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Reviews
The Adventures of Ellery Queen (1950)
This is a GOOD Series, OK!!!
This is a good series that aired on the DuMont Television Network, which ceased broadcasting in 1956 because NBC, CBS and Paramount Pictures decided to do a little corporate sabotage. It also aired for a while on the ABC Television Network. This series was a good old-fashioned detective series, with each episode being like a mini B-Movie, which is always a good thing. For the record, I happen to LIKE the use of electric organ music in this series. The acting is good, and set design competent and the scripts very well written. Sadly only a few episodes still exist, probably because DuMont's archive was dumped into Upper New York bay in the 1970's (whose dumb idea was that, anyway?). This series is public domain and can be viewed online.
The Dennis O'Keefe Show (1959)
Nothing Wrong with This Series, But It's Unremarkable
This sitcom is largely forgotten today, though a budget DVD with four episodes is sold online and in some stores. These four episodes reveal the reason for it's short run (31 or so episodes). While there is nothing really bad about the show, there is little to separate it from countless other sitcoms that have aired during the last 60 years. That said, the cast is good, filled with reliable character actors, and Hope Emerson in a small recurring role (she sadly died not long after this series ended). Still, that's not enough to overcome the average scripts and production values. Overall, I'd recommend this series mostly to Dennis O'Keefe fans as he amusing as always and clearly better than the material, and to those interested in television flops. Other than that, there are plenty of far more entertaining sitcoms from this period in television.
Puppet Playhouse (1947)
This Show Rocks!!
This is one of the greatest TV series of all time, a stunningly imaginative program filled with wonderfully quirky story-lines. Buffalo Bob Smith, Flub-A-Dub, Princess Summerfall Windersping, Dilly Dally, Mr Bluster and Howdy Doody himself all provided safe, quality entertainment for children and even some adults. Though the in-show advertising may seem awkward today, there was still usually less minutes of advertising per an episode than many "current" children's programs. Plus, one must be impressed by the clever ways the writers managed to incorporate the products (Colgate Dental Cream, Royal Gelatin, etc) into the story lines. Many episodes involved Mr Blusters slightly evil schemes, which always failed. Comic relief was provided by Clarabell the Clown, who always seemed to make a mess of things.
Overall, I'd give this show 9 out of 10, though I'm slightly biased since I really like kinescope recordings.
Fibber McGee and Molly (1959)
Spectacular Failure
First of all, I'd like to mention that I love both Classic TV AND Old Time Radio. 2nd, I should mention that I usually find things to enjoy in lesser shows as well. However, when I watch shows like this, I honestly wonder why TV Guide voted "My Mother the Car" to be the 2nd worst show of all time. This show is much worse in every way possible. In fact, this is a painful, annoying, unfunny, dull, lifeless and dumb sitcom without any redeeming features. At least "My Mother The Car" was interesting and different. This show is just plain boring! Even the little details about this show suck: The theme music is forgettable, the sets are bland, and the overall production values are lousy. The only nice thing I can say about this show is that it is indeed better than anything on MTV or VH1 lately. Still, there are plenty of far better shows from the 1950's than this dull piece of crap.
The Arthur Murray Party (1950)
There's Surviving Footage of this Fun Show
Back in the 1950's very few television networks preserved their live programming, as it was seen as "disposable", even when it featured major talent or won awards. While some shows were preserved at the request of the cast, and occasionally the networks themselves kept copies of major programs, but a lot of shows were just thrown away. I was curious if any footage from this show survived, when a complete episode appeared online. This episode, with Johnny Ray as guest, is very entertaining and worth watching for anyone interested in the history of TV. The guest sang several popular songs, including a spiritual number. There was also a "Guessing game" where the dancers did a style of dance, and the home viewers would have to guess the style dance they were doing correctly. In this episode the style of dancing was "Jitterbug" set to the popular instrumental "In the Mood". The pacing is fast, and the dancers are dressed elegantly. Overall it's an enjoyable show.
The Sun Down Limited (1924)
Dumb But Cute
Not exactly a masterpiece of silent cinema, but still fairly enjoyable. The kiddies like trains so they ride one. However, while the crew are on a break, the kiddies start driving the train themselves, almost running over a little black girl. However, the fun all ends when the adults find out. The kiddies then build their own train (very unrealistic), powered by a dog trying to chase a cat! "Toughie", a bad kid, ruins the fun by first making a wooden wall which the kiddie-made train crashes into, then by breaking the track, causing the kiddie-made train to crash down a long street! All in all it's good clean fun, nobody in it is taking themselves seriously and it's pleasant, escapist fun. Worth checking out for scenes of 1920's lifestyles.
Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal (1955)
Entertaining 1950's Drama
I recently bought a DVD containing four episodes online, since I am a researcher of 1950's television. After watching the first episode on the disc, I'm amazed this series didn't last longer. It's an entertaining, smart if sentimental drama series which holds up very well. In the episode, Dr Hudson is visiting a preacher, with his daughter going to Sunday school. When the Sunday school teacher dies in a car crash, his daughter feels responsible, and it doesn't help that two of her classmates are blaming her for the teachers death. Importantly, this series demonstrates the differences between today's often gritty series, and the more family-based series popular at the time. Also worth of note is two things shown the episode that censors wouldn't allow today: A Pipe tobacco smoking preacher, and a brief sermon at the end. Fans of 1950's Cinema may enjoy this series, as it more cinematic than the live shows of the time, as this show was produced on film.
Cavalcade of Stars (1949)
Dated, But rather enjoyable
I must say, This Variety series, Which aired on the DuMont Network, Is hardly the greatest show of the DuMont Network, But is still a fascinating time capsule. In the episode I watched, Which featured Jerry Lester and Jackie Robinson, There was a funny parody of Arthur Godfrey, and an interesting Magic Act. The Picture quality was fuzzy, and flickery. This was a true variety show, With a magic act, a trampolining act, comedy skits, Singing and Drama. It was broadcast live, and some mistakes are made. The show is very rare, and it should be noted that only a handful of episodes exist. After the DuMont Network went bankrupt, nobody preserved the kinescope recordings, and most were dumped into the east river in the 70's. Overall, it's an enjoyable TV series, and it's a shame most of the surviving episodes are not on DVD.