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Special Features
- 18 episodes from over a decade of popular TV featuring appearances by Phyllis Diller, Edgar and Candace Bergen, Joe Louis, Johnny Weismuller, Frankie Avalon, Groucho's daughter Melinda Marx, Harpo Marx, and the show's trademark duck
- 3 Groucho pilots including What Do You Want, Tell It to Groucho, and the never-before-seen The Plot Thickens
- Outtakes and bloopers
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The secret word for Groucho Marx fans is "DVD." This three-disc set collects a priceless archive of 18 complete and uncut episodes filmed between 1950 and 1960. The surprise success of the radio incarnation of You Bet Your Life assured for Groucho that there would be life after the Marx Brothers, whose film career came to a sad end with 1950's Love Happy. The television series would be an even bigger hit, and make Groucho a household name. You Bet Your Life was ostensibly a quiz show, but it was more just a forum for Groucho to crack wise with the contestants. These were mostly ordinary people with oddball jobs or interests, or extraordinary talents, like the man who blows up a tire's inner-tube on an episode included on disc 2. Knowing now that the program was carefully planned does not diminish the fun. There are many precious spontaneous moments, such as the trombone-playing female contestant who practically swoons over Groucho's announcer/straight man George Fenneman.
Appearances by some "special guests" add to this set's nostalgia value. Former Western star Hoot Gibson, Johnny "Tarzan" Weissmuller, and former boxing champion Joe Louis play the game, as do future stars Candice Bergen (age 11-1/2) and comedian Phyllis Diller in her first television appearance. Marx Brothers fans will cherish the now-poignant cameo by Harpo (hawking his autobiography, Harpo Speaks!) and the Creamy Prom commercials featuring Harpo and Chico. Screen and songwriter Harry Ruby, who looms large in Marxian folklore (he co-wrote Horse Feathers and Duck Soup), sings a delightful duet with Groucho, "The Window Cleaners." This set's special features aren't horse feathers either. There are rare pilots for some failed post-You Bet Your Life quiz shows, vintage commercials, and so-called "stag reels," featuring mildly risqué humor that censors cut from final broadcast. And now, to quote Fenneman, it's time to sit back, and relax, and enjoy the best of Groucho. --Donald Liebenson
Product Description
Groucho Marx is arguably the most famous, iconic comedian of all time. "You Bet Your Life" began on radio in 1947, ostensibly as a game show, and became a huge hit television program and as big a part of Groucho’s legacy as the amazing movies he made with his brothers earlier in his career.
After the start on radio, the show ran through 423 episodes from 1950 – 1961. These 18 episodes are some of the absolute best from over a decade of popular TV, restored for the highest quality sound and picture possible. They feature guest stars like Phyllis Diller, Edgar and Candace Bergen, Joe Louis, Johnny Weismuller, Frankie Avalon, Groucho's daughter Melinda Marx, Harpo Marx and the first appearance of the show's trademark duck.
DVD extras include three Groucho pilots including "What Do You Want", "Tell It To Groucho" and the never-before-seen "The Plot Thickens," plus tons of outtakes and bloopers.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Incredible as it may seem, most of the "lost episodes" in this Groucho Marx DVD collection might have been lost forever. In the early 1970s, the geniuses at NBC planned to destroy ALL the "You Bet Your Life" programs for the sole purpose of freeing up some warehouse space. Fortunately, Groucho and producer John Guedel thwarted this cultural crime and reissued the comedy-quiz shows for late-night syndication with successful results. However, the "Best of Groucho" package was re-edited to eliminate any trace of the DeSoto-Plymouth references from the original broadcasts. Upon viewing this excellent three-disc set, the viewer is immediately aware of DeSoto's dominant sponsorship of "You Bet Your Life" and the major role Groucho played in the selling of its automobiles - lending his trademark image to its used-car dealerships. The "stag reels," promotional films and DeSoto commercials featured in this collection make for fascinating and historic viewing. Of course, there's the long-awaited pleasure of seeing 18 unedited "You Bet Your Life" programs for the first time since the 1950s - a remarkable find comparable to the "lost" Jackie Gleason kinescopes. The result is a valuable addition to Groucho's comic legacy.
