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The Fugitive Recaptured: The 30th Anniversary Companion to a Television Classic

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"The Fugitive Recaptured" was published in 1993, thirty years after the TV series, "The Fugitive", premiered on network television in 1963.

This volume, by Ed Robertson, is just about all a "Fuge" fan could want in order to find out everything you'd need (or want) to know about this excellent TV drama, which was on the air for 4 complete seasons (120 episodes from 1963 to 1967).

The book features an "Introduction" by horror author Stephen King, plus a "Foreword" by Fugitive co-star Barry Morse, who portrayed police Lieutenant "Philip Gerard", star David Janssen's chief rival and nemesis during the course of the series. A chapter detailing the origins and conception of the series is also, of course, included here. Interesting stuff too.

Within these 208 pages, each and every episode of "The Fugitive" is dissected and examined in detail -- including cast lists, writing and directing credits, episode numbers, original air dates, episode descriptions, and verbatim "Prologue" and "Epilogue" text (the exact words spoken by series' narrator William Conrad at the beginning and end of each episode).

Many fun "Fuge Facts" are also revealed for many of the 120 episodes. These "Facts" are bits of little-known trivia that make this volume an even more enjoyable read.

In addition -- This book includes extended chapters on the series' Pilot episode ("Fear In A Desert City") and the two-part final episode ("The Judgment"), which remains to this day one of the highest-rated TV programs in the history of the medium.

There is also an "Appendix" area of the publication, with "Appendix 2" consisting of some very interesting trivial facts and data concerning every Fugitive episode -- including every single "alias" that was used by "Dr. Richard Kimble" during the whole run of the series. This appendix is useful to mega-fans of the series, as it also contains information about the "Location" (City/State) of each episode, as well as Kimble's "Occupation" on each show. Example --- Episode 31 had Kimble pretending to be "Frank Borden"; Occupation: "Dishwasher"; Location: "Harrisburg, Pennsylvania".

Many top-notch black-and-white photos are also scattered throughout this paperback publication, mainly publicity stills.

"The Fugitive" (1963-1967) is one of the best TV dramas ever put on the boob-tube. The long-running cat-and-mouse game between Dr. Richard Kimble (David Janssen) and the police officer who let him get away, Philip Gerard (Barry Morse), provided some of the finest tension-filled moments ever aired on television.

"The Fugitive Recaptured" does, indeed, "recapture" the magic that surrounded this first-class piece of television entertainment.

Very Highly Recommended.

I can certainly add my kudos to Ed Robertson for his labor of love in this book commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the famous television program. This work brings to life the entire four years that the series ran on network television, and gives the reader the feeling that he was actually "on location" with the cast and crew as they produced this first-rate series. Each episode is fully documented with full credits for the director and all principal actors in the series. The episode synopsis give the reader a feeling of being on the run with the Fugitive. The opening and closing narration for each episode certainly sets the tone for each nights program.

If you are a fan of this great television series, then this book is certainly for you. I highly recommend it.

Mr. Robertson has written a book that was done with an obvious love of the subject matter. Though he admits he discovered David Janssen via his post-Fugitive "Harry-O" series, his thorough research makes this a "must read" for Fugophiles. I was truly impressed by the celebrity interviews. Barry Morse and Stephen King were excellent frontline introductions that certainly legitimized this meticulous account of this classic Television series. Insights from the guest cast ranging from Richard Anderson to Carol Rosser as well as show creator Mr. Huggins were truly informative. However, it is Mr. Robertson who has set the tone of this labor of love by concentrating on what fans of "The Fugitive" want and should remember. This is not a tell all scandal written anthology, rather it is a reminder that this was and is a classic that will endure.

Certain television shows were so enormously popular during their original runs that they have been reincarnated more than once. THE FUGITIVE is one such drama. When Dr. Kimble began to run in 1963 in a three partnered minuet with Lt. Gerard and Fred Johnson, the American viewing public was so enamored of the chase that they refused to accept the judgment of THE JUDGMENT (the series finale) that the running had indeed stopped. Ed Robertson in his THE FUGITIVE RECAPTURED analyzes just what it was that made millions of Americans tune in every Tuesday night to watch Kimble run from one man only to pursue another. Robertson captures the essense of the spirit not just of the show but also of the social subtext of the show. In his Fuge Facts and plot synopses, Robertson well delineates the motivation of a doctor who, in his forced travels, became a collective Keroukian ON THE ROAD, with every watching viewer able to tap into the flip side of the American Dream, that out there in every dusty small town and bustling big city lay adventures that we could not aspire to but Kimble could. Roberston reviews every episode, judges its intrinsic worth, provides the needed Kimble trivia of both character and actor, and adds a handy list of names that Kimble used over a four year run. This list resembles a phone directory of a small town that Kimble must have passed through more than once. Reading THE FUGITIVE RECAPTURED made me think of the follow up success of the filmed version with Harrison Ford and the less succeessful small screen run of Tim Daly. It is not likely that the latter two will ever be considered worthy contenders for a pantheon of running heroes, but Robertson's literary paean to David Janssen serves as a perpetual reminder that for a spirit of a character or of an age to be recaptured, then that spirit must have been worthwhile in the first place. Robertson's book will not let Kimble ever run far enough or fast enough to escape our notice.

