Reviews (2)

ONE OF THE GREAT TELEVISION SERIES
James Garner is one of the finest actors in television history. Unlike many actors in long-running series, he gives a fine performance in every episode. The true charm of the series is a combination of his acting ability and the terrific supporting cast and guest stars in addition to great script writing. The episodes are not simply "action" stories but frequently deal with the psychology of the various leading characters as well as the social mores of the United States and more specifically Southern California in the 1970's, sometimes seriously, sometimes in a satirical or humorous way, but always interesting.
Why isn't there TV like this any more?

Great episode, slightly flawed presentation.
This is a clever episode from the show's brilliant first season. Private eye Jim Rockford tries to track down a man who may have faked his death to grab a $400,000 insurance claim. James Garner already seemed completely comfortable in the shoes of Rockford, and there's great support from guest star Jill Clayburgh (who manages to look cute in a '70s-style afro).

For diehard fans of the series, however, there's a rather egregious cut made of a crucial scene that shows how Jim gets out of a scrape. Viewers who haven't seen the missing footage will find themselves wondering what happened. It seems that MCA Home Video used a syndication print, rather than an original master. In sum, then, five stars for the episode and the visual quality of the print -- but two stars must be subtracted from the overall rating given the editing.

"Rockford," by the way, is a series that cries out for a comprehensive release in the Columbia House Video Library series. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Twenty thousand dollars buys a lot of gro-cer-ies."
I've bought all the "Rockford Files" episodes that seem to be on the market (except for "Nice Guys Finish Dead"), and this one, "The Kirkoff Case", is my favorite of them. It's entertaining from start to finish, and it exemplifies the producers' ability to pack so many memorable, humourous, yet believeable scenes into so little time without making things seem rushed.

Guest star James Woods is superb as Larry Kirkoff, particularly in those distracted-in-thought facial expressions he makes a few times while Rockford is talking to him. Regular Joe Santos is especially strong in his performance as Sgt. Dennis Becker. And guest Abe Vigoda is perfect in appearance, voice, and subtle hand movements in his brief role as "labor-union" (mob) boss Al Dancer.

Recommended reading.

Rockford Files:The Kirkoff Case
James Woods did a great job in this show.He was very great in it.One of my favorite Rockford Files Shows.It's a good Action Show. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Quantum Leap classic
i dont know why they took this show off after only 5 seasons. the pilot episode is great, if you have any questions about quantum leap, this episode will answer all of your questions.

I think it was very awesome in how Sam dealt his merory.
How he dealt with his loss of memory,and also how he jumped into the accelerator just to prove his point on his theory of Quantum physics. Also how he dealt with the premature labor of his (Tom Stratton's) wife.Plus, I think Quantum Leap is cool, But the pilot episode goes above the norm. to FAR-OUT!

Great Pilot
The best Quatum Leap episode available. The first season was QL's best season. GET IT! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

John-Boy follows the writer's dictum to write what you know
"The Triangle" (Episode #40, December 20, 1973) finds John-Boy (Richard Thomas) has written an essay about someone who inspires him. Miss Hunter (Mariclaire Costello) likes the essay so much that she encourages him to rewrite it and send it into a competition. As John-Boy works on perfecting the essay, he spends as much time as possible with Miss Hunter, so she can help him. However, she becomes distracted when Reverend Fordwick (John Ritter) asks permission to start courting her. Consequently, she fails to realize what is obvious from the start: John-Boy is not writing about some "Aunt," he is writing about her. Jealous of the other two (the title is perfectly clear now, right?) John-Boy no longer wants to work on the essay. There is a parallel sub-plot in this episode as Ben is being bullied by some of the local boys. When Naomi, the girl Ben is interested in, goes off with one of the other boys, Ben decides to send away for bodybuilding lessons. This episode will hit home for anyone who remembers having a crush on their teacher, which, should be a whole lot of people. Written by Lionel E. Siegl, this episode was directed by Lee Philips. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

