need each other. That's when Henry makes the decision to apply to become Punky's foster parent. Though there are some obstacles along the way, eventually Punky comes home to Henry.
So Henry and Punky become a family, and the two of them grow closer and closer together as "father" and "daughter". The series explores the many ways in which they learn to share their lives with each other, and that's when the adventures begin!
Punky Brewster is a GREAT show! The minute I put in on, I am instantly transported back to my childhood. Man I miss those days! *sigh* Punky Brewster is one of my favorite TV shows! I CAN'T WAIT until all 4 seasons of this wonderful show come out on DVD! I am going to buy them all! When and if I have children someday, I want them to watch this great show too! Although at the rate I am watching it now, by then, I may need to buy a whole new DVD set of this series LOL!!
While I love nearly EVERY SINGLE ONE of the episodes on this DVD set, I'd have to say that my MOST FAVORITE episode is the hourlong special episode, "Yes, Punky, There is a Santa Claus", the holiday episode where Henry tries to restore Punky's faith in Santa Claus and Christmas. Other favorite episodes include the 3-part series pilot episode, "Punky Finds a Home", , "Lost and Found"/"Punky Gets Her Own Room", "Parents Night", "Miss Adorable", the 2-part "Henry Falls in Love", and "I Love You, Brandon", among others -- though its a hard choice since I love ALL the episodes of Punky Brewster!
Punky Brewster - Season One also includes 8 episodes of the animated series, "It's Punky Brewster" cartoons, as well as interviews of Ami Foster (who played Margaux Kramer), Cherie Johnson (who played Cherie Johnson) and Executive Producer David W. Duclon, & Writer Barry Vigon.
I love both the real-life "live-action" show, as well as the animated series, "It's Punky Brewster" so this is a GREAT set with not only all the episodes from the Season 1, but episodes of the cartoon show as well!
However, even though I LOVE this DVD set, I still DO have one complaint, and a couple of quibbles about it.
First of all, my complaint (and IMHO, the biggest problem) with this set is the HORRIBLE packaging. I ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HATE cardboard DVD boxes, or for that matter, ANY style of DVD cases that involves cardboard!
Rather than a cardboard DVD box holding ANOTHER cardboard box that unfolds and folds up/out (the style used for THIS set), I much PREFER the single plastic DVD case with an inner tray-rack to hold the discs (like the DVD case for 7th Heaven - The Complete Third Season and Law & Order: The Ninth Year among others!) instead!
I am kind of anal about DVD sets (actually, DVDs & CDs in general!), and I HATE the cardboard box style of DVD case which often gets worn, scuffed, and/or peeling at the edges and corners of the box. In my experience so far, plastic DVD cases do NOT have those problems -- at most, the clear plastic sheet on the outside of the DVD case (into which the paper cover is inserted) *might* get a little wrinkled or soiled/dusty.
But the few wrinkles or soiling on the plastic cases is at least something I can live with, UNLIKE the significant scuffing & peeling into white spots/patches on the corners & edges of cardboard cases, which is really aggravating! That is why I'd much rather have a single plastic DVD case, which doesn't get much (if ANY!) edgewear, shelfwear, corner-wear, and/or scuffing & peeling, and is pretty much care-free!
In addition, I also have a couple quibbles about this DVD set.
The first is that there is NO special audio like Dolby Digital, Surround Sound, THX, or DTS. While the picture and sound are still relatively good, considering that this show was made in the 80's, it might have been EVEN BETTER, if it had been remastered with a 21st century audio system.
My other quibble is that there is NO closed-captioning or subtitles available on this DVD set. This is a minor quibble, but many DVD box-sets, at least have this one basic feature. Unfortunately Punky Brewster does not. Not only that, but with some of the other DVD's that do not have closed captions available, they have at least enabled TV captioning, such that if a TV has a closed-captioning feature built in, then it can still be possible to get captions. But with Punky Brewster, this feature has NOT been enabled, so it does not work.
