Reviews (1)

More Laughs Than You Can Shake Barney's Single Bullet At!
This VHS videotape (produced by "UAV Home Video") comes packaged under the official title of "The Best Of The Andy Griffith Show: The First 3 Episodes". And I'd say it's a bit of a collector's item, mainly because of the episode selection on the tape. These three episodes from "The Andy Griffith Show" are not normally included in the many, many "public domain" video and DVD releases of this TV series. Most of the "PD" episodes from this series are from the third season of the show (1962-1963). While this tape contains all "first season" programs (the very first three shows of the series).

Unfortunately, this tape runs in "EP" (or "SLP") mode, meaning the quality is not quite as good as if it had been recorded in the Standard ("SP") mode. Well, let me qualify that last sentence: I should have said MY COPY of this tape is recorded in "EP"/"SLP" mode. It's possible, I suppose, that UAV released some tapes in a "Standard Play" format. I'm not really sure. In any event, it's still nice to be able to collect these debut "T.A.G.S." shows on pre-recorded tapes (and in FULL, UNCUT versions).

This tape also includes the ORIGINAL show opening ("whistling") theme music, unlike many other public-domain video releases of this series. Plus, the complete "epilogue" scenes, which are often cut out of syndicated prints, are also intact here. The shows run approx. 25 minutes each. Sound is the original Mono (in "Hi-Fi").

You'll laugh just as hard as ever when you watch the three outstanding "T.A.G.S." offerings contained on this tape. The shows included in this "Special Release" from UAV are listed below, with original CBS-TV air dates. ................

1.) "The New Housekeeper" (First aired on 10/03/1960) -- Opie (Ronny Howard) steals every scene in this premiere "Andy" episode. Aunt Bee replaces "Rose" as the Taylor's new live-in housekeeper, and it's not making little Opie very happy. That is, until Opie realizes that Aunt Bee "doesn't know how to do anything!" (LOL!), and therefore he must teach her how to do the finer things in life -- like playing baseball and catching frogs. A wonderful beginning to this endearing TV series -- a series that spanned eight seasons and 249 episodes! Pioneering sitcom magnate Sheldon Leonard directed this first "Andy" program.

2.) "The Manhunt" (First aired on 10/10/1960) -- Deputy Barney Fife (played to an absolute tee by Don Knotts) steals the show this time. "Barn" has "big" news for Andy -- an escaped criminal is headed toward Mayberry! And the 2-man police force of this sleepy North Carolina town is gonna be ready for him! Unfortunately, the State Police officials have different ideas, and shun Mayberry's top-notch squad of crime-fighters. In the end, though, Andy has a couple tricks up his sleeve that make even the doubtful State officers sit up and take appreciative notice! It's another great episode, with many laugh-out-loud moments -- such as when Andy becomes amazed by something as simple as a State Police map that comes complete with those "dandy little buttons that just stick there and don't fall off!" LOL!

3.) "Guitar Player" (First aired on 10/17/1960) -- James Best guest stars as "Jim Lindsey" (a role he would later reprise in the series), a talented guitarist who's going nowhere in Mayberry (except to jail on occasion, when Andy arrests him for playing on the city streets). But, thanks to Andy's sneaky "handywork", Jim is able to better himself and secure a position with "Bobby Fleet And His Band With A Beat". The jazzy musical number near the end of the show is REALLY, really good! Worth a replay every time I pop in this video cassette.

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It was a fun-filled beginning to "The Andy Griffith Show", with these three programs paving the way for still more (many more!) outstanding entries in this classic sitcom series. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Barney Fife and Andy are at their Peak, FIlm Quality so-so
Three of the better episodes all on one tape, but don't expect DVD quality on your 32 inch television. Neither the sound nor the film quality has been improved over its original format. But once you get past that you have three non-stop episodes with Andy, Barney and Gomer. The "come-backs" are included also. The following episodes appear in SP speed: I. High Noon.A burglar Andy shot and sent to prison returns to Mayberry. II. The Big House. Barney serves as warden in Mayberry Jail. III. A Wife for Andy. Barney is an overanxious matchmaker for Andy. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Seven alone is an awesome family movie
My 11 year old son heard the story read to him in school and they watched most of the movie, when I happened to find it for rent at a local family bookstore, I brought it home, it's one i would definately add to the family collection. It doesn't get more real than this if you're interested in Oregon Trail stories.

A good teaching tool
I used this film to illustrate the dangers of the Oregon Trail to my 8th grade history students. It is an interesting dramatization of the perils of traveling the Oregon Trail. The film does an excellent job of portraying the journey on the trail. It is very entertaining and kept my students interested.

