Blondie Vol 1

Rating:
Summary: First five "Blondie" films on DVD.
Review: What a wonderful treat and nice surprise that the "Blondie" film series is finally available on DVD and I only see Amazon.com selling them. Still available on VHS, and very collectible, thanks to Bridgestone Multimedia Group and Hearst Entertainment, Amazon.com has currently sold out some of the Blondie films in stock, but you can buy the films individually on VHS or as a set on VHS at moviesunlimited.com.
Amazon.com is offering Blondie--Volume One and Blondie--Volume Two at the price of $4.99 each (price is subject to change).
Blondie--Volume One contains the first five "Blondie" flms in correct order.
BLONDIE (1938) 68 min.
During the wee late night hours on tv in the 1980's, I discovered the "Blondie" film series. They were so funny that a good laugh could help me sleep. I never forgot how much I enjoyed the films I saw. Made by Columbia Pictures Corporation, there are 28 films in all spanning from 1938 to 1950. Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake and Larry Simms were in all the films for 12 years. Larry Simms was in "Blondie" at the age of 3 until he was 15. We literally saw Larry Simms grow up to be a fine teenager and Danny Mummert too. Penny Singleton lived until November 12, 2003 at the age of 95. Her last project was doing the voice of "Jane Jetson" in Jetsons: The Movie (1990). Each film begins with a short preview of a few scenes in the film, then followed by the hilarious postman mishap. The Blondie films are warm to the heart and very enjoyable to see and I highly recommend them. They are fine for children to see.

BLONDIE MEETS THE BOSS (1939) 71 min.
As you may know by now after seeing the first film of the series, "Blondie" (1938), the films are wholesome and have a pure sense of humor. This second film "Blondie Meets The Boss" is just as funny as the first. If the Blondie films seem to be serious at times, please take it in light-hearted fun. Everything works out in the end. Dagwood (Arthur Lake) wears the apron this time. You might recognize the boy who plays "Alvin Fuddle". He is Danny Mummert. He played Baby Dumpling's pal beginning with the very first film, Blondie (1938), at the age of 4 until the last film, Beware of Blondie (1950), at the age of 16. Danny Mummert did 24 Blondie films in all. As always, the film ends with a happy ending and a smile on your face. Isn't Daisy a hoot?

BLONDIE TAKES A VACATION (1939) 68 min.
This film, the third in the Blondie film series, takes a refreshing change of pace. The Bumsteads (Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake) finally get to take a two-week vacation. The vacation isn't exactly trouble-free though. There is much concern for Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms). This film makes a dramatic turn when Baby Dumpling gets caught inside a hotel on fire.

BLONDIE BRINGS UP BABY (1939) 67 min.
Just when the new mailman thought he had a new clever idea to deliver the mail to the Bumsteads without the letters literally becoming "air mail", here comes Dagwood (Arthur Lake) again! Alvin (Danny Mummert) is back to visit his pal Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms) to exert his intelligence. Today is Baby Dumpling's first day in school and not all goes well.

BLONDIE ON A BUDGET (1940) 71 min.
Dagwood (Arthur Lake) is trying to sweet talk Blondie (Penny Singleton), who is working seriously on the household budget, into giving him $200. After seeing his father put too much sugar into his coffee, Baby Dumpling (Larry Simms) spills the beans and tells his mother that daddy wants the money to join The Trout Club. Blondie wanted to buy a new fur coat. Alvin (Danny Mummert) walks in to offer social comfort, but when he offers to answer the front door, who should it be but Rita Hayworth. Here is where the fun begins. Isn't that taxi driver talented with impersonations? By the way, Baby Dumpling has his first wiggly tooth.
The next film in the series is BLONDIE HAS SERVANT TROUBLE.

The cover of this first Volume is very nice looking and the back of the case gives a little detail about each film presented (you can read more in my reviews for each film in the "Blondie" VHS section). Getting this DVD volume is a bargin, however the films have not been restored and the "Platnium Disc Corporation" logo appears in the lower right-hand corner from time to time. On VHS, the film print looks a little sharper than the DVD volumes ans on VHS there is no logo seen during the film.
DVD contains no extras, no bonuses, no inserts.

Rating:
Summary: Make Yourself a "Dagwood" Sandwich and Enjoy the Movies!
Review: When I was kid back in the 1970's, almost every weekend, I would sit (with a bowl of Coco Puffs) in front my family's little 19" inch set and watch a Baltimore local station broadcast the "Sunday Morning Movie". This must of been the start of my love of classic old B&W movies from yesteryear. I loved watching Tarzan, King Kong, Abbott & Costello and the Marx Brother's Movies. But among my favorites was watching the 1930's &'40's series of "Blondie" movies that featured actors Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. I couldn't get enough of hearing that exasperated yell of "Bloooonndieeeee!!!" and watching the poor mail carrier get run over in more ways then I can count! The 28 films, which ran from 1938-1950 were based on the Chic Young comic strip of the same name. The movies were a hilarious look at family life featuring hapless husband and dad, Dagwood Bumstead (Arthur Lake), his busybody but loving wife, Blondie (Penny Singleton), their precocious child, "Baby Dumpling" (Larry Simms) and finally the Marcel Marceau of pooches, Daisey. Most of the films usually had some variation of Dagwood getting fired by his tempermental boss, Mr. Dithers (Jonathan Hale) and Blondie getting him his job back. No, these were not Academy Award winning spectacles. They were just very funny, simple, low budget B films, that were always good for giving big belly laughs. Now, for the first time in 2 volumes the "Blondie" series is now available in the DVD format. As far as the quality of the DVDs go this is the perfect example of "getting what you pay for". These budget priced DVDs have been produced on the cheap. The picture quality is watchable, but is on par with a VHS tape. For some strange reason you also get a 5 minute preview (usually the ending of the film) before each feature starts, which can be most disconcerting. Worst of all, every so often, the DVD company's logo appears in the lower corner of the screen! Despite these deficiencies, I would still recommend these DVDs simply because the "Blondie" films are just so entertaining and fun! Hopefully some one will have the common sense to put out the other 18 films (especially the ones with WWII era themes & plotlines). Highly recommended for both adults and kids alike!