"Alias Smith and Jones" - 70's Western Outlaws' Adventures

– Alias Smith and Jones -

Alias Smith and Jones Memorable opening narration:

"Into the west came many men. Some were good men and some were bad men. Some were good men that had some bad in them, and some were bad men that had some good in them. This is the story of two pretty good bad men."

This is the story of duo cousins, the most successful and most wanted outlaws in the Old West history who decided to go straight to lead an upstanding lives. They grant the government's amnesty by staying out of trouble for a year, thought it was that simple but the true journey - there is something beyond the conditions, they have to prove that they deserve it. The series stormed the viewer's attention, garnered enormous audiences and leaved bunch of memories that are remarkable things like - 'five pat-hand' poker trick, soap selling dodges, poker escapades, safe-cracking attempts and many more which are based upon fact, the documented historical incidents.

The storyline adventures of cousin outlaws Hannibal Hayes, a silvery-tongued card shark, the optimist safecracker poker player and the thinker of the duo while his partner Jed 'Kid' Curry, the master marksman and brawn quick-drawing dead-eye gunslinger, together the two are the non-violent expert bank and train robbers but never shot or hurt anyone (the two are members of 'Hole-in-the-Wall Gang'). The two realized the Old West was coming to an end (maybe they'll got killed), they grant the Governor's free pardon amnesty with conditions; live as model citizens, stay out of trouble for a whole year not allowing anyone to know the deal/arrangement. The duo used the new identities (Hayes alias Joshua Smith and Curry alias Thaddeus Jones), take the adventures of narrow sticky path, still their 'Wanted Posters' displayed everywhere making them the target of Sheriffs, Deputy, Lawmen, Bannerman Detectives and Bounty Hunters, they've keep their noses clean with their awesome silver-tongue and fast draw skills and always figure out to make money and get out of trouble.

The great adventures and misadventures of Alias Smith and Jones in this successful Western Cowboy Action TV series was aired from January 1971 until January 1973, completed 3 seasons with total of 50 episodes, now available on DVD.

The Alias Smith and Jones DVD at TV Shows on DVD

"The Phil Silvers Show" - 50's Finest Comedy TV Series

Marked as one of the best in 50's and the all-time great sitcom, The Phil Silvers Show won three consecutive Emmy Awards for the Best Comedy Series and marked number one comedy show in US for amazingly very short time - in shows just first two episodes, even every episodes were cherished and discussed today. The shows long-lasting success believed comes from two essential factors: first, the Phil Silvers' performance and strengths as a comic actor (fast-talking, quick-witted, razor-sharp, a gambler, a leader of men), he was blessed with great sharpness as he deliver lines with speed & guile and marvelously ad-libbing when the situation required; while the second reason is the show creator Nat Hiken, a writer who could bring a show into it's finest, his economical script writings (sentences in just few words) he has the ability to maintain story lines within an episode, he can introduce denouements in scripts and thinks improbable solution to which he must find an even more absurd premise for a job.

The Phil Silvers Show (also entitled “You'll Never Get Rich” and “Sergeant Bilko”), a situational comedy TV series of Phil Silvers as US Army Master Sergeant Ernest “Ernie” Bilko, the head of a hidden small motor pool camp and army station of Fort Baxter in Roseville, Kansas. In Bilko's motor-pool, privates were scruffy, lazy, unattractive slobs, do as little work as possible, they never paraded and were almost fearful of weaponry. The humor boost as he attempts to manipulate those around using selective flattery, false naïveté, pulling rank, etc. With his system (by conniving, bluffing, bribing, cheating, gambling, lying, finagling, etc.), he leech his fellow man (even top brass), and wheedle money he smell through various get-rich-quick scams and con games (poker games, tank rides and other elaborate rackets). Sergeant Bilko's ultimate skill – audience watches as he unwittingly makes matters worse for himself and realize his error, he employ his quick thinking in order to make amends by predicting thoughts of others and how long people will think them. However, Sergeant Bilko's has a good moral quality with a heart of gold, he never benefits at the expense of others, faced with innocent victims, his conscience kicks in and use his mental resource to resolve problem.

The Phil Silvers Show completed 4 great seasons with total of 142 episodes of humors and laughs for it's airing from September 1955 until September 1959, now available for DVD collection.

