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The Very Best of Morecambe & Wise (BBC)
Much of the stuff here, however, is less familiar. There are seemingly inconsequential sketches of Eric and Ernie in their flat and even--Laurel and Hardy-style--in bed together in which their oddly intimate, bickering relationship is better explored than in some of the stagier items. Much of the scripts and skits here haven't stood the test of time--old innuendos or obsolete references that seem to belong to the 50s, let alone the 70s. But even the creakiest material is rescued not just by Eric's punctually daft persona but also the often-patronised little Ern who, as this selection shows, was no passenger. Among guest highlights, the sight of Arthur Lowe breaking, surreally, from a Captain Bligh into a Humphrey Bogart impression is one of the many ad-lib gems here. On the DVD: Full screen, special features consisting of scene selection and artist profiles, in which it is outlined just how many years Morecambe and Wise toiled and honed down their act, in music hall radio, film and TV. By the time of their 1977 zenith, when 28 million people watched their Christmas show, they had worked together for over 30 years. --David Stubbs
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £5.28 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Quite often the problem with Morecambe and Wise "Greatest Hits" compilations is that they home in on the handful of sketches and routines, which are repeated to the point of nauseam--a dancing Angela Rippon, for example. There are certainly a few such chestnuts here--Glenda Jackson in the play "what Ernie wrote", the breakfast striptease routine and "Singing In The Rain", though that particular classic can bear up to any number of repeated viewings.
A Quick Glimpse
Review date: 2008-04-18 Rating: 6 out of 10
Overall, this 'best of' DVD does exactly what it says on the box! It provides an overview to some of the great classic moments in the history of Morecambe and Wise. It is let down however, in its failure to include the Andre Previn sketch (which most people believe to be one of the defining moments in their history) and indeed in the fact that it is just too short for most fans!
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Reviews
Meagre
Review date: 2007-03-02 Rating: 4 out of 10
As others have pointed out, this is just the VHS scanned onto DVD, no effort has been made to clean up images and the sketches have been hacked to pieces, almost a series of punchlines in search of a joke, so that we miss build up, patter and the consummate performances that so characterised Morecambe and Wise. Given just how much footage of Morecambe and Wise exists, surely we should be getting series sets? The BBC need to get on this.
The bare bones of good comics
Review date: 2006-01-03 Rating: 4 out of 10
Some very good moments here, but the two stars reflect that this is simply a VHS stuck on DVD. The mere 83 minutes run time of not quite the best of many years' work was something of a shock. No subtitles, nothing extra. Sound and picture quality OK. This is nothing against Eric and Ern -- rather, I find they have been treated somewhat indifferently. My opinion is that this is a very average compilation and represents poor value for money. Shame on the publisher who seemingly doesn't believe in a little graft for the profit.
best of?
Review date: 2005-12-27 Rating: 6 out of 10
As a previous viewer stated, how can you have a "best of" DVD without, in my opinion, one of the best sketches wot eddie braben wrote.ie the Andrew preview (sic) sketch? Unthinkable.
Not quite the very best but pretty good
Review date: 2005-05-05 Rating: 8 out of 10
No Andrew Preview...no Shirley Bassey...no 'There is nothing like a Dame'...I loved the material in there but I think this is mis-named. I'm still young...who IS the woman in the 'Bring me Sunshine' at the end?
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Glenda Jackson
Angela Rippon
Eric Morecambe
Ernie Wise
Arthur Lowe
Creators:
Eric Morecambe (Primary Contributor)
Ernie Wise (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503108724
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2001-10-01
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 83 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)