QUINTESSENTIAL JIM!!!AWESOME EPISODE(S)!!!!!
Henri-a memorable encounter! It is hard to say that one scene is better than another. Order what you like but I strongly suggest the green corn tamales - a diamond in the rough...We can recite lines from this all day if necessary. Jim and his pal Kendall are classic in their repartee with Mr. Fantazzi in the costume shop - proving that it is true that brain surgery is not for everyone. Angel Martin with a dead rat between his teeth for $20.00 would be priceless to see-would go great with a bottle of Chateau Neuff de pop(sp?). It is possible that for you reading this that these names are meaningless. I can only say that if you are looking for a chicken that gets your mojo working from the GREATEST SHOW EVER MADE FOR TV you order ASAP and it will all fall into place:) Arrive twenty minutes early to wait in the bar! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

John-Boy and Mary Ellen face a couple of hard choices
"The Hunt" (Episode #4, October 5, 1972) John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is about to go on his first turkey hunt. But while he wants to prove he is a grown up who can help put food on the table for the Walton clan, he is uneasy about having to kill a living creature. Meanwhile, in a parallel sub-plot about hard choices, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) has been saving her money to buy a catcher's mitt to play catch with her good buddy, G.W. Haines (David Doremus). However, G.W. is suddenly interested in boys and Mary Ellen starts thinking maybe she should use her money to buy a dress instead. What makes this episode, written by John McGreevey, of some interest is that both John-Boy and Mary Ellen make their decisions and then have to learn to live with them. In both cases, there are some interesting twists. Actually, the Mary Ellen plot line is a bit more interesting but only because the one with John-Boy is a bit predictable. We all know he is not going to shoot the turkey and we all know that just because he is sensitive does not mean he is weak. Not a classic episode of "The Waltons," but certainly an interesting episode.

facing your fears
the hardest thing that jason had to do was facing his fears and anguish over losing your best friend who was dying. It showed that you don't always have to be pushed into doing the right thing. This movie shows that the Walton family were trying to do the right thing for everyone involved and needn't have to push or prod the young people to do so. It was heartbreaking to hear Jason play the instrument that his friend Seth made for him.
This was a warm and teary movie that i think everyone should see if they have someone they love that is sick or dying. It tells you that you don't have to find the right words for every moment in your life.

Courage for a boy to openely admit his reluctance to kill
I was very impressed with Richard Thomas' acting in this video. It was so believable. A 16 year old boy today would scarcely admit to such feelings as 'John boy' felt over killing an animal. Everyone is an individual and he just wasnt ready yet to be the big provider of meat for the family. After all, he had his father and grandfather on the hunt with him still as the providers. It took immeasurable courage to admit to being afraid and doubtful of shooting the turkey to his father. He risked ridicule and being made to feel shame and like less of a man all for having his very own view and feelings. I loved the way his father still loved him and was proud of him even though he probably would have rather his son had got a turkey that day.

Other episodes have been better!
We are huge fans of The Waltons and have watched practically the whole series on TV. We thought that this episode was one of the worst ones, and not at all as good as some of the other ones. We thought that it showed cowardly acts instead of courage. It isn't that big of a deal to kill an animal to eat for Thanksgiving dinner, and we thought John-Boy went a little overboard with his beliefs about killing. However, we liked the other parts of this episode, and the rest of the series a whole lot!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

30 years later I still ache inside from this episode
When I was growing up, there were a few shows that made a big impact on me, the kind of life-altering impact that helped make me who I am today.

One such show was "Time Enough at Last," the classic Twlight Zone episode with Burgess Meredith as a voracious reader who winds up to be the last man on earth. That ending still gives me the chills.

Another show was "All That Glitters," an episode of Lost in Space that tugged a bit at my heartstrings.

Other shows, not available on any format, include The Sixth Sense starring Gary Collins as a parapsychologist. Some scenes from that show still scare the willies out of me to remember them. (I wish someone would release those episodes on VHS or, better yet, DVD!) I also loved Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

Then there was The Waltons, a show seemingly perfect for someone who's more a feeler than a thinker.