It's a shame because everything else about this DVD set is so great. I just wish that Shout! Factory had considered those with disabilities or language issues and thought to include closed captions, and maybe even separate language tracks (with subtitles, of course!). Not only so that those who don't speak English, as well as those with hearing impairments (the deaf, the elderly, etc.) can watch this wonderful show, but also because sometimes, when Punky or another character is talking quietly or mumbling, its kind of hard to understand, and closed captions would help to decipher mumbled and/or softer-spoken dialogue.
Naturally, they would need to raise the price a little to cover that, but I, for one would not have minded (and would not mind) paying a little more for those important features when buying a DVD or especially a DVD box set!
Punky Brewster is still TRULY a GEM!!
Its really too bad that they just don't make shows like this anymore. I grew up in the 80's and this show is an instant blast to my childhood. The 80's had so many WONDERFUL (not to mention mostly family-friendly!). Punky Brewster, Webster, Mr. Belvedere, Perfect Strangers, Who's the Boss?, Full House, Family Matters, Baby Talk, Head of the Class, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Picket Fences, Life Goes On, and more!
Punky Brewster is a MUST for all 80's fans & 80s kids like me. I strongly encourage not only Punky Brewster fans, but ANYONE with young kids, anyone who is planning on having kids someday, or anyone who liked this show and wants to see a wholesome, sweet, and QUALITY "family-friendly" show (though admittedly, on occasion, Punky Brewster CAN get a bit treacly saccharine-sweet) that everyone can enjoy, to buy this set of Punky Brewster! You won't be sorry! I sure wasn't, and I play these DVDs often!
I LOVE PUNKY BREWSTER!
Punky Brewster RULES! I've got PUNKY POWER!! :D
Punky Brewster is a GREAT family-friendly show! Its wonderful for all ages & is one of the few shows out there that a whole family can watch together without worrying about kids seeing graphic violence, or other inappropriate material.
For those who have not heard of, or had the chance to see this timeless 80's classic, Punky Brewster is about an adorable, and feisty 8 year old who was abandoned by her mother in a shopping center (after her father had walked out on them), She has been living in a vacant apartment, with her cute Golden Retriever puppy, Brandon, when she is found by the apartment building's manager, Henry Warnimont, a gruff, and grumpy photographer, who's been living alone, having isolated himself, both physically and emotionally since the death of his wife a year after their marriage.
At first Henry reluctantly takes her in, telling her that she can stay with him until Children's Services can find her mother. But then Henry and Punky begin to develop a close attachment to each other as the lovable Punky starts drawing Henry out of his shell, and making him feel emotion, and love once again.
Meanwhile, when it becomes apparent that Punky's biological mother cannot be found, and even does not want to be found, Children's Services takes Punky from Henry, and places her at Fenster Hall, an emergency children's shelter. That's when Punky and Henry discover how much they miss each other and want to be together. After Punky runs away from Fenster Hall to return to Henry, then Henry realizes the difference that Punky has made in his life, and how much they really love and need each other. That's when Henry makes the decision to apply to become Punky's foster parent. Though there are some obstacles along the way, eventually Punky comes home to Henry.
So Henry and Punky become a family, and the two of them grow closer and closer together as "father" and "daughter". The series explores the many ways in which they learn to share their lives with each other, and that's when the adventures begin!
Punky Brewster is a GREAT show! The minute I put in on, I am instantly transported back to my childhood. Man I miss those days! *sigh* Punky Brewster is one of my favorite TV shows! I CAN'T WAIT until all 4 seasons of this wonderful show come out on DVD! I am going to buy them all! When and if I have children someday, I want them to watch this great show too! Although at the rate I am watching it now, by then, I may need to buy a whole new DVD set of this series LOL!!
