ABC Afterschool Specials - Wow! 8 After-School Specials come to DVD!

Great Scott! I never thought I'd be doing a write-up of THIS news: The ABC AfterSchool Special comes to DVD with eight different specials on 2 DVD volumes that will be sold separately. Each of these are from the 1974-1977 years, and were produced by Martin Tahse in the golden years of the series. Several of these specials are based on popular books, including some Newberry Award winners. One installment, "Beat The Turtle Drum" starring Little House on the Prairie's Melissa Sue Anderson, won two Emmy Awards.

BCI Eclipse is bringing out these two DVDs on October 12th, at a list price of just $12.98 each. They are already up for pre-order at Amazon.com and DVDEmpire, and we'll have direct links below to accompany the description of each release:

After School Specials: 1974-76 :
Pre-order from Amazon
Pre-order from DVDEmpire

• Pssst! Hammerman's After You (a.k.a. "The 18th Emergency")
  Mouse Fawley thinks of 17 emergencies (lion attack, etc.) he'd rather face than the school bully. Originally aired 01/16/74, and stars Christian Juttner, Lance Kerwin, and Jim Sage.
• Sara's Summer of the Swans
  14-year-old Sara's longest day in her life, while her mentally retarded brother can't be found. Originally aired in 1974, and stars Heather Totten, plus The Brady Bunch's Chris Knight and Eve Plumb.
• The Skating Rink
  Tuck may stutter and be awkward, but his friends teach him to become a graceful figure skater. Originally aired 02/05/75, and stars Stewart Petersen, Rance Howard, and Devon Ericson.
• Dear Lovey Hart: I Am Desperate
  Carrie writes an advice column for her school newspaper, and everyone has a problem! Originally aired 05/19/76, and stars Susan Lawrence, and Meegan King.

After School Specials: 1976-77 :
Pre-order from Amazon
Pre-order from DVDEmpire

• Francesca, Baby
  Her mother's alcoholism drives Francesca James to the Ala-Teen support group. Originally aired 10/06/76, and stars Carol Jones, and Melendy Britt.
• Beat The Turtle Dream
  When her younger sister accidentally dies, Kate wonders if she is responsible. Originally aired 06/06/77, and stars Melissa Sue Anderson, and William H. Bassett. Winner of Emmy Award - Outstanding Dramatic Special and Emmy Award - Outstanding Music for a Dramatic Special.
• The Pinballs
  Carlie and two other outcast teens learn the value of friendship from an elderly couple. Originally aired 10/26/77, and stars Kristy McNichol, Johnny Doran, and Sparky Marcus.
• Trouble River
  12-year-old Dewey saves his grandma from an attack and guides her back to his parents. Originally aired 11/12/77, and stars Michael LeClair, and Nora Denney.

Cover art isn't available yet, but stay tuned and we'll let you know when we have it. It will be a real treat to see these again, and to share them with my child. This is great news, and our thanks to BCI Eclipse for bringing these out. We look forward to seeing them!