Public Domain Classic Shows on DVD..anyone collecting?

[TimL]

I have begun over the last year or so to try to collect Classic TV shows on DVD. I am not talking about season sets, but shows that are somewhat con sidered "Public Domain". There are lots more shows out there than one may think..admittedly of varying quality. Below is a list of specific series I have acquired in these sets and on single discs.Priced anywhere from free (with cereal purchase) to around $10.00 (Except for the Here's Lucy Set which is random episodes for $24.95). The count includes number of episodes of each show but does not account for duplicate episodes of which there are a
few..

The Lucy Show 21
Here's Lucy 24 (Official Release)
Donna Reed 2
Red Skelton 3
Jack Benny 9
Life Of Riley 3
Lassie 2
You Bet Your Life 15
I Married Joan 2
Mannix 3
Burke's Law 1
Fury 2
Cisco Kid 3
Peter Gunn 2
Make Room For Daddy 2
Alfred Hitchcock 3
Medic 2
Checkmate 1
Petticoat Junction 6
Andy Griffith 1
Ozzie And Harriet 2
Beverly Hillbillies 2
Bob Cummings Show (Love That Bob) 1
Burns And Allen 2
Bonanza 2
Dick Van Dyke 1
Ellery Queen (1951) 1
Sherlock Holmes 1
Man With A Camera 1
Gangbusters 1
Lone Wolf 1
Mr. And Mrs. North 1
Jim Bowie 1
Annie Oakley 1
Death Valley Days 1
Bat Masterson 1
Rifleman 1
Sergeant Preston 1
Dragnet 9 (1950's)
Robin Hood 3
Sir Lancelot 4
Three Stooges Cartoons 19 cartoons with Live Action wraparounds

Total:42 series, about 145 episodes

Just wondering if anyone else has tried anything similar..
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by TimL on 06/18/05 10:19 AM.</FONT></P>

 

[Braves2005]

> Just wondering if anyone else has tried anything similar...

Indeed I have and I have found some pretty good deals especially from dollar stores and Wal-Mart. Here is what I found so far.

Dragnet(50's version)
Mannix(2 episodes from the 1st season(1967-1968)
Life Of Riley
Make Room For Daddy(Jean Hagen years(1953-1956)
You Bet Your Life
Dick Van Dyke
Petticoat Junction
Topper
Ozzie And Harriet(several episodes from the 50's and most all others from the 60's with Ricky and Kris as the focus of most all of the episodes)
Mr. And Mrs. North
Richard Diamond
Burke's Law
The Betty White Show(1954 version,and not to be confused with the 1977-1978 CBS series in which she starred as an actress on a TV show called "Undercover Woman)
Beverly Hillbillies(first 2 seasons)
Andy Griffith(mainly from the 1962-1963 and 1963-1964 season)
Partridge Family(one tape,features the pilot episode,the episode where Laurie gets braces,and the last episode)
Gidget(3 episodes)
The Third Man
Love That Bob
The Loretta Young Show
I Married Joan
The Lucy Show(mainly from the 1966-1967 and 1967-1968 season)
I Spy(4 episodes,2 tapes)
Jack Benny

 

[bayusm1]

> I have begun over the last year or so to try to collect
> Classic TV shows on DVD. I am not talking about season
> sets, but shows that are somewhat considered "Public
> Domain". There are lots more shows out there than one may
> think..admittedly of varying quality.
>
I too collect theese programs on DVD You have a few that I don't have yet. I also am looking for Vintage soaps on DVD such as Love of Life.
If you run across any, let us know.
Have fun!

 

[Joseph_Gallant]

I have found a number of DVD's of public-domain classic TV shows (three to five episodes per DVD) in so-called "dollar stores", where one can buy them for $1 each.

I've also seen some for 89c each at Wal-Mart.

