The Barbara Stanwyck Show, Vol. 2

Hot on the heels of the successful 2009 DVD release of "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" - Volume 1, E1 Entertainment has gone back to the vault to come up with this second collection of Miss Stanwyck's outstanding anthology television series. Newly restored and remastered in association with the Archive of American Television, this new DVD set will include 12 additional episodes of the classic 1960-1961 series, plus a rare bonus program that was never broadcast!The fact is that most of these video treasures have been unseen by the general public for almost 50 years. The series was cancelled by NBC after its first season - despite Miss Stanwyck's Emmy win for Outstanding Actress in a Television Series (lead). After a handful of episodes were rerun during the summer of 1961, the films were never shown in syndication, and for many years, most of the programs were considered "lost".This new collection picks up with the 23rd show to be aired, "The Golden Acres", and concludes with the 36th (and last) episode, "A Man's Game", which was broadcast in July of 1961 after the series was already in re-runs for the summer season. Missing are episode 27, "Call Me Annie" (alternately titled: "The Hunter Baby"), which was the pilot for a proposed new series starring Peggy Cass which Stanwyck only hosted, and episode 33, "Triple C", a western drama in which Stanwyck starred with James Philbrook and Stewart Bradley.Here's hoping the nine missing episodes from Volumes 1 and 2 of "The Barbara Stanwyck Show" are someday found, restored and released on DVD - but in the meantime, the fact that the majority of these wonderful half hours are now available is ample cause for her many loyal fans to celebrate!EPISODES INCLUDED:"The Golden Acres" (originally aired 03.13.1961). Avis Fleming (Stanwyck) learns that a large firm is willing to pay a handsome price for a piece of land now owned by a friend of her family who's almost broke. Pretending to help him out, Avis purchases his land - planning to make a huge profit when she resells it. Kent Smith, Robert Emhardt, and John McGiver guest star."Adventure on Happiness Street" (03.20.1961). Stanwyck re-creates the character of Josephine Little, female tycoon of a Hong Kong import-export business. Josephine wants to help Dr. Paul Harris (Lew Ayres) get much-needed medicine for his clinic - which she thinks she can do by simply using her business contacts. Robert Culp also stars."High Tension" (03.27.1961). A snapped power line resulting from a bus accident endangers the life of Fran Elick's (Stanwyck) son Davey (Tony Maxwell). Her frantic attempts to warn the boy are hampered by the fact that he is a deaf-mute. The supporting cast includes Nora Marlowe and Richard Hale."Sign of the Zodiac" (04.03.1961). When the smooth talking Pierre (Dan Duryea) enters the lives of sisters Madge and Helene Terry (Stanwyck and Joan Blondell), all hell breaks loose."The Choice" (04.17.1961). It's closing time at Amanda Prescott's bar and restaurant, but two of her patrons ominously refuse to leave - and soon it looks as though Amanda (Stanwyck) may be a prisoner in her own establishment. Robert Horton and James Best co-star."Frightened Doll" (04.24.1961). Lonely Hazel Wexley (Stanwyck) meets a gangster named Jake Lytell (Harold J. Stone). Happy with him until he dies of a heart attack, she is flabbergasted when she finds a satchel with a fortune in it. Wallace Ford, Rex Holman and Jack Searl guest star."Yanqui Go Home" (05.01.1961). Porfiro (Rodolfo Acosta) hates Fanny Evans (Stanwyck) and her husband Clint (Dana Andrews) so much, he will stop at nothing to get rid of them."Little Big Mouth" (05.08.1961). The manner in which Indian agent Mark Carroll (Buddy Ebsen) pursues his duties may be unorthodox, but he is never inconsiderate. Back East, however, a dim view is taken of Carroll's activities and newspaperwoman Nellie Bly (Stanwyck) heads West to expose him. The guest cast includes Judy Strangis (as Little Big Mouth), Lane Bradford, and Roberto Contreras."Assassin" (05.15.1961). After the death of senior partner F.R. Monson at the firm of Monson & Carlisle, his secretary Louise (Stanwyck) is accused of embezzlement by the remaining partner. Threatening her with arrest, Carlisle (Leon Ames) wants Louise to payback every missing cent. Louise eventually undercovers a diabolical plot against herself as well - as a business cover-up. Peter Falk co-stars."The Hitch-Hiker" (05.29.1961). Lawyer Maggie McClay (Stanwyck) and her husband Mac (Joseph Cotten) see an immigrant girl named Anna (Elana Eden) collapse from exhaustion along the roadside. Taking her home, Maggie learns that Anna has been widowed and is leaving town to prevent her husband's grandmother from gaining custody of her child. Amy Douglas, Addison Richards, and Celia Lovsky play supporting roles."Big Jake" (06.05.1961). In this unsold pilot for a proposed series starring Andy Devine, Detective Jake Sloan (Devine) finally has the goods on safecracker Willie Teeter (John Harmon). But solid evidence or not, Jake gets a jolt when ex-convict Sam Lundborg (John Qualen) confesses to Willie's crime. Stanwyck introduces - but does not appear - in this episode which also features Jonathan Gilmore and Paul Bryar."A Man's Game" (07.03.1961). In the last first-run episode of the show to be broadcast, Chris Matthews (Stanwyck) is a lady saloonkeeper who has been losing a lot of her best customers in local gunfights. What the town needs, she decides, is a strong sheriff - so she volunteers for the job! Edgar Buchanan, Charles Drake, Clinton Sundberg, Jason Johnson and Sam Buffington guest star.DVD BONUS FEATURES:1. A never-aired episode, "Hong Kong and Little Joe"2. A 16 page booklet including contributions by Kate Edelman Johnson

