When it premiered as a one-shot NBC special on September 9th, 1967, ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN broke new ground on television. Viewers had scarcely seen such a rapid-fire comic anthology on TV before, and the hour-long program was the right show at the right time in the turbulent late ‘60s. “Laugh-In” was timely, motivated by generation-gap/culture-clash jokes, the hippie movement, and provided the right tonic for audiences looking to laugh while the country was embroiled in numerous struggles socially, politically and militarily. Ratings for the initial special were strong, leading to a weekly series that aired on Mondays at 8pm starting in January of ‘68 – a time slot the series would occupy until it signed off, finally, in May of 1973.
Along the way, the series introduced a series of comedians to the public who quickly became stars, most notably Goldie Hawn, Arte Johnson, Henry Gibson, Lily Tomlin, Jo Anne Worley, and Richard Dawson among others – the majority of them embodying characters whose lines became synonymous with the time. “Sock it to me” was even uttered by then-presidential candidate Richard Nixon in an oft-referenced clip that became one of the series’ signature moments in 1968, while guest stars seemed to encompass every major celebrity of the time: where else could you see John Wayne, Cher, Bob Newhart, Jack Lemmon, Bob Hope, Michael Landon, Don Rickles, Liberace, The Monkees, Jonathan Winters, James Garner and Diana Ross together, along with then-unknowns like Tiny Tim who became, however fleeting, stars overnight through their appearances on the program.
Though a little bit before my time, I recall seeing reruns of “Laugh-In” during the early ‘80s, in what I imagine were edited-down, half-hour versions in syndication. Even with its “mod-specific” jokes and references, there’s ample entertainment to be found in these programs, which remain indelible broadcasts of their era, through their comic timing and amazing roster of talent.
Time-Life’s brand new, 38-disc DVD box-set includes, for the first time on home video, the entire series in one, 140-episode collection (including the seldom-screened pilot episode). It’s a deluxe packaged, beautifully presented set in line with Time-Life’s recent Complete Series retrospectives, complimented by a bonus DVD, liner notes from producer/creator George Schlatter in a 32-page book, interviews with Dick Martin, stars Ruth Buzzi and Gary Owens (the only two cast members, besides Rowan & Martin, to appear throughout all six seasons of the show), featurettes, and interviews with Lily Tomlin and George Schlatter that are available only in this set.
With 89 of these episodes never having been released before, and the videotaped transfers having been assembled from the original broadcast elements, this “Laugh-In” box is one of the year’s finest home video releases to date. Kudos to Time Life and Proven Entertainment for a marvelous release that presents vintage TV at its finest on DVD. The set is available for ordering here.
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JOHNNY CARSON: JOHNNY AND FRIENDS DVD (Time Life): New three-disc set from Time Life includes nine previously unreleased-to-video Tonight Show episodes starring Johnny Carson, each sporting comedy superstars Steve Martin (from 7/21/76, 5/21/82 and 12/19/91); Robin Williams (4/3/84, 1/10/91 and 9/19/91); and Eddie Murphy (1/1/82, 2/10/82 and 7/30/82) with bonus commercials also included. Highly recommended for Carson buffs, and those who lament where late-night TV has gone in the decades since his departure.
Twilight Time New Releases
Charles Bronson, Richard Widmark, and Jackie Chan are just a few of the stars appearing in Twilight Time’s roster of recently-released limited edition Blu-Rays. The 3000 copy limited editions, available both through Screen Archives and TT’s own website, should appeal to a wide swath of movie buffs with summer heating up – and the usual, mostly formulaic teeny-bopper fare currently dominating what’s been a lame summer movie season thus far.
