I have just viewed my first dvd of the set, one which I picked at random. Quality is excellent, if the age of the material is taken into account.

This first dvd I viewed contained the 'Bing in Argentina' footage.
In one word: f a s c i n a t i ng !

I won't say anything more; don't want to spoil it for you. But you will see: this programme alone is worth the money for the entire set!

Yes, the programmes are heavily edited. Nonetheless, you get around 21 hours of Bing on TV in what is probably the best quality available. One (and maybe the only) advantage of the editing: there remains more to collect!

Last edited by frans (18/8/2018 6:54 pm)

Haven't got mine yet.

Sorry to hear about your computer trouble, Ron. I hope it can be fixed soon.

Yes, the postal system is a wonder in itself! I hope the other copies will arrive soon and without extra charges.

Will continue watching the set today.

That is why I do not own a single T/L video product.  

Perry sang Dinah.

I think we’re all feeling your pain, Ron..!

Malcolm’s work in annotating the set on the “Bing on TV” pages of the BING website means that you can see at a glance what’s been omitted by Time-Life.

I’m certainly not sorry I bought it - there are a few things I’d never seen before and a lot of stuff I already had which is presented in much better quality here - but, like the rest of us, I was hoping for so much more.

As mentioned in a previous notice The first DVD in the white cover kept pausing so wrote to T-L advising them of this.
In yesterday's mail the replacement came and it looks like they sent the complete White cover container. It is sealed in cellophane and haven't opened it yet.
And they never asked me to return the faulty DVD.

Ron Field wrote:

Just finished viewing disc 4 and disappointing it was too.
One show introduction showed and mention the Crosby boys (except Gary) were to appear. Well they didn't - it was left out - WHY???
Not a happy Bing fan. Wonder what else they have messed up.

Ron,

As mentioned earlier in this thread, Time Life is notorious for editing the content on their DVD sets. This has happened with the Dean Martin sets, Jackie Gleason, etc. As to why they edit the content, the most logical guess I have would be music rights, and Time Life's unwillingness to pay to get the usage cleared for the respective songs. This is why you may see at the beginning what stars are supposed to appear, and then not end up seeing them at all!

I don't know what budget Time Life has for each set they produce, but one could guess that it isn't a whole lot.

Have now watched Number 5 and once again shows have had the scissors put to them.
Rosie does an introduction and it is goodnight from her, Bing and Maurice have a chat, get out the little black books mentioning various girls names and goodnight from them (thought they did a medley of various girls names - Louise etc, but not here). Then in the introduction titles it mentions Kathryn - but no sign of her at all. Did enjoy the show from Dublin by George O'Reilly and Bing's talk of Britain from Gleneagles.
But, really, so far pretty disappointing.

Yes Jeremy, tend to agree with you about going through watching the shows as I just finished number 6 and once again the scissors have been put into action. Quite disappointing and disgusting really that the Crosby people allowed these to be put out as they have been.

The Time Life DVD labels all have a standard “in-house” design, but I think I’ve got the release of “A Little Bit of Irish” Archiefit is talking about. It’s on the Varese Sarabande label and I don’t think it’s the source for the Time Life disc because although the picture quality on the TL is acceptable enough, it’s noticeably sharper and brighter on the VS release.

We had 25 paying punters at the Roxy for the Bing/Errol screening, plus a camera exhibition.
They seemed to have enjoyed the programme.
Would have liked a few more but there were more than the regular Friday & Saturday night
Regular movies combined, so that pleased me.

Have finally got to view another of the DVD's - 50th. Anniversary show and the Argentina show.
The scissor man has been busy again. Was looking forward to the 50 which the booklet states includes Debbie Reynolds - no show, and the Crosby family - only Mary Frances pops up.
Thoroughly disappointed especially with the 50th as I was expecting to see when Bing fell.
The booklet should have been edited better but certainly the DVD content - almost like false advertising. It has happened right through the set.
Like ordering and paying for 2lb. oF mince meat and on arriving home you discover you only have a pound and a half.