'King's Speech' out on DVD
“The King's Speech”
This fine film won four Academy Awards, including best picture, director (Tom Hooper), screenplay (David Seidler) and actor (Colin Firth).
The story centers around stuttering Prince Albert (Firth), the son of King George V of England. He is shy and tries to stay out of the spotlight. Albert must speak in public at times, and his stuttering and confidence is a problem that is felt by his wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter). She convinces him to meet with the eccentric Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Albert is embarrassed at first, but Logue's wild ways win him over. Lionel calls Albert “Bertie,” and brings out the best in him, while learning intimate details about the royal family.
When Bertie's brother Edward (Guy Pearce) gives up the chance to be king to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, Albert becomes King George VI. And as king, he must deliver the speech of his life — to rally the people of England as they go to war with Germany.
The ensemble cast, writing, cinematography and more make this adult drama one of the best films of the last five years.
“The Ernie Kovacs Collection”
Ernie Kovacs was a comedian who pushed the envelope, and created characters and sketches that television had never seen before. He has influenced many comedians from David Letterman to the comic sensibilities of “Saturday Night Live.” Because of his PBS specials, many people have rediscovered the great Kovacs.
This six-disc set includes five ABC-TV specials, episodes from his NBC show, episodes from his local and national morning shows, commercials from Dutch Masters Cigars, short films, tributes and a 44-page booklet with photos and notes.
“Glee Encore”
Kids love Fox's hit TV show “Glee,” based in part on co-creator Ian Brennan's days at Prospect High School. Parents of younger children, however, at times have a problem with the subject matter — which includes teen pregnancy.
Now the entire family can enjoy the dancing and singing without the more controversial plot lines. This DVD features more than 30 of season one's best numbers, including “Vogue,” “Jessie's Girl,” “Fire,” “Don't Stop Believin,” “Alone,” “Somebody to Love,” “I'll Stand By You,” “Lean on Me,” “Imagine,” “Don't Rain on My Parade” and more.
“Car 54, Where Are You: Season One”
Available on DVD for the first time, this TV show DVD set includes 30 remastered episodes. The very funny show starred Joe E, Ross as officer Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon. They would patrol around their precinct in the Bronx, and each week we would get a wide variety of situations involving their co-workers and families.
Nat Hiken was the writer and creator of the show, and it still holds up 50 years later.
Available next week
• “British Royal Weddings of the 20th Century”
• “Don Knotts: Tied up with Laughter”
• “Foreigner: Rockin' at the Ryman”
• “Human Planet”
• “Leonardo da Vinci: The Universal Genius”
• “The Presidents: Book of Secrets”
• “20th Century with Mike Wallace: America at War”
• “Upstairs, Downstairs”