Les Dawson At ITV The Specials (Network U.K./Region 2/Two/PAL DVD Set)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C Extras: C Compilation: C+
PLEASE
NOTE: This
DVD set can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can
handle Region Two/2 PAL format software and can be ordered from our friends at
Network U.K. at the website address provided at the end of the review.
Among the
variety show compilations Network U.K. has issued, Les Dawson At ITV The Specials is a
mixed bag, offering nine specials that have amusing comedy skits, but none that
made me laugh out loud. John Cleese even
shows up, but the real highlight was the music and he has three guests that
made going through all of this worth it: Lulu (who also does skits, but by
1977, was singing standards and already had he Pop swan song with the theme to
the James Bond film The Man With The
Golden Gun, reviewed elsewhere on this site), Olivia Newton-John (just
before really becoming a huge sensation and The Three Degrees singing a medley
of their hits that is exceptionally good.
Among the
specials are two for Christmas and all four Dawson & Friends shows.
Hew is amusing and can be funny, makes for a good host and seems to be
actually having fun, but he is also an acquired taste for some and even if you
get British humor, might have a mixed experience with this set on a comedy
level. However, the music is interesting
enough and there is more than the three acts noted.
The 1.33
X 1 image across the specials originated on professional PAL analog videotape
and looks good throughout, better than we imagined at times. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is rougher, plays
back at lower volumes on some shows and shows its age. We count the Christmas specials as extras
just in case, but there are none here otherwise.
As noted
above, you can order this British PAL DVD import set exclusively from Network U.K. at:
http://www.networkdvd.net/
or
www.networkdvd.co.uk
-
Nicholas Sheffo