This episode of the Waltons ("Love Story") touched my heart like very few shows ever did. Or ever could. Maybe "touched" isn't the right word. Maybe ripped it out of my chest, beating and bleeding is closer to the truth. In fact, nearly 30 years after I first saw "Love Story," I can still feel the pain inside from watching John-Boy fight back the tears when Jenny Pendleton tells him she has to go away -- and that after they promised each other they'd marry and settle down together.

My gosh, does this episode hurt me emotionally. It's almost too painful to watch.

I know because I bought this video recently and watched it. Sure enough, the tears fell like rain at the end. Especially listening to John-Boy sing in that plaintive voice of his some love song accompanied by a zither.

TV never had a more emotional moment, in my opinion. And I have yet to see any medium capture what lost love and shattered dreams actually FEELS like the way this episode does.

If you like that sort of thing, this is the video to watch.

John-Boy Walton falls in love with Jenny Pendleton
"The Love Story" was the episode of "The Waltons" where Jenny Pendleton, played by Sian Barbara Allen, showed up on Walton's Mountain and forever won John-Boy Walton's heart. He discovers that young Jenny has run away from her home in Richmond and has been staying at the old Pendleton place on Walton's Mountain. Her father has recently remarried and he is too busy with his new bride to pay her much attention, and so she has returned to live on the Mountain for a while. The Waltons take Jenny into their home and she gets to see what it is like to live in the warmth of a large, loving family. Jenny's father and stepmother show up and decide to stay awhile at the old place, providing a chance for them to bond. But Jenny and John-Boy are too busy falling in love for that to happen. However, by turning her back on what she said she wanted, Jenny has tempted the Fates and they exact a high price. "Love Story" is one of the classic episodes of "The Waltons," pretty much of everyone's Top 10 list. This episode, which originally aired January 18, 1973, received Emmy nominations for Earl Hamner, Jr.'s writing and Lee Philip's direction. The character of Jenny appeared the following season in "The Thanksgiving Story" and Allen received a Golden Globe nomination for most promising actress in 1973. Of course, some time between now and then that particular award was retired. I think after Pia Zadora won it, if I am not mistaken, although I imply no causality. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The First Season is Coming Out On DVD!
The Waltons is one of my favorite one hour dramatic shows from the 70s and this episode in which a young boy is dying of cancer is one of the best and saddest episodes. The boy is played by Ron Howard from The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days and I thought he did a great job. It's good that this episode is on video but I just found out that the first season of The Waltons is coming out on DVD and personally complete seasons on DVD is what I would go for!

Jason comes to terms with the death of his friend Seth
In "The Gift," Jason Walton (Jon Walmsley) has to come to terms with the fatal illness of his best friend, Seth Turner (guest star Ron Howard). Seth's dream has always been to play in the band of his father, Red Turner (Ken Swofford). While his father is off on the road, Seth and Jason go up on the mountain to find some wood to make a recorder. When Seth collapses they learn that he has leukemia and has a year to live. Surprisingly, Jason has a hard time accepting Seth's illness and refuses to talk to his friend. Seth's mother wants to protect him as long as she can to keep him alive. But when Seth's father returns, he decides the best thing he can do for his son is to make what time he has left the best possible and decides to take Seth on his next tour. Seth completes the recorder and arranges for it to be delivered to Jason, but it is Grandpa and not John-Boy who delivers the gift and opens Jason's eyes to what is going on. I admit I have a slight problem with this episode because I find it hard to believe that Jason could continue to be so insensitive after the initial shock wears off. Otherwise, this would have been a first-rate episode about how we deal with the inevitability of death that comes not as a sudden surprise, but as a slowly approaching but inevitable moment of grief and pain. Howard's performance is excellent and serves as a nice reminder that he was always a decent actor before he became a first rate director. Written by Carol Eva McKeand with a script by Ray Goldup and Jack Hanrahan, "The Gift" first aired on January 24, 1974. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Nancy's first TV episode - Hugely Enjoyable
My first time to see Nancy Drew (and more importantly, Pamela Sue Martin as Nancy Drew!) in about twenty years. And a real pleasure it was.
The story-line was, well, rather sweet and inoffensive (Nancy investigates - gasp - a haunted lighthouse) but since when has "sweet and inoffensive" been a crime? The performances were great (particularly Pamela Sue Martin, who makes a wonderfully assertive and confident heroine), the story held my interest more than I thought it would (particularly in the latter half when Nancy started to put things together and I found that I was being surprised by the well thought-out scripting) and the whole package was as entertaining as Rockford Files, or Harry O, or any other seventies 'tec show that we grew up with.
I would DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone who remembers the series with fondness, and would even feel confident that it would be good enough to entertain a friend who had never set eyes on the show before.

