It begins, “There are 8
million stories … ” and instantly you know that the voice over (Lawrence
Dobkin) is talking about the Naked City. On Nov. 5 you won’t be getting “this has
been one of them,” but rather ALL OF THEM!
That’s what Image
Entertainment has planned with the whopping 29 DVD-disc collection of Naked
City: The Complete Series, which features the 39 half-hour episodes
from the 1958/1959 season (canceled) and all 99 hour-long episodes that were
aired when the series was resurrected for the 1960/1961 broadcast season
(running through May of 1963).
This crime drama, noted
for its use of “guest stars,” showcased the talents of such “up-and-comers” as
Gene Hackman, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Dustin Hoffman, Martin Sheen and
Peter Fonda … and those are just for starters (it is an impressive list).
John McIntire and James
Franciscus were the series regulars during the launch phase, with Horace
McMahon, Paul Burke and Harry Bellaver taking over for the hour-long
revamp.
The bonus feature for
this DVD collectible set from Image Entertainment includes the original
broadcast commercials (talk about a “time machine,” wow)!
Also getting a DVD
release date this past week is writer/director Scott Di Lalla’s supernatural
thriller, I Am ZoZo. Street date
is Nov. 19.
What a clever film we
have here, one that Image has been wise enough to move just beyond the
Halloween promotional season. Yes, it
fits there, but the run up to Oct. 31 this year is exceptionally crowded with
some really tasty genre treats, including Image Entertainment’s own entries, Aberration
(Sept. 17), Bloody Homecoming (Sept. 24), Shiver (Oct. 8) and All
Hallows' Eve (Oct. 29).
I Am ZoZo is based loosely on the “urban legend” that a
demonic entity by the name of ZoZo has brought pain, suffering, insanity and
even death over the years to those who have unwittingly conjured up its spirit
through the use of the venerable parlor game, the Ouija Board.
Di Lalla starts with that
as his premise … what you are about to see is more or less “real” and then he
mixes in such horror motifs as the haunted house thriller, a ghost story and yes,
college-age kids doing stupid things (throw in attractive young women and
you’ve got it).
Five friends (the victim
pool) head out to San Juan Island (near Seattle) for a weekend getaway and
“document” their experiences with ZoZo and the Quija Board that summons the
creature into their world … where, of course, bad things happen!
No word as of yet on
bonus features for the DVD debut of I Am ZoZo.
To download this week's
complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report: DVD & Blu-ray Release Report
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