Rating: 
Summary: A terrific blast from the past with Groucho and Mr. Fenneman
Review: This collection of Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life" quiz shows was obviously prepared with care and affection. In addition to the 18 episodes in the set, many of them never included in the 1961 syndication package, there is a host of show-related video and audio clips. The "stag reel" out-takes contain double-entendre language that never made it to broadcast; it's mild by today's standards but very funny, with Groucho getting the most out of every bawdy laugh. A behind-the-scenes demo with Groucho, announcer George Fenneman, and the series' directors is interesting, and the show's original 1950s commercials are included (but programmed separately, a minor point). "You Bet Your Life" is first and foremost a vehicle for Groucho Marx, who tosses zingers at hapless contestants. The simple format and low-tech presentation are quite refreshing. If you grew up with the "Best of Groucho" reruns, you may recall that the picture was often re-cropped and enlarged to eliminate the sponsor's logo, resulting in off-center, grainy images. These DVDs boast the original camera compositions, which show the full set and background, with surprisingly sharp picture quality. (There is one episode shown in "Best of Groucho" format, which offers a comparison as well as nostalgia.) Radio-show collectors may be familiar with the Ernie Kovacs episode, which has been issued on disc, but the TV version has different editing and may be of special interest. Probably the most famous episode of "You Bet Your Life" is included here: the guest is Ramiro G. Gonzales ("Pedro Gonzales Gonzales"). Pedro is barely able to conduct a conversation in English with Groucho, and his flights of fancy are very enjoyable: one minute he's singing "Alla En El Rancho Grande," then he's making eyes at a female contestant, then he's bravely trying to cope with Groucho's rapid-fire interviewing. It's little wonder that Senor Gonzales became an overnight celebrity. And that's just one of Groucho's guests, some of whom "bet your life" too recklessly and wind up with a few cents! Fans of Groucho and vintage television will love this set. Print quality is very good to excellent, and each of the three DVDs has a representative cross-section of 1950-59 material. Hats off to the DVD producers and to NBC for recognizing the market for this genuine television classic.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific blast from the past with Groucho and Mr. Fenneman
Review: This collection of Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life" quiz shows was obviously prepared with care and affection. In addition to the 18 episodes in the set, many of them never included in the 1961 syndication package, there is a host of show-related video and audio clips. The "stag reel" out-takes contain double-entendre language that never made it to broadcast; it's mild by today's standards but very funny, with Groucho getting the most out of every bawdy laugh. A behind-the-scenes demo with Groucho, announcer George Fenneman, and the series' directors is interesting, and the show's original 1950s commercials are included (but programmed separately, a minor point). "You Bet Your Life" is first and foremost a vehicle for Groucho Marx, who tosses zingers at hapless contestants. The simple format and low-tech presentation are quite refreshing. If you grew up with the "Best of Groucho" reruns, you may recall that the picture was often re-cropped and enlarged to eliminate the sponsor's logo, resulting in off-center, grainy images. These DVDs boast the original camera compositions, which show the full set and background, with surprisingly sharp picture quality. (There is one episode shown in "Best of Groucho" format, which offers a comparison as well as nostalgia.) Radio-show collectors may be familiar with the Ernie Kovacs episode, which has been issued on disc, but the TV version has different editing and may be of special interest. Probably the most famous episode of "You Bet Your Life" is included here: the guest is Ramiro G. Gonzales ("Pedro Gonzales Gonzales"). Pedro is barely able to conduct a conversation in English with Groucho, and his flights of fancy are very enjoyable: one minute he's singing "Alla En El Rancho Grande," then he's making eyes at a female contestant, then he's bravely trying to cope with Groucho's rapid-fire interviewing. It's little wonder that Senor Gonzales became an overnight celebrity. And that's just one of Groucho's guests, some of whom "bet your life" too recklessly and wind up with a few cents! Fans of Groucho and vintage television will love this set. Print quality is very good to excellent, and each of the three DVDs has a representative cross-section of 1950-59 material. Hats off to the DVD producers and to NBC for recognizing the market for this genuine television classic.
Rating:
Summary: Gotta Buy This One!
Review: This DVD set is even better than I expected, and I expected a lot of laughs. The production of the show itself is charming, Groucho is great, the guests are (usually unintentionally) funny, and the extras showing the commercials, bloopers, etc. are all superb. And the video quality is excellent as well. Groucho's wit, especially when working on a nervous contestant, is something to behold. Sometimes the simplest concepts are the best. These shows are better than most Marx Bros movies!
Rating:
Summary: Gotta Buy This One!
Review: This DVD set is even better than I expected, and I expected a lot of laughs. The production of the show itself is charming, Groucho is great, the guests are (usually unintentionally) funny, and the extras showing the commercials, bloopers, etc. are all superb. And the video quality is excellent as well. Groucho's wit, especially when working on a nervous contestant, is something to behold. Sometimes the simplest concepts are the best. These shows are better than most Marx Bros movies!