HELL AND HIGH WATER (***, 103 mins., 1954). THE MOVIE: Rip-roaring 20th Century-Fox Cinemascope adventure places commander Richard Widmark onboard a Japanese submarine, tasked with finding out who’s behind atomic activity in waters north of Japan. Along with a French scientist (Victor Francen) who was reported missing and his female associate (Bella Darvi), Widmark’s Captain Jones follows a Chinese freighter with suspicious cargo on a mission with another world war possibly at stake. TWILIGHT TIME TECH SPECS: A glorious 1080p (2.55) AVC encoded transfer with outstanding grain, warm colors and top detail marks Twilight Time’s Blu-Ray. This is one of those instances where you can clearly see what a new scan can bring to 1080p, and this fresh transfer enhances the film at every turn. Alfred Newman’s rousing score is a big plus to the film, and its presentation here in either 5.1 or 2.0 DTS MA tracks is most welcome, with stereophonic activity on-hand throughout – the 5.1 track in particular offers all kinds of directional work in a truly superb mix. Trailers, isolated score and an A&E Biography special on Widmark comprise the extras. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Fans of submarine movies or Cinemascope affairs in general are urged to give a look at Twilight Time’s marvelous Blu-Ray of “Hell and High Water,” which boasts one of the top transfer/soundtracks of a catalog release I’ve seen so far this year. Colorful ‘50s studio fare with ample energy provided by director Samuel Fuller, and a boisterous Widmark performance to match.
THE VALACHI PAPERS (125 mins., 1972, PG). THE MOVIE: Interesting if crudely-made Dino DeLaurentiis production stars Charles Bronson as Joseph Valachi, one of the earliest mob informants. After being given the “kiss of death” by crime boss Vito Genovese (Lino Ventura) while in prison, an aging Valachi spills the beans to the FBI, becoming an informant in the early ‘60s. Valachi then recounts his life on the streets of New York City, with another mafia don, Salvatore Maranzano (Joseph Wiseman), his marriage to another mobster’s daughter (Jill Ireland), assorted grizzly mafia adventures (including putting a castrated man out of his misery), and eventual conviction on heroin trafficking. James Bond vet Terence Young helmed “The Valachi Papers,” which Stephen Geller (along with a pair of Italian writers) adapted from Peter Maas’ non-fiction account of Valachi’s testimony to the federal government. It’s a compelling but sometimes hard to follow film, shot mostly in Italy, that gives off a strange vibe with its mostly-dubbed dialogue and sloppy production errors – including a NYC skyline with the World Trade Center front and center of the frame, in scenes set in the 1920s! The narrative also feels disjointed at times, compounding its shortcomings. Nevertheless, “The Valachi Papers” is worth a look for Bronson aficionados and mafia movie buffs alike – even if it does not live up to “NBC-TV Chicago”’s hilarious critic quote that asks “Is it as good as ‘The Godfather’? The answer is…no, it is better”! TWILIGHT TIME TECH SPECS: “The Valachi Papers” makes its Blu-Ray debut courtesy of a satisfying Sony-licensed 1080p (1.85) AVC encoded transfer. Detail is as strong as the occasionally weathered source material allows; I’m not sure what kind of budget “Valachi” was shot with, but it certainly does not give off the impression of an expensive production, with claustrophobic sets and rather flat cinematography dominating most of the action. The DTS MA mono sound is a bit rough as well, with Riz Ortolani’s score backing up the action. A partially isolated score is the disc’s single supplemental feature. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Bronson’s third and final outing with Terence Young isn’t as entertaining as the offbeat Japanese western “Red Sun” (I’ve never seen the scarcely-distributed “Cold Sweat”), but it’s an intriguing film from its era – with fascinating source material – let down by inferior production values.
THE BRIDGE AT REMAGEN (117 mins., 1969, R). THE MOVIE: Well-mounted if a tad routine David L. Wolper production offers up a strong cast in a typical WWII movie scenario, albeit with heightened blood and violence, in keeping with its late ‘60s production. George Segal and Ben Gazzara play two members of an American squadron assigned to take out a bridge over the Rhine that both represents the Allies’ path into the heart of the enemy and a worn-out German army’s only chance to escape. Roger (O) Hirson penned the initial story that Richard Yates and William Roberts developed for John Guillermin’s film, co-starring Robert Vaughn as the German colonel who goes against orders to destroy the bridge – opting instead to delay and give his men a chance – plus Bradford Dillman and “Guest Star” E.G. Marshall among the familiar faces on the American side. The action is effectively delivered and Elmer Bernstein’s rousing score is well done, though as technically sound as the picture is, there’s nothing overly memorable about it. TWILIGHT TIME TECH SPECS: The MGM-licensed 1080p (2.35) AVC encoded transfer is very good though source materials show their age at various points, including brief instances of print damage. Colors are warm and the DTS MA mono sound – along with an isolated score track of Elmer’s musical contribution – is equally well delivered. The trailer is the sole extra. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Recommended most especially for WWII buffs, “The Bridge at Remagen” offers effective widescreen cinematography and a strong cast in a true story from the waning days of the conflict.
