Ogden & Dorothy, Phyllis & Yip

Filmed in 1978, this video presents famed actor Jack Lemmon and two companions leading a lighthearted tour through the verse of four of America's most talented 20th century wits: Ogden Nash, Dorothy Parker, Phyllis McGinley, and Edgar "Yip" Harburg (composer of “Over the Rainbow,” “April in Paris," and “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”, among other songs). Each of these authors had a knack for the sharp poetic jab at society's foibles. Of course, Nash is famous for his outrageous rhymes such as “The cow is of the bovine ilk/one end is moo, the other, milk.” As a writer and critic, Parker was renowned for such acerbic observations as, “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.” McGinley satirized the suburban life, and Harburg, although more famous for his songwriting, displays a pointed, observant wit in his verse. Not surprisingly, given its age, this production feels a little stiff at times, but it's well worth viewing to hear the verses come alive again through the efforts of three talented actors. Also available in the Master Poets Collection VII series (series price: $89.95) are: The Restoration Wits, A Program of Satire, and Limericks, Epigrams & Occasional Verse. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Fisher)