A leader for modern independent women on tv.
LET ME START BY SAYING THAT THIS SHOW IS SOLID. The clothes are (hardly)not dated. It is still great to watch. I loved watching the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mystery hour. When I got this video I watched it not just once, but a few times. I loved taking a stroll back in time. I just want to know what happened to George's cousin, Nancy's other co-hort "in crime". I can't wait to get my next ND video.

An Eerie thriller- fun for kids at Halloween
While out in a boat during a party, Nancy and friends spot a mysterious light coming from a supposedly abandoned lighthouse. The lighthouse is rumored to be haunted and Nancy, of course, has to investigate attracting the attention of a handsome "ghost-hunter" from California searching for lost pirate treasure. Another classic Nancy Drew and quite well made. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

John-Boy has vision problems after an accident
As Thanksgiving approaches John-Boy is excited because his girl friend Jenny is returning to Walton's Mountain and he has been accepted by Boatwright University to sit for their scholarship exam, which would allow him to go to college. However, after an accident at the sawmill he begins having vision problems. When he takes the exam he can barely see and is unable to finish. Only then does he go to the doctor, who discovers John-Boy needs major surgery to relieve the pressure building on his optic nerves which provides the requisite crisis to weather before it is time to sit down to the turkey dinner. Meanwhile, in what amounts to a comic subplot, Jason agrees to work for the Baldwin sisters only to discover they want his help in making a batch of the family recipe. Jason is horrified his mother will find out, but things get much worse than that when the Baldwin sisters decide to adopt him and go to make an offer to John and Olivia. The latter is not particularly thankful to find out her son is making bootleg whiskey (the ladies want to send some to President Roosevelt with his Thanksgiving present). This episode originally aired on November 15, 1973. Writer Joanne Lee won an Emmy for best script for "A Thanksgiving Story," while director Philip Leacock was nominated in his field as well. This is an excellent episode and quite representative of the strength of "The Waltons" as a domestic drama. The crisis with John-Boy is a bit contrived, but there is an earnestness to the characters and the stories that overcomes any serious objections. There are not many decent movies or television episodes you can readily associate with Thanksgiving, but "A Thanksgiving Story" would have to be on the short list.

RESPECT, CARING, LOVING.
the waltons is a wonderful movie it will teach your child good manners, respect, carring. and what youll get in return if you have good manners if you are carring(etc.). I suggest this movie too people of all ages.

Watch it!
this movie is appropriete for all ages its wonder ful movie to watch if your child has trouble with behavior. the waltons are loving, caring, respectful, and full of manners. it will show your child why you should behave that way and show them how people will act towards you in return. It's also a lesson on some history and it will show you how life ismade good and how we should behave. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

"Bionic" Blast from the Past!
This two part episode of "Six Million Dollar Man" is a real treat. Just hearing Lee Majors sing is worth the price. I can't believe that this show was the "coolest" in its time. (Then again, I can't believe I'm 37!) Majors and Wagner are good together, and the video makes you hunger to revisit some more of these episodes. Why Universal has only released these particular shows is beyond me. Universal Playback, their European distributor, has many episodes of both "SMDM" and "Bionic Woman" available, but in the PAL format. It's time for Universal to open the vaults and make these shows available to fans in the U.S. I'm sure there are many people like myself who want to see Jaime Sommers fight the Fembots and Steve Austin slug Bigfoot! UNIVERSAL- get it together!

