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I'm Dickens...He's Fenster - Season 01

Box Set

John Astin (Actor), Marty Ingels (Actor), Norman Abbott (Director), Rated:
NR
Format: DVD
Additional DVD options Edition Discs
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April 24, 2012 		—
1
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$54.00 $24.00

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Product Description

As two best friends on the world's wackiest construction crew, Harry Dickens (John Astin of the Addams Family) and Arch Fenster (Marty Ingels) are hysterical in this long-lost 1962 TV series. Includes appearances by Harvey Korman, Ellen Burstyn, Lee Meriwether, and Yvonne Craig. 16 episodes, 3 discs, over 10 hours of content. Bonus features include: Audio Commentaries by John Astin, Marty Ingels, Yvonne Craig, Lee Meriweather, Dave Ketchum, Chris Korman and creator/producer Leonard Stern, I'm Dickens...He's Fenster Get Physical!, Leonard Stern: A Tribute, Video Featurettes with Directors Arthur Hiller and Norman Abbott, John Astin, Marty Ingels, and Leonard Stern, ABC Network Promo, Cast Commercial, Vintage Sponsor Bumpers

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 8.8 ounces
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ KCHDLIT56430D
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Norman Abbott, Claudio Guzman, Leonard Stern, Arthur Hiller
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Multiple Formats, Color, Box set
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 10 hours and 10 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2012
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ John Astin, Marty Ingels
  • Producers ‏ : ‎ Don Hinkley, Leonard Stern
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Tv Time Machine Productions / lightyear Video
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00746R3LM
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
77 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tante Maren
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Dickens...He's Fenster...And I'm Thrilled This Gem Is On DVD!
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2012
Verified Purchase
UPDATE OCTOBER 23,2012 ON THE RELEASE OF THE SECOND HALF: I just spoke directly with Lightyear Entertainment, who answered my question on, when can we expect the release of the second half of this fabulous show I'm Dickens... He's Fenster? They told me they don't have a date as of yet, the reason being they have to sell more of this first half in order to generate enough money to do the prep work necessary to release the second half. So, I hope more people find out about this wonderful old show and buy it, so the wait will be shorter! It just wouldn't be the same without the second half, especially just to see the great ping pong tournament again! Let's keep our fingers crossed that sales pick up this Holiday Season and Thank You Lightyear for answering my question for us fans who have to have the second half of this GREAT show!

I'm Dickens...He's Fenster is one of the rarest and funniest one season sitcoms that hasn't been completely seen in 50 years. Although on rare occasion, a few of the episodes were shown on smaller networks by special request in a few cities, no broadcasting company would ever spend the money for syndication for a one season show with only 32 episodes. The most requested episode was Table Tennis, Anyone?, as it's genius comedy was rated as hilarious as the Lucy And The Chocolate Factory episode from I Love Lucy.

This is not the typical one season television show that was canceled because it was a flop. This hilarious 1962-1963 show was shown on ABC at 9:00 p.m. on Friday nights. It was up against the top rated NBC's Sing Along With Mitch and Route 66 on CBS. By the time the unbelievably high final ratings came in near the end of the season in 1963, ABC did not have the foresight to renew I'm Dickens...He's Fenster for another season and so this very funny show never saw a second season. Not renewing their contracts, left the cast and main characters of John Astin and Marty Ingels already signed on to other projects- John Astin signed on to The Addams Family. By the end of this first and only season, I'm Dickens...He's Fenster not only beat out both Sing Along With Mitch and Route 66 in the ratings, but critics gave the show rave reviews from the NY Times, The Hollywood Reporter and Time Magazine. This left the viewers back in 1963 truly disappointed in never seeing a second season of the two best friend carpenters played by Astin and Ingels.

