NAKED CITY: THE COMPLETE SERIES

In 1948, "The Naked City" premiered, with its star-studded opening, on March 4, 1948, at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. It was also released, nation-wide, to great acclaim. The movie won two Oscars: one for Best Cinematography, and the other for Best Editing. It was also a huge hit at the box office. In 2007, "The Naked City" was chosen for film preservation.For those who have not seen the original movie, don't worry. No spoilers will be found here. However, despite some big-named actors/actresses of the period, THE star of "The Naked City" was New York City, itself! With the exception of some precinct "inside" sets filmed at Biograph Studios in the Bronx (where the TV show, "Naked City," would have their precinct interiors filmed) all scenes were shot on the streets and in the actual buildings of the City That Never Sleeps."The Naked City" (1948) is, literally, a snapshot of what New York City looked like in 1947 (when filmed). Although much has changed since then, there are still many recognizable filming locations intact - even in 1958, when the ABC-TV series, "Naked City" began its first broadcast season.Although different actors were used in the TV series, the names of the movie characters continued to be used throughout the 1958-1959 season. Again, with the exception of some "inside" precinct shots filmed at the Bronx Biograph Studios (where, from 1961-1963, "Car 54 Where Are You" was also being filmed using Biograph Studios as both police precinct interior and exterior), the streets of New York City were the actual stars of the show.Without giving too much away on this 1958-1959 series (assuming you haven't seen it, yet), there is one transitional character in "Naked City," who survived through to the show's re-boot in 1960. In the new hour-long 1960-1963 version of "Naked City," none of the regular characters (except for the transitional character from the first year's episodes) carried their role names from the original 1948 movie. Only one original character from the 1958-1959 series (not the "transitional character") remained with "Naked City" throughout its remaining 1960-1963 run. This Detective was not in the 1948 movie, but was an add-on on to the TV series from the first season (1958).So...If "Naked City" was so good, why was it cancelled in 1959?During that time in TV History, sponsors ruled the airwaves - not the networks. The 1958-1959 "Naked City" episodes had a few problems: first being that such complicated crimes were solved so quickly. After all, during this time, "Naked City" was only 30 minutes long! Not much time for character development and plot lines. It was pretty much a "kill 'em (victim), chase 'em (criminal) and catch 'em" formula. With the hour-long series, there was much more room for expansion of plot lines, character development/connection (especially when it came to the criminal), and, yes, much more chasing, shooting and capturing/killing of the bad guy. Despite all this drama, suspense, intrigue and great acting, the stars of the show were, once again, the Streets of New York City. Thanks to the sponsors, who truly supported and had high hopes for the show, "Naked City" took a year off to re-tool and improve on those "eight million stories" the "new" series had yet to tell. And they did it like gangbusters!!!During the 1958-1959 series, not all of the actors were New York residents. Back then, it was a real pain to travel from Los Angeles to New York on a weekly basis. The Jet Age didn't arrive until after "Naked City" began production. With the 1960 re-boot, all of "Naked City's" actors were New York/Metropolitan residents. Guest stars worked on and off Broadway shows, plus did some live TV drama work. They were known, collectively, as "New York Actors." These were young men and women who were still trying to make a name for themselves in the business. Picking up some TV work was part of that process, and TV, itself, was starving for new talent. New York was still the TV capital of the world, with so many live and (from 1958 on) videotaped productions by the three networks of that time (NBC, ABC & CBS). They were, literally, grabbing anyone, with some degree of acting chops, to be in these shows. The 1960-1963 re-boot of "Naked City" will surprise you, endlessly, as the guest stars will be people you know of, very well, and have seen in many movies in TV shows, at a much later time. You will, however, be shocked to see how young they once were, as their careers were just beginning to flourish. That, in itself, is worth the price of this boxed set!Speaking of the "Naked City" box set:Image Entertainment put out the initial "dribble" of assortment "Naked City" shows, but only from the 1960-1963 seasons. I bought them up as they were released. Some were single DVDs with 4 episodes, while others had 3 DVDs with 12 episodes. Let the binge-watching begin!!!The quality was exceptional. The last time I saw these shows, before buying the DVDs, was on a 10 year-old RCA black & white set in my Brooklyn apartment. I was 6 at that time, and knew nothing about picture quality. If I could watch it, that was good enough! Now, I work in Television, and I'm telling you that these "original negative-sourced" reproductions from Image Entertainment are fantastic! The individual DVD sets also included show bumpers and commercials, where as the box set has dropped most of those delightful extras. The single most important thing about the "Naked City" box set, is that EVERY episode, beginning in September, 1958, and ending in September, 1963, are all there!!! We have MeTV to thank for that, as they began airing the 1958-1959 season quite a few years back. True, there were other "retro" cable TV outlets airing the older "Naked City" episodes, but I have to cite the largest and most watched (and available) one of all, MeTV. THANK YOU!!!My one complaint about the box set is the inconsistency of the image quality, in terms of brightness and contrast. Some episodes are darker, while some are much brighter than they should be. Because I work in Television, this bothers me far more than it would the average viewer. That said, I'm not going to take away a star, just because I'm picky. The fact that Image Entertainment produced the complete "Naked City" TV series is worth twice the price, and an additional five stars (**********)!!!Finally..."Naked City" is a scrapbook of New York, from 1958, through 1963:One of the greatest losses to New York City was the demolition of the original Pennsylvania Station (1910-1963). Thankfully, there are many documentaries about the grandest railroad terminal in the world. These can be found on YouTube. In "Naked City," several episodes were filmed there, and at different locations inside the terminal. Sadly, demolition of Penn Station began just two months after the final season of "Naked City" ended in September, 1963.So many things that once were, are no more in New York City. So, whenever you watch "Naked City," you go back to a time where New York City was a dirty, grimy place to live. It was riddled with crime. Our subways were still running with the original 1904 train cars that were first used when the subway opened. However, it was OUR city, and we loved watching it being broadcast to the world, every Tuesday night at 10pm on ABC-TV.Trivia Quiz: What show replaced "Naked City" in September, 1963 on ABC-TV?It had to do with a certain doctor, who was falsely accused of killing his wife; his search for a one-armed man he saw leaving the scene of the crime; and a police lieutenant obsessed with his capture (the guest stars on tonight's episode).Please!!! Go buy this "Naked City" box set. Sure, the stories may be a bit outdated, but there is so much to see and learn about what New York was like during that period.Just remember: There are eight million stories in the Naked City. Now, you'll get to watch many of them!

