Since the arrival of DVD, the format's capacity to deliver the sharpest resolution and multi-dimensional audio in standard definition had been realized. As the format was enhanced to handle higher capacities (dual layer technology), many discs have been packed with a wealth of extra features, multiple viewing options and several audio tracks. It was a matter of time before discs contained multiple feature films on them in order to appeal to collectors and budget-minded viewers. While certain distributors opted to release DVDs that simply housed two, three, or even four features (Platinum) on a single-sided disc, other companies saw a potential market in nostalgic collectors who long for the days of drive-in theaters and cheap-o movie houses. Catcom Home Video was a shining example of such a company.

If one would have visited certain discount stores, supermarkets or music shops between 2001 and 2004, they would have noticed these odd, yet uniform, packages. Original (and not-so-original) artwork accompanied the movie title and a tagline for each film featured on the disc; one feature occupied the top half of the case, the other one took the bottom. The titles were separated by a banner with a giant "2" in the middle, emphasizing that not one, but TWO films were on the budget-priced DVD. A banner with the Catcom logo resided at the top of the cover and a banner informing the prospective consumer that there were extras on the disc bordered the bottom.

The content of a Catcom (double feature) disc was fairly consistent from disc to disc, with a few variations to accommodate (or rather, supplement) shorter movies. A Catcom-produced theater announcement reminding viewers to refrain from talking during the movie, to note the emergency exits and to visit the snack stand, etc., starts off the experience, accompanied by upbeat music. Catcom's tiger-logo and fanfare cap off the announcement.

The first feature follows, and immediately gives way to a cartoon/short subject upon the end of the movie. The short subjects/cartoons typically would include characters such as Popeye, Superman or Casper. However, some silent cartoons (like Fritz the Cat) found their way onto some of the discs. When it came to the horror/sci-fi releases, the cartoon would often have a horror theme to it; shorts with Casper the Ghost, Popeye and Bluto trying to scare each other away from Olive Oyl with creepy gags, and Superman battling a mummy were a few such cartoons. One of the more bizarre cartoons included was Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend: The Pet, where a man who eats a delicious dish before bedtime has a strange dream; his new pet (it is not clear as to exactly what the creature is, since it doesn't resemble any particular animal; yet it does "meow" at the beginning of the cartoon) continues to grow as it eats everything in sight. This one pre-dates King Kong by over ten years, as the creature begins to devour whole city buildings (and most appropriately shows up on Catcom's Gorgo/Phantom from 10,000 Leagues double feature). Some of the cartoons had been recycled for other discs.

After the short subject, a handful of vintage television commercials present themselves. Like the short subjects, some of the commercials correspond to the subject matter of the double feature. For many of the horror films, commercials for Pressman shrunken head toy kits, lighter commercials starring Boris Karloff, Franken Berry cereal ads, and Creepy Crawly kit commercials were snugly fit into the program. Old cigarette commercials were also common, along with other advertisements for toys.

The intermission spot is last up before the start of the second feature. Many of the intermission announcements were from the late 1960s/early 1970s, and featured colorful, funky animation and music. Others were ads for specific products, such as brand-name soft drinks available at the concession stand, complete with extreme close-ups detailing fizzling cups of refreshing soda.....

The second feature would begin after the second screening of Catcom's logo. Like drive-in and grindhouse double-bills, the second feature is often either shorter, cheaper, or less-hyped than the first film. Some instances showcased color films matched with a black and white b-feature. However, there were some discs where this was not the case, such as the Horror Express/Blood Tide disc; Blood Tide was a newer film with edgier material than the Hammer-like Horror Express. The Christmas Evil/Silent Night, Bloody Night DVD contained films with the same theme and level of R-rated violence. A few of the discs were presented in the opposite order from that of the cover. Satanic Rites of Dracula/Deep Red disc puts Dario Argento's 2+ hour masterpiece first, followed by the 90 minute, R-rated Hammer fare. It is unclear as to why this had been done, but logic would point to the fact that people may be unwilling to sit through the entire second feature (much like the drive-in days); this disc, in particular, is just under four hours.

A second short, often another cartoon, succeeds the second film. However, on the God Told Me To/Carnival of Souls DVD, some "Hollywood Home Movies" were substituted for the animated feature. In other cases, the short running time of the second feature would be supplemented with more extra material. The House on Haunted Hill/Atomic Brain disc's main features were just over an hour each; to accommodate such a short running time (and keeping with the theme of the second feature), Catcom included a bonus short containing nearly an hour of atomic bomb test-footage.

More commercials, and perhaps a public service announcement, follows, leading to the final theater announcement, thanking the viewer and reminding them to drive home carefully. This nicely bookends the unique experience.

The audio-visual quality of the material presented on these Catcom double features were a mixed bag. The majority the feature films appear to be sourced from VHS masters. However, some of the DVDs seem to have been taken directly from Anchor Bay VHS releases - in all of their widescreen glory (Deep Red, God Told Me To, Satanic Rites of Dracula). The Brain That Wouldn't Die appears to be sourced from the Synapse DVD, in the rarely-used windowbox format.

Such a unique home-viewing experience can be a bit hard to find these days. Granted, there are several DVD companies distributing discs in the double feature or drive-in format; however, they are either simply placing two movies back-to-back without frills, or with the exprected drive-in presentation. They are without television commercials, public service announcements, or other oddball extras. Catcom's line of DVDs were not widely available to begin with. Since the discs appear to be out-of-print, they have become increasingly difficult to find. Private sellers on Amazon have discs up for sale, and the rules of supply and demand apply in the truest form. Certain rare editions can command at least $10 or $20, and even as much as $35 or $50. Others are either plentiful or contain films that can be found anywhere, priced as low as a penny. It must be noted, though, that the seller's rating and track record must be observed when looking at the price; a seller with a high rating (99-100%) will lead to a higher price – causing a jump in price from 99 cents to as much as seven to ten dollars. It is recommended that the buyer exercise responsible judgment when using that all-too-easy-to-use credit card. On the other hand, some purchases are well-worth the money when it comes to a rare edition.

Catcom also released non-double features that were rich in extra content. A few documentaries made their way onto DVD through Catcom via the Passport brand, and in some instances, were loaded with extras. Catcom's Santa Claus Conquers the Martians disc included the main feature, no less than ten Christmas-themed cartoon shorts (running roughly ten minutes each, such as the original, non-Rankin/Bass version of Rudolph, The Rednosed Reindeer), interspersed with classic television commercials (including toy commercials for slinky), promos for other Catcom DVDs, and a holiday-themed slide show accompanied by holiday music that runs in excess of an hour.

Collectors have responded enthusiastically to this line of DVDs over the years. Despite the fact that the discs seem to have disappeared from store shelves, they are still being sold online today.

Catcom Home Video may not have been a dominant presence in the DVD market, but the very presentation of the content residing on its discs sets this label apart from its competitors. In addition, the conservative, yet enticing, uniform artwork helps collectors and budget-minded movie enthusiasts easily identify the brand. Film buffs and nostalgics alike will truly celebrate and embrace the simple pleasures that occupy these DVDs distributed by what may have been a pioneer in drive-in style budget discs.....Catcom Home Video. "Just add the popcorn!"