Lucille Ball Film Collection (Dance Girl Dance / The Big Street / Du Barry Was a Lady / Critic's Choice / Mame)

Amazon.com

Offering an abundance of vintage Hollywood entertainment, the five films included in The Lucille Ball Film Collection cover a broad spectrum of Lucy's movie career, from one of her most prominent early roles to her final big-screen appearance. Long before she became an icon of TV sitcoms, Lucy had moved from New York to Hollywood in 1933, appearing in a variety of mostly uncredited showgirl roles in over 40 films before getting her first big break in the 1937 classic Stage Door (not included in this set). Lucy's star quickly began to rise, and by the time she played sassy nightclub singer "Tiger Lily White" in 1940's Dance, Girl, Dance, she was holding her own with such famous costars as Maureen O'Hara and Ralph Bellamy. Noteworthy as an early feminist comedy directed by Dorothy Arzner (one of the only women to break into the male-dominated profession of Hollywood directors), it's a fun and fascinating film that helped to establish Lucy's persona as a fiery, independent entertainer. That image was pushed to extremes in The Big Street (1942), an oddly enjoyable comedy/melodrama in which Lucy and Henry Fonda are cast against type--she as a selfish, unlikable nightclub diva, and he as the doting busboy who devotes himself to her when she's badly injured by her villainous boss. A year later, Lucy starred with Red Skelton and Gene Kelly in Du Barry Was a Lady, a lavish and still-delightful MGM musical comedy that was Lucy's first film in color--and the first to feature the blazing red hair (recommended by legendary Hollywood stylist Sydney Guilaroff) that became one of Lucy's most beloved and readily identifiable features.

By the time Lucy played a middle-aged playwright in Critic's Choice (1963), she'd become one of TV's most beloved and successful comediennes, and her film career was clearly winding down. Critic's Choice was a fitting follow-up to 1960's The Facts of Life, reuniting Lucy with four-time costar Bob Hope in an upscale comedy/drama that was noteworthy for its progressive depiction of divorced and remarried sophisticates in New York City. A decade later, Lucy chose the ill-fated Mame (1974) for what would prove to be her final big-screen appearance. Despite brutal reviews that focused on Lucy being too old for the title role (originated on Broadway by Angela Lansbury), Mame has survived its bad reputation to become one of Hollywood's most popular high-camp misfires, with Lucy's eccentric and lavishly costumed character gaining a loyal following (especially in the gay community) as a colorful inspiration for female impersonators. In some ways it's a fitting end to Lucy's big-screen career; she always gave maximum effort against considerable odds, and The Lucille Ball Film Collection is a testament to Lucy's show-biz tenacity. --Jeff Shannon