The Phil Silvers Show DVD at TV Shows on DVD

"The Rockford Files" - 70'S Finest Detective Series

The Rockford Files DVD

As one of the most notable tv series for it's quality writings, The Rockford Files certainly was the best private eye series which gained grace and success in television screen, and ranked at or near the top in polls of viewers, critics, and mystery writers. A multi-award winning TV series for it's casts and episodes, The Rockford Files enjoyed high ratings until it's final season, it's reruns and syndications constant followed by it's loyal cult. The series credited with superbly-plotted mysteries and brilliant writing of Stephen J. Cannell (a professed aficionado of the hard-boiled detective genre) with producer Roy Huggins, and ensemble with easy charm & charisma, a no-nonsense approach and wisecraking wit performance of James Garner (with his remarkable performance and persona in Maverick, 1957-1962) as Jim Rockford, the "America's favorite private eye".

The Rockford Files is the story of an ex-convicted (imprisoned for five years for an armed robbery he didn't commit and was later pardoned), Jim Rockford who turned into a Private Investigator who specialized in handling closed cases and those police given up (to avoid conflict with police and investigators), as a cool, calm detective who loves to mouth off and talk to make way out of trouble instead of using his fists, the one who takes time but always solves the crime. Jim was assisted by his true pal Sgt. Dennis Becker (later became Lieutenant in following season)helps him get important information about cases, Jim's attorney and girlfriend Elizabeth Davenport who always bail him out of jail, Jim's former cell mate Evelyn "Angel" Martin who involved in illegal things and constant source of aggravation but loyal pal to Jim, and his adviser was his father Rocky, (semi-retired truck driver and fisherman) who always worry to him advises to get another job. Jim live in a house trailer on the beach at Pacific Coast Highway in LA and later in Cove Road in Malibu, drives gold Pontiac Firebird with just a press in the backseat printing instant business card, and rarely bring a gun which he always used only to point and not shoot.

Viewers like the show as they see Jim Rockford was James Garner and vice versa in this award winning TV series, premiered from March 1974 and lasted until January 1980 on NBC, for the total of 7 seasons with 131 episodes, now on DVD.

The Rockford Files DVD at TV Shows on DVD

The Range Rider - A True Western Action

1950's - The Range Rider - TV Series

The Range Rider, won the Western Action fanatics and lovers, is an excellent TV series and truly admirable. The actions are more realistic with awesome skills in projections, both by good guys and bad guys cast of the show, their mastery in stunts and cowboy styles are clearly showed.

The Range Rider story centered on the dynamic duo of Range Rider and his sidekick Dick West, as they take west ride adventures, doing good deeds and bring justice to the American frontier. Range Rider (starred by famous stunt man Jock Mahoney, a 6'4" legendary stunt man with his athletic skills) characterized as the honest, principled and good-natured man wearing a fringed buckskin shirt, white stetson and moccasins (no boots) and riding his horse named Rawhide. While his youngster sidekick Dick Jones (starred by Dick West, a notable prodigious horseman with a mark as "World's Youngest Trick Rider and Trick Roper" in age of four and well-known in voice role of Pinocchio in Walt Disney's animated film), wearing sporting a dark, military-style shirt and a black hat, rode a steed called Lucky. Some of their missions and adventures are: they straightens out unscrupulous businessmen downing a rival freight out of business, they stop heinous Wells Gang who terrorizing voters, they uncovers the saboteurs of rankings in US Telegraph Office, etc.

The remarkable actions and adventures of Range Rider, in Western TV series was aired from 1951-1953 and completed 3 seasons and with total of 77 episodes, now on DVD.

The Range Rider DVD available at TV Shows on DVD

1970's - The Dukes of Hazzard -TV Series

Based on 1975 Film “Moonrunners”, The Dukes of Hazzard was a hit Action/Adventure and a consistent top-rated television series in late 70's and in 80's, in it's hour long Friday Night (8:00 pm) airings on CBS. It's story about the adventure of cousins Bo and Luke Dukes which known as "The Good Ol'Boys", assisted with their uncle Jesse and sexy cousin Daisy, in their quest to help their friends and neighbors in distress and encounters with corrupt Country Commissioner Boss Hogg in the fictional unincorporated place called Hazzard Country.

