Customer Reviews

McCloud - Seasons 1 and 2

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

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

Rustle up some action and adventure as Police drama McCLOUD (1970-1977) rides on DVD for the first time ever ! Emmy winner Dennis Weaver (1924-2006) stars as brave deputy Marshal Sam McCloud , the toughest cowboy to ever take on the mean streets of New York -as well the by-the-book detective of the NYPD . Despite the demands of his strict Supervisor , Chief Peter B . Clifford (J.D Cannon 1922-2005) McCloud finds himself in an endless showdown with some of the meanest criminals east of the Missisippi . This amazing DVD set from the populare NBC MYSTERY Series featured all 11 thrilling episodes of McCloud season 1 and 2 -includes the series Pilot -as well as a gripping bonus episodes of the populare McMILLAN & WIFE . saddle up entertaining guest stars including : Milton Berle 1908-2002 , Pat Morita 1932-2005 , Stefanie Powers 1942 - , and more in the series that proved that sometimes all you need to solve a crime is a little good old country know-how ! . Buy this movie and go back to the good old days . High Quality Transfer . Recommended . Universal Studios Home Entertainment has released Seasons 1 & 2 of McCloud on DVD in Region 1. It is unknown if the remaining seasons will be released at some point.

A fun mystery series, "McCloud" was re-edited by Universal taking six 60 minute episodes and making them into three 90 minute episodes for syndication. What we have here is the syndicated version which means that footage has been cut from the episodes as they combined various episodes into one 90 minute TV movie. The show in its original format would have earned five stars for its best episodes. The original elements for the series has to exist but Universal just elected not to bother and find them and/or restore them to their original length. That's too bad as it indicates a much larger problem that seems to exist at Universal's marketing department-they just don't care. It's just product for them. Warner Home Video actually takes pride and adds extras and commentaries to most of their TV on DVD releases. They actually bring value to fans. Universal, on the other hand, has only started adding more extras recently to select titles but keeping most bare bones. I'm not so sure about season two because I haven't seen many of these in years but the first season I do recall seeing in syndication and noticing footage missing. We do get the pilot episode as well which is a big plus.

Looks like "McCloud" knocked the dust off his boots when he arrived on DVD. While there's some analog artifacts in the form of dirt, etc. that are evident in this transfer, the episodes look extremely good in an unforgiving format. Could they have been cleaned up a bit? Frankly, yes but their presentation is pretty solid overall. There is some digital artifacts evident but it's not a huge amount. The colors have faded a bit but overall given the age of the series "McCloud" looks pretty good. The mono sound doesn't offer much opportunity for improvement but that's fine as the dialog is clear and the music, despite occasional distortion, sounds good.

Universal is doing its cross promotional thing again as they did with "Sliders: Season Three"/"Earth 2"/"Cleopatra 2525" where episodes from other genre related shows were put on as an extra. It's a pretty cheap extra and clever marketing I just don't think it's good value for customers. Given that most of the main actors are still alive, it's a pity that there's no retrospective documentary or discussion of the popularity of this series. Weaver can be a charming storyteller and Muldaur captivating. I'm sure if both were asked to revisit one of their popular successes they'd be willing to do so.

I got my set on August 9 and was delighted with it. I remember the show from it's origional run back in the early 70's, but I'd forgotten many of the details of the shows that made them fun. Dennis Weaver is really cool as McCloud, and being from the SW myself, I like seeing a virtuous western lawman hold his own with NY's finest. The scenes shot in NYC are fascinating to me as I've never visited. In one episode the unfinished second tower of the World Trade Center is very visible beside the one that was finished at the time. I enjoyed seeing the familiar faces of actors I'd seen in other Universal shows, especially a very young Randolph Mantooth, Vince Howard, James McEachin, Raul Julia, Gregory Sierra, just to name a few. J.D. Cannon was also perfect as the long suffering Chief Clifford. I also like Terry Carter as McClouds's sometimes reluctant partner, but I loved the wry barbs that Sgt. Thatcher ,(James McEachin) and McCloud exchanged in The Disposal Man episode. The dvds are sharp and clear, the captioning is nice, I enjoy this type of show so much more than the modern cop shows, I recommend it highly, especially the first two seasons that are in this set.