On the DVDs
Each of the DVDs in The Lucille Ball Film Collection is accompanied by bonus features culled from the extensive Warner Bros. archives. As with many of WB's DVD boxed sets, these bonus features consist of featurettes and cartoons that are chronologically matched (in most cases) to the feature presentations, offering a home-video approximation of what it was like to attend these films in their original theatrical context. (See reviews of each individual title for specific bonus-feature details.) For the long-awaited DVD release of Mame, Warner Bros. technicians attempted to create a new stereo soundtrack mix, but this ultimately proved technically impossible due to the variable quality of the original recording elements, so the film is presented with the mono soundtrack of its original theatrical release. As always with WB releases, picture and sound quality is uniformly superb, especially in preserving the brilliant Technicolor of Du Barry Was a Lady. Of particular value among the bonus features, the DVD of Critic's Choice breaks from strict chronology with "Calling All Tars," a 1936 Vitaphone short featuring one of Bob Hope's earliest screen appearances, and the Oscar-nominated cartoon "Now Hear This" (1962), directed in abstract-art style by legendary Warner Bros. animator Chuck Jones. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Big Street: Haughty nightclub singer Gloria Lyons (Lucille Ball) doesn't have time for the little people, including Little Pinks (Henry Fonda), the busboy who adores her. Then Gloria is paralyzed when a mobster knocks her down the stairs, and those little people are the only ones who help her. Critic's Choice: Tossing inspired throwaway lines right and left, Hope is a New York critic who loves writing pointed reviews that close insufferably lousy plays. But there's a new play in town â€" by his redheaded wife (Ball). Dance Girl Dance: Bubbles (Lucille Ball) loves to dance. But she also likes to eat. Her friend Judy (Maureen O'Hara) may choose to suffer for her art, but not Bubbles. She swap hers ballet shoes for a G-string...and turns patrons' fantasies into dollars as burlesque sensation Tiger Lily White. Dubarry Was a Lady: Hapless nightclub hat check boy Red Skelton loves glamorous chanteuse Lucille Ball. Handsome hoofer Gene Kelly loves her too. But Lucy only loves money. Then Red mistakenly gulps down a Mickey Finn, dreams he's in 18th-century France and before you can powder your wig, a throng of suitors fall in love with Lucy! Mame: Lucille Ball brings star sparkle to the title role, a high-living grande dame who's outlandishly eccentric and, when suddenly faced with raising an orphaned nephew, fiercely loving. Veterans of the New York stage original join her: Beatrice Arthur as best friend Vera, Jane Connell as prim governess Agnes, choreographer Onna White and director Gene Saks.

Customer Reviews:

LUCY, GLORIOUS LUCY.......................2007-07-13

For any Lucille Ball fan or true film buff, this 5 dvd set is a must. Of course, when Lucille was mixed with the character of Lucy an entity was created that will live on forever and never be replaced.

But this is Lucille Ball the actress and it is amazing to see her through all different phases of her career. With DANCE, GIRL DANCE she was a very famous B actress who got cast with the A list and had no idea what her future held.

THE BIG STREET is a 100 % dramatic Lucille fully letting loose. Beautiful, strong and just plain cruel - this role is a tour-de-force. The gossips try to say that Henry Fonda hated working with her and criticized her acting style but then why would he return to her blessed company in YOURS, MINE AND OURS.

Some dis CRITIC'S CHOICE but I find it very entertaining to see her portray a regular middle aged woman. I find the film very funny and her portayal very believable and so far removed from Lucy.

MAME - all I can say is her much critized singing voice brings a true presence to her portrayal. She is lovely and has such fun. The main production number is so lovely it will bring you to tears. WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS is a true display of joy. And I will forever say that I found the second half of this film to be some of her best dramatic acting ever.

These films are only in 1.0 sound but it still sounds great and the video transfers are crysal clear.

I think you can tell I love Lucy !!!!!!!! Actually, who doesn't. And whether you love all or some of these films she still brings her unique quality to each. Purchase this set and enjoy !!!!!

Great movie salute to Lucille Ball.......2007-06-29

This is a pretty good collection honoring Lucille Ball's motion picture work in various decades of her long career. She looks beautiful in "Dubarry...". The movie is dated but, she looks so glam. The film was made mostly just to promote MGM's Technicolor process of color filming. By the time "Critic's Choice" was made, Miss Ball was just past 50 years old. Heavy makeup and careful camera lensing makes her look about 15 years younger than she actually was. Ironically, the woman playing her mother in the film was about the same age as Lucy. "Mame" should have starred Angela Lansbury. But, Ball wanted to follow up her 1968 hit, "Yours, Mine and Ours" with a major film project. So, she secured rights to "Mame". Aside from her singing, the film is OK. She looks great thanks to her makeup team and Vaseline closeups. Nice campy moments. Glam clothes! "Big Street" is her best film of all that starred her.

Famous Lucy Films Finally on DVD.......2007-06-28

This is the best of the best films they can release in one set for Lucille Ball. I just got the set yesterday, (June 27) and stayed up all night to watch all of the films.

The Big Street - This stars - Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Barton MacLane, Eugene Pallette, Agnes Moorehead, Sam Levine, Ray Collins, and Ozzie Nelson.