Bionic babe
At 32 years of age, I have to say that today's TV shows do not compare to the shows I watched as a child. One of my favorite shows as a kid, and heck, even today, may be The Bionic Woman. Lindsay Wagner is just a unique woman, no other actress compares. What happened to all those wonderful and imaginative TV shows like Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman, and Wonder Woman? The only way to see them is reruns on TV. This tape is available, but who really buys VHS anymore? I want all of the Bionic Woman on DVD. The company that owns the rights to this show should realize they are sitting on a goldmine, and release it on DVD. I remember I had received the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman dolls for Christmas one year, it was the best present ever. I wish I had kept those dolls.
I want to see Jaime Sommers run with the Bionic Dog. I want to see her fight the Bionic Bigfoot. I want to see her rip telephone books in half and jump from windows. But most of all, I want to see the lovely Lindsay Wagner whenever I please, simply by popping in the DVD.

The BIonic Woman
This is a great intro to the Bionic Woman series, and also the Six Million Dollar Man. I grew up watching these two classic shows. I can believe that they are not already out on dvd. But you know what. They are out on region 2 in the UK and Europe. For those of you out there not familiar with region 2 dvd formats, and PAL, they will not play on region 1 dvd players, in which we have in the US. Why Europe has them all and we in the US do not? I really dont have the answer to that. I wish I did. If you can get your hands on this tape, I recommend you do so. Its all we have, at least until Universal wakes up and decides to put these classic shows on dvd. But, when will that be?

The Bionic Woman: Simply the best!!
I've had this release in my collection for ages and it is a good introduction to Jaime Sommers, The Bionic Woman. However, this is not a good example of what was to come in her own series. The episodes had a lot more action and first-class acting from Emmy-award winner, Lindsay Wagner. The story lines varied from week to week and there was a lot of variety. Lindsay did not want to be typecast, so she made sure she was impersonating someone different every week so that the audience would get used to her in different roles and it paid off; she has been featured in over 50 feature films and made-for-tv movies in the last 25 years. Now Universal needs to get their act together and release DVD season sets of this classic series starring one of the most talented and busiest actresses on television.

Bring Jamie & Steve Back!!
I love this video! Steve & Jamie were my favorites growing up! Someone needs to release all the Bionic shows on DVD. This is just a tease. I glad there are still so many die hard fans out there that agree, Bionic Fans unite!! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A compromise .
In this episode Sam is a teenager trying to open his sister's mind to the fact that the man she has chosen to marry is a very poor choice . You won't remember much of the episode after seeing it , but it's better than the some of the other bargains offered here .

One of the best QL episodes
This is one of the best Quantum Leap episodes. I truly enjoyed watching Scott Bakula as a Cameron

HIGH SCHOOL NERD!
When Sam leaps into Cameron, a hotrod jock who loves junk-food, (and has the zits to prove it) He must rescue Cam's sister from a horrible relationship! But who will listen to him?! Not One of the Best Quantum Leaps, although pretty good! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Real good TV!
Watching this video brought back alot of good childhood memories! James Garner has presence that few actors can match, and this is from the days of quality TV.

This one was one of my favorites and when watching again after all these years, I know why. Nice snappy plot, good acting by Garner, Margolin, Reiner and Co. and welcome lack of trash so prevalent elsewhere. We need more like this! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A decade of the waltons
I would love to see the entire series of The Waltons released on DVD. I have been searching for this for a long time. Hopefully with all the fans out there it will become a reality.

Waltons
How can I received the entire TV series from start to finish.

Comfort Show
I have several VHS of The Waltons, but I would like to have dvd's of each year. I just received the tv show 24 for the complete year and I would be forever grateful for The Walton's. My favorite all time tv show.

i need dvd
Im working in China but from the states and I need DVD and I want tapes of the entire episodes. My daughter who is 5 now would love this show!

