Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Granada Television Series (12 DVD) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In his foreword to Bantam's "Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories," Loren Estleman called the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson literature's warmest, most symbiotic and most timeless: rightfully so. Not surprisingly, film history is littered with adaptations of Conan Doyle's tales and Holmes pastiches (using the protagonists but otherwise independent storylines). Yet - and I'm saying this with particular apologies to the fans of the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce canon - none of these prior incarnations can hold a candle to the ITV/Granada TV series produced between 1984 and 1994, starring Jeremy Brett as Holmes and first David Burke, then, beginning with the second ("Return of Sherlock Holmes") cycle and in near-seamless transition, Edward Hardwicke as a refreshingly sturdy, pragmatic, unbumbling Dr. Watson.
Jeremy Brett was the only actor who ever managed to perfectly portray Holmes's imperiousness, bitingly ironic sense of humor and apparently indestructible self-control without at the same time neglecting his genuine friendship towards Dr. Watson and the weaknesses hidden below a surface dominated by his overarching intellectual powers. The series takes the titles of its four cycles of shorter episodes - "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," "The Return of Sherlock Holmes," "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" and "The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes" - from four of the five short story collections featuring London's self-appointed only "consulting detective" (published 1892, 1905, 1894 and 1927, respectively); thus nominally omitting the 1917 collection "His Last Bow," which is, however - but for its title story - completely represented in individual episodes spread out over the other four cycles. While the grouping of instalments doesn't necessarily correspond with Conan Doyle's original story collections, and the series's premise - Holmes's and Watson's shared tenancy of rooms at 221B Baker Street - was no longer true even at the beginning of the "Adventures," this excellently produced series is a must-have for any mystery fan. This is particularly true for the first two cycles ("Adventures" and "Return") and the movie-length versions of the novels "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "The Sign of the Four," which alone makes this set well worth the purchase; even if the movie-length dramatizations of the short stories "The Eligible Bachelor" (a/k/a "The Noble Bachelor") and "The Last Vampyre" (a/k/a "The Sussex Vampyre") are less than faithful to Conan Doyle's originals: in fact, their quality rests almost exclusively on an already ailing Jeremy Brett's shoulders (as well as in "Vampyre" on the extraordinary guest performance of Roy Marsden in the episode's title role), thus emphasizing even more the significance of Brett's achievement.
This set contains (in "volumes" or episodes grouped on discs as originally released):
THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
* A Scandal in Bohemia
* The Dancing Men (from "Return")
* The Naval Treaty (from "Memoirs")
* The Solitary Cyclist (from "Return")
* The Crooked Man (from "Memoirs")
* The Speckled Band
* The Blue Carbuncle
* The Copper Beeches
* The Greek Interpreter (from "Memoirs")
* The Norwood Builder (from "Return")
* The Resident Patient (from "Memoirs")
* The Red-Headed League
* The Final Problem (from "Memoirs")
THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
* The Empty House
* The Abbey Grange
* The Second Stain
* The Six Napoleons
* The Priory School
* Wisteria Lodge (from "Last Bow")
* The Devil's Foot (from "Last Bow")
* Silver Blaze (from "Memoirs")
* The Bruce-Partington Plans (from "Last Bow")
* The Musgrave Ritual (from "Memoirs")
* The Man With the Twisted Lip (from "Adventures")
THE CASEBOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
* The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax (from "Last Bow")
* The Problem of Thor Bridge
* The Boscombe Valley Mystery (from "Adventures")
* The Illustrious Client
* Shouscombe Old Place
* The Creeping Man
THE MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES
* The Three Gables (from "Casebook")
* The Dying Detective (from "Last Bow")
* The Golden Pince-Nez (from "Return")
* The Red Circle (from "Last Bow")
* The Mazarin Stone (from "Casebook")
* The Cardboard Box (from "Last Bow")
THE FEATURE FILMS
* The Sign of Four (adaptation of the 1890 novel)
* The Hound of the Baskervilles (adaptation of the 1901 novel)
* The Last Vampyre (adaptation of the short story "The Sussex Vampyre" from "Casebook")
* The Eligible Bachelor (adaptation of the short story "The Noble Bachelor" from "Adventures")
* The Master Blackmailer (adaptation of the short story "The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton" from "Memoirs")
For completion's sake, this leaves only the first and last Holmes novels ("A Study In Scarlet," 1887, and "The Valley of Fear," 1915) as well as the following short stories unrepresented in this series:
From THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES:
* A Case of Identity
* The Five Orange Pips
* The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb
* The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
From THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES:
* The Adventure of Black Peter
* The Adventure of the Three Students
* The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
From THE CASEBOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES:
* The Blanched Soldier
* The Lion's Mane
* The Veiled Lodger
* The Retired Colourman
FROM THE MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES:
* The Yellow Face
* The Stock-broker's Clerk
* The "Gloria Scott"
* The Reigate Puzzle
From HIS LAST BOW:
* His Last Bow
Also recommended:
The Complete Sherlock Holmes: All 4 Novels and 56 Short Stories
Sherlock Holmes: A Baker Street Dozen
Sherlock Holmes of Baker Street
Bending the Willow: Jeremy Brett As Sherlock Holmes
Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle - The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
Murder Rooms - The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
The Life of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Conan Doyle, Detective: The True Crimes Investigated by the Creator of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur and George

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Granada Television Series (12 DVD)


He is known as the Greatest Detective Who Never Lived. Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and transferred from the original negatives, Sherlock Holmes comes alive on film in this landmark 1980s television series starring Jeremy Brett.

