While waiting for the Official First Season...
...there is much to enjoy about the release of this Official Second Season (1963-1964).
I did submit to Amazon to change the format in the product listing to "black & white" rather than "color" as they have it described at the moment, since this season was filmed entirely in black & white and perhaps not everyone would know that (or think the releasing studio had colorized these disks).
*EDITED OCTOBER 30: I see Amazon did finally change the format to black & white for this set, so that is good to know there is less likely to be any potential for confusion.*
Since there is as of today not a listing of episodes contained in this set, I thought I would type the titles of all 36 full-length episodes (especially as there is apparently some cross-over for those buyers of the various collections regarding episodes...).
Jed Gets the Misery 09-25-63
Hair Raising Holiday 10-02-63
Granny's Garden 10-09-63
Elly Starts to School...
A Classic Series--Done Right!
With so many recent releases being comprised of incomplete and altered versions of our beloved classic TV shows, it's smart to wait and decide to purchase (or not) well after the release date. It seems that the firestorms of complaint following releases such as THE FUGITIVE SEASON TWO VOL. ONE have been noticed, at least for the time being. I must say that THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES OFFICIAL SECOND SEASON set is of far higher quality than I expected. Yes, this is the complete second season, with excellent picture (a bit grainy at times, but overall superb) and sound transfers of every episode...but most important, the episodes are complete and with the original music as far as I can tell. It's nice to see a good bit of bonus material here too; the original sponsor opening and closings are great segments that have been lost to time over the years. Some of the closing segments are continuations of the episodes themselves and extend the episodes by several minutes; for example, the third...
Superlative!
Having already owned these episodes as released by MPI from Paul Henning's personal 16mm prints, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Paramount's release.
I was thrilled to see that not only are the original sponsor openings and cast commercials included, but you have the option of watching with them INTEGRATED INTO THE SHOW via seamless branching! That's a feature even the "Ultimate Collection" couldn't boast... there, the sponsor clips were available only in a supplemental section.
The prints are much better here, too, with the exception of the opening and closing credits, which appear to be sourced from Henning's 16mm prints. Nonetheless, Parmount did a tremendous job on this release.
What a thrill to watch these episodes EXACTLY as originally broadcast. And what a trip, in our politically correct age, to see the Hillibillies actually smoking!
Thanks, Paramount, for not insulting our intellect by "deciding for us" what is or is not...
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