"You know, I was watching you tonight. You're cute!"
The fourth release Paramount brings us finds this collection of DVDs hitting its stride, just as I Love Lucy was doing the same. While the series was a hit right off the bat, the shows in the early part of '52 are widely considered to be the ones that were really starting to click. Also, they led into the more classic stories later in the first season. In fact, the first of those, "Breaking the Lease", should appear on the very next disc release! In the meantime, we are able to enjoy four wonderful episodes from the early Lucy heyday!
The DVDs: "Season 1, Volume 4"
As before, the episodes on this volume are presented in airdate order (thank you, Paramount!). For historical accuracy, though, the production number of each show is noted on the back of the DVD case, along with the actual airdates. These particular shows were originally broadcast on New Year's Eve 1951, and during the first three weeks of January 1952:
The Adagio: The title describes the dance tempo Lucy tries to learn. But her teacher and Ricky duel over her!
The Benefit: Ethel's club is hosting a benefit, and Lucy & Ricky team up to perform a Vaudeville routine in it.
The Amateur Hour: It's double-trouble for Lucy as she baby-sits twin boys to earn the extra money she needs!
Lucy Plays Cupid: When Lucy helps a neighbor by passing on her love letter, the butcher falls for Lucy instead!
Video
The picture quality here is very solid, just as on the previous volume. Again, there are a few flaws to find, but nothing that will greatly distract you. This is easily the very best that Lucy has ever looked anywhere, since the original broadcasts 51 years ago. It is still presented in living black-and-white, in the original full screen format just as we've always known and loved it. The picture detail is sharper than any previous DVD; you can tell that the restorationists are perfecting their Lucy skills by this time! If Volume 8 (which should feature four of the most-desired and outstanding episodes of the series' decade-long run, including "Vitametavegimin") ends up looking this good, then I expect sales to climb through the roof!
Audio
Another very fine (especially considering the age) audio track is presented here. Present in English mono, and accompanied by a Spanish mono dub. By the way, I checked: when you listen to the episodes in Spanish and Ricky gets upset, he still speaks Spanish. I guess the joke is lost on our Latino-speaking friends, but what should the producers have done...make him curse in English?
The soundtrack has no distracting flaws, and you can enjoy it no matter high- or low-end your sound equipment is. Grade A! My only real complaint here is that no subtitles or Closed Captioning was provided at all; hearing-impaired persons will not be able to enjoy this release.
We see similar (or in some cases, identical!) supplements here as we've seen on the previous 3 DVD releases:
1. Flubs: Two different goofs are presented this time. These are both in the form of some moderately funny mistakes from "Lucy Plays Cupid". A very quick 14 seconds.
2. Guest Cast: a list of the guests appearing in the various episodes on this disc. One lady was formerly the "Ethel-type-character" from the My Favorite Husband radio show...but you'll never believe what TV roles she played later on in life! Another lady from these episodes went on to a very quick scene as a floating witch-head in the Star Trek episode "Catspaw"...but that's not all she did. And the twin boys from "The Amateur Hour" saw success as a certain pair of youngsters on The Mickey Mouse Club! Finally, one of Lucille Ball's favorite film co-stars also makes an appearance on this disc, and he loves Lucy, too. 12 screens.
3. Radio Show: Another broadcast of the radio show My Favorite Husband is included on this disc. It is "Valentine's Day", which is the story that inspired the "Lucy Plays Cupid" episode. A nice variation on the plot of the TV series version of this story. 28 minutes.
4. Original Opening: Identical to this extra on all other releases, the animated "Cigarette Box" version of the opening credits is presented here for your reference. As you know, in reruns those credits (which basically amounts to an ad for Phillip Morris cigarettes) were replaced with the familiar "Heart-On-Satin" version most of us grew up watching. 47 seconds.
5. Behind the Scenes: A photo gallery of pictures taken during the 3/2/51 rehearsal of the Audition Show (the pilot; included on the "Season 1, Volume 1" DVD). This starts with an image of the notarized paper that was originally used to explain the concept of the series and the basic plot of the pilot. It is read aloud by an unnamed narrator, before moving on to the photos from the rehearsal itself. The photos of the rehearsal are accompanied by the appropriate pieces of the soundtrack from the recorded version of the pilot. 3 1⁄4 minutes.
Summary
Once more, this release will be a must-have for any fan of the series, no matter how casual. A couple of the early classics are included here. The relationship with the four main characters was just starting to hit its stride, and some outstanding guest stars put Lucy into some truly hilarious situations. The laughter is at a premium here, but at a non-premium price. Easily found for $12.99 or less in your stores, this should tickle anybody's ribs!
