Crime TV

Law & Order: The Complete Series on DVD

2011-10-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD in November: Law & Order: The Complete Series

OWN YOUR COMPLETE LIBRARY OF THE LONGEST RUNNING CRIME DRAMA IN THE HISTORY OF TELEVISION
LAW & ORDER"THE COMPLETE SERIES
NOVEMBER 8, 2011

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY IN A STUNNING 104-DISC DVD BOX SET,INCLUDING NEVER-BEFORE-RELEASED SEASONS AVAILABLE FOR THEFIRST TIME EVER FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

"Law & Order," the longest-running crime drama in the history of television, tied with "Gunsmoke" as the longest running drama series ever, is available in its entirety November 8, 2011 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. With plotlines ripped from the headlines, this landmark multi-Emmy award-winning series is not simply a beloved television drama, but also a slice of the American cultural landscape. Through 20 explosive seasons, the devoted New York City crime-fighters and prosecutors of "Law & Order" have set the gold standard for dramatic crime-solving.

"Law & Order" The Complete Series gives fans the chance to follow every investigation from the discovery of the body to the final verdict, since the series' 1990 beginning, on 104 discs available November 8, 2011 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. This unprecedented collection includes 11 full seasons that have never been released on DVD until now. Recapture every compelling case from this incredible series featuring an incomparable ensemble cast and dozens of electric guest stars all packaged in a beautiful 20-season, 104-disc collector's box set. "Law & Order" The Complete Series also includes an exclusive collectible episode guide, as well as hours of exciting bonus material including deleted scenes, featurettes, cast interviews and more, on select seasons.

From Executive Producer and Series Creator Dick Wolf, architect of the most successful brand in the history of primetime television, "Law & Order," the series has featured an all-star cast including Sam Waterson ("I'll Fly Away"), Jerry Orbach (Dirty Dancing), Dennis Farina (Out of Sight), Chris Noth ("Sex and the City"), S. Epatha Merkerson (Lackawanna Blues), Steven Hill (The Firm), Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas), Benjamin Bratt (Traffic), Angie Harmon ("Rizzoli & Isles"), Elizabeth Rohm ("Heroes"), Jesse L. Martin (Rent), Fred Dalton Thompson (Secretariat), Jill Hennessey ("Crossing Jordan"), Jeremy Sisto ("Six Feet Under"), and Anthony Anderson (The Departed), among others.

SYNOPSIS: The Emmy-winning series Law & Order is the longest running crime series of all time and now is available in a complete collection worthy of its iconic status. This incredible set includes every powerful hour made from Law & Order's 20 years on NBC and comes with an exclusive and collectible episode guide. For twenty seasons, Dick Wolf's Primetime series, produced by Wolf Films and Universal Media Studios, has covered the dedicated New York City police who investigated crimes and the district attorneys who prosecuted the offenders. Known for its hard-hitting, ripped-from-the-headlines style, the series showcased the talents of numerous illustrious stars from stage, film and television. Rediscover Law & Order's intelligent writing and the riveting acting that inspired a brand of successful dramas that continues to captivate audiences around the globe.

BOX SET BONUS FEATURES

DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES
THE CREATION OF LAW & ORDER: An Interview with Dick Wolf about the creation of the series
PREVIEW OF LAW & ORDER INTERACTIVE GAME
LAW & ORDER: THE FIRST THREE SEASONS
JERRY ORBACH TRIBUTE: Highlights from his time on the show with comments from recent "Law & Order" cast members, as well as "Trial By Jury." Also includes commentary about Jerry from past cast members such as Dann Florek and Chris Noth
JERRY ORBACH PROFILE: Commentary from Jerry Orbach, as well as clips from season three as he talks about the cast, characters and stories of Law & Order
AMERICA'S TOP SLEUTHS
HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET CROSSOVER EPISODES
JESSE L. MARTIN PROFILE: An in depth one on one interview where he speaks about growing up, how he got into acting and much, much more
FRED THOMPSON PROFILE: An intimate sit down interview with the Senator where he speaks about how he became a part of the show
SET TOUR WITH JERRY ORBACH: Jerry Orbach takes the viewers on a walk thru the set. Showing all the ins and outs of the set
INTERVIEW WITH FORENSIC SCIENTIST PARK DIETZ
CAST MEMBER PROFILES

Street Date: November 8, 2011
Copyright: 2011 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Aspect Ratio: Full Screen 1.33:1 and Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1

Coming to DVD: Mission: Impossible - The '88 TV Season

2011-10-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD on November 29: Mission: Impossible: The '88 TV Season

Peter Graves reprises his role as Jim Phelps, the brilliant and charismatic leader of the Impossible Missions Force. Summoned out of retirement, Phelps organizes a new team of IMF agents in order to carry out dangerous and complex assignments. The revival of the classic, award-winning spy show that launched the blockbuster film franchise debuts on DVD with its first explosive season! 5 disc set -- released in time for the December theatrical debut of the Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol film -- includes all 19 first-season episodes introducing the new IMF team. Guest stars include: John de Lancie (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Parker Stevenson (The Hardy Boys), Maud Adams (Octopussy), Lynda Day George (Mission: Impossible).

Mystery TV Themes: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE

Buy Online:
Mission Impossible: The 88 TV Season
Mission: Impossible - Complete Series

Complete BARNEY MILLER on DVD October 25

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD this October: Barney Miller: The Complete Series

Airing on ABC primetime from 1974-1982 and seen by millions, “Barney Miller” is a situation comedy television series set in a NYC police station in Greenwich Village. Captain Barney Miller is the kind of cop we'd all like to meet. He somehow manages to maintain order over a group of inner-city detectives who gamble for a hobby, get hit on by anything in skirts, go to renaissance philosophy conventions for fun, and would really prefer to be writing. These colorful characters worked together to make one of the funniest sitcoms ever and is cemented in classic TV status.

Special Features
* 32-page commemorative book
* New interviews with cast (Linden, Gail, Vigoda)
* First season of the spin-off show, Fish, starring Abe Vigoda
* Original unaired pilot
* Writers commentary on select episodes

Related: Mystery TV Themes: BARNEY MILLER

Complete MCMILLAN & WIFE on Oct 18

2011-10-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

Now you can take a nostalgic trip back to 70 s California-cool with the highly-anticipated DVD release of this timeless whodunit series featuring one of prime-time TV s most loved on-screen couples! The complete set of all 6 seasons in one box set. San Francisco Police Commissioner Stewart McMillan and Sally, Mac's zany, but discerning wife, form a one-of-a-kind crime-fighting duo that solves some of the city s most baffling and peculiar cases.

Buy Online: McMillan & Wife: Complete Series Box Set

IT TAKES A THIEF on DVD November 15

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD this November: It Takes A Thief: The Complete Series

Alexander Mundy (Robert Wagner) is the world's greatest cat burglar...until the day he gets caught. But thievery skills are an asset in the world of espionage, so Mundy is pardoned when he agrees to use his wily ways to help steal for the U.S. Government. Stars six-time Golden Globe nominee Robert Wagner in his TV debut.

