Burns and Allen deserves a DVD release - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

stevea · 04-06-2017, 09:59 PM

This program is at least as funny as Lucy.

It has several features that makes it probably the number 2 or 3 sitcom from the 50s:

--George regularly makes comments to us, the viewer.

--George and Gracie do comedy routines for the viewer at the end of the later episodes.

--the writing is superb, and Gracie's acting is also fantastic.

Svenfan1234 · 04-06-2017, 10:02 PM

I heard that the prints were kind of rough and that's why.

tlc38tlc38 · 04-06-2017, 10:25 PM

When my dad was in the hospital on Monday having outpatient surgery, I watched an episode on Antenna TV in his room.

Gotta say, it sorta bored me.

The only saving grace about the episode I watched was Bea Benaderet was in it and I love her.

chriszme · 04-06-2017, 10:29 PM

Did you like the split screen credits?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

When my dad was in the hospital on Monday having outpatient surgery, I watched an episode on Antenna TV in his room.

Gotta say, it sorta bored me.

The only saving grace about the episode I watched was Bea Benaderet was in it and I love her.

tlc38tlc38 · 04-06-2017, 10:34 PM

^Spilt screen credits don't bother me.

opus · 04-06-2017, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

When my dad was in the hospital on Monday having outpatient surgery, I watched an episode on Antenna TV in his room.

Gotta say, it sorta bored me.

The only saving grace about the episode I watched was Bea Benaderet was in it and I love her.

I like B & A .

Hope Dad's okay.

tlc38tlc38 · 04-06-2017, 10:43 PM

^Oh he's fine, just having a screw removed from a previous operation on his leg.

PhoenixAcres · 04-06-2017, 11:48 PM

I haven't seen a ton of episodes of this show but it is quite good. The writing is smart and clever, with a lot of verbal humor and good delivery by the actors.

I'm surprised a show like this isn't released in full. I guess like Svenfan said it's a matter of getting decent prints.

marriedaniac · 08-19-2017, 04:47 AM

I would love a DVD release. Would it be sponsored by Carnation milk?

Marvo301 · 08-19-2017, 07:14 PM

I think there are some issues with a DVD release for B and A. It started out as a live program from New York. So if those episodes exist at all they would only exist as kinescopes. Which means poor picture and sound quality. Then they switched to taping the program in Hollywood. So they obviously moved to a different studio which means a separate rights deal may be necessary for these episode than for the live episodes. That being said I would love to see a DVD release of this series. In fact it would make just as contented as the cows that give Carnation milk!

stevea · 08-21-2017, 05:20 PM

^I don't think we'll ever see a legit (non public domain) release of the 2 live seasons. The kinescope films just don't cut it for quality. If anything is done, it would probably be with seasons 3 thru 8.

Unfortunately, though, I think the time has past for DVD releases for any 50s series.

OH Nuts! · 02-28-2019, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

^I don't think we'll ever see a legit (non public domain) release of the 2 live seasons. The kinescope films just don't cut it for quality. If anything is done, it would probably be with seasons 3 thru 8.

Unfortunately, though, I think the time has past for DVD releases for any 50s series.

Sigh, you’re probably right. But God Bless Antenna for airing so many eps....Gracie is a hoot. (But of course everyone’s good it’s just that SHE’S fantastic!)

stevea · 03-07-2019, 11:56 AM

The 35 mm original prints are probably sitting in some vault gathering dust. The recent release of the 1957 Blondie show proves that original negatives look fantastic, as does season 1 of Hazel.

IMO all Shout Factory releases (except Leave It To Beaver, which was remastered by Universal) are mastered from 90s videotape copies of shows.

04-06-2017, 09:59 PM	#1
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,057	Burns and Allen deserves a DVD release This program is at least as funny as Lucy. It has several features that makes it probably the number 2 or 3 sitcom from the 50s: --George regularly makes comments to us, the viewer. --George and Gracie do comedy routines for the viewer at the end of the later episodes. --the writing is superb, and Gracie's acting is also fantastic.

04-06-2017, 10:02 PM	#2
Svenfan1234 Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 12, 2015 Posts: 11,200	I heard that the prints were kind of rough and that's why.
	__________________ [

04-06-2017, 10:25 PM	#3
tlc38tlc38 Member Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Posts: 19,284	When my dad was in the hospital on Monday having outpatient surgery, I watched an episode on Antenna TV in his room. Gotta say, it sorta bored me. The only saving grace about the episode I watched was Bea Benaderet was in it and I love her.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

08-19-2017, 04:47 AM	#9
marriedaniac BundyAnna Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 55	I would love a DVD release. Would it be sponsored by Carnation milk?
	__________________ - Marriedaniac's Macrocosm of Married With Children - Married With Children on Facebook

08-19-2017, 07:14 PM	#10
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	I think there are some issues with a DVD release for B and A. It started out as a live program from New York. So if those episodes exist at all they would only exist as kinescopes. Which means poor picture and sound quality. Then they switched to taping the program in Hollywood. So they obviously moved to a different studio which means a separate rights deal may be necessary for these episode than for the live episodes. That being said I would love to see a DVD release of this series. In fact it would make just as contented as the cows that give Carnation milk!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-06-2017, 10:34 PM	#5
tlc38tlc38 Member Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Posts: 19,284	^Spilt screen credits don't bother me.

04-06-2017, 10:43 PM	#7
tlc38tlc38 Member Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Posts: 19,284	^Oh he's fine, just having a screw removed from a previous operation on his leg.

04-06-2017, 11:48 PM	#8
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,826	I haven't seen a ton of episodes of this show but it is quite good. The writing is smart and clever, with a lot of verbal humor and good delivery by the actors. I'm surprised a show like this isn't released in full. I guess like Svenfan said it's a matter of getting decent prints.

08-21-2017, 05:20 PM	#11
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,057	^I don't think we'll ever see a legit (non public domain) release of the 2 live seasons. The kinescope films just don't cut it for quality. If anything is done, it would probably be with seasons 3 thru 8. Unfortunately, though, I think the time has past for DVD releases for any 50s series.

03-07-2019, 11:56 AM	#13
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 45,057	The 35 mm original prints are probably sitting in some vault gathering dust. The recent release of the 1957 Blondie show proves that original negatives look fantastic, as does season 1 of Hazel. IMO all Shout Factory releases (except Leave It To Beaver, which was remastered by Universal) are mastered from 90s videotape copies of shows.