I Love Lucy: Season 1

This is not the full Season 1. It is a single DVD with 6 episodes on it.Returned.

It's hard to believe that so many classic episodes came from I LOVE LUCY SEASON ONE but you get the Vita-Meta-Vega-Min (Lucy Does A Commercial), Lucy as "Carmen Miranda" (Be A Pal), Lucy Bakes A Giant Bread (Pioneer Women), Frozen Lucy (The Freezer), and Lucy torturing Ricky's scalp (Ricky Thinks He's Getting Bald) episodes, which are some of my favorite.Even though I already owned season one on DVD, I was curious as to how they could possibly improve on the picture. On the Blu-Ray, the image looks as though it's almost in 3D where the foreground really comes into sharp focus. I seem to notice more detail in the pattern of the furniture, walls, and the characters' clothes that I didn't seem to notice on the DVDs. There's a definite improvement in picture quality from watching I LOVE LUCY on video tape and even on reruns on television (when you jump from that to the DVDs), but it's a little harder to discern the difference between DVD and Blu-Ray.You probably don't need to do the upgrade unless you're like me a die-hard I LOVE LUCY fan because the real difference in image quality is just that the foreground really pops on Blu-Ray, whereas on DVD the image is clear in both foreground and background.I believe all the extras are ported over from the DVDs and this time the Blu-Ray allows you to watch with the actual sponsor commercials throughout. This is really interesting. I don't know if this is how it was done originally but the sponsor (in this case Philip Morris) is introduced in the beginning presenting the show and then talks about the product. During the first commercial break it goes back to talking about how great it is to smoke Philip Morris cigarettes, and then there's one more before the end of the show. I'm wondering if this is how I LOVE LUCY was shown back then, not just ILL but all shows, with one sponsor who gets to plug their product solely throughout the show.It's entertaining and you get a kick out of the misinformation that Philip Morris was telling the audience. If you don't want to listen to the whole thing you can press the "Next" arrow on your remote to skip it and continue on with the show. You also have the option of just playing the "hear on satin" opening, which is what we're all used to, but then you don't get the cute animations and there's some toward the end of the season where Ball and Arnaz take part in the promos.The Blu-Rays come housed in a regular sized clamshell case that holds all 6 discs, each Blu-Ray on their own holder, and the insert cover comes out so you can read episode information, synopsis and air date, for those who are looking for a certain episode.Another great addition, I don't remember this on the DVDs, but on the special features here they discuss the supporting cast most were recurring actors/actresses who didn't have lines but were in almost every episode of I LOVE LUCY (like Hazel Pierce who Lucy fans will instantly recognize as she's in most of the background shots) so that was great to know.I posted some pictures that I took of the TV screen showing the comparison in the special features of how the restoration has improved the video quality from what is being played on television now. The right side of the image shows the restoration, big improvement, while the left shows the image untouched.Now that the price is almost half, I think any fan of I LOVE LUCY would love ULTIMATE SEASON ONE!

"I Love Lucy" has been issued on home video many times over many years. The Blu-ray edition of season 1 is pricey, but is amazing in quality and in extras. All of the shows are offered not only in their syndicated versions, but the way they were originally broadcast for the first time (with the original beginnings, endings and cigarette commercials). This took a lot of work for the producers; apparently the original 35MM negatives were cut over the years for various reasons, and quite a bit of work went into restoring older prints. There are even reruns with new beginnings made while Lucille Ball was recovering from the birth of Desi, Jr. as well as beginnings and ending of reruns from the mid-50s on Sunday nights.There are plenty of extras as well. This is what real fans of the series have been waiting for.In season 1, there are many shows where both Lucy and Desi perform parts of the live act they took across the country to convince CBS that they were thoroughly believable as a couple, so these routines were already well rehearsed. It must be said that one of the underlying themes of the series is that Lucy has no talent even though she wants to be in show business. Of course the opposite is true, although Desi continues to tell Lucy she should stay at home. There are a lot of segments where Desi performs with his orchestra - this thread would be minimized in later seasons.The studio audience often screams with laughter at the situations she finds herself in, and of course Ball reveals herself to be a major talent as a comedienne, dancer and part of a team with Desi, perhaps something that came as a shock since she was mostly known as a B-movie actress and radio personality up till then. Only a few times do we realize when these shows were made - the writers did not indulge in topical humor, which have made these shows timeless.Of course, I hope it the remaining seasons come out soon.

I am truly impressed with this set. Episodes of I Love Lucy have been on Laser Disc, VHS and of course the complete series is out on DVD. I asked myself 'what more could they do to make it worth purchasing it again'?. Well, let me say they have topped themselves. Aside from bonus features, some of which are not included anywhere else, are the episodes themselves. Each has been remaster for an even better quality but the thing that got my attention is the presentation. You can watch the episode commercial free with the classic heart opening that most people know from syndication. You also have the option to watch wit the original openings with stick figures of Lucy & Desi dancing around the sponsors product with the original commercials. In addition some of the episodes have a third option. Back in the 1950's reruns were not the norm so on the rare occasion when I Love Lucy reran an episode in Prime Time new opening credits were used and many times a new opening sequence leading into the rerun as if it were a flash back. You can also watch the full episode in this manner. And then some even have a fourth option which would be the episode with commentary. They have found a way to make an old favorite feel new again and I cannot wait for the remaining seasons to make it to Blu Ray.

I was surprised to see the series started in 1951. Yet the picture quality is good. Televison shows were still pretty much "plays" at this point, and Lucy is no exception. (Occasionally you even hear someone in the audience cough)Yet the writing is quite good and Lucy & Desi are great together. It's a pleasure to see how it all began, and worth every cent. Wonder what season "Little Ricky" is born??

best US comedy ever

Somewhat dated and very loud but enjoyable nonetheless and a lot of laughs

Very funny and quality of transfer to DVD

Indisputable classic. Gives a proper massage to your laugh muscles!