![DICK VAN DYKE SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES BD [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nnAGwBN0L._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg)
![Three's Company - The Complete Series + Bonus Content(The Roper's/Three's a Crowd) [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/812Ezom9pLL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
![The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Series [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71RzlbvKQ4L._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Can a television show have a somewhat rebellious hero, who has a totally beautiful wife, a narcissistic boss, and zany co-workers, be topical, and fresh, and full of human feelings, doubts -- and laughter -- and use NO four-letter words? The timeless classic, 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW', is all these things -- and more!
In thesd days of truly wild TV -- such as the farcical and sometimes incomprehensible "GLEE", and the sexual-innuendos, (and often, not just innuendos -- but just sex), of the also-difficult-to-follow-the-plot, "SKINS", people, (especially younger ones), NEED to see shows like "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW". 'Rob Petrie', (Dick Van Dyke), is the head-writer, (of a group of three writer, including himself), of 'The Alan Brady Show' -- a TV variety (I think) program.
'Alan Brady', his boss, (played by Carl Reiner....Rob Reiner's real-life father), is a complete ego-maniac, and the show's producer, Mel Cooley, (played by Richard Deacon), isn't much better. Rob often chaffes under the injustice meeted out by these two -- but, under the genuis of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show"'s REAL writers, these injustices, though very real, do not make us depressed....merely, we admire how Rob fights against them, and laugh at the comedic circumstances in which they occur.
It's nice to see a show about WRITERS, for a change. Because most people -- except for the stars, of course -- of most entertainment vehicles, are considered to be "Not Anybody". Rob Peitrie -- and his fellow writing-staff members -- may be in a 'glamour' industry, (television) -- but they are part of the "unknowms" of that industry....the people whose names flash upon the screen, (in both TV and movies), for a few seconds....then are forgotten. They have been designated as, "the little people", in more than one drama. But Rob and his fellow-writers, being "little people", are definitely people us other "little people", (whether we work in TV -- or in a grocery store), can SO easily relate to! Rob and his staff are often FAR more intelligent than either Alan or Mel -- and the comedic incidents this justaposition leaves, are truly landmark TV. The genuis of this show is that it is SO well-written, SO funny, with comedic situations evolving SO logically, (most of the time), and with characters SO endearingly true-to-life, that even the "Alan Bradies" and "Mel Coolies" of the REAL world will, hopefully, buy this set, and laugh along with "us peasants" -- thereby gaining, (one hopes), even a slight psycological insight into the lives of the "ordinary" people who work for them.....
But mainly, this show is about LAUGHTER! The situations -- their beginning and evolvment --are not forced, and not convoluted. They just HAPPEN....and with a perfect comedic timing that can only be matched by Bob Hope. But -- unlike Mr. Hope -- remarks mixing the "real world" and the fantasy-world of the people who work for the 'Alan Brady Show', and those they come into contact with, are never
heard. It's easy to "suspend disbelief" in the world of "The Dick Van Dyke Show", because it believes so much in itself. And the comedy comes naturally, from the situations presented, evolving logically -- and never forced.
Rob's two co-writers are gems of realism, made funny by what they say, and how they react to what happens. However, (probably because it WAS produced in the 1960s, when "Women's Lib" was first taking hold), the character of Rob's female co-writer, Sally Rogers, (played by Rose Marie), was both a symbol of women's abilities, and a female stereotype, at the same time. As a female writer, )especially one with two male collegagues), Sally certainly showed that a woman's brain, and creative talent, could match any man's. But Sally -- being single -- was always seen looking for "Mr. Right". In fact, when talking of her own life, most of her lines were about her singleness, and her endless searh for a mate. Nothing wrong with wanting to find a husband, of course -- but the fact that this idea DOMINATES Sally Rogers' every waking moment, is indeed a stereotype. However,
she is often seen as fellow-writer, friend, and collaborator with her two male colleagues, as well. Like them, she has her share of situation-induced laughs, and, whilst involved in most epsiodes' plotlines, is simply a character within those plotlines. Her "husband-hunting" is always an element -- but, thank God, not the ONLY elememnt in Sally's character. (In the first episode, Sally is NOT wearing her trade-mark black hair-bow....but it appears in every other episode.
WHY did she wear it? Anyone know?)
