MovieChat Forums > Tales of the Unexpected (1979) Discussion > Set 2 Box set is coming to the U.S.A!!

Set 2 Box set is coming to the U.S.A!!

posted 20 years ago by rhklein
7 replies | jump to latest

Check it out. March 15th, 2005.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007D4M5Y/102-1855493-9863306

Only question is, what episodes does it contain? The box artwork says, "23 classic episodes". Which ones? The first box set was the complete Seasons 1 & 2, which totalled 25 episodes. Season 3 was nine episodes and Season 4 was 17 episodes (according to TVTome.com) which would total 26. So somehow, something is getting left out apparently. :-(

[–] Xercks 20 years ago

A few episodes could not be cleared for home video exploitation. Those that are being released basically follow the original running order.

[–] rhklein 20 years ago

Where did you get your information? Can you provide a link to the story?

Also, which episodes could not get cleared? And why?

Thanks for the info.

[–] Aleck-3 20 years ago

Hi, I work on the sets, and thought I'd pop in.

There are three episodes in the fourth series that could not be cleared for home video despite our best efforts (and those of Granada, the production company behind the series) -- "A Woman's Help," "The Best Policy" and "A Glowing Future." Not being in the legal/contract department, I'm not entirely sure where the clearance problems lie -- it's generally music rights, but as this program pretty much exclusively uses score (rather than source music, like pop songs), in this case I believe the problems stem from script and/or cast and crew clearances. This problem presents itself from the fourth series onward, with several episodes being simply impossible to clear for release.

[–] rhklein 20 years ago

Well, thanks for the info! :-)

It's a shame that all the episodes could not be cleared. I would be curious to find out exactly why, even though it wouldn't make a difference.

My "completest" gene is unhappy. Plus, according to TVTome.com, the episode "The Best Policy" starred MASH's Gary Burghoff. It would have been neat to see him in another acting role other than as Radar.

So do you work for Acorn Media? In the U.S. or U.K.?

Can you tell us if there are any plans to release future Tales of the Unexpected DVD sets for the U.S.? Details, please. ;-)

Thanks,

Rick

[–] Aleck-3 20 years ago

I thought I posted this yesterday, but it never showed up on the page.

Anyway, I work for Acorn US. I completely sympathize and share your completist bug, and it disappointed me that we couldn't get clearances for every episode. I'm particularly disappointed that we couldn't get rights cleared for the episode "Nothin' Short of Highway Robbery" with two of my favorite actors, Bud Cort and Warren Oates.

We are planning to release the the available remaining episodes in two subsequent sets, but no dates have been set as of yet.

Thanks!

--Aleck

[–] rhklein 20 years ago

Ah yes, Bud Cort. The guy who did the voice for the computer in "Electric Dreams". He was also in Harold and Maude.

It's definitely a shame. Do you know if the same rights issues exist for U.K. releases of these episodes? Maybe some day we could at least get a Region 2 DVD release with these episodes.

Any time you have any info on the release dates, swing by here. :-)

Rick

[–] carolzerucha 20 years ago

Aleck,

I'm interested in this episode specifically: "A Passing Opportunity" Episode: #6.1 - 9 April 1983. Do you know if it will likely be in the next collection? Thanks! Carol