The Real McCoys was a major TV hit during its run of 1957-1963. Starring three-time Oscar winner Walter Brennen and a pre-Rambo Richard Crenna. Led by Grandpa, the family move from Virginia to California (sound a touch familiar?) and is comprised of brothers and sisters that range in age from their twenties right down to eleven. This series paved the way fir rural comedies, especially the Beverly Hillbillies, proceeding it, and Brennen’s voice set the bar for wiley Southern farmer characters for a generation.
Rooted in the ideals of the 1950s, there is much mention of men doing the outside work and women “learning plenty at the end of a broom” (actual quote from the show), but despite the menfolk bordering on petty or misogynist, the stories remain endearing. Family values come first and there are plenty of witty lines sneaked in to appease a better part of any era of audience. In fact, more often then not the humour comes from Grandpa’s happy bumbling through “new” ideas, as he is marked as ‘different’ by both his age and his roots in a different part of the American South.
Each episode has some sort of conflict in or of the family, and almost always due to misunderstanding. The resilience and charm of this simple family resonates to this day and seems to be joyfully remembered by fans online and abroad. A harmless charmer, if I were to put it simply.
Video
Full frame. The digital restoration of this series has been magnificent. The picture is as clear as when it debuted (clearer thanks to my swanky HD TV…from the future!). The opening titles sequence seems to be the only part that has aged and shows spots, while the rest hardly has a noticeable scratch or flaw throughout. A very fine presentation.
Audio
A simple Mono track but like the Video, the restoration has done wonders maintaining a clear audio presentation. The audio track is simple but effectively joyful…just like this show (see what I did there?)
Special Features
None.
Final Thoughts
This set features 39 half-hour episodes. That is a lot of McCoy for your buck. Not much need for Special Features I recon. Them McCoys speak for themselves. So if its family safe entertainment you want that comes in just shy of the “wild” ideas of the 60s…have at it.
