DVD Review: The Monster Squad: The Complete Collection (2pc): Fred Gandy, Barry Dennen, Alice Ghostley, Vito Scotti, Henry Polic II, Buck Kartalian, Mike Lane, Herman Hoffman;James Sheldon: Movies & TV

Jun27

DVD Review: The Monster Squad: The Complete Collection (2pc): Fred Gandy, Barry Dennen, Alice Ghostley, Vito Scotti, Henry Polic II, Buck Kartalian, Mike Lane, Herman Hoffman;James Sheldon: Movies & TV

Posted by admin | on 27 June, 07:39 AM

Product Description
Studio: Virgil Films And Entertai Release Date: 05/12/2009 Run time: 300 minutes

FINALLY!!,

By S. Schwetman “TV savant” (Paducah, KY USA) -

Not to be confused with the 80s movie of the same name, “The Monster Squad” was a fond memory from my childhood. This 70s NBC Saturday morning show featured a pre “Love Boat” Fred Grandy as Walt, a night watchman at
a Hollywood-type wax museum who was also a criminology college student during the day. He built a “Crime Computer” to monitor police activity during his shift. The computer somehow brought to life the statues of the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, and the Wolfman(not Laurence Talbot, but Bruce WW. The initials stood for WereWolf). To make up for past misdeeds, the three use their unique abilities to fight crime. The show featured “special guest villians” like Marty Allen, Alice Ghostly, Jonathan Harris, amoung others. If the show reminded you of the 60s “Batman” tv show, that’s because both shows were produced by the same people. I can’t wait for this DVD, and I still think an updated version of this show would work today.

Better than I expected!,

By US PhotoGuy (Des Moines, IA USA) -

The last time I saw “The Monster Squad”, I was seven. I couldn’t remember much about the show other than I liked it at the time and I was bummed when it went off the air. I was thrilled to find that over 30 years later it was finally being released on DVD. Without hesitation, I ordered it. I wasn’t expecting the show to be very good, or the transfer to look decent. To my surprise, the show isn’t bad (though clearly aimed at kids), and the transfer is excellent. If you’re even thinking about it…ORDER IT.

Fun show. Great for all ages.,

By L. Chisholm (Denton, TX United States) -

I have DVD. It is single sided, 2 DVDs. No booklet, but a cursory episode guide on the inside cover. No extras, only same episode guide and some photos. I would say that the transfers are average; but it could also be that the series was made cheaply and it is an old series, so it could be the best to be expected. Ditto about audio quality. Bizarrely, the episodes are not indexed, can’t skip the theme (etc.), so it’s all or nothing. I’m not sure how much actually went into restoration or presentation, or if they had the original elements. I advise to lower your expectations!

The show is a bit cheesy after all these years, but it was a kids show after all. It is certainly a product of the 1970’s. I thought the jokes were far more subversive than I remembered. The crime computer is a absolute howler! Adults can have fun with this series with their kids. And the guest stars we would recognize and enjoy. The theme tune is pretty good, kind of a action disco. Fred Grandy is funny, and we can see why he was popular on Love Boat soon after; he definitely understood the camp concept of the show as a monster crime squad. The Dracula character is great. I’m not sure they knew how to utilize Frankenstein and Werewolf, however. I wish the producers would have had a origin story at the beginning.

For 13 episodes, I think it is a charming and lighthearted family show. It’s basically the 1960’s camp Batman show redux, except the monsters are the good guys.

It may not appeal to everyone, but it is a different type of show than the usual boring Saturday Morning fare (then and now) that we are used to seeing. That is worth it for the viewing experience.
Search The Monster Squad: The Complete Collection (2pc): Fred Gandy, Barry Dennen, Alice Ghostley, Vito Scotti, Henry Polic II, Buck Kartalian, Mike Lane, Herman Hoffman;James Sheldon: Movies & TV from AmAzon

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