The Cisco Kid: Hidden Valley
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Tuesday, December 11, 1951.
Plot: Cisco and Pancho are lured into a hidden valley stronghold run by former pirates and must fight to escape with their lives.
Analysis: This is a really nice combination of mystery and adventure in this episode, from wondering what exactly is going on early in the plot to some very nice fights and stunt work later on. Only complaints I honestly have is it does seem that this episode was re-edited from its original broadcast as there are some awkward and confusing cuts that make it a little difficult to track what is going on. That and I really doubt anyone building a stronghold in a valley is going to be stupid enough to build defensive walls low enough for anyone to climb over. Does kind of ruin the idea of suspense during some of the later scenes in the show.
As always, the episode is in color but was broadcast in black and white. In order to recreate a semblance of the original broadcast, simply turn down the color on your television and there you have it in glorious black and white… and heavy shadows especially in the beginning.
The Bottom Line: In terms of action, this episode is top flight and the plot is interesting, but it seems somewhat undone by the possible edits. It is worth a look if you want to draw your own conclusions since the overall show is certainly enough to keep your attention for a half hour or so.
Hidden Valley is included with nineteen other episodes on The Cisco Kid: Collection 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....98156976&sr=1-5). Prices vary, so be sure to shop around.
Next time, we will backtrack to add in a new crime drama.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Meet the Press: Guest Congressman John F. Kennedy (D-MA)
Meet the Press: Guest Congressman John F. Kennedy (D-MA)
Originally broadcast on NBC on Sunday, December 2, 1951 at 9 AM ET.
Plot: Four journalists have a question and answer session with the congressman.
Analysis: First, a confession. I do not actually have this program on DVD given the DVD, while available, is prohibitively expensive. Given it is available and the clip I was able to view matches what I downloaded on iTunes, I feel comfortable reviewing it this way in the interest of saving some money.
Second, does this not breach the politics rule? Yes, yes it does, but I had initiated the “no-politics” rule in the interest of keeping partisan politics from poisoning the blog. Given that this is just a straight discussion of the issues of the day and I can use this to have a civil discussion and historical analysis of what is going on in the world, to say nothing of a snapshot of a very famous individual, I just could not resist including this.
So, bottom line – if this lays an egg, I will call it a failed experiment and move on, never attempting it again. If, on the other hand, this is successful and does show how politics are covered in the early days of television, I will certainly do more Meet the Press and see what I can do about other television shows involving politics.
Some context for the interview: the 1952 elections were just under a year away with control of both the Presidency and Congress on the line, something the Democrats had had control over for twenty years, since the election of Franklin Roosevelt. Also, as previous Special Comments has covered, this was also a period of rising tensions due to the fear of infiltration of the United States government by members of the Communist Party. I will be discussing all of this in Special Comments at the end of the 1951 calendar year.
And finally, we have the congressman from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy.
You may have heard of him.
All kidding aside, at this point in his career, Kennedy was 34 years old and had been in the United States House of Representatives since the 1946 elections following his service in the United States Navy in World War II. Buzz in political circles at this point was Kennedy was thinking of challenging sitting United States Senator Henry Cabot Lodge for his seat in the fall of 1952, which was one of the reasons he was on the show.
The Bottom Line: It really depends on your interest in politics and the depth of your knowledge of current events in 1951 not just if you will enjoy the program or how well you can grasp it. Speaking for myself, I find it a fascinating snapshot of where we are in the period. Others may just shrug and put it out of their minds. I suppose it is all up to the viewer this one.
If you are interested in seeing it, your wallet may never forgive you. It is available with other Meet the Press episodes featuring future United States Presidents at http://ffh.films.com/id/15382/Meet_the_Press_Meets_the_Presidents.htm. Individual discs run about a hundred dollars with the entire collection being 1,400 dollars.
Now you can see why I opted for iTunes and paying $1.99 an episode. Is it cheating? Yes. Is it less expensive? Absolutely.
It is, after all, your money, your choice. I leave it to you, the viewer to decide.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
I Love Lucy: The Fur Coat
Apologize for the lateness, been running behind with my work tonight.
I Love Lucy: The Fur Coat
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, December 10, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Ricky is in hot water when he brings home a mink coat for his act and Lucy thinks it was meant for her as an anniversary present.
Analysis: This is just fantastically fun, given I think every man alive has had this happen at one time or another – forget an anniversary and something they brought home the wife thinks is for them. Once again, Lucy takes situations that anyone can relate to and makes us all laugh at them because of the familiarity.
