Complete Series Set of Classic TV Show ‘Bonanza’ Due on DVD May 23

Bonanza: The Official Complete Series arrives on DVD May 23 from Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS.

The series collection includes all 14 seasons — 431 full-length episodes — together for the very first time, along with an exclusive bonus disc containing nearly two and a half hours of rare content not seen in more than 60 years. Every episode has been restored and remastered from the original 35mm film camera negatives. 
 
Bonanza: The Official Complete Series will be available for the suggested retail price of $244.99.

The multiple award-winning series “Bonanza” (1959-1973), which follows the Cartwright family of Ponderosa in the West, was created and produced by David Dortort and stars Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon, plus appearances by Victor Sen Yung, Ray Teal, Bing Russell, David Canary, Mitch Vogel and Tim Matheson.

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Special features include:

  • Michael Landon Visits Sweden — Interview (1962)
  • “Lorne Greene’s Bonanza” — episode of the CBC series “Telescope,” chronicling “a day in the life” of the beloved actor, including rare behind-the-scenes “Bonanza” set footage (1963)
  • Lorne Greene Interview — episode of the CBC series “Take 30” (1966)
  • All-American Soap Box Derby featurettes “The Long, Happy Race,” narrated by Lorne Greene (1962), and “Sideline …? Or Starting Line?,” narrated by Dan Blocker (1964)
  • The Cartwrights Visit “Sesame Street” (1970)
  • The Last Party (“wake” gathering of the “Bonanza” company days after the series’ abrupt cancellation in November 1972; audio with slide show)
  • Blooper/Gag Reel
  • Michael Landon: Q&A session with Vikki Carr and “The Tonight Show” audience (audio with slide show; 1973)
  • Lorne Greene: Comedy Routine (1981)
  • New Featurette: Mariette Hartley’s Memories
  • Public Service Announcement (P.S.A.): “Endangered Wildlife — with Lorne Greene” (1975)
  • U.S. Savings Bonds P.S.A.s with Lorne Greene and Dan Blocker (1968)
  • Salute to “Bonanza” (Narrated by Orson Welles; 1976)
  • Michael Landon: The Last Interview (slide show with audio; March 1991)
  • Episode Trailers with rare on-camera introductions, “Mighty Is the Word” (introduced by Lorne Greene; 1965), “The Prince” (introduced by Dan Blocker; 1967) and “Dark Enough to See the Stars” (introduced by Michael Landon; 1967)
  • 1959 NBC Fall Preview promo — announcing the show’s premiere
  • 1961 NBC on-air promo narrated by Lorne Greene
  • 1967 NBC Fall Preview promo (designed by Bill Feigenbaum)
  • 1972 Chevrolet Billboard intro
  • “The Ed Sullivan Show” — Pernell Roberts Sings (1965)
  • “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” — Lorne Greene Interview (1972)
  • Gallery of rare publicity, episodic, behind-the-scenes and portrait photos 

Dance Classic ‘Flashdance’ Due on 4K Ultra HD April 11 for Its 40th Anniversary

Director Adrian Lyne’s 1983 dance classic Flashdance will be released on 4K Ultra HD April 11 for its 40th anniversary from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Newly remastered and approved by Lyne, the film is available on 4K Ultra HD for the first time, and the release also includes the remastered film on Blu-ray, as well as access to a digital copy of the film and legacy bonus content. 

Originally released on April 15, 1983, Flashdance was the third-highest-grossing film of that year in the United States — as well as a pop culture sensation. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, and Irene Cara won for her iconic song “Flashdance … What a Feeling.”

Flashdance stars Jennifer Beals as Alex — a fiercely determined 18-year-old with one all-consuming dream to study at the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance. Working during the day as a welder and at night as an exotic dancer, she bravely pursues her dream and undertakes an unforgettable journey that reveals the power of her convictions.

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Bonus content includes “Filmmaker Focus: Director Adrian Lyne discusses Flashdance“; “The Look of Flashdance“; “Releasing the Flashdance Phenomenon”; and the theatrical trailer.

‘Mickey & Minnie: 10 Classic Shorts Vol. 1’ Headed to Blu-ray and DVD Feb. 7

Walt Disney Animation Studios will release Mickey & Minnie: 10 Classic Shorts Vol. 1 in a Blu-ray Disc combo pack (which includes a digital copy and a DVD) and standalone DVD Feb. 7.

The release is part of the planned releases coming in 2023 to celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary.

The new collection gathers together 10 classic animated shorts for the first time, including the iconic “Steamboat Willie,” and features new introductions from Mickey and Minnie for each short.

