Anniversary Announcement

Click on this image to see the complete strip by Milton Caniff promoting the Steve Canyon TV Series

Today is Saturday, September 13, 2008. Exactly 50 years ago today, on Saturday September 13, 1958 STEVE CANYON debuted on the NBC television network at 9pm eastern and pacific time and 7pm central time. Though the series forsook much of it's comic strip roots (in favor of an adult approach to the material), the show was an instant hit with hordes of growing American boys of all ages (and quite a few girls too!). 

Fans of all ages gather around Steve Canyon (Dean Fredericks) for autographs during the desert filming of the episode OPERATION DIPLOMAT (click image to enlarge photo)

The Milton Caniff Estate has heard from many of you over the last several years and it is for you that we make this announcement on this most appropriate day:

Mark Tuesday November 18, 2008 on your calendars, as on that date we will officially release THE COMPLETE STEVE CANYON ON TV, Volume 1. This Official Collector's DVD will contain the first 12 episodes of the series for the first time in their correct running order (some with commentary tracks) plus a few selected nifty extras.

60 to 90 days following we will release THE COMPLETE STEVE CANYON ON TV VOLUME 2 which will contain the next 12 episodes of the series for the first time in their correct running order (some with commentary tracks) plus a few selected extras.

60 to 90 days following we will release the final installment of THE COMPLETE STEVE CANYON ON TV VOLUME 3 which will contain the final 10 episodes of the series for the first time in their correct running order (some with commentary tracks) plus the original uncut series pilot and the bulk of the main selected extras. These will include documentaries on star Dean Fredericks and the history of the show.  Included with Volume 3 will be a full color custom collectors slipcase designed to hold all 3 volumes together on your video-shelf.

Lucky kid!!! (click to enlarge photo)

More details will be revealed in the days and weeks to come...

Dean Fredericks and Milton Caniff in 1959 at unidentified Toy Fair (click to enlarge photo)

The reason we are releasing via individual volumes instead of in one complete package right out of the gate has several aspects that we couldn't ignore. First, the documentaries and some of the important extras won't be completed for a few more months, and we consider these crucial to this effort. Which leads into the fact that we wanted to get at least the first part of the series out before the end of 2008, the 50th anniversary, as we have promised to do (and our promises mean something to us). And finally there is the matter of economics, the fact that we just don't have the financial resources (with the economy the way it is) to outlay the money needed to produce a box set all at  once.  We understand many fans don't like TV series being split into volumes, and we haven't approached this lightly. We've talked up this issue with various fans and we've gotten an overall "thumbs-up" and have decided this is really our only option. It's an "achievable goal" for us rather than an overwhelmingly huge task. So I hope this explains the why and that you will all bear with us as we release the entire series over the upcoming months.

Dean Fredericks with Steve Canyon statue in Idaho Springs, Colorado circa 1959. Milton Caniff and a Poteet look-alike are just out of frame (click image to enlarge photo)

Finally, for the foreseeable future these new DVDs will ONLY be available from us directly. Therefore we are making THE COMPLETE STEVE CANYON ON TV Volume 1 available as a reduced-price advance order item through our website ONLY. Following November 18 we may or may not make it available elsewhere...more on this aspect later...

So thanks again for all the kind words and support and for enjoying this as much as we do!  Coming up next look here for Volume 1 cover art mockups and LOTS more details.

RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW. ORDER VOLUME 1 NOW FOR ONLY $19.95 PER DVD WITH SHIPPING AND HANDLING INCLUDED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!! This is a limited time offer!

Click button below to purchase this DVD.

NOTE that you DO NOT need a PayPal account to purchase this item, there is an option to pay with any major credit card!

This DVD will be shipped to all purchasers the week of November 18, 2008 via US Postal Service First Class mail or Global First Class Mail (for Non-US customers).

REMEMBER this DVD will ONLY be available direct from us...and just in time for Xmas!

By purchasing this and/or other items from this site you are helping to fund our restoration of the complete Steve Canyon TV series and we thank you for your support.

Email us at Ye Olde Caniff/Canyon Shoppe if you have any questions, comments, or are in need of any assistance. Thanks again for remembering Milton and for making this project possible.

Whew...hope I haven't forgotten anything...

Note: PAYPAL "Add Item To Cart" button (above) is now working! 

Briefly speaking...

Dean "Steve Canyon" Fredericks clowning on the set of OPERATION FIREBEE at Van Nuys Airport in late September 1958. Photo courtesy of John Nitka.

Ol' Steve just let out a big "WAHOO!" when he heard that we have some exciting news coming for all of you Airagers out there! We've been busy busy busy...and we can't let the cat out of the bag just yet...but be sure to stop on by here for a flight-room briefing this coming Saturday September 13th to catch all the action and check out all the hubbub...bub!

Sorry for all of this momentary secrecy, but two more days isn't TOO long a wait now is it?

See you all on Saturday!

There's excitement in the air, and it's name is STEVE CANYON!

