Customer Reviews

Kojak - Season One

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

KOJAK was the best new series of 1973-74. Telly Savalas deserved his Best Actor Emmy for his portrayl of Lt. Theo Kojak, NYPD. The first season boasts 23 of the best one hour teleplays-dramas in the history of television. Authentic atmosphere and locations (the first season was shot primarily in NYC before shifting to L.A.) gave the premiere season a unique look absent in the following years. The first rate scripts by Jack Laird, Halstead Wells, Mort Fine and Gene Kearney were amplified by stellar performances by Savalas, Kevin Dobson (who came from the Long Island Railroad and stock to play Detective Bobby Crocker), George Savalas (Telly's brother, who went under the nom-de-gere Demosthenes for 2 seasons) and Dan Frazier. The guest stars were also outstanding, most noteable: Harry Guardino (DEAD ON HIS FEAT), Jackie Cooper (LAST RITES FOR A DEAD PRIEST), Tina Louise (DIE BEFORE THEY WAKE), Harvey Keitel (SIEGE OF TERROR) Paul Michael Glasser (DOWN A LONG AND LONLEY RIVER, which also features Jennifer Aniston's father, John, as mobster Albert Dansek) and a very young James Woods (DEATH IS NOT A PASSING GRADE). Telly was the man and he made the character his own: the charm, the ethnicity, the custom made suits. The first season of KOJAK continues to rank the best of the series 5, especially with the John Cacavas soundtrack of Season 1. FYI: What was to become Telly's signature line ("Who loves ya?") debuts in DIE BEFORE THEY WAKE. Without a doubt, we all loved you Telly!!!!

This is a warning to anyone who buys multiple set DVDs. There could be a problem with "sticking" (the picture freezes or skips) with these DVDs. When ever you buy a multiple DVD set (or any DVD for that matter), quickly view or fast foward through all of the DVDs to make sure that there are no defects on any of them.

I believe that, unfortunately, the makers of these products are just out to make a quick buck, so they just rush, crank 'em out as quickly as possible, not worried so much about the quality of the final product.

As for the Kojak shows themselves, in my opinion, they're excellent. The show plots, dialog, and action (and Telly Savalas) are worth the price of the DVDs themselves (and the shots of '70's New York are priceless!!). The picture quality is good, although I do have to turn up the volume a bit to hear the sound. You can read more indepth reviews of "Kojak" on this site.

I brought these DVDs in March of this year and just a few days ago found out that there was a defect on one of them, on the third (3 of 3) DVD, of course! I didn't suspect anything wrong with the set, since while I have only a few DVDs, none of them have had this "sticking" problem. I was taking my time, watching one episode about one to three times every month after having just brought them. Then I get to the third DVD, episode 19 to be exact, and near the end, Kojak freezes, then about 5 minutes later (after a few tries to get it to play) skips to the end credits, freezes a few more times, then ends. And it was soooo good up until this point! And I can't return it because its waay after the 30 day return period. sh*@t!!

Again, check the DVDs you buy right away. You don't want to be stuck with a DVD you can't watch.

but Universal, as usual, blows it when it comes to releasing their shows. One season and no more, two sided discs, non original music, yep that's Universal. We can only hope another company will get the rights to produce a quality product.

This complete first season DVD set of Kojak is wonderful. There are no extras, but the episodes are complete and uncut. Really takes me back to my teen years in the 70s. I loved this show along with Hawaii Five-O and other classics of the era. Sadly, the movie length pilot for Kojak, entitled The Marcus-Nelson murders, is not included with the Season One release. It is also an excellent Kojak story and Telly Savalas had already set the tone for the character in the pilot. Hopefully all the Kojak seasons will be released in complete sets. Would love to see the pilot released as an extra with a future complete season set.

"Kojak" is one of the best of the "Golden Age" of the the television detective which was the 1970's.
Telly (actually "Aristoteles"} Savalas is a fine actor who
up until he got this series was simply a good character
actor who played "heavies". Here he really comes into his own playing the gruff lollipop-loving New York City Police Lieutenant who deep down has a heart of gold and while being seemingly tough and cynical really cares about his men and wants to rid the world of evildoers.
What is special about this series as compared to the others
of the same period are the especially lush, colorful sets used and the views of New York City
both from ground level as well as from the air. Even tenement dwellings are shown with a lot of detail, so much thought and expense was given by the producers and directors to make the shows a pleasure to watch. My only negative comment, which
makes me give it only a 4 star rating instead of 5, is that
the clues and leads come very quickly which sometimes makes it
difficult to follow the plot and prevents development of
potentially interesting characters, which is the strong suit
of others series from the same period such as Columbo (who had 1.5 to 2 hours in which to fill out the story unlike Kojak who had only an hour) or The
Rockford Files. In any event, I hope that this outstanding series will become available in DVD.

I was absolutely mesmerized by this DVD. I almost felt like I was back in the 70's watching the most manly man that ever lived. The quality of the visual and audio is fantastic, clear and crisp, and I spent this entire day viewing the first DVD. If you love 70's detective shows and you want to feel transported back in time, you must have this set. Telly Savalas is at his best. Some of the fashions for the men anyway would look good right now.

I have recently been turned onto this show by the Hallmark Channel's "Mystery Sunday" (MacMillan & Wife, Banacek, Kojak, Hawaii 5-0). Since I was in pre-school when this show originally aired, it is wonderful to watch as an adult to see a slice of the 70s. NYC looks so much nicer back then, sleaze & all. Sure, some of the scripts are iffy & the acting occasionally over the top, but it is such a fun show!!

Who loves ya baby? We do! Let's get this series released on DVD ASAP!!

I am only interested ina a LEGITIMATE reason
the PILOT aired as a 3 hour TV movie
(Yes, it runs over3 hours!)and
a brilliant pilot it was- entitled
THE MARCUS NELSON MURDERS is NOT
included? And for everyone's
information it was produced
by Universal. They own it,. and yet
they fail to give us the Pilot.
That pilot was realistic and shot
not far from where I gew up
In East new York. There
are scenes of streets
and streets and streets
of burned out buildings.
Does anyone REMEMBER
when most of Brooklyn
was burned out?

Maybe they considered
this pilot in some
way 'racist" or
politically incorrect.
Yet if you WATCHED
the pilot (I have
a POOR quality VHS tape
of it). It is neither
racist nor even politcally
incorrect. It is a solid
writing. A great mystery
plot and introduction
of KOJAK.
Again..SHAME on UNIVERSAL.

***PLEASE RELEASE THE REST OF ALL THE SEASONS! - Come on what are you waiting for??? - This was the greatest Dectective show in History.

I have been enjoying season one of KOJAK and now I know why I don't enjoy today's TV shows. KOJAK takes you back in time when there is mystery, thrills and even comedy rolled all into one drama show. The reference to sex is subtle and not overly exposed. It is the type of show where you and the entire family can sit down and enjoy without holding your breath about the next sexual reference of foul language sprewing out. There is murder, but nothing compared to today's blood and guts. I throughly recommend this series and hope ther will be a future release of seasons 2 and 3.