"The Fugitive" (1963): Season 1; Volume 1 Rumored To Be In The Works! - Page 20

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

For those that have watched “Never Wave Goodbye” part 1, you’ll recall the scene where Kimble visits the jail in an attempt to meet the One Armed Man and, in the process, encounters Lt. Gerard, setting off an exciting chase sequence. Anyone notice the similarity to a scene in the Harrison Ford feature film?

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

Well I'm working my Way slowly thru this Half season set. I never watched the series on it's initial Run I was born in 1963. And it never reallyran much in syndication here. So really this is my first viewing of these shows. Last night I watched the Second Episode "The Witch". I loved how it really had a palpable sense of Dread. You Really Feel what Kimble is Experiencing with his life on the Run. How being a Stranger in town really opens him up not only to the Dangers of Running from Gerard (Who was'nt even in this episode), but from the Local Town People's Suspicion. It also dealt with some very Frank subject matter that was pretty Brave in 1963. When Kimble Pleades for His Life to Jenny in the Lake, you really feel the Sense of Urgency and the Dangers Closing in. It's a fantastic start for this series. The Starkness of the B&W photography adds to the atmosphere, and if they did switch to color in the final season that the network made a mistake there. The Second episode also shows none of the print damage the first show did. I have friends who refuse to watch Golden Age television, they are missing out in some Dynamic Storytelling with the Fugitive.

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

Dave, I agree with your thoughts on the b&W photography; however, the final season (1966-67) came at a time when all of the networks made the permanent shift to color programming. I doubt that the producers of "The Fugitive" really had much to say about this change.

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

Well, yes, but it was the other way around for me. Having seen "Never Wave Goodbye" on TV all those years ago, I found the scene in the Harrison Ford movie to be sort of an "homage" to the scene in the TV show.

Harry

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

That's a great way to put it, Harry. I had never seen "Never Wave Goodbye" until receiving the DVDs and, for me, it's a standout . . . . it has all of the elements that make "The Fugitive" such a classic . . . . a terrific storyline that keeps the viewer involved, top notch acting by the cast (Barry Morse is at his best as the obsessive Gerard in this one), and crisp direction (including a well orchestrated chase sequence). For me, this two-part episode, alone, was worth the entire price of the DVD set.

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

Yes, and it surprised me because I didn't think the movie actually stuck that close to the series. Are there any other scenes in the film, other than the basic plot, that resemble specific episodes of the series?

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

Haven't seen the show since it ran on A&E back in the early 90s- but I was a big fan then and eager to get this set.
I've made it through Never Wave Goodbye 1&2 (which has been the highpoint for me so far). The more I watch the more ticked I am that we have to wait so long for content.A year from now we should have a season and a 1/2 on our shelves- and after 3 years the entire series, but ..dogoneit I wish they would kick these out faster than that. I would rather they went a full season every 12 months at least.
Hawaii 5-0 can get get that treatment, why not others?

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

Paul,

You said it about the release timetables for these sets. That's what makes the TV/DVD collecting somewhat difficult to exercise patience, at least for me. In my "perfect world" , we'd see releases for, say, a 5-year or less series in a complete set with single-season sets as an alternate choice for buyers. The "Get Smart" set was a great example of a "fantasy" release for all series. The 1/2 set is why I'm doing the "savoring" viewing method for the Fugitive as some here are also doing. I ain't gonna zip through this set if I can help it . But it's been a week since I viewed "The Other Side of the Mountain" and I can feel the withdrawl symptoms building.....

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

Jeff, if you plan to watch "Never Wave Goodbye" next (as I did Saturday), you'll find it awfully hard to just watch part I only, I can assure you. This is a beautifully plotted and highly engaging 100 minutes of pure drama. The wonderful thing about this two parter is that it never feels like a padded 60 minute segment stretched out to two hours like some others I've seen. The drama reels you in with the tension ever mounting. Very, very little to find fault with here. A wonderfully wistful performance by Susan Oliver, with Robert Duvall in fine form portraying a troubled type with a characterstically stoical and socially inept persona. I noticed that once again, cues from Jerry Goldsmith's Twilight Zone score to "Back There" were used (as in "The Witch").

I may have to wait a week to watch "Decision in the Ring" now having gone through one-third of the set already with months to wait for the remaining first season episodes. All I can say is, thank goodness we may see some sort of staggered rotation with releases for "The Fugitive" and another great classic dramatic series on the horizon, namely "Route 66".

