Drop It! Robocop-The Series Is Coming To Blu-Ray!

The future of law enforcement’s TV show headlines the announced releases from Liberation Hall.

Even though the practice still continues to this day, over the years, it was normal for TV studios to make TV series out of their successful movies. Films such as ‘Logan’s Run’, ‘9 To 5’, ‘Highlander’, and even ‘Planet Of The Apes’ got the small screen treatment. One that you wouldn’t assume could be made into a TV show is ‘Robocop.’ But it happened. It only ran for one season, due to the expensive production budget, but it was made. It was a 1994 Canadian Cyberpunk TV series. The makers even tried to convince Peter Weller to play his most famous role in the show. However, a deal couldn’t be worked out and so, Richard Eden stepped into the Robo suit.

After ‘Robocop 3’ and its move to a more family-friendly film, the show followed its lead. Out went violence and gore. In came, a more diluted approach to the material and storylines. The show ignored the events of the three movies and even changed most of the characters’ names for its run. Yvette Nipar played Officer Lisa Madigan, replacing Nancy Allen’s Anne Lewis. Blu Mankuma portrayed Sergeant Stanley Parks, replacing Robert Doqui’s character of Sgt. Warren Reed. And James Kidnie played the character of William Ray ‘Pudface’ Morgan. He replaced the character of Emil Antonowsky, who had the honor of bathing in toxic waste in the original movie. Now, thanks to Liberation Hall, the entire series is coming to DVD and Blu-Ray later this year.

ROBOCOP-THE SERIES

The set includes all 21 episodes of the show and the pilot film. It comes with bonus features as can be expected. Both DVD and Blu-Ray sets comprise of 5 discs containing the series in its entirety. In total, the series runs for approximately 17 hours in total. The running time of the bonus features is, at this time, yet to be announced. The source material for the Blu-Ray release has been taken from the original vault elements and has been formatted for 16:9 television screens. The DVD set is presented in the original 4:3 size and will feature black borders on either side of the picture (i.e the ‘Pillar Box’ effect). The sound is Dolby Digital for the DVD set whereas the Blu-ray will have 2.0 stereo LPCM. The series will hit stores on May 10th.

THE SYNOPSIS

In 1994, after three films in the franchise, the popular sci-fi action character Robocop debuted in his own television series. Produced by Canada’s Skyvision Entertainment, ‘Robocop-The Series’ starred Richard Eden in the title role. An 89-minute pilot aired in two parts in March, followed by 21 one-hour episodes. Aimed at a younger audience, the series dialed back the graphic violence of the first two movies and displayed a tone similar in feel to ‘Robocop 3.’ Many of the events and plotlines seen in the films were discarded, with ‘Robocop-The Series’ acting as a reset for the once human, now cyborg police officer.

The series’ theme song, ‘A Future To This Life,’ was performed by rock legends Joe Walsh and Lita Ford. Additionally, the series included songs by the band, Dave Edmunds, Nicky Hopkins. Iron Butterfly, KC, And The Sunshine Band, and Todd Rundgren, among others.

ALSO SET FOR RELEASE

Liberation hall has also announced four other titles that are coming soon. First is the 2009 Steven Seagal film ‘A Dangerous Man.’ Once again, it is the usual Seagal shenanigans. After serving six years for a crime he did not commit, ex-Special Forces agent Shane Daniels is released from an Arizona prison. Within hours, he witnesses the murder of a police officer by members of the Chinese mafia who have kidnapped a girl and stolen a bag of drug money. Shane intercedes with the help of the Russian mafia, whose boss owes him a favor for having saved his son from the Chinese mafia. It will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on April 5th.

CHICAGO BLUES REUNION

We next have ‘Chicago Blues Reunion’ which is released on January 14th. Captured in a nine-camera shoot by director John Anderson (best known for his documentaries Paul Butterfield: Horn from the Heart and Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE) this 2008 benefit concert held at Chicago’s Park West finally arrives on DVD. Portions of the footage have been seen in the 2013 documentary Born in Chicago (2013) but this release marks the first time this raw, exciting concert has been released in its entirety.

The core members of Chicago Blues Reunion are Barry Goldberg (Electric Flag, Steve Miller Band, Bob Dylan), Harvey Mandel (Canned Heat, John Mayall, The Rolling Stones), Nick Gravenites (Electric Flag, Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield Blues Band), Corky Siegal (Siegal-Schwall Band), and Marcy Levy (co-wrote “Lay Down Sally” and toured with Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, and Leon Russell). They are joined by special guests Dave Mason (Traffic) and Jimmy Vivino (house bands for Saturday Night Live and Conan O’Brien), among others. Mason provides lead vocals on three songs: “Dust My Blues,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and “Feeling Alright.” The package features liner notes by author Joel Selvin.

THE MOON AND SIXPENCE

Also on the way, we have two new titles in Liberation Hall’s ‘The Greatest Teleplays Of All Time.’ The first title is ‘The Moon And Sixpence’ which is released on January 25th. The Moon and Sixpence marked Sir Laurence Olivier’s debut in an American television production. Broadcast on NBC in 1959, Olivier portrayed a staid, dull Englishman who abruptly deserts his wife and children to become a painter in the South Seas. The role earned Olivier an Emmy for Outstanding Performance by an Actor. The story was adapted by S. Lee Pogostin from the novel by Somerset Maugham.

The telefilm’s director, Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird), also took home an Emmy for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Drama. The film’s cast includes Dame Judith Anderson, Hume Cronyn, Cyril Cusack, Denholm Elliott, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jean Marsh, Murray Matheson, and Jessica Tandy. Part of Liberation Hall’s “The Greatest Teleplays of All Time” DVD series, the original broadcast was helmed by Emmy Award-winning producer and talk show host David Susskind.

OF MICE AND MEN

The final offering is ‘Of Mice And Men’, which will be released on April 5th. Made for ABC Television, this 1968 adaptation of the classic John Steinbeck novella teams veteran actors George Segal (Look Who’s Talking, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) and Nicol Williamson (Excalibur, Spawn) as a pair of migrant farmworkers in search of opportunities during the Great Depression. Lennie Small, played by Williamson, is a bulky, strong man who suffers from a mental disability. The intelligent but uneducated George Milton (Segal) takes on the role of Lennie’s protector. They hope to one day realize their dream of settling down on their own piece of land.

This production of Of Mice and Men was directed by acclaimed film and TV director Ted Kotcheff (Weekend at Bernie’s, Rambo: First Blood). Additional members of the acting ensemble include Dana Elcar, Will Geer, Don Gordon, Moses Gunn, Joey Heatherton, Donald Moffat, and John Randolph. Part of Liberation Hall’s “The Greatest Teleplays of All Time” DVD series, the original broadcast was helmed by Emmy Award-winning producer and talk show host David Susskind.

There are some good bargains and quality entertainment to be had from Liberation Hall. So why not take the plunge and grab some for your home collections? It makes sense to grab these quality titles while they are available. And will give hours of fun and entertainment. ‘Chicago Blues Reunion.’, and ‘The Moon And Sixpence’ are available to preorder now. Grab your copies today!

Will you be buying any of these titles? Will they be a part of your personal collection? What makes you want to buy any of them? Let us know your thoughts!

Source: Liberation Hall