Finally,the entire series is released on this DVD collection instead of a few chosen episodes over the four-year run.I could not find anything much wrong with the picture quality. A few grainy episodes but nothing to complain about.This was an excellent series.Probably, the first of it's kind to be shot on location on the streets of New York instead of in the studio. The first season are the 30 minute episodes before they took it to the hour -long format in season 2. The first season starred John McIntire from "Wagon Train" and "The Virginian". James Franciscus from "Longstreet" the TV series where he played a blind Private Eye, plays the young sidekick and Harry Bellaver plays Detective Arcaro which he would play throughout the entire series.John McIntire and James Franciscus would not continue their roles with McIntire's character being killed off halfway through season one.Maybe the first time that a main character on a series would be killed off.The second season would see Horace MacMahon as Lt Parker and Paul Burke as Adam Flint joining the show for the rest of it's run. High production values with intriguing story lines and a cast of well known names as well as new ones that became household names like Dustin Hoffman and Robert Duvall would appear.There are some kooky episodes where you wonder what the writers were thinking when they wrote them but the majority are brilliant.Even the shows that are not that great will hold your attention with the guest stars.One episode has William Shatner from "Star Trek" playing a burmese sailor.His accent has to be heard to be believed or maybe not.Below follows some of the episodes that are my personal favourites:Season TwoDOWN THE LONG NIGHTLeslie Nielson [The Naked Gun] plays a man hounded by another man who blames him for the death of his family.But did he do it and why?LANDSCAPE WITH DEAD FIGURESArtwork of a man who was presumed dead for 20 years is up for auction.But the man is still alive and has just escaped from an asylum.A HOLE IN THE CITYRobert Duvall, on the last day of his life hides out at his aunt's place with two cellmates taking people hostage.The aunt is played by Sylvia Sidney a movie star from the 1930's last seen in "Damien Omen 2"A MEMORY OF CRYINGA sad story of a man who does not know how to feel until his young wife dies in childbirth and now who refuses to accept her death. Marvellous performance by Luther AdlerNEW YORK TO L.A.Adam Flint and another detective played by Ed Asner [Lou Grant"] travel to L.A. to bring back two killers to stand trial in New York.But things don't go to plan as Asner is shot in the neck anf Flint has to track down the brother who survived the shoot out and is on the run.The brothers are played by Robert Blake ["Baretta'] and Frank Sutton [ Gomer Pyle"]MAKE BELIEVE MANA vagrant who disappeared 19 years ago is kidnapped and used as an American Colonel who helped with a revolution years earlier as he bears a striking resemblance to the Colonel.But will he make it out alive now he has returned to the land of the living.Chester Morris who was a star of the 1930's plays the vagrant.TAKE AND PUTA funny episode to end season two. A story of a once well to do family who have fallen on hard times and their maid who steals for them.Horace MacMahon gives a splendid performance as the slow burning Lt Parker whose two detectives, Flint and Arcaro, like and feel sorry for the family but who Parker describes as a bunch of Peter Pan's.Season ThreeTHE CORPSE RAN DOWN MULBERRY STREETA hearse carrying a corpse all the way from Italy is hit by a truck.The driver,Al Lewis [Grandpa Munster] from "The Munsters" is killed instantly but the corpse jumps out of the coffin and runs down the street.Played by Sorrell Booke [Boss Hogg] from "The Dukes of Hazzard".ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN THE WHOLE WORLD.Richard Conte plays a gangster who's 12 year-old son has received a below passing grade in school.The relatives of the boy want him taken away from his father as they consider him a bad influence. What will the gangster do. Will he entice ,bribe or threaten the teacher to change the grade to an A. Will the teacher stand up for his beliefs and conscience or will he succumb to the pressure put upon him.And what of the boy?A CASE STUDY OF TWO SAVAGESArcaro is wounded in a senseless shooting.While he lies critical in hospital the two Bonnie and Clyde newlyweds who shot him played by Rip Torn and Tuesday Weld ,continue their rampage across the city.THE TRAGIC SUCCESS OF ALFRED TILOFFAlfred Tiloff, played by Jack Klugman ["Quincy", "The Odd Couple"], has been a loser all his life.But, now thanks to his wife, Alfy is a success. Successfully kidnapping a little girl and holding her for $25,000 