Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, which premiered on January 6, 1963, took viewers to the far corners of the world and studied wild animals in their natural habitats. The show pioneered the format now common to nature shows, which builds a suspenseful story around the very real challenges faced by the hosts and camera crews in the wild. The program let viewers see the action, but not the violence, which helped make it the favorite nature show of millions of American families.
Hosting duties were handled by Marlin Perkins, who began his zoo career in 1926, was made director of Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo in 1944, and later became director of the St. Louis Zoo (back to where he started his career), and while there worked with producer Don Meier on an idea for a new television program that became
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, following up on Perkins' earlier Chicago-based series
Zoo Parade.
Wild Kingdom was in original production for 27 years. Perkins passed away in 1986 at the age of 81.
Perkins was joined by several field correspondents, including subsequent hosts Jim Fowler (a frequent guest on
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and the wildlife correspondent for NBC's
Today Show since 1988) and Peter Gros (who remains a special adviser and occasional host of new episodes of
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, the 2002 restart of the show that's currently shown on Animal Planet). The original
Wild Kingdom was seen on network prime-time television until 1971, at which time it was syndicated on the Mutual of Omaha National Syndication Network. Over 200 local stations asked to join the network. In syndication,
Wild Kingdom reached the largest audiences in the program's history and was only one of five syndicated shows nominated for an Emmy in 1972. In all,
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom was recognized with 41 major awards, including four Emmys and an endorsement by the National PTA for television recommended for family viewing.
Now this series, never before released on DVD, is coming to disc in two different releases that are due to hit stores on
March 22nd:
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom - Wild Cats and
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom - The African Wild. Each 3-DVD set, from BCI Eclipse, features 10 of the most requested episodes in its category.
The African Wild features episodes with special guest star Dian Fossey, who is best known from
Gorillas In The Mist.
List price is a mere $14.95 each. There are nearly 4 hours of programming per DVD set, and the packaging is a sleek Digipack case holding 3 DVDs in a slipcase. Take a look:
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom - Wild Cats
Amazon $10.49,
DVDPlanet $10.47
Disc 1:
- "King of Beasts: Marlin and Jim analyze the behavior of the lion in his natural habitat and in the zoo.
- "Lion Country": An in-depth look at the greatest of the great cats: the African lion.
- "Lions Under the Net": Using a net, shot from a cannon, Marlin and Stan capture lions in Rhodesia.
Disc 2:
- "El Tigre": In the hostile terrain of Mexico roams one of the most dangerous cats - el tigre, or jaguar.
- "Roundup on the Rupunani": Marlin and Stan join a cattle drive that is threatened by a jaguar.
- "Netting a Jaguar": Marlin and Stan help capture a jaguar that threatens livestock.
Disc 3:
- "Cheetah Country": A heartwarming episode about the first weeks in the life of baby cheetahs in Rhodesia.
- "Lions of Gir Forest": Marlin travels to India in search of the King of the Beasts.
- "Prowling Night Lions": Jim and Peter help relocate lions to ensure their survival.
- "Wonderful Ways of the Wild": Marlin highlights close calls and high adventure throughout his career.
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom - The African Wild with Dian Fossey ("Gorillas In The Mist")
Amazon $10.49, DVDPlanet $10.47
Disc 1:
- "Gorillas of the Mountains": A look at the life and research of Dr. Dian Fossey.
- "Gorillas of the Mountains II": The second part of a memorable profile of Dian Fossey.
- "Reunion with the Gorillas": A follow-up profile of Fossey, who returns to Africa after several years to see if her beloved gorillas remember her.
Disc 2:
- "Tuskers Below": Marlin and Jim journey to the Republic of South Africa to join in an exciting elephant capture.
- "Elephants of Lake Kariba": Jim and Peter travel the Zambezi River to the thunderous Victoria Falls, then float downstream to a herd of elephants that face threats to their survival.
- "Last Home of the Elephant": Marlin's journeys to the Luangwa River in Central Africa to observe the wildlife.
Disc 3:
- "African Game Catchers": Wildebeast, blesbok, and giraffe are captured and relocated in South Africa.
- "To Catch a Giraffe": Marlin and Jim help relocate giraffes and zebras in Rhodesia.
- "Hippo": Marlin, Jim, and Stan journey to South Africa to capture the unpredictable and dangerous hippo.
- "Memorable Moments in the Wild Kingdom": Jim and Marlin revisit some of their most memorable adventures and discoveries.
