I Dream of Jeannie-A ’60s Classic …Remastered in HD.
Now a part of Time Travel Thursday…stay tuned for an extra — Genies on Screen…
Jeannie as in I Dream of was and is one of the most iconic Television series of the ’60s and for that matter any decade before or after. A few others that fit the bill are Bewitched, The Lucy Show, The Andy Griffith Show, The Beverly Hillbillies and The Adventures of Ossie and Harriet. Family oriented sitcoms I am referring to.
For myself and others I am sure Jeannie and the the shows I just mentioned were classy, family friendly, cozy fun and funny. It is what many refer to as a comfort zone. A place to go when maybe life is not a lot making sense or an escape from that bad day at work-how about that mega mound of homework piling up. For myself when I was kid, home from school- under the weather these shows always made feel a little bit better. Took me away from reality. If you consider this - isn’t that what friends do in times of trouble. Some of the series provided us with old fashioned hometown settings. Familiar faces, character actors galore. Lots of guest stars and some real creative writing. It was like spending time with a good friend(s).
But with Jeannie we also got an element of fantasy which seemed to be up to that time- an untapped sub-genre within the sitcom arena. Exception was Bewitched 1964–1972( Elizabeth Montgomery) & My Favorite Martian 1963–1966 (Bill Bixby and Ray Walston) which did precede Jeannie by a couple of seasons. ***But by the mid ’60s came a plethora of shows featuring characters that could do extraordinary -incredible feats. Even Universal Monsters and the gothic with The Munsters and The Addams Family moving next door for a couple of seasons each.
Finally, Jeannie has been given the HD treatment. She has never looked better, unless Jeannnie was standing right in front of you in the flesh. Just think all one hundred thirty-nine episodes for you to view anytime you want. Jeannnie ran from 1965 to 1970. Giving us five years of what it might be like to live with a “real” live Jeannie. Well as real as TV can get.
***The complete series now on Blu-ray from Mill Creek Entertainment. See below.
The pilot/first episode finds at Cape Canaveral.
As the story goes our hero, Captain Anthony Nelson is currently a part of the NASA Astronaut training program. He and Captain Healy are in preparation for eventually landing a “man” on the moon. Captain Nelson is on a short solo mission testing out the capsules capabilities which upon reentry ends up far off course and splashes down near a deserted island. While waiting to be rescued as he is foraging for himself on the island, he discovers what appears to be a most exotic bottle. While he is examining it, he ends up rubbing the bottle and after a bellowing vapor of smoke there is Jeannie-a genie Jeannie. That is a beginning of a extremely enjoyable yet comical romance. For Jeannie has fallen in love with Captain Nelson at first sight. And she wants nothing more than pleasing her “master”.
Guest stars-
Everyone wanted to be a guest on Jeannie… the sets were so full of elements of fantasy. It was easy to relax and lots of fun.
Sammy Davis Jr, William Smith (Rich Man Poor Man), spoiler-In this episode there are two Sammy’s. Jeannie ends up conjuring a second one so Sammy can be in two places at once including entertaining at General Peterson’s birthday party.
Paul Lynde -
Paul Lynde (Bewitched) appearing 3 times on Jeannie.
***Paul was in much demand as a guest during the ’60s and early ’70s…Samantha’s (Bewitched) Uncle Arthur 10 times. Providing voices on 4 Hanna Barbera series including It’s The Wolf! and Where s’ Huddles? Single guest appearances include The Munsters, The Fying Nun, That Girl, Burkes Law and more. And most notably for Paul a tenure run at one of the most suucessful periods of Hollywood Squares. He occupied the center square. It was the most sought after seat. He was a genius at ad libbing. This was a place where he shined.
TV Guide- if you make the cover of TV Guide, you’re doing something right…
Barbara Eden Trivia -
It may be that Barbara was destined to be a “genie” and most definitely associated with Sci-fi/Fantasy for sure. She was one of two female characters in the feature film version of Irwin Allen’s Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) also starring Walter Pidgeon and Peter Lorre. And Frankie Avalon early on in his acting career. What many fans may not know or remember that Jeannie was not the first time Barbara was a part of the genie lore.
1964’s The Brass Bottle starring Burl Ives as, you guessed it- yes a genie and Tony Randall as the recipient of a genie’s loyalty and ready to serve. And this time the “shoe is on the other foot” as Barbara is the frustrated counterpart to a mortal boyfriend who’s got a bottle full of “problems”. The question is “what is she gonna do” …?
Mill Creek Entertainment-
Mill Creek Ent at Facebook-
https://www.facebook.com/MillCreekEnt
The Blu-ray is a gem and a must for fans of the series and classic TV. She has never looked or sounded better, it makes for great night of comfort “food” or that cure to a winter cold… that was my medicine when I was a kid (again I emphasize this). Growing up in Rochester. Jeannie was on in the mornings on one of the locals. This always made me laugh and forget about what ailed me. Yes, a big bowl of cereal or chicken soup a chase of Jeannie… thanks gang for all those fun memories and another Television worth preserving… and now I get to enjoy all these hilarious episodes with my family and fiancé-who has her own take on this beloved show.
So, the next time you're walking on some beach on a deserted island, and you stumble upon an exotic looking bottle. Make sure you're ready for to embark on what very may well be an enormous… adventure into something you only perceived as an element of fantasy on the small/big screen and all those Sinbad books you use to read as a kid. But who knows it could very well change your life to the good… Romance with Comedy and constant companionship...
Good night, Miss Lee wherever you are? And see ya next time right here at Reviews on the Edge. This is Doc saying “Will you guy’s please go home the credits have stopped rolling and I need to get some sleep…
Related material and links.
Extra- More Genies From the world of Entertainment-
Films featuring a Genie-
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad- Kerwin Matthews. Kathryn Grant and Torin Thatcher-effects by Ray Harryhausen
The Thief of Bagdad-John Justin, Sabu, Conrad Viedt and Rex Ingram as Dijinn the genie. This was a box-office spectacular for its day and even ow stands the test of time as a true classic — shot in Technicolor with amazing special effects and powerful performances from all …
a prince cursed with blindness from a villainous wizard and a thief of the streets (Sabu) take to high adventure to recover what is rightly the prince’s and there is even romance. Yes, romance in the shape of June Duprez for our tragic hero… and the genies of all screen genies Rex Ingram!!!
1001 Arabian Nights- 1959 Animated fare featuring the voice of Jim Bachus as Mr. Magoo
in this charming feature length cartoon with lots of songs and hilarious moments from the ever lovable near sighted ol cadger.
Bernard and the Genie- 1991 British comedy starring Alan Cumming, Lenny Henrey and Rowan Atkinson
Aladdin- there is Disney’s version and more…
Aladdin and his Lamp-1952 with Johnny Sands as Aladdin
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp -1939 starring our favorite animated sailor-Popeye and crew…
The Wizard of Bagddad-1961 with Dick Shawn taking a crack at the genie role and Diane Baker as Princess Yasmin
Miracle Beach- 1992 starring one of my favorite actors-Dean Cameron (Ski School) as Scotty a dude who has lost it all when he comes upon a beautiful genie in the form of Ami Dolenz (her father-think Micky Dolenz of the Monkees)… a fun flick.
The Wonders of Aladdin- MGM 1961 starring Donald O’Connor
A Thousand and One Arabian Nights- Even Phil Silvers starred in a version of Aladdin…with Cornel Wilde and Evelyn Keyes
And yes, the Bowery Boys went Arabian in
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