In dollar stores, I've seen one-dollar DVD's containing episodes of "The Red Skelton Show", "The Loretta Young Show", "The Lone Ranger" (one of the PD DVD's includes the pilot episode, which retells the story of how the Lone Ranger came to be), the almost-forgotten mid-1950's TV version of "Flash Gordon" starring Steve Holland (the late 1930's/early 1940's movie serials with Buster Crabbe are better known), and some with episodes of "Andy Griffith", "Dick VanDyke" and "Beverly Hillbillies".

 

[ccmfan]

> I have found a number of DVD's of public-domain classic TV
> shows (three to five episodes per DVD) in so-called "dollar
> stores", where one can buy them for $1 each.
>
> I've also seen some for 89c each at Wal-Mart.
>
> In dollar stores, I've seen one-dollar DVD's containing
> episodes of "The Red Skelton Show", "The Loretta Young
> Show", "The Lone Ranger" (one of the PD DVD's includes the
> pilot episode, which retells the story of how the Lone
> Ranger came to be), the almost-forgotten mid-1950's TV
> version of "Flash Gordon" starring Steve Holland (the late
> 1930's/early 1940's movie serials with Buster Crabbe are
> better known), and some with episodes of "Andy Griffith",
> "Dick VanDyke" and "Beverly Hillbillies".
>

I've bought some DVDs of classic sitcoms like Andy Griffith, The Beverly Hillbillies, Dick Van Dyke, Jack Benny, and Burns and Allen, but I've concentrated mainly on PD cartoon DVDs, especially the Cartoon Craze DVDs at Wal Mart. I have the original set of 25 discs. There have been some others added since then, and I've bought the ones that were made up of short cartoons, but I've skipped the newer ones that were full length movies. There was also a set of 4 Christmas discs that were supposed to be out, but I never have been able to find them. I also have bought some of the other dollar cartoon DVDs that were at other stores, but there was a lot of repetition with what was in the Cartoon Craze series.

 

[Braves2005]

I like seeing those shows like this on DVD which more than likely would NOT be shown on TV Land or anywhere else for that matter.

It's fun to see shows like the 50's Dragnet,Topper,Burns and Allen,Ozzie and Harriet,and others even if they are the public domain episodes. These shows have not been seen in syndication in years,so it's great to see them come out with them on DVD.

What I would like to see on DVD is The Millionaire and the B & W episodes of The Lucy Show especially the episode where Lucy and Viv attempt to build a shower. Which other shows would you like to see on DVD from the 50's and 60's??

 

[oldtimeradio]

> I like seeing those shows like this on DVD which more than
> likely would NOT be shown on TV Land or anywhere else for
> that matter.
>
> It's fun to see shows like the 50's Dragnet,Topper,Burns and
> Allen,Ozzie and Harriet,and others even if they are the
> public domain episodes. These shows have not been seen in
> syndication in years,so it's great to see them come out with
> them on DVD.
>
> What I would like to see on DVD is The Millionaire and the B
> & W episodes of The Lucy Show especially the episode where
> Lucy and Viv attempt to build a shower. Which other shows
> would you like to see on DVD from the 50's and 60's??
>

I bought a "Beverly Hillbillies" DVD ($9.00) and was upset to find out that the original theme was covered by a non-descript banjo tune. The rest of the cue music was in there, that couldn't be covered, but the original theme was eliminated.

This seemed to be 16mm copies of the program as the pictures appeared to be grainy (as opposed to 35mm network copies).

Other than that I have purchased copies of early fifties shows from collectors with most of the music intact.

