This documentary on Our Gang is one of the best I've seen on the subject. Pretty complete in it's telling of little known info on the Gang and lots of rare footage to boot! There are scenes from the early silents that are seldom seen such as "The Champeen" (1923-forerunner to 1929's Boxing Gloves), "Monkey Business" (1925), Shivering Spooks (1926), Giants Vs. Yanks (1923), and so forth. Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison (RIP, 1912-1989), the original Gangster, is also given his just due here.

Along with obligatory footage of the Spanky and Alfalfa era, we also see a rare film of a 1937 reunion of the Gangsters from the silent and sound eras, including a fascinating scene with the adult Farina and the young Buckwheat introducing themselves.

The essence of the Our Gang Rascals is summed up when the narrator recalls that all adults recall something of the gang of friends they had as children, thus accounting for the enduring appeal of the Gang Rascals.

This is a good Goodtimes Video product, perhaps the best of their Gang compilations. However, there was an excellent Goodtimes Video called "Our Gang Comedy Festival 2" that featured some great scenes and some uncut silent episodes. Hopefully, this will be out on DVD soon. In the meantime, this DVD is a great companion piece to Leonard Maltin and Richard Bann's excellent book on this history of the Our Gang Rascals.

It is clear form Robinson's last books that he is a product of his time. Obviously, growing up under Jim Crow heavily scarred him and he like others of his generation have tried numerous ways, most of them fruitless, to deal with their pain and bitterness. While I do not enjoy reading or listening to such tirades, I understrand the source of whence they came.

That said, some of what he says here is accurate in regard to history and recent events, but much of this is grossly one-sided, as if everywhere outside of Europe was a paradise prior to 1492 and all other humans lived in purity. Fact is, the world in general was not that perfect then-or now. Also, much of this reads like a bitter and unfocused rant instead of a percise study of the problems of today's America.

Many people in the 1960s were understandably fed up with what was happening in America. No one can blame them for that then, but they soon found out that these problems would not be solved by chasing rainbows elsewhere (See MLK's speech in Detroit, June 23, 1963). If Mr. Robinson feels that he found utopia in St. Kitts, more power to him. But when he realizes that there is no complete heaven on earth, he may be in for further heartbreak.

The subject matter of these earliest episodes of Good times have already been discussed. But fans of the show may also want to know that each episode contains scenes that have not been seen since their first run in 1974. Usually the codas of these stories that have been cut for syndication in recent years and a few bits of introductory business that help with the telling.

But in either case, these episodes recall Bobby Kennedy's 1967 statement that he would like for all networks to show a no-punch -pulled documentary of ghetto life to wake White America up out of it's apathy. "Good Times" was probably the closest thing to what he may have had in mind, although it's actual effect was limited. These early episodes, prior to the emergence of JJ's clowing, did more to tell the truth about ghetto life than any other of it's time, and even now for that matter.

It is a credit to the writing and actors that they showed the Evans family retaining their dignity and humanity in spite of some really dehumanizing conditions.

~This Rascals DVD is another mixed bag of episodes of varying quality of content and picture.

Quite a few of the silents are here. Mary Queen of Tots & The 4th Alarm are also on the "Little Rascals Collector's Edition and both are quite good. "Official Officers" is an interesting story about the Gang playing policemen from 1925.

Then there's "Spook Spoofing" (1928) which some consider to be the most racist and un-PC of all Our Gang films. This is where Farine, the Black star of the silent era, faces incredible cruelty from the rest of the Gang because fo his supersitious beleif in a "mumbo-jumbo" charm. Harry Spear goes so far as to prented to be dead and the other Gangsters laugh as they mockingly encourage a terrified Farina to bury his "Cold and clammy" comrade. Sounds like a real knee-slapper, eh? Even though the Gang gets its comeuppance in the end, it still leaves the modern viewer with a bitter taste afterward. The only redeeming aspect of this film is that marks an exception, rather than the rule, of the treatment of the Black kids in the Our Gang films.

Then there's the weak "Olympic Games" (1927). The Gang playing at various sports with almost no gags in sight and a terrible print.

Other than that, the sound films are good except for the dull "Lazy Days." (1929).

Like I said, a real mixed bag.

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Like most people, I've seen poorly edited versions of this film with poor visibility. This one, while not complete, gives you a better understanding of the story than most versions. However, indications from this film are that the original version contained too many confusing subplots and bogged down the tale. In either case, this is clearly the best version of Metropolis I've seen. Both firstime viewers and fans of the film are in for a revelation.

Casual Beatles fans may wanna skip this one. It's basically a bunch of clips of them going from place to place facing screaming fans and the like, along with a handful of interviews. Nothing earth shattering.

