Hawaii Five-O - The Fourth Season
by Robert Butler
from Paramount
Filmed entirely on location in Hawaii the show followed Jack Lord as he played Steve McGarrett head of an elite state police unit investigating "organized crime murder assassination attempts foreign agents felonies of every type." James MacArthur played his second-in-command Danny ("Danno") Williams with local actors playing members of the Five-O team.System Requirements:Running Time: 1215 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 097368920743 Manufacturer No: 892074
Could it be that with Hawaii Five-O's fourth season, a third of the way into its remarkable '60s-'70s run, the show has gotten... well, cool? Actually, there are signs throughout this six-disc set of 24 digitally-remastered episodes that point to yes. Let's not get carried away here; Five-O is still basically as square as Tiananmen and Trafalgar, and as long as Steve McGarrett (portrayed, as ever, by Jack Lord) is in charge, its groove factor will never rival that of, say, CSI: Miami, or any other glossy new millennium cop drama. Indeed, the show's corniness and utter lack of irony remain integral to its charm. But there are a few interesting developments in this '71-'72 season. There's a good complement of snappy dialogue (one particularly large perp is "so big he could go bear-hunting with chopsticks"). And although the pacing can be pretty stodgy, the editing is a bit more deft; many scenes flow more naturally, and in at least one instance ("I Want Some Candy, and a Gun that Shoots," wherein a sniper is picking off cops on a coastal highway), the entire episode is more exciting than the Five-0 norm. The direction and lighting are also more stylish, while the music (not just Morton Stevens' classic theme song but the incidental sounds as well) and location scenery, two elements that have always been among the series' strong suits, are as good as ever; in fact, the islands look so lush and inviting that one wonders why the bad guys can even get motivated to commit their dirty deeds.
But they do, of course, and McGarrett and his faithful team (James MacArthur as Danno, Kam Fong as Chin Ho, and, in what remains one of the great TV credits ever, "Zulu as Kono") are there to stop 'em. This time around they're dealing with everything from a big money travelers check scam ("3,000 Crooked Miles to Honolulu," with Jed Clampett... er, Buddy Ebsen as a guest villain), eco-terrorism ("Is This Any Way to Run a Paradise"), political assassination ("Rest in Peace, Somebody"), and racism-rape ("Skinhead"), along with the usual murders and encounters with Red Chinese nemesis Wo Fat (Khigh Dhiegh). McGarrett is for the most part still as stiff as his hair, but Lord occasionally displays considerable passion, as when he breaks down in tears upon being informed that a nasty car accident did not leave him paralyzed (in "The 90-Second War," a two-parter). As always, bonus material is limited to brief, previous-week promos for each episode. --Sam Graham
Quincy, M.E. - Seasons 1 & 2
by David Alexander
from National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
When Jack Klugman played Oscar Madison in television's "The Odd Couple," it seemed no role could better suit him—until he stepped into the shoes of Dr. Quincy, the stubborn, crusading medical examiner in the trailblazing series (1976-1983) that spawned the medical investigation genre and earned Klugman four Emmy nominations. Immortalized for posterity is this collector's set of the show's first two seasons on three two-sided discs containing 16 episodes (four from Season One; 12 from Season Two). Beginning with the first installment, "Go Fight City Hall--To the Death," the series' socially conscious, quick-paced, and mostly believable storylines are an engaging blend of mystery, sleuthing, sarcasm, and romance stirred together into an action-packed drama. Each episode, such as the award-winning show, "The Thigh Bone's Connected to the Knee Bone," probes contemporary issues and promotes justice while maintaining a healthy dose of humor. A strong supporting cast includes Robert Ito (as Quincy's loyal lab assistant, Sam) and John S. Ragin (as skeptical boss, Dr. Asten). Jamie Lee Curtis makes a cameo appearance in "Visitors in Paradise," while additional celebrity guests include Buddy Hackett, Donna Mills, Kim Cattrall, and June Lockhart. The picture and sound quality are solid and each story begins with a short onscreen synopsis and original airdate. The only deficit in an otherwise stellar effort is the noticeable lack of bonus material such as vintage interviews, a making-of featurette, or a well-deserved tribute to Klugman. (Ages 12 and older) --Lynn Gibson
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries - Season One
by Jack Arnold
from Universal Studios
The Hardy Boys Mysteries and The Nancy Drew Mysteries began in 1977 as separate series alternating in the same time slot on ABC. Early the following year, the casts combined, and in the fall of 1978 the Nancy Drew thread was dropped and The Hardy Boys Mysteries continued on alone. This Season One boxed set captures the twin-series idea at its most ambitious, with adolescent brothers Frank and Joe Hardy, created by author Franklin W. Dixon, sleuthing for clues one week and Carolyn Keene's Nancy Drew investigating crimes the next.
