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.
Out today from Shokus Video is Angel – Volume 2, with four half-hour episodes from the 1960-1961 CBS sitcom starring Annie Farge and Marshall Thompson. This is an officially licensed release from Burlingame Productions and the Estate of Jess Oppenheimer. Also out today, from Warner Home video, is Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! – The Complete Series, which contains the 25 episodes of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! broadcast on ABC between 1969 and 1970 as well as an additional 16 broadcast during the 1978-1979 season. All the episodes have been previously released on DVD but the complete series collection (which comes in a Mystery Machine van case) includes new bonus material.
Finally, TVShowsOnDVD.com has reported that the Warner Archive will be releasing NBC’s The Lieutenant, created by Gene Roddenberry and broadcast during the 1963-1964 season, sometime next year. Personally, I never expected this series to ever see the light of day. It will be interesting to see whether the entire series will be released at once, or in volumes, and whether there will be any bonus features.
Great news about Mr. Gene Roddenberry’s ‘The Lieutenant’ getting a DVD release. Applause to Warner Television. If it does well, perhaps we might see Mr. Roddenberry’s ‘West Point’ dusted off for DVD release.
NOW, I understand. “ANGEL” isn’t owned and distributed by CBS/Paramount; it was Jess Oppenheimer’s property all along! That’s why he had a complete set of episodes (most with original commercials from the show’s alternate sponsors- General Foods and S.C. Johnson {Johnson’s Wax}), and those found their to this ongoing DVD set; some episodes have been floating around collectors’ circles for years….about time more people had access to this amusing series!
“SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU?” originally aired on CBS during its original run, through 1975. His successor series (beginning with “THE SCOOBY-DOO/DYNOMUTT HOUR”) didn’t begin on ABC until the fall of 1976.
Warner Archive’s Facebook page is mentioning a large number of titles as definite releases in their MOD series. In addition to “The Lieutenant”, they’ve also specifically said a go for “The FBI” (with bonus content), “The Gallant Men” and “Tarzan” (Ron Ely series).
“THE LIEUTENANT”, Gene Roddenberry’s 1963-’64 MGM series, was first “exhumed” on TNT during the ’90s. Those were the days when it was “Turner Brodacasting System” property. Today, it’s Time-Warner’s property…and SOMEONE there figured, hey, let’s release this on DVD while we have the chance.
Back in May, I had commented on this forum: “Insider rumors indicate that they are planning to begin opening the television vaults soon, beginning with an extremely obscure and unlikely choice…which I’m not allowed to divulge at this point”. That choice I referred to was in fact “The Lieutenant”. For almost a year, someone at Warner has been dropping hints about an “opening of the vaults” related to their vintage library being offered as part of their MOD outlet. However, nothing has ever surfaced (I’m not counting the recent release of “Falcon Crest” and a somewhat flawed set of fourth-season “Night Court”, neither of which I consider from their vintage library).
At this point, I’ll believe it when I see it, despite the presence of a Facebook entity who claims to be speaking on behalf of the corporation.