Jetsons: The Movie on DVD 4/28/2009

[snowpeck]

According to Universal Home Video's press site, they will be releasing Jetsons: The Movie on April 28th. Anamorphic widescreen, 5.1 surround sound, MSRP $14.98. Will provide more info when available.


Greg

[Chaz]

Finally!! I absolutely love this movie.

[Zen Man]

Strange I thought Warner's owned the rights to the movie.

Good news though.

[Tobias]

Strange I thought Warner's owned the rights to the movie.

Good news though.

Universal produced and released the film under HB's supervision. This was before WB bought out the Turner library, when the HB properties were allowed to be made at different studios. Universal also did the live action Flintstone films, and would have done the live action Scooby Doo movie with Mike Meyers as Shaggy had the project not fallen through the cracks in the 90's.

[Super Leviathan]

The question is; why did it take Universal so long to release it? Both Flintstones movies have been out on DVD for, like, forever.

This could be an indicator that Warner is pressing forward with its Jetsons movie and hasn't yet let it reach development hell.

[Elven Moon]

Ah, so that's why I've been seeing the movie on WHAM! lately.

Anyway, this is good news! I used to love this movie as a kid, even saw it in theaters. It's what my friends and I always made time for during sleepovers :)

[Movie06]

I don't think Doug and co. will have trouble finding footage from The Jetsons: The Movie for a possible review. :evil:

[Dr.Pepper]

I just saw The Jetson Movie on Wam
Yeah I saw part of it on TV the other day.

[Zen Man]

Universal produced and released the film under HB's supervision. This was before WB bought out the Turner library, when the HB properties were allowed to be made at different studios. Universal also did the live action Flintstone films, and would have done the live action Scooby Doo movie with Mike Meyers as Shaggy had the project not fallen through the cracks in the 90's.

Mike Meyers as Shaggy?! I can only imagine. :D

[chadhobbick]

Mike Meyers as Shaggy?! I can only imagine. :D


Yeah, so can I and it doesn't look good.

I remember when this movie came out, the local theater, now run down and closed, printed up free tickets for everyone and handed them out at the local schools, churches, and well anyplace kids were at for a one day showing. Let's just say it's a good thing the fire marshall wasn't in attendance or else there would have been some seriously upset kids. There was not an empty seat or aisle in that theater.

[ABrown]

I remember this movie. Tiffany did the voice of Judy. As an extra on the DVD, they should feature the scene from Family Guy where George gets mad at Jane for taking the whole wallet during the show's opening sequence.

[PRdude]

Good. I look forward to renting this movie.

[DeanBurrito25]

I remember this movie. Tiffany did the voice of Judy. As an extra on the DVD, they should feature the scene from Family Guy where George gets mad at Jane for taking the whole wallet during the show's opening sequence.
Family Guy on a kids movie DVD?? :sweat:

[Tobias]

Family Guy on a kids movie DVD?? :sweat:

The scene in question wasn't really dirty or lewd. Unless you add the bit later in the episode where George drops her out of the car so Peter & Brian can summon Death.

[DeanBurrito25]

The scene in question wasn't really dirty or lewd. Unless you add the bit later in the episode where George drops her out of the car so Peter & Brian can summon Death.
That's true.
Still kids wouldn't understand where the scene itself came from.

It was a nice idea though.

[Ioz]

I thought it was an ok movie. I'm not sure if I'll get it. Is there a link with this news somewhere? I googled it and couldn't come up with anything. Amazon doesn't have it listed yet.

[chadhobbick]

The ultimate extra should be 2 audio tracks, one w/Janet Waldo's audio as Judy that was recorded but dropped, and the second w/Tiffany's audio. I still can't believe that they bowed down to pressure and had Tiffany re-record all of Janet's lines. It would have been different if Janet was no longer w/us at the time, but she was and still is. That is just disrespectful in my opinion and makes the movie unappealing to me.

[dth1971]

Will the Jetsons movie be on Blu-Ray too?

[PRdude]

I thought it was an ok movie. I'm not sure if I'll get it. Is there a link with this news somewhere? I googled it and couldn't come up with anything. Amazon doesn't have it listed yet.

Yes they do.

http://www.amazon.com/Jetsons-Movie-George-OHanion/dp/B001PMWLXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1232081912&sr=1-1

[STARTOUNZ]

Good news, indeed. Hopefully, they'll get around to releasing the remaining episodes from the mid-80's as well as the two TV movies, Rockin' with Judy Jetson, and the long-anticipated crossover The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones.

