The Ernie Kovacs Collection (1951 - 1962) 6 x DVD9
With a gift for inventive comedy that was alternately cerebral, goofy and just plain absurd, Ernie Kovacs transformed television's early era into his own personal playground - and invited viewers to enjoy every sight gag and loony character.

Kovacs, whose offbeat humor graced the airwaves for just a decade in the 1950s and 60s, served healthy portions of the offbeat to his audiences, who had never seen anything quite like this cigar-wielding charmer. Wickedly funny but not offensive, Kovacs' unique humor and flair for improvisation would ripple across generations, influencing TV funnymen from Johnny Carson and Monty Python to David Letterman.

Distribution of this special collection is designed to introduce audiences to Kovacs' genius. Kovacs, who died in a 1962 car accident, left behind a stunning body of work that survives thanks to the indefatigable efforts of his wife and co-star, the late Edie Adams.

With many of the programs newly transferred from original 16mm kinescopes and curated by noted film/television historian Ben Model, The Ernie Kovacs Collection DVD box set is the first-ever comprehensive collection of Kovacs' work-encompassing the full breadth of existing material, from his local Philadelphia morning shows in the early 1950's and national evening shows to the ABC prime time specials in the early 1960's that cemented his legend. Along with such iconic pieces at The Nairobi Trio and such signature characters as poet Percy Dovetonsils, Miklos Molnar, Matzoh Hepplewhite, Mr. Question Man, and Uncle Gruesome, fans will finally get to enjoy Kovacs' genuine gift for improvisation, charm and warmth as host of his many variety shows.

The DVD set also includes the rare color version of Kovacs' famous "Silent Show" (aka "Eugene"), an unprecedented wordless classic featuring a hapless character wandering through a typically Kovacsian world of surreal visual gags.

6 x DVD9 | NTSC 4:3 | 780 minutes
Language: English
Subtitles: none
Genre: Comedy

The Ernie Kovacs Collection Disc 1 — The Early Years (1951 - 1952)

• It's Time For Ernie; March 7, 1951
• It's Time For Ernie; June 1951
• Ernie In Kovacsland; July 6, 1951
• Ernie In Kovacsland; August 23, 1951
• Kovacs On The Corner; January 1952
• Kovacs Unlimited; May 28, 1952

Bonus:
• 1987 ATAS Hall of Fame Induction
• Remembering Ernie with George Schlatter And Jolene Brand
• "Baseball Film"
• Making of "Baseball Film"
• "The Mysterious Knockwurst"
• Andy McKay 8mm Home Movies

Ernie Kovacs Collection Disc 2 - The NBC Morning Show (1955 - 1956)

• The Ernie Kovacs Show; December 19, 1955
• The Ernie Kovacs Show; February 20, 1956
• The Ernie Kovacs Show; March 15, 1956
• The Ernie Kovacs Show; April 12, 1956
• The Ernie Kovacs Show; June 12, 1956

Bonus:
• Percy Dovetonsils: "Ode to Stanley's Pussycat"
• Martin Krutch, Public Eye
• Rock Mississippi in "Fingers Under Weskit"
• Howard, The World's Strongest Ant
• J. Burlington Gearshift

Ernie Kovacs Collection Disc 3 - The NBC Evening Show (1956)

• The Ernie Kovacs Show; July 2, 1956
• The Ernie Kovacs Show; July 30, 1956
• The Ernie Kovacs Show; September 3, 1956

Bonus:
• "Superclod" Test

Ernie Kovacs Collection Disc 4 - The Late 1950s (1957 - 1960)

• Saturday Color Carnival: "The Ernie Kovacs Show"; airdate: January 19, 1957 (NBC)
• Kovacs On Music; airdate: May 22, 1959 (NBC)
• Take A Good Look; airdate: July 21, 1960 (ABC); with panelists Cesar Romero, Edie Adams and Jack Carson

Bonus:
• Take a Good Look Clues
• Take a Good Look Sales Film
• Silents Please
• Our Man In Havana: Behind-the-Scenes Footage

Ernie Kovacs Collection Disc 5 - The ABC Specials (1961 - 1962)

• Kovacs Special #4; September 21, 1961
• Kovacs Special #5; October 28, 1961
• Kovacs Special #6; November 24, 1961
• Kovacs Special #7; December 12, 1961
• Kovacs Special #8; January 23, 1962

Bonus:
• Dutch Masters commercials

Ernie Kovacs Collection Disc 6 - Classic Pieces (1955)

• The NBC Morning Show
-- Percy Dovetonsils Reads "Roughing It"
-- Ferrante & Teicher Perform "Oh Susannah"
-- Mr. Question Man
-- Rock Mississippi: "Fingers Under Weskit"
-- Drawing With John Magee
-- Leena Queen of the Jungle
-- Leroy L. Leroy
-- A Series of Magazine Ads
-- Tales From Uncle Gruesome
-- Crossed Skillets
-- Leonard and Lola
-- Percy Dovetonsils almost Reads an Ode

• The NBC Evening Show
-- The Late Late Late Late Hungarian Movie
-- Mr. Science
-- Nairobi Trio
-- Howdy Deedy
-- Let's Take A Visit
-- TV Backstage
-- Trapizza
-- Vas You Dere?

Bonus:
• Trailer for Operation Mad Ball
• It Happened to Ernie
• Muriel Cigar commercials featuring Edie Adams

Did you like this?
Tip movieworld with Cryptocurrency

Donate Bitcoin to movieworld

Scan to Donate Bitcoin to movieworld
Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some bitcoin:

Donate Bitcoin Cash to movieworld

Scan to Donate Bitcoin Cash to movieworld
Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send bitcoin:

Donate Ethereum to movieworld

Scan to Donate Ethereum to movieworld
Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some Ether:

Donate Litecoin to movieworld

Scan to Donate Litecoin to movieworld
Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some Litecoin:

Donate Monero to movieworld

Scan to Donate Monero to movieworld
Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some Monero:

Donate ZCash to movieworld

Scan to Donate ZCash to movieworld
Scan the QR code or copy the address below into your wallet to send some ZCash: