Where on television today can you find the likes of Betty Boop, Laurel & Hardy, Our Gang or Flash Gordon? Nowhere! Sadly, these and countless other pre-1960 pop culture icons are simply no longer shown on cable or network television.
A multitude of classic cartoons, short subjects and serials were last seen on the original Matinee at the Bijou series on PBS during the 1980s. Though not a prime-time show, the Matinee series was often rated among the top 10 shows on public television, out-rating such popular PBS fare as Masterpiece Theater, Mystery, Frontline and Sneak Previews. Audiences loved the show and came back week after week for more. Here is the original trailer:
We at Team Bijou remain steadfast in our search to secure a broadcast partner and sponsorship for the sequel series, hosted by the magnificent Debbie Reynolds, we continue to discover and secure a growing line-up of fascinating short subjects from the golden age of Hollywood, many not seen by audiences since their original theatrical releases. The timeless appeal of all things retro combined with modern cutting edge technology will draw an entirely new generation of viewers to this popular series.
Bijou Rides Again!
The Matinee at the Bijou sequel series will be produced in Hi Def utilizing original motion picture source materials to create some exciting and historic film restorations that incorporate the latest film restoration technology. A new theme song is being written by Rich Mendoza, composer/songwriter of the original Bijou theme song then performed by Rudy Vallee.
Debbie Reynolds, the incomparable star of Singin' in the Rain and a front row kid herself as a child, is the ideal host for introducing contemporary audiences to this historic era and rich cinematic heritage. Her unique viewpoint and unflappable charm will instill a love of Hollywood movies into generations bygone and yet to come. Subject to availability once broadcast platforms and funding are in place, the beloved Ms. Reynolds is our top choice to invite viewers to join us each week aboard our cinematic time machine to the Golden Age of Hollywood and an abundant dose of movie magic.
The new season will burst with new discoveries of lost oldies -- including Roy Rogers in a Trucolor classic, Jackie Cooper in an important film retoration,
Baseball great Lou Gehrig co-starring in a spiffy little B-movie western (who knew!) and returning favorites Tarzan, Renfrew of the Mounties, Dr. Christian, and much more.
Cartoons and shorts will include a pair of long lost Max Fleischer Color Classics, early works of Baby Huey and Woody Woodpecker, Our Gang (those Little Rascals),
Edgar Kennedy, Lucille Ball and Bert Lahr comedy gems and other delights. And every week Matinee at the Bijou ties it all together with another thrilling episode in
a 12-chapter cliffhanging serial.
Meet Team Bijou
Team Bijou consists of a coalition of veteran TV producers and artists associated with the original Matinee at the Bijou series working in collaboration with an extended group of distinguished classic film and industry producers, creative artists and distributors . Let’s meet the MATB sequel series crew:
BOB CAMPBELL
Bob is co-creator and producer of the original series which aired on PBS from 1980-88. He is a former front-row kid, a lifetime film buff, and recognized as a leading authority in classic American movie history and content. In addition to the Matinee series, Bob created and co-produced an anthology film series called The Uncle Sam Movie Collection. Producing credits include a Disney series called The Fabulous Fleischer Folio, among many others. Bob grew up in southern California and has lived in southern Oregon since 1977.
RON HALL
Founder-owner of Festival Films, Ron is an executive producer of Matinee at the Bijou and brings to the series a lifetime of knowledge and experience in locating and acquiring rare cinematic treasures - many of which will be showcased on upcoming episodes. Bijou and Festival Films are also partners in Gospel Films Archive and a project in development called The Edgar Kennedy Show.
SAM HARRISON
Sam directed seasons 4 and 5 of the original Matinee series, and returns to helm the sequel. He's a graduate of UCLA’s Theatre Arts Film School, with over 30 years experience directing, producing and writing over 200 film and video productions. As director, Sam has worked with the likes of Ned Beatty, Rip Torn, Aldo Ray and James Mason and he looks forward to the opportunity of working with our wonderful host, Debbie Reynolds. Sam and his wife Jeanne reside in Carmel, California.
RICH MENDOZA
Rich created “At the Bijou” the wildly popular theme song for the original Matinee at the Bijou, and is currently composing a new theme song to be performed by Ms. Reynolds. Rich left Grey Advertising Worldwide in 1999, after serving 20 years as VP/Associate Music Director, to launch his own music production company, Amazing Tunes. In addition to writing and singing on hundreds of jingles, he’s very active in childrens’ television. Among the shows he’s written music for are Schoolhouse Rock (ABC), The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (Nickelodeon), The Book of Pooh, PB&J Otter and JoJo’s Circus (Disney).
PETER BEDELL
Pete is a multi-talented editor, producer and video artist, with decades of multi-media experience. In 1995, the Matinee series underwent an extensive makeover for a domestic re-release and international distribution. Pete produced a new opening sequence and edited the re-release versions.
TOM WINMILL
Tom is a Chudwig Group principal and an executive producer of the sequel series. He is a successful marketing executive, and a producer of
The Uncle Sam Movie Collection series. Tom was formerly the sales and marketing director for Pilot Rock Productions. He and wife Debby are
longtime residents of Ashland, Oregon.
MARK DuMOND
Mark is president of The Chudwig Group, Inc., owners of the Matinee at the Bijou series. Mark is an Emmy award winning producer, director and
writer, and was a director and producer of The Uncle Sam Movie Collection series. He recently completed a 20 year career as general manager of
what is now known as Pilot Rock Productions, one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier media production facilities. Mark and his wife Sheri live
in Renton, Washington.
DEREK MYERS
Derek is a dedicated film collector and technician who provides Public Domain TV shows and vintage features to WGGS-TV in Greenville, SC. He is an associate producer on the sequel series with a knack for ferreting out lost and rare vintage films. Titles from Derek's film collection will appear extensively in new Bijou episodes.
LARRY ADDINGTON
Larry art directs the print and online presence of Matinee at the Bijou, and often weighs in on other creative and biz aspects of the show. He’s a supremely talented artist, designer, architect and musician and runs his own venerable artistic design business called 20/20 Design, based in Ashland, Oregon.