The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets? - Page 2

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

If you check the earlier post from the girl who runs 'The Rifleman' website you will see that MPI no longer own the rights to 'The Rifleman' so they won't be putting anything out.

PD company Alpha have put out 5 volumes of the 'Range Rider' (4 eps per volume) 2 episodes are poor quality but the rest are pretty good.

Annie Oakley has also seen releases on various PD labels. I understand that Terri Davis (Gail Davis's daughter) has the original prints. 4 episodes were released by Marengo films from this source a couple of years back as Vol 1 but no Vol 2 was forthcoming.

The 'Lone Ranger' half season set (season 4) was good quality & I think the only edit was a brief scene from the opening credits. In the UK the full season was released but without the extras.

Champion the Wonder Horse has also been released as a box set in the UK by PD company Elstree Hill. They say complete but only has 23 of the 26 episodes & quality is poor. Alpha have released a few in the US but I don't know about the quality.

MPI issued 4 box sets of 'Cisco Kid' (80 episodes) in no particular order but then stopped so perhaps they didn't sell too well. There are quite a few PD issues as well.

The abscence of Bonanza on disc in the States apart from the 31 PD episodes is disappointing. However if you can play Region 2 the series is being released on a regular basis in Germany.They have dual soundtracks are uncut & digitally remastered. officialy licensed & excellent quality. At present seasons 1 to 7 have been issued.

Other early TV westerns available are 'Jim Bowie' complete series boxset & Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, all 3 seasons. Official releases from original master prints.

I asked Gene Autry Entertainment a year or so back if they had any plans to issue his TV series on DVD. They said they hoped to issue season boxsets in 2007 but nothing appeared.As they no longer have a licensing deal with Image it may never happen.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Silverking,

Yes, I did read that and it was very interesting. Still, I want to hear from MPI what happened, and since I do have an inside contact there, I think the information will be useful to me (and maybe to others).

Addendum: I just heard back from MPI. They have echoed what you wrote above.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

I asked Gene Autry Ent. about more Autry movie releases and The Gene Autry TV show late last year:

"We will have DVDs in 2008 but we do not have a schedule yet. We are working on THE GENE AUTRY SHOW but at the moment are tied up with legal problems-we are suing a company that has released them illegally. As soon as we have info, we will post it on the site! Karla Buhlman, Vice President, Gene Autry Entertainment."

I don't understand why Autry Ent. would actually need to stop a bootlegger before proceeding with their own release of the TV show.

Image was taken over by another company recently and may not be interested in Gene Autry product anymore. So the bigger problem is finding a another DVD distributor.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Ugh, I hate announcements like that as lawsuits inevitably take forever. I was actually unaware of any DVD releases other than the Images of Gene Autry, so hopefully this leak can be plugged quickly and the show will be in the pipeline.

You know, looking at what happened with Steve Canyon, it may be possible that Gene Autry will just be released through the site. Could happen.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Gee guys, Thanks for the great Welcome! I'm sorry for not checking back. I thought my last post didn't take so I just never checked back until now when I happened across this site again.

I don't know where to begin.....
Steve - Question for you: Do the full versions of all episodes still exist and, if so, what is the likelihood that the proposed future release will contain the full episodes?
The Rifleman now being aired on Encore Westerns are supposed to be uncut. As far as I know they are. I have several of the uncut versions and they do match.

According to Arthur Gardner which I do have posted in my newsletter.....
The producers of The Rifleman said "It is our intention to make the 50th anniversary a special event and we are in the process of duplicating the entire 168 episodes in a memorial set."

So we just have to just hang on for a bit longer!

I just got this e-mail from Kevin Dennis, Senior Manager On Demand Programming - Starz Entertainment, LLC

Cowgirl – hey, you’ve got a great site here!

Some Rifleman news:

1) Tentatively planning something for September 08 – maybe a 20-minute program – to mark the 50th anniversary of the show’s debut.

2) Starz Entertainment’s license for the show ends on 11/30/08. Renewal is not currently planned, but things could change.

I feel that the producers will not renew this, but I could be wrong. With them releasing the 50th Anniversary Boxset, all 168 episodes they would be better off not to keep them on Encore and push the anniversary sets, especially since the holidays will be approaching. The Date for the 50th anniversary of The Rifleman is September 30th.

Charles - I'd be interested if Mr. Laven or Gardner knew the whereabouts of the music recordings for the series. I would LOVE a RIFLEMAN CD with all of Gilbert's cues.