All the classic tales are here, as the Great Detective and his faithful companion, Dr. Watson, tangle with the terrifying Hound of the Baskervilles, the beautiful adventuress Irene Adler, and the dastardly villains Colonel Sebastian Moran, Charles Augustus Milverton, and the Napoleon of Crime himself, Professor James Moriarty.

Disc 1 A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA, THE DANCING MEN, THE NAVAL TREATY, THE SOLITARY CYCLIST

DISC 2 THE CROOKED MAN, THE SPECKLED BAND, THE BLUE CARBUNCLE, THE COPPER BEECHES

DISC 3 THE GREEK INTERPRETER, THE NORWOOD BUILDER, THE RESIDENT PATIENT, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE

DISC 4 THE FINAL PROBLEM, THE EMPTY HOUSE, THE ABBEY GRANGE, THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL

DISC 5 THE SECOND STAIN, THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP, THE PRIORY SCHOOL, THE SIX NAPOLEONS

DISC 6 THE DEVIL'S FOOT, SILVER BLAZE, WISTERIA LODGE, THE BRUCE-PARTINGTON PLANS

DISC 7 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF LADY FRANCES CARFAX, THE SIGN OF FOUR

DISC 8 THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, THE PROBLEM OF THOR BRIDGE, THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY

DISC 9 THE ILLUSTRIOUS CLIENT, SHOSCOMBE OLD PLACE, THE MASTER BLACKMAILER

DISC 10 THE LAST VAMPYRE, THE ELIGIBLE BACHELOR

DISC 11 THE THREE GABLES, THE CREEPING MAN, THE DYING DETECTIVE, THE GOLDEN PINCE-NEZ

DISC 12 THE RED CIRCLE, THE MAZARIN STONE, THE CARDBOARD BOX

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Granada Television Series (12 DVD)

Read More...

Veronica Mars: The Complete Third Season (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Today the CW officially cancelled the best show on television (understandably, some would say, due to abysmally low ratings). There lingers a chance that the series might be revitalized in a different form, but the hammer has officially fallen. Veronica Mars is unceremoniously over.
Season 3 was the first (and last) season of the show to air on the fledgling CW network. It took a different approach to storytelling than seasons 1 and 2, featuring two separate mystery arcs and a number of one-episode mysteries, rather the season-long affairs for which the show had become known and loved. Despite the change, season 3 works as excellent, intriguing television. The writing is witty and the acting in sharp, as before.
The creator of the show, Rob Thomas, once heard the series described as "Chinatown meets Heathers." That's a perfect description. I would say it also owes heavily to Twin Peaks. Chinatown happens to be my all-time favorite movie. I'm a noir junky, and V-Mars serves it up in lusty, lipsticked, smoke-tinted glory with every episode. Many people are turned off by the concept of a high school/college girl solving mysteries. And they should be. As a premise, this show would easily fail in the hands of most producers. But Thomas and co-writers have created something magical and perfect here. The heroine Veronica is sarcastic, at times mean, overly hard-boiled, and full of acerbic wit. There's nothing candy-coated about Veronica. First time viewers often disregard the show as "another teen drama," and for this reason more than any other it failed to attract a sustaining audience. I urge you to give it a chance. Especially if you have a sarcastic mind, if you've lost faith in the basically good nature of humanity, if noir interests you, or if you just like an intelligent mystery or exceptionally well-acted drama, this may be what you're looking for. It was for me.
Admittedly, I watch very little television, but to put things in perspective this is a short list of the TV shows I've watched and loved over the years: Firefly, Battlestar Galactica, Freaks and Geeks, Deadwood, and Wonderfalls. I would place Veronica Mars at the top of this delightful heap. (Actually, looking at that list, every show was cancelled before its time save BSG which is still on the air. Maybe that says something. Maybe not.) Recently, my wife and I started re-watching season 1 and 2 of Veronica Mars with a friend. His comment after one episode was this, "This show shouldn't be on television. It's too... challenging, too beautiful." I couldn't have said it any better. Unfortunately, our friend was right in the end. V-Mars was too challenging, too beautiful. And now it's gone.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Veronica Mars: The Complete Third Season (2006)

Hearst College, jewel of the Pacific. A citadel of higher education set amid rolling lawns and swaying palms. But since Hearst is in Neptune, California - and since Veronica Mars is among its incoming freshmen - you know it's also a noir netherworld of lies, betrayal, secrets and (of course) murder. Veronica, Logan and more of your VM favorites join cool new characters for a Season 3 of seething mystery and sardonic wit. College is indeed a learning experience as Veronica aces a crim class led by a hunky prof, solves the case of on-campus rapes that began in Season Two, and gives a grad seminar in sleuthing when two faculty members take sudden, eternal early retirements. Frosh year is gonna be freaky!DVD Features:Deleted ScenesFeaturetteGag ReelOther

Get 70% OFF

Click here for more information about Veronica Mars: The Complete Third Season (2006)

Read More...

