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By
WAYNE KLEIN
Finally this classic western
is released to DVD! Universal has done a fine job
the shows themselves look extremely good (with
just a bit of dirt and grit during the opening
montage for each episode--probably due to the
original source elements). We get the entire first
season of the series as well as the TV movie that
essentially served as a pilot episode for the
series. While the tone differed a bit from the
pilot, the series is equally as good with top
notch production values and acting.
The story revolves around Hannibal Heyes (Pete
Duel) and Kid Curry (Ben Murphy)a pair of robbers
who never killed anyone as they broke the law
(although interestingly, Roger Davis who went on
to play Hannibal Heyes played a villian that WAS
killed by Curry)during the regular season. They're
given an option to go straight by the governor
(they see a handbill offering amnesty to criminals
who haven't committed any murders)--if they can
stay clean for an entire year. It'll be their
secret until the 12 months (probably in case it
fails) are up but that also means the guys are
fair game for bounty hunters who may discover
their identity. Trouble follows them wherever they
go though and they end up performing one good deed
after another hoping that they don't get caught in
the gun of someone's crosshairs since the original
wanted poster still says "Dead or Alive".
The first season set include the pilot movie plus
the first 14 episodes of the show (the show was a
mid-season replacement which is why it doesn't
have a full season of 22-24 episodes). While
clearly inspired by "Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid" the film achieves its own quirky
tone by the first regular season episode. Duel and
Murphy's charm and chemistry on camera is
immediately evident. 30 plus years later the show
still retains its charm.
The show looks good in its first ever DVD
presentation. Colors have faded a bit (but that's
to be expected given the age of the show)and some
of the stock footage (including the opening for
the pilot)has some dirt, grit and a bit of wear
and tear evident but overall the show looks darn
good. The guest star list is a who's who of TV
from the 70's including Early Holliman, Forrest
Tucket and Susan Saint and James Drury--just in
the pilot episode alone! Later guest stars would
include Burl Ives, Slim Pickens and Sally Field
among many others.
The lone extra here is a commentary track by
co-creator/co-writer/producer Glen A. Larson.
While there are some stretches of silence Larson's
comments are intelligent, observant and has trivia
about how the series came to be produced. He notes
that the amnesty plot that makes the series
different from other westerns was real and, in
fact, was offered to Butch and Sundance as well as
the real Kid Curry. When news of the amnesty was
delayed, they got mad and robbed a bank blowing
their chance of receiving it! I'm hoping Universal
will contact both Ben Murphy (perhaps a commentary
on the second season) and Roger Davis (a
commentary on season three)and provide us with
more extras next time. Let's hope Universal will
provide us with a featurette on the series
popularity, Pete Duel's tragic death and the
changes to the show afterwards. Duel's suicide
really spelled the end of the series because,
while Roger Davis was terrific in taking on the
role, it cast a shadow over the humorous action
packed series. I suspect though that Universal
will only provide extras on this first season set
but am hopeful that it sells well enough to
warrant further releases and extras. |