Buddy Sorrell, (played by Morey Amsterdam), is, in many respects, more of a rebel than Rob. Often, Mel will speak in an (almost)-cordial way to Rob and Sally -- but there is a true WAR going on between Mel's ego and Buddy's. Butddy SNIPES at Mel, (and perhaps at Alan, as well...I haven't gone through the entire set yet, but it does seem a logical assumption). Unlike Sally, Buddy IS married...but often wishes he wasn't. His wife, ("Pickles"), often makes Buddy's life far less than pleasant -- and he often makes very funny remarks, describing these things.
Rob's wife, Laura, (played by the stunningly beautiful Mary Tyler Moore), is. at one and the same time, the perfect wife and mother, and also totally her own person. That Laura and Rob love each other is obvious, and we never doubt it. But Laura often has her OWN opinions that clash, ever so lovingly, with Rob's. She can get into scrapes, as well, (but not quite so many as Donna Reed did, on "The Donna Reed Show" -- another excellent, 1960s TV comedy series, which -- like most of the other '60s comedies, revolved more around a family than around the father's, or mother's job. Still a great show, though!) I've sen it written about Laura Petrie, that "she got away with more than most wives do". This was written some time ago, though -- and Laura Petrie stands out as a TV character who is a wife, mother, and former dancer -- who, though completely loving her son and her husband, is a total individual, with a mind, and will of her own! Laura / Mary was also written up as a woman who taught other women how to dress -- and her capri pants, and modest, though extremely stylish dresses, indeed did this.
Laura's sister is married to a dentist, and the two of them, (the Harpers), who are the Petrie's next-door neighbours, add to the fun.
This program is full of comedic situations that grow funnier and funnier as the episode progresses. It is full of good, underplayed and totally realistic acting,
great scripts, and involving story-lines. Like most of the '60s comedies, the laughs were NOT made by each character criticizing the others. No, it was the SITUATINS that ALL the characters created and/or fought, that created the delightful comedy here. Today's "comedy" TV shows are all about people criticizing EACH OTHER. This makes for a sad example for people to follow in real life. Hope and happy endings mix, in The Dick Van Dyke show, with trials, tribulations and worry. After suffering the comedic slings and arrows of the often outrageously unfair, (but always very funny), situations, there is always a happy ending. This show gives hope that "we little people" can MAKE it, no matter what. And that's not a bad thing for any era in human history, especially today's "pre-2012" era. So, learn to be positive, as you laugh along with Rob and the gang. Even the very last episode evolves SO logically, that the viewer can't
get away from the feeling that "The Dick Van Dyke Show" will go on forever! And, in these wonderful videos, it does just that!
This is truly TIMELESS comedy, and everyone should get to see at least one episode. Of course, one's pleasure is increased exponentially by getting the bargain-priced set of all five seasons, presented here. there are many extras included with this set -- including the pilet episode for the series, which had a different cast, (Carl Reiner here played "Rob Petrie"), and a different comedic slant. Personally, I felt the original pilot was far inferior to the show that finally evolved from it. But you watch, and compare, and make your own decisions....
Carl Reiner here comments on the original pilot, and there are interviews with the cast, old commercials, and a recording of a post-program production, "The Dick Van Dyke Show Remembered."
All of the 25 narrow, individual disc-cases have a photo from one of the programs on that disc in the front, and detailed information about each episode -- and two pictures from the enclosed episodes -- on the back, The cardboard case in which these discs come, has additional photos --and, in the front, a holographic "mini-movie" of Laura trying to open up a portable bed. A wonderful and information-packed booklet also comes with this set.
Definitely funny. Denfinitely classic. Definitely amongst the best TV situation comedies ever. If you can't afford this set immediately, do save up for it. Show it to your friends, relatives -- both those who are well, and those who are ill. (Laughter, they say, is the best medicine...and it is!) Show it to older people who saw it on TV, and have the fondest memories of it. Show it to younger people, who are used to shows with a pessimistic outlook, four-letter words, and comedy which is based on people being nasty to, and making fun of, each other. Show ti on Christmas Eve, on anniversries, birthdays, family get-togethers, and anytime you are feeling lonely and depressed. Your, (and their) outlook on life will be made happier. You and whoever sits wilh you, will be happily transformed. You will NOT be sorry.
This is one great set!
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Frequently bought together
![DICK VAN DYKE SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES BD [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91EagpeqPmL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
$272.00
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Reviews with images
The TV-On-DVD Boxed Set To End All Boxed Sets!
