Knight at HOME at the Movies
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Let's Hear It for the Ladies!
After last week's testosterone heavy DVD roundup I thought it might be fair to focus on the ladies. Hence, this week's
recommendations:
After last week's testosterone heavy DVD roundup I thought it might be fair to focus on the ladies. Hence, this week's
recommendations:
Fox Home Entertainment continues to make me happy with another season of one of my
all time favorite sitcoms. Out this week is the 3-disc, Mary Tyler Moore Show, the
Complete Fourth Season. The show focuses on the life of career woman Mary
Richards and her work and friends that surround her job at the small Minneapolis TV news
station. In this season, Sue Ann Nivens, a 70s version of Martha Stewart, in the person of
Betty White, enters the picture in the very funny first episode in which Phyllis’ husband
Lars has an affair with her. Other episodes include Mary’s disastrous dinner party and the
long arc over Mary’s boss Lou Grant’s separation and divorce. Ed Asner is particularly
funny this season. There’s also an appearance by Nancy Walker as Ida Morgenstern,
Rhoda (Valerie Harper) Morgenstern’s obnoxious mother. Rhoda slowly fades out of the
picture (preparing for her spin off sitcom) and in addition to Sue Ann, dizzy Georgette
(Georgia Engel) arrives as Ted’s love interest. Originally run in 1973, this was the year
the show really had all engines blazing and though the set includes all 24 episodes there
are no extras – a bit of a disappointment.
Season Five was a pretty good one for the Golden Girls as well. Touchstone/Disney
Home Entertainment recently released the complete 1989-1990 26 episode season on 3-
discs and in this edition there are some welcome episode commentaries from stars Bea
Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Mary Tyler Moore alumnus, Betty White. The three elderly
roommates, residing in Florida, found themselves involved in several issues of the day –
Dorothy suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, Blanche’s daughter wants to have a baby
by artificial insemination, etc. But there are, as always, the usual host of guest stars and
laughs. No one hits a punch line like Arthur and White.
Finally, Barbara Stanwyck, one of Hollywood’s classic leading ladies, had a great run when
she came to television in a western series in 1965. Fox Home Entertainment has
released the first year in the saga of the Barkley Family chronicled in The Big Valley –
Season 1. Sort of a wild west precursor to “Dynasty,” complete with intrigue – if not the
hair and gowns – The Big Valley had great stories, a great cast supporting Stanwyck’s
matriarch Victoria Barkley (including Linda Evans, and hunky Lee Majors), and a retinue of
name guest stars just starting their careers. The 5-disc set includes all 30 (!) episodes
(and the pilot) from the show’s first season (it lasted for four years). For western fans,
this series holds up beautifully.
all time favorite sitcoms. Out this week is the 3-disc, Mary Tyler Moore Show, the
Complete Fourth Season. The show focuses on the life of career woman Mary
Richards and her work and friends that surround her job at the small Minneapolis TV news
station. In this season, Sue Ann Nivens, a 70s version of Martha Stewart, in the person of
Betty White, enters the picture in the very funny first episode in which Phyllis’ husband
Lars has an affair with her. Other episodes include Mary’s disastrous dinner party and the
long arc over Mary’s boss Lou Grant’s separation and divorce. Ed Asner is particularly
funny this season. There’s also an appearance by Nancy Walker as Ida Morgenstern,
Rhoda (Valerie Harper) Morgenstern’s obnoxious mother. Rhoda slowly fades out of the
picture (preparing for her spin off sitcom) and in addition to Sue Ann, dizzy Georgette
(Georgia Engel) arrives as Ted’s love interest. Originally run in 1973, this was the year
the show really had all engines blazing and though the set includes all 24 episodes there
are no extras – a bit of a disappointment.
Season Five was a pretty good one for the Golden Girls as well. Touchstone/Disney
Home Entertainment recently released the complete 1989-1990 26 episode season on 3-
discs and in this edition there are some welcome episode commentaries from stars Bea
Arthur, Rue McClanahan, and Mary Tyler Moore alumnus, Betty White. The three elderly
roommates, residing in Florida, found themselves involved in several issues of the day –
Dorothy suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, Blanche’s daughter wants to have a baby
by artificial insemination, etc. But there are, as always, the usual host of guest stars and
laughs. No one hits a punch line like Arthur and White.
Finally, Barbara Stanwyck, one of Hollywood’s classic leading ladies, had a great run when
she came to television in a western series in 1965. Fox Home Entertainment has
released the first year in the saga of the Barkley Family chronicled in The Big Valley –
Season 1. Sort of a wild west precursor to “Dynasty,” complete with intrigue – if not the
hair and gowns – The Big Valley had great stories, a great cast supporting Stanwyck’s
matriarch Victoria Barkley (including Linda Evans, and hunky Lee Majors), and a retinue of
name guest stars just starting their careers. The 5-disc set includes all 30 (!) episodes
(and the pilot) from the show’s first season (it lasted for four years). For western fans,
this series holds up beautifully.
