Get Smart [TV Show] The Complete Series (DVD)
APPROX. 3950 MINS. - PROD. YEAR: 1965 - MPA RATING: NR
" One of the best TV-on-DVD sets I've seen.
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Even with that desperation move to marriage and babies, most of the episodes still hovered in the 7-8 range for "smart" parodies of the Bond films and TV spy series . . . in an innocuously dumb sort of way.
Video:
As with all older TV shows, "Get Smart" is presented in 1.33:1 aspect ratio. There's no information on it anywhere, but from what I remember seeing on TV, these episodes appear to have been significantly cleaned-up . . . with the exception of the pilot, which is still pretty rough. There's grain in all the episodes, sure, but very little of it considering this series came out in the Sixties. Colors are especially bright.
A word on packaging: Some of these boxed sets are too cute for their own good--big bulky affairs that make you wonder where in the world you're going to store it. Thankfully this one comes in a compact sturdy cardboard box that, when you open the flap, exposes two more flaps that look like a phone booth (Smart's entrance into the CONTROL headquarters, you may recall). Inside that are the five season packages, each housed inside a plastic slipcase.
Audio:
Shows from this period were recorded in Mono, and you get just enough clarity in this set to make you regret that "Get Smart" used a laugh track. Clear as a BELL canned laughter. Seriously, though, it's a decent soundtrack for Mono.
Extras:
Here's where I could get carpal tunnel syndrome just listing all the bonus features, much less commenting on them:
5 eight-page booklets with liner notes written by Dave Ketchum (Agent 13) and Alan Spencer, contributor to the feature film "Get Smart Again." The episode guides in each of these booklets is handy too, though they're not too detailed.
138 episode introductions by Feldon, which are nice at first but then get kind of old. I mean, what is there to say?
Audio commentaries for specific episodes: "Mr. Big" pilot (Mel Brooks, Buck Henry), "Kisses for KAOS" (Barbara Feldon), "A Man Called Smart" (Leonard Stern), "How to Succeed in the Spy Business without Really Trying" (Bernie Kopell), "99 Loses Control" (Feldon, Henry), "The Little Black Book, Pt. 2" (Don Rickles), "To Sire with Love" (Caan), and "Ice Station Siegfried" (Dana). I listened to a bunch of each, and it's interesting to hear these folks reminisce . . . or try to remember.
On-camera interviews (in the 15-20 minute range) with Feldon, Henry, Bruce Bilson, Kipell, and Stern. Pretty decent.
5 featurettes ("The Secret History of Get Smart," "Barbara Feldon: Real Model to Role Model," "Spooks, Spies, Gadgets and Gizmos," "Code Words and Catch Phrases" and "The Fans of Get Smart." Even the last one isn't bad, considering it shows the impact the show has had over the years. But the one on Feldon interested me most. Ahem.
A blooper reel--for a show like this, it's always fun to watch.
A 2003 Museum of Television & Radio "Get Smart Reunion" seminar featuring Adams, Feldman, Kopell, Stern, and Bilson. This one is rare, because the original seminar was closed to the public. One of the best of the bonus features, too.
Don Adams 75th birthday roast at the Playboy Mansion-what a time capsule!
Footage from Don Adams' 2005 memorial service-this one is a bit maudlin, and one I could have done without.
Footage from all 7 Emmy award wins and acceptance speeches-again, one of the best of the bonus features.
An assortment of TV commercials and product endorsements starring Feldon and Adams.
5 "Interactive features": a CONTROL Entrance Exam, Max's Apartment, The Chief's Office, Agent 99's Purse, and Max's Sunbeam Tiger.
Clips from Adams' guest appearances on "The Bill Dana Show," "The Andy Williams Show," and "Milton Berle's Wild Wild World of Comedy." The Dana show is a particular gem, because it was here that guest-star Adams first unveiled his "would-you-believe?" joke while playing Det. Byron Glick.
Footage of the NBC 1965 season preview, hosted by Adams, is a real treat for TV lovers, as is a clip of Adams finding out on the air that his wife has given birth, and NBC Broadcast Standards memos. Great stuff!
Footage of Adams and Feldon as Rose Bowl Parade Grand Marshals. Eh.
And an ultimate clip-reel that's really very good. In fact, I'd suggest starting with this as a way to whet your appetite for the 138 episodes.
Bottom Line:
Truthfully, if "Get Smart" were available in separate seasons, I probably would have bought only the first three and let the final two stay on the shelves. But just as truthfully, this is one of the best TV-on-DVD sets I´ve seen, and it's nice to have all 138 episodes and all these wonderful bonus features.
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