Warner Home Video has announced the release of the animated LORD OF THE RINGS, THE RETURN OF THE KING and THE HOBBIT on VHS and DVD. Hitting stores of September 11, this is the first time that THE LORD OF THE RINGS has been on video and DVD. The animated version of JRR Tolkien's classic fantasy was produced by Oscar-winner Saul Zaentz. THE RETURN OF THE KING and THE HOBBIT were produced by Rankin and Bass. "WHV is extremely excited to offer families these JRR Tolkien classics, available on both VHS and DVD," said Ewa Martinoff, Warner Home Video VP, Family Entertainment Marketing.

Walt Disney Home Entertainment has announced the release of RECESS: SCHOOL'S OUT on VHS and DVD. Hitting stores on August 7, the theatrical film based on the popular TV series RECESS follows TJ's adventure to stop ex-principal Benedict's evil plan to ruin summer vacation. The voice cast features such stars as Dabney Coleman, James Woods and Melissa Joan Hart. The VHS and DVD will both contain the music videos for "Green Tambourine" by Robert Goulet and "Dancing in the Street" by Myra.

Arriving in stores on September 25, 2001, Fox Home Entertainment will release THE SIMPSONS SEASON ONE COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD BOX SET featuring every episode from the premiere season. The three-disc set will feature all thirteen episodes from the show's first season and outtakes from an un-aired version of the first 22-minute episode. Bonus features include original scripts and audio commentaries by Matt Groening, James L.

Mongadillo Studios has announced the July 4th, 2001 home video release of the Web series SHAWKS. This limited edition video features re-mastered digital sound, full frame animation, sheet music for SHC anthems "Check for Gills" and "I Used To Love You," official Shawk Haters Club stickers and behind-the-scenes featurette, including interviews from cast and creators. In addition, Mongadillo has announced the 11th Webisode of SHAWKS has gone live at Shawks.net. The SHAWKS video retails for US$15.

The Gnomon Workshop has released six new Alias|Wavefront Maya training videos on polygon modeling, cameras and dynamics. This series of six marks the third round of releases and brings the total number of titles available from The Gnomon Workshop up to 18. The new videos are currently shipping and can be ordered in NTSC or PAL from the company's Website. The videos were produced by Alex Alvarez, director of The Gnomon Workshop and Gnomon School of Visual Effects, and Darrin Krumweide, associate director of Gnomon School of Visual Effects.

Bandai Entertainment has announced a series of June, 2001 VHS
and DVD releases for their ANGEL LINKS, SABER MARIONETTE J and
ESCAFLOWNE series. On June 5, the company will release an ANGEL
LINKS - FALLEN ANGEL DVD, which will include both English and
Japanese language tracks, English subtitles, trailers and bonus
clips, retailing for $29.98. Also scheduled for a June 5 release is
ESCAFLOWNE - LIGHT AND SHADOW and FOREVER AND EVER on VHS and DVD,
which marks the final installment of the ESCAFLOWNE television

Warner Home Video
has released three new POWERPUFF GIRL collections on VHS and DVD,
which include never-before-seen episodes. The new BOOGIE FRIGHTS VHS
collection contains five episodes, including the never-before-seen
"Helter Shelter," the Powerpuff Girls' music video featuring Shonen
Knife, a bonus episode of COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG, and a sneak peek
at the upcoming Cartoon Network SAMURAI JACK series, which is set to
air in Summer 2001. The new TWISTED SISTER VHS collection contains

FUNimation Productions Ltd. has announced a slate of upcoming DRAGON BALL Z home video releases. On
April 17, 2001, edited and uncut versions of DRAGON BALL Z PERFECT
CELL - TEMPTATION and DRAGON BALL Z PERFECT CELL - PERFECTION are
scheduled for release. Scheduled for release on May 15, 2001, are
DRAGON BALL Z GREAT SAIYAMAN - CRASH COURSE and DRAGON BALL Z WORLD
TOURNAMENT - JUNIOR DIVISION, also in both edited and uncut versions.
The videos will retail for $14.95 edited and $19.95 uncut. DRAGON

Walt Disney
Home Video will be releasing THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE on VHS and DVD
on May 1, 2001. The VHS release, retailing for $26.99, will include
Sting's "Making the Music" music video featuring "My Funny Friend and
Me" from the film's soundtrack. Two different DVD versions will be
released. The DISNEY DVD version, to retail for $29.99, includes an
additional music video "Walk the Llama Llama," as well as bonus
commentary, an interactive game and a deleted scene from the movie.

