Gale Movie Reviews

This is a great dvd, and Rhino did a much better job than with the H.r Pufnstuf dvd. These episodes are funny and represent the series well. The menu is very easy to navigate, and the picture looks great. My favorite characters are Burp and Slurp, and they're at their funniest here. The interview is very funny, and there's even an advertisement for a submarine ride. Pick it up today, you'll be glad you did!

This is a great show cheesy but good this is the only Kroft show that I like more then H.R. Pufnstuf! Its worth the wait!

Okay, I'm 34 and I bought it. Why? Because when I was 8 years old Sigmund & the Seamonsters kept me glued to the TV. Like most of the Krofft programs (namely this and Land of the Lost) it was just different from everything else on. Until recently I had racked my brain trying to remember some of the titles (Bugaloos, Kaptain Kool & the Kongs, Dr. Shrinker, the one about the dune buggy) but now they are all over the internet. These shows were far from cheesy to a little 70s kid. They had a profound effect on the way I grew up. Magic, dreams and imagination are much tougher to come by in todays children. It's all spelled out in digital glory. Before long you'll be able to play Shrek on your X-box 2 and it'll look better than the film. It's amazing to go back to a time before there was Playstation...or even Atari. Just a box of sugary cereal and a Krofft program. Take me back!!
I save these for when I'm in a special mood some saturday morning. I pop this in the DVD and get transported to a more simple time. It's really bizarre the effect these have on me. My first thought when I ordered it was that I'd wasted my money on a little kid's show I used to watch and it would not match my memories of those wonderful times. Well, surprize! These are better now than they were. The sense of nostalgia is staggering. And there's a bonus: wonderful unintentional humor. The way the puppets move and talk is hilarious even if they don't say anything funny. I get a sense that the Krofft brothers knew all along what it took Mystery Science Theater 3000 10 years to teach me. It's been said that Pufnstuff was watched mostly by hippies in the 60s and 70s. After a friday night ... ... they'd get up saturday morning and watch. And what did they watch? ..., ... landscapes, bigheaded creatures talking in zany voices. I've ordered Land of the Lost DVD and can't wait to put it on my shelf. If you grew up with these then take the trip too. The World of Sid & Marty Krofft is brighter than it ever was! You'll have fun. I promise you.

Finally! The show I absolutely loved as a kid is available on DVD, and not just a few episodes either... 12 big episodes on 2 discs, plus a bonus color "Lucy Show" episode (a tease by VCI to get you to buy that set) and all at an extremely reasonable price too! Why this show vanished from syndication sometime in the late '60s is beyond me, and I've missed it dearly ever since. Several generations have been missing out on a true TV classic that fell through the cracks. The episodes hold up remarkably well after all these years too... in fact, they have held up better than "I Love Lucy", which is a unarguable classic, but let's face it, they're extremely dated overall.

A few of the classic episodes included are:
-The one where Margie babysits the chimp that likes to attack Vernon!

-Mrs Odetts trying to get the money from her trust fund to buy that fast sports car with the chrome manifold!

-Margie's mental breakdown/The horse that is or isn't there.

-Vern & Margie pose as hillbillies to regain some old stock certificates that have some worth after all.

So don't be a lunkhead like Freddy... be as cool as Mrs. Odetts and pick this one up! If you're a fan of classic TV, you will not be disappointed! If you've never seen this show before, you're in for a real treat.

Keep 'em coming VCI! I'll buy all the Margie on DVD that you can put out there!

When I first discovered that a two volume DVD set of My Little Margie was to be marketed, I couldn't believe it! I didn't think I'd ever see even one show from this great old series again, let alone the 24 that are included in these two sets. Besides, I figured, even if this early/mid-fifties gem ever surfaced again it would be on TV Land or Nickelodeon and would be ruined by nightmarish commercial breaks (we have DSS), squeezed end-credits, and inane voiceovers.

VCI to the rescue! I've just reviewed the two DVDs in this first set and watched the first two shows on disk #1 and am extremely pleased! Knowing how things unfortunately are sometimes done these days, I had feared a poor quality transfer and a certain amount of butchering to have been done, but that's not the case at all, thank goodness!

I recall these shows from my early childhood, and they look and sound exactly as I remember them. Even the elaborate musical score that accompanies the end credits is there, complete and impressive as when brand new. The opening gimmick, where the facing images in the father/daughter photographs talk about each other, are there too--still clever, still cute, still funny! In fact, these shows are exactly as first viewed almost 50 years ago, but thanks to the clever writing (those early TV writers cut their teeth in the demanding medium of radio comedy) and the outstanding talents of Charles Farrell and Gale Storm (sigh!), these shows are still funny and engaging. I couldn't be more pleased!

