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Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
The greatest variety show in the history of television is now available on DVD for the first time. In its 23-year run, "The Ed Sullivan Show" presented an incredible array of over 10,000 performers, including the most spectacular ensemble of stars in show business. From over 1,000 hours of classic television, "The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show" brings you some of the biggest names in comedy, Broadway, variety, rock and pop captured LIVE in the prime of their careers.
Product Description
Over 90 minutes of incredible talent - new footage and extended performances featuring: Louis Armstrong, Lucille Ball, The Beatles, James Brown, The Doors, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackson 5, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, The Supremes, Topo Gigio and many more!
In its 23-year run, The Ed Sullivan Show presented an incredible array of over 10,000 performers, including the most spectacular ensemble of stars in show business. From over 1,000 hours of classic television, THE VERY BEST OF THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW brings you some of the biggest names in comedy, Broadway, variety, rock and pop captured LIVE in the prime of their careers. This retrospective special originally aired on CBS to huge numbers (#2 highest rated special that year, second only to the Oscar® telecast).
Hosted by Carol Burnett.
In its 23-year run, The Ed Sullivan Show presented an incredible array of over 10,000 performers, including the most spectacular ensemble of stars in show business. From over 1,000 hours of classic television, THE VERY BEST OF THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW brings you some of the biggest names in comedy, Broadway, variety, rock and pop captured LIVE in the prime of their careers. This retrospective special originally aired on CBS to huge numbers (#2 highest rated special that year, second only to the Oscar® telecast).
Hosted by Carol Burnett.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
97 of 101 people found the following review helpful
By Doug Jones
Format:DVD
I suspect the five-star reviews of this DVD were written by spammers working for the company that sells it.
These compendium DVDs are routinely made by stupid jackasses who figure our attention span is only 10 seconds (the MTVers) so there's no point in showing an entire performance. What we get here is Carol Burnett talking about Ed Sullivan and occasionally throwing out little snippets of the acts. We get only a few seconds of the comedians and novelty acts, though they sometimes provide a whole song, other times a fraction of the song. This format is so annoying I didn't much like the DVD.
These compendium DVDs are routinely made by stupid jackasses who figure our attention span is only 10 seconds (the MTVers) so there's no point in showing an entire performance. What we get here is Carol Burnett talking about Ed Sullivan and occasionally throwing out little snippets of the acts. We get only a few seconds of the comedians and novelty acts, though they sometimes provide a whole song, other times a fraction of the song. This format is so annoying I didn't much like the DVD.
68 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This DVD highlights just a comparative few of the very special moments of the classic Ed Sullivan Show on television. It is a real treat to own and watch; the viewer plays and can replay a classic comedy routine by Jackie Gleason as well as countless novelty acts. Ed Sullivan exercised enormous control over the show and the result is quality entertainment. A very young Julie Andrews sings "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady during a episode in 1956. Sammy Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald sing together in another wonderful clip. The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. Some of the clips are in black and white but it doesn't diminish the viewer's enjoyment one bit. The quality of earlier color video clips is not as good as I had wished it be but color tv wasn't up to today's quality standards at that time. Although the DVD show is 98 minutes long it goes by as if it were just a few minutes. Included is a rare interview with Ed Sullivan and his wife from 1958. I would strongly recommend this DVD as a BUY! for those who want to reminisce or for anyone who wants a splendid introduction to the talents of that time.
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By C. Clay
Format:DVD
I also own "Ed Sullivan - The Best of Broadway Musicals", which is a collection of about 11 full and complete performances. When I purchased this DVD collection, I had hope it too would include many full performances, but most appear to be edited.
Some highlights from this DVD: Jimmy Durante "Young at Heart" (50 Seconds); Louis Armstrong "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" (1 Min 10 Sec); Ella Fitzgerald with Sammy Davis Jr " 'S Wonderful" (Over 2 Mins); The Beatles "Ticket to Ride" (1 Min 30 Sec); The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" (Less then 1 Min); Julie Andrews "I Could Have Danced All Night" (1 Min 30 Sec); The Doors "Light My Fire" (About 2 Min); and an Excellent Collection of Clips (Each About 1 Min) featuring The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson Five.
