Customer Reviews

Naked City - Set 1 [TV-Series 1958-1963]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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!

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.

The gritty realism of police work filmed on location in the streets of New York, with terrific plots and great acting. One of my favorite shows from the golden age of television.

I am just very disappointed that Image Entertainment did not produce this show in complete season sets, as they did with The Twilight Zone. As it stands, there are 3 volume sets available that contain 12 episodes each and 6 additional sets that contain 4 episodes each. For a total of just 60 episodes of this great television drama. This show lasted 6 years and there were 137 episodes made. Less than half the episodes are available on DVD.

Excellent DVD's. Interesting characters and stories with old New York City as their fabulous co-star. As with other programs of the 50's and 60's such as the Fugitive and Route 66, you get a vision of America that is past but not forgotten. I give it 6 Stars.

Excellent! "There are 8 million stories in the naked city, THIS is one of them." Intellegently written and well acted the stories aren't about the cops, but what makes NYC NYC, the people. It's a blast to see NYC circa 1960. Unlike a lot of shows shot on Hollywood lots this is actually NYC. The buses, taxies, stores, streets, famous and not. NYC is as much the star as the actors! I even got a kick out of the commercials! They were every bit as bad as I remembered, and clearly illustrate why the government came up with truth in advertizing laws!

Not only does 'Naked City' take us back to the days of B&W TV. It
harkens back to a time when being a police detective (on TV) was
not nearly as glamorous or humourous as they're often made to seem today. Naked City was intended to give us (more or less) a
seemingly realistic look into the life of NY Police Detectives. O how the dress, mannerisms, (not to mention the cars) have changed over the years.

If you're looking for detectives dressed to the 'Nines' or driving their own classic autos.... then Naked City is not for you. But if on the other hand, you're truly interested in what a typical day in the life of a NY Police detective may have been like. Then Naked City is for you, it even comes with the series theme music, which once you've heard it. Will echo and reverberate in your mind for a life time!

I got this for the Shatner episode and ended up hooked on the show. There's so much here; fantastic cinematography of New York; early roles by excellent actors; great stories; fine music. It's not just a cop show, the stories are about the people. Also, the top 100 list of TV characters should have Detective Adam Flint and Lt.(?)Mike Parker somewhere, they are well-rounded, emotional characters in great contrast to modern police characters. Usually, I like sci-fi, but this is just great stuff for almost anybody at a nice price.

And thank you for continuing to release on DVD episodes of the greatest TV series of all time, bar none. Brilliant, masterful, stirring and inspired. This is what television can be, but so rarely is. Image rather modestly doesn't announce the added bonus of the original commercials this time, as well as the original interstitials; for network, sponsor and the show itself. All this looking brand spanking new, with great scripts, direction and guest stars. Some of the most powerful and intelligent drama one could hope for, with surprising unpredictability. More please.

Naked City is a tremendous TV show. I just bought this set and I haven't been able to put it down! Classic performances from Roddy McDowall, Jack Klugman, Maureen Stapleton and many others. I agree with the previous reviewer. Naked City is MUCH more than a typical police drama. It is an influential drama that really shows both sides of the crime: from the police point of view as well as the criminal. You see a lot of that in today's police dramas. I have all the Naked City DVD's that have come from Image Entertainment and they should be commended for bringing out this collection to a new generation.