Waltons
It is too bad there isn't a video or even a dvd pal version so we in Europe could buy it too because I believe the Waltons have fans all over the globe.

Wouldn't this be a great suggestion??? It would make more people very happy I am sure! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

We need more like this today
Unfortunately I have not read the book but the movie gives the viewer a visual on how us as african americans can come together and make a difference. If your looking for great acting, and action your looking in the wrong place because it has a deeper meaning than what is shown on the screen, it's almost like a teaching tool. This movie definately recieves five stars from me, and we really need more movies like this to influence each other to work together as a whole.

The best Anti-Establishment Films Ive ever seen!!!
If you are into fighting against the establishment, then this is the film for you. No wonder the government pulled it, and squashed all publicity of the movie. It is about a black social worker from Chicago that joins the FBI as the "first negro agent." He learned everything he could and used the knowledge obtained to turn a Chicago street gang into the largest internal threat the U.S. Government has seen since the civil war. Ironically, the government discounted the possibilities that the force was black.

correction
Just got finished watching this DVD, and it definitely IS letterboxed, the review below notwithstanding. Not too many extras, though a great interview with author/ screenwriter Sam Greenlee, and a nice transfer. Definitely worth watching.

TAKE NOTE MY PEOPLE
AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE BOOK FROM SEVERAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, I RUSHED OUT TO BY IT, THANK GOODNESS I GOT THE LAST COPY IN THE STORE. I READ THE BOOK IN ONE DAY AND COULD'NT PUT IT DOWN. WE MUST LOOK AT THE REAL WORLD AND TAKE NOTE OF HOW WE ARE LIVING. IN OUR LIFETIME WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE IMOPORTANT THINGS THAT WILL MAKE US RICH IN KOWLEDGE AND NOT IN MATERIAL THINGS, THAT ARE SHORT LIVED. ONCE YOU ATTAIN KNOWLEDGE NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY. UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE BEING USED AND MANIPULATED. FOR SO LONG OUR EDUCATION HAS BEEN SUPRESSED, BECAUSE WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO GO TO QUALITY SCHOOLS AND LEARN ABOUT OUR HERITAGE. TO SURVIVE IN THIS DAY AND AGE WE MUST BE EDUCATED AND TRULY UNDERSTAND THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN AND OFFER POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. GREAT BOOK I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL!!!! CAN'T WAIT TO PURCHASE THE DVD.

Almost perfect
The film itself gets 5 stars from me, but this DVD only 4. It is seriously lacking a commentary track, any subtitles, and is presented in full frame instead of letterbox.

But beggers can't be choosers, and I've been begging someone, ANYONE, to get a good quality print of this long-suppressed film onto DVD. And this DVD is made from the master negative that has been in a vault for over 30 years!

After watching only pirated VHS copies and badly worn Canadian releases for so long, this film looks and sounds fresh and crisp.

For those uninitiated to this film, or the book it is based upon, here's a quick summary...

A White U.S. Senator, looking to improve his standing among Black voters, sponsors a drive for the CIA to recruit Black agents. However, everyone is graded on a curve, so all are condemned to flunk...save for soft-spoken Dan Freeman. After going through grueling training in self-defence, guerilla warfare and underground operations, he is recruited to be a "reproduction chief" (he runs a photocopier in the sub-basement), and serves the CIA as a token Black employee (the term "spook" used here is both a racial slur, and a slang term for a spy).

After 5 years, he leaves the CIA to work in his native Chicago for a social services agency...by day. By night, he's using his CIA training to teach a street gang to be the vanguard in an upcoming race war...

Understandably, this film raised a lot of fears among Whites when released, and despite box office success, it vanished from distribution after only three weeks. The film-makers insist it was pressure on the film's distributors by the FBI and their COINTELPRO program against Black Nationalist groups.

Long available only on bootleg video copies and screened only on college campuses, it became an underground classic. And now, it's legitimately available on DVD.

