Upon its release "That's Entertainment!" became the biggest and brightest money maker of 1974...and it's no wonder. For a little over two hours one had the enchanted experience of being teleported to a world just this side of over the rainbow. Here is a cornucopia of magical scenes and snippets from MGM's most magnificent musicals. Directed with adroit - if self congratulatory - wit and concision by Jack Haley Jr. (son of Oz's Tin Man), "That's Entertainment!" is the sort of blindingly spellbinding extravaganza that reinforces MGM's once galvanic mottos of "art for art's sake" and "more stars than there are in heaven." At its gala premiere Jack Haley Sr. was heard declaring, "This isn't nostalgia. This is art." Rightly so, by 1974 the MGM musical had been dead for some time and the studio itself was on the verge of a restructuring that would ultimately reduce its holdings to garage sale status. But at least in this film such forgotten treasures were resurrected from oblivion to their rightful place in film history. Variety gave "That's Entertainment!" a glowing review, trumpeting, "That while many may ponder the future of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, no one can deny that it's had one heck of a past!"

Naturally, MGM just had to have a sequel. Two years later "That's Entertainment II" came out. But David Melnick's follow up was decidedly a let down on several levels. First, it removed the star cameos that so poignantly buttressed the original's vintage clips. Second, it presented the footage in a seemingly hap-hazard chronology. And finally, it interrupted the musical performances with a showcase from some of the studio's non-musical performers in a string of disjointed word play that neither enhanced the memory of their original performances or the film experience that was to be had. Though not nearly as successful as its predecessor, "That's Entertainment II" was nevertheless a box office titan.

In 1994 MGM once again revisited its vaults for "That's Entertainment III" the final installment in the series. But by now the experience was vaguely beginning to resemble grave robbing. The new film's primary selling feature was that, in addition to showcasing another round of classic performances, it also dug deep into the coffers of outtakes for a series of deleted musical numbers which, until 1994, had either never or rarely been seen. Despite these innovations the final installment to the trilogy was the one most poorly received. It's the original that continues dazzle us all and it's the original that remains the cornerstone of this newly minted DVD box set.

Warner's DVD transfers of all three "That's Entertainment!" films is a welcomed delight. After years of viewing parts one and two with poorly mastered vintage clips, these newly minted discs appear to have been the benefactors of some digital restoration. Beginning with the original film, there is a decide lack of grain and grit on this transfer that is most becoming. Colors (during the Technicolor clips) are vibrant, rich and deep. B&W images are very crisp, nicely balanced, with an often stunning gray scale and superior attention to fine details. There is only the slightest amount of edge enhancement for a picture that is very smooth. The audio has been remixed and remastered to stereo for all three films. Part II seems to suffer from slightly lower contrast levels overall, but the same review for Part I applies. The most outstanding example of digital mastering comes in Part III - a marvelously vibrant array of clips remastered (as they were for the theatrical engagement) in high def that positively glows off the screen. The audio is 5.1 surround and is remarkably aggressive throughout.

Extras include a bonus disc of musical outtakes and extras, audio only catalogue of songs and dances, the original footage of the LA premiere with all of the old time musical stars in attendance and a series of short subjects that collectively perform like a documentary on the series. There are also the original theatrical trailers for each film to be had. In the immortal words of George Gershwin..."who could ask for anything more?"

Outstanding, breaktaking, incredible 5.1 stereo, beautful costumes, wonderful musical actors is only part of the wonders of this "That's Entertainment" Trilogy. I'll give you a brief but moving review of each film and the segment that i enjoyed the best. Part 1: "Show Boat" excerpt. The color is vibrent, the sound is outstanding and they play all the best parts that i love the most. Part 2: You stepped out of a dream sequence. It starts off with narration from Debbie Reynolds showing costuming then flashing to pictures of different MGM women in time to this music. This number ends with the screen enlarging and playing the production number from Ziefield Follies of 1941 with Tony Martin singing "You stepped out of a dream." Part 3: The Ester Williams sequence. What more can you say about this water beauty with a musical orchestrational number that all of a sudden opens up all stereo channels with this bellowing bass lows. Like i said these numbers are just my favorites that i can play over and over again but this whole set is wonderful and if you have 5.1 or THX sound system you'll hear what i mean. Now That's Entertainment!!!!

My new 16x9 plasma widescreen television came alive this week with the purchase of this magnificent THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT COMPLETE COLLECTION gift set. Three phenomenally memorable compilations featuring the most beloved musical moments in film history, are now joined by a jam-packed bonus disc in this great collector's edition.

I saw all three of these features in the theater when they opened (the first two in 70mm) and Warner Home Video has outdone themselves with these clean, sparkling transfers to DVD. These films have never looked so good, and the 5.2 surround sound will knock you out of your seat.

If you're looking for the ideal gift for Xmas, either for your loved ones, or yourself, you can't beat the beauty!

Since this boxed set has already been critiqued extensively and in detail by others, my aim here is simply to echo the comments of those who praised the rich array of both original and supplemental material made available in the collection, while at the same time, concurring with those few brave contrarians who slammed the quality of the transfers. Indeed, the individual who emphasized the particularly woeful job done on Part 2 is right on the money; and the pan-and-scan side of the disc is even worse than the widescreen (those who rave about the great digital transfers should have either their eyes or their heads examined -- preferably both). The other volumes are substantially better, but considering the value of this footage, re-releasing it in the age of DVD without a thorough digital restoration represents a degree of parsimony and shoddiness that can only be termed disgraceful.

I am a huge MGM musical fan, and I loved all three of the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! films, especially the first and third. This boxed set restores the films to their original splendor and although I have am HDTV, they offer a full frame version (with letterbox parts) for those who still have square TVs.

The sound is amazing..The extras are astounding. you get a whole extra disc of them with like 6 hours of goodies, including a boatload of outtake numbers you've never seen before.

The icing on the cake is the classy Turner Classic channel host Robert Osborne to give nifty introductions.

What a superb DVD set. A MUST-BUY!!!!!