Editor-in-Chief Lee Pfeiffer has received a DVD from Time Life with selected highlights from the forthcoming Man From U.N.C.L.E. collection. Here is his report:
I was pleasantly surprised to find a nicely packaged DVD arrive from Time Life today that contained official sample elements of the bonus extras that will appear on the highly-anticipated complete series DVD collection that will be released on DVD on November 27. Being a dyed-in-the-wool U.N.C.L.E. enthusiast, I immediately stopped work on the important project I was working on (an 80 foot statue of Leo G. Carroll made entirely out of sea shells) and sat down to watch what I anticipated would be a few tantalizing teasers from the coolest spy show of the 1960s. I was delighted to find that the sampler contained a substantial amount of material. However, devouring these U.N.C.L.E. rarities is the cinematic equivalent of trying to eat just one potato chip - the more I saw, the more I wanted to see.
Here's a breakdown of the sampler DVD:
- The entire pilot for the series in its original format when the show was known as Solo. This is the rare color version of the pilot (it was telecast in b&w) and the quality is stunning. Enthusiasts of the show have seen this episode before, but for the vast majority of the viewers, it will a true revelation to see the series with its original title sequence (some bland images of exotic international locations). The colors are rich and striking and the episode only whetted my appetite for what was to follow.
- The sampler also included a full length episode of a season one show titled The Never-Never Affair, a good choice as it presents the amusing spectacle of having Barbara Feldon as a guest star a year before she starred in Get Smart.
- The Cloak and Swagger Affair is a superbly edited compilation of interviews with virtually every living principal involved with the show. Among those featured: Robert Vaughn, David McCallum, cinematographer Fred Koenekamp, producer Norman Felton, writers Dean Hargrove and Peter Allan Fields, directors Joseph Sargent and Richard Donner, and others. There are even archival comments from the series' late creator Sam Rolfe. Felton speaks at length about the early involvement of James Bond author Ian Fleming in the development of the series. All tell fascinating anecdotes about their experience on the show and the one constant is that everyone recalls it as being one of the best periods of their lives. Even if you've heard some of these stories before, there's nothing like the pleasure of hearing the principals relate them in their own words. The graphics are imaginative and so is the editing. A sheer delight from start to finish.
- Double Agents: The Vaughn/McCallum Reunion- This is the absolute highlight of the DVD. It's the first joint interview by the two stars in almost twenty years. Despite rumors to the contrary, there was never a feud between them. They simply led vastly diffferent social lives and never became close friends until many years after the show had been cancelled. I have had the pleasure of socializing with both Vaughn and McCallum, as both contribute to Cinema Retro magazine. However, it is truly moving and very amusing to see them both together onscreen in front of U.N.C.L.E promotional signage. They are both genuinely witty, self-deprecating and prone to tossing gentle, good-humored barbs at each other. Vaughn says that prior to the series, he had been very familiar with McCallum's work, having been impressed with his performance in Freud. He confesses to trying to land the role of Judas in The Greatest Story Ever Told and asks whether McCallum was aware he was his rival. McCallum states he didn't even know who Vaughn was nor was he familiar with his work, eliciting a big chuckle from both men. It's truly a treat to listen to both stars recall specific episodes and share their memories of when they were both teen idols.
- U.N.C.L.E. VIPS- is a fun look at the many prominent actors who appeared on the show. McCallum regrets not having kept an autograph book and remembers being thrilled working with Elsa Lanchester while Vaughn recalls the intimidating presence of Jack Palance in The Concrete Overcoat Affair.
There's no doubt that Time Life has done a terrific job on this set. I almost dread the day that the 41 DVD collection arrives. I'll have to check into a monastary for a few weeks just to get through them in peace.
Remember to subscribe to Cinema Retro's print magazine to enjoy the first installment of our 8 issue series The Films From U.N.C.L.E. beginning with the first movie, To Trap a Spy.
Closing Channel D! (Now back to that statue of Leo G. Carroll!)
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