Moonlighting - Season 3 (1985) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is, by far, the best season of Moonlighting. From the day waiting at the post office to find a man who's been sending a woman love letters to the trip to New York to Shakespeare...it has it all. Below is a list of episode summaries:
26. The Son Also Rises
David's estranged father makes a surprise visit to announce his upcoming wedding and to introduce his bride-to-be, who comes as a shock to David.
27. The Man Who Cried Wife
A man hires Dave and Maddie to find his wife, who's been making mysterious late night phone calls to him, the same wife he's sure he killed and buried in the forest.
28. Symphony in Knocked Flat
Dave and Maddie agree to each arrange what they consider to be an ideal evening for the other, but the concert tickets Dave buys from a scalper get them into nothing but trouble.
29. Yours, Very Deadly
Dave and Maddie are hired by a married woman to find the man she has been sharing a torrid romantic correspondence with and make sure he understands the arrangement is over.
30. All Creatures Great and ... Not So Great
A priest asks Dave and Maddie to find a woman he's become infatuated with during confession and whose latest revelation was her intention to kill herself.
31. Big Man on Mulberry Street
Maddie becomes consumed with curiosity when David announces he must fly back to New York to attend the funeral of his former wife's brother.
32. Atomic Shakespeare
A boy hoping to watch Moonlighting but forced to study Shakespeare instead daydreams about the cast performing their own version of The Taming of the Shrew complete with Petruchio Dave and Kate Maddie.
33. It's a Wonderful Job
A depressed Maddie gets a chance to see what her life and the rest of Blue Moon staff would be like if she had sold the agency as she originally intended.
34. The Straight Poop
Rona Barrett investigates the rumors about discord among the principals at the Blue Moon Detective agency.
35. Poltergeist III--- Dipesto Nothing
Ms. Dipesto tries to solve a haunted house case refused by Dave and Maddie to show Bert Viola that she's just as good a detective as he is.
36. Blonde on Blonde
Maddie's strange mood has David worried so he spends the evening following her, but ends up involved in a murder.
37. Sam & Dave
Dave and Maddie quarrel over Sam as they keep watch on a man for his mistress, who's convinced he's two-timing her-with his wife.
38. Maddie's Turn to Cry
Maddie feels more and more confused about Sam and Dave after an all-night stakeout with Dave ends in an early morning proposal from Sam.
39. I Am Curious... Maddie
Sam confronts Dave about Maddie, and tells him he's not good enough for her.
40. To Heiress Human
Maddie tries to ignore the previous night as she and David tackle a new case: a woman wants evidence that her fiance loves her and not her father's money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Moonlighting - Season 3 (1985)

MOONLIGHTING SEASON 3 - DVD Movie

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Moonlighting - Season 3 (1985)

Read More...

Best of TV Detectives 150 Episodes Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Mill Creek has put out another great collection of television shows, this time focusing on detective series from the 1950s. Although some of these episodes can be found in other low-priced sets, there are many series sampled here that have never been released on DVD before. Here are the individual episodes you'll find on the disk:The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu (1956)
Sir Dennis Nayland-Smith (Lester Matthews) attempts to prevent the evil Dr. Fu Manchu (Glen Gordon) from achieving world domination. Episodes included in this package are: "Death Ships of Fu Manchu" and "Prisoner of Fu Manchu"The Adventures of Ellery Queen (1950)
This ill-fated Dumont network series, featuring Richard Hart as the titular detective, is represented by a single episode: "The Hanging Acrobat"Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955):
A curious choice for inclusion in this set, this series' premise had little to do with detective work. The episodes included can be found in many other public domain offerings: "The Cheney Vase" (starring Darren McGavin and Carolyn Jones) and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" (starring Brandon de Wilde and Diana Dors).Burke's Law (1963)
Gene Barry starred as Amos Burke, an independently wealthy Chief of Detectives for the Los Angeles police force. The episode included in this set is "Who Killed Jason Shaw."The Cases of Eddie Drake (1952)
Originally nine episodes of this series, which starred journeyman actor Dan Haggerty, were filmed for CBS, but were never aired. Dumont purchased the group, filmed four additional episodes and released the series to the unsuspecting public in 1952. The episode presented here, "Shoot the Works" shows why CBS choose to cut their losses.Checkmate (1960)
Doug McClure, Anthony George and Sebastian Cabot starred in this series about a high-priced San Francisco detective agency. Episodes included in this package are "Human Touch" and "Nice Guys Finish Last".Code 3 (1957)
Richard Travis starred as the Assistant Sheriff of Los Angeles who introduces the episodes in this police procedural series. Included in this set are "The Benson Case", "The Man with Many Faces", "The Rookie Sheriff" and "The Sniper".Colonel March of Scotland Yard (1956)
Boris Karloff starred as the titular detective, based on the stories of John Dickson Carr. The series were originally released in England. The episode included with this set is "Error at Daybreak".Court of Last Resort (1957)
Founded by Erle Stanley Gardner, the court investigated potentially innocent men and women accused of crimes of which they might be innocent. Lyle Bettger starred as one of the lead investigators. Episode included are: "The Clarence Redding Case", "The Jim Thompson Case", "The John Smith Case" and "The Mary Morales Case".Decoy (1957)
Beverly Garland starred as an undercover New York City policewoman who faced all sorts of perilous situations. Episodes included are: "Fiesta at Midnight", "High Swing", "Night Light", "The Comeback", "The Sound of Tears" and "To Trap a Thief".Dick Tracy (1950)
Ralph Byrd, a capable lead in many B-movie adventure films, could never escape being typecast as Dick Tracy. Despite his aversion to reprising the role, Byrd agreed to play Chester Gould's iconic square-jawed detective in this early TV series because of a paucity of other offers. These six episodes show just how good an actor Byrd really was: "Dick Tracy and Flat Top", "Dick Tracy Meets Heels Beals", "Hijack", "Mole - Part 1 and 2: and "Shaky's Secret Treasure".

