The Mothers-in-Law: The Complete Series (8pc) Review

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(More customer reviews)MPI Home Video just keeps bringing out more rarities to please their fans! They planned to release The Mothers-In-Law last year in 2009, but decided to do both seasons- which is the entire series- together in one set. They are not rushing the release of this series as they are remastering the original film into pristine condition, like they have been doing for Here's Lucy and the Lucy specials and have stated to me that this set will be LOADED with bonus materials! After hearing all this, I can't wait until July 27, 2010 to be able to see this darling sitcom again!
This sitcom was the complete project of Desi Arnaz after he resigned as President from Desilu Studios in 1963, which followed his divorce from Lucy. He put together this show along with the same writers from I Love Lucy- Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis. By the time he had scripts and the cast it was ready for it's premiere in 1967. Desi produced, directed and even guest starred in The Mothers-In-Law.
Even though the show was placed right in the middle of NBC's top shows, Bonanza and The Wonderful World Of Disney, the shows ratings were very unimpressive. NBC wanted to cancel the show after this first dismal year, but Desi talked NBC to give them a second chance on a second season, with no pay raises for anyone in the show. NBC agreed to this and all the cast agreed with no raises except for Roger C. Carmel who played Roger Buell- Kaye Ballard's husband. Even when Desi pleaded with him to accept his same pay for the second year of $2,000.00 a week with residuals, Roger refused. Roger's ungratefulness to Desi Arnaz got around the studios and he had a hard time finding work for years. After this second year did even worse on the ratings, the show was cancelled.
This show was actually quite cute and had the same premise as I Love Lucy, 2 couples who quarrel, with the addition, that they meddle into their childrens lives. The young couple were cute as well played by Deborah Walley and Jerry Fogel. On the second season the couple have twins- a girl and boy to add to the storyline. Desi guest starred as Raphael Del Gado, a matador from Barcelona, Spain in both seasons and had guest stars in the first season of Rob Reiner, Larry Storch, Alan Reed (voice of Fred Flintstone), Desi Arnaz Jr. (played Tommy), Joe Besser (3 Stooges) and on the last show of the first season The Seeds (Pushin' Too Hard). Trying to pick the ratings up on Season 2, Desi even had more guest stars: Jeanette Nolan, Paul Lynde, Desi again guest starred with Desi Jr., John Byner, Mel Blanc, Ozzie Nelson, Alice Ghostly, Jimmy Durante, Terri Garr, Don Rickles, Marni Nixon (opera star- she did all of Audrey Hepburn's singing in My Fair Lady) and Mary Jane Croft.
I personally saw the show back in the sixties and thought it was cute- probably more fifties I Love Lucy style, and perhaps that's why it failed in the ratings in the late sixties. We were all watching Laugh In, the Smothers Brothers, Peyton Place, That Girl, Lost In Space, Man From UNCLE- the times were changing into more space, spys, mod, music and politics. I have to say, I'm really excited to have this old treasured sitcom on dvd with lots of bonus materials. It will be wonderful to enjoy this show in a different time!
The cast from Season 1 and 2 were the same with the exception of Roger C. Carmel quitting after season 1 and being replaced by Richard Deacon as Roger Buell in Season 2. I have to give a big THANK YOU MPI for bringing out more great rare shows that are pristinely cleaned up and loaded with bonus materials, that will be such a joy to see again!
THE CAST:
Eve Arden........Eve Hubbard
Herbert Rudley...Herb Hubbard
Deborah Walley...Suzie Hubbard Buell
Kaye Ballard.....Kaye Buell
Roger C. Carmel..Roger Buell (Season 1)
Richard Deacon...Roger Buell (Season 2)
Jerry Fogel......Jerry Buell
SHORT CAST BIOS:
EVE ARDEN: 1908-1990,at age 82 died of cancer and heart disease; survived by 4 children from second husband. Best known as high school teacher in OUR MISS BROOKS and as Rydell High School principal in GREASE and GREASE 2.
HERBERT RUDLEY: 1910-2006,at age 96 died of natural causes. Best known as Herb Hubbard in MIL and as psychiatrist, Dr. Twombey in The Beverly Hillbillies.
DEBORAH WALLEY: 1943-2001, at age 57 died from throat cancer; survived by 3 sons. Best known as her role as Gidget and other sixties beach movies.
KAYE BALLARD: 1925-present, never married yet and breast cancer survivor. Best known as Kaye Buell in MIL and as Italian restaurant owner and landlord to Doris Day in The Doris Day Show.
ROGER C. CARMEL: 1932-1986, at age 54 died from congestive heart failure. Best known as the flamboyant criminal Harry Mudd on Star Trek.
RICHARD DEACON: 1921-1984, at age 63 died from heart disease. Best known as Mel Cooley on the Dick Van Dyke Show, also was a gourmet chef with several cookbooks.