Critic's Choice - This stars - Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Maxwell, Rip Torn, Jessie Royce Landis, John Dehner, and Jim Backus.

Dance, Girl, Dance - This stars - Maureen O'Hara, Louis Hayward, Lucille Ball, Virginia Field, Ralph Bellamy, Mary Carlisle, Katherine Alexander, Edward Brophy, Walter Abel, Harold Huber, Maria Ouspenska, and Harry E. Edington.

DuBarry Was a Lady - This stars - Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Virginia O'Brien, Zero Mostel, and Tommy Dorsey

Mame - This stars - Lucille Ball, Beatrice Arthur, Bruce Davison, Joyce Van Patten, Kirby Furlong, Robert Preston.

This is all of the stars of the 5 films. I was going to tell about the movies, but if you are purchasing this item, or are looking to see how the movies are according to other people on this site, I am not going to ruin your suprise. I will let you watch the films yourself, and all you are getting from me is - I LOVE THESE MOVIES.

Four Great Films & One Misfire.......2007-06-20

This set is worth owning just for Mame, in which Lucille Ball BECOMES Auntie Mame. DuBarry Was A Lady, Dance Girl Dance (with a young Maureen O'Hara) and The Big Street are all fan favorites. While Lucy looks stunning in Critic's Choice, it is the least enjoyable film in the set (and the only "stinker" out of four films she made with her preferred screen-partner, Bob Hope).

Pre-Order for 6-19-2007 // GREAT new film collection!!!.......2007-05-14

This is a GREAT collection to own and a must have for any Lucy fan! With this collection you will receive 5 movies starring Lucille Ball's most popular film adaption. You will be amazed to see the true acting ability of Lucy here.

Some of the films here are somewhat of a opposite to Lucille Ball's role on "I Love Lucy" but some are very similar to "I Love Lucy" in my opinion. Take "The Big Street" for instance, High class Gloria (Lucille Ball) was a bit cruel and mean to a poor man named pinks who falls head over heels in love with her and will do anything to please her at the end she begins to fall for him too. A must see dramatic film!!

You will see Lucille Ball like you have never seen her before and these movies are not boring at all but they are really good interesting movies that you will not lose interest in. I am somewhat shy of old films and find them boring but I can watch anything with Lucille Ball and you will love these films!

"Lucille Ball Film Collection" includes:

"The Big Street" - Ex-chanteuse Gloria is vain, cruel, crippled - and busboy Pinks can't help but love her. Ball and Henry Fonda power Damon Runyon's tale of Broadway denizens living on life's margins.

"Critic's Choice" - That's no playwright, that's my wife. Poison-penned Broadway critic Bob Hope loves wife Lucille Ball...but hates the play she writes. Based on the play by "Deathtrap's" Ira Levin.

Dance, Girl, Dance" - Art doesn't pay the bills. So aspiring ballerina Ball makes her way as a burlesque star in this powerful study of being a woman in a man's world. With Maureen O'Hara.

"Dubarry Was A Lady" - Their friendship is a perfect musical-comedy blendship! Ball goes from NYC torch singer to the dream girl of Red Skelton's wacky, 18th-century-France reverie. Gene Kelly joins the fun!

"Mame" - She'll coax the blues right out of your heart. Madcap Auntie Mame (Ball) is suddenly her nephew's guardian. Robert Preston and Beatrice Arthur co-star in a sparkling adaptation of the Broadway hit.

Highly recommended!!!

Average customer rating:

Red Skelton Collection
Good
Not worth purchasing

The Red Skelton Collection
Starring: Red Skelton Comedy Collection
Manufacturer: PASSPORT VIDEO
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001M7OHY
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Description

This delightful five-DVD set showcases the many talents of beloved clown Red Skelton and his classic comedy-variety show. In addition to favorite Skelton alter-egos such ad Freddie the Freeloader, Clem Kadiddlehoper, Sheriff Deadeye, and Cauliflower McPugg, there are popular guest stars, including Vincent Price, George Raft, Ed Sullivan, and Jackie Coogan.

