The upcoming DVD release of the critically acclaimed “Route 66” television series will be a four-disc set of the show’s first 15 episodes in 1960.
Among the special features will be descriptions of the Chevrolet Corvettes used during the series’ run, plus biographies and filmographies of impressive list of actors who appeared on the show.
Also, new DVD sets of additional episodes of “Route 66” will be rolled out about every six
months, until all 116 episodes about Buzz and Tod’s road adventures across America are back in the market.
These additional details about the long-awaited DVD release of “Route 66” episodes were revealed by Kirk Hallam, president of Roxbury Entertainment, during a telephone interview. Roxbury, along with distributor Infinity Entertainment Group, are releasing the first “Route 66” set on Oct. 23.
Amazon.com is taking pre-orders for the set, with a list price of $29.98. That’s less than eight bucks per disc. “Route 66” fans have waited for years for a proper DVD release, and shoddy bootlegs have made the rounds in the interim.
The episodes will be digitally remastered for the best sound and picture possible. Roxbury appears to have good record in this regard. It released a “Best of Route 66” two-DVD set of 11 favorite episodes, which was widely praised for its picture quality.
Hallam said he hopes future DVD releases will contain interviews with “Route 66’s” directors and supporting actors. Unfortunately, that probably won’t include co-stars Martin Milner and George Maharis, both are in fragile health. Glenn Corbett, who replaced Maharis when he left the show, died in 1993. “Route 66” producer Herbert B. Leonard died in October.
Hallam said he acquired the rights to “Route 66” from Leonard about seven years ago and the distribution rights from Sony two years ago so he could produce a “Route 66” feature film.
Hallam also acquired rights to Leonard’s “Rin Tin Tin” shows so he could produce a “Finding Rin Tin Tin” movie, slated to be released later this year.
Hallam said he always was a fan of the original “Route 66.” He found out he wasn’t alone.
“Along the way, we met so many people who asked, ‘Whatever happened to the old TV show? Why can’t we see it?'” Hallam said. “I realized there was a pretty big fan base who wanted to see it again.”
That convinced him to release “Route 66” on DVD.
Hallam says the “Route 66” feature film is in pre-production, with a release date of 2009 at the earliest. He says it already has secured a “major” director and screenwriter. Filming is tentatively scheduled for 2008.
Hallam says he and the main screenwriter soon will take a road trip down Route 66. He said all of the film’s exterior shots will be on the Mother Road, including in Joliet, Tulsa and San Bernardino.
When “Route 66” came out I was still sucking my thumb. I loved the show a lot. Haven’t seen an episode since, but I still occasionally hum the theme from memory. Now I realize why I could never differentiate between George Maharis and Glenn Corbett later in life.
I ran into George Maharis at a restaurant in Santa Monica a while back when Nick At Night was replaying the series, and just had to go over and congratulate him on the show. He beamed like a proud peacock, wearing a blue blazer, neck scarf, and a hairpiece that still matched his Buzz-do. I said, “You must have been on top of the world at (25) in your own series having adventures all over America.” He was, and he had some great stories to tell behind the scenes.
Let’s hope some of them end up on this DVD release.
Hello,
Thank you for releasing “Route 66, Season 1, Vol.1”, and for your plan to release the entire series in the future. You have a fan here who will purchase every set. Sincerely,
Have you corrected the problem on the Season 1, Vol. 2 of the so-called “wide screen”? All that did was “crop” the original picture at the top and bottom of the film as it was not a true wide screen picture. Can you not redo it in full screen frame so no part of the picture is lost. Sorry to hear the both stars are in bad health. thanks
ANOTHER COMPANY, THE PLANET DVD STORE IS SELLING ALL FOUR
SEASONS FOR $49.95. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? ARE THEY BOOLEGS?
DID THEY GET THEM FROM ROXBURY, OR CBS/
Yes, Robert, they are essentially bootlegs. Roxbury is the only company that has the rights to the “Route 66” series.
Hi, Will you be producing Route 66 complete series, digitally remastered for region 2 (UK/Europe).
Thanks.
Dave.
When will Roxbury release Season 4 of ROUTE 66 on dvd? It’s been several months now. Please reply.
Yep, I’d like to see season four myself. Gotta see the wedding finale, and just kind of wrap things up.
When will Route 66 Season 4 be released?
It would be great to complete the series since I have the first 3 seasons.
Still one of my favorite TV series.
Infinity / Roxbury: There are a large group of fans out here waiting for the release of Route 66 Season 4. WHEN???
Hurry up and release Route 66 Season 4!
Please go ahead and release Season 4 of Route 66.
I want to complete this series.
I’ve wondered if Roxbury doesn’t intend to release the fourth season of ROUTE 66 because George Maharis wasn’t in it. That would be a strange reason, huh? I wish some of these companies would stop releasing incomplete tv shows like they did with LIFE GOES ON.
One of the companies that produced the series was bought out recently. Once the dust settles from that acquisition, perhaps Season 4 will come out.
Victor, I cannot believe it, been trying to find you . My name is Diane Guerra, my grandmother was Lucy Guerra. My father was Benny. Do you remember me? I would really love to talk with you , Will check back here for your response, thank you so much…Diane
At the time, interest in the show fell dramatically after Maharis left in Season 3. Season 4 was cut to 23 shows and ended early (March 1964). To be honest, although this show had a devoted following, it was never a ratings leader (It’s 8:30pm Friday slot was date night for it’s target audience).
I doubt we’ll ever see Season 4 on DVD. They waited way too long to put this classic show out. (By the time CBS put out 20 shows on Columbia House VHS subscription in the early 90s, it was already too late.)
It may be available for Netflix streaming in April 2011 as part of a deal with CBS. We’ll see.