From Deseret News archives:

HBO's 'John Adams' miniseries leads charge of DVD releases

Published: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:03 a.m. MDT
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A lot of characters come and go (and come back again), including Sinatra's parents (Olympia Dukakis, Joe Santos), Tommy Dorsey (Bob Gunton), young Mia Farrow (Nina Siemaszko) and, of course, the Rat Pack. But the emphasis is primarily on the two great loves of Sinatra's life, his first wife, Nancy (Gina Gershon), and his stormy relationship with Ava Gardner (Marcia Gay Harden). There are also some gritty, unflattering moments, despite the film being executive-produced by daughter Tina Sinatra.

The biggest hurdle with films like this is that we know so many of the principles from old movies, it's difficult to accept impersonations — especially in portrayals here of Dean Martin, Peter Lawford and Humphrey Bogart, who look nothing like their real-life counterparts. But if fans can get past that they should be pleased.

Extras: full frame, two episodes

"The Fugitive: Season Two, Volume One" (CBS/Paramount, 1965, b/w, four discs, $42.99). This great series deserves more than half-season releases, but those of us who are fans will take what we can get.

David Janssen is Dr. Richard Kimball, still on the run, still looking for the one-armed man who killed his wife, and Lt. Gerard (Barry Morse) is still after Kimball and still doubting his story. In this collection, guests include Suzanne Pleshette, Tuesday Weld, Ron Howard (billed as "Ronny"), Dabney Coleman, and Leslie Nielsen.

Extras: full frame, 15 episodes

Story continues below
"The Odd Couple: The Fourth Season" (CBS/Paramount, 1973-74, four discs, $42.99). Tony Randall and Jack Klugman are back for another funny run at Neil Simon's most famous roommates, neat-freak Felix Unger and slob Oscar Madison, respectively. In this penultimate season, guests include Teri Garr, Dick Clark, Hugh Hefner, Wolfman Jack, and for a real '70s flashback, Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Extras: full frame, 22 episodes

"Hawaii Five-0: The Fourth Season" (CBS/Para- mount, 1971-72, six discs, $54.99). Steve McGarrett (Jack Lord) is still booking them, with help from Dan-O (James MacArthur), and their perennial nemesis Wo-Fat shows up in a two-part episode. Guests include Utah actress Marie Windsor, Buddy Ebsen, John Ritter, Hume Cronyn and Herbert Lom.

Extras: full frame, 24 episodes

"7th Heaven: The Sixth Season" (CBS/Paramount, 2001-02, six discs, $49.99). In this season of the family drama about a suburban minister (Stephen Collins) and his wife (Catherine Hicks) and family, their oldest daughter (Jessica Biel) moves back home, another daughter (Beverley Mitchell) drops out of divinity school, and a rebellious son (David Gallagher) finds himself in a police chase. Guests include Morgan Fairchild and Ernest Borgnine.

Extras; full frame, 22 episodes


E-mail: hicks@desnews.com

Recent comments

I began watching the John Adams miniseries on DVD last evening. I...

tam | Aug. 28, 2008 at 11:59 a.m.

Began watching this with my wife and was a bit surprised at the...

RR | June 15, 2008 at 9:31 p.m.

That's all I have to say

Great actor, I have hope | June 13, 2008 at 11:02 p.m.

Image
HBO

Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney star in "John Adams."

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