Rating:
Summary: The One The Only, GROUCHO
Review: This is one dvd, worth it's cost. A trip back in time, (50 yrs. back) to see what people, (of all ages) were wearing, funny ocupations many chosen to be interviewed by Groucho had. The hats that women wore in these times. How I loved the simple set, and wish a game show today, could have such a simplistic set. Watching these 50 yr. old shows, you realize many of these people are long gone, but their images are still seen on this wonderfully made DVD.
Rating:
Summary: The One The Only, GROUCHO
Review: This is one dvd, worth it's cost. A trip back in time, (50 yrs. back) to see what people, (of all ages) were wearing, funny ocupations many chosen to be interviewed by Groucho had. The hats that women wore in these times. How I loved the simple set, and wish a game show today, could have such a simplistic set. Watching these 50 yr. old shows, you realize many of these people are long gone, but their images are still seen on this wonderfully made DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Groucho Gets The Deluxe DVD Treatment Here! Terrific Set!
Review: This nicely-presented 3-disc collector's set of Groucho Marx' "You Bet Your Life" TV program is a real treat. While viewing these restored episodes and rare outtakes and bonus materials, I really get the feeling of owning something very rare and special from TV's bygone era.
The 18 episodes on these three discs have been remastered for DVD, and they look pretty good, although quite a bit of dirt and grain still remain on the prints. But, after all, these shows are 50 years old! I guess we shouldn't expect perfect video quality. The prints, although far from perfection, have indeed been cleaned-up considerably. For proof, just watch some of the outtakes included in this set. It's fairly obvious that the restoration team didn't touch any of these outtake clips, for they are far worse in quality than the full episodes themselves.
A variety of different seasons are represented among the shows in this package. Groucho's TV version of "You Bet Your Life" ran from 1950 to 1961. This DVD compilation includes episodes spanning the years 1950-1959, including the October 1950 debut program (with a "secret word" of "Wall").
Here's a breakdown of the years that are represented within this DVD package (indicating the year the programs initially aired):
1950 -- 2 episodes.
1951 -- 1 episode.
1952 -- 4 episodes.
1953 -- 3 episodes.
1954 -- 3 episodes.
1955 -- 1 episode.
1956 -- 2 episodes.
1957 -- No episodes.
1958 -- 1 episode.
1959 -- 1 episode.
Watching Groucho, with cigar ever-present, banter with his guests (some famous, but most just regular folk from the studio audience) is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who purchases this deluxe DVD set. His quick, disarming displays of ad-libbed wit are something to behold. Nobody could "jab" at his guests like Groucho could.
Three "Stag Reels" are included in the set, containing "racier" elements from the original shows that had to be cut out by the network when broadcast to the public. These clips are very fun to watch. There's plenty of deleted moments here too (36 total minutes, spread over the three discs).
Many people purchasing this set will be happy to know there's a "Play All" feature on each of the discs, so that the episodes will play consecutively without the need for user intervention.
The lengthy booklet included is extremely well-done and informative. It chronicles the history of Groucho's radio and TV variants of the "You Bet Your Life" program. Plus, many vintage photos are presented within this top-notch booklet insert. As well as info on each of the 18 episodes included on the discs, with original air dates, filming dates, and the "secret word" for each episode. This same episode information is also repeated on one of the flaps of the fold-out case. So you can locate a specific episode "at a glance" without having to dig out the booklet. Bonus features, specific to each disc, are also listed on the case flap, as well as inside the booklet.
While the lack of a "Slipcase" (or outer cover of some ilk) is a bit of a disappointment, it doesn't greatly detract from the fact that this DVD presentation of "Groucho Marx -- You Bet Your Life -- The Lost Episodes" is, in my opinion, a terrific example of "TV-on-DVD done right". It's a first-rate product that I'd recommend highly to any Groucho fan, or any admirer of old-time TV in general.
So -- to mimic Groucho's very capable and likeable sidekick/announcer, George Fenneman -- "Won't you come in please, and meet Groucho Marx!"
Rating:
Summary: Groucho Shines Anew On This Deluxe DVD Set!
Review: This nicely-presented 3-disc collector's set of Groucho Marx' "You Bet Your Life" TV program is a real treat. While viewing these restored episodes and rare outtakes and bonus materials, I really get the feeling of owning something very rare and special from TV's bygone era. The 18 episodes on these three discs have been remastered for DVD, and they look pretty good, although quite a bit of dirt and grain still remain on the prints. But, after all, these shows are 50 years old! I guess we shouldn't expect perfect video quality. The prints, although far from perfection, have indeed been cleaned-up considerably. For proof, just watch some of the outtakes included in this set. It's fairly obvious that the restoration team didn't touch any of these outtake clips, for they are far worse in quality than the full episodes themselves. A variety of different seasons are represented among the shows in this package. Groucho's TV version of "You Bet Your Life" ran from 1950 to 1961. This DVD compilation includes episodes spanning the years 1950-1959, including the October 1950 debut program (with a "secret word" of "Wall"). Here's a breakdown of the years that are represented within this DVD package (indicating the year the programs initially aired):
1950 -- 2 episodes.
1951 -- 1 episode.
1952 -- 4 episodes.
1953 -- 3 episodes.
1954 -- 3 episodes.
1955 -- 1 episode.
