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A viewer's favorite from the get-go, McCloud applied country-to-city humor to the popular police-series formula that exploded on TV networks in the early 1970s. Although it would eventually become part of the three-way line-up on the "NBC Mystery Movie" schedule (where it rotated with McMillan & Wife and Columbo, the series pilot premiered (on September 16, 1970) as part of NBC's "Four-in-One" cycle of TV miniseries (Rod Serling's Night Gallery was also in that foursome), and its popularity quickly earned a regular network timeslot, first on Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. and later as the "Mystery Movie" threesome settled into a well-rated Sunday-night slot. To be sure, McCloud owed almost all of its success to the perfect casting of Dennis Weaver as Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud, of Taos, New Mexico, a good ol' boy crimefighter who spends the two-hour pilot ("Portrait of a Dead Girl") tracking a key witness who's escaped from his custody. This takes him to New York City, where the show's premise (involving McCloud's temporary assignment with Manhattan's 27th precinct, to "learn the methods of a large metropolitan police force") placed him at constant odds with his immediate superior, Chief Clifford (J.D. Cannon) as he partnered up with Sgt. Joe Broadhurst (Terry Carter, later on the original Battlestar Galactica) and pursued an on-and-off romance with Chris Coughlin (Diana Muldaur), a journalist who finds McCloud endlessly intriguing (not to mention newsworthy).
These characters are now far more appealing than the hoary plots that frequently found McCloud applying Southwest sleuthing to Big Apple crimes. Like McCloud himself, many of these 11 episodes are lanky and loose-jointed, and not quite as involving as nostalgic reverie might suggest. The first-season episodes are also the "condensed" versions, resulting from the subsequent combination (after their original broadcasts) of two original one-hour episodes into one 90-minute segment, hence the credits for two directors and two-layered plotlines in episodes like "Manhattan Manhunt," starring Richard Dawson as a Cockney-accented theater producer threatened by a would-be killer. (The second-season episodes are fully intact as originally shown.) And while the cost-cutting expediency of '70s TV production is painfully evident in cheesy process shots, blunt ADR recording, and oft-repeated stock footage, the tongue-in-cheek charm of McCloud remains fully intact, as Weaver adopts his signature line ("There ya go!") and commands his role with a gentleman's demeanor and a wry, fish-out-of-water perspective on big-city police work in episodes costarring a who's-who of '70s guest stars including Barry Sullivan, Nina Foch, Milton Berle, Stephanie Powers, Susan Strasberg, Bo Svenson, Sebastian Cabot, Susan Saint James (just prior to McMillan & Wife) and many more. The sight of McCloud navigating Manhattan's concrete canyons on a galloping horse was iconic in the playful spirit of the series: It makes no sense whatsoever, but with Weaver in the role, you bought it immediately and happily went along for the ride, which explains why McCloud aired for five enjoyable seasons until 1977. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
"There ya' go." Rustle up some action and adventure as police drama McCloud rides on to DVD for the first time ever! Emmy winner Dennis Weaver stars as the brave Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud, the toughest cowboy to ever take on the mean streets of New York, as well as the by-the-book detectives on the NYPD. Despite the demands of his strict supervisor, Chief Peter B. Clifford (J.D. Cannon), McCloud finds himself in an endless showdown with some of the meanest criminals east of the Mississippi. This amazing DVD set from the popular NBC Mystery Movie Series features all 11 thrilling episodes of McCloud Seasons 1 & 2 ' including the series' pilot, as well as a gripping bonus episode of the popular McMillan & Wife. Saddle up with entertaining guest stars including Milton Berle, Pat Morita, Stefanie Powers and more in the series that proved that sometimes all you need to solve a crime is a little good ol' country know-how.20
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86 of 89 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As the most fanatical McCloud fan in the world (I'll arm wrestle anyone who says I'm not) it is an understatement to say that I am delighted that the series has been issued on DVD--AT LAST! The three double-side DVD's, housed in sturdy slim cases, contain Seasons One and Two. The episodes are arranged in chronological order, with a filler episode of "MacMillan and Wife." The transfer has obviously been done with some care--the series has never looked so good on TV--one can even make out the texture of the tweed in McCloud's jacket. Despite some occasional graininess, it looks as if the series might have been filmed yesterday! There are Spanish and English subtitles, and each episode has a helpful and informative synopsis menu.
Are the episodes complete and uncut?...well, yes and no... First, the good news--Season Two appears to be uncut. Nowadays, when McCloud runs on TV, the first few minutes of "establishing scenes" preceding the opening credits are invariably omitted. Frequently, the "summing up" scenes at the end are cut, too. These are often really funny vignettes, such as McCloud roping a crook from a moving taxicab at the beginning of "Fifth Man in a String Quartet." Most of these scenes have not been shown on TV since about 1986. They usually contribute little if anything to the central story, and were obviously cut to allow more commercials. On the other hand, they contribute a LOT to the establishment of character. This is important--one of the strengths of the series was that it successfully managed the tricky mixture of believable character comedy and detective story--more in the subtle manner of "The Thin Man" rather than the situation comedy of "Barney Miller". Without this comic leavening, police dramas can become unbearably grim. It is absolutely wonderful to have these scenes back!
