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Whistle Stopper - Bewitched - The Complete Sixth Season
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List Price: $39.95
Our Price: $24.98
Your Save: $ 14.97 ( 37% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Directed By: Sherman Marks, Alan Jay Factor, Seymour Robbie, Sidney Miller, David White (II)
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Sony
EAN: 0043396246973
Format: Box set
Label: Sony Pictures
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 4
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Region Code: 99
Release Date: 2008-05-06
Running Time: 760
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 1964-09-17
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: THE MAGIC IS BACK ON TRACK FOR A DELIGHTFUL AND ENCHANTING "BEWITCHED: SEASON SIX"
Comment: After a shaky Season Five, the magic is back on track for a delightful and enchanting Season Six of "Bewitched." Dick York was in terrible physical pain throughout his five year run; and he just couldn't continue on the show anymore. It is sad, but it is a fact, people. I wish "fans" would show Dick Sargent more respect. Dick Sargent did a wonderful job as well; and the show DID NOT "jump the broomstick" when Sargent took over the role of Darrin. Does anyone else notice how ATTRACTIVE Dick Sargent is? He and Elizabeth Montgomery developed their own special chemistry and formed a wonderful friendship that lasted until Sargent's death in 1994. Sadly, Elizabeth Montgomery died in 1995.
I'm not going to get into the "Dick York Vs. Dick Sargent" debate; which I've always regarded as pointless and stupid. I'll just say that Dick York as Darrin always seemed to me to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown because of Samantha's witchcraft, while Dick Sargent was exasperated by it. The transition between the two actors was handeled so subtly and smoothly as to be almost inperceptible. The series picks up exactly where it was. Towards the end of Season 5, Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) tells an absent Darrin over the phone that she is pregnant in "Samantha's Good News." At the beginning of the Season Six Opener, "Samantha & The Beanstalk," Samantha is painting a crib, asking Darrin what they should name the new baby. Feeling unwanted, Tabitha (Erin Murphy) switches places with fairy tale's Jack ("Family Affair's Johnny Whittaker) and Samantha climbs up the beanstalk after her.
Although a few plots are "recycled" ideas, that is actually a common practice on any long-running Series, and few shows remain as endearing or endearing as "Bewitched." (the 30 episodes of Season Six are Episodes #171-#200 in the Series). The excellent "Bewitched" writers deserve kudos and praise for keeping the basic premise so fresh and fun throughout numerous and varied production changes. The Series quality and creativity remained high throughout Season Seven. As another reviewer so astutely pointed out, boredom and rot DID NOT set in until Season Eight, the final season. But there is no need to jump ahead or despair here.
Season Six is especially busy and fun. Alice Ghostley (who guest-starred as maid Naomi in "Maid To Order" in Season Two) joins the cast as maid Esmeralda, a shy, slightly neurotic witch who keeps fading in and out. Marion Lorne, who portrayed the beloved Aunt Clara, died at the end of Season Four. Producers wanted a new character who would also "mess up the magic" as Clara had done-- hence, Esmeralda was created. In "Samantha's Curious Cravings", a very pregnant Samantha magically receives any food she thinks about. When Dr. Bombay (Bernard Fox) attempts to remedy the situation, Samantha disappears whenever she thinks about food, and "pops over" to wherever the food is. In a related episode, " the outstanding and hilarious Samantha's Lost Weekend," Samantha accidentally drinks a glass of "magic" milk, and can't stop eating! I always wondered if Elizabeth Montgomery had fun filming this particular episode-- because it certainly is great fun to watch! Baby Adam is born, leading to more feelings of rejection by Tabitha; which is the plot of another memorable episode titled "Tabitha's Very Own Samantha."
Besides Jack & The Beanstalk, other "house guests" in Season Six include Julius Ceasar, The Artful Dodger, Mother Goose, and Santa Claus! After two previous visits to the North Pole, Santa (Ronald Long) and all of his Elves are stranded at Samantha and Darrin's house! Henry Gibson makes a memorable guest appearance as a mischievous leprechaun sent by Endora (Agnes Moorehead) to wreck havoc in the episode "If The Shoe Pinches." Uncle Arthur (Paul Lynde), Daddy Maurice (Maurice Evans) and wild Cousin Serena (Elizabeth Montgomery's other delicious Series role) also add to the fun and merriment of Season Six. After all these decades, from child to adult, "Bewitched" ALWAYS brings a smile to my face.
The DVD set includes "Minisodes" (whatever those are?) of "The Partridge Family" and "I Dream Of Jeannie." Sony is obviously trying to sell more product, but if I wanted to watch "I Dream Of Jeannie" (which I don't much), I would buy that series. Ironic, since Elizabeth Montgomery reportedly HATED "Dream", feeling it was a rip-off of "Bewitched" formula, but more cheap and tawdry. Hey, Sony, instead of tacking on a "Dream" extra, please just release "Bewitched: Season Seven" in a timely manner. Thank you very much!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Dick Sargeant Rocks!!
