Actors: Dean Martin, Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Don Rickles
Number of discs: 25
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Time Life Entertainment
DVD Release Date: October 25, 2013
Run Time: 2400 minutes
Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars
StarVista Entertainment/Time Life is behind this complete collection of the best-selling releases of “The Dean Martin Variety Show”. This marks the first time that most of these classics from the Golden Age of TV will be released on DVD in a single collection. Featuring all 54 roasts from both “The Dean Martin Show” and “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts”, this release is a must have for any fan of Dean Martin and these classic roasts. These roasts featured the top names ranging from 20th century’s most accomplished performers and athletes, politicians and personalities in the business giving their best jabs, put-downs, insults, slams and zingers. This beautiful set is packaged in a very sharp collector’s box and includes a 44-page Quote Book with rare photos, anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories and memorabilia.
Who doesn’t love Dean Martin? Especially as we enter into the holiday season, his voice is just mesmerizing and so amazing. Dean had this certain aspect about that that you can’t help but love…and admire. The guy is a legend and always will be. This collection includes an enormous about of talent as Dean surrounds himself with an amazing group of people…and never stops entertaining. There is absolutely no shortage of talent included in this collection. These roasts are classy…yet a little raunchy like you would expect from Dean and also a whole lot funny. This is also something that you can watch and watch over and over!
There are 54 roasts here including Ronald Reagan, Hugh Hefner, Ed McMahon, William Conrad, Kirk Douglas, Bette Davis, Barry Goldwater, Johnny Carson, Wilt Chamberlain, Hubert Humphrey, Carroll O’Connor, Monty Hall, Jack Klugman & Tony Randall, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Leo Durocher, Truman Capote, Don Rickles, Ralph Nader, Jack Benny, Redd Foxx, Bobby Riggs, George Washington (portrayed by Jan Leighton), Dan Rowan & Dick Martin, Hank Aaron, Joe Namath, Bob Hope, Telly Savalas, Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, Sammy Davis, Jr., Michael Landon, Evel Knievel, Valerie Harper, Muhammad Ali, Dean Martin, Dennis Weaver, Joe Garagiola, Redd Foxx, Danny Thomas, Angie Dickinson, Gabe Kaplan, Ted Knight, Peter Marshall, Dan Haggerty, Frank Sinatra, Jack Klugman, Jimmy Stewart, George Burns, Betty White, Suzanne Somers, Joe Namath, Joan Collins, Mr. T, and Michael Landon.
If you want more then you are going to love the 15-hours of bonus material included as well. There are eleven newly-produced featurettes including: “Ladies of the Dais”, “Beauty & The Beast: Ruth Buzzi vs. Muhammad Ali” and “Roast in Hell: Politicians Under Fire”. There are also several interviews including Phyllis Diller, Ruth Buzzi, Shirley Jones, Tony Danza, Angie Dickinson, Carol Burnett, Sheila Kuehl, Jimmie Walker, Abe Vigoda and Fred Willard. There are classic Dean Martin TV Specials including “Dean’s Place” and “Red Hot Scandals of 1926”. There are some Rare and Exclusive Home Movies from Dean’s Collection. There are bonus comedy sketches and also two Dean Martin Variety Show DVDs featuring Bob Hope, John Wayne, Peggy Lee, Rodney Dangerfield and many others included.
