The Dick Van Dyke Show - 6 Classic Episodes (1961)

Not As Good As The "Image" Boxed Sets -- But Still Good

Hey, this disc has *got* to be pretty good (no matter what the video quality). Why? Because it contains episodes of the very best situation comedy ever made in TV history (in my own opinion, mind you). :)

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" ran for five seasons on CBS-TV from 1961 to 1966, with 158 episodes produced and aired. And there are very few misfires in the whole lot, if you ask me. They are all very well-written and acted. The show exhibited (and still does in re-runs or on VHS video or DVD) a "timeless" quality, with very likeable characters and realistic situations -- situations that could just as easily be occurring today rather than in the early to mid-1960s when the show was made. Best yet, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" is just flat-out fun to watch, time and again! The "re-watchability" factor on this TV series is very high, making ANY Van Dyke Show video or DVD you might purchase a true collectible in my view, and a bargain, especially considering how often you'll end up replaying the video product.

This bargain-priced, one-disc DVD collection houses 6 of the "public-domain" episodes of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (all six of which aired during the second season of the series [1962-1963]) ............

1.) "Never Name A Duck"
2.) "Bank Book 6565696"
3.) "Hustling The Hustler"
4.) "The Night The Roof Fell In"
5.) "A Man's Teeth Are Not His Own"
6.) "Give Me Your Walls"

My favorites from the above batch of programs are: "The Night The Roof Fell In" and "A Man's Teeth Are Not His Own". .... In "Roof", Rob and Laura Petrie, the show's normally-congenial husband-and-wife duo, have a rare spat; and each one tells friends and neighbors very different versions of the squabble. When Rob brings home Laura's favorite Chinese take-out dinner to try and mend fences, another fight just might erupt, because Laura's attempt at making up is going to clash with Rob's -- she has prepared an elaborate dinner for two!

In the "Teeth" episode, Rob busts a tooth on a bone hidden in his "soft chicken sandwich" while his dentist (neighbor Jerry Helper) is out of town. .... "You broke your tooth on a bone?", inquires Sally Rogers. "Well, I don't think he broke it on the mayonnaise!", Buddy Sorrell replies. (LOL!)

This episode prominently features actor/director Jerry Paris on screen. Paris would go on to direct most of the Van Dyke Show episodes in the latter years of the series. Which, in a way, is kind of a shame, because it limited (to an extent) the amount of on-screen air time given Paris during the later seasons of the show. I've always enjoyed greatly watching the "Jerry Helper" character as portrayed by Jerry Paris. He and Rob/(Dick) worked very well together; there was a genuine bond of friendship between these two neighbors that came across on the TV screen.

Even if the video quality on this disc is a bit on the rough side in spots and not equal to the pristine discs put out by Image Entertainment/Paul Brownstein, the high quality of the episodes themselves, IMO, trumps any video defects seen here. After all, we're talking about Rob and Laura and Company -- so you know the shows are gonna be tops!

And always remember, my Van Dyke Show-loving friends --- "A second with you (Mel Cooley) is like a year with an ugly mob!" :-) November 28, 2004

Chasin' crumbs of carrots!!!

This DVD is a mere sprinkling of what the actual series has to offer it's fans. Although the quality is far better than the typical VHS copy (from cable) that we are all used to, it's still far from the quality that is possible. It is a real novelty to be able to choose what episode you want with a click from the remote, and not have to edit out commercials etc. Don't expect any extras from this DVD. There are NONE. Then again, this show has always withstood the test of time and technology by having a brilliant story performed by brilliant actors. No glitz, just glamour. May 2, 2003

Quality Entertainment

This show never fails to make me smile and any collection would be worth purchasing. I've heard they're going to be releasing all 100some episodes soon, but until then this is the best you can do. September 21, 2002

Oh, Rob.......

I agree with all of the reviews, in that I would like to have seen many, many more episodes. The Dick Van Dyke Show is absolutely the best way to get that "feel good" feeling. An added bonus is that I can watch it with my children and not cringe wondering what sexual inuendo will be next. The worst thing "Nick at Night" ever did was removing Dick Van Dyke from it's rosters. THIS is classic television! July 31, 2002

Who cares if it's public domain or not....

I quite enjoyed this video. The picture and sound quality are fine, and the episodes vary between a little weak to brillient....

If they bring the whole series out I will be happy to buy it, but in the mean time at least I have half-dozen episodes to enjoy. June 22, 2002

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