Hidden treasures are some of the best DVD releases

May 5, 10:59 PMTV on DVD ExaminerSteve Marinucci

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  The cover of "Honey West" on VCI.

I spend a lot of time browsing the local DVD racks (time to go, dear ... just a minute ...). And, like you, I see what's being mass marketed by the major companies.

But it sure is fun to find something I didn't expect or packaged so nicely. VCI's "Honey West: The Complete Series" covers both of these things. 

VCI is known among film enthusiasts for marketing old movie serials and B-movies. Its TV releases generally go under the radar for a lot of people.

"Honey West" was a series that only ran for a year from 1965-66. The character was first introduced on another ABC series, "Burke's Law," then spun off to its own weekly slot.

Anne Francis played Honey West. She so much reminds me of an American version of Emma Peel, the white hot female co-lead on the British series "The Avengers." West wore sleek (aka tight) clothes, she was a no-nonsense woman and she knew how to defend herself -- she had a black belt in karate. (Her use of martial arts predated Bruce Lee's Kato on "The Green Hornet.")

As did Mrs. Peel, she had a male partner. His name was Sam Bolt, played by John Ericson.  Bolt didn't have the suaveness and the appeal to West that John Steed seemed to have to Mrs. Peel.  No matter, though. The two worked together well. There was one major difference between "Honey West" and "The Avengers," though -- West was clearly in charge. (You could probably argue so was Mrs. Peel, I suppose.)

VCI's collection of all 20 of the episodes of the show looks sharp. Some well-known names are seen in the series: Bobby Sherman, veteran character actor J. Pat O'Malley, Bert Parks, Richard Kiel, Ellen Corby, Edd "Kookie" Byrnes and Dick Clark.

The extras aren't much to speak of: photos from the series and some vintage commercials from the period.

But it's seeing a series like this on DVD that is remembered fondly by fans and has a cult following that is such a pleasure. Here's to this one and many more like it.

For more info: Anne Francis' official website.

(Note: VCI also has released "Burke's Law: Season 1 - Volume 1" and "Burke's Law: Season One Volume Two.")