Every Tuesday I take a look at obscure and/or classic television programs, specials, miniseries or made-for-TV movies being released on DVD. For the record I consider anything broadcast prior to 1980 to be classic or else there wouldn’t be much to discuss. The releases referred to in these posts are encoded for Region 1 use in the United States and Canada.
Last week was a pretty depressing one for fans of classic television but thankfully things are a lot different this week, with one relatively obscure show coming to DVD for the first time as well as new season sets of several classic shows. Timeless Media Group announced just last month that it would be releasing The Oregon Trail, complete with six unaired episodes. The series, which was broadcast on NBC from September to November of 1977, began as a made-for-TV movie that aired in January of 1977. Thirteen episodes were produced but only six were aired. Now, though, you can get all thirteen episodes, including those seven unaired episodes, plus the pilot telefilm. Timeless is also releasing Alias Smith And Jones: Seasons 2 & 3, which includes all 35 episodes from the 1971-1972 and 1972-1973 seasons. The first season was released back in February of 2007 by Universal Home Video and now you can finally finish your collection.
Also out today is Dallas: The Complete Thirteenth Season<, with all 27 episodes from the 1989-1990 season, which I am including here despite being after my cut-off date due to the fact that the series began in 1978. Plus, it's Dallas. Only one season remains to be released and there’s no reason to think it won’t be. You can also pick up Emergency!: Season Six, with all 24 episodes from the 1976-1977 season. This was the final regular season of the drama but six made-for-TV movies were broadcast between January of 1978 and July of 1979. Finally, if for some reason you’re interested in seeing just four episodes from the first three seasons of The Donna Reed Show you can buy The Donna Reed Show: Family Favorites from Virgil Films and Entertainment.
