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 Shout! Factory is Kojak – Season 4, with all 25 episodes from the 1976-1977 season. Shout! released Season Three less than two months ago; only one season remains unreleased. Also out today from Shout! is Love Is On The Air: Romance & Laughter From TV’s Golden Age, a single-disc release featuring romance-themed episodes from seven series, including Ozzie & Harriet, Hazel, That Girl and Leave It To Beaver. Timeless Media Group has two new releases out today: The Virginian – The Complete 6th Season (all 26 episodes from the 1967-1968 season) and Wagon Train – The Complete 5th Season (all 37 episodes from the 1961-1962 season). Visual Entertainment Inc. is releasing The Invisible Man – The Complete Series, featuring all 15 episodes from the 1972-1973 season; David McCallum starred in this NBC adaptation of the famous H.G. Wells novel. A Blu-ray release is scheduled for June 19th. And from Image Entertainment comes The Dick Van Dyke Show – Carl Reiner’s Favorites, a three-disc set with 20 episodes chosen by series creator Carl Reiner.
Finally, out today from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is Ghost Story (aka Circle of Fear) – The Complete Series, with all 23 episodes from the 1972-1973 season. Ghost Story was supernatural anthology series initially hosted by Sebastian Cabot before a mid-season title change to Circle of Fear and thematic shift away from the paranormal. This is a manufacture-on-demand (MOD) release, meaning it will not be available in stores. Sony is also releasing Emily’s Reasons Why Not – The Complete Series through its manufacture-on-demand program, which I mention only because the series holds the dubious distinction of being one of the very few to be cancelled after only one episode. Despite heavy promotion, the January 9th, 2006 premiere was low-rated and the remaining six episodes were never aired.
