The Shout! Factory label announced it will release the fourth and final season of the 1960s “Route 66” television drama on DVD, with a street date of April 2.
Co-star Glenn Corbett became Martin Milner’s sidekick during that season, after co-star George Maharis left the show in the middle of Season Three because of a life-threatening bout of hepatitis. However, the on-screen chemistry suffered, and the show was canceled. (You can read my 2007 interview with Maharis here.)
“Route 66 — The Complete Fourth Season” will be on five DVDs, and have a suggested retail price of $29.93. However, Amazon already has discounted the price in pre-orders to $20.95.
Roxbury Entertainment released the show’s first three seasons in half- and full-season increments, but never the fourth season. Customers also criticized Roxbury for the releases’ quality issues.
Shout! Factory bought the rights to the “Route 66” television show in 2011 and released all four seasons in one 24-DVD box set, “Route 66 — The Complete Series,” the following year. (My review of the box set is here.)
Shout! apparently decided to release a separate Season Four as a nod to people who’d already purchased the first three seasons of “Route 66” from Roxbury.
(Hat tip to TVShowsonDVD.com)