This is indeed a memorable collection and is nicely hosted by Carol Burnett. The DVD menu does not offer direct access to the individual performances.
This version, the "Collector's Edition" runs about 80 minutes. An almost exact version with the same title noted as "Volume 1" runs about 98 minutes. I own the VHS version of that, and it also includes a rare comedy sketch with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz - this edition does not. Obviously this DVD contains less footage then the original.
All in all, the performances get a 5; however Sofa & Ventura Entertainment each get a 1 for their poor packaging and description. I consider this a dupe of the original Volume 1 issue, with LESS programming. Exactly what is collectible about it? Nothing I am aware of.
Some highlights from this DVD: Jimmy Durante "Young at Heart" (50 Seconds); Louis Armstrong "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" (1 Min 10 Sec); Ella Fitzgerald with Sammy Davis Jr " 'S Wonderful" (Over 2 Mins); The Beatles "Ticket to Ride" (1 Min 30 Sec); The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" (Less then 1 Min); Julie Andrews "I Could Have Danced All Night" (1 Min 30 Sec); The Doors "Light My Fire" (About 2 Min); and an Excellent Collection of Clips (Each About 1 Min) featuring The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson Five.
This is indeed a memorable collection and is nicely hosted by Carol Burnett. The DVD menu does not offer direct access to the individual performances.
This version, the "Collector's Edition" runs about 80 minutes. An almost exact version with the same title noted as "Volume 1" runs about 98 minutes. I own the VHS version of that, and it also includes a rare comedy sketch with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz - this edition does not. Obviously this DVD contains less footage then the original.
All in all, the performances get a 5; however Sofa & Ventura Entertainment each get a 1 for their poor packaging and description. I consider this a dupe of the original Volume 1 issue, with LESS programming. Exactly what is collectible about it? Nothing I am aware of.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining Video Clips
A collection of treasured clips that anyone would enjoy and can't be seen anymore. Comedians, musicians, impersonators, actors. Read more
Published 1 month ago by cw
1.0 out of 5 stars
SHORT CHANGED
I am completely disappointed with this video. It is a CHEESY RIP OFF as they edit down many of the performances. Read more
Published 20 months ago by The Truth Be Told......
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Time Capsule of Television History.
Back then, The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the biggest things ever on television, and for a good reason, because it's where many of the most famous performers in the world have... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Austin Somlo
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Very Best of the Ed Sullivan Show, vol. 1
I got a kick out of watching these old shows, they did a lot of editing it seems. The film didn't clean up too well in some cases when they made it digital. Read more
Published on November 30, 2009 by R. Nelson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Happy will return to buy again
I was happy with the fast deliver and the DVD I will shop with this person agian Thanks
Published on September 11, 2009 by K. Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could Have Been Much Better
I have to agree with a few other reviews here. Most performances are not seen in their entirety. You just starting getting into an act, and it abruptly changes to the next clip,... Read more
Published on May 12, 2009 by SAM
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Nitwits
Is there a dvd of the British comedy band- the Nitwits? I know that they appeared on the Ed Sullivan show on 6/15/58. Read more
Published on April 20, 2009 by David L. Hull
1.0 out of 5 stars
Partial Performances
Why would you entitle a production "Unforgettable Performances" and then forget to include a single performance in its entirety?
Published on January 12, 2008 by Donald H. Oakes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh!
So interesting and so well done! This is a great DVD> Anyone over 45 will have a trip down memory lane! An excellent tranfer too!
Published on November 1, 2007 by Rocco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great gift for Parents!
My parents who grew up watching Ed Sullivan loved this as a Christmas gift!
Published on February 18, 2007 by Susan T. Sharp