JERRY FOGEL: 1936-present. Best known as Jerry Buell in MIL and as Bill Donahue in White Shadow, but I know him best as the director's assistant Ernie when they are shooting a commercial in the very first episode of THAT GIRL.
Season 1 Episodes:
1. (09-10-67) ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN, LOHENGRIN- The Hubbards and Buells can't agree on their children's wedding plans.
2. (09-17-67) EVERBODY GOES ON A HONEYMOON- The Hubbards and Buells almost ruin their children's honeymoon when they show up at the resort.
3. (09-24-67) ALL FALL DOWN- Kaye goes skiing and both Kaye and Eve end up with broken legs.
4. (10-01-67) A NIGHT TO FORGET- Eve and Kaye accidentally get locked inside a store together for a night until it opens the next day. (Desi Arnaz guest stars)
5. (10-08-67) THE NEWLYWEDS MOVE IN- Suzie and Jerry move in to the apartment in Suzie's parents garage and Eve and Kaye promise not to bud into their lives.
6. (10-15-67) THE CAREER GIRLS- Eve and Kaye both try out for parts in a show. (Rob Reiner guest stars)
7. (10-22-67) WHO'S AFRAID OF ELIZABETH TAYLOR?- When both Herb and Roger admit they would like to have dinner with the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, both Eve and Kaye throw them out of their houses.
8. (10-29-67) MY SON, THE ACTOR- Jerry gets help from both his parents and in-laws in getting a part in the school play.
9. (11-05-67) HOW DO YOU MOONLIGHT A MEATBALL?- To help Jerry pay off Suzie's ring, Kaye sells her famous spaghetti and meatballs with Eve's help on the college campus.
10. (11-12-67) I THOUGHT HE'D NEVER LEAVE- The Hubbards have a fugitive hiding out at their home. (Larry Storch guest stars)
11. (11-19-67) THE GREAT BICYCLE RACE- The Buells and Hubbards both enter a cycling race.
12. (11-26-67) THROUGH THE LURKING GLASS- The entire family show up in costumes when Roger is arrested, to try and rescue him. (Alan Reed (best known for his voice of Fred Flintstone) guest stars)
13. (12-03-67) DIVORCE-MOTHER-IN-LAW STYLE- To teach their intruding mothers a lesson, Suzie and Jerry pretend they are going to divorce.
14. (12-10-67) THE NOT COLD ENOUGH WAR- When Eve is getting a new refrigerator, she makes a big mistake by giving her old refrigerator to Kaye.
15. (12-17-67) YOU CHALLENGE ME TO WHAT?- After Herb and Roger have a fight, Roger challenges Herb to a duel.
16. (12-31-67) EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE A WRITER- When Kaye and Eve decide to try and write a television script, they find out that the exact story was probably written by another writer.
17. (01-07-68) THE KIDS MOVE OUT- Eve and Kaye's constant meddling and interfering in their children's lives, cause Jerry and Suzie to move.
18. (01-14-68) THE HOMBRE WHO CAME TO DINNER-PART 1- The Hubbards bullfighting friend Raphael Del Gado from Spain comes to visit and stays longer than they'd like. (Desi Arnaz guest stars)
19. (01-21-68) THE HOMBRE WHO CAME TO DINNER-PART 2- Both the Hubbards and Buells get to visit Mexico. (Desi Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. (as Tommy) guest star)
20. (01-28-68) DON'T GIVE UP THE SLOOP- The Buells and Hubbards both won a boat in a game show and have a fight over ownership.
21. (02-04-68) I'D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT WE'RE NOT SPEAKING- When the Buells and Hubbards stop speaking to each other, Jerry and Suzie sign them up for group therapy sessions.
22. (02-11-68) HERB'S LITTLE HELPERS- When Herb's secretary is sick, Eve takes her place.
23. (02-25-68) BYE, BYE BLACKMAILER- Roger pays back a loan, by Eve lending Kaye Herb's money, without telling Herb it's his own money he's getting back.
24. (03-03-68) THE WIG STORY- When Kaye wears a blonde wig she borrowed from Eve, she thinks Roger has fallen in love with the wig.
25. (03-10-68) IT'S ONLY MONEY- When eating out at a fancy restaurant, Roger says they'll split the bill, even though Roger and his wife Kaye ordered the more expensive dishes, making Herb want to get even.
26. (03-17-68) I HAVEN'T GOT A SECRET- Roger finally has his scripts considered for a television series and when he asks wife Kaye to keep mum about it, she just can't keep a secret.
27. (03-24-68) JERRY'S NIGHT OUT WITH THE BOYS- When Suzie doesn't want Jerry spending a night to play poker every week with his buddies, all 4 parents take sides in the argument.
28. (03-31-68) THE LONG, LONG WEEKEND- During a visit to their cabin in the mountains, the Buells and Hubbards get trapped in a snowstorm.
29. (04-07-68) JEALOUSY MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER- When Herb gets an unexpected visit from a former girlfriend, Eve gets very jealous.
30. (04-28-68) HOW NOT TO MANAGE A ROCK GROUP- A new rock group called The Warts catches the interest of the Hubbards and Buells, who decide they'd like to invest...Read more›