The Bottom Line: Not a classic episode, but it is a very fun one with Ricky’s comeuppance at the end an absolute scream. Shows what a great comedy actor Desi was in his own right.
If you are interested in seeing The Fur Coat, it is included in two collections: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) and I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), depending on your funds and how much you love Lucy.
Next time, a step back to Meet the Press.
I Love Lucy: The Fur Coat
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, December 10, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Ricky is in hot water when he brings home a mink coat for his act and Lucy thinks it was meant for her as an anniversary present.
Analysis: This is just fantastically fun, given I think every man alive has had this happen at one time or another – forget an anniversary and something they brought home the wife thinks is for them. Once again, Lucy takes situations that anyone can relate to and makes us all laugh at them because of the familiarity.
The Bottom Line: Not a classic episode, but it is a very fun one with Ricky’s comeuppance at the end an absolute scream. Shows what a great comedy actor Desi was in his own right.
If you are interested in seeing The Fur Coat, it is included in two collections: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) and I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), depending on your funds and how much you love Lucy.
Next time, a step back to Meet the Press.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Adventures of Kit Carson: The Teton Tornado
The Adventures of Kit Carson: The Teton Tornado
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Saturday, December 8, 1951.
Plot: Kit and Toro try to bring a horse swindler to justice, but problems arise when the suspect ends up being an old friend of Kits’.
Analysis: Recently, when the subject of Kit Carson came up on a message board, I read a remark that the producers of Carson were lucky they were not sued given how similar it was to Cisco Kid. In as much as we have two friends working together to solve crimes and bring down the bad guys, that may be true. But, honestly, it would seem a lot of Westerns are going to borrow ideas from others. This would seem to be especially true in this sort of middle Western period, as the serials are dying out, but before the Western boom of television had really taken hold.
Judging this particular episode of Carson on its merits, it is better than some of the stuff we had seen on Cisco and the previous episode of Carson we have already covered. Even when it is clear what is going on, the story does not just coast to the finish, even if a gunfight at the end might as well have a trademark stamped on it. Dare you not to whistle an Ennio Morricone tune just watching it. All and all, this is not too bad and not a bad way to spend a half hour.
A word or two on our star, Bill Williams, if I may: born in 1915, he got his start in movies in 1944 after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. Unfortunately, he did nothing truly star making between 1944 and 1951 when Kit Carson got started on television, which is where he began to get more steady work. We have a few more episodes of Carson ahead of us, plus more guest shots, so you will see what I mean.
The Bottom Line: Teton Tornado is not a bad sampling of either Kit Carson or a 1950s Western. Like I said above, if you have a half hour to kill and looking to be entertained, you could hardly do worse than this.
Teton Tornado is included with nine other episodes on Adventures of Kit Carson (http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Kit-Car....3430238&sr=1-17). The collection is pretty inexpensive and I would be shocked if you could not find it for less at discount stores.
Next time, another I Love Lucy.
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Saturday, December 8, 1951.
Plot: Kit and Toro try to bring a horse swindler to justice, but problems arise when the suspect ends up being an old friend of Kits’.
Analysis: Recently, when the subject of Kit Carson came up on a message board, I read a remark that the producers of Carson were lucky they were not sued given how similar it was to Cisco Kid. In as much as we have two friends working together to solve crimes and bring down the bad guys, that may be true. But, honestly, it would seem a lot of Westerns are going to borrow ideas from others. This would seem to be especially true in this sort of middle Western period, as the serials are dying out, but before the Western boom of television had really taken hold.
Judging this particular episode of Carson on its merits, it is better than some of the stuff we had seen on Cisco and the previous episode of Carson we have already covered. Even when it is clear what is going on, the story does not just coast to the finish, even if a gunfight at the end might as well have a trademark stamped on it. Dare you not to whistle an Ennio Morricone tune just watching it. All and all, this is not too bad and not a bad way to spend a half hour.
A word or two on our star, Bill Williams, if I may: born in 1915, he got his start in movies in 1944 after a brief stint in the U.S. Army during World War II. Unfortunately, he did nothing truly star making between 1944 and 1951 when Kit Carson got started on television, which is where he began to get more steady work. We have a few more episodes of Carson ahead of us, plus more guest shots, so you will see what I mean.
The Bottom Line: Teton Tornado is not a bad sampling of either Kit Carson or a 1950s Western. Like I said above, if you have a half hour to kill and looking to be entertained, you could hardly do worse than this.
Teton Tornado is included with nine other episodes on Adventures of Kit Carson (http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Kit-Car....3430238&sr=1-17). The collection is pretty inexpensive and I would be shocked if you could not find it for less at discount stores.