All three seasons of the hit ABC television show available for the first time ever in an 18-disc collectible box. The star-studded guest lineup includes the likes of Fred Astaire, Bette Davis, Peter Sellers, Raymond Burr, Susan Saint James, Bill Bixby, Ricardo Montalbon, Joseph Cotton, Roddy McDowall, Julie Newmar, and many more. Bonus features include: A retrospective featurette, a new Robert Wagner interview, the feature-length "Magnificent Thief" pilot, an interview with producer Glen A. Larson, collectible photo book, limited-edition reproduction of a 35mm film frame, an exclusive four-piece coaster set, and a collectible booklet with retrospective essay.

Buy Online: It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series

More links:
Opening Theme: IT TAKES A THIEF
Mystery TV Themes: HART TO HART

KOJAK: SEASON TWO on DVD

2011-09-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

At long last, Kojak: Season Two is available on DVD:

Telly Savalas returns as the lollipop-packing dapper detective Theo Kojak in another unforgettable season of the renowned mystery series. Season Two features Lieutenant Kojak laying down the law in homicide cases involving organized crime, terrorists, drug traffickers, a serial bomber and a killer multimillion-dollar thief in an investigation that sends Kojak undercover as a Greek millionaire. Whether he’s utilizing his irresistible charm or bending the rules to catch a murderer, you can always bet that Kojak will close the case.

Created by Emmy and Academy Award winning writer Abby Mann, Kojak ran for five seasons on CBS from 1973 1978 and remains a legendary series among homicide dramas. All 25 Original Season Two Episodes

Buy Online:
Kojak - Season One
Kojak: Season Two

Related Link: Opening Theme: KOJAK

Perry Mason: Season Six, Vol. 1

2011-09-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD in October is the first half of the sixth season of Perry Mason (out of nine seasons total). Raymond Burr stars as the attorney who specializes in defending seemingly indefensible cases. With the aid of secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale) and investigator Paul Drake (William Hopper), Mason often finds that by digging deeply into the facts, startling facts can be revealed. Often relying on his outstanding courtroom skills, he often tricks or traps people into unwittingly admitting their guilt.

Perry Mason: Season Six, Vol. 1 includes the first 14 episodes from the 1962-63 season:

"The Case of the Bogus Books"
"The Case of the Capricious Corpse"
"The Case of the Playboy Pugilist"
"The Case of the Double-Entry Mind"
"The Case of the Hateful Hero"
"The Case of the Dodging Domino"
"The Case of the Unsuitable Uncle"
"The Case of the Stand-In Sister"
"The Case of the Weary Watchdog"
"The Case of the Lurid Letter"
"The Case of the Fickle Filly"
"The Case of the Polka Dot Pony"
"The Case of the Shoplifter's Shoe"
"The Case of the Bluffing Blast"

Buy Online:
Perry Mason (50th Anniversary Edition)
Perry Mason - Season One, Vol. 1
Perry Mason - Season One, Vol. 2
Perry Mason - Season Two, Vol. 1
Perry Mason - Season Two, Vol. 2
Perry Mason - Season 3, Vol. 1
Perry Mason - The Third Season - Vol. 2
Perry Mason: Season 4, Vol. 1
Perry Mason: Season Four, Vol. 2
Perry Mason: Season Five, Vol. 1
Perry Mason: Season Five, Volume 2
Perry Mason: Season Six, Vol. 1
Perry Mason: Season 6 V.2

NEW TRICKS Season 5 on DVD Sept 27

2011-09-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

Fifth season of the smash hit U.K. crime series debuts on DVD
NEW TRICKSSeason 5 on DVD September 27, 2011

"Mysteries are top notch, twisty and ingeniously solved…Great fun"—PaperMag
"Cutting-edge Brit TV"—The Guardian
"Well crafted, well acted"—Mail on Sunday

Silver Spring, Md —Returning with more sharp writing, dry humor, and engrossing mysteries, New Tricks: Season 5 debuts on DVD from Acorn Media on September 27, 2011. Starring Amanda Redman (Sexy Beast), Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney, Circles of Deceit), Alun Armstrong (Garrow’s Law, Bleak House, Patriot Games), and James Bolam (The Beiderbecke Affair), New Tricks follows a team of semi-retired and somewhat curmudgeonly detectives as they reinvestigate cold cases. The series has run on the BBC for seven seasons since 2003 with an eight season currently in production, and has enjoyed ongoing broadcast exposure in North America on public television, garnering fans on both sides of the Atlantic for its compelling stories, likeable characters, and a top-notch cast. The DVD 3-Disc Set includes all eight episodes from Season 5, plus a bonus behind-the-scenes featurette.

“The most popular program on British TV” (Daily Mail) returns with more old-school crime solving and witty banter. Superintendent Sandra Pullman (Amanda Redman) and her team of aging cops tackle cold cases abandoned by the Metropolitan Police. Each detective has a fair share of personal demons: Jack Halford (James Bolam) is haunted by his wife’s murder. Gerry Standing (Dennis Waterman) has a troubled relationship with his daughter. Brian Lane (Alun Armstrong) battles the bottle, and Sandra seeks the truth about her family’s shady past.

Season 5 guest stars include Claire Bloom (The King’s Speech), James Fox (A Passage to India), David Troughton (The Norman Conquests), and Ronald Pickup (The Rector’s Wife).

Buy Online:
New Tricks: Season One
New Tricks: Season Two
New Tricks: Series Three
New Tricks: Season Four
New Tricks: Season 5

Opening Theme: DANGER MAN (1960-1962 and 1964-1968)

2011-09-19T07:47:00.001-05:00

The British espionage series Danger Man, starring Patrick McGoohan as secret agent John Drake, ran as a half-hour series 1960-62. It was revived as a one-hour series 1964-68, and retitled Secret Agent when it aired in the U.S. The original "The Danger Man Theme" and "High Wire" themes were composed by Edwin Astley. The U.S. theme "Secret Agent Man" was composed by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, and recorded by Johnny Rivers.

Danger Man Opening

Danger Man Theme - Edwin Astley Orchestra - 1965 45rpm

Secret Agent Man Intro Theme Song (Johnny Rivers)

Danger Man TV Preview

Buy Online:

Opening Theme: IRONSIDE (1967-1975)

2011-09-19T07:17:00.000-05:00

Theme by Quincy Jones. Series starring Raymond Burr.

Ironside Opening Theme - Main Version

Quincy Jones - Ironside (Original Version, Good Quality)

Buy Online:

Opening Theme: THE FUGITIVE (1963-1967)

2011-09-19T07:08:00.000-05:00

"The Fugitive" Original TV Series Intro

The Fugitive Second Season

The Fugitive Final Episode Opening

Buy Online:

Opening Theme: ADAM-12 (1968-1975)

2011-09-19T06:58:00.000-05:00

Adam-12 1st Season Opening

Adam-12 Season 4 Opening

Adam-12 Season 7 Opening Credits

Adam-12 Promo (Long Version)

Buy Online:

Opening Theme: MR. AND MRS. NORTH (1952-54)

2011-09-18T16:12:00.000-05:00

Buy Online:

The Best of James Bond

2011-09-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

I just created a page that has all the James Bond songs in one place: Guide To James Bond Songs. It includes videos of all the films' main title sequences, plus offers you a chance to vote for your favorite Bond song, your favorite John Barry score, debate John Barry vs. David Arnold, and more! Please come visit -- and vote!

Coming to DVD: Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer: The Complete Series (1958)

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD on Sept. 20 -- the 1958 series Mickey Spillanes Mike Hammer: The Complete Series, starring Darren McGavin.

