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| Available at Amazon.com |
Forget the case of Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janseen), the most compelling mystery of The Fugitive: Season Two, Volume 1 is the disappearance of Pete Rugolo’s underscore music. The episodes still retain Rugolo’s iconic opening and closing themes, but every note between has been swapped out with cues recently composed by Mark Heyes. They even doctored up the original credits to give Heyes his due. What adds to the strangeness is that Rugolo’s themes were used on both box sets for the first season of The Fugitive. What went so horribly wrong? Did the One-Armed Man steal the original audio tracks?
Heyes’ replacement music was created by a digital orchestra. Most of it sounds fine, but there are occasional notes that lack the acoustic rumble of real instruments being recorded in the studio. Until this swap was pointed out, it wasn’t that noticeable. For the casual viewer, this isn’t nearly that bad. It’s not like Heyes wanted to “modernize” the show by giving it a techno spin. He clones the cues. What could have gone so wrong that this was the only solution to releasing The Fugitive on DVD? You can focus on the 15 episodes that keep up the quality of the primetime manhunt to blur out the new tunes.
“Man in a Chariot” attempts to clear up the question if Dr. Richard Kimble really killed his wife or was the victim of a bad trial. A law professor (Ed Begley) arranges for his students to hold a mock trial based on the evidence used in Kimble’s case. The cops get suspicious about this class project and snoop around. Can Kimble stick around for the verdict or will it be a moot court if the cuffs slap around his wrists? The episode does a good job at making us ponder if Kimble really is innocent or are we rooting spouse killer. Is the One-Armed Man a patsy for Kimble’s crime? In case you’re curious, Ed Begley is the father of Ed Begley Jr.
“World’s End” gets twisted as Suzanne Pleshette, the daughter of Kimble’s defense attorney, claims the One-Armed Man just died in a fire. She wants Kimble to flee the country with her and give up on clearing his name. Is she really looking out for him or is she a famous killer groupie? Does it matter? It’s Suzanne Pleshette! “Man on a String” was directed by the recently departed Sydney Pollack. Kimble helps a woman fix her car on the side of the road. After they drive off, the cops discover her husband’s body nearby. Kimble can get her free, but that would involve him testifying in court. “Escape Into Black” puts Kimble in the hospital. He’s a victim of burns and amnesia when a diner’s kitchen blows up. Ivan Dixon (Hogan’s Heroes) is the doctor who figures out who the new patient really is. He talks Kimble into boarding a train that will take him to an eager Lt. Gerard (Barry Morse). Will the doctor recover his memory before he surrenders? “Devil’s Carnival” has Kimble lock horns with Warren Oates (The Wild Bunch).
The first fifteen episodes of The Fugitive‘s sophomore season keep up the tension and adventure. David Janseen knows how to make us see him as innocent even when all those around him view him as a guilty man. He’s compelling while hiding in the shadows of society. The downside of this collection is the replacement score. If you’re a casual fan of the show, this alteration shouldn’t prove too annoying. However the devoted of the series will be driven nuts by the new notes. It is a shame that another nasty music rights issue has prevented a series from being released in its original form on DVD. Is there no justice for The Fugitive?
The Episodes
“Man in a Chariot,” “World’s End,” “Man on a String,” “When the Bough Breaks,” “Nemesis,” “Tiger Left, Tiger Right,” “Tug of War,” “Dark Corner,” “Escape Into Black,” “The Cage,” “Cry Uncle,” “Detour on a Road Going Nowhere,” “The Iron Maiden,” “Devil’s Carnival” and Ballad for a Ghost.”
The videos is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers bring out the contrasts and details in the black and white image. The Dolby Digital mono audio mix is slightly off with the new under score not quite mixed at a proper level. It sticks out a little bit during certain scenes.
None.
The issue of score replacement make this an irritating box set for hardcore Kimble fanatics. There are quite a few great episodes on The Fugitive: Season Two, Volume 1. It’s easy to imagine viewers constantly thrown off by the digital cues. If you don’t care about the soundtrack, you’ll be able to properly enjoy it.
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CBS DVD presents The Fugitive: Season Two, Volume 1. Starring: David Janseen & Barry Morse. Boxset Content: 15 episodes on 4 discs. Originally Broadcasted: Sept. 15 – Dec. 29, 1964. Released on DVD: June 10, 2008. Available at Amazon.com
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