Maude - The Complete First Season
Bea Arthur is a force of nature. Having mainly seen her as Dorothy on The Golden Girls, I was certainly a fan, but I had only the vaguest memory of her as Maude, star of the classic 1970s sitcom of the same name. Watching her chew up the scenery (and everything and everyone around her), it becomes apparent that Arthur is an actress of remarkable dexterity and intensity, with perfect comic timing to boot. Love the funky theme song, sung by Donnie Hathaway. And check out those groovy pantsuits, tunics and scarves!
A spin off of All in the Family (Maude Findlay was Edith Bunker’s cousin), the show is a shrine to Watergate-era liberalism, reflecting the values of series creator Norman Lear. (And check out all the pill-popping and drinking these suburbanites casually indulge in!) Each episode tackles a different topic - race relations, marijuana legalization, career women vs. homemakers - with determination and often hilarious dialogue. The legendary two-part episode Maude’s Dilemma, intelligently examines the issue of (then recently legalized) abortion, a testament to the boldness of the era. Todays’s ’sit-coms’ can’t hold a candle; you won’t find anyone on Reba or According to Jim debating the pros and cons of a woman’s right to choose.
Also in keeping with the time period, and Lear comedies in particular, there is a lot of screaming going on. Characters argue intensely, often yelling over each other in a crescendo of impassioned speeches. Still, the focus always remains on laughter, and here, Bea Arthur is queen. She doles out insults and withering stares, but always her soft, loving side is evident just beneath the surface. She is surrounded by an amazing cast of sitcom pros: Esther Rolle, Rue McClanahan, Conrad Bain, Adrienne Barbeau, and the slyly comic Bill Macy as husband number four. He was the recipient of Maude’s signature line, "God’ll get you for that Walter".
A must see television milestone , finally on DVD!
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
22 episodes on three discs
No extras or commentaries, dammit.