It's also great to have the pilot episode, which I don't recall seeing on TV since about 1985. Viewers will notice an inconsistency in Chris's account of how she first met McCloud. In the first episode of Season One, Chris says that she met him while vacationing in New Mexico. The pilot has it otherwise--their real first meeting was in New York--of course, this doesn't affect one's enjoyment.
Now, the bad news. Season One originally consisted of six one-hour episodes. UNIVERSAL studios later combined these into three one-and-a-half hour programs. Contrary to the misinformation disseminated from some internet sources, these DVD's give Season One only in this later, mutilated form. Maybe the original material no longer exists, or perhaps no one cared enough to search for it, or maybe UNIVERSAL thought no one would notice. Heaven knows how much good stuff we'll never see again.
I have never seen the first season in its original form (it's difficult to get to a TV exactly when you want to when one has been drafted into Army basic training). However, back issues of TV GUIDE are a valuable source of information. Doubtless, much must have fallen to the cutting room floor during re-editing. A case in point is episode two ("Horse Stealing on Fifth Avenue"), which was grafted onto episode four ("The Stage is All the World") producing a hybrid called "Manhattan Manhunt." The "horse stealing," which gives "Horse Stealing" its title, was completely removed, and all that remains is the subplot about a drugstore bandit.
Further observations: I don't understand the point (other than advertising) of including an episode of "McMillan and Wife." Surely there were more appropriate fillers, such as the sequel, "The Return of Sam McCloud," or maybe the episode of the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in which Weaver appears as himself filming an episode of McCloud, or "Murder Can Hurt You" in which Buck Owens delivers a McCloud parody as "Sheriff Tim McSky!" Even interviews with the cast about the making of the series would be nice--most of them are still around (update of 4/09--Weaver died a few years ago). A recent e-mail to UNIVERSAL inquiring about the exact contents of the DVD's and offering suggestions for fillers, elicited the reply that there were "no plans at present to issue this series on DVD." Make of THAT what you will...
Another caveat: check disk one carefully--I have already gone through two defective copies. On both, the second episode on side B ("Murder Arena")froze and refused to play any further. On the first copy, this occurred at about 36:00, and on the second, at about 49:00. I tried two different players, both recent Toshiba models, with identical results. Hopefully, Universal will correct this problem.
So, is this set worth your investment?--yes, definitely! Notwithstanding my agonizing about Season One, this is probably as close as we'll ever get to having McCloud on home video. Because of my disappointment about Season One, I had originally intended to give this release just four stars, but this series is too good for that. Indeed, I'd give it more than five stars if Amazon's rating system allowed it! That off my chest, it's great to have this excellent series in such a fine DVD transfer. Despite my complaints, I wouldn't be without it, and enthusiastically recommend McCloud to viewers who are unfamiliar with the series. Now, let's have the other five seasons (Three and Four should fit nicely onto three double-sided DVD's!)--hopefully, it won't take another 35 years!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IMPORTANT UPDATE! I share the pain of everyone who has been frustrated by the criminal neglect of this series at the hands of Universal. The good news is that the complete series has been liscensed to an Australian company called "Madman." Seasons 1-4 have already been released, and 5 is promised for October of 2011. Further good news is that Season 1 is in its ORIGINAL FORM of three 50 minute episodes. The bad news is that the discs are Region 4--Australia, et al.! WHY? Still, the easy way around it is a multi-region DVD player. The transfers look at least as good as the Unversal set, and the discs are single-side, not double side, so they are less prone to manufacuting errors. Unfortunately, copyright problems with the estate of Ricky Nelson forced trimming the few snippets of his songs out of "The New Mexico Connection," but at least that's better than the Scandinavian releases, which omit the episode altogther.
Are the episodes complete and uncut?...well, yes and no... First, the good news--Season Two appears to be uncut. Nowadays, when McCloud runs on TV, the first few minutes of "establishing scenes" preceding the opening credits are invariably omitted. Frequently, the "summing up" scenes at the end are cut, too. These are often really funny vignettes, such as McCloud roping a crook from a moving taxicab at the beginning of "Fifth Man in a String Quartet." Most of these scenes have not been shown on TV since about 1986. They usually contribute little if anything to the central story, and were obviously cut to allow more commercials. On the other hand, they contribute a LOT to the establishment of character. This is important--one of the strengths of the series was that it successfully managed the tricky mixture of believable character comedy and detective story--more in the subtle manner of "The Thin Man" rather than the situation comedy of "Barney Miller". Without this comic leavening, police dramas can become unbearably grim. It is absolutely wonderful to have these scenes back!
