From the ClassicFlix newsletter: “We have several major projects underway, the largest at the moment is restoration of all 66 Hopalong Cassidy feature films… The first three films in the series are Hop-A-long Cassidy, The Eagle’s Brood and Bar 20 Rides Again (all 1935).”
This is wonderful news. I can’t wait. More news to follow.
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
Man I loved those Hoppy serials — every Saturday at the picture theater when I was a kid — and now rerun on TV. I saw him when he came to our town decades and decades ago (i was about 12)
These films are terrific. Can’t wait to see Lone Pine in high definition from 35mm. (God’s the greatest set decorator of them all!)
For those who haven’t made the leap to Blu-Ray, what are you waiting for?
Great news about some of the finest smaller westerns ever made. The first 54 films from producer Harry Sherman in particular.
I do though have all 66 films in a DVD set from some years ago that look darn good. It would need careful thought before buying them all again. That is not meant as negative, just my personal thing.
Lone Pine just looks terrific in many of these films.
The very first feature film I ever saw was a Cassidy.
Now we’re talking. I also bought the Hoppy DVDs of both all 66 movies and of his TV show some years back. And I agree the quality of all of them is excellent. There may not be any “restoring” left to do. Now if they want to restore I would suggest restoring the Roy Rogers movies, as many of them are a mess. That’s a project that needs doing. Not to mention colorizing the 6 Roy Rogers original color movies that are now only found in b/w. There’s something I’d buy.
But Hopalong’s movies, TV shows and his radio shows are all big favorites of mine ever since I bought those DVD. I’ve been doing a podcast for the past couple of years where I feature different old time radio shows every week including a retro-style music and Great Gildersleeve show (those are my main productions). I have posted many Hopalong Cassidy radio shows on the podcast too (I’ve heard them all now it’s fun playing them for people). In fact I’ll be posting Hopalong’s Christmas show on December 21. The Hoppy shows I’ve posted before are still there, just scroll on down the listing of the many shows now available and you’ll find a lot of Hoppy shows there.
If you’re interested everything on the podcast is free, no annoying ads, nothing but good music and Gildersleeve shows (those I call my main Sounds Like Radio shows) and also are old time radio shows (no music on these) these are fro
By the way in my Christmas Music Special Volume 8 you’ll hear 3 of your favorite cowboy stars singing songs and if you scroll down you’ll find Volume 3 of my Christmas Music Specials where I feature the beautiful Penny Edwards singing and also a great picture of her in a Santa outfit!
Here’s where you’ll find Hoppy by scrolling down and the Christmas Hoppy on Dec. 21 and many other radio shows on the Sounds Like Radio podcast, enjoy:
Been collecting this stuff since the ’70’s so I’m happy to finally share. Currently I’m posting many Christmas radio shows all thru December and up until Christmas day.
Truly a Labour of love, Lee.
Hoppy’s return is indeed good news!
Yes indeed it is!
Time to get kinda serious here. I get a little creeped out suggesting how people spend their money (especially nowadays, when it doesn’t go very far), but we need to be sure to support companies like ClassicFlix, The Film Detective, etc. The demand for “physical media” is shrinking. It’s becoming more of a niche/collector’s market every day. So, we have to do our part: if we show up with the money, they can keep showing up with the movies. It’s that simple.
This Hoppy program is a great example. At three movies per volume, it’ll take 22 releases to get the job done. If the demand drops off, the series might not make it to the end. There are hundreds of movies floating around out there that I’m still hoping to have in my hot little hands someday (#1 is Hellfire). The only way to get ’em is to support these folks.
Okay, I’m climbing down from my soapbox — thinking about watching Randolph Scott and Peggie Castle in Tall Man Riding!
Climb back on that soapbox, because you’re 100% right.
And that’s not the only reason to support physical media. PM is … in your hand. Streaming options; things loaded onto the net or other platforms — they can be pulled or disappeared for a variety of reasons. It’s only when you have a physical copy of a book or DVD (or Blu-Ray) or CD in your hand that you really own it.
Exactly! I didn’t even get around to that part. Thanks for bringing that up, Bob.