New York City. 1958. In these concrete canyons, everybody s got an angle: The beauty with the sob story who killed her old man. The harmless geezer who s in bed with the mob. The kidnapped broad who s really a fraud. When a case gets too twisted for the cops, only one man can straighten it out: two-fisted gumshoe Mike Hammer.

Created by legendary crime novelist Mickey Spillane, Mike Hammer was brought to television for the first time in 1958, with Darren McGavin (Kolchak: The Night Stalker, A Christmas Story) as the hard-boiled private eye. The show was, instantly successful in part, to McGavin s tongue-in-cheek charm.

Here for the first time on DVD is the complete 78-episode run of the groundbreaking series MICKEY SPILLANE'S MIKE HAMMER, featuring the original jazz theme, Riff Blues and an unforgettable cast of con-men, crooks, killers and femmes fatale played by such notables as Angie Dickinson, Ted Knight, Barbara Bain, Marion Ross, Dick Van Patten and Robert Vaughn.

Buy Online: Mickey Spillanes Mike Hammer: The Complete Series

New on DVD: POLICE STORY (1973)

2011-09-11T20:12:00.000-05:00

Now available on DVD is the first season of anthology crime drama Police Story (NBC, 1973-1978). Created by former policeman Joseph Wambaugh, the anthology series during its run generated three spin-offs: Police Woman, starring Angie Dickinson; Joe Forrester, starring Lloyd Bridges; and Man Undercover, starring David Cassidy.

About the new DVD set: Created by ex-cop-turned-author Joseph Wambaugh (The Onion Field), Police Story is an anthology series detailing the lives of LAPD officers in a collection of realistic and gritty accounts of what it meant to be a cop in 1970s Los Angeles. The series became the archetype for many critically acclaimed shows that followed, including Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and Homicide: Life On The Street.

The series distinguished itself from its predecessors by a multidimensional portrayal of its protagonist: these cops were flawed, not cartoonlike heroes. From week to week, gripping episodes addressed difficult issues such as police corruption and the stresses and hell that can come with leading a cop’s life.

With no regular cast, the show featured different stars each week, as well as a rotating acting ensemble including James Farentino (Jesus Of Nazareth), Tony Lo Bianco (The French Connection), Don Meredith (NFL Monday Night Football), Laraine Stephens (Matt Helm) and Vic Morrow (Combat! ). Season One stars included Ed Asner, Lloyd Bridges, Angie Dickinson, Dean Stockwell and Kurt Russell. All 21 Original Episodes from 1973-74.

Buy Online:
Police Story
Police Woman - The Complete First Season

25 Crime Movies on MST3K

2011-09-07T10:49:00.005-05:00

The long-running television series Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–1999) regularly mocked old movies with monsters and aliens and the like. However, some episodes found Joel or Mike and the robots heckling the occasional bad movie about gangsters, robbers, and other criminal activity. As such, we present the following list:

25 Crime Movies on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (in order of airdate)

01 Movie: The Corpse Vanishes (1942)
MST3K Episode 105 (Dec 1989)
Mystery and horror film starring Bela Lugosi as a mad scientist who injects his aging wife with fluids from virginal young brides to preserve her beauty. A journalist and a small town doctor investigate.

02 Movie: Untamed Youth (1957)
MST3K Episode 112 (Feb 1990)
Two hitchhiking sisters are sentenced to 30 days labor at a cotton farm run by the corrupt county government. Starring Mamie Van Doren.

03 Movie: Catalina Caper (1967)
MST3K Episode 204 (Oct 1990)
Two college boys enjoy Catalina Island sunshine, scuba diving, and beach "bunnies", while another boy's con-artist parents scheme to sell a stolen scroll. Starring Tommy Kirk with Lyle Waggoner.

04 Movie: Wild Rebels (1967)
MST3K Episode 207 (Nov 1990)
A retired race car driver, talked into going undercover by the police, joins a biker gang and must serve as the getaway car driver.

05 Movie: The Hellcats (1968)
MST3K Episode 209 (Dec 1990)
After a cop is killed by a drug boss, his fiancée and his brother join a drug-running woman-led biker gang to uncover the boss's operation and get justice.

06 Movie: Daddy-O (1959)
MST3K Episode 307 (Jul 1991)
A drag-racing crooner investigates his friend's death and becomes a courier for drug dealers.

07 Movie: Master Ninja I (1978, 1984)
MST3K Episode 322 (Jan 1992)
Two episodes of the 1984 television series The Master, edited together: An American ninja and his pupil defend an airport owner from businessmen and a corrupt sheriff; then defend a nightclub owner from thugs. Starring Lee Van Cleef and Tim Van Patten.

08 Movie: Master Ninja II (1978, 1984)
MST3K Episode 324 (Jan 1992)
Two more episodes of The Master strung together to make a "movie." This time, the protagonists help a tuna cannery union organizer, and save a Senator's daughter from terrorists.

09 Movie: Indestructible Man (1956)
MST3K Episode 409 (Aug 1992)
Convicted robber and murderer Butcher Benton is executed -- and then revived by a researcher who claims the body and subjects it to massive jolts of electricity. Benton sets out for revenge against the men who betrayed him. Starring Lon Chaney, Jr.

10 Movie: The Beatniks (1960)
MST3K Episode 415 (Nov 1992)
A leader of a gang of delinquent teens is heard singing along with a jukebox at a greasy spoon and gets the chance to be a star. His gang, resentful of his success, threaten to ruin his career.

11 Movie: The Rebel Set (1959)
MST3K Episode 419 (Dec 1992)
A coffeehouse owner wants to knock off an armored car, and gets three losers to help him. Starring Edward Platt.

12 Movie: Swamp Diamonds, a.k.a. Swamp Women (1956)
MST3K Episode 503 (Jul 1993)
Four women break out of prison, hoping to recover a cache of stolen diamonds. Starring Beverly Garland and Mike Connors. Directed by Roger Corman.

13 Movie: I Accuse My Parents (1944)
MST3K Episode 507 (Sept 1993)
A young man gets mixed up with a crime syndicate and blames his inattentive parents.

14 Movie: The Girl in Lovers Lane (1960)
MST3K Episode 509 (Sept 1993)
A drifter and a rich-kid runaway become involved with a small town waitress. When she's found murdered, the drifter is blamed.

15 Movie: Mitchell (1975)
MST3K Episode 512 (Oct 1993)
A slovenly cop pursues drug traffickers. Starring Joe Don Baker, with Martin Balsam, John Saxon, Linda Evans, and Merlin Olsen.

16 Movie: Teen-Age Strangler (1964)
MST3K Episode 514 (Nov 1993)
A serial murderer stalks teenagers in a small town.

17 Movie: Teen-Age Crime Wave (1955)
MST3K Episode 522 (Jan 1994)
After breaking out of prison, young fugitives hold a family hostage in a small farmhouse.

18 Movie: The Violent Years (1956)
MST3K Episode 610 (Oct 1994)
The spoiled daughter of a well-to-do newspaper editor organizes a gang of bored young women like herself. The gang robs gas stations and terrorizes a local lovers' lane.Screenplay by Ed Wood, Jr.