The story line, Uncle Jesse is the patriarch of the rich Duke clan farm, parenting his niece Daisy and nephews Luke and Bo (their parents said died in accidents), producing their old-fashioned, big business of moonshine (well-known as whisky which is illegal) where boss Jefferson Davis Hogg or Boss Hogg, in spite of his huge wealth & property, have interest in Dukes farm in his nefarious reasons. Bo and Luke were caught transporting moonshines by Boss Hogg's right hand and brother-in-law Country Sheriff Rosco Coltrane, the Dukes were given a probation on the condition of giving up moonshining and not permitted to carry firearms and they did. The Dukes learned the Boss Hogg's scheme, Bo (dark-haired, ex-marine, more mature & rational and typically the one who thought plans to get rid of troubles) and Luke (blond, wilder, ex-stock car test driver and "shoot first, ask question later" type) together with super sexy (in her short-cutted denim) honest and kind cousin Daisy and the former Ridge-Runner Uncle Jesse, they stop the threatening of fat (in his all white suit) and greedy town leader J.D. Boss Hogg and his dimwitted flunky and incompetent Sheriff Rosco (sometimes misspelled "Roscoe").

Bo and Luke, in their fundamentally good natures, they serve as "Robinhood" who foil criminals (usually hired by Boss Hogg to frame up the Dukes and other people), riding in their orange 1969 Dodge Charger "The General Lee" (refers to the American-Civil War Confederate, General Robert E. Lee) with number “01” on each door, doing jump from car (landing without a scratch) & "hood slide" stunts and use bow and arrow to fight corruptions in Hazzard, rescue their adversaries and defeat the bad guys.

Adventures of The Dukes of Hazzard was aired from 1979-1985, completed 7 seasons with 147 episodes by CBS, and was created by Gy Windron, now on DVD.

The Dukes of Hazzard DVD at TV Shows on DVD

The Classic Comedy - Dennis the Menace -

Do you remember "Hey Mr. Wilson!"? This is a very popular line for the followers of Dennis the Menace series, created by Hank Ketcham, which idea actually came from his real life son, Dennis Lloyd Ketcham, who always refuse to take a nap and messes up his whole room. Hank drew Dennis character with some pencil sketches and at a sudden, his wife exclaimed to him, "Your son is a menace". Dennis the Menace born and comes first in comic book in 1953 and produced 155 original issue series until 1978, and special issues come out such as Dennis the Menace Winter Special, Summer Special, Spring, Christmas, Travel Special and many more.

In 1959, a live-action situation comedy (sitcom) "Dennis the Menace" was produced, with the story and misadventures of Dennis Mitchell, a lovable young but mischievous boy who is complete with a cowlick, dressed in overalls and carrying a slingshot in his pocket. Dennis is just a red-blooded American boy with his 'wide-eyed' curiosity, innocent and well-meaning attempts to help others anywhere he goes but always lead to trouble causing damage to thousand of dollars. The sitcom revolves as Dennis encounter their neighbor, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, an old couple living in perfect harmony but with no child that's why Mrs. Wilson loves Dennis. But Mr. Wilson, a retired postal carrier, annoyed to Dennis who disturb his serenity and messes things as Dennis try to help Mr. Wilson. One Funny episode, Mr. Wilson was caught by the police accused him selling Valentine Cards (Dennis actually did) and yells in anger.

Dennis the Menace come out in many other medium such as comic strip, movies and cartoon tv series. Viewers confess they roll with laughter in many Dennis the Menace episodes. The 1959-1963 Dennis TV Series completed 4 seasons with 146 episodes of fun and laughter with this comedy strip, now available on DVD.

Dennis The Menace DVD at TV Shows on DVD

1970's TV Series - The Secret of Isis -

Classic adventure, action Sci-Fi TV Series Isis is a popular 1970's Saturday morning TV show and teach moral lessons to viewers. The story about when an archaeologist and high school science teacher Andrea Thomas found the 3000 years lost magical amulet which was belong to ancient Egyptian Queen Goddess Hatchupset given by an Egyptian Royal Wizard.

"O my Queen, with this amulet you and your descendants are endowed by the goddess Isis. With the powers of animals and the elements you will soar as the falcon soars, run with the speed of gazelles and command the elements of the sky and the earth."