While I love nearly EVERY SINGLE ONE of the episodes on this DVD set, I'd have to say that my MOST FAVORITE episode is the hourlong special episode, "Yes, Punky, There is a Santa Claus", the holiday episode where Henry tries to restore Punky's faith in Santa Claus and Christmas. Other favorite episodes include the 3-part series pilot episode, "Punky Finds a Home", , "Lost and Found"/"Punky Gets Her Own Room", "Parents Night", "Miss Adorable", the 2-part "Henry Falls in Love", and "I Love You, Brandon", among others -- though its a hard choice since I love ALL the episodes of Punky Brewster!
Punky Brewster - Season One also includes 8 episodes of the animated series, "It's Punky Brewster" cartoons, as well as interviews of Ami Foster (who played Margaux Kramer), Cherie Johnson (who played Cherie Johnson) and Executive Producer David W. Duclon, & Writer Barry Vigon.
I love both the real-life "live-action" show, as well as the animated series, "It's Punky Brewster" so this is a GREAT set with not only all the episodes from the Season 1, but episodes of the cartoon show as well!
However, even though I LOVE this DVD set, I still DO have one complaint, and a couple of quibbles about it.
First of all, my complaint (and IMHO, the biggest problem) with this set is the HORRIBLE packaging. I ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HATE cardboard DVD boxes, or for that matter, ANY style of DVD cases that involves cardboard!
Rather than a cardboard DVD box holding ANOTHER cardboard box that unfolds and folds up/out (the style used for THIS set), I much PREFER the single plastic DVD case with an inner tray-rack to hold the discs (like the DVD case for 7th Heaven - The Complete Third Season and Law & Order: The Ninth Year among others!) instead!
I am kind of anal about DVD sets (actually, DVDs & CDs in general!), and I HATE the cardboard box style of DVD case which often gets worn, scuffed, and/or peeling at the edges and corners of the box. In my experience so far, plastic DVD cases do NOT have those problems -- at most, the clear plastic sheet on the outside of the DVD case (into which the paper cover is inserted) *might* get a little wrinkled or soiled/dusty.
But the few wrinkles or soiling on the plastic cases is at least something I can live with, UNLIKE the significant scuffing & peeling into white spots/patches on the corners & edges of cardboard cases, which is really aggravating! That is why I'd much rather have a single plastic DVD case, which doesn't get much (if ANY!) edgewear, shelfwear, corner-wear, and/or scuffing & peeling, and is pretty much care-free!
In addition, I also have a couple quibbles about this DVD set.
The first is that there is NO special audio like Dolby Digital, Surround Sound, THX, or DTS. While the picture and sound are still relatively good, considering that this show was made in the 80's, it might have been EVEN BETTER, if it had been remastered with a 21st century audio system.
My other quibble is that there is NO closed-captioning or subtitles available on this DVD set. This is a minor quibble, but many DVD box-sets, at least have this one basic feature. Unfortunately Punky Brewster does not. Not only that, but with some of the other DVD's that do not have closed captions available, they have at least enabled TV captioning, such that if a TV has a closed-captioning feature built in, then it can still be possible to get captions. But with Punky Brewster, this feature has NOT been enabled, so it does not work.
It's a shame because everything else about this DVD set is so great. I just wish that Shout! Factory had considered those with disabilities or language issues and thought to include closed captions, and maybe even separate language tracks (with subtitles, of course!). Not only so that those who don't speak English, as well as those with hearing impairments (the deaf, the elderly, etc.) can watch this wonderful show, but also because sometimes, when Punky or another character is talking quietly or mumbling, its kind of hard to understand, and closed captions would help to decipher mumbled and/or softer-spoken dialogue.
Naturally, they would need to raise the price a little to cover that, but I, for one would not have minded (and would not mind) paying a little more for those important features when buying a DVD or especially a DVD box set!
Punky Brewster is still TRULY a GEM!!
Its really too bad that they just don't make shows like this anymore. I grew up in the 80's and this show is an instant blast to my childhood. The 80's had so many WONDERFUL (not to mention mostly family-friendly!). Punky Brewster, Webster, Mr. Belvedere, Perfect Strangers, Who's the Boss?, Full House, Family Matters, Baby Talk, Head of the Class, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Picket Fences, Life Goes On, and more!
