Tag Archives: Lucille Ball

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The Bootleg Files: A Salute to Stan Laurel

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BOOTLEG FILES 925: “A Salute to Stan Laurel” (1965 TV special with an all-star cast).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Not cleared for home entertainment release.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Doesn’t seem likely at the moment.

You may be wondering why there is a photo of Fred Gwynne’s Herman Munster on top of an article about “A Salute to Stan Laurel.” After all, “The Munsters” share no common ground with Stan Laurel, either as a solo performer or in his teamwork with Oliver Hardy. However, the inclusion of Herman Munster – playing a violin, no less – in a celebration of Stan Laurel is typical of the incoherent nature of this bizarre production, which arguably deserves to be considered on any list of the worst television specials of all time.
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Are These the 10 Worst Musical Numbers of All Time?

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We’ve recently offered several articles celebrating some of the most wonderful musical numbers that might be unfamiliar to most movie lovers. Today, we go to the opposite end of the spectrum with 10 musical numbers that could easily turn movie lovers into movie haters. We apologize in advance for any offense created.
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The Bootleg Files: All-Star Party for Lucille Ball

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BOOTLEG FILES 816: “All-Star Party for Lucille Ball” (1984 television special with an extraordinary A-list line-up).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: It fell through the cracks.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.

When I was watching the 1984 television special “All-Star Party for Lucille Ball,” the same thought kept rotating through my mind: they don’t make them like this anymore. Not only is today’s televised entertainment so completely devoid of the level of star power that was gathered for this one-shot offering, but the feel-good quality and genuine sincerity that permeated the production offers a reminder that there was a time (not so long ago) when broadcast television was a genuinely friendly place to visit.
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The Bootleg Files: A Bob Hope Special (15 Of My Leading Ladies)

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BOOTLEG FILES 802: “A Bob Hope Comedy Special (15 of My Leading Ladies).”

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Mostly likely due to rights clearance issues.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Probably not.

On September 28, 1966, Bob Hope hosted his first comedy special of the fall television season with a stellar cast – the ski-nosed funnyman recruited 15 actresses who starred opposite him during his film career.
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The 10 Best Non-Holiday Christmas Films

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I know, I know, the annual onslaught of Christmas movies is upon us. Whether it involves those syrupy love stories that pollute certain cable channels or the usual round-up of holiday-themed productions, there are certain films that only show up during December and then vanish for the other 11 months.
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Being the Ricardos (2021)

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The last time we saw Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s life brought to the big screen was nearly twenty years ago in the glossy biopic “Lucy.” Director and Hollywood obsessive Aaron Sorkin brings to audiences a less than glamorous depiction of the masterminds that were Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Not only were the pair of Hollywood moguls, tabloid fodder, intense actors and controlling masters to their staff of writers and caretakers, but behind the scenes they were consistently at war with one another. Whether it was a clash of egos, or two people just too explosive to stay together, Sorkin shows us why the world is still enamored with Lucy and Desi.

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