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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

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is reviewed on Blu-ray HERE

The Reluctant Astronaut    

The Shakiest Gun In The West                         The Love God?

  out of

DVD Review: Universal Boxset -  Region 1 - NTSC

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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:
Various

Edition Details:
• The Ghost And Mr. Chicken
• The Reluctant Astronaut
• The Shakiest Gun In The West
• The Love God?
• Number of discs: 1 DVD18 (Dual layered - double sided)

DVD Release Date: July 6, 2004

Cardboard Box with One plastic slipcase

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 -  out of    

NOTE: The glaring omission from this box is "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" reviewed on Blu-ray HERE. 

Gary W. Tooze


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.  out of       

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is reviewed on Blu-ray HERE

Poster

Theatrical Release:  May 23rd, 1950 - USA

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Runtime 1:29:34
Video

2.35:1 Aspect Ratio - 16 X 9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.48 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

Chapters : 18

DVD Menus

 


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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.out of   

 

Poster

 

Theatrical Release:  14 June 1967 (Bismarck, North Dakota)

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Runtime 1:41:27
Video

1.85:1 Aspect Ratio 16 X 9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.48 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

Chapters : 18

DVD Menus

 


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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)

 

Reviews

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Runtime 1:39:18
Video

2.35:1 Aspect Ratio 16 X 9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.24 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

Chapters : 18

DVD Menus

 


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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)

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Runtime 1:41:36
Video

1.85:1 Aspect Ratio 16 X 9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.24 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

Chapters : 20

DVD Menus

 


Screen Captures

 

 


 

Perhaps the precursor to the Sharon Stone "Beaver shot' in Basic Instinct.

 

 


 

 

 

 




 

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