Kino Lorber Studio Classics has released three complete collections of cartoons from the iconic DePatie-Freleng studio: The Ant and the Aardvark, Crazylegs Crane and The Inspector, available on Blu-ray and DVD as of April 26. Originally produced for theatrical release (and later broadcast as part of the Pink Panther TV show), the cartoons are presented in full, in HD transfers, and accompanied by informative special features including documentaries and commentaries.
The Ant and the Aardvark (BD $29.95, DVD $19.95) includes all 17 cartoons spanning 1969-1971. Special features include two documentaries by Greg Ford: Goodbye, Warner Bros., Hello DePatie-Freleng and Of Aardvarks, Ants, Inspectors and Cranes featuring animation historian Jerry Beck, Barbara Donatelli, Will Friedwald, Doug Goodwin, Art Leonardi, Joe Siracusa and archival audio of Friz Freleng. Plus, audio commentaries for selected cartoons by authors Mark Arnold, Jerry Beck, Greg Ford and Friz Freleng (archival).
Crazylegs Crane (BD $29.95, DVD $19.95) includes all 16 of the dim-witted bird’s made-for-TV foibles, which aired in 1978. Special features include Greg Ford’s Goodbye Warner Bros., Hello DePatie-Freleng and Of Aardvarks, Ants, Inspectors and Cranes documentaries, plus audio commentaries on select cartoons by Mark Arnold and Jerry Beck.
The Inspector (BD $39.95, DVD $29.95) is a two-disc set of the complete 34-cartoon series (1965-1969), starring the most comically inept detective to ever grace the screen as he wreaks havoc on the boulevards of Paris with his long-suffering sidekick, Deux Deux. Special features include Greg Ford’s Goodbye Warner Bros., Hello DePatie-Freleng and Of Aardvarks, Ants, Inspectors and Cranes documentaries, plus audio commentaries on select cartoons by Mark Arnold, Jerry Beck, Greg Ford and Friz Freleng (archival audio).
