Classic TV Shows

Ku88 · 04-12-2007, 10:44 AM

What are the top classic TV shows (talking 50's and 60's here) that have yet to be released? The tops on my list would have to be Dennis the Menace, Mr. Ed seasons sets, and My Three Sons.

Are these just not beg enough sellers for the studios to put these out? Are they not willing even if they are sure to get guaranteed sales from these niche markets?

I can't believe they can put out a show like Men Behaving Badly that had 1.5 seasons back in the mid 90's (and I admit that I liked this show back then, but no one that I've ever talked to has ever seen it), but leave Dennis the Menace on the shelf. And I will be devastated if the leave Leave it to Beaver unfinished. It would be an absolute travesty.

Charles Ellis · 04-12-2007, 11:25 AM

Donna Reed
Batman
Burns & Allen season sets
Dobie Gillis
Peyton Place
Car 54, Where Are You? (but there are rumors for an '07 release)
The Mod Squad
season sets for:
Bonanza
The Beverly Hillbillies
Petticoat Junction These shows have PD episodes out already
Thriller with Boris Karloff
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
77 Sunset Strip
The FBI
The Defenders
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Our Miss Brooks
December Bride
The Bold Ones
The Name Of The Game
The Rookies
Vegas
The High Chapparal
The Farmer's Daughter
He & She
Love On A Rooftop
Owen Marshall, Attorney at Law
The Green Hornet
Adventures In Paradise
Lou Grant
Room 222
Route 66
Ben Casey
Dr. Kildare- and that's just for openers!

I merely thought of major hits and cult favorites of the 50s-70s that came from the top of my head. I'm sure the rest of you can add even more vintage shows to the list. It couldn't hurt- after all, someone from the studios may be reading this!

bobPON · 04-12-2007, 01:17 PM

I'd also like to see the following:

Surfside Six
Bourbon Street Beat
Hawaiian Eye
The Rebel
Jungle Jim
Yancy Derringer
Roy Rogers
Bat Masterson
Annie Oakley
Sea Hunt
Bronco
Broken Arrow
Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion
Colt .45
Fury
Home Run Derby
Laramie
Maverick
Richard Diamond
Shotgun Slade
Sugarfoot
The Silent Service

Bob Hug · 04-12-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobPON

I'd also like to see the following:

Roy Rogers
Bat Masterson
Annie Oakley
Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion
Fury
Maverick
Richard Diamond
Shotgun Slade

All of the above shows have at least some episodes available from some of the public domain releasing companies like Alpha Video, Timeless Media Group, Critics Choice Video, and a few others. Granted, these aren't full season sets and the a/v quality is less than what you would expect from the major studios but, if you need a quick "fix" for these shows, they are available . . . just not in the form that most of us would prefer to see them. Of the above list, "Maverick" actually did get an official release from Warner Brothers in the form of a 3-episode, single disc as part of their "Television Favorites" line as a "try out" to determine consumer interest. Apparently, sales weren't sufficient since there was never any follow-up, unlike "Cheyenne," which did get a season 1 release last year.

Jeff Willis · 04-12-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ku88

What are the top classic TV shows (talking 50's and 60's here) that have yet to be released? The tops on my list would have to be Dennis the Menace, Mr. Ed seasons sets, and My Three Sons.

Are these just not beg enough sellers for the studios to put these out? Are they not willing even if they are sure to get guaranteed sales from these niche markets?

I can't believe they can put out a show like Men Behaving Badly that had 1.5 seasons back in the mid 90's (and I admit that I liked this show back then, but no one that I've ever talked to has ever seen it), but leave Dennis the Menace on the shelf. And I will be devastated if the leave Leave it to Beaver unfinished. It would be an absolute travesty.

First, welcome to the "club", Scott. This is THE forum for TV/DVD threads, and if you haven't yet visited TVSHOWSONDVD.COM, that's THE place for all the latest TV/DVD release info, as well as some other goodies

Many here have wondered the same things as you mentioned. There are several reasons that it seems (to us) that the studios sit on a lot of classic shows in the vaults. Some of the reasons are cost, ie rights/clearance expenses/issues, and as you said, it's a business first so they try to project sales potential of the older TV shows. Also, IMO, we see a lot more DVD releases of recent and current shows since they benefit from the maturing of the home video industry. Just think what it would have been like if DVD's had been available at the time the classic series were being broadcast in their initial runs. We'd be in "collecting-Heaven"

My list is small compared to these classic series "aces" here

but I'm waiting for a few. They're in my Signature.

**HTF Ads**

michael_ks · 04-12-2007, 02:06 PM

It was due to Jeff's signature that I made one of my own with several title overlaps evident. Around 10 of my wants have already been listed in Charles' and bobPON's posts. I'm actually looking for considerably more titles than what I have listed ("Five Fingers", "The Dakotas", "The Westerner", "Way Out" to name but a few) which will probably never see the light of day.

If "The Fugitive" and "The Invaders" are released in their entirety I'll consider myself very fortunate considering that the sun may be setting on 50s/60s era TV shows and do my best not to complain about the others in my list being MIA. If I'm fortunate enough to see "The Rebel", "The Loner" and "T.H.E. Cat"? That's icing on the cake for sure.

Robert13 · 04-12-2007, 03:07 PM

I have one b&w classic TV show I would love to see come out on dvd
The Patty Duke Show

Elena S · 04-12-2007, 03:51 PM

Also "Father Knows Best" and "Bachelor Father." And more seasons of "Make Room for Daddy."

ScottR · 04-12-2007, 06:45 PM

I want Batman and The Donna Reed Show.

Charles Ellis · 04-12-2007, 07:10 PM

I forgot to add two other hit westerns:

The Virginian
Wagon Train

ChrisCook · 04-12-2007, 09:28 PM

There are two-episode compilations you can purchase through Movies Unlimited for "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis", but I just want "Dobie" seasons sets. "Dobie Gillis" is currently facing "rights issues" with the Max Shulman estate who are demanding that Fox give them a huge sum of money before they will allow them to release it. "Dobie" has already been remastered, and is already to go, so all it needs is to be digitally transferred to DVD (and of course, a good helping of extras

). If there is something this fan can help speed this situation up, I'll gladly help (not that I can do anything, I'm just saying). This is the classic series listed I want the most.

bobraleigh · 04-13-2007, 10:33 PM

i, too would like to see the donna reed show released. as well as more seasons of everybody's fave domestic engineer "hazel"