The Victor Borge Classic Collection

By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 11/18/2008

QUESTAR
Available now
> The Clown Prince of Denmark’s most memorable TV specials are compiled in a well-priced package.

Known worldwide as “The Clown Prince of Denmark,” the late, great Victor Borge is a piano-playing, shtick-loving musical joker who rose to fame on the concert stage and on numerous TV specials. This collection compiles a half-dozen earlier Borge releases together in one package, which clocks in at a mammoth seven hours. All of the “Great Dane”’s classic bits are here, including his “Phonetic Punctuation” routine and the “Inflationary Language” bit, along with a slew of fun musical performances, one of which features singer Sergio Franchi collaborating with Victor on “Autumn Leaves.”

Shelf Talk: The release of this collection is timed to coincide with the public TV broadcast of a major special on the late Borge, Victor Borge: 100 Years of Music and Laughter. The TV show is probably the most exposure that Borge’s work will get in the near future, as his appeal is mostly limited to older viewers (from here and abroad) who grew up watching Borge’s special on TV and saw him in his many concerts around the world.

Music/comedy, color and B&W, NR (nothing offensive), 420 min., DVD $39.95
Extras: none
Directors: various
First Run: TV, 1950-2000