Project UFO rumored for release

Bob Hug · 09-11-2007, 12:47 PM

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry over this rumored announcement.

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=8052

On the one hand, it’s absolutely wonderful that this Jack Webb produced show looks like it’s going to get an official DVD release. But, at the same time, I’m shaking my head that we have only one season each of Webb’s better known “Dragnet” revival and “Adam-12” and no official releases of the original, ground breaking 1950s “Dragnet” (though plenty of PD releases from which to choose). At least Webb's "Emergency!" has three seasons released to date. I really wish that Universal, if they have no interest in releasing these Webb shows themselves, license them to a company who has an interest and will give them a proper release.

Corey3rd · 09-11-2007, 02:51 PM

But Project UFO is an easier release since there are only 26 episodes.

Universal is allowing Shout! Factory to release McHale's Navy and Ironside.

JeffT. · 09-11-2007, 10:46 PM

It sounds like something more than just a rumour but I suppose this (welcomed) news is being layed claim to by some (so-called) informed source so there is a certain amount of uncertainty.

I am NOT a fan of cop shows so I have to give Jack Webb (considerable) credit for going into another field of entertainment altogether. While I'm on the topic I have seen copies of HAWAII 5-O the complete first season going for (at least) one third of the original retail price at a downtown BEST BUY store and I really have to wonder just how Paramount-CBS Television thinks it is making money on this particular tv property...unless it was produced inexpensively!

The U.S. military has never given credence (at least not publically) to these UFO sightings (which is its fictional context) but this show is noteworthy for its recreation of such alleged events. UFO-ology is still of considerable interest perhaps even more so today and hopefully this particular (tv series) DVD release will become a reality.

PROJECT UFO shares much in common with a another UFO-sighting premised show THE INVADERS and both are worthy considerations for future North American DVD releases.

Jeff T.

Ron68 · 09-11-2007, 11:29 PM

I remember watching this show and being disappointed with the outcome of each episode.

Spoiler:

Still, I might buy the series depending on the price.

michael_ks · 09-12-2007, 10:27 AM

As a hungry science fiction fan (well, nerd actually) in the 70s I had high hopes for "Project UFO" in light of the major disappointment I went through with "Space 1999" a couple of years earlier. It just never grabbed me, mainly because I've always felt that "Project Blue Book" was nothing more than a big waste of taxpayer dollars. But then, I was always reading books by UFO debunkers like Phillip Glass ("UFOs Explained"). Personally, I would much rather see Universal finish up "Night Gallery". And yes, I'd like to see more "Dragnet" as well, especially the older version.

**HTF Ads**

AndyMcKinney · 09-12-2007, 06:54 PM

I was thinking about transferring my off-air PAL VHSes of the series to disc. Guess I'll keep that "project" on hold!

Hank Dearborn · 09-13-2007, 01:28 PM

Too late for me, I already did mine from the run in Australia. This really wasn't a great show. Leave it to Jack Webb to take a topic like UFOs and turn it into a bore fest. But I'm glad to see any short run series from the 70s or earlier come out so I'm not unhappy with this news. Of course the only reason this even has a shot is because they were already mastered to tape for that run. Anything Universal owns that's still sitting in the vault on film has no chance because of their astronomical internal transfer costs.

RickER · 09-13-2007, 02:39 PM

The effects were bad, like 1950s B movie, ship on a wire, bad. I was about 14 when this show was on, and it made me groan on a regular basis. Seeing Robby the Robot was cool, and thats about all of the good i can remember. It still made you groan cause your saying crap, thats Robby the Robot, not some strange alien robot probe. I cant remember but i know one of the seasons was better than the other. They had a little cast change that i liked. I just dont remember what season was better. Not that either was good. I am a big Jack Webb fan, and would also like to see more Dragnet and Adam-12. As a matter of fact i would like to see season 1 of Adam-12 re-released on single sided discs that will play!

Some shows no matter how bad, they scratch an old memory that makes you smile. Land of the Lost and Ark II did that for me. By the way LOTL and Ark II are much better than the PRIMETIME, Project UFO! Why did i watch it? It was the 1970s, what else was i going to watch!? Besides it might have gotten better!

Unless this show gives you that warm feeling inside i would netflix the thing first.

michael_ks · 09-13-2007, 03:06 PM

I dimly recall S2 being the better one, but according to a reviewer that posted on June 13 (most recent on) at jumptheshark.com, S1 was superior to the follow-up season. At any rate, his recollections of the show are much better than mine.

http://jumptheshark.com/topic/Projec...-Comments/1599

AndyMcKinney · 09-14-2007, 08:24 AM

Hank:
Any idea of Ken Johnson's Cliff Hangers! ever got a film-to-tape transfer? Another great, short-run, cheesy '70s show that would seem to be a good fit for the "TV Guide" video label.

Hank Dearborn · 09-14-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyMcKinney

Hank:
Any idea of Ken Johnson's Cliff Hangers! ever got a film-to-tape transfer? Another great, short-run, cheesy '70s show that would seem to be a good fit for the "TV Guide" video label.

I'm not 100% sure but I have seen it show up on people's lists so I'm thinking it probably has aired somewhere overseas in the last 20 years. If I had to guess, I would say that it might have been transferred.

Richard_Gregory · 09-14-2007, 10:36 AM

I remember Project UFO. The early episodes tended to stick to - seeing the UFO encounter, and then later on having it explained away.

The later ones went for seeing the UFO encounter, then having it explained away, and the last scene showing the evidence that proved it was real.

It's an entertaining little series - as has been said the miniature effects are extremely crude in places - but good fun nonetheless. I'd happily buy it on DVD.

It last ran here in the UK some years ago on the Sci-Fi Channel.