If you enjoyed Volume One of the Barbara Stanwyck Show,you'll be absolutely thrilled with Volume Two.I was fortunate to see this series when it first aired,and several episodes have remained vividly in my memory ever since.One of them, "Confession" (shades of "Double Indemnity"!)was included in Volume One, and now I am happy to see thatmy other big favorites are in Volume Two.Three of them highlight Stanwyck's wonderful way with comedy.My all-time favorite is "Assassin" co-starring Peter Falk andLeon Ames. There are so many things I love about this onethat I could go on for pages, but here are two examples:the "no-stunt men" fight with would-be assassin Falk,and the hilarious "proposal" scene with Leon Ames (every bit hercomic match). This one is worth the price all by itself.Another is "A Man's Game", a tougue-in-cheek western withtop flight support from Charles Drake, and Edgar Kennedy (and his feline companion).And the third is the unaired Little Jo pilot, which was later re-tooled into"Dragon by the Tail" (included in Volume One). Frankly, I actually preferTHIS discarded version to the more serious "Dragon" because of it's lightermoments in which she seems to be having a lot of fun.Although every episode here is winner, I am especially fond of "Frightened Doll".She and Harold J. Stone were a great match (he was later partnered with her inone of her best "Big Valley" episodes, "Teacher of Outlaws"). Their scenescontain some powerful, close-to-the-bone moments. The same can be saidfor "Yanqui Go Home", with Dana Andrews. "The Choice" and "High Tension"are real nail-biters. And it's nice to see her reunited with former movieco-stars Dana Andrews, Dan Duryea, Joseph Cotten, Buddy Ebsen,and especially her old pal, the wonderful Joan Blondell.Finally, I am happy to have been able to contribute one of those missing episodes("Little Big Mouth") to the cause, and I hope that other collectors will come forth with the rest.Thanks to Kate Edelman (daughter of Lou Edelman, the series' original producer),Stanwyck fans who missed seeing this series the first time around have, with these two volumes, 27 "new" performances to enjoy by this great star.

Good transfers - most prints sharp and clear from film. Stanwyck was all about the script and it won her an Emmy. She also worked again with actors she enjoyed during her movie career.THis is VOl 2 of 2 - Vol 1 can be had on Amazon with this set for just under $40!

Good TV stories are hard to find in today's TV genre which makes this collection of black and white half-hour stories such a treasure. Despite the contrived intros of Barbara Stanwyck, in chic clothes by Designer Don Werle, which seemed a bit hokey, the stories are not. The plots are interesting high drama which express a lot of conscience which is what's missing in today's media. There are two stories in this collection that stand out: 1) "High Tension" about a woman who actually is going to "return" her adopted child, but has a change of heart. 2) "Assassin" features a very young Peter Falk as a would be assassin - yet the tables are turned in this plot twist. The other stories in the set are very good too. It's a shame the Barbara Stanwyck Show series did not continue since the quality of the stories and acting were so good to merit Emmy award nominations.

An engaging anthology series from the early 1960s. Ms. Stanwyck is superb and plays many characters as well as one continuing character (these episodes set in Hong Kong).

Have both Vol 1 and 2 a lot better than I thought it would be.Ms Stanwyck is really a great actress in these TV series,and hold up fine.I wish she made more,I was wanting to see more shows when this dvd was over.If your a fan this is a must!!

This collection features a further 12 episodes (of 26 mins each) of the 1960-61 series made in black and white . (Volume 1 contains 15, leaving a further 9 still to be released). With a few exceptions, picture & sound quality are reasonable for a show of this age. Print damage, including "tram lines" are noticeable - which isn't surprising as a DVD distributor won't go to the trouble & expense of remastering a series which is unlikely to sell in massive numbers.The show itself stands the test of time very well, in my opinion. Good stories, well produced, plus a guest star in every episode, including Barbara Stanwyck who appears in the majority of them. Most are stand-alone dramas, although the star has a recurring character role in a few stories.I enjoyed Volume 1 so much that I bought Volume 2! How about bringing out Volume 3 containing the remaining, unreleased episodes?

Great tv show of earlyer years with good storys telling If you are a The Big Valley tv western fan you will like this show.

This is a great series, I used to watch them many times without getting bored or fed up, since the presenting character herself Barbara Stanwyck, Really masterpiece, no doubt, I like all the episodes.

Just what I had ordered. It is fantastic to be able to watch shows I so enjoyed when I was younger.

Very pleasant evening-- please wth my purchase- Will purchase Season number One-- talented actress--Barbara the number one on my list