Search - You Bet Your Life - The Best Episodes on DVD

Quaint comedy with occasional highlights

C. Elliott | California U.S.A. | 07/21/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Judging from the appearance of the package's artwork and accompanying booklet, I gathered that the episodes burned into these 3 discs were to be nothing less than top-notch. After all, the working title of this production had been "The Best Episodes."



There seems, however, to have been more thought and care put into the afore-mentioned package design than into the actual shows. Dirt and scratches abound! Why couldn't they have placed more of the production value into the PRODUCTION rather than the container? The films themselves look as though no attempt whatsoever was made to clean and digitally re-master them.



As far as entertainment is concerned, there is some here. Most of the people who Groucho interviews are the average John Q. Public. In some cases they have so little to say that Groucho has to "pry" the words from them. Why were those folks included in "The Best Episodes?" Groucho, with his unique style of interviewing seems to fare more favorably when he has outspoken and/or off-beat types to contend with.



Every once in the while, however, person or persons will demonstrate their natural gift for gab and charm us with their openess, honesty and antics:



Eccentric fruit peddler and future health food guru Gypsy Boots tells of his living in trees and caves. When Groucho asks him to spell the word "gnome," his enthusiastic misspellings are priceless - much to the annoyance of his fellow contestant.



A frustrated lady lyricist/trombone player demonstrates her affection for the show's announcer, George Fenneman, as he attempts to maintain his composure while Groucho watches in awe.



In addition to the original broadcast versions are several "stag reels." These are out-takes from various shows that were considered a bit too bawdy for television of that era:



"I had a frozen daiquiri once when I was up north - that's the last time I go out without long underwear." While Groucho could let loose with such dialog in front of the studio audience, there were always those particular one-liners destined for the cutting room floor prior to air time.



All-in-all, the price of this three-disc set is rather steep, but if you're a dedicated Groucho Marx and/or old-time television game show fan you may find it a quaint treat.

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