Timeless Media Group - New Releases - Page 3

Bob Hug · 01-28-2008, 08:30 AM

Update on the next round of Timeless Media releases . . . .

Both Amazon and DVDPacific are now showing a March 19, 2008 release date for the three follow-up volumes of these series:

Arrest and Trial
Checkmate
Laredo

Initial release information at both sites had these titles being released a month earlier on February 19; still no official cover artwork or episode listings for these at Timeless' web site.

Bob Hug · 02-21-2008, 05:25 PM

Today, while at my local supermarket (Pathmark; stores in the Middle Atlantic States), I came across several of the Timeless Media westerns in an abbreviated, single disc format, selling for just $4.99 each. All of them appeared to be simply the first disc from the each of the three-disc sets for the following shows: “Laredo,” “Restless Gun,” “Riverboat,” and “The Tall Man.” I did not see any discs for “Cimarron City” or “Tate” nor were there any DVDs for the more contemporary series like “Arrest and Trial” and “Checkmate.” There were also a few made-for-TV westerns available like the remake of “Winchester ‘73” and “Lock, Stock and Barrel.”

The only brick & mortar stores where I’ve come across Timeless Media releases have been Wal-Mart and Suncoast Video and both of those stores have been very limited in what they have had to offer. I don’t know whether or not any other supermarkets will be carrying these titles, but I thought I’d mention it for those who might be interested in sampling these series. Strangely, these single disc editions do not appear in Timeless’ online catalog.

Chas_Michael · 02-21-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hug

Strangely, these single disc editions do not appear in Timeless’ online catalog.

Also NONE of the upcoming releases are listed on The Timeless website!

Ivan G · 02-22-2008, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hug

Today, while at my local supermarket (Pathmark; stores in the Middle Atlantic States), I came across several of the Timeless Media westerns in an abbreviated, single disc format, selling for just $4.99 each. All of them appeared to be simply the first disc from the each of the three-disc sets for the following shows: “Laredo,” “Restless Gun,” “Riverboat,” and “The Tall Man.” I did not see any discs for “Cimarron City” or “Tate” nor were there any DVDs for the more contemporary series like “Arrest and Trial” and “Checkmate.” There were also a few made-for-TV westerns available like the remake of “Winchester ‘73” and “Lock, Stock and Barrel.”

The only brick & mortar stores where I’ve come across Timeless Media releases have been Wal-Mart and Suncoast Video and both of those stores have been very limited in what they have had to offer. I don’t know whether or not any other supermarkets will be carrying these titles, but I thought I’d mention it for those who might be interested in sampling these series. Strangely, these single disc editions do not appear in Timeless’ online catalog.

I don't think this is the first time Timeless has done this. I bought a fistful of their "Timeless Television" discs from DVDPacific.com a year back and they weren't the two-disc editions, just single-disc. Covers were the same, only the info was different. I thought I was getting a bargain on them because they were only $1.99 a pop.

Bert Greene · 02-23-2008, 02:18 PM

I've encountered a fair number of the Timeless sets at Hasting's stores. Priced at only $19.99, which ain't bad. I picked up an extra set of "Arrest and Trial" as a birthday gift for a friend. I've gotten most of their recent Universal-leased items, having just picked up the "Laredo" volume a couple of weeks ago. It had been a while since I'd seen the series, and I'd forgotten what a breezy, fun show it was. Especially in that initial season.

Bob Hug · 02-25-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bert Greene

I've gotten most of their recent Universal-leased items, having just picked up the "Laredo" volume a couple of weeks ago. It had been a while since I'd seen the series, and I'd forgotten what a breezy, fun show it was. Especially in that initial season.

"Laredo" is entertaining and Neville Brand is a lot of fun to watch, though his co-stars (William Smith and Peter Brown) are good, as well. I've been generally pleased with this release from Timeless. Although just a tad soft looking, the prints are relatively defect free and color has generally been good. The only thing that irks me is the clipping of the opening title sequence for each episode. You get it once when the DVD loads and that's it. At least the end credits are intact, including the Universal logo.

Hollywoodaholic · 03-04-2008, 12:09 PM

I never saw Checkmate, is it worth picking up? I'm a big fan of Doug McClure's character Trampas on The Virginian but I wasn't familiar with his work here. I also understand Eric Ambler created this show, which bodes well. How does it stack up against shows like The Naked City or even The Fugitive for writing? That's always my main focus. Just curious.

