Happy Days - The Third Season (1974)

As good as it gets

So far so good.. All episodes watched so far on the first two discs have nice crisp sound & picture quality, compared to the unreliable quality on seasons 1 & 2. Can't comment on episode editing...my memory's not that good & never taped the show, so will have to rely on others for this information.

Next, IMHO this season surpasses one and two, for the most part, due to its sharper writing, and more energetic playing thanks to the studio audience & influence of Jerry Paris in the director's seat (for all but 4 episodes).
Henry Winkler, as The Fonz, breaks out as the lead character in this season, without destroying the fabric of the ensemble: the 'boys' (Richie, Potsie & Ralph) & the Cunninghams.

Unfortunately, the 50's atmosphere has diminished due to restricting most of the action indoors (Arnolds mostly), with few outdoor scenes, to accommodate the studio audience. At least this season still finds the characters, "in character" circa 1950's, without the ugly 70's look and lingo which took over during seasons 4-5.
September 10, 2008

The Best

This was the best DVD I've bought in a long time. I love comedies, and this one made me laugh so much, I'll watch it again. June 13, 2008

Happy Days Seasons 4-11

AS of 2008, I still have the first three Seasons of Happy Days, and I think it is still one of the greatest shows in the 70s. I wish CBS/Paramount still has plans to release the eight remaining Seasons. Happy Days The Fourth Season should be released this Holidays before 2008 ends. Please CBS/Paramount, do not stall on Happy Days again! I have been waiting patiently for the release of Season 4, but I am waiting too long. Please reconsider and release more Happy Days. June 5, 2008

Better than expected

I never write reviews or participate in leaving comments but i was compelled to considering i waited so long to buy the happy days 3 seasons available because of the negatives everyone mentions , and yes the seasons 2 & 3 are packaged differently from season 1 and apparantly
the fans that know the episodes well notice a scene edited here or there and certain music couldnt be used because of the expense to paramount but now that currently 45 bucks buys all 3 new with free shipping i would recommend these. I know dvd sets can be made much nicer with better packaging and extras like bloopers , commentery & interviews and its good to know ahead to expect all your gonna get are the episodes but they are clean, great quality , and have nice menus, also just the fact that you get the full picture without all the logos and junk you get if you record the shows off tv. I would hope they get season 4 released soon and I want to add now in recent years nick at nite has self destructed & tv land has ventured into reality tv giving replacement to the great classics like happy days and well on its way to becoming another channal to flip past making the great tv series dvds more important now than ever before. I recommend these dvd's even with the negatives that are true but holding out for better dvds aint an option. life is short paramount...get em released ! June 1, 2008

Great Show- Awful DVD Production

The first three seasons of "Happy Days" need little introduction to fans of classic TV. The writing and acting was stellar- although the biggest change- and not necessarily for the better- was switching to filming the show in front of a live audience in this year.
The product itself is unfortunately abysmal. It's hard to image it being any worse. The care these shows are given is reminiscent of the hapless approach RCA Records took to marketing Elvis Presley's catalog in his final years. While the music "edits" aren't as obvious as in season 2, the transfer to DVD- particularly on the set-ending "Anniversary Special" is actually blurry and difficult to watch. A home-recorded VHS to DVD transfer couldn't have looked any worse! The lack of any special features, notes, or care in the preparation of this set is sad. I bought my copy on the marketplace and couldn't recommend paying full-price for such a poorly crafted treatment of this great American sitcom. May 21, 2008

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