It's also great to have the pilot episode, which I don't recall seeing on TV since about 1985. Viewers will notice an inconsistency in Chris's account of how she first met McCloud. In the first episode of Season One, Chris says that she met him while vacationing in New Mexico. The pilot has it otherwise--their real first meeting was in New York--of course, this doesn't affect one's enjoyment.
Now, the bad news. Season One originally consisted of six one-hour episodes. UNIVERSAL studios later combined these into three one-and-a-half hour programs. Contrary to the misinformation disseminated from some internet sources, these DVD's give Season One only in this later, mutilated form. Maybe the original material no longer exists, or perhaps no one cared enough to search for it, or maybe UNIVERSAL thought no one would notice. Heaven knows how much good stuff we'll never see again.
I have never seen the first season in its original form (it's difficult to get to a TV exactly when you want to when one has been drafted into Army basic training). However, back issues of TV GUIDE are a valuable source of information. Doubtless, much must have fallen to the cutting room floor during re-editing. A case in point is episode two ("Horse Stealing on Fifth Avenue"), which was grafted onto episode four ("The Stage is All the World") producing a hybrid called "Manhattan Manhunt." The "horse stealing," which gives "Horse Stealing" its title, was completely removed, and all that remains is the subplot about a drugstore bandit.
Further observations: I don't understand the point (other than advertising) of including an episode of "McMillan and Wife." Surely there were more appropriate fillers, such as the sequel, "The Return of Sam McCloud," or maybe the episode of the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in which Weaver appears as himself filming an episode of McCloud, or "Murder Can Hurt You" in which Buck Owens delivers a McCloud parody as "Sheriff Tim McSky!" Even interviews with the cast about the making of the series would be nice--most of them are still around (update of 4/09--Weaver died a few years ago). A recent e-mail to UNIVERSAL inquiring about the exact contents of the DVD's and offering suggestions for fillers, elicited the reply that there were "no plans at present to issue this series on DVD." Make of THAT what you will...
Another caveat: check disk one carefully--I have already gone through two defective copies. On both, the second episode on side B ("Murder Arena")froze and refused to play any further. On the first copy, this occurred at about 36:00, and on the second, at about 49:00. I tried two different players, both recent Toshiba models, with identical results. Hopefully, Universal will correct this problem.
So, is this set worth your investment?--yes, definitely! Notwithstanding my agonizing about Season One, this is probably as close as we'll ever get to having McCloud on home video. Because of my disappointment about Season One, I had originally intended to give this release just four stars, but this series is too good for that. Indeed, I'd give it more than five stars if Amazon's rating system allowed it! That off my chest, it's great to have this excellent series in such a fine DVD transfer. Despite my complaints, I wouldn't be without it, and enthusiastically recommend McCloud to viewers who are unfamiliar with the series. Now, let's have the other five seasons (Three and Four should fit nicely onto three double-sided DVD's!)--hopefully, it won't take another 35 years!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IMPORTANT UPDATE! I share the pain of everyone who has been frustrated by the criminal neglect of this series at the hands of Universal. The good news is that the complete series has been liscensed to an Australian company called "Madman." Seasons 1-4 have already been released, and 5 is promised for October of 2011. Further good news is that Season 1 is in its ORIGINAL FORM of three 50 minute episodes. The bad news is that the discs are Region 4--Australia, et al.! WHY? Still, the easy way around it is a multi-region DVD player. The transfers look at least as good as the Unversal set, and the discs are single-side, not double side, so they are less prone to manufacuting errors. Unfortunately, copyright problems with the estate of Ricky Nelson forced trimming the few snippets of his songs out of "The New Mexico Connection," but at least that's better than the Scandinavian releases, which omit the episode altogther.
48 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
A previous reviewer -- who didn't like this series -- described McCloud as "a Texas cop come to the Big Apple." I can't take this dismissive review seriously because this reviewer clearly knew very little about this outstanding series in which Dennis Weaver played a deputy marshall from Taos, New Mexico -- not Texas. The reviewer got the Big Apple part correct, though, since McCloud was on temporary assignment to the New York police department for several seasons.
Personally I loved this series because McCloud was the ultimate maverick, rescuing people and solving cases by ingenuity, persistence, and courage with little concern for the fine print in the rules. My three favorite TV adventure series were Maverick, McCloud, and Remington Steele. Fortunately, McCloud and Remington Steele are scheduled to be available on DVD shortly. If you liked one of these series you may also like the others, as I do.
Personally I loved this series because McCloud was the ultimate maverick, rescuing people and solving cases by ingenuity, persistence, and courage with little concern for the fine print in the rules. My three favorite TV adventure series were Maverick, McCloud, and Remington Steele. Fortunately, McCloud and Remington Steele are scheduled to be available on DVD shortly. If you liked one of these series you may also like the others, as I do.
