"The Fugitive: Season 1, Volume 1" -- A Personal Review

At least 2-3 of the episodes on this set are new to me too, having not been done on NuVentures tapes and not being among my scattered tapes of other eps.

One picky thing on Morse's credits. There could be an exception in this S1-V1 set, but it seems like he's credited at the beginning only if he's in that episode, although he's always in the closing credits. I don't know if that practice continued through the subsequent seasons. He is technically "in" every episode, of course, in the main title.

 

very impressed with the review.

I will now go and buy it online

 

One of the most satisfying finales, ever.

40 years, wow!

Thanks for the memories.

 

Thanks for commemorating the show’s final original broadcast date, David.

As I view these early episodes (a number of which I’m seeing for the first time), I’m struck by how good David Janssen’s acting and character realization is so early in the series. I thought it might have taken a bit longer for Janssen to find his “groove,” but his characterization of Richard Kimble is strong and consistent from the very first episode . . . . you really share his frustration and desperation. It's a real shame that David Janssen passed away at a relatively young age; one wonders what other great roles he might have had if he had lived longer.

 

As I watched "Decision in the Ring" last night I too was impressed at David Janssen's ability to project a genuine sense of vulnerbility and humility into his role. Recall that this episode was the second one produced and yet his portrayal of a dejected and lonely fugitive meshes seamlessly with subsequent episodes.

 

August 29th seems to play a major role in TV/Movie dramas; August 29,1967 was "The Day the Running Stopped" in The Fugitive TV Series; August 29,1997 was "Judgement Day" in The Terminator Movie Franchise...

 

Re: Suzanne Pleshette
Actually it does look like her, the early 60s version of her. If you are a viewer of shows from that era, she shows up a great deal looking like that. Besides The Fugitive, she appears in Dr. Kildare, Channing, Ben Casey, One Step Beyond, Route 66, Hong Kong, Naked City, Riverboat, Adventures in Paradise and quite a few other shows that I've seen. So, yeah, I'm pretty accustomed to seeing her look like that.

 

This episode is rather quaintly anachronistic in that "Davey" is singled out in "Fatso" as being grossly overweight and oafish when now over half of the people in the western hemisphere appears this way. In my day, fat kids, like the Davey character were teased mercilessly--but today, what's the big deal? And yes, I was prepared for a letdown for this particular outing of "The Fugitive" in light of an initial review of this segment and found myself placing it in the top five of the first 11 episodes I've viewed.

Jack Weston was very, very good in "Fatso" and his appearance really demonstrates a solid understanding by the casting director for getting the right actor for the job. His performance is reminiscent of the bafoonish character he played in the hour length Twilight Zone episode entitled "The Bard", but then his cherubic features and boyish voice lend themselves well to playing characters having a somewhat "arrested development".

 

Hurray!!! It's so nice to know I'm not the only one that really appreciated that episode and thought the initial online review was too dismissive. And you are spot on about Weston too. He did a great job in capturing the spirit of the Davey character and giving the audience someone to feel for. I'd also be very tempted to put this episode in the top five of the first 11. It was that good in my mind. And although some may have not gotten to it yet, I also thoroughly enjoyed "Terror at High Point" even though it has been somewhat belittled along the same lines as "Fatso." But it's another solid outing that I think most fans here will enjoy.

Gary "at worst it's #6 out of the first eleven, but a great episode deserving of more praise than it generally gets" O.

P.S. Let me remind folks here that there are some fans that have never seen these episodes at all and don't wish to be spoiled, so let's make use of the "SPOILER" tags whenever possible if talking about specifics in an episode. Just a friendly exhortation.

 

She was one of my favorites as well. While I'm not much of a fan of short-haired brunettes, there was always something very appealing about her in her performances. One of a list of quite a few excellent actresses who for whatever reason were never given much of a chance on the big screen but who lit up television in tons of guest starring roles. Others who would fall into her category would be Susan Oliver, Lois Nettleton, Brooke Bundy, Diane Baker, Bethel Leslie, Joanne Linville and Carol Rossen. RIP, Suzanne.

 

Ms. Pleshette regarded our Mr. Janssen as a gentleman who was always concerned about and for the people he worked with. Be it fellow actors, staff, crew...he always treated everyone with respect. "That was his nature," she disclosed in Ed Robertson's IMHO brilliantly-written book, The Fugutive Recaptured.

Ms. Pleshette also disclosed how much great comic timing Mr. Janssen actually had and was hoping that, during the series, he would do something along the lines of a Cary Grant a-la Arsenic and Old Lace, where The Fugitive would find himself on some kind of jeopardy because of an oddball character's--something Dr. Kimble came across often during the four years of running--crime.

However, Mr. Quinn would not have ANY of that, believing that to deviate in any kind of comedic form would detract from the somber tone of the series itself. So, sadly, it never happened.

Yes, the two of them were longtime friends who loved each other dearly and deeply. As a result of this connection--as well as the devotion each of them had to their craft--they were able to mesh so well together.

Ms. Pleshette was a wonderful embodiment of a witty, smart, savvy, foxy, confident AND sexy woman!!!!!! And, for that, to which I say, thank you very much, she will be dearly and deeply missed.

R.I.P., girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh, and BTW, David, I am already looking forward to, besides the rest of The Fugitive's freshman run, YOUR take on the other half. I am so very glad this has reappeared in the SD DVD TV Shows section.

I wanted to post this separately from my homage to Ms. Pleshette.
I shall attempt to go through the archives for those two episodes she was in and watch them soon!!!!!!

 

And RIP, Ms. Nettleton.

Actress Lois Nettleton dies at 80 - Entertainment News, Obituary, Media - Variety