Customer Reviews

Whispering Smith - 25 Episodes - starring Audie Murphy

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I took a bit of a chance in buying this set, firstly, as I don't remember anything of this television series when I was younger, and secondly, I hadn't bought anything from Timeless Media Group before, and the low price is usually indicative of the saying, "you get what you pay for." After viewing a few episodes of "Whispering Smith" I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. The video quality is good, not excellent, but definitely more than just "watchable." There is a very slight jittery quality to the picture, and the contrast is on the bright/faded side, but overall it's a decent picture. The audio quality is somewhat muffled and I have to crank it up louder than usual but that is to be expected, as I am sure it's because Timeless Media Group has used older-generation prints. There wasn't any effort to remaster this series, which is unfortunate. Regardless, because of my satisfaction of this title I am considering buying other Western television reissues from Timeless Media Group, as these shows would otherwise probably never see the light of day on DVD.

Yep, this was an obscure western series from 1959-60, but it waited until late in the 1960-61 season when it finally made its debut, because of one problem after another. First, Guy Mitchell, the singer-actor who played George Romack, broke his shoulder falling from a horse, therby halting production for several weeks, enabling Audie Murphy to do a movie. Sam Buffington, who played Smith and Romack's boss Capt. John Richards comitted suicide in May 1960, guess he wasn't happy doing the series. When Whispering Smith did make it to the air in May 1961, it was met with low ratings, critical dismissal, and lambasted by politicians in a Senate subcommittee on TV violence, so this show met its demise in September 1961, leaving five episodes unaired.
But now, its all here in this 3-DVD collection from TMG, the quality is quite good, similar their earlier releases of other classic shows like Riverbaot, The Tall Man, etc. under license from NBC Universal, and Audie Murphy excels in the title role as a Denver Police detective. Mitchell does a fine job as Romack, for their was good chemistry between these characters. It is not quite as violent as you would think, for there is way more violence in TV and movies today then there was then. So pick up a copy of this 'lost' video sagebrush saga, and see for yourself what this show was all about.

I took a chance on purchasing this set. I love Audie Murphy movies. I do not remember this series, but was not disappointed. The stories & content are great. Some of the episodes did lack clarity for the picture. Overall pleased with the set and was glad of my purchase. If you truly like Audie Murphy you will like this series and Guy Mitchell as his side kick was a treat. You will also find a young Robert Redford & Richard Chamberlin just a couple of guest stars that made a big name for themselves in later years.

This Western detective series has heart, comedy in the form of a sidekick that can even sing, and I liked it better than the Gunsmoke Series. I wanted more. If you like Tales of Wells Fargo, you will like this. My teen age girls liked it too. The good guys have courage, think though a problem, and Whispering Smith keeps the good guys from jumping to conclusions. Good entertainment the whole family can watch.

Audie Murphy.... something unviewed by the public for 50 plus years. Audie was trying to break into the Television westerns in the 50's this stayed unaired to the public for 2 years hitting the airwaves in the Summer of 1961 two years after these episodes were made. Audie wanted quality scrips the idea was 86 episodes we got 25. This boxset was more then I expected I rate it 5 stars. You need to see it for what it is. If you like Audie Murphy you will like this. I bought it I love it. Wish there was more seasons.

Enjoyed this series allot.Being an AUDIE MURPHY fan from years ago,I thought the reproduction to DVD reasonably good,allowing for the age, and black and white .Occasional sound problems, but still very watchable.Recommended for enjoyment.

Although I'm a big Audie Murphy fan, this TV series caught me by complete surprise, as I was only aware of his movies. This was an intelligently-written show, and even the less-rewarding episodes are well-done, with Murphy showing both intelligence and bravery in his role. Those who dismiss Murphy as a real-life hero that managed to have a decent film career are missing the point. Murphy was a superb actor who was unfortunately quite pigeon-holed into playing the hero, but there are subtleties in his many performances that show he could hold his own with many of the more-famous stars of the day. And as one who personally know (or knew) many of Murphy's co-stars, I can state that all of them felt he was an excellent actor who seldom received the recognition he should have. "Whispering Smith" is different from many westerns of the era because the title character is a detective who uses his brains as much as his brawn, and it's very surprising that series had trouble due to its violence. Murphy only uses his fists or his gun as a last resort, and there are many instances when he doesn't get to that last resort. The supporting characters are solid, and many of the guest stars are movie favorites (Les Tremayne, Lori Nelson, Audrey Dalton) who add to the fun. My one disappointment is that the series did not go on for another few seasons, because it deserved to be a hit. I'm halfway through the season and not looking forward to finishing it, because there will be nothing more to look forward to. And it's too good to put it aside to stretch it out a bit. Even those who aren't Audie Murphy fans should get a lot of pleasure out of this fine, mostly-forgotten, television show.

Even though I was a fan of Western TV shows and movies throughout the late 50's and mid-60's, I do not recall Whispering Smith. I was a fan of Audie Murphy though, until his early tragic death in 1971. But, I must say, I find this western series a solid 5 stars. Mostly more for its fantastic scripts, and realism played into the characters seen in this too short series. Hard to believe this series was castigated for its extreme violence in 1961. I find it about on par with the violence in Have Gun Will Travel, and yet HGWT lasted a long time. If you like early westerns like HGWT, Wanted: Dead or Alive, The Rifleman and such, you will enjoy this series. I watched it way too fast, with no more episodes to look forward to. Guess I will watch it again!

This is what 'good entertainment' is made of. Very well written episodes and excelient performers to act the parts. This western is as good as 'Gumsmoke' and should had lasted longer than 25 episodes. The video and audio quality is good, but could have been better. I particularity liked the episode were Jim Davis was the guest star. If you like western, this is for you.

This 3 DVD set contains 20 episodes with Audie Murphy playing Detective Tom Smith
of the "Denver Police Force".
There is a bonus feature: "Medal Of Honor The Audie Murphy Story".
One episode of "Whispering Smith" features Robert Redford as a kind of early Sundance Kid
facing up to Audie Murphy.