On the DVDs being mentioned in the other posts are the themes intact and the picture quality of the network original?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[ccmfan]

> > I like seeing those shows like this on DVD which more than
>
> > likely would NOT be shown on TV Land or anywhere else for
> > that matter.
> >
> > It's fun to see shows like the 50's Dragnet,Topper,Burns
> and
> > Allen,Ozzie and Harriet,and others even if they are the
> > public domain episodes. These shows have not been seen in
> > syndication in years,so it's great to see them come out
> with
> > them on DVD.
> >
> > What I would like to see on DVD is The Millionaire and the
> B
> > & W episodes of The Lucy Show especially the episode where
>
> > Lucy and Viv attempt to build a shower. Which other shows
> > would you like to see on DVD from the 50's and 60's??
> >
>
> I bought a "Beverly Hillbillies" DVD ($9.00) and was upset
> to find out that the original theme was covered by a
> non-descript banjo tune. The rest of the cue music was in
> there, that couldn't be covered, but the original theme was
> eliminated.
>
> This seemed to be 16mm copies of the program as the pictures
> appeared to be grainy (as opposed to 35mm network copies).
>
> Other than that I have purchased copies of early fifties
> shows from collectors with most of the music intact.
>
> On the DVDs being mentioned in the other posts are the
> themes intact and the picture quality of the network
> original?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
>

On the Beverly Hillbillies DVD set that I got at Wal Mart they have the generic banjo music as well. The original theme songs are replaced on a lot of PD DVDs, supposedly because of licensing rights on the music. It's more noticeable on the more popular shows that have PD DVDs like The Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke Shows. On the Jack Benny and Burns and Allen DVDs I have, the original theme songs are there. I also have some PD DVDs of You Bet Your Life, and some have the original theme and others don't.

Something I've wondered is how that certain episodes of classic shows like the Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy Griffith and Dick Van Dyke Shows ended up in PD. If you see different sets of PD DVDs or VHS videos, it's always the same sets of episodes, regardless of who releases it. And when you consider that these shows are still being shown in some places, why were they allowed to fall into PD?

 

[rugrats1]

> On the Beverly Hillbillies DVD set that I got at Wal Mart
> they have the generic banjo music as well. The original
> theme songs are replaced on a lot of PD DVDs, supposedly
> because of licensing rights on the music.

This, of course, is due to the fact that the theme was still valid -- if it was included, the publisher of the PD DVDs would still have to pay royalties on the song. Apparantly, they were either unwilling to pay the royalties, of the royalties were out of their league.

I heard of a few instances where some PD DVDs and tapes still had the original theme in a couple of episodes, while the other episodes had the new music.

The music angle was also how "It's A Wonderful Life" was rescued from Public Domain -- the film itself was PD, but the copyright on the music was still good. Republic Pictures bought the music, and, after they did, anyone wanting to show the film would had to pay the royalies on the music. After that, only NBC showed the film, when before, just about every station in America showed it.

> Something I've wondered is how that certain episodes of
> classic shows like the Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy
> Griffith and Dick Van Dyke Shows ended up in PD.

Apparently, the copyright owner didn't renew the copyright when expiration date came around. Some say they just forgot, while others say they purposedly didn't renew, in hopes of increasing the availability of these episodes.

 

[RMarino]

Why are these shows considered "public domain"? Are you saying that nobody holds any copyright for these programs (or episodes)?

And if that's the case, theoretically, could I buy these DVDs and show them in public or re-broadcast them without breaking any laws? I'm just curious. This is all pretty interesting.

 

[rugrats1]

> Why are these shows considered "public domain"? Are you
> saying that nobody holds any copyright for these programs
> (or episodes)?

Correct -- apparently, the copyright holders forgot (or, did not want to) renew the copyright to these shows.
>
> And if that's the case, theoretically, could I buy these
> DVDs and show them in public or re-broadcast them without
> breaking any laws?

Yes and no -- yes, you could do that, but the DVDs have added embellishments (such as replacement music, etc.) that is copyrighted by the packager.

 

[Markd]

Public Domain Classic Shows on DVD-Why some are Public Domain

> Something I've wondered is how that certain episodes of
> classic shows like the Beverly Hillbillies and The Andy
> Griffith and Dick Van Dyke Shows ended up in PD.