Next time, another I Love Lucy.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tales of Tomorrow: Sneak Attack
Before we get started today, being aware that my blog is picking up an international audience (G'day, Australia!), I wanted to extend my thoughts and prayers to the people of New Zealand following the earthquakes. Sometimes, when you write about the history of what was, you forget about the history being made now. Wish you all luck, love and a swift recovery from your losses and pain.
Now, to business...
Tales of Tomorrow: Sneak Attack
Originally broadcast on ABC on Friday, December 7, 1951 at 9:30 PM ET.
Plot: A secret agent trapped in a hospital is the only hope to save the United States from a sneak attack by a foreign power.
Analysis: Nice to see exploitive television is not a recent development. This story is only tangentially science fiction based (robot planes, a futuristic bomb type), it is very clearly meant to exploit two things – the ten-year anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the rising Cold War tensions with the then-Soviet Union. Do not kid yourself for one minute, folks, they may not be named as such, but between accents and stereotypes, the foreign power is clearly intended to be Russian.
I will also admit it is so easy to sit back in 2011 and say how foolish the attitudes and propaganda of 1951 would seem to us, but with a war… excuse me, police action in Korea going on, plus the growing fear of Communist influence in the United States, it would create an atmosphere ripe for either natural response or exploitation. It is, at the end of the day, up to the viewer to decide which category this falls into.
A word or two on our star, Zachary Scott, if I may. For five years prior to this, he had been making regular movie appearances, usually playing bad guys or “heavies”, roles he certainly looked the part for. However, in 1950, he had been involved in an accident that curtailed his acting, which led to less promotion. He made the jump to television and back into stage acting around this time with this appearance on Tales of Tomorrow being one of the first. There will probably be more and I will continue to discuss him as he appears.
The Bottom Line: With the caveat that this can easily appear to be propaganda and exploitive, Sneak Attack is a really interesting snapshot of 1950s attitudes and fears, both about ourselves and other countries. With that in mind, I can recommend the show in that respect. Just be aware that while it is history to United States audiences, this is either going to be laughable at best or insulting at worst to those overseas.
Sneak Attack is included with 12 other Tales of Tomorrow on Tales of Tomorrow: Collection One (http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Tomorrow-Col....3424148 &sr=1-1). Prices vary depending on websites.
Next time, another adventure with Kit Carson.
Now, to business...
Tales of Tomorrow: Sneak Attack
Originally broadcast on ABC on Friday, December 7, 1951 at 9:30 PM ET.
Plot: A secret agent trapped in a hospital is the only hope to save the United States from a sneak attack by a foreign power.
Analysis: Nice to see exploitive television is not a recent development. This story is only tangentially science fiction based (robot planes, a futuristic bomb type), it is very clearly meant to exploit two things – the ten-year anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the rising Cold War tensions with the then-Soviet Union. Do not kid yourself for one minute, folks, they may not be named as such, but between accents and stereotypes, the foreign power is clearly intended to be Russian.
I will also admit it is so easy to sit back in 2011 and say how foolish the attitudes and propaganda of 1951 would seem to us, but with a war… excuse me, police action in Korea going on, plus the growing fear of Communist influence in the United States, it would create an atmosphere ripe for either natural response or exploitation. It is, at the end of the day, up to the viewer to decide which category this falls into.
A word or two on our star, Zachary Scott, if I may. For five years prior to this, he had been making regular movie appearances, usually playing bad guys or “heavies”, roles he certainly looked the part for. However, in 1950, he had been involved in an accident that curtailed his acting, which led to less promotion. He made the jump to television and back into stage acting around this time with this appearance on Tales of Tomorrow being one of the first. There will probably be more and I will continue to discuss him as he appears.
The Bottom Line: With the caveat that this can easily appear to be propaganda and exploitive, Sneak Attack is a really interesting snapshot of 1950s attitudes and fears, both about ourselves and other countries. With that in mind, I can recommend the show in that respect. Just be aware that while it is history to United States audiences, this is either going to be laughable at best or insulting at worst to those overseas.
Sneak Attack is included with 12 other Tales of Tomorrow on Tales of Tomorrow: Collection One (http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Tomorrow-Col....3424148 &sr=1-1). Prices vary depending on websites.
Next time, another adventure with Kit Carson.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The Cisco Kid: Vigilante Story
The Cisco Kid: Vigilante Story
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Tuesday, December 4, 1951.
Plot: Cisco and Pancho go undercover to discover the mystery behind a gang of masked vigilantes.