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

Well, it's now almost two full weeks out and "The Fugitive" is ranked #140 among all DVDs at Amazon as of noon time (EST). Not bad for half a season of a 40+ year old black & white television show.

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

Mike,

I had the same exact thought about the next one[s] on the series. I doubt I'll be able to watch Pt 1 of "Never Wave Goodbye" and wait another weekend for Pt 2. Also, agree on R66. That will help us out here with the "Symptoms" "Take 1 episode of R66 and call me in the morning"

What about it, Gary? Can I watch P1 and wait a week?

Bob,

Not bad at all. Thanks for the Amazon #. I'd say that B/W isn't dead yet

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

Goodness no, Jeff. Plan on watching two when you hit play for "Never Wave Goodbye." No need torturing yourself.

Gary "I've been keeping track of the Amazon numbers too - and these are solid ratings, IMHO" O.

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

I hadn't intended to be this far into the set at this point, but having contracted a case of highly contagious "Fuge-itis" since the release of this set, I found myself viewing "Smoke Screen", "See Hollywood and Die" and "Ticket to Alaska" this weekend. I was especially captivated by the "Hollywood" episode--wonderful acting by Janssen with Lou Antonio doing a fine job as a two-bit hood. Once again, nice incorporation of Twilight Zone music ("Back There" and "The Invaders", both scored by Jerry Goldsmith). And isn't Brenda Vacarro nice and beguiling? How come we saw so little of her in the 60s?

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

Wow, as you and Jeff stated in the RAWHIDE thread, Michael - Great minds think alike.

I love "SEE HOLLYWOOD AND DIE". I've been pimping that episode to a couple of friends that are watching this show for the first time via dvd. It's a fantastic one that sometimes gets overlooked in the light of "NEVER WAVE GOODBYE", "NIGHTMARE AT NORTHOAK", "FEAR IN A DESERT CITY" & "HOME IS THE HUNTED".

Your observations about Brenda Vacarro and Lou Antonio are spot on too. They both make this episode for me (along, of course, with the musical score and Janssen's brilliant acting).

Gary "so nice to converse with other FUGE fans that enjoy the episodes as much as I do" O.

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

I'm on disc 4, and lovin' it.... but yeah, I'm bummed that once I finish it, my Fugitive watching will cease for a long, long time. Image managed to release all five seasons of The Twilight Zone in a single year... how long will we wait for the complete Fugitive?

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

Yeah, it is kinda a bummer when you start doing the math and realize that if Paramount holds to form with this split-season release, we will only be getting one out every 6 months or so. And that means only one season per year. I was hoping the sales would be good enough to get Paramount on a quarterly release for this show, thus giving us 2 seasons per year. But I imagine that's expecting a little too much. The next step is to see how long a wait we get inbetween V. 1 and V. 2.

Right now it looks like January will be the earliest we get volume 2 - and that's a five month layoff. If it slips to February, then it goes to a full half year inbetween these sets. Yuck...

I was hoping we might get some news for Christmas time, but that appears to be slipping away since we already have a couple of Dec. 18th releases (RAWHIDE, MOD SQUAD). Not sure if we will get any more for the rest of the year now. January looks to be the next available slot.

Gary "the half-season releases can really be a downer" O.

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

Great minds? Where? Not in my mirror Mike qualifies, but I've watched too many 60's TV/DVD sets....the grey matter's gone

Kiidding aside, thanks for the Fugitive info. So far, after stopping after "Decision in the Ring" episode, my #1 is the 2-pt "Never Wave Good-Bye". That one's one of the best drama/action shows that I've seen. This series, to me, seems to be delivering the right mix of drama and action. You guys were sure right about Jannsen "made for this role".

- Jeff "Now I have to see how much discipline I have with this set.....no marathon-viewing" W.

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

I agree with you, Jeff about the two-parter, the best of the first nine episodes I've seen thus far. My overall ratings:

"Fear in A Desert City" (8/10)
"The Witch" (6.5/10)
"The Other Side of the Mountain" (8.5/10)
"Never Wave Goodbye" Part I (10/10)
"Never Wave Goodbye" Part II (9.5/10)
"Decision in the Ring" (7/10)
"Smoke Screen" (7.5/10)
"See Hollywood and Die" (9/10)
"Ticket to Alaska" (7/10)

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

Mike,

That's about how I'd rank the one's I've seen so far as well.