I don't know if they know where the music is today, but I know. I even have a copy of the lyrics to The Rifleman. Yes I said Lyrics. John Gilbert, Herschel's is a friend of mine & we do keep in touch. In fact he & I had talked about the lyrics but he didn't know where they were. He e-mailed me one day & said he found them on his father's hard drive. He sent them to me. You can find them on The McCain Ranch - rifflemanconnors.com. I have been after him for several years to produce this music. He said he has always wanted to but just hasn't had the time. Maybe in the future. Sow when we do get in touch with each other I remind him of this. The music is just the best!

Ockeghem - BTW, I wrote to MPI a year or so ago regarding the season sets. Oddly, I received no reply.
Jeff Brooks ( I think was his last name) from MPI, asked me several years ago to help promote their DVD's for them. I agreed as long as they kept me up to date with any new info. So they would let me know when a new Boxset would be release. He wrote sometime back and told me that his marketing manager got in touch with him & told him they would not longer be handling the DVD's for LGL Productions. I wrote to Arnold Laven who is such a very, and also a contributor to The McCain Ranch. I asked him if this was true & if so why. (You must read The Producer's Corner by Arnold Laven)

Arnold works from home & said he would check into it & get back to me. Which he did. LGL Productions had not renewed their contract with MPI - no reason given - but were looking into other options of bring the last 48 episodes out if not other options. (I think meaning a 50th Boxset.)

Michael - I do remember you and our chats about D-FW airport and how much I hate that airport. Sorry! Yes I do remember you writing me about when your son received his birthday card from The McCain Ranch.

Jeff Willis - I met Johnny Crawford years ago in Ardmore, Oklahoma at a local hotel in town. Mom and I had stopped for lunch at the hotel and Johnny C was at a nearby table. He was in town for a rodeo show and was sitting with some of the other rodeo performers. I kept telling Mom "That's Mark from the Rifleman!” She didn't believe me but finally allowed me to go over and say "Hello" to the guy she was certain wasn't "Mark" Well, coming from a kid that never missed the Rifleman, I was right. I got Johnny's autograph that day.
I just went to Kentucky over a week ago to see Johnny in a play. So gracious and he signed my Chuck Connors book, like so many of the celebrities & producers have, but his was really special. He even invited us to stay afterwards to set in on an open mic session. He set with our group of 4 until he went on. He even set next to me for a period of time. He did the cutest song. He was even sweeter then I could imagine.

Hey guys, just for the record, when I was a kid, I was an Annie Oakley wanna be. I thought that was so neat the way she could stand on her horse & still shoot her rifle & hit the target.

Okay, I hope I covered everything and everyone’s question. If not, I certainly did not intend to leave anyone out. I know I'm long winded! Sorry!

I'd like to invite ya'll to come over to The McCain Ranch. The best way to find your way around is to go to the site map.

I also want to invite everyone to be sure & check out The McCain Ranch in September for our 50th celebration of The Rifleman - contest & prizes! A few rare prizes!

Catch ya' later!
Cowgirl/Margie

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Hi Margie- sometimes (as with the current FUGITIVE controversy) the original source elements of the series have music as an isolated track on the film. That might be a possibility for the producers if they felt like making a CD of the music tracks as a bonus for this 50th Anniversary megaset.
Charles

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Hi Charles,
I had answered your post, but it didn't take. I just didn't take the time to re-post it. So here ya' go.....

Yes John does have all the actual sound records for The Rifleman and many other shows. Have you seen this link.....
UCLA library under Herschel Gilbert.

John Gilbert & etc. laurelrecord.com/Classical Music CD, Concerto, String Quartet, Rachmaninov, Chamber Music, Symphony[/url] , which use to be Herschel's company, owns the rights to the music & themes to The Rifleman. The producers own the rights to the show, but not the music.

I did receive your e-mail & I will forward it to John.

Catch ya' later!
Margie

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Cowgirl,

Many, many thanks for the information. I didn't receive a reply from MPI the first time (several months ago); however, a couple of weeks ago, they responded to my second query and told me that the rights no longer belong to them. I will keep an eye out for the Laven book.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

In case anyone didn't catch the update...

TVShowsonDVD.com has reported that The Lone Ranger will ride again! Check out the link: The Lone Ranger DVD news: Announcement for The Lone Ranger - 75th Anniversary Collector's Edition | TVShowsOnDVD.com

REALLY optimistic about this, even though I am not familiar with the Classic Media group. Hopefully someone on the group has experience with them so we know what to expect.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Margie,

Do your sources have any advance information on what source elements will be used for the Rifleman Season sets? I have all of the MPI sets but imo, those transfers aren't great video Q. I've also had difficulty hearing the dialog in the MPI DVD's.