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It's a funny family feudfrom Desi Arnaz and the writers of I Love LucySet in the swinging late 1960s, THE MOTHERS-IN-LAW centers on the laugh-filled misadventures of longtime neighborsin suburban Los Angeles who become related to each other when their children suddenly get married.Legendary actress Eve Arden (Our Miss Brooks, Grease) stars as Eve Hubbard, the sophisticated wife of straight-laced lawyer Herbert Hubbard (Herb Rudley). Veteran comedienne Kaye Ballard plays Kaye Buell, the outspoken wife of bombastic television writer Roger Buell(Roger C. Carmeland Richard Deacon). To the dismay of their hapless husbands, the strong-willed mothers are determined to meddle in the lives of newlyweds Jerry (Jerry Fogel) and Suzie Hubbard (Deborah Walley).

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Night and Day (1946) Review

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(More customer reviews)One of Broadway's most brilliant songwriters, Cole Porter (1891-1964) worked hard to present an unflappable image to the world--but in truth he was a tremendously complex man, a homosexual who lived with wife Linda Lee Thomas in a marriage of convenience, subject fits of depression, and suffering horrific pain in the wake of a horseback riding accident which left him crippled at the peak of his career. Add to this the fact that his lyrics were often censored for film, radio, and records and it seems very odd that 1940s Hollywood would attempt a biography.
What they did, of course, was fictionalize it to the max, reducing the story of his life to a mix of backstage musical and domestic drama--and transforming the tiny and waspish Porter and his icy bride Linda into handsome Cary Grant and lovely Alexis Smith. The result is pure nonsense, of course, but when you tack in a host of Porter classics--fantasy it might be, but it is entertaining enough to watch.
Grant is no singer, but he has considerable charm, and Smith is as always extremely attractive. The supporting cast is remarkably strong, featuring the likes of Jane Wyman, Eve Arden, Dorothy Malone, and Alan Hale--and rare screen appearances by Monty Woolley and Mary Martin, who deliver knockout performances of "Miss Otis Regrets" and "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" respectively. The DVD transfer is reasonable, and although the bonuses are pure fluff they are amusing. While it may be short on fact with a story little more than pure melodrama, the music and performers make NIGHT AND DAY a reasonably pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer

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Swellegant and elegant. Deluxe and delovely. Cole Porter was the most sophisticated name in 20th-century songwriting. And to play him on screen, Hollywood chose debonair icon Cary Grant. Grant stars for the first time in color in this fanciful biopic. Alexis Smith plays Linda, whose serendipitous meetings with Cole lead to a meeting at the altar. More than 20 Porter songs grace this tale of triumph and tragedy, with Grant lending his amiable voice to You're the Top, Night and Day and more. Monty Woolley, a Yale contemporary of Porter, portrays himself. And Jane Wyman, Mary Martin, Eve Arden and others provide vocals and verve. Lights down. Curtain up. Standards embraced by generations are yours to enjoy Night and Day.