1956 -- 2 episodes.
1957 -- No episodes.
1958 -- 1 episode.
1959 -- 1 episode. Watching Groucho, with cigar ever-present, banter with his guests (some famous, but most just regular folk from the studio audience) is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who purchases this deluxe DVD set. His quick, disarming displays of ad-libbed wit are something to behold. Nobody could "jab" at his guests like Groucho could. Three "Stag Reels" are included in the set, containing "racier" elements from the original shows that had to be cut out by the network when broadcast to the public. These clips are very fun to watch. There's plenty of deleted moments here too (36 total minutes, spread over the three discs). Many people purchasing this set will be happy to know there's a "Play All" feature on each of the discs, so that the episodes will play consecutively without the need for user intervention. The lengthy booklet included is extremely well-done and informative. It chronicles the history of Groucho's radio and TV variants of the "You Bet Your Life" program. Plus, many vintage photos are presented within this top-notch booklet insert. As well as info on each of the 18 episodes included on the discs, with original air dates, filming dates, and the "secret word" for each episode. This same episode information is also repeated on one of the flaps of the fold-out case. So you can locate a specific episode "at a glance" without having to dig out the booklet. Bonus features, specific to each disc, are also listed on the case flap, as well as inside the booklet. While the lack of a "Slipcase" (or outer cover of some ilk) is a bit of a disappointment, it doesn't greatly detract from the fact that this DVD presentation of "Groucho Marx -- You Bet Your Life -- The Lost Episodes" is, in my opinion, a terrific example of "TV-on-DVD done right". It's a first-rate product that I'd recommend highly to any Groucho fan, or any admirer of old-time TV in general. So -- to mimic Groucho's very capable and likeable sidekick/announcer, George Fenneman -- "Won't you come in please, and meet Groucho Marx!"
Rating:
Summary: Groucho Shines Anew On This Deluxe DVD Set!
Review: This nicely-presented 3-disc collector's set of Groucho Marx' "You Bet Your Life" TV program is a real treat. While viewing these restored episodes and rare outtakes and bonus materials, I really get the feeling of owning something very rare and special from TV's bygone era. The 18 episodes on these three discs have been remastered for DVD, and they look pretty good, although quite a bit of dirt and grain still remain on the prints. But, after all, these shows are 50 years old! I guess we shouldn't expect perfect video quality. The prints, although far from perfection, have indeed been cleaned-up considerably. For proof, just watch some of the outtakes included in this set. It's fairly obvious that the restoration team didn't touch any of these outtake clips, for they are far worse in quality than the full episodes themselves. A variety of different seasons are represented among the shows in this package. Groucho's TV version of "You Bet Your Life" ran from 1950 to 1961. This DVD compilation includes episodes spanning the years 1950-1959, including the October 1950 debut program (with a "secret word" of "Wall"). Here's a breakdown of the years that are represented within this DVD package (indicating the year the programs initially aired):
1950 -- 2 episodes.
1951 -- 1 episode.
1952 -- 4 episodes.
1953 -- 3 episodes.
1954 -- 3 episodes.
1955 -- 1 episode.
1956 -- 2 episodes.
1957 -- No episodes.
1958 -- 1 episode.
1959 -- 1 episode. Watching Groucho, with cigar ever-present, banter with his guests (some famous, but most just regular folk from the studio audience) is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who purchases this deluxe DVD set. His quick, disarming displays of ad-libbed wit are something to behold. Nobody could "jab" at his guests like Groucho could. Three "Stag Reels" are included in the set, containing "racier" elements from the original shows that had to be cut out by the network when broadcast to the public. These clips are very fun to watch. There's plenty of deleted moments here too (36 total minutes, spread over the three discs). Many people purchasing this set will be happy to know there's a "Play All" feature on each of the discs, so that the episodes will play consecutively without the need for user intervention. The lengthy booklet included is extremely well-done and informative. It chronicles the history of Groucho's radio and TV variants of the "You Bet Your Life" program. Plus, many vintage photos are presented within this top-notch booklet insert. As well as info on each of the 18 episodes included on the discs, with original air dates, filming dates, and the "secret word" for each episode. This same episode information is also repeated on one of the flaps of the fold-out case. So you can locate a specific episode "at a glance" without having to dig out the booklet. Bonus features, specific to each disc, are also listed on the case flap, as well as inside the booklet. While the lack of a "Slipcase" (or outer cover of some ilk) is a bit of a disappointment, it doesn't greatly detract from the fact that this DVD presentation of "Groucho Marx -- You Bet Your Life -- The Lost Episodes" is, in my opinion, a terrific example of "TV-on-DVD done right". It's a first-rate product that I'd recommend highly to any Groucho fan, or any admirer of old-time TV in general. So -- to mimic Groucho's very capable and likeable sidekick/announcer, George Fenneman -- "Won't you come in please, and meet Groucho Marx!"
Rating:
Summary: THE SECRET WORD IS GREAT!!!!!!!
Review: YOU BET YOUR LIFE IS THE GREATEST BECAUSE OF THE ONE THE ONLY GROUCHO!I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO NEVER STOP LAUGHING!!!!!!!
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