Thanks for your "Mark McCain" story in Kentucky. I still remember that rare moment when I proved Mom wrong in Ardmore, Okla

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Hi Jeff,
Arthur Gardner had told a fan that The Rifleman will be released on DVD for the 50th anniversary, all 168 episodes. Other then that I really don't know anything more or new. Sorry! I wish I did. I have been checking several places for new releases trying to get a handle on this for everyone, but no luck so far.

About your Johnny/Mark McCain story I sure would love to add this story to the Short Stories section in The McCain Ranch. With your permission and credit given. Could you please get with me on this or post something here? I know the fans will love it! cowgirl@riflemanconnors.com

Catch ya' later!
Margie

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

If this is the same Classic Media that Sony operates, they should do a nice job. They've done beautiful work with the Godzilla movie restorations (which is kind of a long way from Lone Ranger TV, but still...)

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

As I recall from tracking the ownership of Twin Peaks (which Spelling also owned), they were bought out by Viacom, and most of their library went to Paramount, so they'd probably be the most likely people to contact.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Bad new - Rifleman's Anniversary no longer "Anniversary"

I just got this e-mail (9/18/08) from Arnold Laven.....

Margie...Just talked to Steve...unhappily, the "Anniversary" Boxset is no longer "Anniversary"...because of technical problems it won't be available until early next year...Steve hopes...remind me to inform you after you've had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year what the status of the DVD Boxset is...
Very best wishes,
Arnold

FYI - Arnold is Arnold Laven one of the producers of The Rifleman.
Steve Gardner is Arthur Gardner's son and lawyer for LGL Productions.
Arthur Gardner, is another producer of The Rifleman.

Sorry guys to be the bearer of bad news!

Hopefully we can start the New Year off right with being able to get these!

Catch ya' later!

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Thanks for keeping us "Rifleman" fans informed, Margie! I'm just glad that the complete series set is still a reality. If we have to wait until the 1st quarter of 2009, so be it. As long as it doesn't get abandoned, I'm happy!

Any further news about print restoration and the use of the appropriate season openings for each show?

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

I'm with Michael on this one. As long as the set is still in the works and basically a "go", then I'm fine with a little delay. In fact, truth be told, I'm somewhat relieved that it's not coming till 2009. There's so much coming in the 4th quarter of this year I'd have been beyond strapped. Frankly, it might work out much better for them to wait. Surely they will not be competing with as many vintage series if they wait than if they had been able to get it done this year. I really believe it will be to their advantage in the long run.


Gary "just my two cents" O.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Hi, Margie,

Can you ask Arnold Laven or Steve Gardner if LGL has any rights to THE BIG VALLEY and if they know if Fox is ever going to complete it on DVD?

Thanks.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

I agree Love the Rifleman and Big Valley can Fox license it to someone else if they don't want to Finish it.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

News update 02/27 at TSoD here about the upcoming complete Rifleman set. IT sounds like they're working out the Extras for the set coming this summer. It's unconfirmed but sounds promising. Thanks to Dave L for the update.

The only thing I need to know is something that hasn't been answered yet. That is, for the complete series set, are they going to be re-mastered prints or are they going to use the existing MPI box set prints and continue using (assumed) 16mm prints for the remaining episodes? As one that previously bought all of the MPI sets, this info is important to me in deciding on this complete set purchase.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

The potential image quality weighs heavily on my mind too, Jeff. Logic would indicate that collectors wouldn't be inclined to double dip if we're going to get the same somewhat washed out prints and substandard audio quality we were witness to in the box sets. For this to sell well and to meet my expectations, we really need to see "Rawhide" quality prints, the 4 original season openings and a fair amount of extras. For that I'm willing to pay a premium price, mainly since it's one of my all time favorite series.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

The other thing that keeps getting tossed around is a complete series set, so it will be interesting to see how they plan to distribute this. Individual seasons is usually easier on the wallet by spreading out purchases. But if this is a true complete set with all seasons, better prints, and good extras it may be a tough call for some initially because it won't be cheap.

Also, if it is a complete series set what kind of packaging will they use? While this type of packaging can usually have some aesthetic appeal I have yet to see one that protects the disks very well. Personally, I wouldn't mind buying all at once if there was some kind of savings in doing so but I hope they use traditional packaging to protect the disks better.