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TCM Spotlight: Doris Day Collection (It's a Great Feeling / Tea for Two / April in Paris / The Tunnel of Love / Starlift) (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the third of three box sets of films from Warner Home Video dedicated to Doris Day. The first two are Doris Day Collection 1 (Billy Rose's Jumbo / Calamity Jane / The Glass Bottom Boat / Love Me or Leave Me / Lullaby of Broadway / The Pajama Game / Please Don't Eat the Daisies / Young Man with a Horn) and The Doris Day Collection, Vol. 2 (Romance on the High Seas / My Dream Is Yours / On Moonlight Bay / I'll See You in My Dreams / By the Light of the Silvery Moon / Lucky Me).
This set contains five films, yet no extra features on Doris Day herself. She has a very interesting personal story, so I'm surprised at the lack of such details in any of her boxed sets. She basically had a double set of problems that could have ended her career in 1968 - her husband died and she was left with a mountain of debts. She rebounded with her successful TV career and is today quite active in animal rights issues. The following is taken from the press release for the set, which contains cartoons, shorts and trailers as extra features.
April in Paris (1952)
The State Department wants Ethel Barrymore to represent the American theater at an arts exposition in Paris. But Miss Barrymore's invitation is sent by mistake to Miss Ethel "Dynamite" Jackson, a blonde brassy chorus girl. Ray Bolger plays the stuffy bureaucrat who mismailed the Barrymore missive - and now has a stateroom full of explosives on his hands for a Paris-bound ocean voyage. Plus there's a little matter of a marriage performed on the high seas that isn't quite legal.
DVD Special Features:
· Vintage short So You Want To Wear The Pants
· Classic cartoon Terrier Stricken
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (Main feature. Bonus material/trailer may not be subtitled)
It's a Great Feeling (1949)
No one will work with actor Jack Carson (who plays himself), so he just puts his own movie together. Good buddy Dennis Morgan is hoodwinked into co-starring. And there's a talented kid in the studio commissary (Day) eager for her big break.
In her third film (and third with Carson), Doris Day plays that up-and-comer in a musical spoof featuring real Hollywood and Warner Bros. back lot locales, star cameos (Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford, Edward G. Robinson, among others) and a surprise comedy finale.
Starlift (1951)
The charming tale of a serviceman with a crush on a movie ingenue is the backdrop for this film featuring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, James Cagney, Gary Cooper, Ruth Roman, Gene Nelson, Virginia Mayo, Jane Wyman, Randolph Scott and more Hollywood celebrities performing for flyboys in uniform. Songs by the Gershwins and Cole Porter plus a hilarious Western production number with Gary Cooper as a Texas Ranger add to the fun.
DVD Special Features:
· Vintage short Musical Memories
· Classic cartoon Sleepy Time Possum
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (Main feature. bonus material/trailer may not be subtitled)
Tea for Two (1950)
Wealthy, stagestruck Nan Carter strikes a bet that she can say "no" to everything for 48 hours. If she wins, she gets the $25,000 to back a Broadway musical vehicle for herself. She's determined, even if it means saying "no" when the guy she loves pops the question. Nan doesn't know it yet, but her fortune has been wiped out in the Crash of '29.
Costars Gordon MacRae and Gene Nelson on hand to help provide songs, dance and romance. Eve Arden, Billy DeWolfe and S.Z "Cuddles" Sakall deliver lots of laughs, and the Gershwins, Vincent Youmans, Harry Warren and other Tin Pan Alley greats supply the songs which include the title tune, Do, Do, Do, I Only Have Eyes for You, I Want to Be Happy and lots more.
DVD Special Features:
· Vintage short So You Want to Hold Your Husband
· Classic cartoon Tee for Two
· No, No Nanette Radio Show - From the 1949 "Railroad Hour" series, with Doris Day and Gordon MacRae
· No, No Nanette Overture - From the surviving Vitaphone disc from lost 1930 Warner Bros. film
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (Main feature. Bonus material/trailer may not be subtitled)The Tunnel of Love (1958)
Isolde (Doris Day) and Augie (Richard Widmark) Poole are trying to adopt a baby. Dick (Gig Young), the Poole's neighbor, has advice for Augie during these challenging times: have an affair. No way, says Augie. Then he wakes up in a motel room with no memory of the night before - and finds a thank-you note from the caseworker who's handling the Poole adoption. Gene Kelly directs this musical comedy.
DVD special features include:
· Classic cartoon Tot Watchers
· Theatrical trailer
· Subtitles: English & French (Main feature. Bonus material/trailer may not be subtitled)

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Studio: Warner Home VideoRelease Date: 04/07/2009Rating: Nr

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