19 Movie: Bloodlust! (1959)
MST3K Episode 607 (Sept 1994)
Two couples on a boating trip land on an uncharted island, where they find themselves in the clutches of a man whose hobby is hunting both animals and humans.

20 Movie: Racket Girls (1951)
MST3K Episode 616 (Nov 1994)
A small-time gangster who manages women's wrestlers must dodge both the police and the mob. Real life wrestlers Peaches Page, Rita Martinez, and Clara Mortensen appear as fictional versions of themselves.

21 Movie: Red Zone Cuba, a.k.a. Night Train to Mundo Fine (1966)
MST3K Episode 619 (Dec 1994)
An escaped criminal stumbles upon a desolate Army post, takes part in the Bay of Pigs invasion, then goes in search of ore. Directed by and starring Coleman Francis. Cameo by John Carradine ... who also performs the film's opening song, "Night Train to Mundo Fine."

22 Movie: Angels' Revenge (1979)
MST3K Episode 622 (Mar 1995)
Six women fight drug dealers. With Jim Backus, Jack Palance, Alan Hale, Jr., Pat Buttram, and Arthur Godfrey.

23 Movie: The Brute Man (1946)
MST3K Episode 702 (Feb 1996)
A murderer seeks revenge against the people he holds responsible for the disfigurement of his face.

24 Movie: The Girl in Gold Boots (1968)
MST3K Episode 1002 (Apr 1999)
A girl from rural California goes to Los Angeles to work as a go-go dancer. There, she and her friends get involved with drug dealers.

25 Movie: Final Justice (1984)
MST3K Episode 1008 (Jun 1999)
A Texas sheriff winds up on Malta in pursuit of the criminal that killed his partner. Starring Joe Don Baker.

Related links:
Mystery Science Theater 3000: A Primer
Mystery Science Theater: The Musical
Official Website: Mystery Science Theater 3000
Satellite News: The Official Mystery Science Theater 3000 Fan Site
MST3K Wiki

Peter Falk (1927-2011)

2011-07-06T15:09:00.000-05:00

Peter Falk, 83, died June 23 at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Crime TV fans know him well for 30 years portraying rumpled genius detective Lt. Columbo. The role, which earned him four Emmy Awards, originated in 1968 with Prescription: Murder. His final performance as the detective was in 2003's Columbo Likes the Nightlife.

In his long acting career, Falk performed in many films. A sampling includes: Murder Inc. (1960), Pocketful of Miracles (1961), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), Robin and the 7 Hoods (1964), Murder by Death (1976), The Brink's Job (1978), The Cheap Detective (1978), The In-Laws (1979), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), The Princess Bride (1987), Wings of Desire (1987), Faraway, So Close (1993) and Made (2001).

More: Peter Falk was Columbo and a whole lot more: a career-spanning appreciation (Entertainment Weekly)
Opening Theme: NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO) (Crime TV)

MANNIX: THE FIFTH SEASON coming July 5

2011-06-03T21:24:00.000-05:00

Coming to DVD this summer is the fifth season (1971-72) of classic P.I. series Mannix, starring Mike Connors and Gail Fisher:

The popular, long-running detective drama returns to DVD! MANNIX, the show about a tough and cynical private investigator, stars Golden Globe winner Mike Connors as the title character. Mannix is a hard-boiled and gritty detective who constantly defies rules and regulations and is able to take all the fist fights, high-speed car chases and bullet wounds that come his way in stride. Collectible 6 disc-set includes all 24 action-packed fifth season episodes.

This Fall: PERSON OF INTEREST

2011-05-23T06:00:00.003-05:00

Coming to the CBS fall schedule: PERSON OF INTEREST stars Jim Caviezel, Emmy Award winner Michael Emerson and Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson in a crime thriller about a presumed dead former-CIA agent who teams up with a mysterious billionaire to prevent violent crimes by using their own brand of vigilante justice. Reese's (Caviezel) special training in covert operations appeals to Finch (Emerson), a software genius who invented a program that uses pattern recognition to identify people about to be involved in violent crimes.

This Fall: Sarah Michelle Gellar is THE RINGER
This Fall: The GRIMM Facts

This Fall: Sarah Michelle Gellar is THE RINGER

2011-05-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Buffy star Sarah Michelle Gellar returns to TV this fall as The Ringer: A troubled young woman on the run from the mob hides out by inhabiting the life of her wealthy twin sister -- who, she discovers, also has a price on her head. The series will air on CW.

This Fall: The GRIMM Facts

2011-05-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Coming this fall to NBC, Grimm is a cop show with a twist:

Grimm is a new drama series inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales. Remember the fairy tales your parents used to tell you before bedtime? Those weren’t stories -- they were warnings.

Nick Burkhardt (David Guintoli Turn The Beat Around) thought he prepared himself for the realities of working as a homicide detective until he started seeing things he couldn’t quite explain. When his ailing Aunt Marie (guest star Kate Burton, Grey’s Anatomy) arrives, Nick's life turns upside down when she reveals they are descendants of an elite group of hunters, also known as “Grimms,” who fight to keep the balance of humanity safe from the supernatural creatures of the world. As Nick digs deeper into her past, he realizes that he will have to shoulder the responsibility of his ancestors -- and contend with a larger-than-life mythology of the Brothers Grimm that is now all too real.

Russell Hornsby (Lincoln Heights), Bitsie Tulloch (Quarterlife), Silas Weir Mitchell (Prison Break), Reggie Lee (Persons Unknown) and Sasha Roiz (Caprica) also star. Grimm is a production of Universal Media Studios and Hazy Mills Productions. Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner (Hot in Cleveland) serve as executive producers, Jim Kouf (National Treasure, Angel) and David Greenwalt (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel”) are the creators/executive producers and Marc Buckland (“My Name Is Earl”) is the director.

Matlock: Season Two (1987-1988)

2011-02-07T06:00:00.001-06:00

Matlock - The Second Season

Episodes:
01. "The Billionaire"
02. "Blind Justice"
03. "The Annihilator"
04. "The Husband"
05. "The Power Brokers: Part 1"
06. "The Power Brokers: Part 2"
07. "The Network"
08. "The Best Friend"
09. "The Country Boy"
10. "The Gift"
11. "The Gambler"
12. "The Body"
13. "The Reunion"
14. "The Gigolo"
15. "The Umpire"
16. "The Investigation: Part 1"
17. "The Investigation: Part 2"
18. "The Hucksters"
19. "The Lovelorn"
20. "The Genius"
21. "The Magician"
22. "The Fisherman"
23. "The Heiress"

Related links:
Opening Theme: MATLOCK
10 Senior Sleuths on TV
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010
Retirement is Murder: 10 Senior Sleuths
Still Kicking: 10 More Senior Sleuths

Matlock: Season One (1986-1987)

2011-01-31T06:00:00.002-06:00

Matlock - The First Season

Episodes:
01. "Diary of a Perfect Murder" (pilot)
02. "The Judge"
03. "The Stripper"
04. "The Affair"
05. "The Seduction"
06. "The Don: Part 1"
07. "The Don: Part 2"
08. "The Sisters"
09. "The Cop"
10. "The Angel"
11. "The Professor"
12. "Santa Claus"
13. "The Chef"
14. "The Author"
15. "The Rat Pack"
16. "The Nurse"
17. "The Convict"
18. "The Court Martial: Part 1"
19. "The Court Martial: Part 2"
20. "The Therapist" (First Appearance of Cassie Philips)
21. "The People vs. Matlock"
22. "The Photographer"
23. "The Reporter"
24. "The Doctors"

Related links:
Opening Theme: MATLOCK
10 Senior Sleuths on TV
150+ Mystery Series: 1841-2010
Retirement is Murder: 10 Senior Sleuths
Still Kicking: 10 More Senior Sleuths

'Honey West' star Anne Francis (1930-2011)

2011-01-04T21:28:00.001-06:00

Actress Anne Francis died Sunday (Jan. 2, 2011) due to complications of pancreatic cancer. She was at a retirement home in Santa Barbara, California.