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Presents (1953):
This anthology series included an unsold television pilot for a detective series based on the adventures of Bulldog Drummond. The character was originally created in 1920 for a series of novels about a former British officer who was bored after the excitement of World War I. By the time this 1957 episode, entitled "Bulldog Drummond and `The Ludlow Affair'", aired, Drummond was a British private detective with no connection to the Great War. This episode starred Robert Beatty as Drummond.

Dragnet (1951)
Jack Webb starred as Los Angeles police sergeant Joe Friday in this classic 50s detective series. Twenty-five episode from the series are included in this package - "The Big Ante", "The Big Betty", "The Big Boys", "The Big Break", "The Big Casing", "The Big Cast", "The Big Crime", "The Big False Make", "The Big Frame", "The Big Girl", "The Big Grandpa", "The Big Hit and Run Killer", "The Big Lift", "The Big Little Jesus", "The Big Look", "The Big Oskar", "The Big Phone Call", "The Big Producer", "The Big Score", "The Big Send-Off", "The Big September Man", "The Big Seventeen", "The Big Shoplift", "The Big Show", "The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas".Federal Men (1950) aka Treasury Men in Action
The Chief (Walter Greaza) leads his team of agents against counterfeiters and other criminals whose misdeeds fall under the Department's purview. Episodes in this set include: "The Case of the Chartered Chiseler", "The Case of the Fatal Error", "The Case of the Iron Curtain", "The Case of the Man Outside" and "The Case of the Ready Guns".

Follow That Man (1949) aka Man Against Crime
Ralph Bellamy played Mike Barnett, a two-fisted private detective operating in New York City. Originally broadcast live, the episodes in this set were filmed for the series fourth and fifth season. The shows included are "Ferry Boat", "Fraternity of Five", "Paradise Lost", "The Cube Root of Evil", "The Iceman" and "The Silken Touch".

Front Page Detective (1951)
Edmund Lowe played a hard-bitten newspaper reporter who investigated crime stories for a major eastern newspaper. Episodes included are "Little Black Book", "Murder Rides the Night Train", "Seven Seas to Danger".

Gang Busters (1951)
An anthology series based on the Phillip H. Lord's long-running radio program, this series alternated with Dragnet throughout 1951 because Jack Webb was unable to produce enough episodes of his iconic show to air every week. Although both series received extremely high ratings, Gang Busters was canceled after only 13 episodes. Episodes included are "The Bayless Case", "The Phantom", "The Scissors Case" and "The Unholy Three".

I'm the Law (1953)
George Raft played a gritty New York police detective in this series which ran only 26 episodes. This set features episodes "O Sole Mio", "The Cowboy and the Blind Man Story" and "The Trucking Story".The Lawless Years (1959)
Sixteen years before James Gregory portrayed Police Inspector Frank Luger on Barney Miller, he fought organized crime in 1920s New York as detective Barney Ruditsky. The series lasted two years. Episodes in this set are "Framed", "The Cutie Jaffe Story", "The Dutch Schultz Story", "The Morrison Story", "The Poison Ivy Story" and "The Story of Lucky Silva".

Lock-Up (1959)
Defense attorney Herbert Maris (Macdonald Carey) protects his unjustly accused clients each week. The eight episodes included in this set are "Flying High", "His Father's Footsteps", "Murder Is a Gamble", "Society Doctor", "The Beau and Arrow Case", "The Case of Joe Slade", "The Case of Nan Havens" and "Top Secret".

Lone Wolf (1955)
Louis Hayward was one of the few A-list Hollywood stars who embraced television almost from its inception. He plays Michael Lanyard, a swaggering P.I. who leaves a coin with a wolf on it as a calling card. Episodes in this set are "The Beverly Hills Story", "The Karachi Story", "The Las Vegas Story, "The Oil Story" and "The Stamp Story".

The Man Behind the Badge (1953)
Police anthology series featuring a stellar cast of character actors. Six episodes from the series are included in this set, "The Case of the Hunted Hobo", "The Case of Operation Sabotage", "The Case of the Capital Crime", "The Case of the Dying Past", "The Case of the Hot Stock" and "The Case of the Priceless Passport".

Man with a Camera (1958)
Charles Bronson starred as Mike Kovac, a globe-trotting photographer in search of interesting assignments. Episodes from the two-year run include, "Missing" and "Two Strings of Pearls".

