Rating: - Outstanding set of vintage TV comedy/variety programming
THE GOLDEN AGE OF COMEDY features nearly seven hours of TV comedy/variety shows from the TIME/LIFE video vaults. The majority of this material is not in wide circulation currently. Highlights include examples of Bob Hope and Red Skelton, plus a post-"Your Show of Shows" Sid Caesar and a program Milton Berle hosted after "Texaco Star Theater." There's also stand-up segments by some very famous comedians.

Besides the stars of "I Love Lucy," guests on "The Bob Hope Chevy Show" include Jimmy Cagney and World Series perfect game pitcher Don Larsen of the NY Yankees. Red Skelton shares his "Silent Spot" with Harpo Marx, and Jack Benny puts in an appearance. Abbott & Costello's turn on "The Colgate Comedy Hour" features Lon Chaney Jr. Bud and Lou also reprise their famous "Who's on First" routine and Lou sings.

CONTENTS:

DISC ONE--
Colgate Comedy Hour: Abbott & Costello (guest: Lon Chaney Jr.)
The Bob Hope Chevy Show (guests: Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz)
The Red Skelton Show (guest: Harpo Marx)

BONUS--
Legends of Stand-Up:
Jack Parr (2/5/65), Woody Allen (5/28/65), Bill Cosby (1/31/64), Jack Parr (2/5/65), Bob Newhart (5/28/65), Jonathan Winters (1/31/64)


DISC TWO--
Timex All-Star Comedy Show (Johnny Carson)
The Wonderful World of Burlesque (Danny Thomas)

BONUS SEGMENTS--
American Scene Magazine (Jackie Gleason) (11/2/63) - skit: Reginald Van Gleason's Flea Circus
The Andy Williams Show (11/27/66) - skit: The 2000 Year Old Man (Carl Reiner & Mel Brooks)


DISC THREE--
Colgate Comedy Hour: Abbott & Costello (guest: Vera Zorina)
Colgate Comedy Hour: Martin & Lewis - skit: Ed Sullivan parody


DISC FOUR--
Caesar's Hour (Sid Caesar)
The Buick Berle (guest: Steve Allen)


ALSO RECOMMENDED:
The five-disc GOLDEN AGE OF TV COMEDY offers such television rarities as "Duffy's Tavern," "The People's Choice," "The Beulah Show," "Life with Elizabeth," "The Trouble with Father" and "Jackson and Jill." Also included are the first-ever Burns & Allen TV show (from 1950), plus "Topper" and "The Jack Benny Program."