Actually, as fans of the books know, Dixon and Keene were both pen names used by Edward Stratemeyer when he created those characters in 1927. Just as the young detectives have been updated in print every so often to accommodate successive generations of readers, so too did the TV show present Joe (Shaun Cassidy, brother of David Cassidy of The Partridge Family), Frank (Parker Stevenson), and Nancy (Pamela Sue Martin) as thoroughly 1970s kids. The boys are outfitted with motorcycles, Joe enjoys a retro-pop singing career, and Nancy has a certain freedom of movement only the hippest of dads in a permissive age would allow. Hardy Boys finds the always-amicable siblings following in the footsteps of their father, Fenton (Edmund Gilbert), a private detective, as they untangle capers that take them from haunted houses to Hawaii. The Hardy episodes make for brisk, family viewing, much better than the bubblegum reputation that built up, undeservedly, around the series. Slightly less interesting are the Nancy Drew programs (despite a more entertaining supporting cast), but only because the heroine is less focused and distractingly man-crazy, and the storylines are less exotic. An emphasis on the supernatural and science-fiction themes lends a Scooby-Doo vibe to several programs in both series, though the best stories are the ones with straightforward, meat-and-potatoes detective work. Among the directors on either series are Jack Arnold (The Creature from the Black Lagoon), Winrich Kolbe (Star Trek: The Next Generation), and actors Vince Edwards and Stuart Margolin. --Tom Keogh
The Hardy Boys Mysteries and The Nancy Drew Mysteries Trivia
• Jamie Lee Curtis and Robert Englund, who played the biker couple Mary and Gar in an episode of this series, started acting in horror films during this era.
Follow the clues to mystery, adventure and thrills as Season One of the The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries comes to DVD for the first time ever! Teen sensations Shaun Cassidy, Parker Stevenson and Pamela Sue Martin star as brave super-sleuths in 14 spooky episodes loaded with spellbinding action and smash-hit pop songs, including Shaun Cassidy's #1 hit "Da Doo Ron Ron." Inspired by the hugely popular books and with an amazing lineup of guest stars, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Harmon, Bob Crane, Rick Nelson and more, it's no surprise that The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries is an open-and-shut case for fun!
Private School
by Noel Black
from Universal Studios
Take Animal House, throw in a dose of television's Bosom Buddies and you get the Phoebe Cates/Matthew Modine sex farce Private School. The 1983 film was shot one year after Cates won fame in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (thanks primarily to her little red bikini), and two years before Modine won rave reviews for his work in Vision Quest. While neither star gives a stellar performance in Private School, both are appealing and likeable, even with the ridiculous premise. Chris (Cates) attends an all-girls private school, while horndog Jim (Modine) matriculates at the nearby all-boys school. In order to get close to her, Jim and his friend dress up like girls and befriend Chris and her hot posse. When Chris' sexy rival Jordan (Betsy Russell) tries to woo Jim away by riding a horse, Lady Godiva style, the stage is set for a catfight. Throw in a guest appearance by Sylvia Kristel of Emmanuelle fame and double entendres abound. The soundtrack is full of songs by '80s staples such as Rick Springfield, Vanity Six, and Bow Wow Wow, whose "I Want Candy" is played throughout a peeping shower scene. Though cheesy and intended for teenage boys, the film has an almost innocent charm compared to some of the current fare in theaters. --Jae-Ha Kim
No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: DVD
Artist: CATES/MODINE/RUSSELL/WILHOITE
Title: PRIVATE SCHOOL
Street Release Date: 03/06/2007
Genre: COMEDY VIDEO
Kojak - Season One
by William Hale (II)
from Universal Studios
On the timeline of successful TV cop dramas, Kojak offered bold authenticity and paved the way for NYPD Blue. As immortalized by Telly Savalas, veteran detective Theo Kojak was introduced in the 1973 TV movie The Marcus-Nelson Murders (not included in this 3-disc set), a ratings hit that encouraged CBS and writer-producer Abby Mann to create a trend-setting series (based on a book by Selwyn Raab) that premiered on October 24 of that year. The Greek, bald-headed, snappily attired Kojak brought no-nonsense bravado to homicide cases in South Manhattan--a setting that lent a gritty, urban edge to intelligent plots that won the respect of real cops with an emphasis on diligent police work instead of overblown action and phony glamour. While working cases with his captain Frank McNeil (Dan Frazer) and closest colleagues Crocker (Kevin Dobson) and Stavros (played by Savalas's brother George, credited as "Demosthenes" for the first two seasons), Kojak had a knack for bending the rules (but never breaking them) if he knew it would solve a crime.
