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DVD Wanted Dead or Alive - Season One
The uniquely cool talent that propelled Steve McQueen to movie stardom is fully evident in the debut season of Wanted: Dead or Alive. Having just boosted his big-screen potential with a starring role in The Blob, 28-year-old McQueen was reluctant to accept the role of bounty hunter Josh Randall in this trend-setting series; he balked at the demanding schedule and thought himself too contemporary for a Western series, but the producers (including Four Star Productions cofounders Dick Powell and Ida Lupino) were convinced that McQueen was perfect for the role, and the still-struggling actor couldn't refuse a $750-per-week salary. Once committed, McQueen developed Randall into an antihero with conflicting qualities of danger and compassion: With his infamous "Mare's Leg" (an 1892 Winchester rifle with sawed-off stock and barrel) and calm demeanor, Randall maintained his tough-guy image as a mercenary outcast. Capable of attack without warning, he could also be generous to the needy, never seeking credit for his kindness. In these 36 consistently enjoyable episodes (out of a three-season total of 94), McQueen builds the prototype of his later success; he's a man of few words and volatile action, and his expressions (including a mischievous smile) convey quick-draw instinct and an amiable yet potentially deadly ability to fend off all enemies.
Randall was introduced in a March 1958 episode of the Western series Trackdown, and Wanted: Dead or Alive was an instant hit when it premiered on CBS on September 6, 1958. With surprising quirks of character (his "favorite tune" is Chopin's C-flat Nocturne), Randall was a new kind of hero, and Wanted further benefited from quality writing, direction, and familiar guest stars (including first-season appearances by Michael Landon, James Coburn, Skip Homeier, Everett Sloane, and many other stalwarts of late-'50s TV). The season 1 DVDs include a wealth of bonus features, including show history, a McQueen biography, three "series analysis" featurettes," photo galleries, and the A&E Biography segment "Steve McQueen: Life in the Fast Lane" split into six parts. Image and sound quality varies from excellent to average, and three episodes that were badly "colorized" in the 1980s are also included. They're hideous proof that colorization was a bad idea, but they indicate the extra effort that was made to provide features that Wanted fans will surely appreciate. --Jeff Shannon
Overall a great series excellent transfer to dvd the packaging is fine.Just one problem half way through episode 15 Rawhide breed it finishes and goes onto episode 16 so I never got to see the end.Has anybody else had this problem or am I the unlucky one.
Episode List
Please, somebody write an episode list so we know the names of the episodes in the first season.
Enjoyable In A Kind Of Rough, Slightly Primitive Way
Good fun, just not quite as polished and interesting as "Have Gun, Will Travel". Steve is what makes this show special although his lack of even an intermittent sidekick and the lack of scenery causes this show to not have the chemistry of "Tall Man" (where Clu Gulager WAS Billy the Kid, Barry Sullivan portrayed Pat Garret). Great to have the young Steve on DVD.
Episode for episode, the second season of Have Gun, Will Travel (1958-59) is even better than the first. With a bona fide hit on their hands, CBS didn't mess with success, and these 39 episodes pushed ratings even higher with sharp direction (mostly by first-season veteran Andrew V. McLaglen), a wide variety of attention-grabbing plots, and intelligent, sensible dialogue. All of the first season's strengths are carried over, and while 41-year-old star Richard Boone (as the refined gunslinger-for-hire Paladin) is rarely given a serious test of his talents, he commands his role with depth, humor, and impressive displays of physical agility. (By comparison, series regular Kam Tong had almost nothing to do this season; he's relegated to routine duty as Paladin's Chinese hotel valet... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Richard Boone DVD Release Date: Released the 10 May 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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The first season of Have Gun--Will Travel makes it easy to see why this Western series was an overnight success. Making its debut on September 14, 1957, the half-hour show ranked no. 4 in the ratings for its entire first season, which ran almost completely uninterrupted (minus a one-week preemption) until June of 1958--a punishing schedule unheard of in present-day television. (It ranked even higher in subsequent seasons, holding the no. 3 spot, behind Gunsmoke and Wagon Train.) Richard Boone was perfectly cast in the lead role of Paladin, a cultured gunslinger whose West Point education, impeccable style, literate sophistication, and distinguished Civil War service made him unique among Western heroes, and the prototype for many dashing figures to follow. Based in... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Richard Boone DVD Release Date: Released the 11 May 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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In 1952 Superman flew right into the hearts and minds of the American TV audience faster than a speeding bullet. Though most people were already familiar with man of steel through his comic books, as well as the popular radio show, it was the new medium's Adventures of Superman that transformed our resident Kryptonian into a timeless icon. For many young baby boomers, Superman was the ultimate symbol of truth, justice and the American way. After watching this nostalgic trip back in time it is easy to see why: George Reeves. Reeves is the quintessential Superman. He is kind, confident, smart, always does the right thing and can literally do anything physically. Even Reeves' Clark Kent is cool, even cocky without any of the trademarked shy, clumsy and hickish traits the character... More Info about this DVD Director(s): George Blair - Philip Ford - Lee Sholem DVD Release Date: Released the 18 October 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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All I can say is: It's about time Clint Walker's Cheyenne has come to DVD- too long a wait. All 3 episodes were very good picks. Top quality reproduction. I can tell they are all complete. A lot of people have forgotten in the series closing seasons, Cheyenne became "The Cheyenne Show" which first rotated Cheyenne one week and Bronco the next instead of them having their own weekly shows. Even Sugarfoot was added I believe in the final year. This DVD is great and I strongly suggest that complete seasons of this series be released onto DVD A.S.A.P. I rate this disc as a great sampler. Clint Walker has been well remembered by me as one of the top western heroes of the late "50's-'60's era, and the series western stories are timeless. Bring them on. More Info about this DVD Director(s): Leslie H. Martinson - George Waggner - Irving J. Moore - James P. Yarbrough - Herbert L. Strock DVD Release Date: Released the 27 September 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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When it premiered on CBS on October 2, 1955, Alfred Hitchcock Presents was an instant hit destined for long-term popularity. The series' original half-hour anthology format provided a perfect showcase for stories of mystery, suspense, and the macabre that reflected Hitchcock's established persona. Every Sunday at 9:30 p.m., the series began with the familiar theme of Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette" (which would thereafter be inextricably linked with Hitchcock), and as Hitchcock's trademark profile sketch was overshadowed by the familiar silhouette of Hitchcock himself, the weekly "play" opened and closed with the series' most popular feature: As a good-natured host whose inimitable presence made him a global celebrity, Hitchcock delivered droll, dryly sardonic... More Info about this DVD DVD Release Date: Released the 04 October 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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