The Virginian

Re: The Virginian

I have no hard knowledge about "The Virginian" being released on DVD and so this is just speculation on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if this was eventually released by Timeless Media for several reasons. First, and foremost, "The Virginian" was a Revue/Universal series and Timeless has licensing arrangements with NBC Universal for a number of the studio's vintage series. Second, Timeless has one of the largest catalogs of vintage TV Westerns released on DVD and "The Virginian" would certainly be a good "fit" for them and, more importantly, their customer base. Third, Timeless has released two shows that were produced for a 90 minute time slot, both "Wagon Train" (last year's color season release) and the crime drama "Arrest and Trial," so they are certainly open to releasing longer form television shows. Beyond that, it would be a matter of how "The Virginian" is released, i.e., would full seasons be released or would a compilation of episodes be released. I suspect the answer to that would depend on whether Universal has any "off the shelf" tape masters of the show (like "Laredo" -- a spinoff of "The Virginian," and "Wagon Train"), or whether Timeless would have to go the route of assembling 16 millimeter syndication prints (like "The Deputy" or "Riverboat," among others). I do feel fairly comfortable in saying that if "The Virginian" does ever get a DVD release, it'll come from an independent through license by Universal; I don't see Uni releasing this on their own.

With respect to "Bonanza," season 1 has been transferred to HD according to the CBS Paramount Syndication Bible. While not proof positive, when that happens, a DVD release often occurs and we very well may see an official release of "Bonanza" before year's end. In the meantime, there is an official (non public domain) "best of" compilation that was issued a number of years ago and is still available.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Bonanza-V...8068082&sr=1-3

Re: The Virginian

Is this show playing on any cable network now? I remember it was on the Hallmark Channel a couple of years ago and I wish I had recorded my favorite episodes (Trampas takes off to hang with his outlaw buddies with tragic consequences).

I just discovered AmLife, which is playing Mission Impossible, Run for Your Life, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants, Time Tunnel and tons of other 60s' shows. And RTN has many (Hulk, Rockford, Magnum, etc.). Encore is playing Maverick. But where is this playing now?

Re: The Virginian

Actually it's playing on Retro TV Network on Sundays, followed by "Laredo". RTN is mainly a digital subchannel station (a lot of NBC affiliates took it when Weather Plus went off the air), so you may have to pull out the rabbit ears and a digital converter box.

Re: The Virginian

Rats. My local RTN doesn't carry it. We've got Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Rawhide on Sunday, but no Virginian.

http://www.wftv.com/download/2008/0411/15856860.pdf

Thanks for the info, anyway.

Re: The Virginian

It's surprising this title (like Bonanza and The High Chaparral) isn't out yet: all three shows were entirely filmed in color, and were ratings powerhouses for NBC in the 1960s and still have devoted followings today. Why the holdup?

Re: The Virginian

That's been the big problem with RTN - they allow the stations to pick the shows (to some extent) and there's no one main feed. That list is totally different from what WJAR Providence has for RTN. They aren't carrying The Monkees, Get Smart or Hogan's Heroes (which I would love!)

TV Listings | turnto10.com

This is certainly an encouraging rumor:
http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Virginian-Rumors/12630
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some decent Universal Studios-owned prints. 

Anyone want to bet it's TIMELESS that's going to release this :) 

Timeless would be my guess.

No idea, but I'm buying it!!!!! 

Count me in. A sentimental and ... timeless favorite. And that's going to be one fat box set if they manage to release all seasons of the 90-minute show.

I just learned this show ran for nine seasons and 249 episodes.

The mind boggles at how big just a season set would be.  A dozen discs at least.

Season boxsets shouldn't be a problem, if the price is reasonable.

I can't wait to get this show.  I'm a sucker for classic westerns.  I'm really enjoying Laramie, and Gunsmoke.  I just checked IMDB, and someone in the forums stated special features are already being shot for the Virginian.  Apparently it is going to be a Timeless Media release.

No surprise there :) 

Pity that Doug McClure didn't live to see this, but at least we may get James Drury to provide something for extras.  Also: Roberta Shore, Sara Lane and Don Quine.  As it was in color from the beginning, the sales may do better with younger buyers who are put off by B/W (don't ask me why!).  I only hope that the shows are from good prints or remastered, complete, and will be in reasonably priced season sets.