-30-

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please help Support our Restoration Effort by clicking on the DONATE button below (PayPal account not required)

(button removed-campaign ended)

ANY amount, no matter how small is EXTREMELY HELPFUL and MUCH APPRECIATED and makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE! We thank everyone for all of the kindness and support, and it's true that we couldn't continue this unique project without your wonderful support!

or


BUY The Special Edition DVD!
In stock - ready to ship!

Or you can click HERE to "Donate and Download"...for a measly $5.00 apiece you can download some really cool things like a copy of an actual script from the series, a network promotional sales booklet, and even an autographed picture of ol' Steve that you can print and frame....and at the same time give us a little boost and put a little spring in our step. All kidding aside, we appreciate every purchase and donation, and it DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Our heartfelt thanks to all that have helped or have just sent their good wishes.

Donate N' Download!

Comic-Con 2008: Debriefing

Our 50th Anniversary STEVE CANYON ON NBC panel went off with nary a hitch near the end of the convention on Sunday afternoon. Aside from a bit of trouble dimming the room lights it all went well...and although not a packed room it was well attended by quite a few original die hard fans as well as a number of new recruits.

As predicted in the previous post, Harry Guyton, Bob Hoy and Mrs. Frank Ball were unfortunately unable to attend, so John Ellis (hey, that's me!) had to fly solo. John answered quite a few interesting questions during the program concerning the past, present and future of the series AND the Steve Canyon character.

Steve Canyon presentation art by Milton Caniff

We started off with a rapid-fire slide show featuring nearly 300 images relating to the tv series, which included never before seen behind the scenes shots and also rare images such as the one above which was the cover to an abortive mid-fifties presentation Milton put together to try to get Steve Canyon on TV. Images from our restoration effort were also shown.

Screen image from OPERATION NOSE WHEEL, featuring Dean Fredericks on right and Lamont Johnson on left.

Following the slide show everyone was treated to the promised screening of the episode OPERATION BIG THUNDER, which got a big round of applause at the end. Since we were short on guests it turned out we had just enough extra time to screen a SECOND episode (which we let the audience pick) and that turned out to be OPERATION NOSE WHEEL. Both shows featured added fun since they included the original network commercials...

Dean Fredericks hawking Chesterfield cigarettes for the show's sponsor.

...and also an original Chesterfield Cigarettes "endorsement" commercial by Steve Canyon himself, Dean Fredericks.

John chats with a group of fans at the end of the panel.

I think everyone had a good time at the panel (heck, I sure did!) and we all got to see two Canyon episodes that haven't been seen publicly in 48 years...and NEVER BEFORE on a big screen! How cool is that?

There was some discussion of our plans to release the full series on DVD, although we have not yet announced a "street date" (release date), but we plan to make an official announcement here in the weeks to come, and also reveal some of the packaging designs and other details...so bookmark us here (or subscribe up there at top of the page) and stay tuned for breaking news about to come your way!

###

Although he couldn't stay for the panel, Dean Frederick's grandson Christopher met me early that morning and we walked through the exhibit hall and talked about his famous grandfather. 

Along the way we met and talked with the great Robert Culp (vocal fan of Milton Caniff's Terry And The Pirates) and stupendous artist Mike Royer (who told us of how he ALMOST became the letterer of the Steve Canyon comic strip). We found artist extraordinaire Mark Wheatley lurking about, and we also spent some time at ASIFA-Hollywood's booth with our friend Steve Worth and the Animation Archive's dedicated denizens. Be sure to click on over to ASIFA's amazing website and support them MIGHTILY as we do! We managed to spend a few minutes with a few old friends, including the incomparable Patricia Rogers, indy filmmaker Scott Phillips and the mysterious Charles Band, all of whom helped to make it a memorable show for us.

###

Part of the reason it has taken so long to get this post up is that we didn't have any photos from the panel, and I had to pull frames out of the video footage that Laura Lozano shot for us and prep them for insertion here. Thanks to Laura and our old Virginia pals Kurt Gustafson, Dennis Medinets and Tom Swyden. I also want to thank Phil Pyster and the gang from The National Cartoonists Society for their kindness and assistance during the show.

Thanks for tuning in! More is on tap and coming here soon!

Our Current eBay Auction

Upcoming: San Diego Comic-Con 2008

COMIC-CON ATTENDEES PLEASE NOTE that at the present time it is unlikely that Bob Hoy, Mrs. Frank Ball or even Harry Guyton will be be attending Comic-Con or appearing on our panel this year (due to a myriad of issues), so read the following post with that in mind and with our apologies...

There WILL still be a panel (I will be there) and we WILL still be screening OPERATION BIG THUNDER. 

Sincerely,

John Ellis

###

Sorry for the last minute-itis here, but things are hoppin' and we're going at it hammer and tong...

Indeed, yes, we will be at The San Diego Comic-Con next week, and will be hosting another panel and special screening, this time celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Steve Canyon TV series on NBC.

The panel will feature:

Harry Guyton, Executive Producer of the Steve Canyon Restoration (and Milton Caniff's favorite nephew);

Sketch of Harry Guyton (from 1974) by Harry's favorite uncle Milton Caniff.