But there are a few intriguing moments. There is a clip of Pete Best (original drummer) trying to maintain his dignity during an appearance on "I've Got a Secret." Reactions and fallout from John Lennon's infamous statement about the Beatles and Jesus (the statements from KKK leader Bobby Shelton are almost incomprehensible) and the near arrest of the Bay-tels at a Minneapolis motel. The clip of our guys in the Shakespearian skit is a bit had to follow with the screaming crowd. Not much here to write home about. But it's interesting to watch at least once or twice.

Good collection of Rascals shorts. "Shrimps For A day" is the classic tale of Spanky and two midgets (Olive and Dick Brasno) who lead a kiddie revolt against a tyrannical orphanage owner. If seen in childhood, it will stay in your mind forever! "Hi Neighbor" and "Fly My Kite" are great, but easily available elsewhere (they seem to be on almost every Our Gang DVD). "Beginner's Luck" is a howl-fest about Spanky's misadventures at a kiddie talent show. Look for Alfalfa's debut in this one as well as the Five cabin Kids, a talented group of Black children who were quite popular at the time. Check the kiddie imitation of Louis Armstrong!

Then there's "The Kid From Borneo." One of the less "politically correct" Rascal epics, modern Black viewers may not take well to the story of the children's encounter with a Black "jungle savage". Stymie (of all people) is given lines referring to the title character as a "sissy cannibal" and a "gorilla ape." However, it does have moments of real humor and contains some great chase scenes. One has to really "leave your brains at the door" to enjoy this one and remember that the positive racial aspects of the Rascals far outweigh the negative, given the times that they were made. Personally, my reaction to the film veers between cringing and laughter, although I've seen far worse.

That aside, the transfers vary and youmay have to turn up the brightness on your tv to enjoy this set. But overall, a good collection, especially for longtime fans.

When you watch a show you haven't seen since childhood, one of four things happens-

1. It's even better than you remember since you're older and "get" more of the material (.i.e., Bullwinke and Rocky).

2. You loved it then and you love it now (Fat Albert pre-Brown Hornet, Schoolhouse Rock, almost anything by Hanna-Barbera except "Yogi's Gang").

3. Age makes you realize that it wasn't all that great (Gumby, Lancelot Link, etc.)

4. You thought it was junk then and still think it's junk (Funky Phantom, Pufnstuf, and THIS!)

In 1973 (then aged 9), I thought this was a bunch of sissy stuff with silly animals in outrageously ugly costumes singing dumb songs in corny episodes about friendship, sharing, etc. All of this is still true! I borrowed this recently on a lark and my opinion hadn't changed. What's worse, even my four year old neice thought this was "baby stuff."

This is only for kids who could actually tolerate the corn and mush of Barney or overly nostaligic adults who REALLY need to grow up!

Ok, If you're a fan, you'll remember this as the comic grace that JJ said as they had dinner with a guest who was so poor she ate dog food.

The second season of GT (1974-75) was a good combination of biting commentary of the realities of ghetto life with an amazing sense of humor. The Gang Episode (where JJ gets shot-don't worry, he lived) is not to be confused with the post-John Amos episode where Michael joins a gang. One episode features a very young Debbie Allen as JJ's girlfriend who turns out to be a dope addict.

Overall, the show did a good job in waking America up to what was happening across the tracks, but after this season, John Amos would leave and aside from a few really special episodes, it would lack punch and descend into cornball insult humor (particularly when Johnny Brown joined the cast as "Bookman.")

But that was still in the future at this point. Take a trip back to a VERY REALISTIC look at an aspect of African-Ameircan life thirty years ago. Aside from rap music and cell phones, not much has changed.

This is an EXCELLENT set of Lon Chaney DVDs! All I will say about the three wonderful features here is that unlike most silent films that date badly and put you to sleep, each of them will draw you in until you can't stop watching them until they're over. Great stories and Chaney in my opinion was the KING of "method acting."

The DVD of the Chaney documentary is a great way to learn more about the master after wathcing the three of these films. Look out for the extremely rare clip from "The Miracle Man" (1919). Most of that film remains lost, unfortuantely.

However, the still photographic reporduction of the lost "London After Midnight" is a bit much. In this day of computer graphic animation, this could have been done better (hint for possible future packaging).

But in either case, watch and enjoy the works of the master. After this, check out DVDs of "Sparrows," "The Penalty," "The Hunchback," and "The Phantom" (provided you get one with the color footage). Hopefully, "Zanzibar" and "He Who Gets Slapped" as well as the sound and silent versions of "The Unholy 3" will soon make it on to DVD. In the meantime-enjoy.