Related links:
Anne Francis, Hollywood beauty known for 'Honey West,' 'Forbidden Planet' (Washington Post)
Anne Francis, TV and Film Actress, Dies at 80 (New York Times)
Goodbye, Honey: Writer Remembers Anne Francis As Pioneering TV Female (Pop Eater)
'Forbidden Planet' star Anne Francis passes away at 80 (Catholic Online)

Opening Credits HONEY WEST (ABC, 1965-66)

Watch The Pink Panther Story free online

2010-12-27T20:29:00.000-06:00

This documentary examines the making of The Pink Panther movies starring Peter Sellers, directed by Blake Edwards and with music by Henry Mancini. Offering behind-the-scenes info on the genesis of the series -- one of the funniest movie franchises in history -- the documentary includes several interviews, including extensive comments from Edwards. Watch it online free, courtesy of Hulu:

The Pink Panther Story

PSYCH: Fresh to death nicknames

2010-11-26T06:00:00.005-06:00

Funny promo for Psych, stringing together several of the bizarre undercover nicknames that (fake) psychic detective Shawn Spencer gives to partner Burton Guster and, sometimes, to himself:

USA - Psych: Nick Names

Related links:
PSYCH vs. THE MENTALIST
Check out this nifty PSYCH widget
Watch PSYCH episodes free online!
Watch CASTLE episodes free online!
MONK: Mr. Monk and the Computer
Thrill of it All: Detectives: SHAWN SPENCER and "GUS" GUSTER (Psych) by William Rabkin
Thrill of it All: Detectives: ADRIAN MONK by Lee Goldberg

PSYCH vs. THE MENTALIST

2010-11-19T20:21:00.001-06:00

Below, you'll find dueling clips from PSYCH (USA Network, 2006) and The Mentalist (CBS, 2008). Both are mystery series that star detectives with sharpened mental skills who are able to fake psychic powers.

More info: Just the FAQs: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About 'Psych' (TV Squad)

PSYCH on USA Network - The Mentalist Spoof

PSYCH on USA Network - The Mentalist Spoof - Funny videos are here

The Mentalist Teaser Trailer

Related links:
Check out this nifty PSYCH widget
Watch PSYCH episodes free online!
Watch CASTLE episodes free online!
MONK: Mr. Monk and the Computer
Thrill of it All: Detectives: SHAWN SPENCER and "GUS" GUSTER (Psych) by William Rabkin
Thrill of it All: Detectives: ADRIAN MONK by Lee Goldberg

Space Precinct: The Complete Series on DVD

2010-11-18T19:14:00.001-06:00

Hitting retailers Nov. 23 is Gerry Anderson’s Space Precinct: The Complete Series, available as a 5-DVD set or for Digital Download. From the creator of Space 1999, Thunderbirds and UFO, Space Precinct chronicles of two cops battling the cosmic criminals that menace their new world.

Lieutenant Patrick Brogan (Ted Shackelford), a veteran of New York’s mean streets, and his rookie partner Officer Jack Haldane (Rob Youngblood) have been transferred to the planet Altor -- where it is their job to protect the law-abiding citizens of Demeter City. Lost amongst planetary felons, galactic gangs…all the debris of criminal constellations…it is their job to investigate crimes committed by aliens as well as humans.

The Space Precinct DVD will be available prior to the Syfy Channel marathon from Nov. 30 through Dec. 1. For more information, check out SpacePrecinct.com, featuring over 500 never-before-seen behind the scenes photos from the making of the series, along with complete episode guides with full cast & crew, as well as breaking news about the series and links to all things Gerry Anderson.

Space Precinct Opening Titles

More Crime TV links:
DANGER MAN, RUMPOLE 60-percent off
Six Million Dollar Man: We have the technology. We have the DVDs.
Spy-Fi TV on DVD
BIONIC WOMAN: SEASON ONE
IT TAKES A THIEF coming to DVD?
TV Themes: DEPARTMENT S (1969) / JASON KING (1971)
Mystery TV Themes: THE BARON (1966)
Jim Hutton as ELLERY QUEEN on DVD
M SQUAD (1957) vs. POLICE SQUAD (1982)
Trailer: GREEN HORNET 2011
Hawaii Five-O 2010, 1996, 1975
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Dr. Horrible vs. Batman
Rock out with MANNIX!
Opening Theme: SPIDER-MAN LIVE ACTION 1970s

DANGER MAN, RUMPOLE 60-percent off

2010-11-15T16:56:00.001-06:00

Until Nov. 21, Amazon is running a big sale on select DVD box sets -- including 60-percent off the 18-disc Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection (SLIMLINE) and the 14-disc Rumpole of the Bailey: Complete Series Megaset.

Details:

Secret Agent AKA Danger Man: The Complete Collection
It was 1965 when American audiences first welcomed handsome secret agent John Drake (Patrick McGoohan of The Prisoner) into their homes as CBS ran the unique spy series known as Secret Agent. Wielding brains and a moral outlook instead of weapons, Drake traveled to the corners of the globe on the trail of international criminals, corrupt politicians, and stolen secrets.

Now, all 86 episodes from John Drakes entire crime-solving career are available together on DVD. Each episode of this exciting spy thriller is presented in the original broadcast order, from the original season that aired only in the U.K. as Danger Man to the 47 episodes of Secret Agent that were seen internationally, including the two color episodes that provided a vivid finale to the long-running suspense thriller.

Rumpole of Bailey: Complete Series Megaset
All Rise! The Critically Acclaimed Legal Drama RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY holds court on DVD.

An immensely popular series broadcast on PBS from 1978 to 1992, RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY set a new bar for all courtroom dramas to come. Balancing suspense and satire as deftly as the scale of justice, Horace Rumpole tirelessly defends the downtrodden while undressing the upper classes. A timeless mixture of comedy and drama, RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY was one of televisions most celebrated courtroom dramas.

Flawlessly adapted by John Mortimer from his best-selling Edgar Award-winning novels, and starring the esteemed Leo McKern (A Man for All Seasons), this 14-disc DVD Megaset includes all 42 episodes from the seven seasons of RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY.

BONUS FEATURES: Feature-Length Bonus Movie Rumpole's Return; Mortimer's Musings--An Interview with John Mortimer; McKern's Memories with Actress Abigail McKern (Daughter of Leo McKern); Episode Introductions with John Mortimer; Spot the Barrister-Highlighting John Mortimer's Impromptu Appearances; Newspaper Evidence; John Mortimer Biography; John Mortimer Bibliography and Selected Credits; About the Old Bailey; Official Executioners of Newgate Prison

We have the technology. We have the DVDs.