Bob Hug · 03-04-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollywoodaholic

I never saw Checkmate, is it worth picking up? I'm a big fan of Doug McClure's character Trampas on The Virginian but I wasn't familiar with his work here. I also understand Eric Ambler created this show, which bodes well. How does it stack up against shows like The Naked City or even The Fugitive for writing? That's always my main focus. Just curious.

Well, Wayne, to my memory, "Checkmate" was one of the very best detective/private investigator series of the late 1950s/early 1960s ("Checkmate" ran from 1960 to 1962). The writing is above average for a series of its type, but it's a different type of writing than what you'll find in shows like "Naked City" and "The Fugitive." Just an opinion but, to me, the writing is closer to some of the NBC Mystery Movies like "Columbo" or "Banacek," except that you have three leads rather than one and the shows were made for an hour time slot.

Timeless' audio/visual presentation is no great shakes as it was culled from 16mm films from collectors. Amazon has a really good deal on the "Best of Season 1" right now, just $15.49. The "Best of Season 2" is coming out later this month. You might also want to check out the customer reviews at Amazon for a few other opinions.

Amazon.com: Best of Checkmate: Season One: Checkmate: Movies & TV

I enjoyed this show quite a bit and have the second set on pre-order. I think that the writing style and tone of Timeless' other contemporary (1960s) series "Arrest and Trial" is much closer to "The Fugitive" and "Naked City" than "Checkmate" is.

Stephen Bowie · 03-04-2008, 04:32 PM

The scripts for "Checkmate" were uneven: there are a few taut, Agatha Christie-style mysteries (like Douglas Heyes' "The Murder Game") but mostly the writing was more on the level of the Warner Bros. private eye shows (flimsy plots, gratuitous fistfights). I think the show has been a bit overrated historically due to the Eric Ambler pedigree.

The reason to watch "Checkmate" isn't the writing, it's the presentation: the hip animated title sequence scored to Johnny Williams' jazzy title tune, plus the fact that Universal was willing to spend money on top directors and guest stars (Charles Laughton, Patricia Neal, Claire Bloom, Jane Wyman, etc.) who didn't usually do TV, at least not Hollywood genre shows, at that time.

Gary OS · 03-07-2008, 03:34 PM

For anyone interested, I have the episode titles for each of the three new sets that Timeless is coming out with in a few weeks.

Arrest & Trial Part Two

Disc One:

Journey Into the Darkness
Those Which Love Has Made
The Witnesses

Disc Two:

Somewhat Lower Than the Angels
Run Little Man, Run
He Ran For His Life

Disc Three:

My Name is Martin Burnham
A Circle of Strangers
Some Weeks Are All Mondays

Checkmate Season 2

Disc One:

The Heat of Passion
Brooding Fixation
Through A Dark Glass
Juan Morena's Body

Disc Two:

Nice Guys Finish Last
A Chant of Silence
So Beats My Plastic Heart
The Yacht-Club Gang

Disc Three:

Death Beyond Recall
The Sound of Nervous Laughter
In a Foreign Quarter
Down the Gardenia Path

Laredo Season 1 Part Two

Disc One:

The Heroes of San Gill
Jinx
Above the Law
It's The End of the Road, Stanley
Miracle at Massacre Mission

Disc Two:

Meanwhile, Back at the Reservation
That's Noway Thataway
The Treasure of San Diablo
Sound of Terror
No Bugles, One Drum

Disc Three:

The Deadliest Kid in the West
A Very Small Assignment
A Taste of Money
Quarter Past Eleven
The Would-Be Gentleman of Laredo

I don't know any of these series well enough to comment on the overall quality of the episodes that were selected. I'm getting all three sets though.

Gary "these dvds are only a few weeks away from being released" O.

Bob Hug · 03-07-2008, 03:43 PM

Thanks, Gary. I have the first two sets pre-ordered and eventually hope to get to "Laredo," particularly as season 1 will be complete.

Professor Echo · 03-09-2008, 06:16 PM

I hate to be the one to spoil the party, but I believe at least one, if not more, of the CHECKMATE episodes are NOT uncut. In the second episode on Disc One of the BEST OF SEASON ONE there is a guest star listed on the end credits who ne