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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Bewitched": One of My Favorite TV Shows of All Time, September 12, 2005
Between 1964 and 1972, TV audiences were mesmerized by a lovely fictional witch named Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery, 1933-1995) who fell in love with an ordinary mortal named Darrin Stevens (for the first five seasons, played by Dick York, 1928-1992). Initially, Darrin didn't know that Samantha was a witch and was initially frightened by the prospect upon learning about it, but his love for Samantha was very strong. Equally in love with Darrin, Samantha promised not to use her powers and learn how to live as an ordinary mortal herself. However, Samantha periodically found that using a little witchcraft from time to time wasn't a bad thing; especially when one of her relatives that didn't approve of her marriage with Darrin decided to pay a visit. In particular, neither her mother, Endora (Agnes Moorehead, 1900-1974), nor her father, Maurice (regularly returning guest actor Maurice Evans, 1901-1989), were particularly fond of Darrin and often referred to him as "What's His Name", "Dustbin", "Derwood" or some other unflattering name. However, Samantha's sensitive and very kind Aunt Clara (regularly returning guest actress Marion Lorne, 1883-1968), who had a penchant for collecting doorknobs, liked Darrin; but Darrin (and Samantha) would often get a little nervous when she paid a visit because her powers didn't always do what Aunt Clara expected. Three of Samantha's other aunts who would visit less frequently were Aunt Agatha (occasional returning guest actress Georgia Schmidt, 1904-1997), Aunt Bertha (occasional returning guest actress Reta Shaw, 1912-1982) and Aunt Hagatha (Diana Chesney). Then, there's Samantha's joke-loving Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde, 1926-1982) who made his first appearance in the second season. Recognizing the difficulties that could occur if other mortals found out that Samantha and her relatives were witches and warlocks, Darrin and Samantha do their very best to keep other mortals from learning their secret. This includes Darrin's boss Larry Tate (David White, 1916-1990), his wife Louise (played in the first two seasons by Irene Vernon, 1922-1998), Darrin's often-confused mother Phyllis (Mabel Albertson, 1901-1982) and his sensible father Frank (Robert F. Simon, 1908-1992). After Darrin and Samantha purchase their house in the fictitious neighborhood of "Morning Glory Circle", they must contend with a very nosy neighbor across the street by the name of Gladys Kravitz (first two seasons by Alice Pearce, 1917-1966); but her husband Abner (George Tobias, 1901-1980) always managed to keep her in check.
What made "Bewitched" such a wonderful show was the quality of the acting, the quality of the story writing (for at least the first 5 seasons), the very engaging and interesting characters and the comedy. Sadly, Dick York had to leave show due to health reasons following the fifth season; but the show continued to be produced for an additional 3 seasons with Darrin being played by Dick Sargent (1930-1994). Unfortunately, Dick Sargent wasn't as popular with fans as Dick York had been and in the closing seasons the writing began to suffer as stories from earlier seasons began to be repeated. Overall, though, the show was remarkably entertaining.
The second season had 38 wonderful episodes: "Alias Darrin Stephens" (Samantha is pregnant, but Aunt Clara accidentally turned Darrin into a chimpanzee); "A Very Special Delivery"; "We're in for a Bad Spell"; "My Grandson the Warlock" (Maurice mistakenly thinks that the Tates' baby is his grandson); "The Joker Is a Card" (Uncle Arthur is introduced); "Take Two Aspirins", "Trick or Treat" (Halloween with the Stevens); "The Very Informal Dress"; "...And Then I Wrote"; "Junior Executive"; "Aunt Clara's Old Flame"; "A Strange Little Visitor"; "My Boss the Teddy Bear" (Darrin thinks that Endora turned Larry into a teddy bear); "Speak the Truth" (Aunt Hagatha is introduced); "A Vision of Sugar Plums"; "The Magic Cabin" (one of my favorite episodes with Darrin & Samantha staying for the weekend in Larry's rundown cabin); "Maid to Order" (Alice Ghostley as the accident-prone maid Naomi before she would return in the sixth season as the better-known maid Esmerelda, replacing the deceased Marion Lorne's character of Aunt Clara as the witch with unpredictable powers); "And Then There Were Three" (Tabitha is born); "My Baby, The Tycoon"; "Samantha Meet the Folks"; "Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue"; "The Dancing Bear"; "Double Tate"; "Samantha the Dressmaker" (Samantha zaps up fancy dresses); "The Horse's Mouth" (Samantha turns a horse named Dolly into a human, played by Patty Regan, 1930-1996); "Baby's First Paragraph" (Gladys thinks that the infant Tabitha talk thanks to Endora); "The Leprechaun"; "Double Split"; "Disappearing Samantha"; "Follow That Witch" (two parts, a fantastic pair of episodes); "A Bum Raps"; "Divided He Falls"; "Man's Best Friend"; "The Catnapper"; "What Every Young Man Should Know"; "The Girl with the Golden Nose" and "Prodigy"
Overall, I rate "Bewitched: The Complete Second Season" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars. Whether you decide to purchase it in its original black and white or colorized version, you'll be sure to enjoy each and every episode.