ADV Films released two new volumes of the anime series FLINT: THE TIME DETECTIVE. Hitting stores March 27, 2001, the time-traveling adventures of the little caveman return in "The Sands of Time" and "Can't We All Get Along?" The series currently airs on Fox Kids and is produced by Sanrio, the creators of HELLO KITTY. Both volumes will sell on VHS and DVD for US$14.98.

SAMURAI X: THE MOTION PICTURE was released on DVD and VHS on March 27, 2001. Inspired by the 97 episode TV series of the same name, the feature film marks the return of Rurouni Kenshin, who must fight his past demons in a duel to the death. The ADV Films title will sell for US$19.98 on VHS and $29.98 on DVD.

Lions Gate Home Entertainment has gained the home video rights for the MR. BILL collection of shorts. In addition, CinemaNow.com has obtained the Internet video-on-demand rights. Lions Gate plans to release several MR. BILL shorts on VHS late this summer with a DVD featuring 2 hours of content following sometime after. Special features on the DVD will be behind-the-scenes commentary by Mr. Bill about his time on SNL, never-before-seen footage and the short MR. BILL 2013: A BILL ODYSSEY. The collections obtained in the deal were: "The Mr.

Buena Vista Home Entertainment is releasing remastered versions of THE SWORD IN THE STONE and BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS on VHS and DVD on March 20, 2001. THE SWORD IN THE STONE is Disney's humorous rendition of the King Arthur tale directed by four of Disney's Nine Old Men – Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnson, Milt Kahl and John Lounsbery.

Anime 18 is set to release MYSTERY OF THE NECRONOMICON on home video, March 13, 2001. The erotic horror series was created by the director of UROTSUKIDOJI: LEGEND OF THE OVERFIEND, Takao Nakano. In the film, an evil presence plagues the women of Japan. Volume one, "Book of the Dead," will feature two episodes. Volume two, "Black Chapter" on VHS, featuring two more episodes, and the NECRONOMICON DVD, containing all four episodes, will be released on May 8, 2001. Both the DVD and dubbed VHS versions of the series will sell for US$29.99 each.

Disney's direct-to-video LADY & THE TRAMP II: SCAMP'S ADVENTURE has raked in an amazing US$50 million in its first week in stores. TRAMP II hit the coveted 1 million units sold mark in its first week. In comparison, DIGIMON: THE MOVIE, the second highest selling video for the week, has only sold 600,000 units since its video release date on February 6, 2001. Disney direct-to-videos have been doing extremely well of late.

U.S. Manga is sailing the first installment of the HARLOCK SAGA onto video, March 6, 2001. Leiji Matsumoto, the creator of STAR BLAZERS, created the series. "Clash of the Space Pirates" begins the voyage of noble space pirate Captain Harlock to return the ancient gods' stolen gold before the universe spirals into chaos. Volume 2: "Wrath of the Gods" and the HARLOCK SAGA DVD will hit video stores on May 8, 2001. The DVD will feature a behind-the-scenes featurette, character sketches, interview with the creator and two language tracks – English and Japanese with English subtitles.

ADV Films is set to release the eighth volume of the MARTIAN SUCCESSOR NADESICO series on February 27, 2001. This installment reveals the truth about the Jovians to the crew of the Nadesico and the news hits Admiral Munetake very hard. "Memories" will sell for US$19.98 English-dubbed and $29.95 Japanese with English-subtitles.

ADV Films is releasing the 3D animated, children's TV series SHADOWRAIDERS on video. Hitting stores February 27, 2001, the series (which was called WAR PLANETS in the U.S.) tells the tale of four warring planets that must put aside their differences and defend their homes against the evil Beast Planet. Mainframe Entertainment created the series. The video will retail for US$14.98 on VHS and $24.98 on DVD.

Image Entertainment is releasing a compilation of animated romantic tales from the National Film Board of Canada, which have either won or been nominated for the Academy Award. Hitting stores on February 27, 2001, BEST OF THE BEST: ROMANTIC TALES will feature Oscar winner David Fine and Alison Snowden's BOB'S BIRTHDAY, along with A CHAIRY TALE, GEORGE AND ROSEMARY, STRINGS, THE STREET, WALKING, PAS DE DEUX, THE ROMANCE OF TRANSPORTATION IN CANADA, THE DRAG and THE FAMILY THAT DWELT APART. The DVD will retail for US$24.99.

Manga Entertainment will release the entire STREET FIGHTER II series in a four DVD set. The first two volumes will be released on February 27, 2001, followed by the final two on March 27, 2001. The DVDs include seven episodes (volume 4 has eight), three language options – English-dubbed, Japanese and Japanese with English subtitles - trailers and theme song remixes. In the series, while traveling the globe, Ken, Ryu and Chun Li search out the best fighters to compete against while honing their skills. The DVDs will retail for US$29.95 each.