The DVD includes the rarely seen coming attractions trailer and TV spot, as well as interviews with the book's author, Sam Greenlee (in his 70's and still as vocal as he ever was!) and film-maker Robert Townsend, who says that this film literally changed his life.

Believe the hype! This film was made against the odds (The producer struggled just to make payroll, and the outdoor scenes in Chicago were shot without permits!), and despite the years, has not lost any of it's punch!

In short: Buy it now! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

We need more like this today
Unfortunately I have not read the book but the movie gives the viewer a visual on how us as african americans can come together and make a difference. If your looking for great acting, and action your looking in the wrong place because it has a deeper meaning than what is shown on the screen, it's almost like a teaching tool. This movie definately recieves five stars from me, and we really need more movies like this to influence each other to work together as a whole.

The best Anti-Establishment Films Ive ever seen!!!
If you are into fighting against the establishment, then this is the film for you. No wonder the government pulled it, and squashed all publicity of the movie. It is about a black social worker from Chicago that joins the FBI as the "first negro agent." He learned everything he could and used the knowledge obtained to turn a Chicago street gang into the largest internal threat the U.S. Government has seen since the civil war. Ironically, the government discounted the possibilities that the force was black.

correction
Just got finished watching this DVD, and it definitely IS letterboxed, the review below notwithstanding. Not too many extras, though a great interview with author/ screenwriter Sam Greenlee, and a nice transfer. Definitely worth watching.

TAKE NOTE MY PEOPLE
AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE BOOK FROM SEVERAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, I RUSHED OUT TO BY IT, THANK GOODNESS I GOT THE LAST COPY IN THE STORE. I READ THE BOOK IN ONE DAY AND COULD'NT PUT IT DOWN. WE MUST LOOK AT THE REAL WORLD AND TAKE NOTE OF HOW WE ARE LIVING. IN OUR LIFETIME WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE IMOPORTANT THINGS THAT WILL MAKE US RICH IN KOWLEDGE AND NOT IN MATERIAL THINGS, THAT ARE SHORT LIVED. ONCE YOU ATTAIN KNOWLEDGE NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY. UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE BEING USED AND MANIPULATED. FOR SO LONG OUR EDUCATION HAS BEEN SUPRESSED, BECAUSE WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO GO TO QUALITY SCHOOLS AND LEARN ABOUT OUR HERITAGE. TO SURVIVE IN THIS DAY AND AGE WE MUST BE EDUCATED AND TRULY UNDERSTAND THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN AND OFFER POSITIVE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. GREAT BOOK I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL!!!! CAN'T WAIT TO PURCHASE THE DVD.

Almost perfect
The film itself gets 5 stars from me, but this DVD only 4. It is seriously lacking a commentary track, any subtitles, and is presented in full frame instead of letterbox.

But beggers can't be choosers, and I've been begging someone, ANYONE, to get a good quality print of this long-suppressed film onto DVD. And this DVD is made from the master negative that has been in a vault for over 30 years!

After watching only pirated VHS copies and badly worn Canadian releases for so long, this film looks and sounds fresh and crisp.

For those uninitiated to this film, or the book it is based upon, here's a quick summary...

A White U.S. Senator, looking to improve his standing among Black voters, sponsors a drive for the CIA to recruit Black agents. However, everyone is graded on a curve, so all are condemned to flunk...save for soft-spoken Dan Freeman. After going through grueling training in self-defence, guerilla warfare and underground operations, he is recruited to be a "reproduction chief" (he runs a photocopier in the sub-basement), and serves the CIA as a token Black employee (the term "spook" used here is both a racial slur, and a slang term for a spy).

After 5 years, he leaves the CIA to work in his native Chicago for a social services agency...by day. By night, he's using his CIA training to teach a street gang to be the vanguard in an upcoming race war...

Understandably, this film raised a lot of fears among Whites when released, and despite box office success, it vanished from distribution after only three weeks. The film-makers insist it was pressure on the film's distributors by the FBI and their COINTELPRO program against Black Nationalist groups.

