Review: Best Buick Yet:

[Frank Gannucci]

DVD: On the HD Blu Ray set, it is attached to episodes #8-16 of the Classic 39 as well as sponsor material version of "Hello Mom." It is not on the original box sets.

For the longest time, only a few people knew that this footage existed. It is a slide show with audio as the narrator, Joyce, Audrey and Jackie talk out of character while Art talks in character about the '56 Buick. Why they have Art doing this, besides the fact that many people think he was the funniest on the show, I have no idea. Buick was one of the sponsors of the show. During the slide show, you see all sorts of images of the '56 Buick as well as parts of the '56 Buick. The appropriate photos come on during the times that a person is talking about a feature of the car.

Jackie says that the four of them are glad to be part of the Buick team. Jackie says that he knows about the '56 Buick and he says that he thinks it will be the best Buick yet. He talks about the planning and designing. He says that the people think they know what the people want in the Buick which are more comfort, greater convenience and outstanding beauty. He calls this Buick America's Most Wanted Car. Jackie says that he will let a person point out all the technical details. He calls for some traveling music. Traveling music is heard.

The male narrator (whose name, we don't know) thanks Jackie. He talks about the V-Cofile (sp?) front end. He says that it is stylish. He talks about the front end some more like mentioning the fenders. "The lower hood and higher front fender give a sports car appearance." He talks about the front end some more before talking about the back end that is built in such a way that the car is safe to be in. He talks about the back end some more by mentioning the grill. "Buick '56 styling is great for people who enjoy zestful living."

Jackie: "Besides eye appeal, variety is another thing. This Buick offers variety to suit every taste. The narrator says that the Buick offers 200 various color combos. That had to be amazing back then. The narrator also says that the car also has body styling. "15 models in 4 series." Because of this, the car could be custom-built for their desires. We are shown a two door sedan in red & white in a color drawing. The narrator talks about the sedan some more and he says that it is at a price that EVERYONE could afford. Quite the contrast compared to today where cars can go for about $20,000 plus. The narrator talks about other different types of Buick cars for '56 one of them is the Roadmaster. He talks about how different the Roadmaster is like a bombside on each fender etc. He talks about the Buick some more before Jackie says "Hold it! Let's get the ladies point of view. Let's start with Audrey Meadows, also known as Mrs. Ralph Kramden." When Jack says this, both Jack and Audrey each have an arm around each other.

Audrey talks about Buick's internal appointments. Audrey says that they offer luxury. Audrey: "People like luxury in their living rooms. The kind of luxury that me and Ralph can't get." Ha! Audrey says that the backseat of the Roadmaster can come in four different colors. She talks about the front part of the Roadmaster a little bit before throwing it to Trixie Norton. Audrey: "Also known as Joyce Randolph. She is sold on the new Buicks."

Joyce talks about the "new" instrument panel. Joyce: "It is very functional in it's design. I appreciate having controls that you can reach and stay behind the wheel. The convience is one of the reasons why I think that the '56 Buick is the best Buick yet." She talks about the red liner speedometer with Audrey chiming in. Audrey talks about the heating. Audrey: "I am going to let the narrator talk to you about cross heating."

Narrator: "Perrimeter heating is a new concept in automotive heating." He talks about the heating in the car some more and how it benefits people in the winter and summer. After that, he talks about how great the air conditioning system is. He also talks about how you can customize the seat position for maximum comfort. "Buick's million dollar ride is worth more than ever." He than explains why.

Jackie: "There are more reasons why this Buick is the best Buick yet like the features. He turns it over to the narrator. The narrator talks about the 255 horsepower of the Buick which was 35 more than the '55 Buick. He also talks about the car's performance as well. He mentions the dynaflow which was standard equipment on Super and Century series and Roadmaster series. He is going to talk about the engineering advances when Ed Norton interrupts by saying that that is his department. Ed: "I have to come out for fresh air in my job every now and than but when I stick my head out of a manhole, I get a different viewpoint than most folks sort of worm's eye view you might say. I don't get a good look at many Buicks because they go by so fast. But I have seen enough to come up with a professional report. Sure they got power. But what counts is how much power they get on the road." He talks about the dynaflow and how they added a second stator. Jackie: "Sorry Art, I mean Ed but don't you think you better get back on the job. Ed: "I will be back. You can't keep a good man down you know." Jackie: "I hated to do that but I think Norton wandered to far from the sewers. I will let the narrator take over again."

Narrator: "Here is more big news. Buick's new exhaust manifold is called a double-wide manifold and it is designed for a V8 engine." He talks about it some more. He talks about the intake manifold. Narrator: "Ed better be careful when coming out of a manhole because Buicks are so quiet, you can't hear them coming." Again, quite the contrast compared to today. The narrator than talks about the muffler. He also mentions the power steering feature. I never knew that power steering existed back than. Wow! Back to the dynaflow. He mentions that the dynaflow is quieter than ever. Now, it's onto the rear axle of the car. Narrator: "Ed talks about how Buick's hug the pavement. Rough roads or smooth, Buick takes them all with ease." We see a photo of the car with a license plate that reads: "AH-49-99." Times have changed. He talks about the rear end design before talking about rear axle again. Time to talk about the steering geometry. Again, he talks about the power steering. Narrator: "We will really appreciate this power unit behind the front wheel of a Buick." He than talks about the brake system and how it had improved. Now, he talks about the toothless tires as standard equipment. Narrator: "You don't see many Buick owners using a jack."

Jackie: "In TV and automobiles, it takes new ideas to make a winner." He and the narrator recount all that was mentioned and the windshield which was not talked about. He says that the '56 Buick is the best Buick yet. Jackie agrees. Jackie: "Don't you agree Norton, my down-low friend?" Ed: "Engineering-wise, it can't be beat." Audrey: "What a beauty. Inside and out." Joyce: "And how right the price." Jackie: "You have been a grand, grand bunch. You got a great Buick to sell. 1956 is Buick's year. A little traveling music please." No music plays. Jackie: "That Buick makes great traveling music and away we go with the best Buick yet." Now, music plays to end the bonus feature.

The only complaint that I have is that the narrator bounced around a lot. He talked some features more than once. I think it would have been better if he talked all that he wanted to talk about a particular feature in one part rather than in more than one.

I will review the other features on the blu ray set when I get around to them.