I just hope this doesn't come across like Land of the Giants. It took basically an Amazon deal of the day just to get that one priced where it should have been all along.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

As I read this, I immediately envisioned a complete series set made to look like Lucas McCain's cabin.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Agreed. I too want a complete series of this show very much, but would really appreciate it if the discs were very well protected. I don't need some fancy, unappealing packaging with bells and whistles.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

I have to agree with Jeff and Michael about the quality of this set being very important as to whether or not I'll buy it. I like the show a lot but I'm certainly not going to dole out a bunch of money for another M SQUAD or ROUTE 66:S1, V1. These need to be nice looking prints or I'll have to take a pass. As Michael said earlier, something similar to RAWHIDE would be necessary for me to put out big bucks (anything near $100) for this set. Although I don't think I'd go for anything that would require me paying over $125 no matter how good the quality.

Gary "this will probably be one of those deals where I'll have to wait for a report on A/V quality before I take the plunge" O.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

For five seasons it would be an easy buy for me at $100 but I just have this feeling it will be more in the range of $150 - $250. Especially, if they tie in extras and use better source material. Just a hunch.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Considering that I paid more or less full price for the 6 separate box sets (recall that these sets never seemed to go down a bleedin' penny in cost!) I suppose I've already shelled out over $180.00. I remember at the time thinking, "Damn, $38.00 for 20 half hour mixed up episodes with mediocre prints to boot". But I love the show and figured this would be it. Not exactly the best vintage tv value in the world. To be honest, I don't revisit the sets as much as I'd like, simply because I got so spoiled on other western series releases like "Rawhide" and HGWT for PQ/AQ. I just watched a HGWT S1 episode the other night ("The Yuma Treasure") and found myself thinking why couldn't "Rifleman" look this good?

Gary, it would be an easy purchase for me too at $100, but I just don't envision a $20 per season rate. MPI released these non-remastered episodes for around $1.95 each with the box sets and I just wonder if remastered ones can be sold at a price point much below that. Of course, MPI didn't really know what they were doing and even managed to let their contract lapse, preventing them from releasing the final 48 segments--so who knows? I guess we'll find out soon enough.

I may just have to do the Jeff Willis thing though and plead my case to Santa...

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Why didn't I think of that? Actually, that sounds like a plan. I might wait till Dec to get this set, assuming that they remaster the MPI episodes.

Margie, if you're reading the thread, we're really happy that this set is coming. It's just that most of us here have already bought those MPI Box sets and with the economy these days, that's a big expense to re-buy most of the series. That said, for me, if we get confirmation that the upcoming release contains remastered uncut episodes, this one come from the North Pole in about 10 months

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

Well, as usual when I say $100 or $125 I'm thinking my actual cost, not the MSRP. I have no doubt a set like this will cost anywhere from $150 to $200 MSRP. If it runs up to $250 MSRP I think they might be pushing it unless it has some phenomenal prints and a boatload of extras. But regardless, whenever I talk about prices I'm generally always thinking about what price I'll pay out of pocket - and if the set comes in at $200 MSRP I'd expect to find a way to buy it at about $125 somewhere, somehow. Maybe even the $100 I first mentioned. Getting dvds as about 50% off retail is generally my goal at this point. But I'm sorry if I caused any confusion with my first post about pricing.

Gary "I'm definitely not naive enough to think the retail price for a mega set like this would only be $100" O.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

My hunch was based on $250 retail and $150 discounted and on sale. Figuring how most similar things these days are sold in half seasons and what pricing they go for. For example, Gunsmoke MSRP is $40 for half a season and probably just over $20 in the best of sales. I wouldn't equate this to sell for quite as high as Gunsmoke, but sometimes they can based on a smaller set of purchasers.

For Rifleman, I was figuring on MSRP at about $50 per season or $25 at half seasons prices. With a price of $30 per season or $15 per half season during the best of deals. Based on pricing of other TV westerns this does not seem out of line. Just look at the MSRP and sale pricing of most Timeless Media Group westerns.

I hope I'm wrong though because I like your pricing much better.

Re: The Rifleman on DVD...why no season sets?

So do we know if those that currently have the rights to Rifleman that are currently working towards this anniversary set have better source material available to them then what was used by MPI?

I remember catching an episode or two on Encore and they didn't look bad, but I only watched them from a standard "34" TV screen not from a projected screen. Based on earlier comments it does not sound like the MPI sets were as good as they could be.

I have Gunsmoke, Rawhide, and HGWT, as well as some from TMG and there is an obvious difference when better quality source elements are used.