2010-11-02T17:20:00.002-05:00

Time Life has posted a couple more videos promoting the deluxe DVD set that is The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Series. The 40-disc package includes every episode, every crossover episode, every TV movie, brand-new interviews, and more! Links to more info below.

Related links:
Spy-Fi TV on DVD
BIONIC WOMAN: SEASON ONE
Twice the bionic action on DVD this fall

From TVShowsOnDVD:
10/29/2010 Two New Photos, at Different Angles, of The Complete Series DVDs!
10/25/2010 New Video Clips of 'The Complete Series' DVDs Includes a New View of the Packaging
10/08/2010 'Welcome Home, Jaime': Will it have Correct Titles on the DVDs After All?
9/29/2010 Time-Life Shares Several Sneak Preview Clips from Extras on The Complete Series
9/24/2010 More Box Art Pics, Plus Fan Questions Answered, for 'The Complete Series' DVDs
9/14/2010 Official Time-Life Press Release and Package Art for 'The Complete Series'!

20 Classic Spy-Fi Shows on DVD

2010-10-30T20:13:00.004-05:00

Mission: Impossible

An assortment of classic television on DVD featuring spies, undercover agents, and other international crime fighters:

01 Mission: Impossible (171/35 episodes)
02 The Avengers (161 episodes)
03 Get Smart (138 episodes)
04 The Saint (118 episodes)
05 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (105 episodes)
06 The Wild Wild West (104 episodes)
07 The Six Million Dollar Man (100 episodes)
08 La Femme Nikita (96 episodes)
09 The Equalizer (88 episodes)
10 Danger Man AKA Secret Agent (86 episodes)
11 It Takes a Thief (66 episodes)
12 The Bionic Woman (58 episodes)
13 The Baron (30 episodes)
14 The Champions (30 episodes)
15 The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (29 episodes)
16 Department S (28 episodes)
17 The New Avengers (26 episodes)
18 The Invisible Man (26 episodes)
19 Jason King (26 episodes)
20 The Prisoner (17 episodes)

BIONIC WOMAN: SEASON ONE

2010-10-15T06:08:00.002-05:00

Official press release:

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans can finally experience one of television's most memorable television series when The Bionic Woman: Season One debuts on DVD on October 19, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Relive the excitement of this groundbreaking television series starring Primetime Emmy Award-winner Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, a woman leading the ultimate double-life. Never-before-released on DVD in North America, this four-disc set includes every episode from the show's premiere season plus five crossover episodes from The Six Million Dollar Man, and a "Bionic Beginnings" featurette, which tracks the evolution of television's first Bionic Woman and includes an all-new, exclusive interview with Wagner.

The Bionic Woman's 1976 premiere introduced delighted television viewers to a thrilling new kind of action hero -- the blonde, brainy and beautiful Jaime Sommers. Armed with an astonishing range of superhuman abilities, Jaime goes undercover as a schoolteacher to take on a host of evildoers in 13 action-filled adventures that take her to every corner of the globe.

The Bionic Woman: Season One DVD comes with exciting bonus features, including:

* Five The Six Million Dollar Man Crossover Episodes
* "The Bionic Woman" -- the original second season The Six Million Dollar Man episode where Jaime Sommers becomes the Bionic Woman.
* "The Bionic Woman: Part II" -- Jaime Sommers is sent on her first assignment for the Office of Scientific Investigations in this second season The Six Million Dollar Man episode.
* "The Return of the Bionic Woman" -- Steve Austin (Lee Majors) learns that Jaime Sommers is still alive after seeing her die from a Bionic rejection. However, Jaime has suffered brain damage and no longer remembers anything about her past life, including Steve.
* "The Return of the Bionic Woman Part II" -- In an attempt to restore her memory, Austin takes the recuperating Sommers to their hometown of Ojai, California. However, facing her past results in violent headaches and confusing flashbacks.
* "Welcome Home, Jaime" -- Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) arranges a job for Jaime as a schoolteacher, but she also insists on taking on the missions for the Office of Scientific Investigations.
* Bionic Beginnings Featurette: Featuring an all-new interview with Lindsay Wagner, this featurette tracks the evolution of television's first Bionic Woman from her introduction in a two-part episode of The Six Million Dollar Man to the launch of her own series.
* Episode Commentary: Commentaries featuring director Alan J. Levi, writer James D. Parriott and writer/director Kenneth Johnson
* Gag Reel
* Photo Gallery

SYNOPSIS
She can run faster than 60 mph, bend massive steel bars, jump from insane heights and hear sounds you can only imagine. She's no ordinary schoolteacher ... she's "The Bionic Woman." Relive the excitement of this iconic TV series starring Primetime Emmy® Award winner Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, a woman leading the ultimate double-life. After her unforgettable appearances on "The Six Million Dollar Man" as Colonel Steve Austin's (Lee Majors) true love, Jaime's story begins anew in these entertaining Season One episodes as she learns to deal with her new bionic abilities, becomes a top-secret agent for the Office of Scientific Investigations and deals with her changed relationship with Steve. Now available in a four-disc set that includes five original episodes featured in "The Six Million Dollar Man" and a never-before-seen Bionic Beginnings Featurette, "The Bionic Woman" Season One promises non-stop action, excitement and adventure with the world's first female cyborg.

TV producer, writer, creator Stephen Cannell (1941-2010)

2010-10-02T09:41:00.001-05:00

The man who more or less defined crime television in the 1970s and '80s, Stephen Cannell, passed away Thursday due to complications from melanoma.

A prolific TV writer and producer, Cannell, 69, started as a writer for It Takes a Thief, Ironside and Columbo, then story editor for Adam-12. He went on to create or co-create nearly 40 series.

His credits include:
The Rockford Files (1974-1980, 1994-1999)
Baretta (1975-1978)
The Greatest American Hero (1980-1983)
The A-Team (1983-1987)
Hardcastle & McCormick (1983-1986)
Hunter (1984-1991)
Riptide (1984-1986)
21 Jump Street (1986-1991)
Wiseguy (1987-1990)
Booker (1989-1990)
The Commish (1991-1995)

In recent years, Cannell appeared as himself on Castle. This morning, Castle star Nathan Fillion‎ tweeted: "Stephen Cannell, For shaping my youth, influencing the pros around me, and participating in Castle, thank you. You will be missed."

Cannell was also a spokesman for the learning disorder dyslexia.

More links:
TV producer Stephen J. Cannell created 40 shows (Chicago Sun-Times)
Stephen J. Cannell dies at 69; TV writer, producer (Los Angeles Times)
Stephen J. Cannell 1941-2010 (Ain't It Cool News)

More from Crime TV:
Classic Stephen J. Cannell TV on DVD
Watch CASTLE on ABC
Watch 21 JUMP STREET free online!
Watch HUNTER episodes online free!
Opening Theme: BARETTA
Mystery TV Themes: THE ROCKFORD FILES
Crime TV Themes: NBC MYSTERY MOVIE (Columbo)
Opening Theme: IT TAKES A THIEF

IT TAKES A THIEF coming to DVD?

2010-09-14T09:35:00.008-05:00

UPDATE:

The series comes out November.

