Due April 19 The Ernie Kovacs Collection Featuring more than 13 hours of Kovacs' original classic television content, unforgettable characters and a treasure trove of genuine rarities all collected in a lavishly packaged six-DVD box set. The vast majority of this content has not been seen in over 50 years. With a gift for inventive comedy that was alternately cerebral, goofy and just plain absurd, Ernie Kovacs (www.erniekovacs.com) transformed television's early era into his own personal playground -- and invited viewers to enjoy every sight gag and loony character. Kovacs, whose offbeat humor graced the airwaves for just a decade in the 1950s and 60s, served healthy portions of the offbeat to his audiences, who had never seen anything quite like this cigar-wielding charmer. Wickedly funny but not offensive, Kovacs' unique humor and flair for improvisation would ripple across generations, influencing TV funnymen from Johnny Carson and Monty Python to David Letterman, Pee-wee Herman and "Saturday Night Live." Kovacs, who died in a 1962 car accident, left behind a stunning body of work that survives thanks to the indefatigable efforts of his wife and co-star, the late Edie Adams. With many of the programs newly transferred from original 16mm kinescopes and curated by noted film/television historian Ben Model, "The Ernie Kovacs Collection" DVD box set is the first-ever comprehensive collection of Kovacs' work -- encompassing the full breadth of existing material, from his local Philadelphia morning shows in the early 1950s and national evening shows to the ABC primetime specials in the early 1960s that cemented his legend. Along with such iconic pieces at The Nairobi Trio and such signature characters as poet Percy Dovetonsils, Miklos Molnar, Matzoh Hepplewhite, Mr. Question Man and Uncle Gruesome, fans will finally get to enjoy Kovacs' genuine gift for improvisation, charm and warmth as host of his many variety shows. The DVD set also includes the rare color version of Kovacs' famous "Silent Show" (aka "Eugene"), an unprecedented wordless classic featuring a hapless character wandering through a typically Kovacsian world of surreal visual gags. In addition to a wealth of bonus features, "The Ernie Kovacs Collection" includes a commemorative booklet filled with rare photos, informative program notes and a special tribute by award-winning novelist Jonathan Lethem. From Shout! Factory. Retail price: $69.97
Contents:
DVD Bonus Features:
Clip of Ernie Kovacs’ ABC Special from December 12, 1961
THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION –
Disc 1 (THE EARLY YEARS) It’s
Time For Ernie March 7, 1951 It’s
Time For Ernie June 1951 Ernie In
Kovacsland July 6, 1951 Ernie In
Kovacsland August 23, 1951 Kovacs On
The Corner Date Unknown Kovacs
Unlimited May 28, 1952 Bonus
Material: 1987 ATAS
Hall Of Fame Induction Remembering
Ernie with George Schlatter And Jolene Brand “Baseball
Film” Making Of
“Baseball Film” “The
Mysterious Knockwurst” Andy
McKay 8mm Home Movies THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION –
Disc 2 (THE NBC MORNING SHOW) The Ernie Kovacs Show December 19, 1955 The Ernie Kovacs Show February 20, 1956 The Ernie Kovacs Show March 15, 1956 The Ernie Kovacs Show April 12, 1956 The Ernie Kovacs Show June 12, 1956 Bonus Material: Percy
Dovetonsils: “Ode To Martin
Krutch, Public Eye Rock Howard,
The World’s Strongest Ant J.
Burlington Gearshift THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION –
Disc 3 (THE NBC EVENING SHOW) The Ernie Kovacs Show July 2, 1956 The Ernie Kovacs Show July 30, 1956 The Ernie Kovacs Show September 3, 1956 Bonus Material: “Superclod” Test THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION –
Disc 4 (THE LATE 1950s) Saturday Color Carnival: “The
Ernie Kovacs Show” airdate: January 19, 1957 (NBC) Kovacs On Music airdate: May 22, 1959 (NBC) Take A Good Look airdate: July 21, 1960 (ABC) with panelists Cesar Romero, Edie Adams and Jack Carson Bonus Material: Take A
Good Look Clues Take A
Good Look Sales Film Silents
Please Our Man In THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION –
Disc 5 (THE ABC
SPECIALS) THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION: The ABC
Specials Kovacs Special #4 September 21, 1961 Kovacs Special #5 October 28, 1961 Kovacs Special #6 November 24, 1961 Kovacs Special #7 December 12, 1961 Kovacs Special #8 January 23, 1962 Bonus Material: Dutch Masters commercials THE ERNIE KOVACS COLLECTION –
Disc 6 (CLASSIC PIECES) The NBC
Morning Show ·
Percy Dovetonsils Reads “Roughing It” ·
Ferrante & Teicher Perform “Oh
Susannah” ·
Mr. Question Man ·
Rock ·
Drawing With John Magee ·
Leena Queen Of The Jungle ·
Leroy L. Leroy ·
A Series Of Magazine Ads ·
Tales From Uncle Gruesome ·
Crossed Skillets ·
Leonard And Lola ·
Percy Dovetonsils almost
Reads An Ode The NBC
Evening Show ·
The Late Late Late Late Hungarian Movie ·
Mr. Science ·
·
Howdy Deedy ·
Let’s Take A Visit ·
TV Backstage ·
Trapizza ·
Vas You Dere? Bonus
Material: Trailer
for Operation Mad Ball It
Happened To Ernie Muriel
Cigar commercials featuring Edie Adams |
|