One last note about the quality. We tend to forget how relatively murky television was in the Fifties. Broadcasting equipment was primitive but improving rapidly. However, because microwave and satellite transmission had not yet arrived, network affiliates in the major cities actually got their prime time shows from the networks in the mail!!! Yes, the studios sent out 16mm film copies of the shows, and that's how the local stations showed them in the appointed time slots. Over the years ensuing, hobbyists have collected these old affiliate films, and that's in part why they are now available and in such good condition. Since these My Little Margie DVDs are made from those fine 16mm broadcast originals, instead of kinescope copies, the image quality is actually better than when they were originally broadcast! And the sound, while not stereo or anything like it, is at least up to mono TV broadcast standards of 15 or 20 years ago.

My verdict -- these are terrific DVDs, and if you like lovely, perky, endearing, sparkly-eyed feminine firecrackers, you will love Gale Storm, just as I did as an 8-year-old boy!

How wonderful for VCI to bring this classic TV series to DVD.This extremely popular show from the 50's even rivaled "I Love Lucy" while at it's height. DVD quality is surprisingly good considering that no restoration has been done - images are clear with only a slight visible grain - sound is acceptable. However bios. are sketchy ad incomplete - Gale had an immensely sucessful recording career(check out her CD - Dark Moon - The Best Of Gail Storm on Varese Sarabande), which she gave up at it's height to work on another prosperous TV series "The Gail Storm Show", a precursor to the Love Boat" TV series. Margie is real classic TV - contrary to public opinion, the 50"s are classic television - not the 60's or 70's. Hey, ... - pick it up!! PS - Gail Storm - alive and well in LA - Hey Gail - how about a recorded interview for vol. 2!!

YES! I can't believe this movie will finally be released on DVD. It's one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, and one of my favorites. Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon are hilarious and adorable together. This is one movie you must have in your collection.

The plot of this movie is that this guy has a really ... prissy beautiful girlfriend in college (a different one than his) and he sends her a used condom and a picture of him wioth another girl, and it will get to her on Valentines day. after he realizes the error of his ways, he goes on the journey to stalk down the crazy UPS guy to get his package back before she gets it. He joins up with a girl he meets, and it is hilarious and great and has a great great suprise ending. i love it.

I thought it was good. Story was really cute. Thumbs up for a family movie.

I taped this film when it made it's first appearance on the Hallmark Channel last year complete with many commercials. Now it is coming out on DVD and can be watched without the annoying breaks.

"Santa, Jr" is a light weight, fun holiday treat that the whole family can enjoy. It is not so sweet that it would send adults into a diabetic coma. Basically is is the story of Santa's 20 something son who really does not want to become part of the family business. He has assigned the west coast for deliveries as a test case. Not sure he can make all the house calls in one night Kris begins a few days early. He is mistaken for the Santa Claus bandit and is placed under house arrest in the home of his public defender female lawyer. With a bracelet that will set off alarms in police headquarters if he leaves the house, it looks like the gifts will never reach the children.

He keeps trying to call the North Pole for help, but gets the recorded message that his call will be answered in the order it was received and there are 40 or 50 minute waits.

How Santa, Jr. finally gets the Christmas spirit, captures the Santa Claus bandit and squares things with the police make this a really enjoyable film.

It is the kind of film that calls for a relaxing time in front of the TV with the family, a big bowl of popcorn, cookies and egg nog.

bob hope stars in this fantastic mystery comedy film. the film has great atmosphere and a great cast including george zucco as the lawer.i highly recomend this film and have wanted it on dvd since i started collecting.release it soon because it is a masterpiece for mystery.

This is a heartfelt movie it really does warm your heart it is about a Alfre Woodard a crack user with a daughter that she mistreats and steals from it is about them meeting a drag-queen"Holiday"(Ving Rames) who feels sorry for them and helps them out and allows them to live with him and him and Nikki becomes the best of friends and Wanda the crack user ends up dying this is a good movie and a real tear-jerker!!!!!
I would truly recommend any Alfre Woodard and Ving Rhanes fan to buy this dvd because it is very good with superb acting!!!!

All I am going to say about this movie is MARVELOUS. Great acting and a great story line. Very moving as well as compelling movie. A must add to your dvd collection.

I saw this movie on BET and I immediately went to amazon.com to see if it was available for purchase. Alfre Woodard and Ving Rhames made this movie so believable. I tell you....both of them did some serious acting in this picture. Too bad it didn't hit the big screen. They would have contended for Oscars!!!

