Bozo: The World's Most Famous Clown, Collection 1

Flame-haired Bozo the Clown was a TV icon whose “adventures” were immortalized in thousands of daily broadcasts and hundreds of animated cartoons (due to the fact that local versions of the show aired in dozens of markets around the country, there were actually many Bozos). But Larry Harmon, one of the early performers in the character's multi-decade lifespan, acquired the rights to the franchise, molded it to conform to his vision, and kept it going much longer than anyone thought it could. This four-disc initial collection gathers together 30 live-action, half-hour episodes (circa 1965-67) hailing from Harmon's syndicated version of the show Bozo's Big Top, featuring Bozo (played by Frank Avruch, the local Boston Bozo) and his pals, including Professor Tweedy Foofer, Kooky Kangaroo, Clanky the Robot, and Mister Lion. Obviously produced on painfully low budgets in cramped studios, this is pretty tepid stuff overall, geared toward the youngest of viewers. However, there's no question that this could also have nostalgic appeal for boomers. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)