THE QUIET AMERICAN (122 mins., 1958). THE MOVIE: In this adaptation of Graham Greene’s book, a cynical British journalist (Michael Redgrave), living in Saigon during the early ‘50s, sees his existence threatened by a brash American (Audie Murphy), an aid worker (a CIA operative in Greene’s book), who eventually falls in love with his Vietnamese mistress (Giogia Moll). Themes of colonialism – particularly prescient given the US’ involvement in the country – are analyzed, to a degree, in this Joseph L. Mankiewicz film that takes the novel’s anti-American tone and changes it to suit the anti-Communist mood of the late ‘50s – something that put off Greene, naturally. A proper adaptation of the source would have to wait until a more faithful rendition of his messages prevailed in a 2002 film starring Michael Caine. TWILIGHT TIME TECH SPECS: A box-office failure at the time of its original release, “The Quiet American” comes to Blu-Ray in the form of a perfectly respectable 1080p (1.66) transfer. Mario Nascimbene’s score is fairly effective with an isolated score track (with some effects) and the trailer on-hand for extras. AISLE SEAT BOTTOM LINE: Well-acted and interestingly shot partially on-location in Vietnam (before filming shifted to Rome), this Mankiewicz production is certainly worthwhile for its performances and mood, though aficionados of Greene’s novel would be better served by the much later screen adaptation.
SNAKE IN THE EAGLE’S SHADOW (98 mins., 1978, PG)/DRUNKEN MASTER (111 mins., 1978, PG): Two of Jackie Chan’s earliest features have been remastered for Blu-Ray in an entertaining double-bill from Twilight Time. “Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow” marked a turning point for Chan, mixing comedy and martial arts with director Yuen Wo Ping. The movie is regarded as a prototype for Chan’s subsequent formula and was fine-tuned even more effectively into “Drunken Master,” a Hong Kong classic that’s long been a fan favorite around the world. Both 1978 features are now on Blu-Ray from Twilight Time featuring an English dubbed track plus Cantonese and Mandarin audio (all 1.0 DTS MA mono mixes); note portions of the “Drunken Master” native audio are missing so English dubbed material is tracked in during those instances. Isolated music/effects tracks and commentaries from martial arts historians Ric Meyes and Jeff Yang put both pictures into the proper genre context.
Olive New Releases
For summer-time fun, 1989’s SHAG: THE MOVIE (***, 99 mins., PG) rates as an agreeable time-killer. Phoebe Cates, Bridget Fonda, Annabeth Gish (who keeps harping about her weight – even though she looks the same size as the other leads!), and Page Hannah are the girls on a beach vacation to the South Carolina coast in an amiable “coming of age” story set in the early ‘60s, co-written by Robin Swicord (“Little Women”). Zelda Barron’s film boasts an appealing soundtrack (with Kenny Ortega choreography marking the dance sequences) but this isn’t exactly “Dirty Dancing” – just a likeable little film with appealing performances that marked one of UK production house Palace’s few forays into the U.S. market. Olive’s Blu-Ray is derived from what seems to be a recent MGM scan with pleasantly warm colors and details, plus a DTS MA 2.0 stereo soundtrack.
Also new from Olive this month on Blu-Ray is DEJA VU (*½, 95 mins., 1985, R), an interminably slow-moving Cannon production billed as a vehicle for former “Charlie’s Angel” Jaclyn Smith – except the actress spends too much time on the sidelines as her fiancee (“Excalibur”’s King Arthur, Nigel Terry) uncovers a reincarnation past for the couple involving a famous dancer who died tragically and her choreographer. Nicolas Roeg cinematographer Anthony Richmond helmed this adaptation of Trevor Meldal-Johnsen’s novel “Always,” which moves at a snail’s pace through a premise that’s never that interesting to begin with. The MGM-licensed 1080p (1.85) AVC encoded transfer is fine, as is the 2.0 DTS MA audio sporting a Pino Donaggio score.
Also New & Noteworthy
Well Go New Releases: 
THE MISSING Season 2 DVD (8 hours, 2017; Anchor Bay):
MONEY DVD (85 mins., 2017, R; Fox): 