Plus a true rarity: Red hosting the Look Magazine Awards, featuring legends such as Judy Garland, Walt Disney, Bing Crosby and Alfred Hitchcock! Master of pantomime, skilled comedian, teriffic entertainer, this fabulous collectionis amole proof of why there will never be another quite like Red Skelton.

DVD I

Lord Beaverhead Freddie and The Spies

DVD II

m. Lasagna Deadeye and The Indians Vinnie The P

DVD III

Freddie's Masterpiece Halloween Show

DVD IV

Thanksgiving Episode Cop and The Anthem Freddie and The Yuletide Doll

DVD V

The Look Awards Hollywood Remembers Red Skelton

Customer Reviews:

Red Skelton Collection.......2007-01-11

I returned this item due to the fact that it was a duplicate gift. I bought it as a gift for my dad, but I had already purchased it previously for him. He really enjoyed my first purchase.

Good.......2007-01-09

Very enjoyable and entertaining. Red Skelton is one of the best of all time.

Not worth purchasing.......2005-10-02

Bought this DVD for my Dad who is a Red Skelton fan from years ago. He said the first DVD was fine, but the others were just plain bad - not even worth watching. Very disappointing since this was a birthday gift.

Average customer rating:

Unforgettable comedy
Do not buy this to replace your VHS tape versions ...

The Red Skelton Collection
Starring: Brad Logan , Lucy Knoch , Robert S. Holman , Edward J. Heim , and David Rose
Director: Ed Hiller , Bill Hobin , Jack Donohue , John Gaunt , and Seymour Berns
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0009HBPAS
Release Date: 2005-07-26

Product Description

Red Skelton's Funny Faces II - Skelton is joined by world-renowned mime artist Marcel Marceau in recreating some of Red's funniest routines and exciting new skits. Red Skelton's Funny Faces III - Packed with laughter and memorable characters, this special features Red in more hilarious sketches and pantomime. Red Skelton's Freddy The Freeloader's Christmas Dinner - A touching, music-filled holiday tale featuring Vincent Price and Imogene Coca with plenty of laughs for the whole family. Red Skelton's Royal Command Performance - America's wackiest court jester gets silly with Britain's royal family at London's Royal Albert Hall.

System Requirements:

Running Time 240 Min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Unforgettable comedy.......2007-05-17

It is excellent. I am sharing it with friends and relatives. Good comedies sitcome are hard to find.

Do not buy this to replace your VHS tape versions ..........2005-08-02

I had been looking forward to a DVD version of the Red Skelton TV specials, yet I'm disappointed that these are the shortened (edited for commercial & announcement time) versions which have several sections of each program removed, making them about 15 mins. shorter than the full (live performance) VHS tape releases. The quality of the video is acceptable, however, and is well worth getting if you don't already own the VHS tapes of the TV specials ... (just can't understand why the publisher didn't put the full versions in the collection ... probably cheaper this way ...)

George Clooney The Collection (One Fine Day, Solaris, Thin Red Line)

Average customer rating:

5 minutes -- that's it.

George Clooney The Collection (One Fine Day, Solaris, Thin Red Line)
Starring: George Clooney , Natascha McElhone , Viola Davis , Jeremy Davies , and Ulrich Tukur
Director: Steven Soderbergh , Michael Hoffman , and Terrence Malick
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000EXDS6Q
Release Date: 2006-06-06

Description

This pack contains 3 George Clooney movies in one slipcase.

Disc 1: One Fine Day Disc 2: Solaris Disc 3: Thin Red Line

Customer Reviews:

5 minutes -- that's it........2006-08-19

Don't buy this pack if you think Clooney has a major part in Thin Red Line. He's only in the film for 5 minutes. That's it. The movie is great--don't get me wrong. But this is not a "DEAL" if you're thinking Clooney Trilogy.