[Zen Man]

I remember seeing the movie over the summer when it first came out. While not the greatest movie in the world, it was OK. But the movie is kinda bittersweet since it was the last role for both George O' Hanlon and Mel Blanc and also frustrating because of what happened with Janet Waldo.

[Chaz]

Good news, indeed. Hopefully, they'll get around to releasing the remaining episodes from the mid-80's as well as the two TV movies, Rockin' with Judy Jetson, and the long-anticipated crossover The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones.

I can't believe The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones hasn't been released on DVD yet. I was under the impression that it was quite popular.

[Ghostbuster Man]

huzzah!!!!!!!!

[Tobias]

I can't believe The Jetsons Meet the Flintstones hasn't been released on DVD yet. I was under the impression that it was quite popular.

WB seems to be gunshy about releasing any films that aren't Scooby Doo related.

[Mad Monkey 7]

Universal produced and released the film under HB's supervision. This was before WB bought out the Turner library, when the HB properties were allowed to be made at different studios. Universal also did the live action Flintstone films, and would have done the live action Scooby Doo movie with Mike Meyers as Shaggy had the project not fallen through the cracks in the 90's.

Techinally when the movie was being made, HB was owned by Great American Insurance. Turner would later buy HB from them in the 90's. My Uncles work for Great American and I remeber alot of material that came through their shareholder material. The Great American Bank in Cincinnati used to have alot of different HB theme for xmas. One of them was the Jetsons display.

From this site, https://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/9205951.html
Hanna-Barbera has "Jetsons: The Movie" readying for release by Universal Pictures distribution and Hanna-Barbera characters will be featured at the Universal Studios tour. These two deals were cited as the foundation for Hanna-Barbera's impending sale to Universal, because a close relationship already existed. Analysts did say that MCA drools at the prospect of acquiring Hanna-Barbera, but it can not buy what is not for sale. MCA executives refused comment

[Tobias]

I can't help but wonder what things would be like if Universal had purchased the Hanna Barbera library instead of Turner/WB. Like if we'd have gotten more HB LA/Animated movies or season set releases.

[Mad Monkey 7]

I can't help but wonder what things would be like if Universal had purchased the Hanna Barbera library instead of Turner/WB. Like if we'd have gotten more HB LA/Animated movies or season set releases.

Well when the Jetsons film came out, Universal Studios Flordia had just opened with a brand new Hanna Barbera attraction, "The Funatasic World of Hanna-Barbara". The Jetsons played a big part in it along with Yogi, Scooby, and Fred. Leading up to the opening of the park, Great American distruted HB material through MCA Universal home video under the Hanna Barbera Home Video label. ;) The Hanna Barbera characters can still be seen at Universal Orlando, well kind of. Scooby and Shaggy, sometime live action Flintstones will be walking the park. Some of the stores have Scooby plush and other merchandise as well. I am guessing when Great American signed the deal with Universal for the theme park rights, it was for a long time. Unfourtanely the attraction is gone and has been the home of Nicktoon blast since 2003.

[NewcomerDC]

I remember seeing the movie over the summer when it first came out. While not the greatest movie in the world, it was OK. But the movie is kinda bittersweet since it was the last role for both George O' Hanlon and Mel Blanc and also frustrating because of what happened with Janet Waldo.
Whatever happened to those voice actors? I think Mr. Blanc died from a heart attack but that's what I get for not looking them up online.

I really hated Tiffany as Judy. It just didn't fit her since her voice was sweeter in the original series.

With the whole "saving the furry creatures from extinction because of Spacely drilling in their home" plot, this was similar to Pokemon 4Ever or Ferngully: The Last Rainforest with the whole "saving nature from destruction" story. I mean the film would've worked if there was a better story since the first few minutes felt like a real Jetsons episode.

Any bonus material will be featured on that DVD? It could be blank like A Man Called Flintstone with just the movie and nothing else.

[CjFilmz]

Sweet, I was beginning to think this would never come to DVD.

[Mek]

Well, my parents will sure be thrilled...

Nah, it's good to MST3K to.

[MagicBox]

Good news: Wikipedia says that the film will be released on single disc, double disc, and Blu-Ray releases, with the latter two editions also containing "The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera."

Bad News: WIKIPEDIA says that the film will be released on single disc, double disc, and Blu-Ray releases, with the latter two editions also containing "The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera."

There's no source, either, so take it with a grain of salt. I sure wish it were true. In all honesty, though, I'm just glad this is finally being released.

[DarthGonzo]

^Yeah, I don't believe that.

[snowpeck]

I can tell you with certainty that none of that is true. All Universal's press site has listed is the one single-disc release on standard DVD with no bonus features as of this point.