Mannix (1967)
Mike Connors starred in this violent, long-running series as Joe Mannix, a private detective who seemed to get shot in the shoulder every other week. The series ran for eight years. Episodes from the show are "Nothing Ever Works Twice" and "The Cost of a Vacation".Martin Kane, Private Eye (1949)
This NBC detective series survived numerous cast changes to run for five years. Kane was played by William Gargan, Lloyd Nolan and Lee Tracy and episodes from each actor's tenure are included in this package. About the only constant during the series' run was Happy's tobacco shop, which allowed the tobacco company that was series' sponsor to have its advertisements built into the fabric of the show. Episodes included are "A Crooner Is Murdered", "A Jockey Is Murdered", "Altered Will", "The Black Pearl", "The Comic Strip Killer", and "The District Attorney Killer".

Miami Undercover (1961)
Lee Bowman starred as an undercover detective operating in southeastern Florida during the early 60s. The show was shot in around Miami. The single episode included is...Read more›

Click Here to see more reviews about: Best of TV Detectives 150 Episodes

Available for the first time, 150 complete episodes from 33 exciting television series of the 1950's to the 1970's.
You will not believe your eyes when you watch such thrilling programs as Dragnet, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Burke's Law, Dick Tracy, Gang Busters, Mr. & Mrs. North, Racket Squad and Richard Diamond: Private Eye.

See great television stars such as:
Jack Webb
Doug McClure
Ralph Byrd
Richard Crane
David Janssen
Richard Denning
Charles Bronson


These stars came into your homes each week bringing you exciting tales of lawlessness and the men who fought it. You will have hours of enjoyment watching these classic crime fighters in action!

Contents:

Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu, The
Adventures of Ellery Queen, The
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Bulldog Drummond
Burke's Law
Cases of Eddie Drake, The
Checkmate
Code 3
Colonel March of Scotland Yard
Court of Last Resort, The
Decoy
Dick Tracy
Dragnet
Federal Men
Follow That Man
Front Page Detective
Gang Busters
I'm the Law
Lawless Years, The
Lock Up
Lone Wolf, The
Man Behind the Badge, The
Man with a Camera
Martin Kane, Private Eye
Miami Undercover
Michael Shayne
Mr. and Mrs. North
Public Defender, The
Racket Squad
Richard Diamond: Private Detective
Shadow, The
Sheriff of Cochise

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Best of TV Detectives 150 Episodes

Read More...

Hawaii Five-O - The Complete Second Season (1968) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Nothing lasts 12 years without having something going for it. In the case of Hawaii Five-O, it easy to dismiss it as a typically television crime drama that got lucky by finding its audience and keeping it. The same could be said for Law and Order. Except, in television years, luck usually runs out after two or three years. Gimmicks get old, the formula is figured out, and sharks are jumped so often they don't even complain.
But shows that last five years, much less 12, have to have something besides luck, gimmicks, and great scheduling. Hawaii Five-O had a number of things going for it. First of all, let's be honest. The setting was, and still is so lush and exotic that it is easily intoxicating. Hawaii is beautiful, and most people either live there or want to live there. Filming on location has always been a blessing when it's been done, and probably no more so than on this series.
Next, Jack Lord, playing Five-O chief Steve McGarrett, was one of a long line of no-nonsense law enforcement figures. The strength, integrity, and dedication of these kinds of characters cannot be overstated, and these characters will always have lots of fans rooting them on, not unlike Law and Order's Jack McCoy.
Finally, watching shows like this is always a treat because you see so many stars that were either big stars enjoying a working Hawaiian vacation, or lots of up and coming stars before they got their big break. Hawaii Five-O was a natural draw for both categories, and it's fun to watch them and remember when.
It's also fun to remember when you could look forward to hearing one of the best and most recognizable theme songs in television history. Not a small thing when you add it with the other factors. Hawaii Five-O had a lot going for it then, and it has a lot going for it now.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hawaii Five-O - The Complete Second Season (1968)

Filmed entirely on location in Hawaii, the show followed Jack Lord as he played Steve McGarrett, head of an elite state police unit investigating "organized crime, murder, assassination attempts, foreign agents, felonies of every type." James MacArthur played his second-in-command Danny ("Danno") Williams, with local actors Kam Fong, Zulu, Al Harrington, and Herman Wedemeyer, among others, playing members of the Five-O team. Guest stars included Helen Hayes, Ricardo Montalban, Leslie Nielsen, Herbert Lom, Hume Cronyn among others. McGarrett's nemesis is the evil Wo Fat - "a Red Chinese agent in charge of the entire Pacific Asiatic theatre.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about Hawaii Five-O - The Complete Second Season (1968)

Read More...

