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Review by John Larkin
For the first time ever, the complete I LOVE LUCY collection has been released in HD in a gorgeous blu-ray box set. Back in 2014 CBS Paramount released just the first season on blu-ray. After a long strange gap with no subsequent releases of the other seasons, CBS Paramount has finally unloaded all 194 classic TV episodes of one of the most watched and beloved TV shows of all time.
I LOVE LUCY ran for six seasons from 1951 to 1957, followed up by THE LUCY-DESI COMEDY HOUR (1957-1960). The show featured the real life married couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz that made them both comedy icons. The show was a pioneering sitcom both from a comedic and technical standpoint. The great cinematographer Karl Freund, well known for lensing a number of Universal Monster Films, pioneered a new technique to capture the comedic action - It became the first sitcom to be filmed using three cameras simultaneously and intercut between them. This became the standard camera setup that still continues to this day on your typical half- hour sitcom.
I LOVE LUCY has never looked more sharp and stunning on this blu-ray set. Although the entire series has been available to stream in HD on Paramount Plus, the difference in quality from streaming HD and Blu-Ray disc HD is striking. It's a prime example of how physical media is superior to streaming. My only criticism of this set has nothing to do with the content, but with the packaging. CBS Paramount needs to reconsider how they package their massive TV Box sets as the case the set comes in is a confusing mess of four or five discs stacked on top of each other, layered repeatedly on top of themselves. This attempt at being economical makes the discs very prone to falling loose. It's a strange case design that frankly, needs to be removed from circulation.
I'm thrilled that CBS finally gave I LOVE LUCY it's rightful blu-ray treatment. Not only is the picture and sound stunning to witness, but it contains a treasure trove of special features and commentaries that make it a must own for any collector!
SEE MORE DETAILS ON THE MAMOTH RELEASE BELOW:
NEW TO BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
Newly colorized (and never-before-released) "Lucy and the Loving Cup" episode
"The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" has been remastered, with long-missing footage restored, and presented here as "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show," as originally broadcast (1957-1960), including original cast commercials
Original opening and closing credits -- and many original cast commercials -- have been remastered
Three long-lost "flashback" scenes, originally used to introduce selected repeat episodes, have been remastered
A portion of 1959 CBS fall preview special, "Eye on CBS," featuring Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, is presented for the first time on home video
ALSO INCLUDES:
Original I Love Lucy Pilot - Remastered from original 35mm kinescope
I Love Lucy: The Movie
Audio Commentaries on Select Episodes
Lucy on The Radio Broadcasts
Flubs
Slide Show, Cast Bios, Photo Galleries & Production Notes - For Seasons 1 & 2
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