Yesterday morning we
unveiled what Universal Studios Home Video had told us were menu screens from the upcoming
Columbo - The Complete 1st Season DVD set (due for release
Sept. 7th).
Well, they were and they weren't. We suspected that something was up with the provided shots, with the "Most Arresting Of..." text adorning the screens. But the pics came directly from the studio's EPK (Electronic Press Kit), so we used them. Then today we got this e-mail from Tim S., an attentive reader from overseas, which jogged our memory about the R2 release of
Columbo:
Regarding the 'Columbo' menu-shots you published yesterday: my guess is that these are menu shots from the upcoming (July 15) region two double disc-set. This is some kind of 'best of'-set called 'The Most Arresting Of Columbo' (as seen on the menu screens you published), and as such it does not feature a complete season. Also, this region 2-release has various audiotracks and subtitles, which would make the menu-item 'languages' more appropriate. Once again, I'd be surprised if these were menu shots form the forthcoming region 1-set, instead I'm pretty sure they're from the forthcoming region 2-set (which is a pity, as I'd rather have complete season sets...). Check this link to see the sleeve of the region 2-DVD.
Based on Tim's outstanding note, we contacted Universal and asked about the situation. Yes, there was indeed a mix-up! And yes, the studio was quick to fix the situation, and provided us with the bona fide main menu shot from the Region 1 release of this set:
Our thanks to Tim for the sharp eyes, to Universal for fixing the situation, and to our readers for their patience while we straightened things out!
