"The Fugitive" (1963): Season 1; Volume 1 Rumored To Be In The Works! - Page 4

Jeff# · 05-03-2007, 11:37 PM

I love the original Fugitive font lettering, and how it opens and closes as the credits change. That's the only thing that didn't improve in the final season going to color, with the bold yellow lettering cross-fading (which in itself wasn't bad either).

Ron68 · 05-03-2007, 11:40 PM

I really like the cover art and am looking forward to seeing this show. I must say that I also hate the shakey camera photography on most new shows and movies, though it works for 24.

michael_ks · 05-04-2007, 08:53 AM

I would have also preferred a more retro design in the spirit of the original series instead of an obvious photoshopped generic cover, which appears to be inspired as much by the Harrison Ford film than the show. (The cover shots to both DVDs are not too dissimilar so I can see where Paramount was going with this). Something along the lines of "The Fugitive" soundtrack CD would have made for a welcome change of pace over the oft used cut-and-paste protagonist(s) in front of an ill matching, frequently out of proportion background.

But hey, I'm just glad "The Fugitive" is coming out at all since for awhile there I didn't think it was going to make it. So bring on this one and the other 7 boxes post haste! At least we're getting single sided discs.

Cheetah · 05-04-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

And as with Streets of San Francisco, the second QM Production to be put out on DVD
is also released in half-season sets. Why??

As I said in a different thread, this is the third QM Production to be put on in half-season sets, the other being The Untouchables. Yes I know he was not there for that entire series. He was however in change of production for the Desilu pilot and the initial episodes, which is exactly what season one volume one is. Technically therefore, this is the third.

Dave Scarpa · 05-04-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetah

As I said in a different thread, this is the third QM Production to be put on in half-season sets, the other being The Untouchables. Yes I know he was not there for that entire series. He was however in change of production for the Desilu pilot and the initial episodes, which is exactly what season one volume one is. Technically therefore, this is the third.

It has nothing to Do with QM it's just Paramount adopted Fox's awful policy, Rawhide is comin out that way as well.

Gary OS · 05-04-2007, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Scarpa

It has nothing to Do with QM it's just Paramount adopted Fox's awful policy, Rawhide is comin out that way as well.

My thoughts exactly, Dave. The half-season sets are not only hitting the QM series, since Rawhide is getting the same treatment. And I blame the whole thing on FOX, because they are the ones that really seem to have started that ball rolling. It does stink to have these being released in half-season sets, though. And I swear it's all about whether a Paramount property is in b&w or color - that seems to be the drawing line with them when it comes to their hour long classics. "Hawaii Five-0" and "Mission Impossible are getting the full season treatment, but "Rawhide", "The Untouchables", and now "The Fugitive" are getting half-season sets.

Gary "I swear I still believe many of the studio execs are allergic to anything black & white" O.

Jeff# · 05-04-2007, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary OS

And I swear it's all about whether a Paramount property is in b&w or color - that seems to be the drawing line with them when it comes to their hour long classics. "Hawaii Five-0" and "Mission Impossible are getting the full season treatment, but "Rawhide", "The Untouchables", and now "The Fugitive" are getting half-season sets.

And yet they released Have Gun Will Travel and now the the first year of GUNSMOKE in full season sets...although those are half-hours.

The Wild Wild West's first season was in B & W and that was put out in one shot though, so there are exceptions to every Paramount rule.

Gary OS · 05-04-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff#

The Wild Wild West's first season was in B & W and that was put out in one shot though, so there are exceptions to every Paramount rule.

Believe it or not, Jeff, I took that into consideration before I posted. But the Wild, Wild West set was released last year before Paramount started this half-season baloney, so I went ahead and posted my hypothesis with that in mind. I think if you look at Paramount's track record this year, you'll generally find that if the show is an hour long and in black & white, they are going with split seasons (Rawhide, Fugitive, Untouchables, Perry Mason). But if it's an hour long and in color, they'll go with full season releases (MI, Hawaii Five-0). And as you yourself pointed out, "Gunsmoke" doesn't really count because it's a half hour show.

Gary "definitely seems to be a pattern to me" O.

Bob Hug · 05-04-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary OS

I think if you look at Paramount's track record this year, you'll generally find that if the show is an hour long and in black & white, they are going with split seasons (Rawhide, Fugitive, Untouchables, Perry Mason). But if it's an hour long and in color, they'll go with full season releases (MI, Hawaii Five-0). And as you yourself pointed out, "Gunsmoke" doesn't really count because it's a half hour show.

Gary "definitely seems to be a pattern to me" O.

Gary, I think you might be onto something here . . . the facts speak for themselves. Split season releases, per se, don't really bother me UNLESS either or both of the following conditions occur:

1. The first half of a season is released, sales are poor or mediocre, and there is no completion of that season. To my knowledge, this hasn't happened yet with any of Paramount's classic TV releases, but I'm keeping my eye on Fox's season 2, volume 1 release of "The Big Valley" (for the reason listed below).

2. The price of the split season sets is significantly higher than what it might have been had an entire season be released . . . this is certainly a problem with season 2, volume 1 of "The Big Valley," which was trashed by Amazon "reviewers" for having a price equal to the full season 1 release.

Jeff# · 05-04-2007, 01:14 PM

Which brings us right back to a series that was always in color, The Streets of San Francisco getting put out in half-seasons, which also destroys the "Larger # of Hour Shows Per Season Getting Split" theory.

Gary OS · 05-04-2007, 01:41 PM

Bob, we certainly think alike. I'd be concerned about the two things you mentioned. And like you, I've also been keeping my eye on Fox's "Big Valley" progress. It would be the worst of all things for them not to finish that 2nd Season.

And Jeff, you finally found one that I can't dispute. I had forgotten about "Streets" since I couldn't care less about that series. But even with that show on your side, I'd still say the evidence is overwhelming that Paramount (along with all the other major studios) is apt to give it's color shows full season releases over their black & white ones. Heck, if ever a b&w show in Paramount's catalog (other than sitcoms) deserved a full season release it's "THE FUGITIVE." And for them not to release it in a complete season tells me they aren't as confident about their b&w shows as they are their color ones. No doubt about it.

Gary "anyone that thinks the black & white vs. color issue doesn't come into play when these studio execs are making decisions is smoking something - it's absolutely an issue" O.