ransom.But can Alfy allow the little girl to be killed or will he sacrifice himself to save her.THE FINGERS OF HENRI TOURELLELuther Adler plays a man found murdered in his office.But who killed him and why and where is the murder weapon and a missing piece of a puzzle? Is he laughing at them from beyond the grave?THE MAN WHO KILLS THE ANTS IS COMING TODAYA sad tale of a patrolman who is on the breadline see's his whole family life unravelling around him and cracks under the pressure's of life taking the whole of the 65th precinct hostage including Lt Parker.THE ONE MARKED HOT GIVES COLDA young boy named L. Childe, the L stands for Love, is put in an orphanage by his father.The mother is deceased. Years later the boy now a man played by Robert Duvall returns, having grown to mistrust the world, he is prone to violence and has committed murder. He breaks into the orphanage to look for his files and to find his father. For what purpose?. To seek vengeance or to seek the love he has gone without for so long.He is now also falsely charged with child molestation by a jealous landlady who he rebukes but who knows that his only friend is a 12 year old girl who only see's good in himAND IF ANY ARE FROZEN, WARM THEM.A light-hearted episode about three elderly Romanian gentleman who hatch a plan to rob a bank. Lt Parker puts his two officers, Flint and Arcaro, on duty to cover the Romanian wedding of the leader of the group.It happens that Romanian wedding celebrations last three days and nights.Funny scene when Lt Parker goes to see how his men are getting on and finds Flint swigging from a jug of wine and Arcaro dancing with a fat Romanian woman. When spotted Arcaro escapes to the banquet table while Flint tries to explain to Lt Parker that it would have been rude to refuse to drink as it is customary.When Arcaro says that the dancing woman would not let go of him,Lt Parker replies "Of course not.Where else would she find a prize like you"THE KING OF VENUS WILL TAKE CARE OF YOUJack Warden ["Crazy like a Fox"] plays a murderer on the run.He hides out in an abandoned water tower where he comes across an 11- year old boy who calls himself "The king of Venus". The man needs the boy's help to escape over the rooftops to safety.The lonely boy begins to see the man as some sort of father figure.Will he help the man escape?Season fourKILL ME WHILE I'M YOUNG SO I CAN DIE HAPPYThis episode involves Arcaro,[ Harry Bellaver]. When a man of Frank's years falls in love will it end happily or will it end tragically. When a jumper, played by Maureen Stapleton, is saved from committing suicide Arcaro begins to feel something for her.But why was she trying to kill herself?A HORSE HAS A BIG HEAD.LET HIM WORRYA story of courage and determination. A small boy,registered as legally blind, gets cut off from his school group on the streets of New York. He now tries to make it home from Manhattan to Brooklyn by himself.But is he able to achieve this all alone.N.B one of the boys with a patch over a lens on his glasses [Tommy Norden] and another boy seen later on in a gang [Luke Halpin] would two years later act together as brothers in a series of their own as Sandy and Bud Ricks on the TV series "Flipper"MAN WITHOUT A SKINGeorge Segal plays a hot-shot detective who put's his life as well as his partner's in danger, see's his partner killed in the line of duty.Transferred over to the 65th he now put's Lt Parker and his team in danger.Getting himself slain in a shoot-out with Lt Parker wounded,Parker takes responsibility and decides to retire.

AWESOME

Classic 50s 60s TV cop show good stories good stars good series

I am disappointed it doesn't have subtitles nor to have captions for the deaf.

One of the most worthwhile purchases I've ever made on here. I had almost bought the 4 3DVD sets then saw this. I'm glad to have the whole thing. Excellent story-telling, and considering the age of the source, the quality as extremely good. There is also a plethora of guest stars (some in their first ever credited role, and gone on to greatness).My favourite episode is Season 2, Episode 4 (Down the Long Night) featuring Leslie Nielsen and the amazing (and seemingly ubiquitous, he's in no less than six episodes as six different characters) Nehemiah Persoff (who, incidentally, also had an uncredited role in the original movie). But with William Shatner, Carroll O'Connor, Barry Morse and scores of other guest stars, there are many other episodes that number among my favourites.Fans of the film-noir will no doubt enjoy this.

Does not get better when it comes to on location shoots in New York City. The stories are pieced together well and most are relevant to this day. Watching the show, you can, almost, fell the grit of the city.