"House of Cards" may be the most fun many of us can have watching "Masterpiece Theater". It's story tells little more than the ascension of Francis Urquart (Ian Richardson) from a "party whip" in British Parliament to the ultimate position of Prime Minister. Schooled in the mechanics of parliaments' nastier side, Urquart outclasses those who stand between him and his prize. Aided by his wife, but finding much help in his rivals' wooden-headed resolve to play fair, FU is all but assured of triumph. While political evils are normally excused based on their good intentions, Urquart's are so irredeemably blackened that you'll never doubt how evil a guy he is - associating himself with greed, the police state and, when that's not enough, Americans (the epitome being a loud and corpulent sod who, while Urquart has yet to become PM, discusses his plans for FU's government; to drive home what those plans entails, the villainous yank presses FU while halfway through a steak large enough to have come from 2 cows). While FU counsel's caution, the only obstacle, ironically, is his love for a young journalist who has enough material to expose and bring his march on Parliament (like FU himself) to its knees. Will the evil FU (who communicates to us the depth of his dark ways with an on-running soliloquy ala Richard III) succumb to love, or will he stay true to form?

Though Urquart wears his evil openly, he and this multi-parter are actually full of surprises. For his wicked ways, FU is probably the most compelling hero you'll likely see on "Masterpiece Theater", and, if you're not up on that show, "House of Cards" is probably your best excuse for watching it at least once. Suggesting Shakespearean scheming and character-destruction (besides the "Richard III" monolog, there is Urquart's Lady Macbeth of a wife, while the young reporter with whom he courts love and his own destruction hints at a coupling of King Lear with Ophelia), the centerpiece is Ian Richardson as the smiling usurper-in-waiting who breathlessly outmaneuvers his clueless enemies. (FU implicates the PM in a stock deal over new drugs his government certifies). Never hesitating to tell us how much fun he's about to have, FU suggests that his audience is a whole lot smarter than the Brits over whom he's to govern, even though he ends up fooling us both. Only Mattie Storin, the reporter seems to have an insight into the real Urquart, and maybe that's why we're so eager for the mean FU to take action and win out over FU the good guy. "House of Cards" is "Masterpiece Theater" that gets you to root, even if for the bad guys.

House of Cards, a BBC production done at the time of Margaret Thatcher's downfall, is one of the best modern political intrigue/satires done. The cast, the story, and the exacting attention to detail make this a piece worth watching and re-watching, to see what details escaped notice the first time.

The Plot
As the story opens, Thatcher has just resigned. There is a brief glimpse of an inner-party election for a new leader, and the moderate, middle candidate Henry Collingridge wins the post, and proceeds to barely win the next General Election. Almost immediately following this event, tempers begin to flare as Urqhart is denied the promotion he had sought, and is disgusted with Collingridge's 'politics as usual' stance.

Francis Urqhart, Conservative Party whip and functionary, with the unwitting assistance of a junior political reporter Mattie Storin, and the manipulated support of party functionary Roger O'Neill, sets out to undo the Prime Minister, involving the PM in scandals that rock is fragile majority and ever-loosening grip on power. Ultimately, Urqhart's schemes against Collingridge bring the PM down, and the stage is set for another leadership election.

Urqhart, at the urging of his wife Elizabeth, works toward the leadership and works toward solidifying the loyalties of his minions, who include the ruffian Tim Stamper, an associate whip in the Commons, and Benjamin Landless, a newspaper prioprietor. However, it is in making Storin his bedroom partner and virtual worshipper that Urqhart has his strongest support; this support is not absolute, something he recognises. This relationship is done with the blessing, nay, with the urging, of his wife Elizabeth.

Urqhart uses his inside knowledge to make short work of all but the top contenders for the job, and then casts his lot for the job at the last moment, splitting the ticket. Knocking one contender against another one final time, Urqhart carries the election. However, O'Neill is unstable and unsure of the propriety of his dealings in bringing down Collingridge, and Storin realises at the last moment that she has been a pawn in a master political chess game. O'Neill's cocaine problem leads to his demise, as Urqhart plants poison in his drugs and permits O'Neill's nature to do him in. Storin discovers this murder plot, and confronts Urqhart, who confesses, but then proceeds to throw Mattie Storin bodily from the roof of the House of Commons.

But, there was a tape recorder running, setting the stage for the sequel...