Unfortunately, the film sugarcoats the reality of the result of the Sager's journey. Two of the Sager boys were massacred with the Whitmans instead of going on to a homestead in Oregon, as the film implies. The girls were adopted out.

Seven Alone
This is a true story about seven children who lose their parents while enroute to Oregon in 1843. Their eldest son manages to to complete the trip and fulfill their parent's dream. The movie does take some liberties with the real story such as the death of Henry Saget. In reality he was killed by a buffalo stampede and not a knive wound. It is unfortunate that MickeyTo in Toronto isn't familiar with American history. More information on this true story can be found by researching information on the Oregon Trail.

The musical score to Seven Alone was first rate!
As a family film, Seven Alone provided every element required by a discriminating viewer. I would argue, as a lover of exceptional film scores and a collector of soundtracks, that this film is greatly enhanced by the truly beautiful music of Robert O. Ragland. I give the film an A+ because of the impact the music contributes to it.

A MOVIE TO SEE
I loved this movie it tills a lot about life in the old west.I wish they would of told about them after they had grown up. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

BEST of the Andy Griffith Show? Get real!
Anyone who would release these three episodes and title them "The Best of the Andy Griffith Show" should have their head examined. 16 episodes of the Andy Griffith Show were released in the public domain (I don't even know how), their titles being: Barney's First Car, The Rivals, Opie and the Spoiled Kid, Rafe Hollister Sings, The Darlings are Coming, Mountain Wedding, Andy Discovers America, The Great Filling Station Robbery, Class Reunion, A Wife for Andy, The Big House, The Loaded Goat, Andy's English Valet, and of course, Dogs Dogs Dogs, High Noon in Mayberry and Aunt Bee's Medicine Man. While some of these are funny, and usually the ones most people remember the most, it's easy to forget the last three, as they aren't as hilarious as such favorites as Barney's First Car, Mountain Wedding and the Big House. -------------- Dogs Dogs Dogs is about a bunch of dogs who follow Opie back to the Mayberry Courtroom, but as an inspector is going to come examine the Mayberry Jail, Opie has to get rid of the dogs. It ends up, Barney sets them loose in a field where they can romp and play. A storm comes, and everyone worries about the dogs. They bring the dogs back and the less than amused owner comes and gets them. High Noon in Mayberry is about a man named Luke who was a former criminal coming to 'settle things' with Andy. A few years earlier, Andy had shot Luke in the leg, and that gave Luke a permanent limp. Barney gets the wrong idea about what Luke's coming there for, and thinks he's going to gun Andy down. Barney makes Otis and Gomer into deputies, and they have to watch Andy night and day. Aunt Bee's Medicine Man is about Aunt Bee being upset because her friend, who is the same age as her, has died, and feels she needs something that can restore her health. Outside, Opie is listening to a Colonel who grew up with indians. He is selling an 'elixir' that will supposedly can give a person pep and vigor. Aunt Bee buys some and invites the Colonel to dinner. As soon as she drinks the elixir, Aunt Bee is as drunk as can be. Andy is a bit suspicious as to the real intentions of the Colonel. He and Barney then find out the truth that the so called elixir has a bunch of alchohol in it. Andy then arrests the Colonel, and breaks the news to Aunt Bee. She is disappointed in the Colonel. ------------ Overall, these episodes are kind of good, but are nowhere worthy of being the best of the entire Andy Griffith Show. These aren't even the best of the public domain episodes, and that's pretty bad. The sad thing is, this is a cheaply thrown together mix of boring episodes, being called 'The Best' to get more sales. It's disrespectful of the releasers of this collection to cash in on a great 60's show just to make a few extra bucks. Pitiful, just pitiful. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Contents:
This video contains the following episodes: High Noon in Mayberry and The Loaded Goat, plus vintage television commercials...

I Agree
Buying a video without knowing what episodes are on it is very risky, like a roll of the dice.

unknown titles
It is hard to purchase something without knowing what episodes are on the tape. It would be nice to see a detailed list of the shows. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Seven alone is an awesome family movie
My 11 year old son heard the story read to him in school and they watched most of the movie, when I happened to find it for rent at a local family bookstore, I brought it home, it's one i would definately add to the family collection. It doesn't get more real than this if you're interested in Oregon Trail stories.

A good teaching tool
I used this film to illustrate the dangers of the Oregon Trail to my 8th grade history students. It is an interesting dramatization of the perils of traveling the Oregon Trail. The film does an excellent job of portraying the journey on the trail. It is very entertaining and kept my students interested.

Unfortunately, the film sugarcoats the reality of the result of the Sager's journey. Two of the Sager boys were massacred with the Whitmans instead of going on to a homestead in Oregon, as the film implies. The girls were adopted out.