43 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This nicely-presented 3-Disc collector's set of Groucho Marx' "You Bet Your Life" TV program is a real treat. While viewing these restored episodes and rare outtakes and bonus materials, I really get the feeling of owning something very rare and special from TV's bygone era.
The 18 episodes on these three discs have been remastered for DVD, and they look pretty good, although quite a bit of dirt and grain still remain on the prints. But, after all, these shows are 50 years old! I guess we shouldn't expect perfect video quality. The prints, although far from perfection, have indeed been cleaned-up considerably. For proof, just watch some of the outtakes included in this set. It's fairly obvious that the restoration team didn't touch any of these outtake clips, for they are far worse in quality than the full episodes themselves.
A variety of different seasons are represented among the shows in this package. Groucho's TV version of "You Bet Your Life" ran from 1950 to 1961. This DVD compilation includes episodes spanning the years 1950-1959, including the October 1950 debut program (with a "secret word" of "Wall").
Here's a breakdown of the years that are represented within this DVD package (indicating the year the programs initially aired):
1950 -- 2 episodes.
1951 -- 1 episode.
1952 -- 4 episodes.
1953 -- 3 episodes.
1954 -- 3 episodes.
1955 -- 1 episode.
1956 -- 2 episodes.
1957 -- No episodes.
1958 -- 1 episode.
1959 -- 1 episode.
Watching Groucho, with cigar ever-present, banter with his guests (some famous, but most just regular folk from the studio audience) is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who purchases this deluxe DVD set. His quick, disarming displays of ad-libbed wit are something to behold. Nobody could "jab" at his guests like Groucho could.
Three "Stag Reels" are included in the set, containing "racier" elements from the original shows that had to be cut out by the network when broadcast to the public. These clips are very fun to watch. There's plenty of deleted moments here too (36 total minutes, spread over the three discs).
Many people purchasing this set will be happy to know there's a "Play All" feature on each of the discs, so that the episodes will play consecutively without the need for user intervention.
The lengthy booklet included is extremely well-done and informative. It chronicles the history of Groucho's radio and TV variants of the "You Bet Your Life" program. Plus, many vintage photos are presented within this top-notch booklet insert. As well as info on each of the 18 episodes included on the discs, with original air dates, filming dates, and the "secret word" for each episode. This same episode information is also repeated on one of the flaps of the fold-out case. So you can locate a specific episode "at a glance" without having to dig out the booklet. Bonus features, specific to each disc, are also listed on the case flap, as well as inside the booklet.
While the lack of a "Slipcase" (or outer cover of some ilk) is a bit of a disappointment, it doesn't greatly detract from the fact that this DVD presentation of "Groucho Marx -- You Bet Your Life -- The Lost Episodes" is, in my opinion, a terrific example of "TV-on-DVD done right". It's a first-rate product that I'd recommend highly to any Groucho fan, or any admirer of old-time TV in general.
So -- to mimic Groucho's very capable and likeable sidekick/announcer, George Fenneman -- "Won't you come in please, and meet Groucho Marx!"
The 18 episodes on these three discs have been remastered for DVD, and they look pretty good, although quite a bit of dirt and grain still remain on the prints. But, after all, these shows are 50 years old! I guess we shouldn't expect perfect video quality. The prints, although far from perfection, have indeed been cleaned-up considerably. For proof, just watch some of the outtakes included in this set. It's fairly obvious that the restoration team didn't touch any of these outtake clips, for they are far worse in quality than the full episodes themselves.
A variety of different seasons are represented among the shows in this package. Groucho's TV version of "You Bet Your Life" ran from 1950 to 1961. This DVD compilation includes episodes spanning the years 1950-1959, including the October 1950 debut program (with a "secret word" of "Wall").
Here's a breakdown of the years that are represented within this DVD package (indicating the year the programs initially aired):
1950 -- 2 episodes.
1951 -- 1 episode.
1952 -- 4 episodes.
1953 -- 3 episodes.
1954 -- 3 episodes.
1955 -- 1 episode.
1956 -- 2 episodes.
1957 -- No episodes.
1958 -- 1 episode.
1959 -- 1 episode.
Watching Groucho, with cigar ever-present, banter with his guests (some famous, but most just regular folk from the studio audience) is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who purchases this deluxe DVD set. His quick, disarming displays of ad-libbed wit are something to behold. Nobody could "jab" at his guests like Groucho could.