The Fugitive is perhaps the best drama series ever on television. And this book deserves five stars. I have the book in front of me, and it contains everything you would want: the origin of the show, a full synopsis of each episode, tidbits of many of the episodes, stories on the guest stars, quotes from Barry Morse,even an appendix of memos and notes. If you're a Fugitive fan, it makes no sense to not own this book

THE FUGITIVE - RECAPTURED by ED ROBERTSON is an outstanding book, solid research and excellent writing by ED ROBERTSON.

THE FUGITIVE, created by ROY HUGGINS, Produced by QUINN MARTIN, starring DAVID JANSSEN as "Dr. Richard Kimble" and BARRY MORSE as Lt. Philip Gerard had been turned down by CBS abd NBC as "not a good fit" for Television. Against the advice of senior executives, LEONARD GOLDENSON, CEO of the troubled ABC Television Corp. took a chance.

THE FUGITIVE was an instant hit in Prime Time television, airing from September of 1963 to the record-setting, two hours cliamx, "THE JUDGEMENT", airing on August 29, 1967.

Thirty-one years after his death, DAVID JANSSEN remains in the minds and hearts of millions of his fans as "THE FUGITIVE". Mr. Robertson pays tribute not only to David Janssen and Barry Morse, but to every Writer, Director and a host of Guest Stars who made "THE FUGITIVE" a show enjoyed not only by the fans of the original production, but generations who became fans in the world-wide re-runs and syndication. David Janssen himself often attributed the show's success to his fellow actors, Writers, Directors and every member of the crew who worked tirelessly to make every episode the best of its' time.

THE FUGITIVE-RECAPTURED, is a look back on the thirtieth anniversary of the award winning, ground-breaking and record setting production. This is a book I would highly recommend to every fan of DAVID JANSSEN's and "THE FUGITIVE".

Of course, I am biased. David Janssen was a friend of mine.

Michael Phelps

Author Ed Robertson has assembled a wonderful homage to a cult classic. The Fugitive Recaptured was released concurrent with the re-release of The Fugitive series on A&E in 1993. The book is a labor of love, weaving the vision of series creator Roy Huggins, the near unanimous opposition of the shows premise (by network execs.), right to the selection of star David Janssen. According to series producer Quinn Martin, some 50 prominent actors in Hollywood were considered for the role, but Janssen was THE choice. Being a poker buddy of the producer didn't hurt either.

The book is teeming with production information, interviews with co-stars
(Barry Morse & Jacqueline Scott) as well as guest stars (Ed Asner & Carol Rossen, e.g.), episode synopsis, and numerous photos. All in all, the book makes for an interesting frolic down memory lane.

I also have a copy of Mel Proctor's book "The Official Fan's Guide To The Fugitive". It serves as a nice "running buddy" to Robertson's account. Buy one or both of these books, if you dare to be "recaptured".

Accurate and interesting tracing of show's concept, production, scripts, and acting, with plenty of tidbits about Kimble's character and behind-the-scenes activities. A welcome jewel for the library of show afficianados, nicely augmenting videos of the episodes. I treasure this like I do THE TWILIGHT ZONE COMPANION.

This book was a long time in coming! Lesser shows were given exposure in the bookstores long before Robertson's expose of all things Fuge came around. Not only is the history of the show outlined, but you have a broad synopsis for each episode, interviews with involved actors and producers, etc. The inclusion of articles and cartoons that were released during the show's spectacular run make it even more of a historical perspective. Robertson's labor of love paid off. This is a must for all "Fuge" fans!

WONDERFUL. VERY NICE AND CLEAN. WAITING FOR NEXT ONE. THIS IS JUST WHAT I EXPECTED IT WOULD BE. VERY HELPFUL IN WATCHING THE DVD'S