The Cast
Ian Richardson is masterful as Urqhart, the scheming blackheart Chief Whip/Prime Minister. His voice, his subtle inflections and tones are perfect for the subtext in the words he speaks. His sidewise glances and knowing expressions to camera as the action plays out is worth far more than any words. He is a perfect snobbish, upper-class politico who considers political office as patrician right, and despises pretenders to the role.

Diane Fletcher is superb as Elizabeth Urqhart, the equally manipulative wife. She is under utilised in this part of the trilogy, coming into her own as a character and an actress in later parts of the trilogy. One gets the strong sense of muted ambition and greed, but not amorality or power for power's sake from her, a distinction hard to play out on video. Fletcher succeeds beautifully.

Susannah Harker plays Mattie Storin, the troubled, intelligent and inexperienced journalist who falls for Urqhart. Her psychological instability and intelligence are played beautifully. Harker can make quite a statement just with the movements of her eyes, making her a good counterpoint to Richardson.

Miles Anderson plays the drug addict/party operative Roger O'Neill, doing a good job at playing the cad, the coward, and the fearful go-along with Urqhart's schemes. A rat trapped, O'Neill is at the breaking point, and Anderson plays this admirably.

Perhaps the best secondary roles were performed by Alphonsia Emmanuel, who plays O'Neill's assistant and lover Penny Guy, and James Villiers, who plays Charles Collingridge, the deposed Prime Minister's troubled brother. Their roles shine brilliantly despite the relative lack of screen time.

One gets the impression that everyone in British politics is brilliant and troubled. Well, the truth would be about half that.

The Play's the Thing...
This production, in writing and execution, is full of Shakespearean nuances. There are indirect and direct references to Richard III, and Urqhart is a Machiavellian manipulator in the Duke of Gloucester's image, recast for modern dress and situation, complete with stage whispers and asides to audience. The depth of the characters, while still remaining caricatures, is fascinating. Perhaps the best-known line for a while was Urqhart's attempts to get information out to the journalist Storin without actually telling her, and being guilty (by the letter of the law) for leaks and disclosures. She would hint and speculate, at which Urqhart would reply, 'You might very well think that. I of course couldn't possibly comment.'

John Major used this response in one of his own question-time exchanges, a use that was appreciated by the Members on both sides of the House.

Conclusions
For those who know nothing of British politics, this is actually a fascinating way to learn. For those who take an interest in British politics, this provides an intriguing fictional tale that is, in many ways, so close to reality on so many levels as to be positively unnerving.

Richardson rightly won BAFTA awards for his portrayal of Urqhart in each of the three installments, House of Cards and its sequels To Play the King and The Final Cut. These sequels were possibly only because of a BBC change to Dobbs' original manuscript, which had Urqhart rather than Storin falling from the rooftop garden of the House of Commons.

A bonus for the viewer.

House of Cards is the first of three BBC productions based on the writings of Michael Dobb's. It introduces the character of Francis Urquhart, a party whip in the House of Parliament who, spurned by the newly elected PM and under the influence of his Lady Macbeth of a wife, aspires to greater things -- a person whose cleverness and urbanity are only outdone by his villainy. Ian Richardson plays the part to perfection, probably his greatest theatrical triumph, which alone makes this show and the whole trilogy worth seeing. In the manner of a Shakespearean villain Richardson speaks asides to the audience, and the charm of his manner draws the viewers into his confidence and onto his side. Even without speaking his slight glances and facial expressions made for our benefit alone make us his accomplices. Only toward the end of the film when we see the extremes to which his ambition has taken him do we begin to want to disassociate ourselves from him, but by that time we are too far gone. It is an excellent production with a good cast of supporting actors and a fine story line. The motif of the ever present rat is perhaps a tad overdone, but this is a fine bit of British drama. Do see it.

Calamity Jane is one of my all-time favorite musicals. It's starring Doris Day who plays a tomboy with a crush on a civil war general...she is transformed into a bell by a starry-eyed maid from "Chicagey". i really dont feel like getting into the plot, but its a really great film, if u love musicals...and if u love old classics...hmm...even if u didnt, ud probably like this one...

A fine feel-good rip-roaring musical that is too god to resist. Doris Day is perfect as Calamity Jane as she thinks that even a cowgirl can get her ways, too. Even though she tries, she can't get her "secret love" Bill Hickcock (Howard Keel) out of her mind. Rowdy, rambunctious, funny and full of wonderful musical and highly entertaining song and dance numbers, "Calamity Jane" is a winner! They sure don't make them like that anymore.