What happens is that many studios opt not to renew copyrights to a select few episodes in order to give the show some exposure and interest. With The Beverly Hillbillies Viacom opted to allow about 25 episodes from the first 3 season fall into public domain. They also allowed about 25 episodes of Andy Griffith from the Third Season to fall into Public domain. They probably did this purposely. Public domain also applies to broadcast rights. That is why in some markets Andy Griffith is on alot of low budget stations twice a week. These low budget stations primarily run religion or paid programming but get some public domain stuff for entertainment. Such station only runs the 20some public domain episodes and not any others. On the Beverly Hillbillies Public Domain DVD's they have an alternate beginning theme because the "Ballad Of Jed Clampett" is still copyrighted. Also the 4 episodes of Petticoat Junction that are public domain exclude the theme song for the same reason.

With Andy & Beverly Hillbillies Viacom indeed sparked interest in more episodes through having the 20 some public domain epsiodes. As a result they now are releasing copyrighted episodes as well. What is frusterating is the 3rd season of Andy Griffith which is out in August will be 2/3 public domain episodes but released by Paramount Viacom this time. Those with Public Domain DVDs will now have doubles of many episodes. But all the public domain Andy Griffth epsiodes are in season 3.

 

[toby]

Re: Public Domain Classic Shows on DVD-Why some are Public Domain

> What is frusterating is the 3rd season of Andy Griffith which is out in August
> will be 2/3 public domain episodes but released by Paramount Viacom
> this time. Those with Public Domain DVDs will now have
> doubles of many episodes. But all the public domain Andy
> Griffth epsiodes are in season 3.

Well I am guessing that the quality of the episodes will be much better than the PD stuff, so that may be a buy factor. Not that I would pay to watch Andy Griffith. . .
<P ID="signature">______________
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<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>

 

[rugrats1]

Re: Public Domain Classic Shows on DVD-Why some are Public Domain

> As a result they now are releasing
> copyrighted episodes as well. What is frusterating is the
> 3rd season of Andy Griffith which is out in August will be
> 2/3 public domain episodes but released by Paramount Viacom
> this time. Those with Public Domain DVDs will now have
> doubles of many episodes. But all the public domain Andy
> Griffth epsiodes are in season 3.
>

At least the ones issued by Paramount will have the original music and look much cleaner than the PD copies.

 

[JohnL]

>
> I bought a "Beverly Hillbillies" DVD ($9.00) and was upset
> to find out that the original theme was covered by a
> non-descript banjo tune. The rest of the cue music was in
> there, that couldn't be covered, but the original theme was
> eliminated.

If you buy "Petticoat Junction" DVD at Menards or Walgreens, they did the same thing with the theme. I too am VERY UPSET about that. It is ridiculious!!!

All because of someone owning the copyrights!

For that reason maybe I should go air them on the Public Access Cable station I program for the City of Muskego.

Course I won't do that. Its Obvious ASCAP or all these copyright company gods have the power and can sue me for every penny with no problems. I wouldn't have anything to argue.

I mean you remember these shows when you are a kid and everytime the show starts it was always with its storyteller like "Gilligan's Island", "Beverly Hillibillies", "Petticoat Junction", "Green Acres", etc...

Really by removing the original theme they spoil the whole show. Just no longer worth watching without the theme.

-John L.

 

[KMRichards]

> For that reason maybe I should go air them on the Public
> Access Cable station I program for the City of Muskego.
>
> Course I won't do that. Its Obvious ASCAP or all these
> copyright company gods have the power and can sue me for
> every penny with no problems. I wouldn't have anything to
> argue.

So air them without any theme at all. Cut the audio during the opening and closing credits.
<P ID="signature">______________


</P>

 

[ccmfan]

> > For that reason maybe I should go air them on the Public
> > Access Cable station I program for the City of Muskego.
> >
> > Course I won't do that. Its Obvious ASCAP or all these
> > copyright company gods have the power and can sue me for
> > every penny with no problems. I wouldn't have anything to
> > argue.
>
> So air them without any theme at all. Cut the audio during
> the opening and closing credits.
>

I've had some PD cartoon videos that did that on Looney Tunes.