I
Dream Of Jeannie: Fifth And Final Season (1970)
Sony
Cast:
Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman.
Rating:
NR
Run
time: 628 mins (4 discs).
Genre:
TV
Verdict:
Beautiful (see
rating
system)
Wow
- it's almost 40 years since teenage boys (like yours truly)
sprawled in front of their TVs and dreamed of little other
than the delicious Barbara Eden as she scampered around in
revealing costumes in this comedy sitcom.
Was
there ever a more classy bare midriff on TV?!
Well,
Sony finally reaches the end of this cult favourite with the
release of the fifth and final season in this four-DVD set.
Everyone
remembers the basic story: NASA astronaut Tony (Larry Hagman)
splashes down in the Pacific near a deserted tropical island
and discovers a "Jeannie" (Eden) in a bottle ready
to obey his every request. It didn't sound like much of a
prospect when it kicked off in 1965, but witty scripts and
the chemistry of the two leads stretched the premise over
139 episodes from 1965-1970 and it remains a fondly remembered
show with a loyal following.
Fans
should be delighted with the picture and sound in this set
- the colour looks particularly vivid. I just wish there were
some extra features like cast interviews.
Jeannie's
spells frequently get Tony into trouble and his embarrassed
attempts to explain moving objects and magical occurences
provides much humour. There was also a layer of definite sexual
tension (and come controversy) around the show as it depicted
a single guy living with a glamorous companion. The final
season neatly closed the door on that little scandal by having
Tony and Jeannie get married!
It's
tame by today's sitcome standards, but consistently charming.
Barbara - we still love ya!
