A late 1960s sitcom making its DVD debut and follow-up seasons of a pair of classic TV westerns are among this week's new releases.
"The Courtship of Eddie's Father: The Complete First Season" (Warner Archive, 1969-70, four discs, $39.95). Based on a novel and the 1963 movie, this warm and amusing sitcom has Bill Bixby as a widower raising a precocious 7-year-old son (Brandon Cruz) with a knack for fixing Dad up with beautiful women.
Oscar-winner Miyoshi Umeki co-stars as Bixby's advice-giving housekeeper and guest stars in this set include Bill Dana, Pat Morita, Cicely Tyson, George Takei, Tippi Hedren and 7-year-old Jodie Foster (in what would become a recurring role in subsequent seasons).
Extras: full frame, 26 episodes (available at www.WarnerArchive.com)
"Bonanza: The Official Second Season, Volume 2" (CBS/Paramount, 1961, four discs, $42.99). More early episodes of the colorful hourlong Western about the thrice-widowed Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and his three adult sons, Adam, Hoss and Little Joe (Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, respectively) running the 1,000-acre Ponderosa ranch. Guests include James Coburn, Harry Dean Stanton, Adam West, Martin Landau and George Kennedy.
Extras: full frame, 16 episodes, audio commentaries, featurettes, promos, photo/art gallery
"Gunsmoke: The Fifth Season, Volume 1" (CBS/Paramount, 1959-60, blw, three discs, $36.99). Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness), Chester (Dennis Weaver), Doc (Milburn Stone) and Kitty (Amanda Blake) return for more adventures in Dodge City in his half-hour, black-and-white favorite. Guests include John Carradine, Jack Elam, Wayne Rogers and Elisha Cook Jr.
Extras: full frame, 20 episodes, featurette, ad spots
"Bones: The Complete Sixth Season" (Fox/Blu-ray, 2010-11, four discs, $69.98). More mind-boggling murders are solved by the team of FBI agent Booth (David Boreanaz) and forensic anthropologist Dr. Brennan (Emily Deschanel) as they leapfrog past conventional crime-solving methods.
Extras: widescreen, 23 episodes, two extended episodes, audio commentaries, featurette, bloopers, pilot episode of "The Killing" series (also on DVD, $59.98)
"Without Motive" (Acorn, 2000-01, four discs, $59.99). Gruesome, graphic but engrossing thriller with a primary crime investigated over the entire series, a la "Murder One." This set has both seasons of the show and plays like a lengthy miniseries as a police detective gathers a team to track down a serial killer who seemingly kills without motive.
Extras: widescreen, 12 episodes
EMAIL: hicks@desnews.com