To the Fugitive Fans, here's a mini poll that I was curious about. If you all want, it might be interesting to see the results of a question that I've been wondering about since I started watching this series on DVD. Add any category you wish if the one you would select isn't included in these 3 choices.

How did you first view the Fugitive?

1) Original-airing viewing in the 60's
2) Viewed it in syndication in a later decade
3) 1st time viewing on DVD

Mine is #3.

The other question I was curious about is:

How was your interest in the Fugitive first generated?

1) Original viewing / previously familiar with the series
2) Blind-Buy DVD Purchase
3) Conversational and/or online posts...ie HTF Thread

Again, mine's #3.

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

How did you first view the Fugitive?

#2 - A&E as part of their line-up in the 90s


How was your interest in the Fugitive first generated?

#1 - A combination of scant original viewing and curiosity being piqued by the addition of Ed Robertson's book to my "TV Companion Guide" library. Adding the consensus that "The Fugitive" is considered the flagship QM Production didn't hurt matters any where my interest was concerned.

By the way, this more or less parallels my experience with "Route 66" (except it was Nick at Nite, circa 1984)

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

My exposure to the show mirrors Michael's to a tee.


#2) I discovered the show in the early 90's via A&E's broadcasts. It was made that much more sweet because my wife, who also didn't know anything about the series (we were both completely spoiler free), watched it with me! It was really fun being thrilled by the exploits of Richard Kimble every night back then.



#1) I just stumbled onto the series while flipping through the channels one day. Talk about "blind" luck! Best bit of channel surfing I've ever done!

Gary "My rankings are also pretty much right in line with Michael's and Jeff's - with the possible exception being episode #3, which I found a tad slow for some reason (I'd rate it about 6.5/10)" O.

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

I think my rating got 'goosed' a bit with the inclusion of Frank Sutton in a dramatic role--which I'm a sucker for because I consider him to be incredibly underrated talent where straight drama is concerned. I also enjoyed Sandy Dennis' (Oscar winner for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?") role as Cassie in "The Other Side of the Mountain". In my opinion her outstanding performance is worthy of an Emmy. She actually manages to upstage Janssen in a scene or two--no easy feat! As this was also the first time we see Gerard ply his exceptional detective skills (by aired order anyway) that aided my high rating as well.

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

#1 and #1.

My "Fuge" viewing began when the competing program on CBS, THE GARRY MOORE SHOW ended. That would have been at the end of the first FUGITIVE season, so it's likely I started with either the second season or with the summer reruns of the first. I think it's likely that I started with the second season on ABC, the fall of 1964. After three full seasons, the show switched to color and then ABC began running the black & white reruns in the daytime. When I wasn't in school, during the summer season, I managed to catch up on the missed first season episodes.

My "Fuge" obsession began immediately upon watching the show, and I wished I'd been there from the very start.

I did manage to catch a few episodes here and there in syndication over the years., and I saw a couple of the A&E cablecasts. Once I decided to start collecting the episodes on home video, I bought all that were released (20 volumes + first and last episodes), and taped every night on WWOR EMI Service, finally amassing all but about seven episodes out of the 120.

My DVD viewing has stopped with just two or three episodes left. I've been skipping around a bit, but haven't yet watched all of "Fatso" (I got interrupted!). And I've not yet looked at "Glass Tightrope" or "Terror At Highpoint."

As for ranking the episodes, when a show is THIS good, it's hard to do. They all have their strengths - but I can't help but agree with the fact that "Never Wave Goodbye" is right up there at the top with "Nightmare At Northoak."

Harry
...who will get back to FUGITIVE viewing soon, now that the holiday is overwith, online...

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

I first became enamoured of "The Fugitive" in the mid-70s, upon encountering it in syndication. I was still fairly young at the time, just starting junior-high, but there was nonetheless something about it that grabbed me. Perhaps it was the still familiar backdrop of lonely highways and somewhat tired-looking, mid-American downtowns. I found it very close and relateable. Certainly moreso than most of the then-current 70s fare, which to my eyes back then, seemed to practically come from Mars. (yes, Mr. Kotter and friends, I'm referring to you). Plus, Janssen was already such a familiar and endearing television presence when I first encountered "The Fugitive." That's probably another reason I immediately gave it a chance.