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yagga-Zuzi, Yagga-Zuzi, Yagga-Zuzi ZIMMM!!! Ding-a-Ling-a-Ling, WHONNK!!!, August 19, 2005
How great it is that the second season of "Bewitched" is coming to DVD so soon on the heels of the first season, again in both original black & white or colorized options. In my opinion there are some real gems in this season. The one where Uncle Arthur plays a trick on Darrin, making him think he can cast a spell on Endora with an incantation, cow bell and duck call (see the title of this review for how it went) is a real hoot. This season also has the one where Endora had a small statue that made mortals tell the truth when they were close to it, as well as the one where she divided Darren into a "fun side" and a "work side". These three episodes are just a drop in the bucket of the fine entertainment that will await you if you buy this set. I will definitely just go ahead and order it off Amazon from the start this time, since I got a rude awakening real quick in trying to find the B/W version of season one at any retail stores around here. At least this is the last season where any trouble will be had, since from season three to the end the show was in color by default!
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41 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ahh, Season 2 - In Black and White Glory!, August 29, 2005
Ahh, color is nice, but if you want to enjoy the season the way it was made in the first place, this black and white DVD collection is for you. Remember this season is also offered in remastered color, so you might want to take a gander if black and white seems out of place for you. These episodes have been remastered and look very good considering their age (1965) and fans will love having them in their Bewitched collection. A few of the episodes are basic flashbacks from Season 1, which is a bit annoying because they are just recordings from the previous season. Sure there are only a few, but why do episodes that were in the previous season? Very odd. Anyway...
Season 2 contains a whopping 38 wonderful episodes in all, one gigantic Season for true fans that want to enjoy some serious bewitching entertainment. As fans know, these timeless episodes have easily withstood the test of time, even here in 2005 I'm loving it all. Season 2 still includes the very funny antics of Alice Pearce and George Tobias (Kravitz's)as they reprise their roles as the nosy neighbors across the street. Alice Pearce is a wonderful actress as her nosy-self just makes the series all that more enjoyable. Her relationship with her husband reminds me of the "Roepers" from Three's Company, the crazy one liners from the two will draw chuckles every time!
Unfortunately you'll only be able to enjoy her throughout season 2 as she (sadly) does not return for Season 3 and is replaced by a lesser known, so enjoy the very best Mrs. Kravitz now! Alice Pearce (Mrs. Kravitz) developed cancer in the middle of Season 2 and ask you can see by watching, her weight and health deteriorated. She is missing for most of the second 1/2 of the season and they actually saved an earlier episode with her in it to save it for the last one. I for one believe Bewitched would never have been as successful without her in it.
Season 2 also really shines as Marion Lorne (Aunt Clara) is throughout this season and she is wonderful. I would have loved to have an Aunt as sweet and funny as her. Sadly, more tragedy. In the real world, Lorne suffered a massive heart attack during Season 2 and explains her absence the second half of the season. Dick York, the most famous Darrin of them all also suffered "unbeknownst to many" through his life as Darrin. He suffered from a constant back ailment and it slowly progressed to the point where he simply could not continue his role. York recalls his feelings every day as Darrin. " "I took pain pills to get to sleep because I didn't want to go to work the next day exhausted." York suffered, and suffered, but fans know he never let anyone know, he fought the pain and made everyone laugh, and that's why he's so special, he just wanted to make people laugh. York finally succombed to lung cancer and passed away in 1992. Sam (Montgomery) life was also cut short due to "colon cancer" and she died at a very youthful 62 years old. Just a little tidbit note, Montgomery was also a very "avid smoker" and was noted as smoking during breaks of the show and was difficult for her not lightup during filming when everyone else on the show usually did. Ok, enough sad stories!
Lookout for Endora and Darrin really battling it out in this grand season. The episode where she turns him into a warewolf on Halloween is priceless entertainment. And I never stop laughing as she still continues to never remember his name...Darwood, Darwin, Darewood, Damian, David, just simply hilarious. And don't worry about Dick York (the favorite Darrin of them all)leaving the series anytime soon, even with his rotten back, he will be around for several more DVD packs, specifically Season 5 and then eventually replaced by Dick Sargeant for Season's 6-8. The big news early in this season is that Sam is going to have a baby! Think she'll be a witch? Do you know what episode Tabitha is born in? If you're fan, you already know the answer! Wiggle your nose and get your copy of Bewitched the Season Season now!
1. Alias Darrin Stephens
2. A Very Special Delivery
3. We're in For a Bad Spell
4. My Grandson the Warlock
5. The Joker is a Card
6. Take Two Aspirin
7. Trick or Treat
8. The Very Informal Dress
9. And Then I Wrote...
10. Junior Executive
11. Aunt Clara's Old Flame
12. A Strange Little Visitor
13. My Boss the Teddy Bear
14. Speak the Truth
15. A Vision of Sugar Plums
16. The Magic Cabin
17. Maid to Order
18. And Then There Were Three
19. My Baby the Tycoon
20. Samantha Meet the Folks
21. Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue
22. The Dancing Bear
23. Double Tate
24. Samantha the Dressmaker
25. The Horse's Mouth
26. Baby's First Paragraph
27. The Leprechaun
28. Double Split
29. Disappearing Samantha
30. Follow That Witch (1)
31. Follow That Witch (2)
32. A Bum Raps
33. Divided He Falls
34. Man's Best Friend
35. The Catnapper
36. What Every Young Man Should Know
37. The Girl With the Golden Nose
38. Prodigy
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