Who owns the rights to Lassie and The Littlest Hobbo (60s version) ? (1 Viewer)

[Ian K McLachlan]

These were two shows that I used to enjoy watching. Both series have seen some episodes released on DVD - but not all of them. Does anyone know who holds the rights to these two series and whether there is any chance of a DVD release of all the episodes? Thanks.

 

[LouA]

I'm not sure about this , but I think Littlest Hobo is public domain in the USA. I know VCI put out some episodes a while back and promised more.


I believe Lassie is owned by Sony - Classic Media who put out a nice anniversary box set, but "dropped the ball" on season sets . What they did release was sort of haphazard.


I'd like to see complete releases on both shows, but it's anyone's guess if that will happen.

 

[smithbrad]

Whenever I have seen captures of Lassie from broadcast in syndication it has the Classic Media logo so they apparently have syndication rights.

 

[Sky King]

Lou,


The only thing nice about the Lassie 50th Anniversary DVD set was the included booklet.

While the episodes themselves were well chosen, the picture quality was sub par.

Just a lazy repackaging of unrestored episodes by Sony/Classic Media.

On the other hand, the episodes I've seen of The Littlest Hobo were much better and VCI even tracked down a color episode.

 

[LouA]

Lou,


The only thing nice about the Lassie 50th Anniversary DVD set was the included booklet.

While the episodes themselves were well chosen, the picture quality was sub par.

Just a lazy repackaging of unrestored episodes by Sony/Classic Media.

On the other hand, the episodes I've seen of The Littlest Hobo were much better and VCI even tracked down a color episode.

Re. Lassie , I was basing my description mostly on the episode selection which followed a nice chronological history of the show. What I was really hoping for on Lassie was season sets of the Jeff and Timmy years , and possibly beyond .I agree with you that the show should be completely re mastered , but I wonder that Sony cares enough about the show to do that at this point in time


Re. Littlest Hobo, I do agree with you that the prints VCI used were of good quality, but I was a little disappointed that they never released Vol.2

 

[Bryan^H]

Regarding Lassie, this is from last August:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/17/business/media/lassie-as-salesdog-one-more-trip-to-the-well.html?_r=0


In the article it mentions on possible ideas for Lassie merchandise...Hmm I wonder.

Season sets on dvd? However I do fear that the physical media idea might be a little too late in the game for Dreamworks. That ship may have already sailed.

 

[phillyrobt]

I believe SabuCat Productions (who also helped stage the 3d festivals at the Egyptin as recently as 2013) owns the Littlest Hobo. I for one would like all of the episodes and treasure the VCI disc I own which was sntached up after a Netflix rental.

 

[Regulus]

I don't know what's more criminal, Classic Media/Dreamworks stingy releases of their "Best of Lassie" sets (Which are heavily edited) or having to resort to "Alternate Sources" to acquire uncut episodes (Yup! I said UNCUT, the set I have was recorded off a Canadian TV Station (Their little "Maple Leaf" Rating gives this away ) of this show.

 

[Neil Brock]

I don't know what's more criminal, Classic Media/Dreamworks stingy releases of their "Best of Lassie" sets (Which are heavily edited) or having to resort to "Alternate Sources" to acquire uncut episodes (Yup! I said UNCUT, the set I have was recorded off a Canadian TV Station (Their little "Maple Leaf" Rating gives this away ) of this show.

I don't consider trading or having a contact record something that's airing to be alternate sources. That's why we build our contacts in the collecting community.