Reviews

A masterful interpretation of a wonderful TV show AND musical experience (thank you, Henry Mancini). And thank you, Kabuki!! This was one of the hottest TV shows of the 1950's, spawning a slew of imitators, a chart-topping record from Ray Anthony, a theme that has been covered by dozens of artists and which caused at least one existing TV series (M-Squad, starring Lee Marvin) to change its theme to a jazzier format (thank you, Count Basie). I grew up with this stuff, and to my mind, Peter Gunn exemplified television's 'golden age' in a way few others could. If only today's television fare could come close.

The original -- and I mean ORIGINAL -- "Lost Drive In" -- was a masterpiece. Bruce Dern as host, driving a classic vehicle while wearing jeans, or coveralls, or janitors' garb -- bandanna -- cowboy hat -- WHATEVER it was that he wore was perfect for the scenario -- in the meantime, giving us some rare and unique insight into the history and people behind some of the cheesiest classics ever to emerge from Hollywood. What a homage to the lost era of Drive In Theaters, the movies that were shown there, and the great cars that people drove there to "watch the movies". It didn't really matter what was being shown on the screen -- most of it was crap. It was the experience of BEING there -- showing off your wheels -- making out in the back seat with your main squeeze -- and maybe getting ripped off at the concession stand -- that made the Drive In experience so exceptional. Bruce Dern captures it all in the ORIGINAL "Lost Drive In", and along the way, treats us to some of the worst flicks you will ever see in your life!! This new "updated" version, misses the point completely by (A) omitting Bruce Dern, and (B) showing some movies that were actually pretty good. Quite a departure for Rupert Murdoch, who has historically been uncanny at capitalizing on the average American's cultural and intellectual deficiencies.

Sam Groom carried this show all by himself. He was the kind of doctor we all wish we could find today -- kind, caring, benevolent, and respectful of your wallet. In other words, this show was Science Fiction -- OK I am kidding of course -- except for Sam Groom. He was cool. The last thing I ever remember him doing was commercials for AMC, plugging "The Tough Americans" in response to the Japanese automobile onslaught of the late seventies. Five-year-no-rust-through warranty. Oh -- he also did commercials for Quaker State motor oil -- "Bret Bodine finishes first" in North Wilkesboro -- I am dating myself seriously. Unfortunately, the "tough Americans" didn't play with the Howdy Doody generation. AMC is gone. But Sam Groom is still around somewhere. I wonder what he's doing these days. Sam, if you are out there, CHEERS.

I remember one skit that Kaye did on this show -- he played a long-haired classical piano maestro -- in full tux and tails -- sitting down majestically on his piano stool before a full orchestra --- majestically striking the keys of the grand piano in the intro of what we -- the presumed audience -- thought would be "Thaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1", but which ended up, instead, to be "In The Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia". The studio audience roared. So did I. Long hair flailing about as he pounded on the keys. The orchestral musical accompaniment was worthy of any classical music concert hall or orchestra you have ever heard on NPR. This skit was a true "classic". No one does this kind of stuff any more. What a shame.

Brilliant re-mastering of a childhood favorite. All of the painstaking detail of the original miniature work can once again be clearly seen, especially if you have a digital-ready TV. Gone are the days of the lousy prints, garbled sound track, and comical dubbing!! Even the models -- the flying saucers, planes, tanks, the dome -- as well as the "big kahuna" himself (i.e. Mogera) come across as more vivid and life-like than ever. Watching it took me back 45 years, glued to my seat today just as it was when I saw it in theatrical release in my adolescence. Akira Ifukube's stirring score, which stands alone quite well as an orchestral piece, has been brilliantly restored (in Dolby 5.1 no less). It sounds wonderful. The English dubbing is entirely new, but to be honest, I found it nearly as inane, but not so nearly endearing, as the original. The dubbing of the early Toho Sci-Fi flicks was so bad it was great, and was in fact one of the things that attracted many (myself included) to the genre. Not so here. I ended up watching it in the original Japanese, with English subtitles. Much better. This release contains all of scenes that were cut from the original U.S. release -- such as, the second Mogera getting clobbered by a falling Markalite as it attempts to emerge from underground. Like I said, if you love the genre, you're gonna love this!!!