Man Against Crime Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'll admit that I'd never heard of this TV series before I saw the DVD sitting in the bargain bin (for a buck; can't beat that with a stick). I decided to take a small risk, and I'm glad that I did, as these three episodes are a hell of a lot of fun.
First, some practical matters. The DVD packaging states that the name of the show is "Man Against Crime". However, the actual opening credits (and the DVD menus) would name the show "Follow That Man".
Whatever the title, this show ran from 1949 to 1954 and starred Ralph Bellamy as detective Mike Barnett. He's ostensively a New York City cop, although he seems to do some freelance detecting during a couple of these episodes, so I'm not exactly sure what his relationship is to the NYPD. He's your typical tough, macho, no nonsense, charismatic character, and I found him one of the more appealing things about this show.
He's a very human character. He doesn't make deductive leaps out of thin air. He doesn't beat the truth out of people. He simply keeps plodding along until he solves the case. It's a simple characteristic, I know, but I couldn't help but like it.
Purists may stop short of placing this show into the film noir genre, but it certainly seems heavily influenced by it. The dialog could have come straight from Raymond Chandler. These are only half-hour episodes, so there isn't time for hugely complicated plot lines, but they're great little nuggets of crime thriller.
The first episode on the disc is "Death Takes a Partner". Barnett helps out a friend who runs international bicycle races. The mob has a large amount of cash riding on the outcome and Barnett wants to make sure the race is fair. There's a nice double-cross in this one, and the plot keeps the episode moving at a brisk pace. I did, however, have to stifle a laugh at Martin Balsam's attempt at a French accent.
The second episode is "Day Man", and is -- to be honest -- just the tiniest bit silly when all is said and done. Houses in a wealthy neighborhood are being robbed, and the only visible connection is that the criminal helps himself to the owner's beer before leaving the scene. The crime isn't particularly interesting, so we have to be satisfied with Bennett's investigation. Thankfully, that part of the story is the episode's strength. But if you don't see the so-called big surprise coming, then you weren't paying attention.
"Doll Bandit" rounds off the three episodes. The doll bandit is so named after a high-profile bank robbery (though they're only sticking up the FIFTH national bank). Three armed men raid a bank, threatening to shoot a mother's baby if anyone tries to stop them. It turns out the "baby" is a doll and the mother is in on the heist. The story revolves more around the criminals turning on each other than it does on the police investigation. I really enjoyed this one. Barnett manages to be clever in a very simple and direct way.
The DVD case of this Digiview productions version has the hilarious typo: "What really made the show unique was that the show were [sic] done live." The show were done live, were it? I'm in no position to mock someone else's typing prowess (as readers of my reviews can attest), but couldn't they have hired a better copyeditor? Digiview seems to have a gaffe like this on every single release. It's only a two sentence summary for crying out loud...
And I'm not sure how "done live" the show was. There are a number of on-location scenes, which I'm sure were filmed prior to broadcast. According to the Internet Movie Database, this program stopped going out live in 1952. I can't find a good episode guide on the web, so it's possible that the episodes here came after the show switched to a recorded format.
I have no idea whether these three episodes are typical, but if they are, then this is a show I look forward to seeing more of. Hopefully more episodes will be released on DVD in the future. Until then, these three are certainly worth a view.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Man Against Crime

1. The Day Man2. The Doll Bandit3. Death Takes A Partner

Get 54% OFF

Click here for more information about Man Against Crime

Read More...

