From Deseret News archives:
Streisand's TV specials sure to delight her fans
• "Barbra Streisand: The Television Specials" (WSM, 1965-73, not rated, b/w and color, $59.99, five discs). Barbra Streisand has been an amazing talent from the get-go, as her first TV special, "My Name Is Barbra," demonstrates. This black-and-white musical display — when she was barely into her 20s and starring on Broadway in "Funny Girl" — flew in the face of TV conventions at the time, and it was a big hit. No guests, no skits, just imaginative sets and arrangements of a variety of songs with Streisand's singular interpretations.
Four other (color) specials followed and were also unique: "Color Me Barbra," "The Belle of 14th Street," "A Happening in Central Park" and "Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments." And while one might argue that none of these quite lives up to the first (how do you match perfection?), it's a minor complaint. They are all wonderfully entertaining, show off her versatility, and Streisand fans should be in heaven.
The only downside is that there are no bonus features (except a few "new" introductions by Streisand, taped in the mid-1980s for the original video releases). And since each special is just an hour (less without commercials), they could easily be on two discs instead of five. How about a new making-of documentary with Streisand — and others who were involved — taking a look back?
But it's a small complaint. This is a four-star set all the way.
Extras: Full frame, new introductions (by Streisand), chapters; 60-page booklet.
• "Leave It to Beaver: The Complete First Season" (Universal, 1957-58, not rated, b/w, $49.98, three discs). The ultimate family-friendly sitcom, an icon of the 1950s about the Cleaver family, finally comes to DVD. Watching the show now, it's certainly quaint, an idealized view of its era. But if nostalgia plays any part, you'll find it enjoyable. Included is the original pilot, which has different actors playing Wally and Ward.
Extras: Full frame, 39 episodes, pilot episode, subtitle options (English, Spanish), chapters. (Also available in collectible lunch pail with a Cleaver Family photo album, $69.98.)
• "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: The Complete Fifth Season" (Paramount, 2004-05, not rated, $62.99, seven discs). Last year's Quentin Tarantino-directed episode with Nick (George Eads) buried alive is the selling point for this collection of Season 5 episodes. This remains the best of the three "CSI" shows on the air, with inventive crimes committed in and around Las Vegas.
