Search - A Classic Christmas - The Ed Sullivan Show on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 2/8/2021...

A nice combination of entertainers from the 60s.

3 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

Surprisingly Wonderful

Robert L. Edwards | New York, NY United States | 12/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Clip shows tend to bore me, but this one is creatively edited from years of Christmas Specials. These mostly color vignettes are a delight for those who remember the performers as well as younger folks who may not have been around.



True variety abounds with song, including a German children's choir that sings in English more perfect than one hears from many American choirs, and delightful comedy bits. This collection is a charmer.



The brief 47 minutes flys along with not a dull moment. Included is a clip from Bing Crosby's original movie rendition of "White Christmas" disolved into a live performance. Rich Little gives a classic remembrance of George Burns, Jack Benny and Ed Sullivan himself. (Sullivan, who visually projected as very tall, was in fact not tall and we briefly see that as he stands alongside Little.)



Connie Frances, who knew how to take the time to "sell" a song, is featured in a show Sullivan took to Cuba to entertain our troops. Ventriloquists, Sheri Lews and Senor Wences are there as well as a couple of classic Muppet performances and Alvin and the Chipmonks. Lots of notstalgia and chock full of legends: Count Basie, Mahalia Jackson, Johnny Mathis, The Supremes. Each vignette is brief but satisfying with a perfect flow from one piece to another.



A genuine time capsule, delighful and uplifting. Nicely done. I'm so impressed, I'm ordering multiple copies to give as stocking stuffers next year."

Program details for A Classic Christmas - The Ed Sullivan Sh

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 11/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CLASSIC CHRISTMAS FROM THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW is a tightly edited program of well-preserved color and b&w film clips of some of the biggest showbiz names of the 1950s-70s. This delighfully nostalgic blend of music, comedy and other Sullivan memories is sure to put you in the holiday spirit!



CONTENTS:

[2:30] JOHNNY MATHIS - "Sleigh Bells"

[2:17] THE MUPPETS as reindeer, do a "snow dance"

[2:14] THE SUPREMES - "My Favorite Things"

[2:00] RICH LITTLE - "A Christmas Carol" (impressions of George Burns, Jack Benny and Ed Sullivan)

[3:00] JINGLE BELLS (pastiche): Bill Dana leads audience as Jose Jimenez (b&w), Paul Anka, Shari Lewis (b&w), Count Basie, Ames Brothers (b&w)

[2:28] BING CROSBY discusses Irving Berlin and sings "White Christmas"

[1:08] ROSS BAGDASARIAN as "David Seville" lip syncs "The Christmas Song" with Chipmunk puppets (edited-b&w)

[2:00] ALAN KING - his wife's Christmas list

[2:17] OBERNKIRCHEN CHILDREN'S CHOIR - "Kleine Glöcken," "O Come All Ye Faithful"

[2:20] SENOR WENCAS - ventriloquist and hand puppets

[_:39] CHRISTMAS NYC 1960 (song: "Jingle Bell Rock," Bobby Helms)

[2:34] ED SULLIVAN SHOW AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA (Connie Francis sings "I'll Be Home For Christmas") (b&w)

[2:18] DAVID FRYE - "The Night Before Christmas" (impressions of LBJ, Kirk Douglas, Richard Nixon and RFK)

[1:50] MAHALIA JACKSON - "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" (b&w)

[2:30] THE COWSILLS - "The Little Drummer Boy," "The Christmas Song" (edited)

[1:56] BROOK BENTON - "This Time of Year" (b&w)

[2:40] ARTHUR GODFREY & THE MUPPETS - "It's Christmas Tomorrow"

[2:26] GEORGE CARLIN - Christmas '67 weather forecast, with Al Sleet, the Hippie-Dippy weatherman

[2:25] ROGER WILLIAMS - "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" (b&w)

[1:16] JOAN RIVERS does a song that names all the holidays

[1:51] TOPO GIGIO wishes all "Peace on Earth" (with Ed Sullivan)"

OK, Not Great

Bluesy200 | USA | 10/15/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Best features: Quality of the clips is mostly good to excellent; same with the audio. It was good to see Bing Crosby singing portions of White Christmas. No lingering watermarks in the corner of the screen. Unexpected, delightful surprise: The Cowsills...this family could SING. Fun clip: Alvin and the Chipmonks.



Worst features: It's not an hour long, it's only 46 minutes. The scene menu is hard to figure out. Too many of the clips are just segments, not the entire act. Comedy acts?...boring and outdated. Joan Rivers singing. Rich Little doing imitations of people long dead (was it really necessary to include an impersonator??).



Bottom line: It's inexpensive, but on the boring side. It will definitely not be on my annual viewing list."