27 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
In the 1970, NBC had a Sunday mystery movie wheel. Columbo, McCloud, McMillian and Wife were the staples. After its successful openning it spawn Quincy and later Hec Ramsey (a Western mystery series which was the last series Richard Boone did for TV and not available yet on DVD!). This also spawned a Wednesday mystery wheel which didnt fare as good.
McCloud took his cue from Clint Eastwood's Coogan Bluff (1968).Eastwood was offered to play Coogan for the future NBC Mystery Movie Wheel , but turn down doing another TV series.
Universal revamp Coogan to the talents of Dennis Weaver. And McCloud was born. This fish outta water detective who spoke country wisdom, using his country ways and laid-back approach to nab the bad guys and never gave up. The show was a hit for both Weaver and NBC. McCloud stayed with Columbo and Millian to the end of the series in 1977.
McCoud was assigned to the detective bureau headed by Chief Peter B. Clifford. One of the highlight of the show was McCloud was a foil to his chief, played richly by the late J.D. Cannon.
I am glad this show made in to DVD. However put more McCloud out soon. I want the John Denver episode from season five. Where most of Denver's dialog is the word "Far out!"
The addition of a McMillian and wife episode is NICE, but why use one that is on the McMillian DVD set? They should have released a show from third or fourth season. And there isnt a Dennis Weaver interview or audio commentary on this collection
So CHIEF, adios and lets Universal DVD fill the McCloud well back up soon
Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD
McCloud took his cue from Clint Eastwood's Coogan Bluff (1968).Eastwood was offered to play Coogan for the future NBC Mystery Movie Wheel , but turn down doing another TV series.
Universal revamp Coogan to the talents of Dennis Weaver. And McCloud was born. This fish outta water detective who spoke country wisdom, using his country ways and laid-back approach to nab the bad guys and never gave up. The show was a hit for both Weaver and NBC. McCloud stayed with Columbo and Millian to the end of the series in 1977.
McCoud was assigned to the detective bureau headed by Chief Peter B. Clifford. One of the highlight of the show was McCloud was a foil to his chief, played richly by the late J.D. Cannon.
I am glad this show made in to DVD. However put more McCloud out soon. I want the John Denver episode from season five. Where most of Denver's dialog is the word "Far out!"
The addition of a McMillian and wife episode is NICE, but why use one that is on the McMillian DVD set? They should have released a show from third or fourth season. And there isnt a Dennis Weaver interview or audio commentary on this collection
So CHIEF, adios and lets Universal DVD fill the McCloud well back up soon
Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Watching a real tv star of the 70s
I forgot how entertaining the mystery of the week was. McCloud was more than a bumpkin, underestimate him and you were through!
Published 1 month ago by Robert Jensik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Show.
McCloud is a great police show. I love how he is so smart and can figure out things the city cops cannot.
I wish there were other seasons available on DVD.
I wish there were other seasons available on DVD.
Published 2 months ago by Ione
3.0 out of 5 stars
McCloud Detective Series
Interesting watch for detective show buffs, but also warrants attention as it is a program showing the transition of t. Read more
Published 2 months ago by jerrilee
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK transfer
McCloud had an interesting premise. The transfer is hard to hear and not is good as some of the other Detective flicks now on DVD. Not my favorite series but I am glad I have it.
Published 2 months ago by D. Nichols
4.0 out of 5 stars
always liked this series so ordered ot
enjoyed trhis series the chemistry betwwen the actors and the writing/storylines so ordered it and have very much enjoyed it
Published 4 months ago by Wyatt P. Wilson
1.0 out of 5 stars
defective disc
Disc one was defective and would not play on dcvd player or computer. This studio release is as cheap as it gets with the episodes on both sides of the dvds. Read more
Published 4 months ago by James E. Mueller
5.0 out of 5 stars
McCloud season one and two.
McCloud , starring one of America's favorites, Dennis Weaver as Sam McCloud, is really a good series. It shows some of Dennis's unique ability for acting. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Blue Bird
5.0 out of 5 stars
McCloud As You Remember Him
As all of the other reviews have stated, you are getting a chopped up Season 1, but if you are a Dennis Weaver fan and love the McCloud series it is well worth it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Hank Charleston
5.0 out of 5 stars
McCLOUD WAS GREAT
WE LOVED THESE DVD'S. BROUGHT BACK GREAT MEMORIES OF DENNIS WEAVER. THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE GREAT DETECTIVE SHOWS ON TV NOW.
Published 14 months ago by Eileen Merkel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cowboy in the city
When Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud (Dennis Weaver), of Taos, NM, captures a fugitive wanted in New York City, he isn't counting on being told off to escort his prey back East ("'F... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Chrijeff
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