If you're looking for a super-sensational, tantalizingly-terrific, and spectacularly-massive DVD set containing some of the greatest comedy moments in TV history, then look no further than this colossal 25-Disc DVD set containing every last episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show", the multiple Emmy Award-winning CBS-TV comedy series which ran from 1961 to 1966.This Complete-Series mega DVD collection houses all five seasons of the very funny and perpetually-entertaining Van Dyke Show, encompassing 158 total episodes, all restored and remastered by Image Entertainment and Paul Brownstein Productions, with each episode exhibiting darn-near perfect video and audio quality. And every single episode is complete and unedited. Not a single second of any show has been cut out. Average running time per episode is a shade more than 25 minutes.All 158 shows have been bundled together here to form one gigantic and money-saving 'Complete-Series' collection. Each of the twenty-five discs gets its own individual "ThinPak" (slimline) plastic case. Each case has unique and nicely-designed cover art (featuring a different publicity still photograph on every one of the 25 cases). Additional photos grace the back cover of each case, as well as more Van Dyke Show pictures (and a complete "Scene Selections" list for each of that platter's 6 or 7 episodes) on the inside of every case. (These plastic cases are the "clear" type, so you can read the "Scene" listing on the inside front covers right through the plastic.)The back of each of these slim cases provides quick at-your-fingertips info about each show on that disc -- such as: Full episode titles; Film dates; Original CBS-TV air dates; Brief episode descriptions; Plus some crew credits ("Written by" and "Directed by" notations). The 158 episodes are arranged here by "Production" (or "Film Date") order, instead of an "Air Date" chronology.** = With one (very wise) exception being Episodes 157 and 158. "The Gunslinger" was actually the last (158th) Van Dyke episode to be filmed; with "The Last Chapter" being the final episode that was aired, in June 1966. So, for proper continuity sake, Image Entertainment has flipped the order of these two episodes on the last disc of Season #5 -- with "The Last Chapter" being presented as the final show of the series.More Packaging Notes -- The 25 individually-cased discs in this Mega-Set are placed side-by-side inside a large outer "slipcase" box.Image Entertainment distributed five separate season-by-season "Dick Van Dyke Show" DVD boxed sets in 2003 and 2004, with each of those five sets featuring a 5-Disc slipcase box. However, those individual seasonal slipcases from each of the previously-released Van Dyke seasons are NOT included in this Mega-Set.Many, many supplemental bonus features are also included on these twenty-five Digital Discs, including: Audio Commentary tracks for many episodes, along with cast interviews, original TV commercials, Emmy Award snippets, documentaries, featurettes, photo galleries, behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, Easter Eggs, trivia games, CBS-TV promos, and gobs of other little interesting extra tidbits besides! A 12-page booklet, packed with interesting info about the series, is also a part of this Dick Van Dyke Show bonanza too.There are even full-length TV-show bonuses included on selected discs, including a complete episode of "The Danny Thomas Show" (which has Van Dyke Show character "Buddy Sorrell" popping up).Other complete TV-show extras include the original "Pilot" episode for "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (called "Head Of The Family"); plus a full-length 46-minute CBS-TV documentary made in the mid-1990s ("The Dick Van Dyke Show Remembered"); and an absolutely-outstanding and ultra-fun-to-watch TV game show entitled "Stump The Stars" (aka: "Mike Stokey's Pantomime Quiz"), which has several Van Dyke Show cast members playing a lively charades game. Great, great fun!If you want to know the full details regarding each and every little bonus extra you can expect to find on these 25 discs, you can seek out my extensive reviews for each of the separate Van Dyke Show boxed sets here at Amazon.com. If you type in "VAN DYKE SHOW SEASON" while searching under "DVDs" here at Amazon, you'll get a convenient and handy search result that places links to all five of the Van Dyke seasonal sets on just one webpage for easy reference.Pull out any one of these 25 discs and you'll have some great shows, including all of Rob Petrie's inimitable physical comedy bits -- not to mention Dick Van Dyke's unsurpassed ability to act out a "one-way telephone conversation" (which always amazes me when I see him do this -- and there are many such "telephone" moments during the series). Then, too, via this amazing boxed set, you'll also get every one of Laura Petrie's (Mary Tyler Moore) "crying jags", plus all the standout "Rob & Laura dancing and singing" scenes. And don't forget about all those "Buddy insults Mel" gags (which must number in the hundreds over the course of the series).Just suffice it to say that I love this television program. .... Its humor is timeless. The characters seem "real" and "non-phony". And the writing is remarkable. And you'll be able to see why when you pop in any of these wonderfully-restored Digital Versatile Discs."THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW: THE COMPLETE SERIES" DVD collection is, without fear of argument, a "complete treasure".
Top reviews from other countries
Frances
A classic older show, one of the few that I still like.
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2022