DVD Release

Okay, if you have ordered this series you know that you are getting one of the best half hour shows there was from the late 60's and early 70's. There can be no argument about the quality of the scripts, the acting, and the fact that while a few things may seem dated, it's amazing how relevent many of these same themes are today. And while today's kids might laugh at the hair styles and clothing of the students then, they would probably be surprised how little other things have changed in many other aspects.

I particularly enjoyed seeing some future stars in these episodes. I haven't watched them all yet, but it was fun watching a very young Bob Balaban in one episode, and Bud Cort playing a character that will instantly remind you of his role in Harold and Maude.

As for the picture and sound quality, I think you have to lay much of the blame for that on Fox and not Shout who didn't have much to work with and did the best that they could with not much help from Fox beyond securing the rights to get it out at all. So place the blame where it belongs and thanks God for Shout even managing to get this released.

Frankly, if these are the best prints available, it tells you what little regard some of these big studios have for some of these classics. I'm always reading how we should donate money for film restoration, yet some of these television series that are like hundreds of mini time capsules from our past are being left to deteriorate simply because studios can't make a profit off of them.

But there is no doubt that it was the regular cast of the late Lloyd Haynes, Karen Valentine, Michael Constantine, and Denise Nicholas that made this series much of what it was. I had forgotten how good they were, especially Haynes whose contribution was often overlooked. (Haynes for an Emmy but unlike Constantine and Valentine never won. Nicholas was not nominated for an Emmy but did manage a Golden Globe nomination)

Maybe it's high time some of these organizations and studios that talk so much about film preservation begin realizing that much of our television history are shows such as Room 222 that are as much a commentary on the times in which they were produced just as much as any theatrical film.

Beyond that, this was a really terrific show and is just as well acted and produced as any current TV series, and better than many of them. Which makes the fact that these prints have been allowed to degrade even more ridiculous.

It should be a crime that they would let this series simply waste in some vault the way that they have. And then they (the big studios) whine and cry about piracy, when they seem to have little regard for much of the material that is probably rotting away somewhere never to see the light of day again, material which will eventually lost forever as much of it already seems to be.

So yes, I would recommend this purchase a lot faster than those series with good but syndicated prints, changed music, and overpriced half seasons, put out by big studios (you know of whom I speak) who really could care less about anything other than squeezing a few extra pennies out of consumers. And Shout is to be congratulated for even getting this to market, not condemned for their efforts.