Sneek Peek: A Christmas Story on Blu-Ray
Warner Home Video has revealed final specs and box art for its double dip of ‘A Christmas Story,’ which will hit Blu-ray this November with hours of bonus materials and deluxe holiday-themed packaging.
Now the full details of the box set are in, and it looks to be the most full-fledged release yet of the perennial favorite. “Festively packaged” in a collectible retro holiday cookie tin, included are five collectible cookie cutters in iconic ‘Christmas Story’ shapes; a 48-page cook book filled with recipes inspired by the film; photos and quotes and a custom-designed chef’s apron. (Exclusive to the Blu-ray box set is an additional Leg Lamp light stand.)
Extras shared between the Blu-ray and DVD boast audio commentary with Peter Billingsley and Clark, original story readings by Jean Shepard (author and voice narrator of ‘A Christmas Story’), the “Another Christmas Story” documentary, a pair of featurettes ( “Get a Leg Up,” “A History of the Daisy Red Ryder”), “Triple Dog Dare” interactive trivia, a “Decoder Match Challenge” interactive game, additional “Hidden Presents” and the theatrical trailer.
Tech specs include a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p/VC-1 video and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround. (At presstime, no high-res audio option has been confirmed, but we’ll keep you posted.)
Finally, Warner has issued the final Blu-ray box art for ‘A Christmas Story: Ultimate Collector’s Edition”:
Radio City Christmas Spectacular Coming to DVD
One of the greatest and most beloved American holiday traditions, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes, will be available on DVD for the first time on November 4th. Two titans of entertainment, Time Life and Madison Square Garden Entertainment, are partnering to bring this national treasure and American icon to fans everywhere. The DVD will afford viewers the opportunity to enjoy the cherished holiday show from their own homes as the world-famous Radio City Rockettes perform on the Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall. The Christmas Spectacular is America’s #1 Holiday show and has played to more than 65 million people in its 76 year history. In 2008, more than 1.2 million fans will attend the New York City production and an additional 1 million patrons are expected to see the debut of the brand new Arena tour production and the theatre’s touring version of The Christmas Spectacular this year.
“The Christmas Spectacular is a meticulously produced and beautifully unique celebration of the holiday season,” says Mike Jason, Senior V.P. Audio & Video Retail at Time Life. “It has been a Christmas tradition for three generations in my family and we at Time Life are honored to be sharing the show with new and old fans.”
“MSG Entertainment is proud to partner with Time Life to distribute the first ever DVD of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” added Jonathan Hochwald, EVP Productions, MSG Entertainment. “The Christmas Spectacular is a cherished holiday tradition and this beautiful recording will bring the spirit and warmth of our holiday production right into the homes of families nationwide.”
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular was filmed last year as part of the 75th celebration and was broadcast as a primetime special on NBC, produced by Don Hewitt of 60 Minutes. The Radio City Christmas Spectacular Starring The Rockettes DVD will include the entire 90 minute live show featuring the world famous Radio City Rockettes with their signature eye high kicks and astounding precision choreography. Traditional fan-favorites like the “Living Nativity” and the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” which have been in the show since 1933, remain a vital part of the show’s core. The new scene, “New York at Christmas,” showcases the world-famous Rockettes onboard a REAL double-decker gray line tour bus for a once in a lifetime tour of Manhattan. The Rockettes and audience take a tour of historic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, 5th Avenue’s store windows and even Central Park. They arrive in Time Square, where they perform a show-stopping number surrounded by all the lights and excitement that only New York City can generate. The number climaxes with a live fireworks display onstage! The Christmas Spectacular includes dramatic theatrical lighting effects, breathtaking imagery, flying characters and an array of glamorous costumes, leaving no doubts about the magic of Christmas at Radio City.
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular has been a holiday tradition since its inception in 1933, when it was originally performed as a holiday “gift” between movie screenings. It has long since become the main event and draws people from all over the world who have made it a holiday tradition. In 1994, due to popular demand, MSG Entertainment broadened the beloved holiday theatrical’s schedule for the first time to encompass markets outside of New York, while running simultaneously with the New York production. Since then, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has performed in top cities across North America. In its 14-year combined history outside of New York, as well as the production at Radio City Music Hall, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular has played to more than 65 million people in 31 different cities. In 2008, The Christmas Spectacular touring production will entertain audiences once again in 5 cities including Buffalo, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis and Nashville.
Bad Santas Tarnishing Christmas
The month of July usually kicks off the flow of news about Christmas in the media thanks to the jolly gathering of professional Santas around the world. In years past we have seen them meet in Branson, Missouri talking about plans to make a reality television series on the life of a working Santa Claus. The media is quick to picture groups of Santas cheerfully meeting together to play baseball, take classes on how to correctly portray Santa Claus or to dance with Mrs. Claus. This news charms the world as it kicks off the run up to each Christmas season.
But hearts are not merry these days in the world of Santa Claus. The Wall Street Journal is blowing the lid off the story of bad Santas who just can’t get along. And Santa Claus — and Christmas — is getting a black eye in the process.
These men — paid professionals who portary Santa Claus to millions of kids from big parades in Hollywood to a mall near you — are fighting like raging school girls. Charges of embezzlement, violence, and ethics violations have bubbled up from the society of Santas worldwide and are now presented in the anti-Christmas media just in time to kick off the 2008 holiday season.
It might not be the publicity these Santas were seeking as they begin booking their 2008 season. But it is the publicity they are getting and richly deserve after years of promoting a saint for the purposes of lining their own grubby pockets.