This show was created, written, directed and produced by the fantastically talented Leonard Stern, who's other contributions to television include The Honeymooners, Sergeant Bilko, The Steve Allen Show, Get Smart, He And She and McMillan And Wife. While having his home remodeled in 1961, Stern couldn't believe the construction workers sealed a ladder inside his chimney and couldn't pass up writing a sitcom about such real life unbelievable hilarity. The show is about two young blue collar carpenters- Harry Dickens (Astin) and Arch Fenster (Ingels). Dickens is married to Kate played by Emmaline Henry and Fenster is a bachelor. The comedy surrounds Harry Dickens longing for an exciting life that best friend bachelor Arch Fenster enjoys with his little black book, which Harry's wife Kate would never allow, and their fellow workers getting into hilarious predicaments on the job with their boss Mr. Bannister. Many guest stars got their television beginnings on this show, and some of the guest stars include Yvonne Craig (Batgirl), Lee Meriwether, Harvey Korman, Chris Korman (Harvey's son), Sally Kellerman, Ellen Burstyn, Edy Williams, Jim Nabors and more. It's going to be really great seeing these tv stars again in their television debuts, on this 30 minute black and white situation comedy.

This one season of I'm Dickens...He's Fenster is being sold in half sets by TV Time Machine Productions, which is a company owned by Lightyear Entertainment. Lightyear Entertainment bought out RCA Video Productions in 1987, who owned this show and many other old gems. TV Time Machine Productions said they have digitally restored these episodes to perfection for the show's 50th anniversary, and added many Bonuses. In this Volume 1 they will include Episodes 1-16; NEW interviews with John Astin, Marty Ingels, director Arthur Hiller, Creator Leonard Stern and others; Audio Commentary from John Astin, Marty Ingels, Yvonne Craig, Lee Meriwether, Chris Korman, Leonard Stern and others; 4 featurettes; a tribute to Leonard Stern; commercial bumpers; promos; cast commercial; thank you video and a 6 page booklet. They stated Volume 2- the second half with episodes 17- 32 will follow soon.

I can't wait till April 24th, 2012 to see those two wonderful carpenters Dickens and Fenster make me laugh again after not seeing them since 1962! They are just PERFECT together, like this over 10 hour bonus packed dvd set!

VOLUME 1- The first half of this Season 1 includes Episodes 1-16:

01. 09-28-1962 A SMALL MATTER OF BEING FIRED (this is the pilot)
02. 10-05-1962 NURSE DICKENS
03. 10-12-1962 THE DOUBLE LIFE OF MEL WARSHAW
04. 10-19-1962 HARRY, THE FATHER IMAGE
05. 10-26-1962 PART-TIME FRIEND
06. 11-02-1962 THE ACTING GAME
07. 11-09-1962 THE TOUPEE STORY
08. 11-16-1962 A WOLF IN FRIEND'S CLOTHING
09. 11-23-1962 PARTY, PARTY, WHO'S GOT THE PARTY?
10. 11-30-1962 THE YELLOW BADGE OF COURAGE
11. 12-07-1962 THE JOKE
12. 12-14-1962 LOVE ME, LOVE MY DOG
13. 12-21-1962 HERE'S TO THE THREE OF US
14. 12-28-1962 GET OFF MY BACK
15. 01-04-1963 HOW NOT TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS
16. 01-11-1963 THE GODFATHERS

VOLUME 2- The second half of this Season 1, WHICH WILL BE RELEASED LATER AND SOLD SEPARATELY, will include Episodes 17-32:

17. 01-18-1963 THE CARPENTERS FOUR
18. 01-25-1963 THE GREAT VALENCIAGA
19. 02-01-1963 MR. TAKEOVER
20. 02-08-1963 HAVE CAR, WILL QUARREL
21. 02-15-1963 SAY IT WITH PICTURES
22. 02-22-1963 SENIOR CITIZEN CHARLIE
23. 03-01-1963 THE BET
24. 03-08-1963 THE SYNDICATE
25. 03-15-1963 IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?
26. 03-22-1963 HARRY, THE CONTRACTOR
27. 03-29-1963 TABLE TENNIS, ANYONE?
28. 04-05-1963 KICK ME, KATE
29. 04-12-1963 NUMBER ONE SON
30. 04-26-1963 BIG OPENING AT THE HOSPITAL
31. 05-03-1963 KING ARCHIBALD THE FIRST
32. 05-10-1963 HOTEL FENSTER
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Nyssa
5.0 out of 5 stars A Should-Have-Been Classic Sitcom
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2016
Verified Purchase
I remember watching this series during its original run, and how it was one of my favorite shows at the time. I'll admit that beyond remembering the basic premise, characters, and stars, I couldn't remember any details of the episodes or stories though. (Hey, it was a long time ago, and I was just a kid!) But because I remembered it as a favorite, I took a chance on the DVD set of the first half of its one and only season, hoping that it wouldn't disappoint me as have other old favorites I've watched again that haven't stood the test of time.