Seven Alone
This is a true story about seven children who lose their parents while enroute to Oregon in 1843. Their eldest son manages to to complete the trip and fulfill their parent's dream. The movie does take some liberties with the real story such as the death of Henry Saget. In reality he was killed by a buffalo stampede and not a knive wound. It is unfortunate that MickeyTo in Toronto isn't familiar with American history. More information on this true story can be found by researching information on the Oregon Trail.

The musical score to Seven Alone was first rate!
As a family film, Seven Alone provided every element required by a discriminating viewer. I would argue, as a lover of exceptional film scores and a collector of soundtracks, that this film is greatly enhanced by the truly beautiful music of Robert O. Ragland. I give the film an A+ because of the impact the music contributes to it.

A MOVIE TO SEE
I loved this movie it tills a lot about life in the old west.I wish they would of told about them after they had grown up. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Seven alone is an awesome family movie
My 11 year old son heard the story read to him in school and they watched most of the movie, when I happened to find it for rent at a local family bookstore, I brought it home, it's one i would definately add to the family collection. It doesn't get more real than this if you're interested in Oregon Trail stories.

A good teaching tool
I used this film to illustrate the dangers of the Oregon Trail to my 8th grade history students. It is an interesting dramatization of the perils of traveling the Oregon Trail. The film does an excellent job of portraying the journey on the trail. It is very entertaining and kept my students interested.

Unfortunately, the film sugarcoats the reality of the result of the Sager's journey. Two of the Sager boys were massacred with the Whitmans instead of going on to a homestead in Oregon, as the film implies. The girls were adopted out.

Seven Alone
This is a true story about seven children who lose their parents while enroute to Oregon in 1843. Their eldest son manages to to complete the trip and fulfill their parent's dream. The movie does take some liberties with the real story such as the death of Henry Saget. In reality he was killed by a buffalo stampede and not a knive wound. It is unfortunate that MickeyTo in Toronto isn't familiar with American history. More information on this true story can be found by researching information on the Oregon Trail.

The musical score to Seven Alone was first rate!
As a family film, Seven Alone provided every element required by a discriminating viewer. I would argue, as a lover of exceptional film scores and a collector of soundtracks, that this film is greatly enhanced by the truly beautiful music of Robert O. Ragland. I give the film an A+ because of the impact the music contributes to it.

A MOVIE TO SEE
I loved this movie it tills a lot about life in the old west.I wish they would of told about them after they had grown up. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Seven alone is an awesome family movie
My 11 year old son heard the story read to him in school and they watched most of the movie, when I happened to find it for rent at a local family bookstore, I brought it home, it's one i would definately add to the family collection. It doesn't get more real than this if you're interested in Oregon Trail stories.

A good teaching tool
I used this film to illustrate the dangers of the Oregon Trail to my 8th grade history students. It is an interesting dramatization of the perils of traveling the Oregon Trail. The film does an excellent job of portraying the journey on the trail. It is very entertaining and kept my students interested.

Unfortunately, the film sugarcoats the reality of the result of the Sager's journey. Two of the Sager boys were massacred with the Whitmans instead of going on to a homestead in Oregon, as the film implies. The girls were adopted out.

Seven Alone
This is a true story about seven children who lose their parents while enroute to Oregon in 1843. Their eldest son manages to to complete the trip and fulfill their parent's dream. The movie does take some liberties with the real story such as the death of Henry Saget. In reality he was killed by a buffalo stampede and not a knive wound. It is unfortunate that MickeyTo in Toronto isn't familiar with American history. More information on this true story can be found by researching information on the Oregon Trail.

The musical score to Seven Alone was first rate!
As a family film, Seven Alone provided every element required by a discriminating viewer. I would argue, as a lover of exceptional film scores and a collector of soundtracks, that this film is greatly enhanced by the truly beautiful music of Robert O. Ragland. I give the film an A+ because of the impact the music contributes to it.

A MOVIE TO SEE
I loved this movie it tills a lot about life in the old west.I wish they would of told about them after they had grown up. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

From the back cover - just the facts (plotline) -
Sam Paxton (Ernest Borgnine) is devastated when he returns home to his ranch to find his only son murdered and his daughter apparently kidnapped by Army deserters. On a mission of revenge, Sam gathers a small posse and seeks the help of an old friend, a tracker, to locate his daughter. Zeke Smith (Sammy Davis Jr.) an experienced frontier scout with a will of his own, shows up instead of Sam's friend. Sam questions enlisting Zeke, fearing that they will disagree on how to find his daughter but, despite Sam's reluctance, Zeke joins the posse. Soon the posse deserts Sam after learning that the kidnappers are not Army deserters but renegade Indians. Sam is left to depend solely on Zeke to help him retrieve his daughter. Produced by Sammy Davis Jr. ... Read more