Analysis: Figures. Minute I get done complaining about the show’s consistency, we get the best episode of Cisco so far. This is almost exactly how a Western should be, a plot not solved in ten seconds and suspense and action along the way. The comedy is not forced, the characters are believable and the situations make perfect sense in the context of the story. What more can be said?
Well, if I HAD to nit pick, why is the barber wearing a white sport blazer that would look better on Sonny Crockett? I do not know much about Western fashions, but something about that jacket seems anachronistic.
The Bottom Line: As I have indicated, this is the best episode of Cisco Kid so far and one I would recommend to anyone curious in seeing a good episode or an example of a 1950s kiddie Western.
Vigilante Story is included with nineteen other episodes on The Cisco Kid: Collection 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....98156976&sr=1-5). I recommend comparison-shopping, as the prices will vary greatly depending on where you are looking.
Next time, a timely tale of tomorrow.
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Tuesday, December 4, 1951.
Plot: Cisco and Pancho go undercover to discover the mystery behind a gang of masked vigilantes.
Analysis: Figures. Minute I get done complaining about the show’s consistency, we get the best episode of Cisco so far. This is almost exactly how a Western should be, a plot not solved in ten seconds and suspense and action along the way. The comedy is not forced, the characters are believable and the situations make perfect sense in the context of the story. What more can be said?
Well, if I HAD to nit pick, why is the barber wearing a white sport blazer that would look better on Sonny Crockett? I do not know much about Western fashions, but something about that jacket seems anachronistic.
The Bottom Line: As I have indicated, this is the best episode of Cisco Kid so far and one I would recommend to anyone curious in seeing a good episode or an example of a 1950s kiddie Western.
Vigilante Story is included with nineteen other episodes on The Cisco Kid: Collection 3 (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....98156976&sr=1-5). I recommend comparison-shopping, as the prices will vary greatly depending on where you are looking.
Next time, a timely tale of tomorrow.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
I Love Lucy: Men Are Messy
I Love Lucy: Men Are Messy
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, December 3, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Lucy thinks Ricky is an incurable slob, so she plots a trick to teach Ricky a lesson when a photographer comes over.
Analysis: This is textbook Lucy – taking a common situation that everyone can relate to and taking it to the most absurd conclusion. I believe this is also the first use of Lucy’s trademark “Ewwwwwww…” when a situation goes wrong.
I have not mentioned it before, but occasionally during some of these first seasons episodes, first with The Audition and again here, the screen goes a little soft when there is either a reference to Philip Morris or anything that could be viewed as advertising smoking. The reason for that is two-fold: Morris was the original sponsor for I Love Lucy and when the show was in syndication and no longer sponsored by Morris, those references, including the opening credits, needed to be replaced. Add to that that later in the show’s life, scenes of the smoking were gradually pared back as the side effects of cigarette use became better known. I may discuss this more as I am thinking about doing a Special Comment on cigarette manufactures as television sponsors.
The Bottom Line: Not a bad episode, just helps to establish the prototype of what a Lucy episode would be, especially later in the show’s run, when you get more of Lucy and her latest madcap scheme and Ricky’s reaction. Lucy is always relate-able, to be sure, by families and more often than not, a consistently funny show.
Men Are Messy is found on I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) as well as I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), depending on your income and interest in the show.
Next time, another ride with the Cisco Kid.
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, December 3, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Lucy thinks Ricky is an incurable slob, so she plots a trick to teach Ricky a lesson when a photographer comes over.
Analysis: This is textbook Lucy – taking a common situation that everyone can relate to and taking it to the most absurd conclusion. I believe this is also the first use of Lucy’s trademark “Ewwwwwww…” when a situation goes wrong.
I have not mentioned it before, but occasionally during some of these first seasons episodes, first with The Audition and again here, the screen goes a little soft when there is either a reference to Philip Morris or anything that could be viewed as advertising smoking. The reason for that is two-fold: Morris was the original sponsor for I Love Lucy and when the show was in syndication and no longer sponsored by Morris, those references, including the opening credits, needed to be replaced. Add to that that later in the show’s life, scenes of the smoking were gradually pared back as the side effects of cigarette use became better known. I may discuss this more as I am thinking about doing a Special Comment on cigarette manufactures as television sponsors.
The Bottom Line: Not a bad episode, just helps to establish the prototype of what a Lucy episode would be, especially later in the show’s run, when you get more of Lucy and her latest madcap scheme and Ricky’s reaction. Lucy is always relate-able, to be sure, by families and more often than not, a consistently funny show.
Men Are Messy is found on I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) as well as I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), depending on your income and interest in the show.
Next time, another ride with the Cisco Kid.
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