I Love Lucy: The Ultimate Season 1 [Blu-ray]

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

"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 didn't think it could get any better than the DVD edition from a few years ago, but I was wrong. This surpasses the DVD's in that just about all of the episodes can be viewed as originally broadcast with commercials included. There is actually an episode that has additional footage that was not in the original broadcast version. Any changes are noted with disclaimers at the beginning of the episodes. However, if you bought the VHS tape editions ever so many years ago, and like me, watched I Love Lucy on CBS weekeday mornings in the sixties, you may want to save those tapes for reference since the episodes on those tapes have cuts and re-edits not on either the DVD or Blu-ray sets.A great bonus, too, is that somewhere along the way, they found the 35mm film of the original I Love Lucy pilot. The version on the DVD set is reconstructed from a damaged 16mm print. The picture quality is, of course, much better. And there are differences in the introduction since the DVD version had to guess when reconstructing the first few frames of footage.I'm very please with this set and look forward to more.Bob Watson

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.

Very nice product. It really gives a lot of extras and attention to a significant beginning in TV history. Highly recommended!

Great video quality and special features. It's a shame that future seasons are not coming out on Blu-ray.

I've been an I love Lucy fan my whole life and I have never seen the shows in this quality. The extra content is so fascinating and will make and Lucy fan very happy to sit down in front of the TV and lose hours of time. Having the old Phillip Morris commercials provides a lot of great historical context, and is super unnerving to watch. This set is a must-have for any die hard Lucy Lovers.

I see no option on the menu to watch the traditional heart-on-satin opening and closing.Although the back of the Blu Ray case states it's an option.Mostly each episode has two options: Original Broadcast Version and Original Rerun Version and both versions play the animated stick figures with Philip Morris commercials.Am I missing something? I cannot find the heart-on-satin opening anywhere on these disc.

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??

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

best US comedy ever

Very funny and quality of transfer to DVD

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