Television – The First
50 Years (documentary)
Picture: C
Sound: C Extras: D Program: B
Originally broadcast in 1999, Television – The First 50
Years is an exceptional documentary program that runs about 100 minutes and
covers the development of the medium for its first half-decade in an
exceptional way. There are interviews
done especially for the program, some very rare clips are shown, and the
content shows an exceptionally savvy look at the medium.
Sadly, due to its age, the influx of cable, satellite,
DVD, and High- Definition, this program has been almost forgotten. Now, it is getting a much-deserved second
chance on DVD, with often archival materials every few minutes. This has appreciated well in eight years,
despite the technical age of the videotape it was finalized on.
The commercial breaks are oddly included, but that is a
minor problem. The looks at live TV,
game shows, the medium’s early stars, behind the scenes footage, history, and
some surprisingly good interviews by persons you would not expect add up to a
very worthwhile viewing experience.
There’s even a bit about the original WKRP in Cincinnati, which
is ironic, since royalty money for the songs used on the show is preventing the
series from being issued on DVD!
The full screen picture and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono sound
are average, but some of the clips are in exceptional shape. Stereo only came to TV in recent years, so a
lack of stereo is not only minor, but expected. There are no extras on the DVD, but there are so many things
within the program that would be great extras on other DVDs, that it does not
matter much here.
The nicest thing about the show, besides being a great
history lesson, is that the interviewees (Rod Steiger, Tony Randall, Robert
Stack, Dick Van Patten, Joyce DeWitt, Milton Berle, et al) are very generous in
what they share. It is a program that
remembers the medium in its greatness, something TV needs very badly to do
right now. It is a special
interest/documentary program no collection should be without.
- Nicholas Sheffo