“Steamboat Willie” is the first cartoon with synchronized sound, in which the character of Mickey Mouse was first introduced as a deckhand on a riverboat commanded by the tyrannical Captain Pete.

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Also included are “Brave Little Tailor,” featuring Mickey as a medieval tailor given a daunting task; “Mickey’s Delayed Date,” in which the tardy mouse relies on his faithful pup Pluto to get him to a dance with Minnie; “Hawaiian Holiday,” which finds Mickey and his pals vacationing on a beautiful island; and “On Ice,” in which, along with friends, Mickey and Minnie glide through a romantic date on a frozen river.

Elvis Presley 1961 Classic ‘Blue Hawaii’ Due on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Nov. 15

Elvis Presley’s 1961 classic Blue Hawaii has been newly restored for its release on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray for the first time Nov. 15 as part of the “Paramount Presents” line from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The Technicolor musical is available in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision and HDR-10 fully restored from the original 35mm camera negative. 

The first of three films that Elvis shot in Hawaii, Blue Hawaii celebrated the new exotic state and features the hit song “Can’t Help Falling In Love,” which was certified platinum.

For the restoration, the original negative was scanned in 4K/16bit, however the opening title sequence was very grainy because it originally used duped film. That sequence was completely rebuilt using the original film elements from the Paramount library. Brand new text overlays were created for the opening sequence.

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The “Paramount Presents” release includes the film on both 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc and on Blu-ray, as well as access to a digital copy of the film.  The Blu-ray additionally includes the original theatrical trailer and the following new bonus content, commentary by historian James L. Neibaur and the Blue Hawaii photo scrapbook, which contains high-res images from the Paramount archives, including behind-the-scenes shots.

1950s Horror Classic ‘The Bat’ Due on Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 25

The horror classic The Bat (1959) will be released on special-edition Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 25 from Cinedigm’s The Film Detective.

Helmed by prolific writer/director Crane Wilbur (He Walked by NightCrime Wave), The Bat is set in a down­trodden country estate that becomes the site of a horrific murder as a predator with steel claws rips his victims to shreds. Vincent Price (House of WaxThe Last Man on Earth) stars alongside Agnes Moorehead (“Bewitched,” Hush … Hush, Sweet Charlotte), Gavin Gordon (Murder by Invitation) and Darla Hood of the “Our Gang” comedies in her final film role.

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Presented at 1.85:1, the print is restored from original 35mm archival elements. The release is presented in partnership with Retro Entertainment.

Bonus features include a full-color booklet with the essay “The Case of The Forgotten Author” by professor and film scholar Jason A. Ney; a full-length commentary track by Jason A. Ney; a new original production The Case for Crane Wilbur by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures; and nine archival radio episodes featuring Vincent Price.  

1930s Joan Crawford Classic ‘Rain’ Due on DVD and Blu-ray Sept. 27 From VCI and MVD

The 1932 Joan Crawford drama Rain, celebrating its 90th anniversary, will be released on Blu-ray Disc and DVD Sept. 27 from VCI Entertainment and MVD Entertainment Group.

The release features a new 4K restoration produced from the original, uncut 94-minute version.

Rain — a classic that caused controversy when first released — portrays W. Somerset Maugham’s powerful story of Sadie Thompson and is perhaps the most celebrated version. It vividly captures the lives of several very different human beings, thrown together on Pago Pago during a fierce monsoon. Crawford is the cynical prostitute, and Walter Huston is the minister who tries to reform her.

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Special features include a commentary track by Mick LaSalle, writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and noted film historian; a commentary track by Richard Barrios, writer, historian and commentator; a liner note booklet written by Marc Wannamaker, writer and film historian; the  original theatrical trailer; a poster and photo gallery; a period appropriate Betty Boop cartoon and newsreel; and the alternate 76-minute “cut version” of the 1938 Atlantic Reissue for comparison.

Classic ‘E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial’ Due on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital Oct. 18 for 40th Anniversary

Director Steven Spielberg’s 1982 blockbuster E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial will be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and 4K digital purchase Oct. 18 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment for its 40th anniversary.

The release of the four-time Academy Award winner, including an award for Best Original Score from legendary composer John Williams, includes more than 45 minutes of new bonus features, including a retrospective of the film and its lasting legacy and a featurette with Spielberg reflecting on his career and the making of E.T. 40 years later.  The release also includes all the original bonus features, including deleted scenes, a cast and filmmaker reunion, a discussion with John Williams about the iconic music from the film, and more.

