Flipper – Season One (1964 – 65/MGM/Fox)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: B-
Ricou
Browning and Ivan Tors are two names synonymous with the art of underwater
cinematography, creating some of the most beautiful such images in all of film
history. Besides any documentaries, they
are responsible for such work in the early James Bond films, many a fantasy and
Science fiction film and are the driving force behind the original hit films
that led to this hit TV series version of Flipper.
A
half-hour family show, the show was one of the first to be shot in color and
after many attempts to revive the franchise, this original version is still the
best. MGM (having retained the show as
part of the United Artists TV catalog) has issued Season One on DVD and it retains its charm as the most entertaining
of all the shows as Porter Ricks (Brian Kelly) and his sons Bud (Tommy Norden)
& Sandy (Luke Halpin) live in Coral Sea park where dad is a chief ranger
making sure everything is OK.
The
adventure happens when it is not and I was surprised how nicely written and
performed these shows are. It has been
forever since I saw any of the episodes and I wonder where they have been
shown, if at all, but the show has heart, soul, character and is a true original. The revisitings have forgotten that this is
about more than the friendship the family has with the tile dolphin, but that
the dolphin becomes real family by doing more than just showing up.
Familiar
faces (or those to be) this season include semi-regulars Jessica Walter and
Andy Devine, plus Michael Conrad, Jon Cypher, Tommy Lane, Lynda Day George,
Diana Douglas, Barbara Felton, Courtney Brown (a famous stuntman as well),
Michael Masters, John Lupton, Denise Nickerson, Ronald von Klaussen, James Best,
Wende Wagner and Jack Carr.
The 1.33
X 1 image is in pleasant MetroColor and the prints are pretty consistent for
their age. Cinematographers vary, but Lamar
Boren (who worked with Browning & Tors on some of their greatest works,
including Bond films up to Moonraker
where applicable) lensed the pilot S.O.S.
Dolphin episode; the third on the first side of DVD One. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is also good for
its age with some sonic limits, but decent for its age overall. The only extra is a quiz for children that is
amusing and has a few questions adults might miss. Hope we get more on the next volume.
- Nicholas Sheffo