Greg

[Chaz]

Cover art:

http://dv1.us/p1/569/085569-d1.jpg

[DarthGonzo]

^That's actually a really cool cover.

[Super Leviathan]

Certain a whole lot better than the covers Warner Bros. usually does for their Hanna-Barbera DVD's.

[Mandouga]

Yet, we still don't know what bonus features (if any) will be on it.

Furthermore, if I'm not mistaken, it's a variation of the original VHS cover.

[Tobias]

We'll be lucky to get the original trailer on the DVD. Usually the older releases, unless they're special editions, don't get anything more than the trailer added into it.

[Zen Man]

You know what's wild?

I still remember those Kool-Aid commercials promoting the movie. I think you had to collect a certain amount of 'Kool-Aid Points' to win different prizes.

[wiley207]

Not a bad movie, though I didn't like Tiffany as Judy Jetson. Plus the animation reminded me more of "Tom and Jerry Kids" than the usual Jetsons-style animation. And John Debney's music sounded very Disney-like instead of the usual kind of music I'm used to hearing when I watch the Jetsons.

[TMC1982]

Whatever happened to those voice actors? I think Mr. Blanc died from a heart attack but that's what I get for not looking them up online.

I really hated Tiffany as Judy. It just didn't fit her since her voice was sweeter in the original series.

With the whole "saving the furry creatures from extinction because of Spacely drilling in their home" plot, this was similar to Pokemon 4Ever or Ferngully: The Last Rainforest with the whole "saving nature from destruction" story. I mean the film would've worked if there was a better story since the first few minutes felt like a real Jetsons episode.

Any bonus material will be featured on that DVD? It could be blank like A Man Called Flintstone with just the movie and nothing else.

I absolutely detested the idea of having Tiffany provide the voice of Judy Jetson. That was obviously an example of studio politics to the highest (or lowest, depending on your point of view) degree. Having a young pop singer like Tiffany (who was at the peak of her notority so to speak roughly around the same time that this movie was first being produced) was a shameless ploy to get more kids interested in the movie. That would be like today, having Miley Cyrus provide the voice of Judy.

[Mandouga]

One thing is certain, the "decision" really was a spur of the moment (Don't ask; it's a long story, and is not appropriate for this forum).

[speedy fast]

Having a young pop singer like Tiffany (who was at the peak of her notority so to speak roughly around the same time that this movie was first being produced) was a shameless ploy to get more kids interested in the movie.

I remember seeign it in theaters, and I didn't see it because of Tiffany's vocie. Of course, I was five or six at the time, and had never heard of Tiffany, and didn't know that cartoon characters were voiced by real people. Does that count?

[Elven Moon]

Yeah, Tiffany wasn't the reason I saw the movie. I was only 9 when it came out, I didn't really know or care who was in it. I'm not even sure I knew much of anything about Tiffany, anyway.

[BigLouMan20]

A Blu-Ray version isn't out of the question since I saw it on Unverisal HD back in Feb. of 2007 and it looked great.:)

[Zen Man]

I wonder if there's actual tracks of Janet Waldo's voice recording for the movie?

[Tobias]

I'm sure there is, but it's mostly liked up in Universal's vaults somewhere. The only way they'd ever dig it out for a 'special edition' would be if the DVD became a mega monster success and the studio thought they could cash in with a new edition.

[Mad Monkey 7]

A Blu-Ray version isn't out of the question since I saw it on Unverisal HD back in Feb. of 2007 and it looked great.:)

What is Universal HD?

[snowpeck]

What is Universal HD?

A cable channel.

Greg

[hobbyfan]

I find the timing a bit odd, considering the 20th anniversary of the movie is next year.

I didn't see it when it came out, and I read all the hubbub over Janet Waldo being replaced by Tiffany, just because MCA (Universal's then-parent) wanted to sell CDs. You know what they say about fixing something that isn't broken? Well, this was it.

[veemonjosh]

Cover art:

http://dv1.us/p1/569/085569-d1.jpg

Gives off a very VHS cover-like feel to it.

Which isn't a bad thing, mind you. :p

[John Pannozzi]

This movie is already available on DVD in the UK and Japan, and other areas I assume.

It's funny, in Joe Barbera's book, we spoke very negatively about this movie and he didn't have the heart to see it when it was completed, but Bill Hanna actually talked quite positively about it in his book.

This was the last film work of George O'Hanlon and Mel Blanc.

[Tobias]

Maybe Barbera was the one who did most of the fighting on Janet Waldo's behalf. I'd imagine there was a lot of studio interference with the movie beyond that incident that made working on the film a pain in the rear, but that's just a wild guess.

