Studios fill void with classic comedy releases
August and September are typically slow months for DVD releases as studios hold on to their best for the fourth quarter. But many are filling the void with classic comedy releases that have a back-to-school theme and tie in to end-of-summer shopping.
Topping the release list this year is the appropriately named “Back to School: Extracurricular Edition” due out Aug. 14 from MGM Home Entertainment. The 1985 film stars Rodney Danger-field as a millionaire who returns to college. The movie also features Robert Downey Jr. and a cameo by Kurt Vonnegut.
The two-disc set will be released at a suggested retail price of $19.98 and includes the original movie along with a bonus disc with a “Making of Back to School” short feature, the original theatrical trailer and a short tribute to the film’s star: “Remembering Rodney Dangerfield.”
The studio is also releasing four additional comedies on Aug. 28 that are set in high schools or colleges: “Meatballs 4,” “Nobody’s Perfect,” “Ski School” and “Teachers,” as well as a box set of three films from National Lampoon: “National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj,” “Dorm Daze” and “Gold Diggers.”
In addition, MGM is giving one of the greatest dark comedies from the 1960s an anniversary edition: “The Graduate: 40th Anniversary Edition” comes out on Sept. 11. The 1967 comedy from Mike Nichols will be released in a two-disc set at an SRP of $24.98. The bonus features include audio commentary from Dustin Hoffman and a documentary with some of today’s top directors discussing the film’s influence.
Starbucks Entertainment has signed a deal with NBC Universal Television for exclusive rights to sell “Saturday Night Live: The Best of 2006-2007” at all of its U.S. stores. The chain will begin selling the best-of compilation on Aug. 28 as part of its growing business of offering exclusive video and music releases in stores.
The DVD will feature bonus material including dress rehearsal footage from “SNL” and a bonus DVD with an episode of the NBC comedy “30 Rock,” featuring deleted scenes from the show’s first season.
“‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘30 Rock’ are two of the funniest, most intelligent comedies on TV,” said Starbucks Entertainment president Ken Lombard. “Through this DVD offering, Starbucks and NBC Universal will offer our customers a chance to get a little comedy in their coffee.”
Image Entertainment is also tapping into the comedy genre with a few latesummerreleases, including “Jeff Dunham/Spark of Insanity” due out on Sept. 18. The stand-up comedy is a follow-up to Dunham’s first release on Image that shipped 500,000 units.
Image also has a stand-up DVD from blue-collar comics: “Southern Fried Chicks” is due out on Oct. 2.