PREVIOUSLY:

TVShowsonDVD.com reports that the same folks who just put out the long-awaited 1970s show Ellery Queen on DVD have now set their sights on the classic 1960s series It Takes a Thief. A nifty hybrid of the "gentleman thief" and "spy-fi" genres -- think a cross between The Saint and Mission: Impossible -- the 1968-70 series It Takes a Thief starred Robert Wagner as Alexander Mundy, a professional thief released from prison in exchange for using his talents to serve the U.S. government.

Wagner, of course, had just recently played a similar character in 1963's Pink Panther -- as George Lytton, nephew of noted British playboy Sir Charles Lytton (played by David Niven), who led a secret life as a jewel thief called "The Phantom." In the film, the younger Lytton followed in his uncle's footsteps as both ladies' man and a thief. As such, when the new series rolled around Wagner was an ideal choice to play a debonair thief who stole hearts and treasures wherever he went.

Related link: Opening Theme: IT TAKES A THIEF

More opening titles of television series
Mystery TV Themes: HART TO HART
Mystery TV Themes: THE SAINT
Mystery TV Themes: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
TV Themes: CHECKMATE
Opening Theme: THE PERSUADERS
TV Themes: DEPARTMENT S (1969) / JASON KING (1971)
Mystery TV Themes: THE BARON (1966)
TV Themes: THE AVENGERS w/ THE NEW AVENGERS
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Mystery TV Themes: GET SMART

What's hot at Crime TV (Sep 4)

2010-09-04T10:00:00.049-05:00

What folks are reading (and watching) this week on Crime TV:

01 Mystery TV Themes: THE HARDY BOYS / NANCY DREW MYSTERIES
02 Opening Theme: PERRY MASON RETURNS
03 TV Themes: DEPARTMENT S (1969) / JASON KING (1971)
04 Watch CHARLIE'S ANGELS episodes free online!
05 Trailer: GREEN HORNET (2011)
06 TV Themes: THE AVENGERS w/ THE NEW AVENGERS
07 Trailer: RED (Retired * Extremely * Dangerous)
08 Opening Theme: CRAZY LIKE A FOX
09 BIONIC WOMAN on DVD!
10 Opening Theme: MRS. BRADLEY MYSTERIES
11 Watch 21 JUMP STREET free online!
12 Opening Theme: HETTY WAINTHROPP INVESTIGATES
13 Cop TV Themes: M SQUAD (1957) vs. POLICE SQUAD (1982)
14 Jim Hutton as ELLERY QUEEN coming to DVD
15 Mystery TV Themes: THE BARON (1966)
16 Cop TV Themes: STARSKY & HUTCH
17 Crime TV Themes: NBC MYSTERY MOVIE (Columbo)
18 Opening Theme: IT TAKES A THIEF
19 Mystery TV Themes: MONK
20 Cop TV Themes: S.W.A.T.
21 Mystery TV Themes: THE ROCKFORD FILES
22 Crime TV Themes: PETER GUNN
23 Mystery TV Themes: BONES
24 Castle: "Space Cowboy" (Firefly/Serenity)
25 Opening Theme: MATLOCK

TV Themes: DEPARTMENT S (1969) / JASON KING (1971)

2010-08-31T10:00:00.004-05:00

Celebrating the main titles and opening themes from mystery/crime TV shows ...

"When a case proves too baffling for the minds of Interpol, they turn to the talents of Department S." British spy-fi series Department S (ATV, 1969-70) featured a trio of operatives who solved mysteries too perplexing for normal law enforcement agencies. The series starred Peter Wyngarde, Joel Fabiani, Rosemary Nicols, with Dennis Alaba Peters.

The next season the Wyngarde character got his own spin-off, Jason King (ATV, 1971-72). In the new series, King -- a "dilettante dandy and author" -- left Dept. S to concentrate on his career writing adventure novels.

The Department S theme is credited to composer Edwin Astley (The Baron, The Saint). The Jason King theme is credited to Laurie Johnson (The Avengers, The Professionals).

Department S Intro

Jason King TV intro theme

More TV Main Titles:
Rock out with MANNIX!
Mystery TV Themes: MANNIX
Mystery TV Themes: THE BARON (1966)
Mystery TV Themes: THE SAINT
Opening Theme: THE PERSUADERS
TV Themes: THE AVENGERS w/ THE NEW AVENGERS
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Opening Theme: HAMISH MACBETH
Opening Theme: IT TAKES A THIEF
Mystery TV Themes: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
TV Themes: CHECKMATE
Mystery TV Themes: GET SMART
Crime TV Themes: S.W.A.T.
Opening Theme: BARNABY JONES

Mystery TV Themes: THE BARON (1966)

2010-08-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

Spotlighting the great opening themes from mystery/crime TV shows ...

British series The Baron (ATV/ABC, 1966-67) starred American Steve Forrest as John Mannering, an international art and antiques dealer tracking stolen treasures. Although inspired by the novels by John Creasey (written under the pen name Anthony Morton), the print version of the Mannering character -- a reformed jewel thief who was British and married -- became a straight-arrow bachelor from Texas who worked for British Intelligence.

The striking theme was created by British composer Edwin Astley (1922-1998), also credited with the themes for The Saint and the original British theme(s) for Danger Man.

The Baron Opening Theme from 1966

The Baron - Trailer

More Opening Titles:
Mystery TV Themes: THE SAINT
Opening Theme: THE PERSUADERS
TV Themes: THE AVENGERS w/ THE NEW AVENGERS
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Opening Theme: HAMISH MACBETH
Opening Theme: IT TAKES A THIEF
Mystery TV Themes: MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
TV Themes: CHECKMATE
Mystery TV Themes: GET SMART
Crime TV Themes: S.W.A.T.

Jim Hutton as ELLERY QUEEN coming to DVD

2010-08-17T21:44:00.000-05:00

TVShowsonDVD.com offers an update on the upcoming DVD package of Ellery Queen: The Complete Series. The whodunit series (NBC, 1975-1976) starred Jim Hutton as Ellery Queen and David Wayne as his father, Inspector Richard Queen. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link (who also created Mannix, Columbo, and Murder, She Wrote), each episode contained a "Challenge to the Viewer" with Ellery inviting the members of the audience to solve the mystery themselves -- before the solution was revealed. Among the show's guest stars were Eve Arden, George Burns, Milton Berle, Guy Lombardo, Rudy Vallee, and Don Ameche. The DVD set comes out September 28.

TVShowsOnDVD: Ellery Queen - Full List of Bonus Items, Including 'Too Many Suspects', for the Upcoming DVDs

Related links:
MURDER, SHE WROTE still going strong
Rock out with MANNIX!
Mystery TV Themes: MANNIX
Crime TV Themes: NBC MYSTERY MOVIE (Columbo)
Opening Theme: DIAGNOSIS MURDER

M SQUAD (1957) vs. POLICE SQUAD (1982)

2010-08-12T10:00:00.002-05:00

A pair of main titles from classic cop shows -- the original and its parody: M Squad (NBC, 1957-60) starred Lee Marvin as Detective Lieutenant Frank Ballinger, a member of a special unit of the Chicago Police assisting other units battling violent crime city-wide. The 1982 parody series Police Squad starred Leslie Nielsen as Detective Frank Drebin; it only lasted six episodes on ABC, but led to the successful Naked Gun movies.

