ClassicFlix - Only the Classics

TV TIME: Golf on Classic TV

Many folks find summer an ideal time to head outside and enjoy a round of golf. I've never been one of those people; the last time I played, it took me 3 tries to get the ball past the windmill and into the clown's mouth. The television stars of yesteryear certainly liked the pastime, though. Legend has it that Bing Crosby turned down the iconic role of Lieutenant Columbo because filming the series would interfere with his golf game. Fred MacMurray negotiated a shooting schedule on My Thr...

TV TIME: The Many Faces of William Shatner

Here's how big an icon William Shatner is: If you wiped his most famous role out of existence, one of the most popular characters in television history, he would STILL be one of the biggest icons the medium has ever known. In addition to his unforgettable performances as Captain James T. Kirk, the 84-year-old Canadian stars in two of the most memorable Twilight Zone episodes, 'Nick of Time' and 'Nightmare at 20,000 Feet.' In fact, his post-classic-era work is arguably enough to make ...

TV TIME: To Be Continued - Two-Part Episodes

Before serialized drama became the norm in prime time television, it was a big deal to come across a two-part episode. You'd enjoy the program right up until some gripping cliffhanger unfolded, and then those momentous words 'TO BE CONTINUED...' would appear on screen.Of course, some classic programs regularly feature continuing stories; for example, every episode of Batman was a multi-parter. Perhaps the most famous two-part episode in television history is 'The...

TV TIME: Salute to the Mother-in-Law

This Mother's Day, while we salute our own moms, wives, and friends who are mothers to their own children, let's show appreciation for the oft-neglected mothers-in-law by taking a look at some memorable classic television episodes featuring these noble women. After all, the medium has a tradition of portraying a wide range of mother-in-law types from mean to downright evil.Gilligan's Island, 'Gilligan's Mother in Law': OK, so not all of the TV in-laws are...

TV TIME: Tax Tips from Classic TV

Income tax season is one of the most stressful times of the year. The pressure of the looming April 15th filing deadline often brings out some of the most duplicitous, underhanded, and unethical behavior imaginable -- and that's just from the government. (This would be a good time to mention to Uncle Sam that I am a loyal and prompt taxpayer.) However, like many of us, I find the process overwhelming.Fortunately, we have help. If television can teach us how to survive being strand...

TV TIME: When TV Characters Go on TV

Before there were hundreds of channels and thousands of reality programs filling them, it was kind of a big deal to be on television. Sure, there were plenty of opportunities for starry-eyed amateurs to appear on the small screen, but it was still enough of a special experience that those who made TV shows could create fun stories by putting their characters on programs in their own fictional universes. How do our favorite characters respond to opportunities to be on the tube? Let's ...

TV TIME: More Joan and Margie From VCI

Following the enormous success of I Love Lucy after its premiere in 1951, television viewers saw a batch of other sitcoms driven by female characters that got into equally wacky situations each week. Unfortunately, most of these women aren't nearly as well remembered as Lucy is today. VCI Entertainment's recent DVD releases of two of these programs, I Married Joan Collection 3 and My Little Margie Collection 3, are welcome additions to all classic television enthusi...

TV TIME: Classic Christmas Episodes

Even though the 'holiday shopping season' now begins right after Halloween, it flies by more quickly each year. I loved all the Christmas episodes and specials on television as a kid, but they somehow made the wait even more agonizing. Today it's all a blur, but at least with DVD I can slow down and get a dose of yuletide cheer whenever I need it. Let's examine some of the best Christmas episodes of the classic television era, a simpler time when the medium focused more on telling...

TV TIME: Exploring Batman - Season 1

Since this is one of the most eagerly anticipated TV-on-DVD releases in the history of the format, I'll say right off the bat (please consider that awful pun an homage) that Warner Home Video delivers with Season 1 of the 1966 Batman series! It gives us what we've never had: All 34 uncut episodes in great quality. Nearly 50 years after its debut, the program holds up as lively entertainment and dazzling eye candy. When this set arrived, I loaded the first disc just to do a quick chec...

TV TIME: Horror Icons on the Small Screen

Like many stars of the golden age of Hollywood, some of the most notable horror icons of the era eventually transitioned to television. I won't argue their best work was done on the small screen, but there is a lot of enjoyable material from them on DVD. Let's examine some of the classic television appearances of these legendary performers. One legendary movie monster who is not a regular on the tube is Bela Lugosi, who is of course Dracula in the 1931 Universal ...

Author: Rick Brooks