Star Vista/Time Life has released "The Best of the Ed Sullivan Show" as a six-DVD collection. The following is the official press release:
No one
had a better eye for talent than Ed Sullivan. That simple fact was confirmed by
the broad range of incredible acts he brought into America's living rooms from
his Broadway stage between 1948 and 1971 on the greatest, longest-running prime
timevariety show in the history of television. This May, StarVista
Entertainment/Time Life will bring home audiences front row seats for THE
BEST OF THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, a 6-disc collector's set never before
available at retail. Priced to add to every TV aficionado's collection at
$59.95srp, the special edition
release delivers the biggest names in music, comedy and variety captured in the
prime of their careers, as well as all the astonishing novelty acts selected by
Ed as his personal favorites, culled from over 1,000 hours of classic
television!
Comedian
Alan King famously said,"Ed Sullivan can't sing, can't dance and can't
tell a joke, but he does it better than anyone else." And while the
host of the eponymous show may not have been as talented as his guests, he had
an uncanny ability to spot top-notch talent and welcomed everyone to his
stage: politicians, poets, sports idols, Broadway stars, musicians -- be they
rock, classical, jazz, opera, gospel, pop, rhythm and blues -- as well as
comedians, novelty acts, children's entertainment legends, and acts that defied
label. Sullivan filled his weekly showcase with something for everyone,
and he was so successful at it that he became America's most powerful cultural
arbiter. Presiding over many "firsts" on American
television, including appearances by Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Jack Benny,
Hank Williams, Jr., Itzhak Perlman and Harry Belafonte, Sullivan is probably
best remembered for bringing us Elvis Presley's three historic
appearances in 1956/'57, and the Beatles' three earth-shattering
performances in 1964.
In its
23-year run, The Ed Sullivan Show presented a remarkable array
of over 10,000 performers and celebrities, including the most spectacular
ensemble of stars in show business and THE BEST OF THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW
reflects that across 6 carefully curated DVDs: "Unforgettable Performances,"
"The All-Star Comedy Special," "World's Greatest Novelty
Acts," "Amazing Animal Acts," the "50th Anniversary
Special" and an exclusive bonus disc never before available at
retail. The collection includes:
· Rare appearances by Barbra Streisand, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Marlon Brando, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire and more
· Rock 'n' roll's greatest -- including Elvis Presley, The Beatles,
Buddy Holly, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Byrds, Janis Joplin and more
· Comedic talents Milton Berle, Carol Burnett, George Carlin, Rodney
Dangerfield, Phyllis Diller, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Joan
Rivers, the Smothers Brothers, Flip Wilson and more
· Classic Broadway performances from My Fair Lady, Man
of la Manchaand West Side Story
· The best of the daring acrobats, challenging balancing acts and
dexterous jugglers-selected by Ed as his personal favorites
· Zippy the roller-skating chimp, Heidi the Talking Dog, the
legendary Lipizzaner stallions and more than a dozen other amazing animal acts
· Sullivan in a rare comic sketch with comedy legends Lucille Ball
and Desi Arnaz
This historic DVD set contains over 2 hours of special bonus
features, including the only surviving on-camera interview with Ed and Sylvia
Sullivan, exclusive interviews with Milton Berle, Phyllis Diller, Shari Lewis,
Johnny Mathis, Michelle Phillips, Joan Rivers, Smokey Robinson, Señor Wences,
Flip Wilson and more.
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