|
We have started a Patreon page with the hopes that
some of our followers would be
willing to donate a small amount to keep DVDBeaver
alive. We are a tiny niche, so your
generosity is vital to our
existence.
We are talking about a minimum of
$0.10 - $0.15 a day, perhaps a
quarter (or more) to those who won't
miss it from their budget. It
equates to buying DVDBeaver a coffee
once, twice or a few times a month.
You can then participate in our
monthly
Silent
auctions,
and have exclusive access to many 'bonus' High Resolution screen captures
(in lossless PNG Format) - both
4K UHD
and
Blu-ray
(see
HERE).
|
|
Search DVDBeaver |
S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
Don Knotts 4 Movie Reluctant Hero Pack
directed by Alan Rafkin, Edward Montagne, Nat Hiken
USA 1966 -
69
| From 1966-1969 Don Knotts enjoyed box office fame with a series of simple, family-oriented comedies for Universal Studios. He usually played the good natured, often bumbling, small town citizen who is thrust into a situation where he becomes an unlikely hero. All thematically similar and playing extensively on Knott's body language gestures and facial expressions, it is hard not to smile at many moments in these films. Pure wholesome entertainment that can be a part of any family Sunday afternoon in front of the television. |
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is reviewed on
Blu-ray HERE
The Shakiest Gun In The West
The Love God?
out
of 
DVD Review: Universal Boxset - Region 1 - NTSC
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Main menu |
 |
| Distribution | Universal - Region 1 - NTSC |
| Audio | English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, French, None |
|
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
|
| Disc 1 |
 |
| Side 2 |
 |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Universal Home Video Aspect
Ratio: Edition Details: |
| Comments: |
2 films per side of one DVD18 (Dual layered, 2 side). Only one side is
labeled on the outer edge though. Each individual film here is quite acceptable with good transfers
(all anamorphic), original
mono audio and none have any extras. The colors all seem quite vibrant,
but I do notice very red skin tones in all 4. Bottom line is you can't
argue with the price. I got mine for $18 CAN. They are better transfers
than I was excepting so I'm not complaining. The single DVD aspect seems
a little chincy, but I guess that is where they saved the money. I don't
suppose a commentary or extensive extra feature would be appropriate for
these films and I highly doubt that they will be put out any more
extensively in the near future. A good bargain - NOTE: The glaring omission from this box is "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" reviewed on Blu-ray HERE. |
directed by Alan Rafkin
USA 1966
|
Don Knotts plays a typesetter (Luther Heggs ) for
a his tiny hometown newspaper. He sees his dream of joining the reporting team
fulfilled if he
spends a night in a house allegedly haunted by the ghost of Mr. Simmons, who
murdered Mrs. Simmons 25 years before. This was the first film Don Knotts made after
leaving Mayberry. Director Rafkin lets Knotts underplayed demonstrative
expressiveness steal the show. Perhaps a bit of a scene chewer, but you have
trouble not keeping your eyes glued to him in every scene. A fine example of
family comedy without any cloying social messages. Good clean fun and the kids
will be scared in certain segments.
|
The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is reviewed on
Blu-ray HEREPoster
 |
Theatrical Release: May 23rd, 1950 - USA
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Runtime | 1:29:34 |
| Video |
2.35:1
Aspect Ratio - 16 X 9 enhanced Chapters : 18 |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by Edward Montagne
USA 1967
|
Don Knotts portrays Roy Fleming, another simple
small-town optimist. He doesn't have 'city lights' in his eyes, but his fathers
expectations seem dissuadable. Presently he operates a
children's space ride in "Kiddeiland" which finds his fear of heights still a hindrance. His
proud yet naive father signs him up by mail for the space program and Roy reluctantly
travels to NASA not knowing what to expect. Although only working as a janitor,
he is burdened with the entire town's expectations and belief that he is a
budding astronaut. One of the more popular Knott's comedies it
suffers from absurd, if acceptable, plot points - still a childhood favorite for
many. |
Poster
 |
Theatrical Release: 14 June 1967 (Bismarck, North Dakota)
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Runtime | 1:41:27 |
| Video |
1.85:1
Aspect Ratio 16 X 9 enhanced Chapters : 18 |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by Alan Rafkin
USA 1968
Jesse W. Haywood (Don Knotts) graduated from
dental school in Philadelphia circa 1870. Traveling West he vows to "fight oral ignorance."
The reluctant hero angle here is that Jesse is goaded into being a gunslinger to
help a pretty outlaw redeem herself. This reminds me of when Bob Denver (of
'Gilligan's Island' fame) made a series called 'Dusty's Trails' - essentially Gilligan
in the Olde West. This is Knotts nerdy character taking the same route. Not the
completeness of the earlier two but once you have settled into the self-styled
genre, a pleasant way to spend 1.5 hours. out
of |
Poster
 |
Theatrical Release: 10 July 1968 (New York City, New York)
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Runtime | 1:39:18 |
| Video |
2.35:1
Aspect Ratio 16 X 9 enhanced Chapters : 18 |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
Screen Captures
 |
 |
 |
directed by Nat Hiken
USA 1969
This final foray has Knotts playing Abner Peacock,
a mild-mannered
editor of a bird-watching magazine called The Peacock. Abner is also an
American champions bird caller. With the help of a desperate pornography
publisher and financial backing by the mob, the proud Peacock is transformed into an obvious
comparison to Playboy magazine with Knotts as the Hefner clone. His ultra
conservative
demeanor being seduced into a roving lothario is absurdly comical. A brief
lesson in media manipulation is also introduced. A favorite part is the Church
song in the beginning. Truly inspired comedic elements abound. This might be my
favorite of the four.
 out of
|
Poster
 |
Theatrical Release: 26 October 1969 (Bismarck, North Dakota)
|
CLICK logo to order |
|
| Runtime | 1:41:36 |
| Video |
1.85:1
Aspect Ratio 16 X 9 enhanced Chapters : 20 |
DVD Menus
 |
 |
Screen Captures
 |
Perhaps the precursor to the Sharon Stone "Beaver shot' in Basic Instinct.
 |
 |
