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List Price: $29.99Amazon.com's Price: $21.99 You Save: $8.00 (27%)Prices subject to change.
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 9780738927770
Format: Box set, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
ISBN: 0738927775
Label: Shout Factory Theatr
Manufacturer: Shout Factory Theatr
Number Of Items: 3
Publisher: Shout Factory Theatr
Region Code: 1
Release Date: March 30, 2004
Running Time: 384 minutes
Sales Rank: 20063
Studio: Shout Factory Theatr
Theatrical Release Date: September 21, 1962
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Jack Parr kept a low public profile after turning over the reigns of The Tonight Show to Johnny Carson in 1962. Thus, his passing in January 2004, did not receive nearly the attention it deserved. The Jack Paar Collection restores the legacy of the talk-show pioneer who brought the art of conversation to the barren landscape of late-night television. But, I kid you not, it is an indispensable time capsule that preserves appearances and performances by politicians, personalities, and entertainers who shaped the 20th century. And Robert Goulet, too. Disc 1 of this three-disc set is an appreciation of Paar that combines vintage clips with reminiscences and insights from the likes of Regis Philbin, Hugh Downs, who served as Paar's announcer, Dick Cavett, one of his writers, and the Smothers Brothers, who were among the legendary performers who made their earliest TV appearances on the Tonight Show stage (there are hilarious clips featuring Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, and, from 1964, Kermit the Frog, then just a tadpole in local television).
As Paar demonstrated when he quit The Tonight Show after one of his jokes was censored, anything could happen. In one hilarious clip, he fouls up a Goulet-Judy Garland duet by mixing up their cue cards. Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales observes that, unlike predecessor Steve Allen and successors Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, Jack Parr's Tonight Show combined 'the edge of journalism and sparkle of showbiz.' Then-Sen. John F. Kennedy was one of the first politicians who ventured into this more informal, unpredictable setting. There is amazing footage of guest Richard M. Nixon playing piano. Discs 2 and 3 present the master at work. Disc 2 contains complete monologues and guest interviews with Nixon, the boxer formerly known as Cassius Clay, Liberace, Billy Graham, and Robert Kennedy. Disc 3 offers three complete broadcasts, including a 1964 program with Cosby and Richard Burton (an added bonus is an embedded clip of Burton's towering performance as Hamlet). Forgive the obvious pun, but to watch Jack in his prime is to see why today's hosts are just not up to Paar. --Donald Liebenson
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Terrific Memories...I Kid You Not!
I think some of the reviewers who were disappointed in this DVD may not be approaching this collection in the correct way. It is a souvenir of another time...when adult viewers turned into the Tonight Show for some witty and erudite conversation from the likes of the extraordinary British actor/racontour, Robert Morley, and the American author ("Mine Enemy Grows Older"), Alexander King and the musician, Oscar Levant...to the shinning silliness of Zsa Zsa Gabor and the sterling show business tales ... Read More
Rating: - A "MUST HAVE" set for any Paar fan
It isn't as if there's an abundance of video available on one of the greatest talents to ever grace the tube. Therefore, let no criticism (however valid) of this set keep you from getting it if you're a Jack Paar fan. I too, thought the erstwhile NBC page's reminiscences were a bit excessive and not particularly interesting (OK, maybe I'm a bit jealous, too), but in no way does it detract from the set. Bonus inclusions, like that of an entire Vaughn Meader (as JFK) routine on video (also as scarce ... Read More
Rating: - The Best Talk Show Ever
Jack Paar was the greatest of all talk show hosts then and
now. No question about that. This collection brought back
many, many memories of TV when it was really good. Paar was
the most interesting interviewer-his monologues were as
fascinating as any interview with his guests. This collection reminds you how funny Jonathan Winters was. I could listen to
Robert Morley for hours. It made me sad to see President
Kennedy and the wonderful promises we lost in his death. ... Read More
Rating:  - A Very Worthwhile Collection
I'm not sure why so many people are irked by what ISN'T in this collection. You can't put everything in any collection (unless it's the collected works of Francis Scott Key). I'm grateful for what IS in this collection and it's luverly to have this early Paar material on disc - plus the recent interviews, especially with Cavett. It reminds us how long it's been since talk shows centered on intelligent conversation instead of blather.
Rating: - Above Paar!
Jack Paar was unique. He was funny and cerebral. This outstanding set of DVDs shows why he was such fun to watch.
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