Mannix - The First Season Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Finally, FINALLY, the very best Classic TV detective series EVER produced comes to DVD in a first-season set. For its legion of fans, it is a huge understatement to say this release is eagerly anticipated. Thanks to CBS/Parmount for putting this series out on DVD. Let's hope the remaining seasons quickly follow.
Mannix ran from 1967 through 1975 on CBS. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and developed by executive producer Bruce Geller (who also created Mission: Impossible), the title character, Joe Mannix, is a two-fisted private investigator portrayed by Mike Connors.
Rarely has an actor so inhabited a TV character that it's impossible to separate the two. This series represents one of those times, and even the show's producers recognized it when the unusual credit proclaimed: Mike Connors IS Mannix. The ruggedly handsome Connors was the perfect match, and made the signature loud sports jackets of the time look great on his altar ego. Mannix also drove a variety of convertibles, and even had a car phone - which was unheard of at the time!
Mannix originally worked for a high-concept computerized firm known as Intertect in the rarely seen first season. This DVD set represents all of those episodes, including the series' pilot.
Mannix featured a dynamic split-screen opening credits sequence set to its theme music from noted composer Lalo Schifrin. Unusual for a private detective series, the Mannix theme is in triple time, the same signature used for a waltz.
(FYI: The show's title, opening credits and closing credits are in variations of "City Typeface," a distinctive, squared-off, split-serif face that has long been used by IBM Corporation as part of their corporate design, and continues to be used in its logo today. The use of this style of credits for Mannix spelled out his name as if on computer punch cards utilized by fictitious Intertect, but it was maintained throughout the series.)
The first season of Mannix is a lot different than the more familiar episodes that began in the second season, when Mannix opened his own agency at 17 Paseo Verde, Los Angeles, California. It was in the second season that the brilliant actress Gail Fisher was brought on board as Mannix's devoted secretary, Peggy Fair, whose cop-husband was killed in line of duty.
In the first season, Mannix is not on his own but is employed by an agency that tries to solve crimes using computers. It's great to see what passed for cutting edge technology in the late 1960's. The computers were the old mainframe type, and used punch cards and reel-to-reel tapes, which some younger viewers today may never have ever seen in use. These first season episodes are almost NEVER aired in syndication
All 24 first season episodes will be on this six-disc set with guest stars that epitomized the best of the 1960's including: Kim Hunter, singer Neil Diamond, Tom Skerritt, singers Neil Young and Stephen Stills, Richard Mulligan, Norman Fell, Army Archerd, Rona Barrett, and Karen Black. In addition, the release contains special features that include episode introductions by Golden Globe and Emmy-winning star Connors, along with an interview.
In its eight-year run, Mannix quickly became a TV staple airing on Saturday's at 10 p.m. Not only was it noted for its great writing, acting, unusual camera angles, hot cars and visuals, but also its violence. Mannix was, by one count, shot 17 times and knocked unconscious another 55 during the show's run.
During the first season of the series, Mannix worked for Intertect in large Los Angeles, which was the most high-tech detective agency in the country. His superior was Lew Wickersham, played to perfection by Joseph Campanella. The tension between the two men was entertaining, since Mannix belonged to the classic hard-boiled school of American detectives (hard drinking, womanizing but compassionate, and always quick to action.) Mannix generally ignored the computers' solutions, disobeyed Wickersham and did things his own way.
Connors incorporated his own Armenian heritage into his character. Viewers were treated to a host of great Armenian proverbs Mannix shared at some of the most interesting and unexpected times. A Korean War Army veteran, Mannix also seemed to struggle with unspoken demons from that experiences.
From the second season on, Mannix worked on his own with the assistance Peggy Fair. (Fisher was one of the first African-American actresses to have a regular series role on TV. Later in the series, the producers even considered a romantic relationship between the two, but feared it was too controversial for the time. Nonetheless, the chemistry between the two is unmistakable). He also had assistance from the police department, the two most frequently depicted were Lt. Adam Tobias (portrayed by Robert Reed) and later Lt. Art Malcolm (portrayed by Ward Wood). Other police contacts were Lt. George Kramer (Larry Linville) and Lt. Dan Ives (Jack Ging).
The series was also memorable for its cool cars, primarily convertibles, that Mannix drove. In Season 1, he drove a customized Oldsmobile Toronado convertible (Oldsmobile never produced a convertible in that model for sale); in Seasons 2-3, he drove a Dodge Dart GTS 340 convertible; in Seasons 4-6, he drove a Plymouth Barracuda convertible; in Season 7, he drove a Dodge Challenger Coupe; and in Season 8, he drove a Chevrolet Camaro LT.
Included in this DVD set is the pilot, The Name is Mannix, which truly sets the tone for the whole series. In it, maverick private-eye Mannix tries to rescue the kidnaped daughter of former rackets' boss, Sam Dubrio. Mannix bets he can get the girl back, if he can persuade her father to risk the half-million dollar ransom plus another half-million dollars to bribe the kidnapers' pickup man.
The other episodes here from the first season are: The Cost of a Vacation; Skid Marks on a Dry Run; Then the Drink Takes the Man; The Many Deaths of Saint Christopher; Make It Like It Never Happened; License to Kill, Limit Three People; Beyond the Shadow of a Dream; Warning: Live Blueberries; Turn Every Stone; Huntdown; Coffin for a Clown; A Catalogue of Sins; Run Sheep, Run; Falling Star; To Kill a Writer; Deadfall Part 1; Deadfall Part 2; You Can Get Killed Out There; Another Final Exit; Eight to Five, It's a Miracle; Delayed Action; and The Girl in the Frame.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mannix - The First Season

From the dynamic opening credits to the closing shootout, Mannix crackles with excitement, and is finally available on DVD for the first time ever! Cool, no-nonsense private detective Joe Mannix (Mike Connors) is a tough-talking loner within the large detective agency Intertect. He has street smarts and class, but he constantly fights with his boss, Lou Wickersham (Joseph Campanella), over how to conduct their investigations. Lou relies on the company's computers, but Mannix has to go with his gut. And that's just what he does every time! One of the most popular crime shows ever, this long-running series was developed by executive producer Bruce Geller (Mission: Impossible), and features all 24 Season One episodes on 6 discs, including the rarely-seen series pilot. Brace yourself for unbeatable action - Mannix is back!

Get 32% OFF

Click here for more information about Mannix - The First Season

Read More...

C.S.I. Miami - The Fifth Season Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Those who, like me, had the chance to watch at least most of the episodes of this fifth season aired on TV (or occasionally on the web), will probably agree that this season was superb. Like any other shows from the CSI series, the Miami one doesn't really feel like a typical TV Show, but more like a new movie every week or two - but with the same cast.
What hooks me in CSI: Miami is definitely its tropicalesque setting that sets it apart from other CSIs shows, its inventive, smart and curious cases and the graphic production, which is very attractive and well-done.
I also think that Horatio Caine (David Caruso) is the protagonist who gives the show a very distinctive appeal, playing the "super-hero-macho-man" role and, sometimes, overshadowing the other characters. This is another characteristic that makes CSI: Miami unique in comparison to other CSIs shows that don't really have so much focus on just one character. This seems to be so true that the DVD box set cover of this fifth season has only Horatio's close-up and downtown Miami buildings in the background. Can anybody see the rest of the cast? If this is fair, well, that's not up to me.
There's just one thing for sure - CSI: Miami is one of the greatest TV Shows on air today.

Click Here to see more reviews about: C.S.I. Miami - The Fifth Season

Join lead criminalist Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and his state-of-the-art forensics team as they investigate hot and steamy Miami crimes using cold hard facts. The CSI: Miami Season 5 Complete DVD Collection features 24 episodes of riveting and shocking mysteries. The evidence leads into seedy nightclubs, privileged suburbs and explosive family secrets. The stakes are higher than ever before, because this time it's personal.

