Reviews

I recall Burgess Meredith in an episode involving some sort of "Time Machine" episode of "Lights Out", a la a Twilight Zone script, but mostly I remember the opening of the show... A deep voice saying, "Lights Out!" when a candle blew out. The unidentified voice was a deep male one, and one I'll never forget. I was scared to death by this as a kid, and still thought it was extremely dramatic as an adult in re-runs on a now defunct cable network, maybe one called the 'Nostalgia Channel'. I wish this program could be shown again because the talent involved in the early television shows can never be equaled today. "Lights Out" may have been performed live and filmed on kinescope, and it may have been as imperfect as a stage play, but the drama was there, and the cast was always adept with timing and creativity.

This 1981 teleplay is the absolute end-all for the Eunice character portrayed by Carol Burnett for several years during her reign as television's finest comedian, and with her own variety show to boot... I recall Burnett once saying in an interview that she was glad to put an end to the Eunice character with this special. It was certainly the last word for Eunice, but not for the rest of the cast, who continued the saga of "Mama's Family". The bittersweet ending of "Eunice" is a great finale for the title character and her family story. With the excellent supporting cast, it created one of the all time best TV "specials". Vicki Lawrence, Ken Berry, Harvey Korman and Betty White kept this simple minded family alive for years afterward, and with great success. This should be on DVD for all generations to appreciate. It's television at its best!

Very few actresses could gulp, snivel and whine better than Alice Pearce. Her Gladys Kravitz' nasal voice resounded irritatingly over her husband George Tobias as Abner. "Abner! Abner!" made an entire television audience laugh as she ran back into the Kravitz home every week. Alice Pearce was a trouper until her death in 1966, and she never let us know she was ill. Sandra Gould took over the Gladys role, but I'll always recall the face, that gulp, that bug-eyed expression of Alice Pearce. So few actresses have become so identifiable by their voice in television, and fewer will ever be known for just one line like "Abner! Abner!". Applause to the late Alice Pearce, who deserved her Emmy Award!

I first saw this film in 70mm in 1970. Most of the audience was truly 'Wowed' by the Bob Fosse choreography and MacLaine's pathos. Viewing it on a VHS tape and on satellite TV gave me a totally new perspective. The choreography was still primo, the cast including Chita Rivera and Paula Kelly gave me a chill with their dancing (especially in "There's Gotta be Something Better Than This"), and Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Rhythm of Life" had me happy. The "Rich Man's Frug" was heavy-duty then, but doesn't stand the test of time. Good orchestrations by the Universal orchestra though! MacLaine's performance was so fun and lovable... The dance hall hostesses were so well cast and directed! "Oscar" and all the other cast were lost in a myriad of fine talent, but still so fun. This is a last example of great "movie musicals". If I must make any criticism, I would like to eliminate some of the "still" shots at the end of some scenes. I give this film an A+ for a 1969 musical!