Three "Stag Reels" are included in the set, containing "racier" elements from the original shows that had to be cut out by the network when broadcast to the public. These clips are very fun to watch. There's plenty of deleted moments here too (36 total minutes, spread over the three discs).
Many people purchasing this set will be happy to know there's a "Play All" feature on each of the discs, so that the episodes will play consecutively without the need for user intervention.
The lengthy booklet included is extremely well-done and informative. It chronicles the history of Groucho's radio and TV variants of the "You Bet Your Life" program. Plus, many vintage photos are presented within this top-notch booklet insert. As well as info on each of the 18 episodes included on the discs, with original air dates, filming dates, and the "secret word" for each episode. This same episode information is also repeated on one of the flaps of the fold-out case. So you can locate a specific episode "at a glance" without having to dig out the booklet. Bonus features, specific to each disc, are also listed on the case flap, as well as inside the booklet.
While the lack of a "Slipcase" (or outer cover of some ilk) is a bit of a disappointment, it doesn't greatly detract from the fact that this DVD presentation of "Groucho Marx -- You Bet Your Life -- The Lost Episodes" is, in my opinion, a terrific example of "TV-on-DVD done right". It's a first-rate product that I'd recommend highly to any Groucho fan, or any admirer of old-time TV in general.
So -- to mimic Groucho's very capable and likeable sidekick/announcer, George Fenneman -- "Won't you come in please, and meet Groucho Marx!"
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"The Best Episodes" is a worthy follow-up to last year's Groucho Marx "Lost Episodes" DVD collection. Once again, there are 18 unedited "You Bet Your Life" programs that have not been viewed since the original broadcasts, along with a plethora of special guests, blooper reels and vintage commercials (including the famous Creamy Prom spot with Harpo and Chico). Running from 1947 to 1961, the comedy-quiz show was a perfect vehicle for Groucho's razor-sharp talents, which became evident when Groucho and producer John Guedel attempted a new format in the early 1960s with THREE less-than-stellar pilots - all featured in this DVD set. The inclusion of these unsuccessful ventures does throw the overall collection somewhat off-balance. Nevertheless, there are enough memorable laughs to satisfy any die-hard Marxist.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny
Great video. I forgot how funny the show was. Ahead of its time. Interesting guests, including some people that became famous.
Published 2 months ago by Peter Capozzoli
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good DVD? You bet your life!
This is a very worthwhile disc for fans of Groucho. As mentioned, it contains 18 full shows as they appeared initially. Read more
Published 4 months ago by R. Tobias
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wasn't as Familiar As I Thought It Would Be
I thought I knew a lot about "You Bet Your Life", but I was wrong. The shows are very slow-moving, and Groucho has to do a lot of tedious stuff... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Michael J. Fawcett
5.0 out of 5 stars
You Bet Your Life The Lost Episodes
This collection is so cool. It features lost episodes that you cannot find anymore until now. It also has a feature where you can pick either episodes, extras, and outtakes. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Robert Rohan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool show, nice box set
I've loved the Marx Brothers' movies ever since I was a kid -- but until I watched this DVD box set, I knew almost nothing of Groucho's solo career in television. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Little Roy Blue
5.0 out of 5 stars
Groucho
As funny now as he was when I watched the shows when I was a kid. Thers's only one Groucho!
Published 20 months ago by William Verdon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Disc one is missing
It takes me a while to get to watch things I buy but being sick with a bad cold and not much to watch I opened this 3 disc set.....only to find disc 1 is not there. Read more
Published on May 4, 2011 by miniartist
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Very Funny Show
This is quite entertaining and interesting piece of television history. The picture quality is very watchable but by no means pristine. Read more
Published on April 30, 2011 by John R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
What comedy and wit!
This tv program although in black and white is priceless. Mr Marx uses this program which is a quiz show to showcase his fast wit and interviews the contstants. Read more
Published on April 25, 2011 by Alan M. Mandel
5.0 out of 5 stars
the one---the only=GROUCHO
wifey and i have all these shows-unlike todays so called comedys you WILL laugh out loud--guaranteed! Read more
Published on April 23, 2011 by Neil L. Hudson
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