It popped up again in reruns for me in the mid-80s, but it was only run once a week, at an insanely late hour. I did manage to tape two dozen or so episodes before it disappeared. Then, the A&E reruns started in the early-90s, I believe. I think I was a bit too preoccupied with other things at the time to fully appreciate those airings, even though I did tape big batches. Anyway, I'm thrilled with the dvd-release, because it's given me a chance to revisit the series after so many years. It's like renewing an old, old friendship. And, perhaps due to any number of unpalatable twists and turns in modern culture, I really find myself both enjoying and valuing such vintage programs more than ever.

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

For both questions, the answer is #1. I was in my mid-teens when The Fugitive first aired, and I watched it as often as I could. I remember having a discussion with a friend of mine over who the actual killer was. We even had a $5 bet on it, but I don't think he ever paid up. The final episode aired before I left for college and I don't think I ever saw him again. No, he wasn't a one-armed man.

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

My first viewing of The Fugitive was during the A&E run in the 80's. I set my vcr to record the episodes as I wanted to see them all. I believe I had most recorded. I thought that this is a really entertaining show.

I was nearly 6 when The Fugitive began airing. It came on after my bedtime and I was peripherally aware of the show as it was one of my parents favorites. I do remember wishing that I could see the show. When the final episodes aired, my parents made a special point to watch. I really was intrigued, but it would be a long while before I could experience and savor this masterpiece. See prior paragraph.

Since the show has not been seen anywhere since NBC aired the pilot and final two episodes prior to the Harrison Ford version, I was ecstatic when the show reached dvd. I tried to spread out my viewing but was unable to. I am so eagerly anticipating volume 2 and the other sets as soon as they are available.

Paramount, please make us all very happy by announcing the next set.

Doug

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

Well, there's another Fugitive "convert" After my weekly DVD-viewing with my Mom, I had brought along the Fugitive S1 V1 set and asked Mom if she'd be interested in trying out this series. She knew of the show, since Dad was an original "Fuge Fanatic", but neither of us had seen this show before the DVD release. I'd already seen the 2-pt "Never Wave Goodbye" but I watched Pt 1 again with Mom last week. She loved it as I figured she would. She also was impressed with the Rugolo soundtrack and she knows this subject (music), being retired from teaching music.

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

So,has anyone figured out what the music changes were for the set yet?

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

Good going, Jeff. That story is a little bittersweet for me as I'm sure my Mom would have enjoyed discovering this show with me as well had she pulled through this year. She would have had great empathy for Dr. Kimble, no doubt as she did for the many guest stars to the "Naked City" episodes we watched together.

This weekend I watched "Fatso" (8.5/10) and "Nightmare at Northoak" (10/10). Gary's right on his earlier reading of "Fatso", a highly enjoyable entry with a solid performance by Jack Weston in the role of Davey. I thought Ida Lupino's direction was exemplary in that she really nailed it in capturing the sympathetic side of Kimble. I believe Ms. Lupino directed three episodes in all, including the one I'll see next ("Glass Tightrope"). "Fatso", by the way, features much of Leonard Rosenmann's 'Twilight Zone" score to "And When the Sky Was Opened" (S1 episode featuring Rod Taylor as a test pilot/astronaut). The cues from this score played very well in scenes, particularly where the 4-note "anthem" to the 3 astronauts is used to underscore Davey's harkening back to the past as he gazes at the rebuilt barn.

As for "Nightmare at Northoak" (10/10), David covered this episode very well in his homage to the series in the thread focusing on the set review. What else can be said of this exceptional episode? Wonderful performances by Janssen and Morse and the scene with them together in the jail cell is priceless. I'll just add that I really enjoyed seeing Frank Overton as the town sheriff as he's one of my favorite character actors. Overton, it seems had the distinction of guest appearing in many of the very best episodes of a particular series ("This Side of Paradise" in ST, "Walking Distance" in TZ and of course "Nightmare at Northoak").

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

I watched it a little bit on the original run but not a great deal as I was still kind of young for dramas. I do remember seeing The Ivy Maze in primetime as well as both parts of The Judgment. But then that was as big a TV happening as there was in the 60s. EVERYONE watched The Judgment. But I really got into it with the ABC daytime reruns and early 70s syndication. It's just one of those shows that the more you see, the more you realize how great of a show it really was.