Reviewed By Jason LockardVCI Entertainment and MVD Visual have been releasing restored classic TV shows on Blu-ray and DVD. Many of these are shows that audiences today don't even know ever existed, and are missing out if they never had a shot at watching.
The next release is a nine episode collection DVD. On this set there is 8 episodes from the "Four Star Playhouse", an anthology series that ran from 1952-1955. There is a bonus episode of "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars". Let's take a look at what is included on this DVD.
Our Rating System
**** = Don't Miss it!
***= Worth a look.
**= An OK way to spend an evening.
*=You haven't missed anything
The Adolescent (1954) Ida Lupino stars as a teacher who, as a member of her school's disciplinary board, must investigate her nephew's misconduct. ***
A place of his own (1952) A brain-damaged PT boat commander is exploited by his family, but loved by the community, dreams of owning a small house, but his miserly sister-in-law refuses to provide the Commander with a $500 down payment. ***
The house always wins (1955) Although it seems to be just another night in his gambling casino, Willie Dante (Dick Powell) runs into an old flame who reveals that the party she's with want to rob the place. ***
The Island (1952) A doctor caring for natives on a tropical island is dismissed by the bully owner of the island who discovered a discrepancy in his medical background. ***
The Returning (1955) An American professor in Japan falls in love with a half-breed former student in 1941. He is fired for violating school policy, so he returns to America, resolved to bring his intended to America once settled. World War II intervenes. ***
Tusitala (1955) Robert Louis Stevenson (David Niven), near the end of his life, mediates between two Samoan tribes to prevent war. ***
The Wild Bunch (1955) On the way home after their honeymoon, a bride confesses two things to her groom: She's wealthy and has three teenage children plus a dog waiting for them at her home. ***
With all my heart (1955) Sarah is a plump schoolteacher who has been a good friend to Joe all of his life. Joe loves and marries someone else, but Sarah stays close to Joe and helps him raise his family when Joe's wife dies. ***
Storm Swept (1953) A wife travels to a remote island to stay with her father-in-law. She's being used as bait by the police to capture her husband, the leading suspect in a New Zealand diamond theft. ***
These episodes are presented in their original 4x3 full screen aspect ratio and mono audio. The restoration of these episodes is a masterful job. They picture looks crisp and the sound is clear. It is surprising how good these episodes look when you think they squeezed nine episodes on one DVD. There us also English subtitles for the hearing impaired.
This collection has some Hollywood heavyweights on rare TV appearances. These ones include; Charles Boyer, David Niven, Ida Lupino, and Dick Powell. But one thing that made this release for me was a special appearance by Jack Benny in "The house always wins".
For fans of Classic TV this is a really nice release filled with great stories and amazing acting. It is a must add to anyone's collection. Head over to MVDShop.com and pick up your copy today.
Audiences: Families
Objectionable Material: None
Length: Almost 4 Hours
Genre: Drama
DVD Value Rating: A
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