WARNING: Contains Many Episodes Found in Other DVD Sets
This DVD set is a very mixed bag. Groucho is brilliant and any "You Bet Your Life" show is a joy to behold. So on the basis of Groucho alone, highest ratings would be given. But because I'm a Grouchophile and own all the other DVD releases of "You Bet Your Life" currently available, I must give this particular set of episodes a low rating. I wonder why would a company release a compilation of 30 "You Bet Your Life" episodes if 28 of these episodes have already been released by other manufacturers in just the past few years!!? There were hundreds and hundreds of "You Bet Your Life" episodes broadcast during the show's long run and yet it's the same two or three dozen shows that are packaged by various DVD companies and released over and over again! Perhaps these are the only episodes available for companies to distribute with no fee? dOnto the good and other bad points of this particular set of episodes: (1) unlike some of the other compilations, in these episodes you will find all the original commercials for DeSoto autos and the like (they are interesting at first but after a while they become repetitive -- you will eventually be pressing the fast forward button), (2) in a couple shows you'll find an extended moment or two of idle banter between Groucho and George Fenneman that was trimmed a bit on other DVD sets, (3) a downer is that some of the episodes here seem fuzzier/grainier than when seen in other DVD sets. But for Groucho lovers there is ONE true silver lining in this collection and it is one priceless episode (it's the first episode on the first disk) that is not on any other currently released DVD. It features an older Italian woman who brings Groucho pizzas. Groucho tries to find her a husband. This may be the funniest Groucho interview ever. True Groucho fans who own other DVD sets may well put up with 28 reruns for this one, wonderful episode. For people new to "You Bet Your Life" you might prefer other compilations. One great one is called "You Bet Your Life -- The Best Episodes," another is "You Bet Your Life -- The Lost Episodes." Both of these have a number of interesting added bonuses. Another great compilation, with really entertaining shows, is by Pop Flix called "14 classic episodes." Unlike the set I'm reviewing, all the episodes released by Pop Flix are crisp and clear.