Comment: O.k., o.k., maybe I'm in the minority but I can't be the only person who preferred Dick Sargeant's Darrin to Dick York. Dick York was too neuroticly played which annoyed me at times to no end. It was hard for me to sympathize with him when Endora cast her spells on him. Who could blame her??
Not so with Sargeant. Sargeant is not only better looking and sexier than York, but it is a well-known fact that Elizabeth Montgomery herself preferred him to York. Not to mention they had excellent chemistry. Sargeant also brings a dry wit to Darrin which York did not do. Its much easier for me to identify with him.
Now that that is overwith, let's get to Season Six. This is a step up from Season Five, which because of York's illness, Darrin was missing in many episodes. The season has some refreshingly fun episodes such as Serena singing "I'll Blow You a Kiss in the Wind" with Boyce and Hart, Darrin acting out cliche's, Samantha going on eating binges and the introduction of "Yoo-Hoo Esmerelda" and a very funny episode about the "Mona Lisa".
The series had plenty of life left in it and it is a season which will disappoint no real Bewitched aficionados. Only two seasons to go for this classic series!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Time Lords, Witches, and Husbands, Oh, My!
Comment: The Sixth Season was always the 'infamous' one for Bewitched, whereas in England, they refer it to the 'Doctor Who' Season. Basically because Darrin secretly 'regenerates' from Dick York to Dick Sargent. I always thought it was odd the actor replacing York had the same first name. Which tells you about how strange things happen on Bewitched.
Ironically, the TLR (Time Lord Regeneration) Effect hit Bewitched with Louise Tate and Gladys Kravitz and apparently no one really seemed to care. The truth was as Lucille Ball originally wanted Gale Gordon as Fred Mertz, Sargent was first picked for Darrin due to his subtle wild expressions. But regrettably, due to contractual obligations neither were available at the time.
The problem I believe was with the Sixth Season was not as so much the Darrin Regeneration Effect bugging audience members, but it seemed the writers loved added new characters and such through each episode. Though there were some new stories written, others were simply modernized rehashes of classic York episodes but with a twist.
For instance whereas Endora splits Darrin's work side and fun side in the original York season of the show, it's because she wants Samantha to have fun. But in the Sargent version, Endora pulls the same stunt again (ironically) to help 'Durwood' be with her daughter while still attending an important business meeting in Japan.
Meanwhile, Alice Ghostley returned to the fold, but this time as Esmeralda, the housemaid with botched up magic. As with Paul Lynde, Ghostley played a mortal character. Except in a mysteriously ironic form, Ghostley played a bumbling housekeeper who Sam helps out when Louise needs a housekeeper for her party.
But I digress, as we know Esmeralda was essentially the replacement for Aunt Clara, except out of respect to Marion Lorre, she was written as a witch with dwindling powers, who's magic was set off by sneezing, or mishandled spells.
Then there came Adam, which of course, was to coincide with Elizabeth Montgomery's real pregnancy, and also helped bring charm to the show as Erin Murphy took over the role as Tabitha.
But the real gem of this Season was Serena getting Boyce and Hart for her Cotillion. In 1969, apparently rock stars guesting on shows was a new staple for sitcoms, and Bewitched was no exception. Of course, Montgomery shows off her talent as Serena when singing 'Blow You a Kiss in the Wind.' An actual song this time composed for the episode, rather than the 'If'n Song,' Serena sang in the Fourth Season.
But strangely enough, the Sixth Season mysteriously held onto its viewers. Though the new Darrin was taken with a grain of salt, the new characters and situations focusing also on Tabitha as well as Samantha kept them watching.
Even if you're not a fan of Sargent, the other characters keep the series going and prepared the ground work for the wild global-trotting Seventh Season. Definitely give this DVD Set worth a look, because even when The Doctor was forced to change, never really hurt his series none. Even with the Sixth Doctor (strange).
Who knew a witch, mortal and Time Lord had so much in common?
Customer Rating:
Summary: As good as it always was
Comment: Yes, Darrin's actor has changed. But I have to agree and say that Dick Sargent did as good a job as Dick York did (obviously, the show went on for three seasons with Sargent!) I haven't seen all the episodes for season six, but I have seen a few of them. From the description of the episodes, season six promises to be as good as seasons 1-5. Thanks for finally releasing it, just don't forget that there are still two more great seasons!
Customer Rating:
Summary: We can survive the change in Darrins
Comment: All my life I've listened to criticism of the differences between the two Darrins on Bewitched.Get over it people.Dick York got sick and couldn't do the show anymore...Live with it.Should we be deprived the joy of three more seasons on Samantha,Endora,Maurice and all the others because of the loss of York.I don't think so.I loved loved loved Dick York in the role and I admit that his loss was a great one but I feel Dick Sargent added his own magic to the role and I fully enjoyed his time on the show.If you can't deal with the change then don't buy the other seasons but don't trash a great actor because you can't deal with the change.I have loved the other seasons on DVD and am sure I will love this one too as well as the following two.
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Editorial Reviews:
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BEWITCHED - THE COMPLETE 6TH SEASON (DVD MOVIE)
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