The Fugitive

The first season of The Fugitive is now availavle on DVD at a very reasonable price. I've watched the first three episodes, enough to conclude that, for me anyway, I'm correct--The Fugitive is the best suspense series ever to shine on the screen in your living room.

Concept, writing, acting flawless. I can't recall ever seeing an actor use his limitations to such great benefit as David Janssen does here. The facial tics, the dour delivery, the angled head that suggests weariness, there's a mini-novel in every frame.

This is Roy Huggins' triumph. In an old Mystery Scene he spoke about the trouble he had convincing the networks to buy it. He said they were particularly derisive in turning it down. A man on the run? Maybe you could make him a cowboy, Roy.

The script structure provides the viewer with textbook examples of how to create and sustain suspense. He's always in trouble wherever he stops temporarily--somebody makes a point of finding out who he is. And then they inform Barry Morse whose one-note portrayl of a wolfhound cop is impeccable.

This is a real gem. And again, it's priced far less than most full season DVDs.