Mrs. Frank Ball, daughter of the late Dean Fredericks (who played Steve Canyon in our series) AND widow of the USAF technical advisor for the series. Note that Mrs. Ball will appear schedule permitting;

Photo taken in December 1962 of Dean Fredericks and his daughter sitting in the custom racing car he designed and built. Photo courtesy Mrs. Frank Ball.

Bob Hoy, who was series regular Sgt. Pete Berger on the show, and also a famed Hollywood actor and stuntman. Note that Mr. Hoy will appear schedule permitting;

Image from the Steve Canyon episode THE FIGHT featuring Bob Hoy as Sgt. Pete Berger and Joyce Taylor as his wife Betty.

And finally yours truly John Ellis, Producer and "chief cook and bottle-washer" on the restoration will moderate the panel.

We will be screening the Steve Canyon episode "Operation Big Thunder" not seen in the US since it's last airing April 14, 1960 on ABC (summer reruns). This episode was directly based on a story arc that Milton Caniff wrote and drew in the Steve Canyon newspaper strip in 1956. This episode introduced both a new format to the series and also a handful of regular supporting players which included Bob Hoy and Jerry Paris.

Panel from the 1956 Steve Canyon newspaper comic strip "The Girl From Little Dogie" upon which the TV series episode "Operation Big Thunder" was based.

Bob Hoy in the STEVE CANYON episode "Operation Big Thunder" which we will be screening next Sunday afternoon!

So if you will be attending the San Diego Comic-Con next Sunday (July 27th), stop on by, get some questions answered and learn about our current plans for the DVD release. I will also be found from time to time during the weekend ONLY at The National Cartoonist's Society (Booth #1307). We may also be in the autograph area at the con Sunday morning but this is unconfirmed at this time.

Star Dean Fredericks, USAF Technical Advisor Lt. Col. Frank P. Ball, and series regular Jerry Paris on location for the episode "Operation Nose Wheel".

From the official Comic-Con International program schedule:

Sunday July 27th 2008 from 3:00pm-4:30pm Milton Caniff’s Steve Canyon TV Series 50th Anniversary — Harry Guyton (Milton Caniff Estate), Bob Hoy (Sgt. Pete Berger on Steve Canyon), Mrs. Frank Ball (star Dean Frederick's daughter), and John Ellis (Steve Canyon DVD producer) present a discussion of what is quite possibly the most legendary long-lost (and now found) television series in history! Come delve into the mysteries surrounding the most expensive show on TV in 1958. Includes the first public screening of the restored 1959 NBC Steve Canyon episode “Operation Big Thunder” in 48 years. Room 3

See Ya there!

Donate 'N Download

Didja ever wonder just WHAT an actual Steve Canyon TV script was like? Or exactly WHAT NBC was telling their affiliate stations about the series BEFORE it went on the air? Or what an actual Dean Fredericks autographed picture of Steve Canyon was like?
Well...a few of you have been asking about pictures and scripts and autographs and other cool things...SO...

In an effort to provide something nice as an incentive for helping a little to fund our project...

AND as a grand experiment into uncharted territories...

We have decided to provide downloads of a few things that are (hopefully) of interest to our loyal fans...IN EXCHANGE for a few bucks donated to The Cause. Initially these three items are (as shown above): a reproduction 8X10 autographed photo of star Dean Fredericks (minus the"sample" watermark); a reproduction of the FASCINATING summer 1958 NBC sales brochure (14 pages touting STEVE CANYON facts and fallacies to the network affiliates); and finally a reproduction of the 36 page FULL SCRIPT for OPERATION TOWLINE (the series pilot film) which was written by Joseph Landon, Shelley Colbert and...Milton Caniff! The downloadable versions are all FULL-SIZE reproductions/scans of the original ACTUAL documents. EACH requires a DONATION of $5.00. You can add as few as one or two of these items, or all three to our online shopping cart by using the pulldown menu below, and pay as usual using our Paypal checkout (though you don't need a PayPal account to check out, a major credit card or ATM card will suffice).

After you make your donation we will send you an email (within a short period of time) with a link and password to download these files. Note that the picture is a standard jpeg (3.2 Megabytes in size), and the two documents are standard Adobe PDF format files, the script being 5.7 megabytes and the brochure is 2.4 megs in size.

You can download and print out a copy for your personal use but please don't share these files or links...it kinda defeats the purpose, and despite the urging of others to charge more, we have opted to keep each at an affordable five bucks apiece. If this is successful we may add more scripts and other goodies, but as I said before, this is experimental.

Choose Your Download

NBC Sales Booklet (7/9/1958)Operation Towline (Pilot) Script (1/7/58)Dean Fredericks Photo (with autograph)

We're still working the kinks out of this system, so bear with us...and let us know if there are any questions or difficulties. Now let's give this thing a whirl and see what happens! NOTE that the email with the link(s) are sent out ONE at a time, by hand, by ME...so we will make every endeavor to get 'em out asap...if not sooner!

And understand that if funds weren't desperately needed, we wouldn't be selling off artwork and asking for donations and trying to sell a few more sampler DVDs...and spending so much time to bring in a few bucks...so this isn't frivolous and is in fact very important.

Again we thank all of you for your generous support and loyalty, and can't wait to release all of the shows to DVD later this year.