Reviewed by Jason S. LockardThere is nothing like classic TV in my opinion. Seeing stars before they became legends. It's like taking a trip in a time machine. And after all who hasn't dreamed about doing that at least once in their lives.
The good folks at VCI Entertainment last month released a Blu-ray entitled Television Lost Classics Volume 1. Now it's time for Volume 2 and this release deals with rare TV Pilot episodes. Let's take a look at the four episodes and what else is included in this collection!
Our Rating System:
****=Don’t Miss it!
***=Worth a look.
**=An Ok way to spend a half an hour.
*=You haven’t missed anything.
Case of a sure thing (1951) Racket Squad was one of many cop shows in the early TV era. This pilot episode deals with a bookmaking trap. It is believed to have inspired some parts of the classic film "The Sting." ***
Cool and Lam (1958) Erle Stanley Gardner's light-hearted pilot for a detective series featuring Penny-pinching, Bertha Cool, who runs a detective agency while her junior partner Donald Lam does the legs work. In this pilot Lay must find out what happened to a wife that disappeared 20 years ago. ***
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The Life of Riley (1948) Many people remember William Bendix as Chester Riley, but before that the Great Jackie Gleason played Riley in a short lived series. And even before Jackie went to series there was this pilot episode starred Lon Chaney Jr. This pilot episode deals with a missing $5 from the cream jug. ****
Nero Wolfe (1959) This pilot episode that never made it to series follows Rex Stout's detective character Nero Wolfe. This mystery follows the death of a scientist at the moment of the launch of a rocket. Look for William Shatner as Nero's assistant Archie in this episode. ***
These four pilot episodes are awesome sources of entertainment. I love that there is a great mix of comedy and drama in this collection of pilots. I have to say it was awesome to see Lon Chaney Jr. in a sitcom. I love Jackie Gleason and he was great as Chester Riley, but I wouldn't have minded seeing a whole series with Lon Chaney Jr. Beyond that you can see Milburn Stone, Kurt Kasznar, William Shatner and so many more.
On this Blu-ray these episodes are presented in full screen format and have been restored by Sabucat. The picture and sound quality is truly stunning for these old lost pilots.
As awesome as it is to have these long forgotten pilots on one disc, VCI goes a step further. There is a special bonus CBS blooper reel hosted by James Arness. It is good to note this blooper reel has adult language in it. It is not for the kids.
So if your a fan classic TV programs this is an absolute must add to your collection! I can't recommend it enough! Head over to MVDShop.com and pick up your copy on Blu-ray and DVD today.
Moral Rating: adult themes in the episodes
Audience: Teens and Adults (some episodes may be to adult for children)
Genre: comedy, drama
Length: 2 hours
Blu-ray Released: 2018
Blu-ray Rating: A
*Please note films rating above are my own personal opinion!
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