89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Forgotten Masterpiece, May 4, 2005
This review is from: Naked City - Set 1 [TV-Series 1958-1963] (DVD)
When people of a certain age talk about the golden age of television, they mean television drama ("Lucy" aside, have you ever SEEN "My Little Margie"?). And, when they talk about drama they mostly talk about the live shows, Studio One, Kraft Theater, etc. But only a few talk about what was arguably the most consistently best drama series of all; the filmed-on-the-streets-of-New York "Naked City", and, if they do, they talk about it as if it were a cop show. Sure, the regular cast were all cops, and, sure, the kick-off for each episode was some sort of crime, but calling Naked City a cop show is like calling "Citizen Kane" a movie about newspapers. The real Naked City was a series of stories (each week one of "eight million") about people in extremis. There were (mostly) dramas, there were comedies, and, in keeping with its era, more than a few "Theater of the Absurd" pieces. Just watch the first episode in this box set, "The Fault in Our Stars", and be treated, not only to a masterful performance by Roddy McDowall as an actor who will, literally, kill to perform, but by some of the most intelligent writing and direction TV has EVER produced. Add to that what is easily the most realistic study of police work and you've got a sure winner. If you can watch this episode and NOT want to see them all, then my friend, you don't know what makes truly great TV!
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60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! These DVDs include the original commercials, May 10, 2005
This review is from: Naked City - Set 1 [TV-Series 1958-1963] (DVD)
Image doesn't even promote it on the packaging, but all 12 of these episodes include the original commercials. There are spots for Raleigh cigarettes, Bufferin, AC spark plugs, Listerine and many more. And, because Image went back to the original network prints to create these DVDs, they also include the original "Brought to you by..." billboards at the beginning and end of each episode.
I'm grateful to Image Entertainment for releasing NAKED CITY, and hope they'll release more episodes soon!
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A picture is worth 8 million stories, in the Naked City, August 19, 2006
This review is from: Naked City - Set 1 [TV-Series 1958-1963] (DVD)
Absolutely fabulous collection for any TV-phile. One of the great drama series form the fifties, this show featured many big stars of tomorrow before they were famous. The stories were thoughtful and dramtic. This is truly the forerunner of show like Hill Street Blues or NYPD Blue. Good acting in a great script and a black and white film noir style, WOW. As an added bonus, watch the original commercials. My favorite was the cigaretee with a filter made of tobacco! This is a lot of fun and enjoyment.
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