I wasn't disappointed. This was a terrific series with a cast chemistry and ensemble of supporting characters that would be the envy of any television show or movie. The show combined sight gags, physical comedy, and witty dialog in just the right balance which is probably a big reason the show I remember liking as a kid still works for me today as an adult.

It's a basic premise: two best friends who work together and practically live in each others pockets plus the wife of one of the buddies who loves her husband and understands how important his friend is to him. Plots range from work problems, dating, friendship, misunderstandings, and more. Basic ideas and concepts, but written and performed in such a way to make it entertaining and funny show after show.

One of my favorite things about the episodes included in this set is watching for actors who will go on to become stars on other shows or in films. For other eagle-eyed celebrity watchers, keep a lookout for Batgirl, Captain Clancy from "Here Come the Brides," Barnaby Jones's daughter-in-law, and a future Oscar award winner for Best Actress (in her first television acting job) among others.

The third DVD of the set is all bonus features including several episode audio commentaries. All but one of the commentaries are worth the time, the exception being the one done by Lee Meriwether who had a bit part in one episode and really didn't have much to say. In contrast, Yvonne Craig's commentary track is a hoot with her enthusiasm and bubbly personality and pure enjoyment of watching the episode again along with the audience even though she too only had a bit part to discuss.

Other bonus clips include show bumpers, a cast commercial, and a number of interviews with the stars, producer, and on of the directors of the show.

Watch the episodes and then try to figure out how ABC went so wrong in canceling the show after only one season. If this show had stuck around for a few more years, it certainly would have been considered a classic of the sitcom genre of early television alongside shows such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners." Instead it's taken almost a half-century for the show to get a chance at gaining a new audience's appreciation.

I'm waiting impatiently for Volume Two to be made available.

Highly recommended.
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Mike
4.0 out of 5 stars He's Dickins,He's Fenster and I'm Hooked
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2012
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When Amazon sent me an e-mail about recommendations that I might like,this show was listed.Since I had not heard of this series at all I disregarded it. A few days later while watching "Leave it to Beaver" this series was mentioned.Now with my curiosity piqued I decided to read the reviews, 8 at this time,on Amazon to see what it was all about.All reviews were favourable so I decided to buy this DVD.I'm glad to report that the reviewers were correct.This is a funny series about two carpenter friends and the comic situations they get into in the workplace and at home.Apart from the two lead characters, Dave Ketchum who plays another worker and Frank Devol who plays the boss, Mr Bannister,are excellent.Frank Devol was also a composer and composed the theme music for shows like"My Three Sons"and"The Brady Bunch".Also appearing as John Astin's wife in the show is Emmaline Henry who played Mrs Bellows on "I Dream of Jeannie".Some of the episodes on this DVD smacks of comic genius.Unfortunately,and this is the gyp, and why I gave it 4 stars, is because it is only the first 16 episodes.This is Volume One.Considering that this only lasted one season and is not well known you would think that they would release the whole series in one go.If nobody remembers this series why would they buy only half a season and then wait for the next to be released.On the plus side Disc 3 is full of bonus material and commentaries by the actors and actresses who were in the shows.Over three hours.So that kind of makes up for not being a whole season.Plenty of pratfalls and laughs with this show.
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Top reviews from other countries

Ryan Solski
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for John Astin fans.
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
This show is great. Looking for volume 2 sometime in the future! John Astin was great at delivery even before he starred in the Addams Family. For fans of slapstick humour and witty POV. Dickens' wife is also a notable actress from I Dream of Jeanie fame.
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