Rating: 
Summary: Was my DVD set the only defective one?
Review: I recently purchased this DVD set, and I don't know if mine was the only one like this, but I was watching Buck Privates, and 17 minutes into the film, the image just froze. Many DVD's do have pauses as the film shifts from one layer to the next, but in this instance, playback stopped completely. I got my money back for it, but beware of something like this. I don't know if many of these other reviews have been written after the people tried out the DVD's, so it's possible that this could be a defect with many copies. On a positive note, to get 8 films for this price is unbelievable. But watch out for any glitches the DVD's may have in them.
Rating: 
Summary: A nostolgic treat...
Review: For any of you "boomers" that grew up the greater NY metro area and remember the WPIX (channel 11) obligatory airings of these films (around 11:00 AM on Sundays as I recall - a weekly ritual for us coming back from local church services)...a real treat and a must if you ever feel the urge to transplant yourself back to "simpler" times. The video transfers are outstanding...my only minor gripe might be the extremely low volume levels on some of the films Dolby 2.0 mono tracks - but, at this price, still a bargain and a half. I see that Universal is planning a Volume 2 for release in May (I'll probably pre-order like this one). Would have been really interesting if they had prepared this series similar to the "A&C Meet Frankenstein" DVD with commentary by Gregory Mank. Some of the inside stories on that production were extremely interesting (I'd probably pay triple for an 8 film package with film historian commentary/insights). Even so, this is a great package...looking forward to the next volume.
Rating:
Summary: A supreme achievement of the DVD era
Review: As an Abbott & Costello fan for 57 years, dating back to BUCK PRIVATES COME HOME, I have been waiting for years for such an extraordinary collection of their films. I hope that Universal/MCA's visionary packaging of 8 films on two discs at such a bargain price will encourage other studios to do the same. I truly believe there is a far greater market for the older films and classics than most companies realize and this release should prove it. DVD remastering is exemplary; I felt as though I were back in the theatre at the time of original release watching a luminous 35mm print. Keep 'Em Flying, MCA. 5-14-04: I have reviewed these discs again fully and found no problems with either Buck Privates or Hold That Ghost, as several others have claimed. Not all DVD players are equal; I have a Sony SLV-D300P, the combo DVD/Video player. I also have a Panasonic, which has given me some problems with DVDs and CD-Rs, but I haven't tested this set on that machine. So it seems that the discs are mastered extremely well, it's just up to the great variety of players on the market today. See my review for A&C, Volume 2, also.
Rating:
Summary: Abbott and Costello in High Hilarity
Review: This DVD set puts you in heaven. These 2 DVD's have a Main Menu for every film. Bonus Material usually includes the Theatrical Trailer and Production Notes. Abbott and Costello fans with devour this one. I'm itching for the next volumes. Scene Selections make it easy to find a classic routine like "Two Tens For a Five," "Who's on First?," "Mustard" and more. I need to go check out Volume 2. This Abbott and Costello Collection will be treasured in my home. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Most laughs for the dollar ....
Review: For the viewer who is not famaliar with Abbot and Costello, you can't find a better bargain than this set at roughly 20 dollars. Abbot and Costello were at their best in the early years and most of their best movies are on this two DVD set. At an average price of 2.50 per movie, it's hard to imagine a better bargain in entertainment. The five stars were not given because these movies rival the best Hollywood comedies, but rather the collection of these eight movies in a single twenty dollar purchase gives you the most laughs for the money. For the true lovers of Abbot and Costello, this purchase should be automatic. You might find this purchase a couple dollars cheaper at a retail store, but not by a lot (I got it for 19.99 at Target). For those who haven't experienced Abbot and Costello, this is your chance to really find out how silly and humorous they were (and still are). Also, the nice thing about movies made at this time is that you still can see traces of old vaudeville ... something that is becoming part of America's lost history. Technically speaking: The production on any DVD comes down to two things, audio synchronization and picture quality. A discerning ear will pick up a time difference on a poorly produced DVD. This DVD has excellent image quality and very good audio synchronization. For this period of film, they must have done some image restoration that really made the film a nice production to view.
Rating:
Summary: First rate comedy---First rate restoration
Review: My children had never seen Abbott and Costello before we bought this set. They laughed at the gags, and the story lines have kept their attention. Universal did a great job with the restoration, and the price is simply unbelievable. I can not wait for the next volume. My pre-order will go in as soon as it hits the Amazon web site. If you are an Abbott and Costello fan, this is the set you've been waiting for. I have one of these films on Laser Disc (Buck Privates), and the video restoration on the DVDs in this set is far superior to the video quality of the Laser Disc issue. And at this price, Universal can release the whole re-issue series at once, and I would buy it in a heart beat. I can't wait!
Rating:
Summary: very good value.
Review: I had a dvd with "African screams". It was ok picture/sound quality and no subtitles. I ordered the dvd assuming even if these are just as ok, it will be work below $20. But the picture/sound is much better. If you love A&C this is best treat and more is coming (I preordered at $17- don't wait for next one to come out - preorder while its $4-$5 cheaper). In case you want info on movies, reviews rating see them on imdb.com.
Rating:
Summary: If Your a A&C Fan You Have to Get This DVD Set
Review: I'm not going to review the movies themselves , because if your a fan you already know that their great.This review is on the DVD set. The quality of the picture and sound is excellent , way better than I expected.If that isn't enough the price of this disc set is unbelievable. You are receiving 8 films of fantastic quality for what you would normally pay for one disc.Also included among the 8 films is the very hard to find Ride em Cowboys, I have seen used vhs copies of this particular movie sell for $60.00 by itself. If you are a fan , don't pass this one up , you will regret it if you do. I will be keeping an eye out for the next vol. I would suggest you do the same.
Rating:
Summary: Classic B movies get grade A treatment on DVD!
Review: Universal finally does A&C right by packaging their first eight movies in style for an unbelievable price. I received mine yesterday-knowing the prints would be at least as good as the videos and was surprised at how much better they looked on DVD. Sure, there are some very minor flaws, as these are not completely restored like the much costlier Sherlock Holmes series. But no one should complain because the prints and audio still look and sound great. Very clean and well balanced. Also, the menus are attractive and well designed, and each movie has a trailer and fairly detailed production notes.
As far as content is concerned, you're looking at some of the funniest, liveliest American films ever. A&C honed their routines to ad-libbed perfection and it's said that they rarely performed the same routine the same way twice. Their comedy is spontaneous and hilarious-marred only by the addition of some bland boy/girl subplots and tedious musical numbers. But some of the music is excellent. Check out the Andrews sisters in three of the early films and the great Ella Fitzgerald in Ride 'em Cowboy. Don't hesitate to buy this DVD set.
Rating:
Summary: Now that its out, we can really talk about it, yes?
Review: This is one of the best values in DVD history, and hats off to Universal - very smart idea. I could only hope that they follow suit with the Marx Brothers - its about time. The b/w transfers and sound are mint, with only a little bit of dirt or cinch marks noticeable at the beginnings of reels. Buck Privates, Keep em Flying, Ride em Cowboy and Hold that Ghost are among their top eight (I would add BP Come home, Time of Their Lives, and Frankenstein) - wonderful clasic bits and supporting casts througout. A dream for A and C fans- I also urge you to look for the 8 TV show discs - this is truly dadaist craziness at its best, with the immortal Sidney Fields - ther humor on this show about "nothing" the source of the rhythm and spirit of Seinfeld.
|
