The Four Complete Historic Ed Sullivan Shows featuring the Beatles and other Artists
by Ed Sullivan
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DVD details
Actor: Ed Sullivan, The BeatlesDirector: Ed Sullivan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 240 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-10-24
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Sunset Home Visual Entertainment (SHE)
DVD Reviews of The Four Complete Historic Ed Sullivan Shows featuring the Beatles and other Artists
DVD Review: Priceless. Historical,
Summary: 5 Stars
There is no way that this DVD/video can be less than 5 stars, you get EXACTLY what is advertised: The four complete 1 hour shows in which The Beatles appeared . . . campy commercials, tech malfunctions, schlocky comedy routines and all. Every second of each show, titles to trailers. This is jaw-droppingly awesome, priceless, historical TV footage. On two VHS tapes or DVDs.
For those of us 50ish and older, this has major nostalgia value. For those younger, this is a peek at a TV world you might not have known existed.
The specific Beatles footage, which is the original reason I sought out this set, is a must have for even a casual Beatles, 60's rock, or British rock fan: Ringo and his 3-piece drum set, left-handed Paul playing his inverted right-handed bass (and that pristeen voice), George with his jaw slightly agape as he picks out notes on that big Fender like a play-by-numbers learner (later to become one of rock's premier lead guitarists), genius John Lennon smiling as he belts out the music that all originated in his own head (despite whatever credit was shared). Fabulous footage.
At this early stage of their fame they seemed to be genuinely having fun. One can even see a little evolution between the first 1964 show and the final Sept, 1965 act . . . trousers a little looser, John hamming a bit a ad lib, hair styles starting to become more individualized.
Great song selections -- Please Please Me, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Twist and Shout, Help, I Feel Fine, and many more. All My Loving was so hot that it is repeated on both the first and second shows in the set. A light hearted apology is tendered for Ringo's singing skills before he does Act Naturally. There is even a fortunate technical malfunction on "I Saw Her Standing There" in which lead singer Paul's mike comes up dead from the start and the vocal is only John singing harmony for several lines. Priceless stuff.
I don't like The Beatles' politics or religion. I didn't even care for their solo careers (except George). But this early stage of their ascension was just genius, and an uncanny bit of "luck" that these talents all crossed paths.
Beside the Beatles appearances, there is all of the other typical Sullivan stuff, some of it wonderful, some of it not. Frank Gorshin, Cilla Black, Allen & Rossi, Mitzi Gaynor (a great talent), Soupy Sales, some animal and magic acts. Some of the comedy does not seem even remotely funny, and some of it is refreshingly politically incorrect. The commercials are gloriously bad. You also get Ed shouting at the audience to BE QUIET! (the girls are in a post-Beatles hysterical frenzy) so we can hear about a new dish detergent or cake mix (seriously).
All four shows are in black and white. My copy is on VHS, which allegedly has some audio advantages over DVD (I can't confirm that). I found the visual and audio quality to be quite good. I even caught some lip-synching (none of it by The Beatles). Interestingly, at the end of the last show, Ed announces that the next week will be their first broadcast in "full color" (as opposed to partial color??).
I cannot imagine anyone being disappointed, or not hugely entertained by this. A must for your DVD/video library.
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