The Sid Caesar Collection - The Buried Treasures - 50th Anniversary Edition | clown ministry | Reviews

You are here: Reviews > Sid Caesar Reviews >The Sid Caesar Collection - The Buried Treasures - 50th Anniversary Edition

The Sid Caesar Collection - The Buried Treasures - 50th Anniversary Edition - Classic comedy from the Emmy award-winning 'Your Show of Shows' and 'Caesar's Hour' - Sid was arguably the greatest sketch comedian of all time - Carl Reiner

Editorial Review of The Sid Caesar Collection - The Buried Treasures - 50th Anniversary Edition courtesy of Amazon.com

The DVD releases of SCTV, Kids in the Hall, and In Living Color, made 2004 a banner year for sketch-comedy aficionados. But this three-disc collection of vintage sketches from Your Show of Shows and Caesar’s Hour is essential for those with an appreciation for the grand masters. We come to praise Caesar, not to bury him. This was the golden age of live television, and these were the shows to which comedy writers aspired. Caesar’s dream team included (though not at the same time) Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Selma Diamond, Larry Gelbart, Carl Reiner, and Neil and Danny Simon. The Sid Caesar Collection is a treasure trove of sketches, representative of the "knowledge, technique, and taste" of the show’s creators: domestic sketches ("Nan Hires a Maid," "The White Rug" ), spoofs ("Bullet Over Broadway," "German U Boat 749" ), and pantomime ("Grieg Piano Concerto," "Pantomime Cocktail Party" ).

One reason why these sketches, some more than 50 years old, hold up so well, is Caesar’s credo that "People are more interesting than things." The best sketches are universal, human comedy. In "Nan Hires a Maid," the writers meticulously establish wife Nanette Fabray’s frustration with husband Sid’s sloppiness, so when Sid comes home from work, we anxiously await to see him carelessly discard his clothes around the room, and for dutiful Nanette to explode, which she does "just so." Anything could happen on live television. Check out the "Bus Station" sketch, in which commuter Sid can be glimpsed wearing sandals he did not have time to change from a previous gladiator sketch. Other memorable sketches include "Toy Band" (which echoes the intricate teamwork of the Your Show of Shows classic, "The Clock" ) and "Bullets Over Broadway," which may have inspired the Boss Hijack sketches in the Caesar homage, My Favorite Year. In between the sketches, cast members and writers affectionately recall working with each other, and creating this classic comedy. Each DVD includes bonus sketches. Caesar also provides illuminating commentary on selected sketches. --Donald Liebenson

Product Description of The Sid Caesar Collection - The Buried Treasures - 50th Anniversary Edition

A comic genius who s had America laughing since the 1950s, Sid Caesar was the star and guiding force behind the Emmy¬ Award-winning "Your Show of Shows" and "Caesar s Hour." Now, 19 of Sid s legendary sketches have been unearthed from the vault, and can be seen for the first time since they originally aired in the 1950s. Dusted off and digitally restored, these buried treasures from the golden age of comedy are as hilarious and priceless as ever. Featuring Sid s most popular characters, the Professor and Progress Hornsby, this collection also includes him in such legendary sketches as "At the Movies" and "La Bicycletta." Capping off the fun is Sid s dream team of comedic actors, including Carl Reiner, Nanette Fabray, and Howie Morris. Dig deep into Sid s treasure chest of comedy gems and join him for 19 of his rarest sketches unseen since the 1950s and more priceless than ever!

SPECIAL FEATURES
Bonus Sketches: "Dancing Towers," "Chinese Food," and "Invitation to Murder;" Interview Extras with Sid Caesar, Neil Simon, and Nanette Fabray; Cast and Writer Biographies; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

System Requirements:
# Running Time 232 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE