MCA DiscoVision

From Home Video

MCA DiscoVision was the original distributor of home video using an optical media format. Primarily active through the late 1970s, DiscoVision was able to realize the establishment of the Laser videodisc as a viable medium for the fledgling home video market. However, a vast series of manufacturing failures combined with the rise of the VCR meant that the company was ultimately short-lived. The DiscoVision format was ultimately sold off to Pioneer Electric Corporation with the DiscoVision label being used for a holding company for various optical formats.

Pre-History[edit]

In the 1950s, David Paul Gregg made some early stabs at video playback using an optical disc. Alongside Keith Johnson, he would continue refining his "optical video disc" concept across the 50s and 60s. During this time, the duo established Gauss Electrophysics, a low-level manufacturer of high-end audio tape duplication equipment.

Sometime in 1967, Gregg's work caught the attention of Lewis Wasserman, president of Music Corporation of America (MCA). Having acquired Universal Pictures 5 years earlier, MCA found itself with over 11,000 films slowly deteriorating in a warehouse. Releasing that consumer video would become a viable market in the future, Wasserman and the MCA brass sought to get in early in the impending format wars and saw their opportunity in Gregg's videodisc prototype. In February 1968, MCA purchased a controlling interest in Gauss Electrophysics as well as the videodisc patents Gauss previously filed.

After a year of development under MCA Laboratories, Wasserman was able to convince the management to spin off the videodisc project into a separate entity under the banner of MCA Disco-Vision based out of the LA suburb of Torrance, CA. 1971 saw the newly minted entity establishing the baseline for the format with a test demo of the format ready to go on December 12, 1972.

Attending the demo were representatives from the Dutch Philips Group, who were developing a similar videodisc format in the Netherlands. As it happens, Philips had originally rejected an offer from Gauss Electrophysics to continue funding their project back in 1967. Realizing the two formats were virtually identical to one another, the Philips representatives contacted Disco-Vision immediately after the demo with the proposition of a deal. Realizing that putting two incompatible optical video formats to market would cannibalize each other and with RCA continuing to work on their SelectaVision standard, the two parties agreed to enter a "period of cooperation" in September 1974. After some brief infighting on how to delegate resources, it was decided that Disco-Vision would focus on master stamps and disc duplication while Philips would manufacture the playback consoles through their newly purchased Magnavox division. [1]

Universal Releases[edit]

Catalog number Title Country of origin Original year Length Version MPAA rating Film format Side count Side break placement Color Released Note(s)
10002 Earthquake USA 1974 122 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color March 1979
  • The back of the case lists the running time as 129 minutes. This is incorrect - the theatrical version featured on this disc only runs for 122 minutes.
10003 The Other Side of the Mountain USA 1975 103 min Standard version PG TBD 4 TBD Color 1979 TBD
10004 The Great Waldo Pepper USA 1975 107 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
10005 Airport USA 1970 137 min Standard version G TBD 3 TBD Color September 1987
  • Never announced during the DiscoVision era.
  • Closes with the original theatrical trailer.
10006 Diary of a Mad Housewife USA 1970 100 min Standard version R TBD 4 TBD Color January 1979 TBD
10007 Slaughterhouse-Five USA 1972 104 min Standard version R TBD 4 TBD Color December 11, 1978
  • The DiscoVision copyright tag is absent.
10010 Airport '77 USA 1977 114 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
10011 The Greek Tycoon USA 1978 105 min Standard version R TBD 4 TBD Color March 1979
  • Mistakenly identified as catalog number 10001 on the back of the case.
10012 Heroes USA 1977 113 min Standard version GP TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
10017 Blue Collar USA 1978 114 min Standard version R TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
10024 The Seduction of Joe Tynan USA 1979 107 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color 1982
  • Announced as a DiscoVision title but not released until after the DiscoVision era.
10025 The Electric Horseman USA 1979 120 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1980 TBD
10026 The Deer Hunter USA 1978 177 min Standard version R TBD 3 TBD Color 1982
  • Never announced during the DiscoVision era.
10031 Melvin and Howard USA 1980 95 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color 1981
  • Uses the MCA Videodisc bumpers.
10032 Raggedy Man USA 1981 93 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color 1982
  • Never announced during the DiscoVision era.
10033 The Border USA 1982 108 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color 1982
  • Never announced during the DiscoVision era.
10034 missing. USA 1982 116 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color 1982
  • Never announced during the DiscoVision era.
  • Pulled from release in 1983 due to a libel lawsuit filed by Nathaniel Davis.
10035 Moonlighting UK 1982 97 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color 1983
  • Never announced during the DiscoVision era.
11001 The Sting USA 1973 129 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
11002 The Hindenburg USA 1975 125 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color December 1980
11003 Psycho USA 1960 109 min Standard version PG Matted 1.85 5 TBD Black and white 1979 TBD
11004 The Day of the Jackal UK / France 1973 144 min Standard version PG TBD 6 TBD Color 1979 TBD
11005 Family Plot USA 1976 120 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
11006 Frenzy UK 1972 116 min Standard version R TBD 5 TBD Color January 1979
  • Side 5 of this release was mastered with automatic picture stop on all frames and cannot be played on any LaserDisc player unless it can't recognize the picture stop codes.
11007 The Birds USA 1963 119 min Standard version NR TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
11008 The Seven-Per-Cent Solution USA / UK 1976 113 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color January 1979 TBD
11009 Rollercoaster USA 1977 119 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1979
  • Sensurround effects are removed.
11011 Dracula '79 USA / UK 1979 109 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color August 1982
  • Announced as a DiscoVision title but not released until after the DiscoVision era.
12001 Jaws USA 1975 124 min Standard version PG Panavision 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
12002 The Eiger Sanction USA 1975 125 min Standard version R TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
12003 Midway USA 1976 132 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color August 1979
  • Sensurround effects are removed.
12004 Smokey and the Bandit USA 1977 96 min Standard version PG Matted 1.85 4 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
12005 Gray Lady Down USA 1978 111 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
12006 The Sugarland Express USA 1974 109 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released, though sides were finished.
12010 Jaws 2 USA 1978 116 min Standard version PG Panavision 5 TBD Color February 1979 TBD
12011 The Choirboys USA 1977 119 min Standard version R TBD 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
12012 Smokey and the Bandit II USA 1980 101 min Standard version PG TBD 4 TBD Color 1980 TBD
12017 Winning USA 1969 123 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released.
12021 Nighthawks USA 1981 99 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color 1981
  • Uses the MCA Videodisc bumpers.
13001 The Andromeda Strain USA 1971 137 min Standard version G TBD 3 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released outside of a test pressing and a finished dead side.
13002 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century USA 1979 89 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color February 1981 TBD
13003 Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack USA 1979 109 min Standard version G TBD 2 TBD Color September 1981
  • Sensurround effects are removed.
  • Uses the MCA Videodisc bumpers.
13006 Flash Gordon USA / UK 1980 109 min Edited version PG TBD 2 TBD Color March 30, 1981
  • CLV mastering limitations forced 3 minutes out of the film for this release.
  • Uses the MCA Videodisc bumpers.
14001 Shenandoah USA 1965 105 min Standard version NR TBD 4 TBD Color January 17, 1979 TBD
14002 High Plains Drifter USA 1973 105 min Standard version R TBD 4 TBD Color 1979 TBD
14003 Rooster Cogburn USA 1975 107 min Standard version PG TBD 4 TBD Color December 11, 1978
  • The DiscoVision bumpers, as well as the film itself, are unsqueezed incorrectly.
14004 Joe Kidd USA 1972 88 min Standard version PG Panavision 4 TBD Color 1979 TBD
15002 Anne of the Thousand Days UK 1969 145 min Standard version PG TBD 6 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released outside of a finished dead side.
15003 MacArthur USA 1977 130 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
15004 Fellini's Casanova Italy 1976 155 min Standard version R TBD 6 TBD Color 1979 TBD
15005 Coal Miner's Daughter USA 1980 124 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color May 1980 TBD
16001 American Graffiti USA 1973 ?? min 1978 Director's Cut PG Techniscope 5 TBD Color April 19, 1979 TBD
16003 Car Wash USA 1976 97 min Standard version PG TBD 4 TBD Color 1979 TBD
16004 Slap Shot USA 1977 123 min TBD R Matted 1.85 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
16005 The Last Remake of Beau Geste USA 1977 85 min Standard version PG TBD 4 TBD Color July 2, 1979 TBD
16006 House Calls USA 1978 97 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color June 1979 TBD
16007 Animal House USA 1978 109 min Standard version R Matted 1.85 2 TBD Color December 11, 1978
  • The first CLV release.
16009 Which Way is Up? USA 1977 94 min TBD R Matted 1.85 4 TBD Color 1979 TBD
16011 The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings USA 1976 111 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
16012 FM USA 1978 110 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released.
16014 1941 USA 1979 118 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1980 TBD
16015 The Jerk USA 1979 95 min Standard version R TBD 4 TBD Color 1980 TBD
16016 Same Time, Next Year USA 1978 117 min Standard version PG TBD 3 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released.
16017 The Last Married Couple in America USA 1979 103 min Standard version R TBD 4 TBD Color 1980 TBD
16019 The Nude Bomb USA 1980 94 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released.
16020 The Blues Brothers USA 1980 132 min Standard version R TBD 6 TBD Color 1980 TBD
16021 Cheech and Chong's Next Movie USA 1980 95 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color November 26, 1980 TBD
16023 The Incredible Shrinking Woman USA 1981 88 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color 1981
  • Uses the MCA Videodisc bumpers.
16025 The Four Seasons USA 1981 108 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color January 1982
  • The final DiscoVision release before MCA Videodisc took over. Their bumpers are used on this disc.
  • The opening DiscoVision logo is silent.
16026 Bustin' Loose USA 1981 93 min Standard version R TBD 2 TBD Color 1981 TBD
17001 Thoroughly Modern Millie USA 1967 138 min Standard version G TBD 5 TBD Color January 1979 TBD
17002 Jesus Christ Superstar USA 1973 106 min Standard version G Todd AO 35 4 TBD Color 1978 TBD
17003 Sweet Charity USA 1969 133 min Standard version G TBD 6 TBD Color N/A
  • Never released, though sides were finished.
17004 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band USA 1978 113 min Standard version PG TBD 5 TBD Color 1979 TBD
17005 The Wiz USA 1978 133 min Standard version G TBD 3 TBD Color 1981 TBD
17006 Xanadu USA 1980 97 min Standard version PG TBD 2 TBD Color January 22, 1981 TBD
18001 The Slipper and the Rose UK 1976 126 min American cut G TBD 5 TBD Color December 11, 1978 TBD
18002 The Railway Children UK 1970 106 min Standard version G TBD 4 TBD Color January 1979 TBD

Classic Releases[edit]

Catalog number Title Country of origin Original year Length Version MPAA rating Film format Side count Side break placement Color Released Note(s)
10009 To Kill a Mockingbird USA 1962 129 min TBD NR TBD 5 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978
  • Despite sharing a catalog number with various Universal releases, this is categorized by DiscoVision as one of their classic releases.
12008 Lonely Are the Brave USA 1962 107 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white November 1980
  • Release delayed from the DiscoVision launch for unknown reasons.
  • Despite sharing a catalog number with various Universal releases, this is categorized by DiscoVision as one of their classic releases.
21001 The Lost Weekend USA 1945 101 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white October 1979 TBD
21002 The Lives of a Bengal Lancer USA 1935 110 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white 1979 TBD
21003 If I Had a Million USA 1932 88 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white 1979 TBD
21004 Double Indemnity USA 1944 107 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white N/A
  • Never released.
21016 Back Street USA 1932 92 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white N/A
  • Never released.
21017 Going My Way USA 1944 126 min TBD NR TBD 5 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
21018 Ruggles of Red Gap USA 1935 90 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
22002 Ma and Pa Kettle USA 1949 75 min TBD NR TBD 3 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
22003 Francis (the Talking Mule) USA 1950 90 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
22005 Animal Crackers USA 1930 97 min Standard version (original)
1974 rerelease version (reprint)		 G Movietone 4 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
22006 The World of Abbott and Costello USA 1965 79 min TBD NR TBD 3 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
22007 Buck Privates USA 1941 82 min TBD NR TBD 4 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
22008 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein USA 1948 83 min TBD NR TBD 3 TBD Black and white January 31, 1979 TBD
23001 Dracula (1931) USA 1931 75 min TBD G Movietone 3 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
23002 Frankenstein USA 1931 71 min Screen Gems Shock Theater version G Movietone 3 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
23003 The Bride of Frankenstein USA 1935 79 min TBD NR TBD 3 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
23004 The Incredible Shrinking Man USA 1957 81 min TBD NR TBD 3 TBD Black and white December 11, 1978 TBD
24002 Destry Rides Again USA 1932 94 min TBD NR TBD 2 TBD Black and white N/A
  • Never released.
  1. ↑ http://www.blam1.com/DiscoVision/DiscoVision_History.htm
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