[Mandouga]

I find the timing a bit odd, considering the 20th anniversary of the movie is next year.

I didn't see it when it came out, and I read all the hubbub over Janet Waldo being replaced by Tiffany, just because MCA (Universal's then-parent) wanted to sell CDs. You know what they say about fixing something that isn't broken? Well, this was it.

Now that you mention it, Tiffany was signed to MCA Records at the time; definitely not a coincidence.

That said, and if this was in fact the case, then it seems to me that Bill and Joe must have entered into the wrong agreements when Universal was signed on to release the movie. Did Universal partially finance it? After all, it was CLEARLY Hanna-Barbera's movie, not Universal's. I don't know what happened, but it also seems to me that because of those certain arrangements, MCA must have had the final say on the matter. I'll bet that (along with O'Hanlon and Blanc passing on) was at least part of the reason why the movie was delayed for so long...Bill and Joe fighting with Universal over the Judy recasting, I mean.

[Zen Man]

Now that you mention it, Tiffany was signed to MCA Records at the time; definitely not a coincidence.

That said, and if this was in fact the case, then it seems to me that Bill and Joe must have entered into the wrong agreements when Universal was signed on to release the movie. Did Universal partially finance it? After all, it was CLEARLY Hanna-Barbera's movie, not Universal's. I don't know what happened, but it also seems to me that because of those certain arrangements, MCA must have had the final say on the matter. I'll bet that (along with O'Hanlon and Blanc passing on) was at least part of the reason why the movie was delayed for so long...Bill and Joe fighting with Universal over the Judy recasting, I mean.

I'd buy that explaination.

And in another tidbit, The Jetsons Movie was the first project that Bill and Joe had worked on together in years. Shame Universal had to do their unnecessary tampering with the film.

[Tobias]

Kind of makes you wonder if we'd have gotten some good animated films for Scooby Doo, Flintstones, and other properties if things had gone smoother for Hanna Barbera & Universal's partnership in the movie.

[hobbyfan]

As I recall, the Jetsons movie wasn't exactly a big hit. Still, Universal & H-B continued to work together, resulting in a pair of Flintstones live-action movies. You can't count Josie & the Pussycats as part of this deal, since it was a licensed property from Archie.

[Chaz]

Yeah, the film didn't exactly blow-up the box office. It only brought in about $20 million.

[Steve Carras]

Daws Butler Jr. aka a certain well known writer said on GAC Forums that the apology that Joe offered Janet Waldo did not do much good. Can't say I blame Janet, who said "A Major part of me has been destroyed"[1989].

[Tobias]

According to IMDB, the only HB related projects Janet Waldo did post J:TM was in two Flintstone made for t.v. movies and voicing Penelope Pitstop in a 2000 Wacky Races videogame.

That really was a huge slap in the face, considering it the was final time the original Jetson's cast would get to do a project together. If Universal had any shame, they're reinsert the original VA track over Tiffany's and release it as a special edition. I'd certianly buy it.

[Mek]

Considering one of my good friends is an actor who's had his work overdubbed by way of Executive Meddling on more than one occasion (you may remember him as Abe Sapien from the Hellboy movies FWIW, though he finally got his due in 'The Golden Army'), sadly, Janet's plight is an all-too familiar reality for some in Hollywood.

I wouldn't blame her for being upset over it. In fact, I'd be more surprised if she wasn't.

[ahem]

I am one of the few who actually really digs Tiffany's involvement. I LOVED that the movie was a pop musical crossover, and largely seen from Judy's point of view. They spent a huge amount of money on the soundtrack
, which was overseen by Tiffany's producer and manager George Tobin. A songwriter called Steve McClinnock was heavily involved in the soundtrack too, and also performed a few of the songs ("Gotcha" and the rock star song). Apparently, they began work on the songs in 1988, which was when Tiffany was fresh from her best remembered hit, the cover of I Think We're Alone Now.

Some other big names of today were also involved in the soundtrack. Mark Mancina, who composed the music for Disney's Tarzan (and recently composed the logo music for Disney) had collaborated on some of the Tobin songs with McClinnock (on a Youtube postback McClinnock mentioned that Mancina and himself had written a song for another film that ended up in Jetsons). The film was also scored by John Debney, who recently scored The Passion of The Christ.

I saw Jetsons back in 1990 and was bowled over by the songs and also the CGI, which was just stunning. Rescuers Down Under and this film really hit the nail that year for the mindblowing possibilities of CGI. I remember crying at the end where the cute little aliens all sincerely create a "Thankyou George" formation that you see from high up looking down.

