Here's another genuine rarity from that video treasure trove known as YouTube: a 30-second TV spot promoting the theatrical release (NOT the television premiere) of the original Buck Rogers In The 25th Century pilot movie in the Summer of '79. As I've recounted before, I saw this in the theaters accompanied by my mother and sister... needless to say, I'm the only one of us that actually remembers it.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Coming Attractions: BUCK ROGERS (1979) Theatrical Movie TV Spot
Here's another genuine rarity from that video treasure trove known as YouTube: a 30-second TV spot promoting the theatrical release (NOT the television premiere) of the original Buck Rogers In The 25th Century pilot movie in the Summer of '79. As I've recounted before, I saw this in the theaters accompanied by my mother and sister... needless to say, I'm the only one of us that actually remembers it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wow! What a great slice of nostalgia! Buck Rogers was one of my absolute childhood faves! I've gotta say, I totally adore this blog and am a regular visitor! Everything I have loved since I first feasted my eyes on Star Wars back in '77 is here - the books, the shows, the artwork, the spandex-clad ladies...marvelous stuff! I really am that 41-year old Peter Pan who never outgrew his affection for Sci-fi's golden age...for the sights, sounds, and memrobilia that blessed my childhood years with it's remarkable imagination, and tangible craftsmanship. It's nice to know that I'm not alone. Keep up the good work, Mr Mills!
ReplyDeleteI remember going to the theater to see Buck, and I stayed for 2 showings. Not many casual fans even remember it played in theaters first. Maybe this has been mentioned here, but worth saying again for people who may have missed it. Buck is streaming on Netflix, HOWEVER the theatrical version is NOT what's included with the episodes. It's the NBC TV version titled Awakening! This version has never been released in the U.S., not on videotape or on DVD. I have a PAL VHS tape I bought years ago. Other than what could be bought overseas, this version only exists from home recordings of either the original NBC broadcast or the syndicated 2 part cut. So if you've never seen it, or want to see it again just for the extra scenes not found in the version that played in theaters check it out.
ReplyDeleteThats very cool and funny cause I just watched this on Sunay afernoon
ReplyDeleteSo weird... I ALSO watched the theatrical version Sunday night and posted about it on my Facebook account! Anyway, I saw it in late march of '79 at the theater with my mom and brother. Just love it- a guilty pleasure to be sure. By the way; this version IS included in the DVD boxed set of seasons 1 and 2 (even though Netflix has the two hour premier episode "Awakening"). I actually prefer the theatrical version for a number of reasons...not the least of it is the memory of SEEING it in the theater!
ReplyDeleteScott - thanks for the head's up about Netflix! I hadn't seen the TV version of "Awakening" since it first aired back in the Fall of '79! I did have a cassette audio recording I made that night, so I remembered the added scenes, but it's great to be able to see them again.
ReplyDeleteI was really pissed when the DVD set only included the theatrical cut; I would have preferred the TV version with the theatrical version included as a "Bonus Fetaure."
Rory - I like the theatrical cut fine, but as it was the only version released on video in the U.S., I've seen it many, many times since '79. I'm grateful to have the TV version available again because it's best to have both!.
ReplyDeleteFor those, like me, who don't have Netflix...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMyaMGqhI_c&list=FLq3j7CPWFQUcmeaB-YnvN7A&index=318&feature=plpp_video
Tex
(who was there when BOTH versions were new)
Hey no problem Chris!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I stumbled onto it over the weekend I knew I was going to have to let fans here know. It was great that you actually had some new Buck stuff posted that allowed me to comment. Like you, I was ticked off when Universal did not see fit to add it to the DVD set.
Rory, as Chris said it's not in the U.S. release. While you see the title Awakening listed in the DVD booklet, it's the theatrical version on the DVD set with the Kipp Lennon song during the opening credits etc., the TV version does not have that. The TV pilot Awakening includes a 30 second teaser then a alternate version of the series opening credits.
Chris I think I still have a few of my cassette recorded episodes laying around. Some Trek, Galactica, Buck, Superman: The Movie, and a handful of The Greatest American Hero. My parents bought a VCR in Nov. of 1981 so my audio recording days came to a close. Funny that I've met several people that used to do that back in the day. One guy that even recorded the tv series audio on reel to reel!
Great blog Chris! I take a look here a couple of times a day!
Question? didnt Universal re-release season 1 again acouple of months ago on single sided dvd? did they include both versions of the Pilot film ?
ReplyDeleteI didn't pick up the re-issue of Buck, so I can't say for sure. I was told that it was exactly the same as the previous release. If anyone knows otherwise, I hope they'll pass the info along.
ReplyDeleteI never saw Buck in the theater (although I did see the U.S. "Sensurround" release of Battlestar Galactica, which was around the same time), and I missed it on TV, too. Didn't the network originally air it in a 2-hour timeslot? The version I grew with was the 2-part syndicated one, which featured some edits (including the complete omission of Joseph Wiseman as Draco), some different voiceovers, and two additional scenes (Buck falling asleep on a 25th century bed, and an epilogue in which Dr. Huer and Wilma ask Buck to help aid the Directorate). While prefer the theatrical version (especially the Bond-style dream sequence during the opening credits), I agree that Universal should've put the TV version on the DVD instead.
ReplyDelete