The family friendly story follows the journey of a lost alien and the 10-year-old boy he befriends, Elliot (Henry Thomas). The film also stars a young Drew Barrymore and Robert MacNaughton as his siblings who come together with Elliot to help E.T. find his way back home. 

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Three premium limited editions will be available at select retailers for a limited time only:

  • E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Gift Set (4K UHD plus Blu-ray plus digital), which includes the movie, collectible tin tote, thermos, booklet and certificate of authenticity (Amazon exclusive);
  • E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary Limited Edition (4K UHD plus Blu-ray plus digital), which includes movie and collectible BendyFigs figurine (Walmart.com exclusive); and
  • E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 40th Anniversary Limited Edition Steelbook (4K UHD plus Blu-ray plus digital), which includes a newly designed cover (Target exclusive).

Classic ‘Back to the Beach’ Headed to ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray Line Aug. 9

Teen idols Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello returned to the big screen for a new surf-and-sand adventure with the 1980s update Back to the Beach, which was originally released on Aug. 7, 1987. To celebrate the film’s 35th anniversary, the film will arrive on Blu-ray for the first time as part of the “Paramount Presents” line on Aug. 9 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Newly remastered from a new 4K scan of the original film elements, Back to the Beach lovingly parodies the quintessential 1960s “beach party” films.  In the film, Frankie and Annette, having grown up and put aside their beach-partying lifestyle, visit their daughter in Southern California and discover there’s still some wild times left in them. Also starring in the feature are Connie Stevens, Dick Dale, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Don Adams, Bob Denver, Jerry Mathers, Barbara Billingsley, Edd “Kookie” Byrnes and Pee-Wee Herman.

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The release includes a new “Filmmaker Focus” with director Lyndall Hobbs featuring never-before-seen home movies from the set, as well as access to a digital copy of the film.  The Blu-ray is presented in collectible packaging featuring a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster and an interior spread with key movie moments. 

1960s Sci-Fi Classic ‘Battle of the Worlds’ Headed to Blu-ray and DVD Aug. 9

Cinedigm’s The Film Detective, the classic film restoration and streaming company, will release the 1960s sci-fi classic Battle of the Worlds on special-edition Blu-ray and DVD Aug. 9.

In the 1961 film, a runaway asteroid dubbed “The Outsider” mysteriously begins orbiting the Earth and threatens it with lethal flying saucers. Filmed in Italy at the height of the country’s sci-fi craze, this independent classic stars Claude Rains (Casablanca, The Invisible Man, Notorious), Bill Carter, Umberto Orsini, Maya Brent, Jaqueline Derval and Renzo Palmer with cinematography by Marcello Masciocchi.

Director Antonio Margheriti’s thriller comes ripe from the period of such Italian filmmakers as Sergio Leone, Mario Bava and Dario Argento.

The release is presented from a 4K scan of an original 35mm archival print.

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Bonus features include an original essay by author Don Stradley, “Margheriti’s World”; a full-length commentary track by film historian Justin Humphreys; a new original production, A Cinematic Outsider: The Fantastical Worlds of Antonio Margheriti, by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures; and an insert with a special surprise for TFD fans.

Classic ‘Giant’ Headed to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Digital June 21

The 1956 classic Giant will be released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and digital June 21 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

Starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean (in his final role), the film is a sweeping saga of jealousy, racism and the clash of cultures set in the vast Texas oilfields. Wealthy rancher Bick Benedict (Hudson) and dirt-poor cowboy Jett Rink (Dean) both woo Leslie Lynnton (Taylor) a beautiful young woman from Maryland who is new to Texas. She marries Benedict, but she is shocked by the racial bigotry of the White Texans against the local people of Mexican descent. Rink discovers oil on a small plot of land, and while he uses his vast, new wealth to buy all the land surrounding the Benedict ranch, the Benedict’s disagreement over prejudice fuels conflict that runs across generations.

George Stevens Sr. won his second Oscar for directing the film. Based on Edna Ferber’s controversial novel, the movie was a massive box office hit and garnered 10 Academy Award nominations. 

In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” 

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The new 4K restoration was completed sourcing both the original camera negatives and protection RGB separation master positives for the best possible image, and color corrected in high dynamic range for the latest picture display technology, according to the studio. The audio was sourced primarily from a 1995 protection copy of the Original Magnetic Mono soundtrack. The picture and audio restoration was completed by Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services: Motion Picture Imaging and Post Production Sound.

Special features on 4K disc include commentary by George Stevens Jr., screenwriter Ivan Moffat and critic Stephen Farber.