The eco message was also very nice too, and there were a few 1990 era movies that played on that theme (Ninja Turtles 2 Secret of the Ooze being the other most notable).

[Mek]

I'm actually fairly indifferent to Tiffany's involvement, to be honest. I didn't think she was all that great, but I don't think she was the most horrible thing ever either.

[chadhobbick]

I always felt that her voice just didn't fit in. It's not that Judy's voice wasn't Janet Waldo's, it's that some people have a voice that can do voiceovers for cartoons, and some don't. I just felt that Tiffany's voice was the odd man out in the movie.

[Zen Man]

Two questions...

Whatever happened to Tiffany?

Though not everyone likes him, I wonder why they left Orbitty out of the movie?

[hobbyfan]

Tiffany has since posed for Playboy, and was last seen on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling a few months ago. She was the first contestant eliminated.

If they remade the movie today, they'd still have a problem. They'd slip in Britney Spears as Judy if they could.

[Chaz]

Well, if Britney Spears was doing the voice at least we know it would have made more money.

[ahem]

You have to remember that Tiffany signed up for Jetsons in 1988, when she'd just had a huge hit (her peak) I THINK WE'RE ALONE NOW. BY 1990 her best remembered song was long past her so she didn't have the ticket selling pull power she did in 1988 when initially signed up. I'm not saying Tiff was old hat and dated by 1990, because she wasn't, as she was still having relevant chart success. However, I do think that had Jetsons been released even in 1989 as oppose to 1990 the response to Tiffany and her built in young audience would have been more significant.

[Steve Carras]

Tiffany has since posed for Playboy, and was last seen on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling a few months ago. She was the first contestant eliminated.

If they remade the movie today, they'd still have a problem. They'd slip in Britney Spears as Judy if they could.


Back then as now at least, Tiffany's QUITE superior male rival Debbie Gibson would not have stooped to that. [ONE of her MANY assets, besides her songwriting and her SURIVING to judge "American Idol" along with contemporayr Paula Abdul and doing record/live/theatre stuff. Now, TIFF on the other hand..:)]

[Steve Carras]

I am one of the few who actually really digs Tiffany's involvement. I LOVED that the movie was a pop musical crossover, and largely seen from Judy's point of view. They spent a huge amount of money on the soundtrack
, which was overseen by Tiffany's producer and manager George Tobin. A songwriter called Steve McClinnock was heavily involved in the soundtrack too, and also performed a few of the songs ("Gotcha" and the rock star song). Apparently, they began work on the songs in 1988, which was when Tiffany was fresh from her best remembered hit, the cover of I Think We're Alone Now.

Some other big names of today were also involved in the soundtrack. Mark Mancina, who composed the music for Disney's Tarzan (and recently composed the logo music for Disney) had collaborated on some of the Tobin songs with McClinnock (on a Youtube postback McClinnock mentioned that Mancina and himself had written a song for another film that ended up in Jetsons). The film was also scored by John Debney, who recently scored The Passion of The Christ.

I saw Jetsons back in 1990 and was bowled over by the songs and also the CGI, which was just stunning. Rescuers Down Under and this film really hit the nail that year for the mindblowing possibilities of CGI. I remember crying at the end where the cute little aliens all sincerely create a "Thankyou George" formation that you see from high up looking down.

The eco message was also very nice too, and there were a few 1990 era movies that played on that theme (Ninja Turtles 2 Secret of the Ooze being the other most notable).

On Tiff: You're joking, right/

On Debney: He was more RECENTLY involed with: "My best Friends Girl" and curenrly "Hotel for Dogs".

[Mandouga]

Let's try to stay on topic here, people. We're talking about a DVD release of Jetsons: the Movie, not Tiffany's career.

Best Buy has it listed for $13. Nonetheless, if Janet Waldo really did record her part as is being claimed (which I have no reason to doubt), then I hope that Universal will include that version as an alternate track, at least. Even if it was in mono (well, I don't know about that), I personally would still be willing to watch the Janet Waldo version if they would just include it.

[Chaz]

I picked this up today. Only $9.98 at Wal-Mart. :)

Tiffany's vocals are still intact.

[TheBlueHombre]

I put my copy on my blu-ray player and the audio is messed up. There is an echo throughout the whole film, it's like a second or two delay. I am hearing it through my surround sound system. Has anyone else have this problem?

[MagicBox]

Man, that's terrible. I'd like to know this as well, because I really want to pick this up (even if it seems to be a completely barebones release). Glad I decided to hold off when I saw it at the store today.

How's video quality, if you don't mind me asking?