From Groucho to Cos, Cavett DVD is a treat

No one was wittier than the redoubtable Groucho Marx in his prime, and late in his life he was still a force to contend with.

Legend has it that Marx was often approached by people at parties or other gatherings in the hope that he would insult them — and that he never failed to deliver. Sometimes with a sharper edge than expected.

Years after "You Bet Your Life" was off the air, Marx's talent for off-the-cuff insults, wisecracks and other tomfoolery was never more apparent than when he was a guest on "The Dick Cavett Show." Even though he was pushing 80!

Cavett was a great interviewer, mainly because he would ask a question, and then just let his subject go.

Earlier DVD collections of Cavett's interviews with an array of '60s rock icons, as well as sets devoted to Ray Charles, and John Lennon and Yoko Ono, are all great. But Cavett is really in his element with his latest, "The Dick Cavett Show: Comic Legends" (Shout! 1969-74, not rated, $39.98, four discs).

The two shows with Marx are real highlights — as he tells stories, sings songs and doesn't stop even when the show is no longer going out to the TV audience (but the cameras kept rolling, and you'll see more here than was originally aired).

Also, notice how, in his second show here, Marx virtually takes over after Cavett encourages him to talk to his other guests — animal handler Jim Fowler, and especially author Truman Capote.

But every one of the episodes in this collection is a winner. Ditto the bonus features.

Woody Allen, a personal friend of Cavett, is a hoot, especially when they are taking questions from the audience. (Notice that he is on the show to plug his first film as a director, "Take the Money and Run" . . . but it's an indication of how relaxed they are together that Cavett never actually says the film's title, and neither does Allen!)

Allen is also funny with other guests — when Ruth Gordon shanghais the show, not letting Cavett or Allen get a word in edgewise, and when a surprise visit is paid by Gina Lollobrigida. And on another episode, entirely devoted to Allen, he also plays some mean jazz clarinet.

Then there's Jack Benny, who's funny all by himself, and also when he's cracking up at young Bill Cosby during one of his routines.