Product Details

• Actors: Tony Orlando & Dawn
• Format: Box set, 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: 3
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: R2 Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: September 13, 2005
• Run Time: 540 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000ALZI0G
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,206 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If American television watchers craved intellectual stimulation, then Nova would top the Nielsen ratings and C-SPAN2 would enjoy boffo viewership. Since that's obviously not the case, what we end up with is decidedly middlebrow fare like Tony Orlando & Dawn. This mid-'70s variety show is neither very bad nor especially good; instead, these three discs (a total of eleven shows) are a thoroughly undemanding way to kill a few hours (nine, to be exact, including extras).

When the CBS network scheduled their show as a mid-summer replacement in 1974, Orlando and Dawn (Joyce Vincent and Telma Hopkins) were enjoying a string of kitschy but catchy hits like "Knock Three Times," "Candida," and, of course, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree." Like those songs, the TV show offers light, often corny entertainment with nary an edge to be found. The format is similar to that of The Sonny & Cher Show, which preceded it by a few years (and which was released in a three-DVD set by the same studio, R2 Entertainment, in 2004), combining comedy sketches, appearances by a variety of guest stars, and plenty of music, including the trio's own material and various popular songs of the day. Orlando plays the Sonny role to the hilt, wearing a succession of ridiculous outfits (cowboy, kung fu fighter, vaudeville entertainer, etc.) and standing by good-naturedly as the girls take caustic potshots at him. An average vocalist at best, he readily hands over the spotlight to Vincent and Hopkins, superior singers who perform both solo and together and whose weekly appearances as soul sisters Moreen and Lou Effy are among the better comedy bits. Indeed, Orlando's easy charm and lack of pretense (not to mention his big hair) are probably the show's strongest suits; here's a guy who was on a roll, happy just to be there and loving every minute of it. So what if their versions of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" and Isaac Hayes' "Theme from 'Shaft'," to name just two, are cringe-inducing? The latter, at least, is played for laughs, and the studio audience (consisting largely of the kind of folks who clap on the one-beat), especially the older ladies, can't get enough of this stuff.

The guests are fairly predictable, ranging from old pros (an ebullient Jackie Gleason, a sentimental Danny Thomas, a zany Phyllis Diller) to stars of then-current TV shows (Freddie Prinze, Ted Knight, Loretta Swit), with a few oddball choices (Alice Cooper, George Carlin, homerun king Hank Aaron--who sings!) as well. Among the bonus features are Orlando's appearance on "The Tonight Show" (with Prinze subbing for Johnny Carson), a mildly amusing bit with Dawn and Don "Father Guido Sarducci" Novello on "Fridays," and Carol Burnett's take-off on Orlando's TV show. --Sam Graham

Product Description

TIE A YELLOW RIBBON ROUND THE NEW DVD!

They sold millions of records between 1970 - 1977, with three #1 hits and 2 American Music Awards. Their signature song - "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" has become an anthem in not only welcoming soldiers home from war, but also as a symbol of hope for the return of missing persons. In 1974, Tony Orlando & Dawn’s already huge recording career morphed into a hit weekly CBS-TV variety show. Originating as "The Tony Orlando & Dawn Show" and ending as "The TO&D Rainbow Hour," the show was hugely popular and further endeared Tony Orlando, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent in the hearts of America. Never before available on any home video format, this is first and only Tony Orlando & Dawn video collection of any kind! You're gonna Knock Three Times for this one!

FEATURED TONY ORLANDO & DAWN MUSIC PERFORMANCES:

• Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree
• Knock Three Times
• He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)
• Say, Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose
• Who’s In the Strawberry Patch With Sally
• Steppin’ Out (Gonna Boogie Tonight)
• Look In My Eyes Pretty Woman
• Cupid
• and many more

EXTRAS:

Tony Orlando on The Tonight Show with guest host Freddie Prinze

Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent on "Fridays" with Don Novello as "Father Guido Sarducci & Dawn"

A hilarious TO&D parody from the Carol Burnett Show

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true television treasure! Bring on Volume Two!, October 17, 2005

By	L. J. Ouellette "ljoyce12" (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Others have written wonderful reviews of this extraordinary DVD collection and I share their enthusiasm wholeheartedly. There is not one DVD set in my collection that I've enjoyed more than this one. Tony, Joyce, and Telma are three of the most talented artists to ever grace the stage and their show is a joy to watch. A show such as theirs is a true television treasure and deserves to be preserved on DVD in its entirety.