They are being remastered, both for Encore and for DVD release. Imagine that, Universal actually remastering something. Of course it's probably Encore footing the bill.

Finally coming to DVD. Of all westerns shows, this is the one I like the best, then Cimarron Strip, Gunsmoke, Bonanza and Big Valley in that order.

I imagine that Universal has to remaster because they lost their tape vault in the fire.  If that didn't happen, they would use decades old tape transfers. 

Well,consitering show airs on RTV and had aired on Canada's old LONE STAR westerns channel, the old tape transfers do exist.

James Drury IS doing an interview for the discs!  I just found this (from August 12th) on his MySpace page:

The Virginian TV series is being officially released on DVD by Timeless Media! This is the company that released Wagon Train, Laramie, Laredo, etc. They have acquired all eight seasons of The Virginian and season nine, Men From Shiloh.

James Drury will be doing a 45 minute video with them to be incorporated into the DVDs. The way we understand it, The Virginian Series will be released by season. We don't have a time frame at the moment but we'll get back to you.

Wondering if any fans here who might have taped episodes or have access to some, cna help.  I am trying to compile a list of the composer for each episode of the seires.  Thus far I have done about 93% of the whole series, but still ahve some unsolved.  Anybody help?  Here is the list thus far:

http://tvscores.150m.com/Virginian.html

This is a promising sign -- The Virginian S1 is being released on 18 Nov 2009 in R4 by Madmen Entertainment (the same company that has continued the Ironside releases in Australia.)

The Virginian Season 1 (10 Disc)

It's announced on Amazon: two box sets of season 1 for a start.

The Virginian - Season 1, Part 1! Over 19 hours on 6 DVDs!
The Virginian - Season 1, Part 2! Over 19 hours on 6 DVDs!
I pre-ordered it, although the price is a bit high currently ($ 63 each). But I trust it may come done, and even if it isn't: I don't want to give the wrong signal.

This is my most-awaited Western TV series.
(Immediately followed by Alias Smith and Jones, of which we currently have the first season only, unfortunately, and High Chaparral.)

Excellent news, you may take a look at TVShowsOnDVD as well! That's how I found out about the release.


Cees

Yes $126 For One Season Is a Bit Steep But Im Sure Buyers Will Be Able To Do a Lot Better. I Saw it in Target Over Here in OZ For $64,And Pacific Has it For $72 For The 1st Season.The Virginian is One Of My Favourite Westerns They Just Screened Episode 166 Last Weekend Which Was a Beauty And i Believe They Have Just Started Showing It On Starz ,Its a Show All Western Fans Should Have In Their Collection.

I also expect that when these sets arrive at Sam's Club, the price will be considerably less. 

For example, Timeless lists Wagon Train S1 for $79.98.  Sam's sold it for $39.88.  Also, the two Tales of Wells Fargo sets have the same number of DVDs and the same price as The Virginian -- $69.98.  Sam's sells those for $29.97.

While I don't know how many people get the Encore Western channel, it will be interesting to see how the fact the Virginian started airing this year will impact sales in March for this release.

- Shows like this are a bit before my time so I've never seen it. Having had success blind buying other early westerns I would have probably done so again, but now I get to preview it first to gauge my interest, which could go either way regarding a purchase.

- With the price being a bit high (even at its likely discount pricing) and the fact that many may have had a chance to watch the entire first season by the time this is released, likely purchaser's may feel they can hold off for a while and wait for really discounted prices later. Thus, potentially hurting future releases.

- Most likely every episode from all seasons (250+) will be aired in 2010 and could easily be watched or DVR'ed (Encore presents uncut episodes with decent quality), so why spend a lot on season one and then wait for season two anywhere from 6 months to a year later (if it even still comes out).

- Or, this could all just be a stimulus for the show increasing sales because people want the better quality and want to support future releases.

I think it will be interesting to see how this all works out for Timeless Media from a "timing" perspective given their release schedule and the Encore availability before they release.

Paramount should benefit with Gunsmoke since Encore is starting with season 7, so any new interest could help sales of the available earlier seasons.

Also, HQWT and the release of season 4, may work out well for Paramount since Encore is starting by airing season 1 and will most likely be getting to season 4 when the DVD's are released.

Anyone have an opinion as to how this will fair for the upcoming Virginian release?