You Bet Your Life - The Best Episodes
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DVD details
Actor: George Fenneman, Groucho MarxEditor: Robert Dwan
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Unknown; English (Original Language), Unknown
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 30 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-07-27
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Reviews of You Bet Your Life - The Best Episodes
DVD Review: Quaint comedy with occasional highlights
Summary: 3 Stars
Judging from the appearance of the package's artwork and accompanying booklet, I gathered that the episodes burned into these 3 discs were to be nothing less than top-notch. After all, the working title of this production had been "The Best Episodes."
There seems, however, to have been more thought and care put into the afore-mentioned package design than into the actual shows. Dirt and scratches abound! Why couldn't they have placed more of the production value into the PRODUCTION rather than the container? The films themselves look as though no attempt whatsoever was made to clean and digitally re-master them.
As far as entertainment is concerned, there is some here. Most of the people who Groucho interviews are the average John Q. Public. In some cases they have so little to say that Groucho has to "pry" the words from them. Why were those folks included in "The Best Episodes?" Groucho, with his unique style of interviewing seems to fare more favorably when he has outspoken and/or off-beat types to contend with.
Every once in the while, however, person or persons will demonstrate their natural gift for gab and charm us with their openess, honesty and antics:
Eccentric fruit peddler and future health food guru Gypsy Boots tells of his living in trees and caves. When Groucho asks him to spell the word "gnome," his enthusiastic misspellings are priceless - much to the annoyance of his fellow contestant.
A frustrated lady lyricist/trombone player demonstrates her affection for the show's announcer, George Fenneman, as he attempts to maintain his composure while Groucho watches in awe.
In addition to the original broadcast versions are several "stag reels." These are out-takes from various shows that were considered a bit too bawdy for television of that era:
"I had a frozen daiquiri once when I was up north - that's the last time I go out without long underwear." While Groucho could let loose with such dialog in front of the studio audience, there were always those particular one-liners destined for the cutting room floor prior to air time.
All-in-all, the price of this three-disc set is rather steep, but if you're a dedicated Groucho Marx and/or old-time television game show fan you may find it a quaint treat.
Description of You Bet Your Life - The Best Episodes
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.
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
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