Average customer rating:

Episode List

The Red Skelton Holiday Collection
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Edi Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HCO8RW
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Customer Reviews:

Episode List.......2007-06-14

It's always nice to know what you're buying so here goes...

DVD 1

Episode:
The Plight Before Christmas (Guest starring Greer Garson)

Extras:
The Pledge of Allegiance
The Thanksgiving Turkey
Frozen Freddie
Freddie and the Carolers
Red Talks about Santa and Stair Climbing
Freddie Gets 90 Days

DVD 2

Episode:
The Red Skelton Hour Christmas Show (Featuring "Freddie and the Yuletide Doll")

Extras:
Willie Lump Lump, Expert Christmas Tree Trimmer
Thanksgiving With The Pilgrims

DVD 3

Episode:
The Red Skelton Color Christmas Show (Guest Starring Leslie Nielsen)

Extras:
The Gift of Giving
The Cop and the Anthem
Appleby's New Year's Office Party
The Pledge of Allegiance

Average customer rating:

DVD has poor VHS EP quality of CLASSIC prime live TV comedy.

Red Skelton - Vol. 3 Holiday Collection
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Brentwood Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004YNV3
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Customer Reviews:

DVD has poor VHS EP quality of CLASSIC prime live TV comedy........2001-07-08

The comedy is classic and live, Red has fun adlibbing with his guests. The shows are fun to watch, but you better use a small screen TV. The image is no better than a second generation VHS tape at EP recording speed. It's DVD quality like this that makes one cautious about what labels to purchase from. It is too bad that Brentwood didn't get the original film kinescopes to master this classic material from. Hopefully this material will re-appear under another company DVD for better enjoyment.

Official Red Skelton Old Time Radio OTR MP3 Collection on DVD

Average customer rating:

Official Red Skelton Old Time Radio OTR MP3 Collection on DVD

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Product Description

Enjoy all your favorite Red Skelton Old Time Radio episodes on this DVD packed with 204 different shows and appearances for a total of 101+ hours of listening enjoyment. This product is a DVD collection of Old Time Radio mp3s. It is designed to be played on your computer DVD drive with standard mp3 software - like Windows media player or its equivalent on Macintosh computers. The image shows the front cover of the DVD.

Average customer rating:

Red Skelton Collection
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Good Times Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Television | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Television | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0001EQI56
Release Date: 2004-01-06

The Red Skelton Collection-4 Dvd Boxed Set

Average customer rating:

The Red Skelton Collection-4 Dvd Boxed Set

Manufacturer: AUDIOTAPE,INC.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Christmas With Red Skelton

ASIN: B0009IGD04

Product Description

THIS IS A 4 DVD BOXED SET FEATURING THE GREATEST MOMENTS OF THIS LEGENDARY COMEDIAN'S CAREER. HE'S ONE OF THE GREATEST COMEDIANS EVER TO GRACE THE SCREEN, BIG OR SMALL. HERE, THROUGH ARCHIVAL STILL AND RARE FOOTAGE,INCLUDING HARD-TO-FIND VIDEO FROM HIS LONG RUNNING TELEVISION SERIES, THE STORY OF RED SKELTON IS PRESENTED WITH LAUGHTER AND LOVE. THIS UNIQUE COLLECTION SHOWCASES RED SKELTON AND REVEALS WHY HE IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE ALL-TIME BEST COMEDIANS IN THE HISTORY OF SHOW BUSINESS!

Average customer rating:

Red Skelton Collection
Starring: Red Skelton
Manufacturer: Passport
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000TSJ07M
Release Date: 2007-10-09

Description

This delightful five-DVD set showcases the many talents of beloved clown Red Skelton and his classic comedy-variety show. Plus a true rarity: Red hosting the Look Magazine Awards, featuring legends such as Judy Garland, Walt Disney, Bing Crosby and Alfred Hitchcock!

DVD:

DVD

DVD