Punky Brewster is a MUST for all 80's fans & 80s kids like me. I strongly encourage not only Punky Brewster fans, but ANYONE with young kids, anyone who is planning on having kids someday, or anyone who liked this show and wants to see a wholesome, sweet, and QUALITY "family-friendly" show (though admittedly, on occasion, Punky Brewster CAN get a bit treacly saccharine-sweet) that everyone can enjoy, to buy this set of Punky Brewster! You won't be sorry! I sure wasn't, and I play these DVDs often!
I LOVE PUNKY BREWSTER!
Punky Brewster RULES! I've got PUNKY POWER!! :D
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have virtually no complaints about the Punky Brewster DVD. These episodes look great and have the same charm and innocence that they did 20 years ago. If you enjoyed this show as a child you may want to introduce it to your children because something about watching Punky as an adult didn't have the same effect on me. Some of the jokes were kinda corny. What is awesomes is you get 2 hours of the cartoon "It's Punky Brewster" the cute cartoon with Glomer the magic creature and Punky's friend. The DVD is packaged, only thing missing is a current interview with Soleil Moon Frye but she was on Sabrina The Teenage Witch for 3 years so it's not like she dropped off the planet. The package is nice and it's also cool they had that one hour special "Fenster Hall" which seemed like a spin off but don't know what happened.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Becca
Format:DVD
I have been waiting for this show to come out on DVD for years. I just turned 21 years old on july 1st so Punky was definately my idol. I even dressed up as her for Halloween in 1989...punky wasn't all that popular by then and i was upset when i didnt win a prize downtown for the costume because i looked exactly like her. (even had a stuffed brandon lol). Anyways, Punky was the one show that meant the most to me growing up. I remember when it was shown on the family channel until 1994. So its been 10 years since I had really watched Punky. I was thrilled to see that they included the cartoon episodes of Punky on the DVD. I loved those as much as I loved the show. I had the first 3 episodes (punky gets a home) on tape along w/2 cartoon episodes that my dad had taped for me years ago. Its nice to know that I can keep this DVD for my kids to see. That show changed my life and watching the 1st season episodes brings back so many memories. I feel so old watching them! I think that everyone should go out and buy this because it's worth it. I hope they bring out the next 3 seasons because I want them all.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
dvd
I ordered these for my handicapped daughter and she loves all the old shows and is excited every time she gets one. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Donna R. Bomer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still Love It
This was one of my favorite shows as a young girl. With all the crazy kids shows these days I decided to order this in hopes that my girls would love it too. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jennifer Bellerose
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feel like I'm 10 again!
I was a HUGE Punky Brewster fan growing up! I'm so excited to share this with my 9-year-old daughter! She is now a Punky Brewster fan herself! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Stephanie McElhiney
5.0 out of 5 stars
great family show
I grew up watching Punky. I boughtthe first dvd on a great holiday sale. My 7 year old...and the rest of the family is now hooked. Great values. Read more
Published 1 month ago by CMF410
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great gift!
It was given to my neice and she loved it. She is now requesting the next season. Looks like I'll be buying the rest of them all.
Published 3 months ago by gmomma0036
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!!
It was great watching this show with my daughter as I used to watch it when I was a little girl too.
Published 4 months ago by Dawn Rosa
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very nostalgic for me.
It was nice to watch again and remember when it was one of my little girl's favorite shows and we would watch together.
Published 7 months ago by Big O
5.0 out of 5 stars
grandma
I was so excited when i found out my 8 yr old grandaughter liked this series she watches it in school it reminded me of when her mommy was a little girl watching it so now they... Read more
Published 10 months ago by 7882
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glitch at 10 minutes.
Video drops out at about 10 minutes. Can't they find a better copy in the vaults? Otherwise just as i remember it.
Published 12 months ago by Chuck J. Zamzow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
I remember watching Punky as a kid. Loved it then...love it now. The storylines are timeless, and its something the whole family can enjoy.
Published 15 months ago by Sir Thomas
