Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #533 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-12
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: PAL, Colour
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3

DVD Description
Morecambe and Wise are one of the most popular and enduring double acts from the golden age of television. With viewing figures constantly in the millions, their Christmas specials became a national institution.

The Morecambe & Wise Show end-of-year Christmas specials became such an institution during the 1970s that few British families would dream of missing them.

Running from 1969 until 1977, the BBC Christmas shows were usually on Christmas Day. These classic sketches revolved around famous guest stars, such as Eric Porter, Fenella Fielding, Ann Hamilton, Peter Gushing, Glenda Jackson, Andre Previn and Des O'Connor, being made fun of by Eric and Ernie.

The 1977 Christmas Show attracted 28 million viewers, around half of the total UK population. It was a record for a single light entertainment broadcast in Britain, and one which still stands.

With the duo's inimitable style of delivery and repartee, it's not surprising that a BBC poll saw Morecambe and Wise voted 'Best Light Entertainment Performers of All Time'.

This collection contains the best of Eric and Ernie's festive fun. Sit back and enjoy classic British TV comedy at it's best!

Customer Reviews

Christmas feast
Three-disc set comprising the eight Morecambe and Wise Christmas shows from 1969-1977 (there wasn't one in 1974).

As usual with the BBC, there are no extras or booklet but it is such a bumper package of goodies, you still get your money's worth.

Surprisingly, the first two shows here (starring Fenella Fielding, Edward Woodward and others) are identical to shows in the Series Two dvd, with the addition of the odd sketch and musical interlude.

The quality does vary from year to year but generally these are fun-packed, memorable productions with loads of illustrious stars and of course, Eric and Ernie's nervy, well-honed showmanship.

Highlights are Vanessa Redgrave as Josephine, the Robin Day brawl, Shirley Bassey in boots, Glenda Jackson as Queen Victoria, Jack Jones and backing singers, and their career-best sketch with Andre Previn and the Grieg Piano Concerto: a brilliantly conceived reworking of an old M&W routine, which has the feeling of improvisation yet the polish of true professionalism, and excellent timing by all the players, Previn a natural comedy straight man.
Merry Christmas!

Best Christmas TV ever
We all know we love Eric and Ern, but what you really want to know is what's on the bloomin' discs, right?

Here is Disc One of the Morecambe and Wise Christmas Specials which covers the 1969, 1970 and 1971 shows. I'll add discs Two and Three as soon as I watch them.

The 1969 Show:

Ernie being groovy
Ernie in the bath (Eric takes a photo)
Monks feeding the ducks
Eric's giant X-Mas tree
Song: Nina
Eric's giant ventriloquist dummy
Song: Sascha Distel
Monks pull a pint
Getting Fenella Fielding in the play
Song: Frankie Vaughn
Nelson Sketch
Song: Bring me sunshine

The 1970 Show:

Exchanging gifts
French Foreign Legion in the loo
Fuel saving Car
Peter Cushing (cut in half)
Song: Kenny Ball
Ann Hamilton over for Christmas dinner
Eric Porter
Song: Nina
Edward Woodward
Song: Edward Woodward
William Franklin
The 3 Musketeers Sketch

The 1971 Show:

Santa stealing gifts
Eric and Ernie get awards (with Dick Emery)
Monks
At the chicken farm
Song: Los Zafiros
Glenda Jackson song with guests Cliff Michelmore, Frank Bough, Eddie Waring, Patrick Moore, Michael Parkinson and Robert Dougall
Andre 'Preview' and the Piano Concerto
Shirley Bassey funny 'Smoke gets in your eyes'
Song: Shirley Bassey
Piano and water sketch
Francis Matthews
Robin Hood Sketch

This makes you remember just why they were so huge!!
Watching these shows makes you realise just what "funny" should be! These are true classics.

I have been crying with laughter at their antics and it has introduced my 15 year old son to the greatest double act since "Laurel and Hardy". He is now a devotee and said he wants this DVD for his kids when he has them!

It is true that some of the jokes were topical to the time of production (and may require a brief explanation as to the references occasionally) but the shows suffer very little for that.

Some of the musical numbers may not be to everyones taste now, but be careful forwarding through them as there is inevitably a comedy ambush lurking in the background!

The timing and interplay between the two is unequaled both now and then. The way Eric can say the most normal things and, by timing, inflection and facial expression, make them hysterically funny, is brilliance. Ernies "straight man" is selflessly played and very funny in his own right. Eric was the first to admit that he would not have worked so well alone.

To be able to watch their sketches in their entirety, without the constant interruptions by comparative none-entities voicing their opinions on one of TV's "Top 100" shows, is an unbridled joy!

The constant queue of big names waiting to be part of the fun is amazing
Their willingness to lose their dignity and the manner with which it is taken is hysterical.

Their shows should be required watching by modern acts to teach them what they should be aspiring to.

Children should watch Eric & Ernie to show them true comedy genius.

Why their regular series are not shown again by the BBC or on satellite TV is mystifying, especially when compared to some of the dross they do repeat interminably.

In short if want to have a VERY big laugh with your family then there is nothing better than this.

Highly recommended.

I miss them :(