I’ll be sure to get this along with the Bakshi book that’s coming out in April as well. Thanks Jerry. Will Popeye Vol. 2 be coming out in 2008?

i am elated to hear such great gossipp! (Albeit i always found those late 50s Lantzes to be grotesquely bad….even seeing them as a weeee boy! Hard to have the lovely “desserts” of the 40s & 50s….and then have to see the “broccoli” of those later films all in 1 half-hour show!)

But, hopefully, we’ll get to see Space Mouse!!

Thanx for the great nooz!

Merry Christmas to all!!

I have to wait until April 15th? Now that’s really taxing my patience!

So this set should round out the rest of Culhane’s Lantz shorts right?

It’s a shame Lantz never sold Space Mouse. It worked as a comic book but it was probably just too late to do right in animation by the time the pilot got made.

“Termites From Mars”!

Been waitin’ for that one!

Congratulations on the apparent success of the first volume! I’m not sure I’m a big enough Woody Woodpecker fan to want the next round, but if the other 30 cartoons look to be as fun as many of the extra ones on the first set, I may pick this up anyway.

Oh boy, this is truly amazing news. As Uncle Wayne has said here, while the latter WOODY WOODPECKER shorts are not always as interesting as the output of the 1940’s, we are given at least 30 cartoons from those grand old days — and, really folks, aren’t the best toons of just about any studio the one shot titles, with one director’s unique vision, as opposed to the cartoons that heavily promote the main character? I’ve always thought so. Bring it all on and, if there is a third volume, perhaps it could be primarily those cartoons that feature the lesser characters–ANDY PANDA, OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT, etc., and many, many titles that feature characters that never did have a sequel. Lantz Studios had a number of these.

I still have this dream that someone convinces Classic Media to more closely represent the cartoons of the HARVEYTOONS variety, perhaps calling each volume THE REAL HARVEYTOONS? Well, at least this is a step forward and Universal is acknowledging the success of the first volume and letting the consultants do what they do best. The extras on this set sound absolutely fantastic!!

When DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID premiered in Toronto the 2,000 seat theatre went wild when we were treated to a Woody Woodpecker short before the feature.

“They will be screaming, ‘Take it off!’ in a few seconds,” I said quietly to the person with me.

How did I know this?

On the screen appeared the words, “Directed by Paul J. Smith.”

Inside of two minutes that first spectacular burst of energy was dead in the water.

Imagine if they had used any one of the great 1940’s Woody Woodpecker classics.

This is one set I will be buying for the bonus features only.

It is the Holiday Season and maybe we should give some of our hard earned to those less fortunate instead of giving it to Universal for a set of Walter Lantz coasters!

DAMN!!!! I still need to pick up the first volume. I can never keep up with all these DVD releases.

I just hope the people in charge of remastering and restoring the cartoons have learned from their mistakes on the last set (which I have not purchased yet, but have heard about from Steve Worth’s cartoon quality control blog).

Fantastic news! Some classic Woody and Andys on there, as well as some rare cartoons. Can’t wait.

In a word: NICE! :D

That’s sure a great early new for 2008. I can’t wait to see the next of Woody shorts. Thank you!

Sounds good.

I hope we get more Andy Pandas on Volume 2.

Hallelujah! *brandishes tambourine*

Reg Hartt: Wonder if they deliberately selected a less-than-great Woody cartoon… after all, they would have wanted the feature to seem funnier than the short!

This set will include many of my favoites that I used to watch in silent, black and white editions from Castle films. Now, I’ll finally get to hear the soundtracks! Plus I’ll get to see those Oswalds I’ve never seen in any form. Thank you, Jerry! You’ve made my day!

It is the Holiday Season and maybe we should give some of our hard earned to those less fortunate instead of giving it to Universal for a set of Walter Lantz coasters!

Was that comment really nessassary, Pedro? I happen to like these cartoons and Jerry worked hard to get these cartoons on DVDs. Even if the ’50’s cartoons are not as good as the ’40’s products, they are at least 100+ better than the stuff you see on TV right now.

I bought the first set, and I haven’t seen any *technical* problems, so unless Steve Worth is talking about the quality of the actual cartoons, I have no idea what he’s on about. Oh wait, the menus were kinda difficult to navigate…

Psychotic woodpeckers are you best entertainment value.

“I bought the first set, and I haven’t seen any *technical* problems, so unless Steve Worth is talking about the quality of the actual cartoons, I have no idea what he’s on about. Oh wait, the menus were kinda difficult to navigate…”

I also have the first set and I found the quality to be great. Don’t let the pomposity and hot air deter your enjoyment.

Great news indeed! And for those fearing a glut of Paul J. Smith cartoons* in Vol. 2, bear in mind that a large chunk of the Woody cartoons in this batch will have been helmed by the talented –and largely unsung– Don Patterson (TERMITES FROM MARS, HYPNOTIC HICK, SOCKO IN MOROCCO, ALLEY TO BALI, CONVICT CONCERTO, etc), so it won’t be quite the endurance-tester some might make it out to be.

I’m hoping against hope that the “Doc” cartoons, and the Sid Marcus/Art Davis “Chilly Willy” cartoon, HALF-BAKED ALASKA, make it in as bonus cartoons on Vol. 2, as the Woody cartoons on a potential Vol. 3 release would definitely be a freight train of pain.

* Though I’m not a Smith fan, I will be happy to have one of his early, better Woody Woodpecker cartoons, BUNCO BUSTERS (”If Woody had gone straight to the police, this would never have happened…”)

I’m looking forward to this, Jerry.

Great News! Something to actually look forward to on April 15th ;)~ I know you’re not fond of ‘em Jerry, but I hope the Maw and Paw’s are on there as well. Thanks for your efforts and participation!

Thanks for the little Christmas gift of this announcement Jerry! I’ll certainly look forward to those camparatively few 1950’s gems, but the real interest is in the 1930’s and 40’s bonus cartoon’s. The two Oswald titles you gave us a heads up on are personal faves, and Boogie Woogie Man is another hot Swing Symphony! You’ve even thrown in ‘Lil Eightball :-)

I was just about to call you an asshole for once again omitting The Beary Family. Obviously the one short will be both a teaser and perfect segue for The remastered Beary Family Collection Volume One?

Well, this sure makes 2008 like 2007. The classic animation revolution is still in full effect. Woody, then Popeye, both in volume 2. And in Woody’s case it’s most of the ‘toons I remember seeing on WNEW-TV Channel 5 back in the day.

FINALLY UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ARE RELEASING THE WALTER LANTZ COLLECTION…HOPE THEY WILL MAKE VOLUME 3 WITH MORE OSWALDS..THANK YOU JERRY FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND CARE FOR THE AMERICAN ANIMATION HISTORY..YOU DONE A GREAT JOB!!

For me it is worth it to buy the set just to watch “Bunco Busters” I haven’t watched that in over 20 plus years and it is my all time favorite Woody Woodpecker cartoon.

Ok I need bunco busters!!
How and when /where can I buy the set?