Behind Washington: Behind Closed Doors

Now available from Acorn Media is the award winning miniseries, Washington: Behind Closed Doors. This six part story, spread across three discs, is the fictional tale of President Richard Monckton (Jason Robards, The Civil War, Magnolia), a paranoid and arrogant man, secretly plotting against many. Set mainly in the 1970s, Monckton comes under the influence of Frank Flaherty (Robert Vaughn, Coronation Street, Hustle), who isolates the president from his staff, and manipulates him to serve his purposes. All this, while the administration balances a Southeast Asian war and antiwar protests at home.

Wait, you say. This doesn't sound fictional? It seems to be the story of President Richard Nixon, the man who divided a country with his machinations, and engaged in covert games with those around him? That might just be because Washington: Behind Closed Doors is based on a novel by a former Nixon adviser, intended to somewhat tell a true story.

Even for those of us who didn't live through the Nixon era, this is a tale worth paying attention to. In an era where government is royally screwed up, Washington: Behind Closed Doors will spark the cynical side of viewers, imagining the worst of the man who run our country. This isn't any better or worse than the way things currently are, but shows another ineffective government at another point in history. It also reminds us that history can repeat itself, and power corrupts.

Washington: Behind Closed Doors is filled with fantastic performances. Besides Vaughn and Robards, there's Cliff Robertson (Spider-Man) as CIA director Bill Martin, who would like Monckton's ear, but instead finds a president intent on settling vendettas, rather than making America the country it should be. Andy Griffith does his take on Lyndon B. Johnson, who is almost as villainous as Monckton, in an entirely different way.

The actors that get the short end of the shaft in this miniseries are the women. Robbed of any juicy parts, or even a coherent love story, Stefanie Powers (Doctors, Hart to Hart) and Lois Nettleton (In the Heat of the Night) do the best that they can with flimsy material. They could probably hold their own against the boys, if given the chance. Sadly, they are not.

But romance aside, which isn't really needed in a piece like this, anyway, Washington: Behind Closed Doors is a stellar story of intrigue, betrayal, and deception. A highly entertaining political thriller, this will bring older viewers back to an important moment in this nation's history, and entice those who aren't so familiar to learn more.

Will America ever learn its lesson? Only time will tell. But this show will definitely spark some musings and introspection. For that reason, hopefully many of those involved in the current bickering will check it out and reconsider what they are doing with their lives.

In case you happen to be one of those who isn't well versed in the time period, an eight page booklet is included in this DVD set. It outlines reality, from Indochina conflict, to the peace movement in the U.S., to the Watergate scandal. It's sort of a cliff notes version of history, and one that provides appropriate context.

The only other bonus feature included is a set of brief biographies on a number of political figures of the time. These are nice, but one wishes there was more. Where are the interviews and commentary from the producers and stars, discussing how it felt to be part of such an important, renowned series? Ah, well. Maybe in the next edition.

At around 600 minutes in length, and given the high quality of the program and plot, there is plenty to recommend about this DVD set. Check out Washington: Behind Closed Doors, on sale now.

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Frosty's Winter Wonderland gets new DVD release

     Now out on DVD is a remastered "deluxe" edition of Frosty's Winter Wonderland. A 1976 sequel to the original 1969 Frosty the Snowman special, Frosty's Winter Wonderland finds the titular character unhappy being alone. Hearing this, the children immediately set about working together to make Frosty a wife, whom he names Crystal. But it is only after Frosty gives her frost flowers, and through his love, that she comes alive, like he is.

     Meanwhile, Jack Frost (Paul Frees) grows jealous of Frosty's idealistic life, so he blows off Frosty's hat, turning Frosty back into a regular snowman. Once again, however, it is the power of love that rejuvenates him. As Frosty and Crystal prepare for their wedding ceremony, Jack Frost causes a wintry wind to launch his second attack. Frosty and Crystal approach the cad and ask him to be their best man.

     Now friends, they intend on prolonging winter, which would please all three. It is not until Parson Brown (Dennis Day, The Jack Benny Program) raises the point about the trees and bulbs in the ground never being able to bloom if they don't let spring come that they realize it is time for them to go home, and they return to the North Pole.

     With this DVD release of Frosty's Winter Wonderland, the story comes back to life, just as Frosty has a habit of doing, as the holiday season fast approaches. Andy Griffith (The Andy Griffith Show, Matlock) narrates the classic special, with Jackie Vernon (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July) playing Frosty. Andy Griffith's classic narration style invites the viewer deeper into the story. Jackie Vernon creates a somewhat dopey, yet completely lovable and unencumbered Frosty that is just a magnet for children. And there is no one to match him better than the sweet and adorable Crystal, played by Shelley Winters (A Place in the Sun, The Diary of Anne Frank).

     One of the special features in this set is "Frosty and the Story of the Snowman", providing, you guessed it, the history of snowmen and the creation of Frosty's character. The earliest documented snowman appears in 1380 as an insecure creature. Nevertheless, man has always loved snowmen. They tend to be a reflection of ourselves, created with common or household items laying around. Completely non-denominational, snowmen are the least judgmental form of artwork. Artistic as a child, Frosty's animator, Paul Coker Jr., starts out as a gag cartoonist and drawer of greeting cards. Surprisingly, it is not until the creation of Frosty that snowmen become associated with children. Furthermore, when the song "Frosty the Snowman" originates, snowmen begin to be viewed as a joyous symbol of the holidays. Frosty is now a brand that people look forward to every year. People believe that when they create, dress, and name a snowman, that they are creating a kind of friend.

     Other features include a trailer for Dolphin Tale, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick Jr., and a trailer for Santa's Magical Stories, a compilation of 7 Rankin Bass Productions, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

     While this special first aired thiry-five years ago, this DVD presents clear animation, a sharp picture, and quality sound, lasting for the entire twenty-four minute run. In short, the remastered work is great, and Frosty's Winter Wonderland has never looked better!

     With December being just around the corner, we are soon to be inundated by non-stop Christmas music on the radio and twenty-five days of Christmas classics. There is no doubt that Frosty's Winter Wonderland is included in that mix. Regardless of age, no one can deny how classic the character of Frosty is around this time of year. Despite the fact that this short is repeated a number of times each Christmas, it is hard to grow weary of it. Viewing it again recalls many fond memories. Overall, Frosty's Winter Wonderland is short, wholesome, and provides an uninhibited experience.

     You can purchase Frosty's Winter Wonderland on Amazon beginning today!

     *Credit must be given where credit is due. This article was written by my wife.

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Article first published as DVD Review: Frosty's Winter Wonderland on Blogcritics.