This pleasant, energetic musical was tailor made for the star, Doris Day. Playing the rough, rowdy frontier girl with spunk enough to make the entire Old West shake, the only "medicine" to tame "Calamity" Jane is a good old fashioned does of love. Enter Howard Keel, who co-stars as Wild Bill Hickock, and eventually all ends well.

Along the line of "Annie Get Your Gun" this film includes the enchanting love theme "Secret Love", which won that year's Academy Award for Best Song. "Hollywood Candy" for any fan of the stars or the Western genre.*****

This is one of those films with a lot of those "Memorable Moments" that you will remember years after viewing it. The scene where Mr. Bridge refuses to let a dangerous storm spoil his dinner. The hotel bedroom scene where Mr. and Mrs. Bridge find themselves sleeping akwardly in front of a mirror. The scene where Mr. Bridge takes Mrs. Bridge to a cabaret in France filled with scantily clad women doing the Can-Can and the priceless look that Mrs. Bridge has on her face.

It's about two traditional people thrust into a new world filled with free thinkers and sexual awakenings and the honest, but humerous reactions as they try to deal with it all. Everytime I watch this film I'm suprised at what I didn't catch before, and even the scenes I remember always seem to catch me off guard.

The humor comes from the humanity within the two main characters, and it's often more funny than the best comedies you will ever watch.

Highly recommended!

Anyone who is originally from the Midwest has a Mrs. Bridge in the family, maybe not as affluent, but just as dippy and helpless. Mrs. Bridge knows enough to resent vaguely her helplessness and the fact that Mr. Bridge makes all of her decisions for her. The viewer is sympathetic with her plight and starts to feel that Mr. Bridge is indeed being mean & unfair to her...but then Mrs. Bridge goes and does something that underscores her inability to cope for herself.

There were more scenes than I can count that just made me cringe, because I recognized my dippy Aunt Marjorie, again & again, in Mrs. Bridge. The spirit of Mrs. Bridge remains alive and well, even today.

This was a great character study of the two Bridges. The other members of the family, and some of the friends of the Bridges, are a bit fuzzier in their definition, but that is not all that important. This is a very engrossing movie in many respects.

If you are looking for violence, lots of sex and fast cars, wrong movie! But if you are looking for a thought provoking, tender, poignant and often funny story, you've hit the jackpot. I am running out of adjectives for my two favorite actors (Newman and Woodward ought to be declared America's royalty) They shine here. Much deserved Oscar nomination for Woodward and should have been one for Newman, who never ceases to amaze. Blythe Danner is a plus as well. I thouroughly enjoyed it.

This is one of those films with a lot of those "Memorable Moments" that you will remember years after viewing it. The scene where Mr. Bridge refuses to let a dangerous storm spoil his dinner. The hotel bedroom scene where Mr. and Mrs. Bridge find themselves sleeping akwardly in front of a mirror. The scene where Mr. Bridge takes Mrs. Bridge to a cabaret in France filled with scantily clad women doing the Can-Can and the priceless look that Mrs. Bridge has on her face.

It's about two traditional people thrust into a new world filled with free thinkers and sexual awakenings and the honest, but humerous reactions as they try to deal with it all. Everytime I watch this film I'm suprised at what I didn't catch before, and even the scenes I remember always seem to catch me off guard.

The humor comes from the humanity within the two main characters, and it's often more funny than the best comedies you will ever watch.

Highly recommended!

Anyone who is originally from the Midwest has a Mrs. Bridge in the family, maybe not as affluent, but just as dippy and helpless. Mrs. Bridge knows enough to resent vaguely her helplessness and the fact that Mr. Bridge makes all of her decisions for her. The viewer is sympathetic with her plight and starts to feel that Mr. Bridge is indeed being mean & unfair to her...but then Mrs. Bridge goes and does something that underscores her inability to cope for herself.

There were more scenes than I can count that just made me cringe, because I recognized my dippy Aunt Marjorie, again & again, in Mrs. Bridge. The spirit of Mrs. Bridge remains alive and well, even today.

This was a great character study of the two Bridges. The other members of the family, and some of the friends of the Bridges, are a bit fuzzier in their definition, but that is not all that important. This is a very engrossing movie in many respects.

If you are looking for violence, lots of sex and fast cars, wrong movie! But if you are looking for a thought provoking, tender, poignant and often funny story, you've hit the jackpot. I am running out of adjectives for my two favorite actors (Newman and Woodward ought to be declared America's royalty) They shine here. Much deserved Oscar nomination for Woodward and should have been one for Newman, who never ceases to amaze. Blythe Danner is a plus as well. I thouroughly enjoyed it.