Andrea research the history and purpose of the mystical amulet, she heir and learn it's powers by lifting the amulet on air and cast the chant spell "Oh Mighty Isis". Andrea gain great strength, ability to animate and control objects such as animals, fire, water, etc. with her incantation, she can run at super speed and when she cast the spell "Oh zephyr winds which blow on high, lift me now so I can fly" the air assist her in taking flight. Andrea dedicated herself to fight evils, defend the weak, be the champion of truth & justice and teach moral lessons to young people she saved as well as to televiewers at the end of each episodes.

Marked as preachy TV series of 1970's, The Secret of Isis, aired from 1975-1976 and completed 2 seasons with total of 22 episodes, now on DVD.

The Secret of Isis DVD available at TV Shows on DVD

The Father Dowling Mystery TV Series

Based on books written by Ralph McInery, The Father Dowling Mystery TV series is a mystery crime drama in late 1980's. The story is about a Catholic Parish Priest, Father Frank Dowling, who has a knack in solving crimes, love danger-filled police works and stumbles over high crimes, abductions and murders happening around his home town Chicago, Illonois. Father Frank assisted by his street-wise Nun, Sister Stephanie "Steve" Oskowski and a dour housekeeper, Marie Murkin, they solve crime mysteries in spite the FBI Detectives wishes them away from their investigation. Father Frank still feel responsible, with the aide oh Sister Steve who grew up in a rough street houses and knows street language (she could even hot wire a car), they take a closer investigation and find out the suspects behind.

The final episode of the series, Father Frank have to solve the deadly rival battles for political power as the death of Local District Attorney was accused to an innocent boy, they have to expose the real killer to prevent the political rally that could possibly turn into blood bath.

Debuted the Pilot TV Movie on November 1987, The Father Dowling Mystery TV Series was continued its airing on 1989-1991 (1988 has a writer's strike), completed 2 seasons and total of 43 episodes, now available on DVD.

The Father Dowling Mystery DVD at TV Shows on DVD

Car 54, Where Are You?

"Car 54, Where Are You?" is a classic Emmy award-winning comedy TV series on 1960's. A series featuring an unforgettable pair of hilarious police officers who are characterized extremely different but in every episode, never failed to make the viewers laugh no matter how bad they feel.

The misadventures of short, noisy dim-witted but friendly Officer Gunther Toody partnered with tall stiff, quite-shy but smart Officer Francis Muldoon of the fictional NYPD 53rd precinct with their patrol vehicle Car 54. Together they fight crimes in New York with all their best and dealing at the same time with their personal lives like their overbearing wives and officious boss, Captain Anderson. The partners were specially assigned to protect an important witness who will testify against crime lords and mafias, but their adventures turn into comedy with their errors and predicaments they got involved. The excitement is there as the audience never know what will happen next, seemed like they encounter more comedy than crime and making the viewers keep on laughing.

The memorable show's theme lyrics:

There's a holdup in the Bronx!
Brooklyn's broken out in fights!
There's a traffic jam in Harlem
That's backed up to Jackson Heights!
There's a scout troop short a child!
Krushchev's due at Idlewild!
Car 54, where are you?!

The successful comedy duo in Car 54, Where Are You completed 3 seasons with total of 60 episodes, aired from 1961 to 1963, now available on DVD.

Car 54, Where Are You DVD at TV Shows on DVD

1980's "Tales from the Darkside"

Tales from the Darkside is a popular horror/sci-fi anthology tv series, produced by George A. Romero, which is similar to some sci-fi series like The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limit and Night Gallery. The series composed of short stories of strange tales that are mostly centered on horror stories around us, more likely considered science fictions or fantasy-based. Although few episodes were lighter comedic, some episodes were creepy that some who watch it few or alone scare them to death. The opening foreboding voice-over:

"Man lives in the sunlit world of what he believes to be reality.
But, there is, unseen by most, an underworld, a place that is just as real,

but not as brightly lit..... A DARKSIDE."

The plot formula of the series comprised from initially normal, mundane situation and then gradually twist into off-kilter, building up suspense and ending up with surprise conclusion, letting the viewers learn to appreciate that things are not often as they seem. Special episodes of tales are adapted work of famous genre authors like Clive Barker, Harlan Ellison and Stephen King. Each episodes also end up with voice-over:

"The dark side is always there, waiting for us to enter, waiting to enter us.
Until next time, try to enjoy the daylight."

Tales From The Darkside was aired from 1984-1988, completing up the total of four seasons and 90 episodes. Now available on DVD - Tales From the Darkside DVD at TV Addicts.TV