Kojak came at a perfect time for Savalas and cop dramas in general. The actor's career was slumping in the early '70s (he'd just appeared in the Italian horror film Lisa and the Devil), and he quickly put his personal stamp on the role with street-wise sarcasm and trademark lollipops (a perfect prop that Savalas adopted to quit smoking). Consistently well-written, the series was realistically rooted in a broad spectrum of New York City crime. These qualities attracted plenty of fresh and established talent, and these 22 well-preserved episodes include guest appearances by Harvey Keitel, James Woods, Richard Jordan, Hector Elizondo, John Ritter (in one of his first TV roles), Paul Michael Glaser, Dabney Coleman, Tina Louise, and a host of familiar TV veterans. For this debut season, Savalas won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and Kojak ran for five well-rated seasons, followed by several TV-movie revivals in 1985, 1989, and 1990. The enduring popularity of Kojak was further proven when the show was revived yet again in March of 2005, with Ving Rhames in the title role. --Jeff Shannon
Emmy and Golden Globe winner Telly Savalas is back as Lieutenant Theo Kojak, television's greatest detective, in the unforgettable homicide series Kojak. He's got style, street smarts and a penchant for lollipops, and he's hitting the gritty streets of New York City in pursuit of some of television's toughest criminals. Relive all his smart, edgy adventures in the mystery series that People Magazine raves is "a TV classic: slick, well-plotted and entertaining." And now, it's an open-and-shut case with all 22 Season One episodes available on DVD for the first time ever!
Pretty Poison
by Noel Black
from 20th Century Fox
Newly released from a mental institution arsonist Dennis Pitt (Anthony Perkins) seeks a new life for himself in a charming Massachusetts town. And when he meets Sue Ann Stepanek (Tuesday Weld) a beautiful all-American cheerleader he decides to impress her by posing as a CIA agent. His false persona is seductive to Sue Ann and in fact her innocence begins to fade as she becomes more and more enthralled with Pitt s tales of violence. Ultimately the cheerleader and the ex-convict become a duo capable of doing anything to get what they want even murder in this exciting psychological drama with exceptional acting and an explosive ending you won t want to miss!System Requirements:Running Time: 89 MinutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE Rating: NR UPC: 024543370109 Manufacturer No: 2237010
A Change of Seasons
by Noel Black
from Starz / Anchor Bay
Adam Evans (Oscar®-winner Anthony Hopkins) is a middle- aged college professor having a torrid affair with a beautiful young coed (luscious Bo Derek, whose slow-motion hot tub romp with Hopkins remains one of the most erotic scenes of the decade). In retaliation, his wife Karyn (Oscar®-winner Shirley MacLaine) begins sleeping with a sexy young carpenter (Michael Brandon). But when Adam, Karyn and their respective lovers decide to vacation together in their country home, their four-way romantic getaway will test the limits of love, jealousy, family and freedom. Mary Beth Hurt (THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP) co-stars in this offbeat romantic comedy/drama co- written by Erich Segal, the Oscar®-nominated writer of LOVE STORY.
American Short Story Collection: I'm a Fool
by Noel Black
from Monterey Video
Written By: Teleplay Ron Cowen, based on the Sherwood Anderson classic
Starring: Ron Howard, Amy Irving
Directed By: Noel Black Traveling from town to town during the summer of 1919, young Andy (Ron Howard) has left his Ohio home in search of adventure and romance as a horse trainer on the country fair racing circuit.
More than a little "wet behind the ears", Andy learns a bittersweet lesson about life when he meets Lucy (Amy Irving, Academy Award Nominee), the girl of his dreams at the racetrack one day. Ashamed of his occupation, Andy leads Lucy to believe he's wealthy.
Soon one deception leads to another, until there is no way to tell Lucy the truth. The irony of the story is that Lucy and Andy have fallen deeply in love. As Andy dejectedly admits on his way out of town, all is lost because "I'M A FOOL."
DVD Features: Author Bio, Actor Bio, Printable Study Guide, About the American Short Story Collection, Audio Interview - Robert Geller, Henry Fonda Intro
Seen on PBS
A Time to Triumph
by Noel Black
from Allumination
The true story of a remarkable family's fight to survive. When rugged, young Chuck Hassan(Joe Bologna) is disabled by a massive heart attack, his wife Concetta (Patty Duke)becomes the breadwinner of the family. However, her earning capacity in the civilian job market cannot keep the Hassans off welfare. So, at age 32, Concetta joins the Army. She begins Army life as a recruit, and soon rises in rank to helicopter pilot. Meanwhile, Chuck learns to raise their daughters and make a house into a home. Two people unprepared for the challenge of a lifetime- to stay a family and to find A Time to Triumph.
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