This Is Your Life - The Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1

Product Details

Two episodes are particular standouts. The first, broadcast in 1954, features Laurel and Hardy; the first and only time that the comedy team appeared live on television in the United States. The second, broadcast live in 1953, pays tribute to Hanna Bloch Kohner, a Holocaust survivor. This is a laudable episode, but the unfathomable enormity of the Holocaust makes for awkward moments that play like darkest satire. "You lived a lifetime of fear, terror and tragedy," Edwards observes to his shocked guest. "You look... not at all like a survivor of Hitler's cruel purge of German Jews. These, as well as happier events, we will relive here in just a moment...." For members of the Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers, this collection will be a priceless time capsule. Just as Candid Camera captured ordinary people in the act of being themselves, so did this television institution, at its best, peek behind the public persona of extraordinary people. Milton Berle is rendered humbled and speechless during his tribute. In another priceless and poignant moment, Bud Abbott notes how he almost lost his former estranged partner's friendship "through foolish pride." Bette Davis, on the other hand, comes as advertised: demanding, difficult, and indomitable. --Donald Liebenson

Product Reviews

(5 stars) - Enjoyed this volume, where's the rest of them?
I'm looking forward to the next volume but we may have national health care by the time it's released.

(4 stars) - Great ...
This DVD is great ..If you remember the original series as I did, you'll love this collection. The Laurel and Hardy show is the best...The only disappointment is THE CARPENTERS segment. This show was done very, very early in their career so the surprise guests were friends and family members...Otherwise I hope to see COLLECTION 2 soon.

(5 stars) - This is your life
Brings back a lot of memories! Hpoe you get more old shows like this! Service was great. Thanks!

(4 stars) - This Is Your LIfe Box Set
Nostalgia buffs will love this DVD set which will bring back many memories. Particularly ironic is the episode with Bobby Darin. Darin had always believed that his older sister was the one responsible for his upbringing because his "mother" had been too ill to care for him. This sister appears on the program with her own children who, to Darin's thinking, were his nieces and nephews. Many years later, Darin learned, to his shock, that he never had an older sister and that she was, in fact, his own mother!!! It's very revealing to watch someone on a TV program participate in an outright lie although no one knew that when the show first aired.

John

(5 stars) - Nostalgic
What a wonderful collection of This is Your Life. I wish another would be made so we could see more celebraties. Really takes you back to the good ole' days of TV. If you like nostalgia, this DVD is great and is enjoyable to see over and over again.

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