April 3, 2014

Classic Shows from Way Back When


We love classic TV - and I know there's numerous ways to watch it - like TV Land, YouTube, Netflix and even from the Public Library. However, I would love to build our own DVD library with definitive choices that epitomize morals, good clean fun, and ethics taken for granted in years gone by.  By no way or means am I saying life was perfect ‘way back when’ but there was an undeniable innocence about life. Everybody’s private business wasn’t broadcast for the whole world to see.  
Well, back to having your own private collections … this could take a long time and get very costly! Many families just don’t have a lot of dollars budgeted for that sort of library. Another way to look at this would be the fact that many of us do have a budget for entertainment -  this could fall under that category.
 A great idea someone shared the other day was there could maybe be co-op started among friends, parents, and grandparents in a neighborhood or church group where a good list was made up of say, Classic TV Series. The people or families would select which movies or series they would like to definitely own but then the whole group would be able to borrow from each-other.  I think it could be worked out. There would be a master list or even a facebook group to handle it. We’ve borrowed and lent to folks and it’s worked out well. Certainly, there are always some slip-ups but it would be more natural to give out reminders if there are several involved.
Just off the cuff I could come up with a good size list pretty fast of series from when I was a kid.  We didn’t watch TV every night but did have regular shows our family would enjoy together.
Here are a few to get you started in your own thought process along these lines:

Comedy –
274547: I Love Lucy, Season 1 DVD Set I Love Lucy, Season 1 DVD Set

By Paramount

Here's how it all began—the classic episodes that started America's long-running love affair with everyone's favorite madcap redhead, Lucille Ball. Plus the rarely seen pilot episode that sold the I Love Lucy series. By the end of its initial season, I Love Lucy was TV's first bona fide smash-hit. Fall in love all over again, with the wild and wacky series that changed TV forever! This set includes all 35 uncut, digitally remastered season one episodes, plus the Long Lost Pilot! B&W. 7 DVDs. Approx. 15 hours, 7 minutes.

734621: The Dick Van Dyke Show Fan Favorites, 50th Anniversary Edition The Dick Van Dyke Show Fan Favorites, 50th Anniversary Edition

By Image Entertainment

Enjoy the best of one of America's most popular TV comedies with this 50th anniversary collection! Featuring 20 classic episodes in their entirety, it includes the pilot episode, "The Sick Boy and the Sitter," "Big Max Calvada," "Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth," and others; plus bonus features such as cast and producer interviews, rare rehearsal footage, and more. Five DVDs, approx. 8.5 hours total.
Family –
274745: Andy Griffith Show, Season 5 DVD Set Andy Griffith Show, Season 5 DVD Set

By Paramount

Hailed as "one of the greatest television shows of all time" by TV Guide, The Andy Griffith Show delighted audiences with its simple values and down-home humor. Now all 32 episodes with its landmark 5th season are available on DVD! Catch up with Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his son Opie (Ron Howard), his bumbling deputy Barney (Don Knotts), Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) and the rest of the gang in this classic collection that includes many fan-favorite episodes. This season also features memorable guest appearances by Don Rickles (Toy Story, Casino), Gavin MacLeod (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat) and Jerry Van Dyke (Coach) and some of the funniest moments in the show's time-honored history. Closed captions. B&W, approx. 13 hours, 34 minutes.


We watched seasons 3-4 of Leave It To Beaver - the grand-daughters loved them too!


I can still see my sister laughing at the antics on Gilligan's Island!


 Drama – Oh my! my sister loved, loved, loved John-Boy Walton (I think I did too!)


We all enjoyed Little House - My Mom especially.


I'd stay up and watch these with my Mom ... Love Angela Lansbury! It'd be so neat to live in a coastal town and ride everywhere on a bike ... but, without all the murder drama!

Western –
I loved watching Westerns with my Dad! 




This is the complete series - you can buy individual seasons as well - The Big Valley was a show my sisters and I watched together all the time! I loved the name 'Jared' and used it for our first son!




One of the main ingredients for all these shows, whether comedy, mystery, western or drama was that pretty much, by in large, they'd conclude with a moral lesson you could live with. And during the watching you didn't have to cover the ears of the child next to you. You didn't have to cover their eyes at a indecent, provocative scene. You usually felt good about watching what you did and the time was well spent. 

Hey, I know we won't agree on every show. I'm certain my favorites may not be yours. I feel confident the list that popped into your head wasn't the same as mine. However, the criteria for a good family show is pretty basic - is it something you feel good about watching - with no excuses. At the end of the day you can lay down, come before the Lord in prayer  and  thank Him for time well-spent surrounded by those ones you love. 

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