Vance, Vivian

The Great Race

Director Blake Edwards, fresh from the success of the first two Pink Panther movies, indulged his love of classic slapstick comedy with this long free-for-all, which throws in everything but Laurel and Hardy's kitchen sink. The film reunites Some Like It Hot stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, ably aided by a spunky Natalie Wood. The subject is a New-York-to-Paris auto race in the early years of the 20th century, pitting the Great Leslie (Curtis), a goody-goody dressed all in white--even his teeth sparkle--against the malevolent Professor Fate (Lemmon), whose coal-black heart is reflected in his handlebar mustache. He looks like a bill collector from a silent- movie melodrama. Lemmon does double duty, also playing the pampered, drunken king of a small European country, whose laugh sounds like the wail of a cat in heat. The film may be too long for its own good, and you really have to love Jack Lemmon to put up with his over-the-top performance, but it's side-splitting in spots. It's one of those movies, if seen in childhood, that stays in your mind for years afterward. Some of the bigger routines, such as a pie fight of epic proportions, don't work as well as the simple chemistry between the perpetually exasperated Professor Fate and his much-abused assistant, Max (a terrific Peter Falk). Push the button, Max. --Robert Horton

At the turn of the 20th century a host of colorful characters set out on a 20000-mile auto race from New York to Paris and hilarity ensues. (1965)Running Time: 164 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY UPC: 085391109129 Manufacturer No: 11091

I Love Lucy: The Complete Series

The Whole McGillicuddy: All 9 Seasons! All 194 Episodes! Fall in love again and again with the timeless comedy that entertains generation after generation. This special 34-disc DVD collection contains every hilarious episode of every classic season of I Love Lucy - from the Lost Pilot to the The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour shows. Join Lucy Ricky Fred and Ethel for non-stop laughter as you savor every magical moment of the greatest sitcom of all time. Includes all new special features including I Love Lucy: The Movie the first Fully-Colorized I Love Lucy episode I Love Lucy at the 6th Annual Emmy® Awards highlights of Lucy & Desi's First Joint TV Appearance and hours of bonus features from the individual complete season releases!System Requirements:TRT: 777 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS UPC: 097361234342 Manufacturer No: 123434

The I Love Lucy - 50th Anniversary Special

The producers of The "I Love Lucy" 50th Anniversary Special had a tough assignment, and they triumphantly rose to the occasion. Ostensibly a vehicle for a fan-selected list of top 10 favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes (available in the Best of I Love Lucy Collection), this 2001 special covers all the requisite territory with a solid sense of history and affectionate nostalgia, combining loving reminiscence and commentary (by such luminaries as Lily Tomlin, Barbara Walters, and Dick Van Dyke) with vintage clips from the selected episodes. More substantial segments demonstrate the deeper significance of the Lucy phenomenon past and present, from Desi Arnaz's influential impact on Latino culture in America to Lucy's historic onscreen pregnancy. When surviving children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. visit their mother's childhood home, their emotions are as genuine as I Love Lucy's cultural importance, adding gentle tears to an abundance of laughter. As valentines go, this anniversary couldn't be more special. --Jeff Shannon

The Lucy Show - Lucy's Lost Episodes on DVD

CBS Salutes Lucy - The First 25 Years

This is Lucy at her finest: getting drunk on Vitameatavegamin, stuffing chocolates down her dress on the assembly line, sinking in quicksand with Jack Benny, and making movie deals with fellow cleaning woman Carol Burnett. This 1976 tribute to Lucille Ball captures prize moments from her three television series (most notably I Love Lucy), highlights from her movie career, and excerpts from numerous other TV appearances. Each segment of the 97-minute special is introduced by famous cohorts, from series regulars such as ex-husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and Gale Gordon to sometime coworkers like John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dick Van Dyke. Although she lived another 13 years after this special was made and had a fourth go at a TV series, this DVD captures the most brilliant moments of her trademark physical comedy. The red-haired queen of American comedy makes an appearance at the end when Jimmy Stewart gives her an honorary plaque, making for a nostalgic moment. A short time later the credits roll, revealing that Ball's production company was behind the tribute and reminding viewers she wasn't a bad businesswoman either. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Known as the funniest woman in television history, Lucille Ball was one of a kind. With her outlandish schemes and deadpan zingers, the red-headed actress became legendary, and with her TV shows in wide syndication for years, loved for generations around the world. For good reason, CBS adored Lucy and in 1976 gathered the cast members and many guest stars to participate in a very special television celebration of Lucy's amazing TV life--"CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years." Guest stars include Jimmy Stewart, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, George Burns, Jack Benny, Carol Burnett, William Holden, Bob Hope, Harpo Marx, Dean Martin, Red Skelton and more.

CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years [Region 2]

This is Lucy at her finest: getting drunk on Vitameatavegamin, stuffing chocolates down her dress on the assembly line, sinking in quicksand with Jack Benny, and making movie deals with fellow cleaning woman Carol Burnett. This 1976 tribute to Lucille Ball captures prize moments from her three television series (most notably I Love Lucy), highlights from her movie career, and excerpts from numerous other TV appearances. Each segment of the 97-minute special is introduced by famous cohorts, from series regulars such as ex-husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and Gale Gordon to sometime coworkers like John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dick Van Dyke. Although she lived another 13 years after this special was made and had a fourth go at a TV series, this DVD captures the most brilliant moments of her trademark physical comedy. The red-haired queen of American comedy makes an appearance at the end when Jimmy Stewart gives her an honorary plaque, making for a nostalgic moment. A short time later the credits roll, revealing that Ball's production company was behind the tribute and reminding viewers she wasn't a bad businesswoman either. --Kimberly Heinrichs

The Lucy Show

The Lucy Show was a magnet to audiences and stars alike. This special edition DVD presents four wonderful episodes full of star power.NR (Suitable for all ages)System Requirements:Running Time: 100 minutes Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 787364457090 Manufacturer No: 44570-9