NEW RELEASE TUESDAY!

This week's New Release Tuesday are really slim pickings. We mean really, really, really, really slim. Actually about less than a handful. So without further ado, let's highlight the main ones that fans should pick up today!

Sci-Fi Pick of the Week

Mystery Science Theater 3000 - Volume XXVII

MST3K has always been one of Stay Tuned's little darlings, back when the show was released through Rhino. This release is no exception. Fans who appreciate a good chuckle while watching bad movies will identify with MST3K. Join Mike, Tom Servo, and Crow T. Robot as they sit down through four horrendous movies. This installment includes: The Slime People, Rocket Attack U.S.A., Village of the Giants, and The Deadly Mantis. Shout! Factory has done a wonderful job with the releases of these volumes and they continue that excellence by providing extra features. Interviews with several of the films' actors, a featurette with original cast member Trace Beaulieu, and an introduction with writer/cast member Mary Jo Pehl are just some of the goodies you can find on this set. One more plug for the good people at Shout! Factory; if you purchase the set through their website, you will also receive an bonus DVD of serials: The Phantom Creeps, Undersea Kingdom, and General Hospital (yes, the soap opera). It may cost a little more than other sites but the bonus disc is worth it.

If you are not familiar with the show, don't fret folks. We here at Stay Tuned are happy to give you a sneak peek at one of the episodes on this set. Below is the link for Village of the Giants, which happens to star future screen star Beau Bridges, future director and creator Ron(ny) Howard (yes, he was Opie), and future one-hit wonder Toni Basil (yes, Mickey).



Kid (or Kid-at-Heart) Pick of the Week

The World's Greatest Super Friends: A Dangerous Fate

Super Friends returns with another volume of its cartoons. This time the 1979-1980 (which was considered Season 5) The World's Greatest Super Friends aired eight episodes, each episode had three different cartoons thus making this set containing 24 episodes. This incarnation reverted back to the original five superheroes (Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman) and the Wonder Twins, with their monkey Gleek. The toon is very dated but the set is a must for any DC Comics fan or Super Friends completist. Below is a taste of what you can find on this set, the episode Universe of Evil.



Well that's it! It was an uneventful New Release Tuesday on the TV-on-DVD market but these suggestions should tide you over until the first Tuesday in August. According to our release schedule, that's the next BIG day. As usual, remember to Stay Tuned for anything and everything television.

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Update 12:46PM

We just couldn't let this one pass by and we should have waited because Warner Archive Collection doesn't post its new releases until midday. But better late than never, right?

Retro 'Toon Pick of the Week

Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels - The Complete Series

We here at Stay Tuned have actually been waiting a long time for a Captain Caveman release. Since Warner holds the rights to the Hanna-Barbera library, it was only a matter of time before this series would be released. Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels originally ran from 1977 to 1980, with the first two seasons packaged in with another Hanna-Barbera cartoon and the final season broadcasted as a half-hour program. Basically an adaptation of Scooby-Doo meets Josie and the Pussycats, the premise of the cartoon centered around the Teen Angels (Dee Dee, Brenda, and Taffy) solving mysteries. They happen to come across the ice block that housed the prehistoric Captain Caveman and thawed him out. Working together, the girls drive the van while Cavey walks around grumbling and pulling all sorts of things out of his hair. Oh and somehow he can fly.

Below is an episode featured in the first season, presented in its entirety. And yes, the episodes were only 11 minutes long. You can purchase the set at Warner Archive's website (Warner Archive Collection site).

HOLY THROWBACK THURSDAY BATMAN!!

Since San Diego Comic Con International officially kicks off today and lasts throughout the weekend, we thought it would only be appropriate to highlight a classic superhero show from the past. Within the last 45 years, there have been numerous live-action television shows featuring mostly DC Comics superheroes. Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Arrow have been brought to the small screen in one incarnation or various, as is the case with the Man of Steel. Today, however, we decided to focus on the 1966 classic Batman!

The live-action Batman series may be dated but nothing can beat its wholesome, entertainment, family-friendly battle of good versus evil. Yes, the costumes were a hoot. Who could forget Robin wearing green tighties and those elf shoes? Or how about The Joker painted white in his pink suit? And some of the situations the heroes got into were unforgettable. Remember Batman dancing the Batusi? The Joker tying up Batman and Robin to a lethal slot machine? Batgirl driving her motorcycle with all the frilly lace around the face shield? But the best part of the show was its creativity. Who didn't want to own a sliding pole that changed your outfits with a push of a button? You know you recreated those scenes on the playground. We all craved for a utility belt that held any-and-everything you could think of, plus more. And that Batcave was pretty freakin' sweet! The car was rotated mechanically and then had that secret entrance.

We've included the first episode of the series that features the famous Batusi.

Adam West and Burt Ward were cast as Batman and Robin for the entire three-year run. You might ask "Is that the same Adam West who does voice work on Family Guy?" The answer is simple. Yup. It is. If the costumes and neat-o technology for that era wasn't appealing enough for viewers then Batman grabbed them with its guest casting. The show drew Hollywood royalty to play the "Special Guest Villain" roles. Screen legends Burgess Meredith, Cesar Romero, Anne Baxter, and Victor Buono were just some of the names who appeared in the show's first season.

Batman's popularity soared after its premiere year and continued strong in its sophmore year. By the show's third year, however, ratings and interest had declined as the television landscape was transitioning from fantasy to more realistic, socially aware programming. Attempts in reinvigorating the show and attracting female viewers with the addition of the Batgirl character were futile and the show ended after the third season.

Though the live-action '60s series may have ended after three years, Adam West and Burt Ward would be forever associated with the Batman and Robin characters and would reprise those roles throughout the '70s in animation with The New Adventures of Batman and Super Friends, and in live-action with the short-lived special, Legends of the Superheroes.

Did you watch Batman while growing up? What were some of your favorite moments? Share with us and comment below, and remember to Stay Tuned for future blasts of the past!