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Reviews
Good Evening, Captain (1981)
BRAVO! 'Good Evening, Captain' is delightful!
Last evening, for the first time in thirty-three years, I had the pleasure of watching the special 'Good Evening, Captain', which I first saw when it aired ONCE, on August 21, 1981 at 8 p.m. on CBS. I hadn't seen it since then, so I couldn't remember much about it, but it was well worth the waiting time. Many celebrities (including an uncredited Gary Collins) appear to celebrate the Captain's anniversary (actually twenty-seven years....). Jean Stapleton appears as 'Doris W. Pruitt', the Captain's biggest fan, in a four part sketch that describes her lifelong fascination with our hero's broadcasts....allegedly watching from the first broadcast to the then-current episode. Jean and Mike Farrell duet in a number of songs, with Jean performing a heartfelt rendition of 'Turn Around'. The Magic Carpet Band presents a live-action version of a few stories written by children and delights the audience with a song. Barbara Mandrell hosts a segment looking at how dolls have evolved through the years, and the Captain himself (in a supermarket setting) talks about how the family unit and times have changed. Series regulars Hugh Brannum and Gus Allegretti (along with the Captain) sing 'Stick Together. Mr. Moose and Bunny Rabbit are also on hand (pun intended)....Perhaps the highlight of the special is the segment in which the Captain sings a salute to many guests who appeared on the series from 1970-1979, featuring color videotape clips of 45 performers, including Gale Gordon as 'Niles Nasty', Margaret Hamilton, Mr. Rogers, Doug Henning and Andy Williams. I also enjoyed seeing the original commercials, many of which I remembered from that time. Although not officially available, it is nice to know that it survives, and in nice video and audio condition.
Tall, Dark and Gruesome (1948)
A Great Columbia Comedy Short That Outshines The Stooges!!
Due to incessant noises outside his apartment, mystery writer Hugh Sherlock (Hugh Herbert) can't finish the script for his play. His good-natured assistant Dudley (Dudley Dickerson), tries to help, but only succeeds in adding to the confusion. Hugh receives a call from Charlie HUNTER (!!), informing him that he was invited to use the house belonging to a mutual friend, which Sherlock accepts. Once at the house, a large crate arrives; Dudley tells the delivery men to place the crate in the library, and then wonders about the contents. Hugh tells him that it doesn't matter, because it doesn't belong to them. We then see the contents, as the door swings open, and our eyes behold an extremely fierce gorilla, which hilariously terrifies them throughout the short. Adding to the hilarity are three lost individuals who show up at the door of the house (adding to Dudley's terror), dressed in masquerade costumes. I'll leave the rest of the short for your viewing pleasure, and which may be viewed on you tube. Enjoy this classic which will have you howling with laughter!!
The Yankee Doodler (1942)
Bill Frawley; Entertainer and Teacher
I recently acquired an original 16mm film print of this Soundie. I was thoroughly entertained and amused by this production, with Bill ("Professor") Frawley leading us through a great song. I HIGHLY recommend watching this Soundie. You'll discover and LOVE what World War Two-era patriotism was about....banding together for a common cause. Enjoy it for the historical (and HYSTERICAL) perspective. DON'T label this film "just another slap at ethnicities". It was meant to give continued strength to those who lived through those terrible war years. If you judge the Soundie in terms of "political correctness", then YOU WILL LOSE!"NOW, we're Gonna Fight, Gonna Fight, Gonna Fight...." BRAVO, "Professor" Frawley! Go to the head of the class!