Long available only on bootleg video copies and screened only on college campuses, it became an underground classic. And now, it's legitimately available on DVD.

The DVD includes the rarely seen coming attractions trailer and TV spot, as well as interviews with the book's author, Sam Greenlee (in his 70's and still as vocal as he ever was!) and film-maker Robert Townsend, who says that this film literally changed his life.

Believe the hype! This film was made against the odds (The producer struggled just to make payroll, and the outdoor scenes in Chicago were shot without permits!), and despite the years, has not lost any of it's punch!

In short: Buy it now! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great ND Movie!
In Nancy Drew's Love Match, Nancy Drew and George Fayne catch a famous tennis star (The Brady Bunch's Maureen McCormic) stealing jewelry! Asked by the star's father to go undercover and keep his daughted out of trouble, Nancy and George set out for Las Vegas to catch a cat burlgar and prove the star wrong. It's packed with mystery, action, and suspence! I loved this movie and I highly recomend it to any Nancy Drew fan. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nancy Drew Should Be on DVD!
Nancy Drew was one of my favorite TV shows in the 70's, based on the mystery books for young readers by Carolyn Keene it is about a teenager named Nancy Drew who has a knack for solving mysteries and crimes and stars Pamela Sue Martin (Dynasty) as Nancy. The Secret of the Whispering Walls is my favorite episode and is about Nancy's two elderly aunts who live in an old mansion where some strange events are happening and Nancy with the help of her friends Ned and George investigates. I would love to see this and all of the Nancy Drew episodes put out on DVD especially in a boxset!

Groovy Nancy
In 1977, Nancy Drew donned her double-knit pantsuit and set out with her friends George Fayne and Ned Nickerson to solve her very first mystery on television. Millions of girls sat spell-bound in front of their television sets, anxiously waiting to see if Nancy could solve the puzzling incidents in her hometown, River Heights USA.
The Nancy Drew Mysteries television show of the 1970s was saturated in cultural influences. Nancy danced to disco, drove a groovy blue sports car and even teamed up with the Hardy Boys (wearing their leisure suits) to bust crime the 70s way.
Her glamourous adventures included posing as a world-famous professional tennis player, solving mysteries aboard cruise ships and overthrowing counterfeit gangs.
What adventure! What romance! What intrigue!
In this episode, Nancy stays at an old southern mansion complete with hidden passages, cranky neighbors and voices in the walls.
"Secret of the Whispering Walls" is extrememly reminiscent of The Secret of Red Gate Farm, one of the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. You might even call it a combination of Red Gate Farm and The Hidden Staircase.
George is a little out of character; she's too much of a fraidy-cat when it comes to investigating.
Despite it's shortcomings, this episode is one of my favorites.

FOR HUGE DREW/HARDYS FANS, BUY THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been obsessively collecting Hardy Boys books since Day 1 and I like N. Drew, too. This is a great one and any Hardys/Drew fan will love it! One would think this is corny, but it really is well done and not the least bit corny.

Classic Nancy Drew mystery
Nancy goes to visit her aging aunts in an old gothic mansion and discovers someone is trying to scare them into selling the place. This video is a fairly well done piece and is definitely classic Nancy Drew. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Magnificent!
When I bought two of them one day, and got them in the mail days after, this was the one that I watched first. I now own four of the Nancy Drew movies and this one is the best out of them!

The Diamond Triangle with Nancy Drew and a Pick
the children of today are still reading the material of yesterlorn and i am Thrilled. I grew up on this work and am
going to furnish it for my grand daughter as she will be
schooled strick Catholick and a small mixture of jew.

I think she will enjoy the relationship of the Doctor Father
and the excitement of friends and adventures.

Very watchable
very watchable in this episode Nancy (Pamela Sue Martin) sees a car go off the road into a ditch from a glider she is flying, but when the police don't find a car Nancy with the help of George and Ned (Jean Rasey, George O'Hanlon) investigate and find them self's in trouble with a stolen car ring ... Read more