It is indeed very nice to be able to watch this fantastic series in the best quality format. However, I must agree with the other reviewers here who commented on the fact that the first season has been badly hacked. For some of you who may read this, but not understand what we mean, here's the poop.
On September 16, 1970 NBC unveiled a new series called "Four in One." It was comprised of four mini-series:
1. McCloud
2. San Francisco International Airport
3. Night Gallery
4. The Psychiatrist
Each mini-series ran for a period of six consecutive weeks. Then they were rerun on a rotation basis. They aired on Wednesday nights from 10:00 - 11:00.
"McCloud" went on to the "Mystery Movie" series, "San Francisco International Airport" left the air with the "Four in One" series as did "The Psychiatrist." "Night Gallery" spun off into it's own series.
On disc one, the "Four in One" episodes appear in 90 minute form, combining two 60 minute episodes. What a bummer!
It would have been really great to see the original "Four in One" opening. I seem to remember a square with a black background, and they did something with the square, moving it around or having it morph into other things or something, it's really hard to remember because it was so long ago and I was all of 7 years old at the time. But, I seem to remember it stopped with a 4 in the box, making it look to my young mind like a child's block.
Same with the "Mystery Movie" opening. Remember the guy (looked like McCloud to me) walking slowly toward the camera with a flashlight, shining it from side to side as shots for each element of the series would flash up? All the while that really neat whistling theme played. TV still had some pretty neat things at that time.
Still, I'm glad to have this set. But, it would have been really nice to have the original openings and more importantly, the first season in its unaltered form.

Producers, are you listening?

We want all the remaining seasons of McCloud. The current DVD set of seasons 1 and 2 has only served to wet our appetite. The later seasons include some of the funniest scenes of McCloud ever. First, there is McCloud investigating a stolen car ring that specializes in luxury cars. McCloud goes undercover to investigate, and then starts stealing cars himself, then calls Chief Clifford on the phone and says "Chief, I just stole my first car"!

Next episode, McCloud takes an unauthorized trip to Rome Italy, and then calls Broadhurst from there. Broadhurst then runs in the Chief's office and shouts "McCloud is on the phone, he is calling from Rome." Chief says, "Rome New York?" Broadhurst says, "No, Rome Italy". Chief grabs the phone and shouts "McCloud, what are you doing in Italy". Later, the same thing happens, except this time from London England.

Next episode, McCloud is somewhere out west, again undercover, in a bar room with a bunch of crooks sitting at a table, when Chief Clifford (who was desperately looking for him) walks in the door. Just as Chief Clifford yells out "McCloud"....Dennis Weaver jumps up from the table (still trying to conceal his cover to the crooks) and yells out 'Who You Callin Loud" and decks the Chief hard in the face. A big fight results, the sheriff jumps in and says "All right, who started this" Someone else yells out "He Did" and points to the unconscious Chief Clifford lying on the floor!

There were other episodes with John Denver, including a duet with them both singing.

Please bring back all of the later seasons. We want them. Thanks

McCloud (introduced as the first segment of "4 in 1") was very entertaining. Okay, it was a bit corny, but it was not meant to be graduate level philosophy. Some of the episodes, like "Somebody's out to get Jenny" were really good. The show had some cool guest stars too. I was ecstatic when I saw McCloud listed as "coming soon" in one of those catalogs they pack in the TV show season boxes. ... Doug

McCloud is a very entertaining series along with the two mystery tv series (Columbo and McMillan and Wife)...I'm so relieved that McCloud is coming out on DVD along with Columbo:Third Season and McMillan and Wife: First Season...be willing to get all three when they are released on August 9th. Keep those NBC Mystery Mystery TV Shows coming on DVD....