Checkmate Coming to DVD?

Bob Hug · 07-17-2007, 02:49 PM

A message posted at IMDB.com indicates that we may be seeing a "Best of" release of the Sebastian Cabot-Anthony George-Doug McClure detective series. There's not much to go on and, hopefully, this will come to fruition; here's the sum total of the post:

"Timeless Media Group has licensed Checkmate from NBC/Universal, and will be putting out a 3 DVD 12 episode set in the fall."

This was just recently posted on July 11th, so perhaps there's something to it. I can't find any confirming information elsewhere on the net, but Universal has licensed "McHale's Navy" and "Ironside" to Shout Factory and "Banacek" to Hart Sharp, and Timeless does have some experience with licensed properties. But nothing is showing just yet at their web site for "Checkmate."

In the meantime, a couple of public domain episodes are available on Mill Creek's "Best of TV Detectives" and a single episode appears on Diamond Entertainment's "T.V.'s Lost Shows."

Charles H · 07-17-2007, 03:25 PM

It was a fascinating series based on a premise by Eric Ambler. The guest stars were unusual for a detective series: Charles Laughton, Jack Benny, Jane Wyman, Sid Caesar, Anne Baxter. It also had a terrific theme score by John(ny) Williams that is now available on cd (FSM).

Ivan G · 07-17-2007, 03:35 PM

No doubt about it, Bob -- you are da man! Thanks for the heads up on this one.

Bob Hug · 07-17-2007, 03:40 PM

Ivan, you are most welcome. For anyone interested in classic/vintage television, films and old time radio, check out Ivan's blog at:

http://blogs.salon.com/0003139/

Bob Hug · 07-17-2007, 04:20 PM

Looks like September 18th is going to be the release date for "Checkmate." Amazon has it up for pre-order for $20.99:

http://www.amazon.com/Checkmate/dp/B...4703414&sr=1-6

Nothing at Critics Choice or Deep Discount yet, though.

**HTF Ads**

michael_ks · 07-17-2007, 04:34 PM

Bob, it's uncanny how you manage to uncover the many sources of information related to classic tv on the net. Myself I would very much welcome a release for "Checkmate" eventhough I've never caught a glimpse of it. I did once have the soundtrack LP and recall my enjoyment in listening to John Williams' jazzy compositions for the series. I plan on picking this one up provided the transfers are decent enough.

Incidentally in the most recent entry for Ivan's blog I noticed that CBS-Paramount has puportedly abandoned "Have Gun Will Travel" according to one source--I've never seen anything remotely definitive as this where the release to S4-6 to dvd is concerned.

docdoowop · 07-17-2007, 04:42 PM

I dropped a line to Timeless about this release. If/when I hear from them I'll post.

Bob Hug · 07-17-2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_ks

I plan on picking this one up provided the transfers are decent enough.

Transfers could be an issue. On the one hand, the license is from Universal; hopefully they'll do at least some remastering. On the other hand, Timeless did put out "Branded" and "The Guns of Will Sonnet," both of which offered cut, syndicated episodes that didn't appear to be cleaned up much for the DVD release. Since "Checkmate" ran, roughly, in the same era as "McHale's Navy," which Uni licensed to Shout! Factory, I'd guess that the episodes would be comparable to the black & white episodes of "McHale's Navy."

Brian:C · 07-17-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hug

A message posted at IMDB.com indicates that we may be "Timeless Media Group has licensed Checkmate from NBC/Universal, and will be putting out a 3 DVD 12 episode set in the fall."
."

Bob, That's not the only one, A little further checking on Amazon turns up these NBC shows to be release by timeless September 18, 2007:

1. The Tall Man
2. Riverboat
3. Laredo
4. Restless Gun

No info, hopefully they will release additional volumes. These were short lived series.

Brian

Ivan G · 07-17-2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian:C

Bob, That's not the only one, A little further checking on Amazon turns up these NBC shows to be release by timeless September 18, 2007:

1. The Tall Man
2. Riverboat
3. Laredo
4. Restless Gun

No info, hopefully they will release additional volumes. These were short lived series.

Brian

Excellent news! I, for one, am one happy camper.

Ivan G · 07-17-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael_ks

Bob, it's uncanny how you manage to uncover the many sources of information related to classic tv on the net. Myself I would very much welcome a release for "Checkmate" eventhough I've never caught a glimpse of it. I did once have the soundtrack LP and recall my enjoyment in listening to John Williams' jazzy compositions for the series. I plan on picking this one up provided the transfers are decent enough.

Incidentally in the most recent entry for Ivan's blog I noticed that CBS-Paramount has puportedly abandoned "Have Gun Will Travel" according to one source--I've never seen anything remotely definitive as this where the release to S4-6 to dvd is concerned.

Michael:

My source for this is Martin Grams, Jr., the author of The Have Gun, Will Travel Companion. He had originally told me that CBS-Paramount was full-speed-ahead committed to the entire series run, but that the sluggish sales for season two made them a mite skittish. (It didn't help, of course, that CBS-Paramount monkeyed around with the release date.) Martin says that for all intents and purposes further HGWT is dead in the water but that there is a slim--emphasis on slim--possibility that there might be a last-minute reprieve from the governor.

Ron Lee Green · 07-17-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles H

It was a fascinating series based on a premise by Eric Ambler. The guest stars were unusual for a detective series: Charles Laughton, Jack Benny, Jane Wyman, Sid Caesar, Anne Baxter. It also had a terrific theme score by John(ny) Williams that is now available on cd (FSM).

I hope this "Best of" release includes the episode guest-starring Elizabeth Montgomery. I'll buy it for that alone.