Classics and Collectibles August-November 2007

Acorn
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates: The Complete Collection All 27 episodes are collected here in a value-priced set. Street Sept. 4, prebook Aug. 7; 13-disc set $149.99

Arts Alliance America
Inspirational Documentaries: Peace One Day, Saint of 9-11 and Paper Clips are packaged in a boxed set. Street Sept. 11, prebook Aug. 14; three-disc set $29.98

The Women of Indie Film contains Down to the Bone, starring Vera Farmiga; Virgin with Robin Wright Penn; and Helena Bonham Carter in Conversations With Other Women. Street Sept. 25, prebook Aug. 28; three-disc set $29.98

BBC/Warner
BBC Atlas of the Natural World: Africa and Europe (six-disc set $59.98) The second release in the series includes Wild Africa (also available separately for $24.98), Congo, The First Eden (about the Mediterranean) and Europe: A Natural History, plus six hours of bonus features; The Blue Planet: Seas of Life (five-disc set $59.98) This special edition includes a bonus fifth disc not included in the original release; Planet Earth/The Blue Planet: Seas of Life Special Collector’s Set (10-disc set $119.99) Combines the two natural history series; A Room With a View Special Edition (BD or HD $28.99 each) The Merchant-Ivory film tells the story of the coming of age of a young woman (Helena Bonham Carter). All street Oct. 2, prebook Aug. 28

BKN/Genius
Once Upon a Time: A Storybook Collection Contains classic storybook tales Alice in Wonderland: What’s the Matter With Hatter?, The Three Musketeers: Saving the Crown and The Prince and the Pauper: Double Trouble. Street Nov. 6, prebook Sept. 25; three-disc set $19.95

Classic/Genius
Gumby Essentials This collection of Gumby material includes 15 episodes selected by Art Clokey, the character’s creator. Street Sept. 4, prebook now; DVD $16.93

Felix the Cat: Golden Anniversary Edition (1958-1959) For the first time on DVD is the complete 1958-59 TV series, featuring all 31 episodes. Street Oct. 2, prebook Aug. 21; two-disc set $39.93

Fox
Commando Director’s Cut To get his kidnapped daughter back, a special operations colonel (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is forced back into action; Wall Street: 20th Anniversary Edition (two-disc set) In a world that values greed over ethics, a young man (Charlie Sheen) finds himself pitted against his mentor (Michael Douglas) in a winner-takes-all contest. Both street Sept. 18, prebook Aug. 22; DVD $19.98 each

Image
Caligula Combining lavish spectacle and award-winning stars (Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren), this is a special release of the 1979 production. Street Oct. 2, prebook Aug. 21; unrated or R-rated DVD $19.99, three-disc Imperial Edition $39.99

Kultur
The Robert Klein Comedy Collection: The HBO Specials 1975-2005 Includes On Location: An Evening With Robert Klein; Robert Klein Revisited; Robert Klein at Yale; Child of the ‘50s, Man of the ‘80s; Robert Klein on Broadway; HBO Comedy Hour: It All Started Here; Child in His 50s and The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue. Street Sept. 25, prebook Aug. 27; four-disc set $39.99

Legend/Genius
Abbott & Costello’s Funniest Routines Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 A color version new to DVD is included. Both street Nov. 6, prebook Sept. 25; DVD $14.95 each

Lionsgate
Emmanuelle: Special Edition French cinema’s erotic film stars Sylvia Kristel as a sexually liberated diplomat’s wife; in French with English subtitles. Street Oct. 9, prebook Sept. 12; DVD $19.98

Mastervision
Smithsonian’s Great Battles of the Civil War (three-disc set $69.95) This critically acclaimed TV and video series is from the National Museum of American History; Thornton Wilder’s Our Town (two-disc set $59.95) Contains two definitive versions of the play, one broadcast on NBC in 1977; Audubon VideoGuide to 505 Birds of North America (two-disc set $69.95) This reference source includes moving footage and stills, bird calls and sounds and more. All available now

MGM/Fox
The Graduate 40th Anniversary Edition Dustin Hoffman stars as a recent grad toying with a career in plastics, lusting after Mrs. Robinson and falling for her daughter. Street Sept. 11, prebook Aug. 15; two-disc set $24.98

Species Collector’s Edition When a beautiful human-alien hybrid (Natasha Henstridge) escapes from observation, a scientist (Ben Kingsley) dispatches a crew of experts to find her in the 1995 movie. Street Oct. 2, prebook Sept. 5; DVD $19.98

The Princess Bride 20th Anniversary Edition Director Rob Reiner’s film about a princess and her prince charming stars Robin Wright Penn and Cary Elwes. Street Oct. 16, prebook Sept. 19; DVD $19.98

MPI
Family Affair: Season 4 (five-disc set $39.98) Contains 26 episodes, including the two-part “Family Paradise” and never-before-released bonus features; George Carlin: All My Stuff (14-disc set $189.98) This collection includes all of Carlin’s HBO specials, celebrating his 50 years in show business. Both street Oct. 30, prebook Sept. 17

Razor Digital
The Ultimate WideScreen Collection Features Africa: The Serengeti, Alaska, Amazing Journeys, Antarctica, Great North, Lost Worlds, Ocean Oasis, Australia, Bears and Ocean Origins. Available now, 10-disc set $109.99

Screen Media/Universal
Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan: The Complete Second Season Each episode documents the transformations that take place in teaching and helping dogs and their owners. Street Aug. 21, prebook now; six-disc set $39.98

Shout/Vivendi Visual
My So-Called Life: The Complete Series Stars Claire Danes stars in 19 episodes, packaged in a specially designed collector’s box with an embossed, case-bound cover. Street Oct. 30, prebook Oct. 2; six-disc set $69.99

S’more
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special The special aired only once, on Oct. 29, 1976, featuring Lynde as the ringmaster of a circus. Street Oct. 2, prebook Aug. 21; DVD $14.99

The Littles The complete series of 29 episodes of the children’s animated series about a tiny family. Street Nov. 13, prebook Oct. 2; five-disc set $39.99

Universal
Serenity Collector’s Edition The cult sci-fi film from the mind of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) comes out with new extras. Street Aug. 21, prebook now; two-disc set $26.98

Warner
The Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland Collection: Ultimate Collector’s Edition Contains Babes in Arms, Babes on Broadway, Strike Up the Band and Girl Crazy in keepsake packaging. Street Sept. 25, prebook Aug. 21; five-disc set $49.92

Jazz Singer 80th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Entertainment legend Al Jolson stars in this song-laced saga of a son whose show-business aspirations conflict with the values of his rabbi father (Warner Oland). Street Oct. 16, prebook Sept. 11; three-disc set $39.92

Barbara Stanwyck: The Signature Collection Includes Annie Oakley; East Side, West Side; Executive Suite; My Reputation; and double-feature disc To Please a Lady/Jeopardy. All street Oct. 30, prebook Sept. 25; DVD $19.97 each, five-disc set $49.92

Burt Lancaster: The Signature Collection Follows Lancaster’s career in five films from 1950 through 1973: Executive Action, The Flame and Arrow, His Majesty O’Keefe, South Sea Woman and Jim Thorpe: All American. All street Nov. 13, prebook Oct. 7; DVD $19.97 each, five-disc set $49.92 —Compiled by Barbara Wexler

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