I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, the short-lived comedy series starring John Astin and Marty Ingels, finally has an official release date as I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, Vol. 1 (50th Anniversary Collector's Edition) is scheduled to street on December 6th.
The 3-disc set has the first 16 of the series' 32 episodes and will be available for sale exclusively atImdickenshesfenster.com. We will, of course, have it for rent shortly after its release.
Tons of extras are included and are listed below.
SYNOPSIS:
I'm Dickens...He's Fenster followed the comic exploits of two construction workers and bosom buddies (played by John Astin and Marty Ingels). After producing thirty-two side-splittingly hilarious episodes, and despite critics' raves in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter and Time Magazine, the show was prematurely canceled in its first season. By the time its final ratings came in, showing it having beaten Sing Along with Mitch and Route 66 for its time slot, it was too late to reassemble the cast, who had moved on to other projects. The successful and beloved show had become a casualty of timid programming and unlucky timing.
Although short-lived, I'm Dickens...He's Fenster featured an extraordinary roster of guest stars, many of whom made their television debuts on the show including: Yvonne Craig ("Batgirl" from Batman), Harvey Korman (The Carol Burnett Show), Sally Kellerman (M*A*S*H), Peter Lupus (Mission: Impossible), Lee Meriwether (The Time Tunnel), Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist), Edy Williams (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls), and Jim Nabors (The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC). The series also featured such directing talent as Arthur Hiller (Love Story, The In-Laws), Jay Sandrich (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls) , Norman Abbott, (The Munsters), Claudio Guzman (I Dream of Jeannie) and writers Mel Tolkin (Your Show of Shows, All in the Family), Don Hinkley (The Steve Allen Show, The Muppet Show) and Jay Sommers (Green Acres, Ozzie & Harriet).
In addition to being creator, writer, director and producer on I'm Dickens...He's Fenster, Leonard Stern's remarkable career included writing for the Abbott and Costello and Ma and Pa Kettle movies, and the classic TV shows The Honeymooners, Sergeant Bilko and The Steve Allen Show.
From 1965-1970, Mr. Stern was executive producer, writer and director on the classic spy spoof Get Smart (starring Don Adams and Barbara Feldon). He also created, produced and directed the TV series He & She (co-starring Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss) and McMillan & Wife (starring Rock Hudson and Susan St. James). He also co-created the immensely popular series of children's game books, Mad Libs.
BONUS FEATURES:
- Video features with all-new interviews including stars John Astin (The Addams Family) and Marty Ingels (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Directors Arthur Hiller (The In-Laws, Silver Streak), Norman Abbott (The Munsters) and Creator/Producer Leonard Stern (Get Smart)
- Audio commentaries featuring John Astin and Marty Ingels, Yvonne Craig (Batman), Lee Meriwether (The Time Tunnel), series regular Dave Ketchum (who played "Mel Warshaw"), Chris Korman, son of Harvey Korman (Blazing Saddles, The Carol Burnett Show), and creator/producer Leonard Stern
- I'm Dickens...He's Fenster Get Physical featurette
- Video tribute to the late Leonard Stern, Creator/Producer of I'm Dickens...He's Fenster
- The Joke featurette
- Love Me, Love My Dog featurette
- How Not to Succeed in Business featurette
- I'm Dickens...He's Fenster Commercial Bumpers
- Rare I'm Dickens...He's Fenster ABC TV Network Promo
- Rare I'm Dickens...He's Fenster Cast Commercial
- Thank You slide show video featuring the dozens of people who helped make the 50th Anniversary Collector's Edition a reality
- I'm Dickens...He's Fenster six-page Collector's Booklet
- Three discs in a Collector's Edition Digipak with Slipcase