A long time ago television was really like this! It made you laugh and sing along. Tony and Dawn introduced us to many guest stars - some no longer with us. We laughed up a storm with Jackie Gleason, Ted Knight, Phyllis Diller, Dom DeLuise, Ruth Buzzi, Danny Thomas, Milton Berle, and the incredible Freddie Prinze. Tony and Dawn sang their own hits and every other style of music be it soul, country, gospel, or pop. Tony, Joyce, and Telma knew how to have fun with their guests and their audience and the camaraderie shines here! The audience finales alone (all unscripted) feature more humor and fun than any modern day sitcom. This show made you feel good and, thanks to this DVD collection, it still has the power to do just that.

I am fortunate to have ten installments of this series on VHS that were recorded several years ago from The Nostalgia Channel. Most (but not all) of those ten are beautifully restored here; and we also have the additional "Juke Box" feature to enjoy. The "Extras" are great too; but how great it would be to see the two Christmas episodes of "Tony Orlando and Dawn" on DVD! And then there's an appearance or two (or more?) of Tony with Freddie Prinze on "Dinah", not to mention their appearance together on "Chico and the Man". This list could go on, I'm sure, but when it comes down to great entertainment one volume simply isn't enough!

To R2 Entertainment - this is an outstanding presentation! To DVD collectors everywhere - buy it, have a great time, and introduce your children to Tony, Joyce, and Telma. Children need to see a show like this - full of warmth, fun, humor, and music. It may even influence them musically. I was the ripe old age of seven when "Tony Orlando and Dawn" premiered and before the show left the airwaves I had begun my own odyssey into music performance. This odyssey continues to this very day. Thank you, R2 Entertainment, for reintroducing me to my first idols.

Let's hope we see more of "Tony Orlando and Dawn" in a Volume Two collection because, like Tony's guest Mr. Jackie Gleason says, "Oh how sweet it is!"

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Precious Memories of the 1970's, January 28, 2006

By	C. W. Emblom "Bill Emblom" (Ishpeming, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This DVD set is truly a reminder of the quality of past television programs. The music was something you could sing along to and the comedy was truly worthy of the name. If you remember when this show was popular you will thoroughly enjoy reliving the memories. If you are too young to remember the show this is a chance to see what you missed. The set contains three DVD's with four shows on each one. After watching the first show I had to keep going until I had seen all four programs on the first DVD. The price for this set is not steep considering the quality you are getting. It would certainly be very easy to watch the same program several times. If there are people in nursing homes who would remember the Tony Orlando and Dawn show it would be an uplifting experience for them to view these shows again.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST BUY.. GO GET IT!!, September 16, 2005

By	Denise Molinaro - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently got the new Tony Orlando & Dawn DVD's and I cannot tell you how truly impressed I was. I remember watching this show as a kid on it truly brought me back to my childhood big time. This DVD set is filled with wonderful laughs, songs, comedy, guest stars and memories you will want to watch over and over again. It's truly a classic collection of TV history that is a must have for any Tony & Dawn fan. Even if you are too young to remember the show, this is still a great purchase for anyone to make. You will see why Tony & Dawn were one of the most popular groups of their time. This is 9 hours of laughs, music and fun for the whole family to enjoy. I urge you to go out and purchase this truly awesome DVD collection. Believe me, you won't be disappointed. After watching these shows, you will probably find yourself looking for tickets to Tony's next concert! Enjoy!! Denise Molinaro

Also recommended: Tony Orlando Book - Halfway To Paradise.