Get 20% OFF

Click here for more information about C.S.I. Miami - The Fifth Season

Read More...

Columbo - The Complete First Season (1972) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have never been a huge fan of murder mysteries, either in book, TV or movie form. I either figure them out too soon or in the cases where I don't, the resolution tends to be a severe let down. Its not that I'm some sort of amateur genius detective or anything, I just have a very good memory and tend to keep certain aspects of the mystery catalogued as I watch and figure them out based on that minor skill. Columbo, however, is a murder mystery show of a different animal. Quite frankly, no show of its type has been more original in presentation, format or style before or after its initial launch in the 60's.
The reason for this bold claim? Peter Falk and the innovative idea to reveal the murderer at the start of the tale. The enjoyment, and I'm sure many of you have heard this time and time again, in watching a Columbo episode is; a. the interaction between Columbo and the suspect; b. the personal mannerisms of the Columbo character; c. following Columbo as he uncovers every facet of the crime committed and pieces them together and; d. the satisfaction of being in on the moment when the killer is exposed. Instead of being surprised like the killer is, you get the satisfaction of being a silent partner with Columbo as he brings the culprit to justice.
Few shows are based in total reality, and indeed, this show harkens back to a time when people weren't as savvy about every detail of crime solving as they are now what with constant airings of documentaries on A&E such as Cold Case Files and drama based modern shows like CSI on CBS. But what helps Columbo stand the test of time ultimately is the performance of Peter Falk in the role of Columbo and a sense of relief in not having to constantly try and figure out who the killer is throughout the episode. Below is a short synopsis of the episodes and original movies that will be included on this 5 disc set:
Prescription: Murder (1968)
Gene Barry plays a cheating doctor out to get rid of the main obstacle standing in the way of him and his young, pretty actress girlfriend. This first movie introduces the audience to the typical type of villain Columbo will face in future episodes; rich, famous and well connected politically...and sometimes all three.
Note: This episode is especially interesting to watch due to the fact that the Columbo character had yet to be fully fleshed out by Peter Falk. He is seen being rather harsh in this episode and would only rarely show this type of rage again in any other episode. He toned down the character and made him much more laid back later on.
Ransom for a Dead Man (1971)
A lawyer (Lee Grant) kills her husband for the insurance money and makes the whole thing look like a kidnapping. It never hurt the Columbo series that most of the guest stars were actors or actresses every bit as talented as Peter Falk himself, something Murder She Wrote could rarely claim.
Murder by the Book (1971)
Jack Cassidy in one of a number of memorable turns on the show plays one half of a successful writing team...the untalented half. When his partner makes it known his intentions to break up the team, Jack Cassidy's character makes sure he regrets that decision.
Note: Jack Cassidy is the father of Shawn and David Cassidy. This episode is directed by a very young Steven Spielberg whose other early TV directing gig was an episode of Night Gallery.
Death Lends a Hand (1971)
Robert Culp guests as the owner of a powerful detective agency who murders a client's wife. One of my favorite episodes of them all, and includes some of the earliest tidbits of information regarding Columbos past.
Dead Weight (1971)
Eddie Albert plays a retired military officer bent on keeping his corruption a secret, even if it requires murdering a subordinate. The only problem? Helen Stewart (Suzanne Pleshette) sees the whole thing from a row boat on the water. The only obstacle she has is proving to the police and her own mother that she isn't batty and just seeing things. Of course, Columbo believes her, which is strangely fitting since the police on the scene feel he's just as batty as she is!
Suitable for Framing (1971)
Ross Martin kills his uncle for a valuable art collection and tries to pin the whole thing on said uncle's first wife. Overall, the only weak link in an otherwise stellar first season in my opinion but a good episode regardless. And be sure to look out for Don Ameche in a guest starring role.
Note: Ross Martin was the one time acting teacher to Peter Falk.
Lady in Waiting (1971)
Susan Clark plays a woman who kills her brother in order to take over the family company. She attempts to make it seem like a case of mistaken identity thinking he is an intruder. Leslie Nielsen guest stars as her non-bumbling boyfriend.
Note: This episode was written by Steven Bochco who later gave us stunning television such as Cop Rock. ;)
Short Fuse (1972)
Roddy McDowall guest stars as a brilliant scientist whose uncle wants to force out of the family chemical company. Something tells us that the uncle won't make it very far in the episode with that sort of attitude! Cigars play a crucial role in uncovering the nephew's guilt. Something I'm sure Columbo relishes in the end.
Blueprint For Murder (1972)
Forrest Tucker makes a brief but memorable turn as an obnoxious Texas developer who gets the short end of the jerky stick when his architect murders him to keep a proposed building project from being axed. Probably my second favorite episode from the first season and it ends up being the toughest case so far for Columbo to break.
So there you have it. An outstanding start to an outstanding series. I have heard grumblings from other reviewers regarding the lack of extras, but as for me, I'm just glad they are finally being released. This is the first and probably last review I will write for a television program, but Columbo deserves my attention and will hopefully earn yours as well. Forget the A-Team DVD set and plunk down your hard earned cash on this one instead, you won't regret it!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Columbo - The Complete First Season (1972)

COLUMBO:COMPLETE FIRST SEASON - DVD Movie

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Columbo - The Complete First Season (1972)

Read More...