Shout! Factory's Tales of the Gold Monkey

[Shonokin]

Comes out tomorrow (June 8th, 2010). Got an amazon shipping notice today.

A concise review from
[quote]You probably don’t recognize the name Donald P. Bellisario, but there is a good chance you’ve watched one of the television series he has created. Magnum P.I., Airwolf, Quantum Leap, JAG or NCIS ring a bell? He was also a writer-producer on the series Baa Baa Black Sheep and the original Battlestar Galactica. Yeah, he has that kind of pedigree. Like many successful TV series creators he also has a string of lesser known productions, shows that just didn’t last that long for a variety of reasons. One of those is Tales of the Gold Monkey. Premiering in 1982, Gold Monkey had a successful and highly-acclaimed season before being…well, everyone thought it was a shoe-in for a second season, but politics and a creator unwilling to dumb down the storylines saw the end of the show. Like many series with a core fan following, Tales of the Gold Monkey has remained a favorite for a lot of people and now Shout! Factory is releasing a DVD set of all the episodes that is both a tribute to a fondly remembered show and worthy of being in any fan’s collection.

Starring Stephen Collins (Private Practice, 7th Heaven), Caitlin O’Heaney (The Charmings), Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes), Jeff Mackay (JAG), Tales of the Gold Monkey aired on ABC from September of 1982 until June, 1983 and became a popular hit following the success of the Indiana Jones films. Set in 1938, this adventure series captures the ambiance and character of a mysterious romantic era and chronicles a young American adventurer Jake Cutter (Stephen Collins) and his ragtag group of friends as they become involved involved in death-defying hi-jinx, transporting people-on-the-run in a well-worn Grumman Goose seaplane.

I remember being instantly drawn to the series when it first aired as I had been wowed like everyone else by Raiders of the Lost Ark earlier in the year and was hoping for more. Years later, after becoming aware of who Bellisario was, I was mystified as to why he created a show that played off of the popularity of the Indiana Jones films. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. The highlight of this set is a new thirty-six minute “Making ofâ€

[The Shadow]

I've never seen Tales of the Gold Monkey, I guess it never had much of a re-run presence. This review has my curiousity piqued though, especially that bit about Bellasario not wanting to dumb down the stories. It also sounds like the show may have a bit of an adventure pulp pedigree too.

[Shonokin]

[Zombiezilla]

I had no idea this came out!!! I loved this show when it was on, and was heartbroken when it ended. I think I know what I am saving my pennies for! That's right, Gamera Vs. Barugon, but right after that, I am buying Tales Of The Gold Monkey!