1957 M Squad TV Lee Marvin -- theme by Count Basie

Police Squad! Intro (In Color) -- theme by by composer Ira Newborn (parody of the M Squad theme)

M Squad Theme - Count Basie - 1959

More Cop TV Themes:
Hawaii Five-O 2010, 1996, 1975
Opening Theme: THE ROOKIES
Opening Theme: KOJAK
Opening Theme: STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Mystery TV Themes: DRAGNET (1950s, 2003)

Opening Theme: HETTY WAINTHROPP INVESTIGATES

2010-08-10T09:03:00.001-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Henrietta "Hetty" Wainthropp, a sixty-ish housewife in Lancashire, England, was introduced as an amateur sleuth in David Cook's 1986 novel Missing Persons. However, a TV movie based on the book led to a series -- and rather than keep her amateur status, the producers decided to make crime her business. Thus was born Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (BBC One, 1996-1998), wherein Hetty (played by Patricia Routledge) and young sidekick Geoffrey Shawcross (Dominic Monaghan) open up a proper office for private investigations.

As described by Thrilling Detective: "While the series is definitely aimed at fans of 'cozies' rather than hard-boiled fiction -- it's highly unlikely, for instance, that the non-violent, bus-pass-owning Hetty will ever get mixed up in a car chase, a shootout, or a wild fistfight -- Hetty has at least a few 'tough guy' qualities that make her more than just a eccentric P.I wannabe. First and foremost, she's quite strong willed and plain-spoken, and her cases occasionally take her into some (relatively) rough locales that would make Miss Marple faint dead away."

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates Opening/Closing Titles

More TV Main Titles:
Opening Theme: BARNABY JONES
Opening Theme: MRS. BRADLEY MYSTERIES
Opening Theme: MISS MARPLE
Opening Theme: CRAZY LIKE A FOX
Opening Theme: PERRY MASON RETURNS

Trailer: GREEN HORNET

2010-08-07T08:00:00.001-05:00

Coming to theaters January 2011: GREEN HORNET starring Seth Rogen as Britt Reid (The Green Hornet) and Jay Chou as Kato. The masked superhero was originally created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker for radio in the 1930s. The character went on to appear in film serials in the '40s, on television in the '60s, and in comics from the '40s to the present.

Here's the trailer for the upcoming film:

Related links:
Watch the DICK TRACY serial free online!
Opening Theme: Batman 1966 w/ The Odd Couple

Opening Theme: CRAZY LIKE A FOX

2010-08-03T06:00:00.026-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Crazy Like a Fox (CBS, 1984-1986) starred Jack Warden as free-spirited private detective Harry Fox. Co-star John Rubinstein as played his son Harrison, a high-strung attorney frequently dragged into his father's cases. Crazy Like a Fox aired a total of 35 episodes.

The series was followed in 1987 by the TV movie Still Crazy Like a Fox, where the Foxes found themselves stirring up trouble in London. Monty Python's Graham Chapman guest-starred as Detective Inspector Palmer in one of his last roles before his death in 1989.

More TV main titles:
Opening Theme: THE ROCKFORD FILES
Opening Theme: DIAGNOSIS MURDER
Opening Theme: MATLOCK
Opening Theme: BARNABY JONES
Opening Theme: NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)

Watch 21 JUMP STREET free online!

2010-07-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Netflix subscribers can watch episodes of 21 Jump Street free online! Or watch the episodes on your television courtesy of a Roku device, certain gaming consoles or Blu-ray players.

The crime drama 21 Jump Street (Fox, 1987-1991) focused on a squad of undercover police investigating crimes related to young people. The officers, able to pass for students, operated undercover in high schools, colleges and other teen venues. Created by Patrick Hasburgh and Stephen J. Cannell, the stars included Johnny Depp, Holly Robinson, Peter DeLuise, Dustin Nguyen, Steven Williams, and Michael Bendetti.

21 Jump Street Opening Theme

Related links:
Watch HUNTER episodes online free!
Classic Stephen J. Cannell TV on DVD
Watch CASTLE on ABC
Mystery TV Themes: THE ROCKFORD FILES

Opening Theme: MRS. BRADLEY MYSTERIES

2010-07-29T06:00:00.068-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

British TV drama The Mrs Bradley Mysteries (BBC, 1998-99) starred Diana Rigg as Adela Bradley and Neil Dudgeon as her faithful driver George Moody. The 1920s mysteries, which found the duo taking their Rolls Royce to solve murders among the well-to-do and repressed, were inspired by the novels by Gladys Mitchell, who published some eighty novels in her lifetime. As Rigg introduced the character on PBS Mystery: "Over the course of some sixty-six mysteries, Adela Bradley married and divorced three husbands, was made a Dame of the British Empire, and a consultant to the British Home Office. She also developed prodigious abilities at pub darts, snooker, billiards, and knife throwing. One thing she cannot do is knit."

More mystery TV main titles:
THE AVENGERS w/ The New Avengers
RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY
MISS MARPLE
HAMISH MACBETH
THE SAINT
THE ADVENTURER
THE PERSUADERS
PERRY MASON RETURNS
DIAGNOSIS MURDER
MATLOCK
BARNABY JONES
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)
THE ROCKFORD FILES
QUINCY, M.E.

Opening Theme: PERRY MASON RETURNS

2010-07-27T06:00:00.077-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Years after the legendary series Perry Mason (CBS, 1957-1966), star Raymond Burr and co-star Barbara Hale reunited for a series of Perry Mason TV movies starting in 1985. The first, Perry Mason Returns, found Mason resigning his position as appellate court judge to defend his secretary, Della Street, on murder charges. William Katt (Hale's son) played Paul Drake, Jr. (son of private investigator Paul Drake, portrayed by the late William Hopper in the original series.)

The series was produced by Dean Hargrove and Fred Silverman -- they also produced Matlock, Jake and the Fatman, and Diagnosis: Murder.

The Perry Mason TV movies continued even after Burr's death in 1993 -- his final performance as Mason was in The Case of the Killer Kiss. Subsequent telefilms starred other actors as lawyer friends of Mason -- one with Paul Sorvino as Anthony Caruso (1993), and three with Hal Holbrook as "Wild Bill" McKenzie (1994-95). Hale appeared in these as Street.

Related links:
Detectives: PERRY MASON by Erle Stanley Gardner
Mystery TV Themes: PERRY MASON

More TV Main Titles:
Opening Theme: DIAGNOSIS MURDER
Opening Theme: MATLOCK
Opening Theme: BARNABY JONES
Opening Theme: NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)
Opening Theme: THE ROCKFORD FILES

Trailer: RED (Retired * Extremely * Dangerous)

2010-07-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

Coming to theaters October 15: The action comedy RED, starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, and John Malkovich, with Mary-Louise Parker, Richard Dreyfuss, and Karl Urban. Willis stars as a retired black-ops agent who must put together his old team when the CIA wants them dead.

While the original comic book mini was a decidely grim actioner, the filmmakers decided to give the movie more of a "Grumpy Old Hit Men" twist.

And it looks GREAT. Check out these trailers:

The movie posters:

Opening Theme: DIAGNOSIS MURDER

2010-07-22T06:00:00.080-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

The mystery series Diagnosis: Murder (CBS, 1993-2001) starred Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with the help of his son, homicide detective Steve Sloan (played by real-life son Barry Van Dyke). The series was a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman (itself a spin-off of Matlock.) One of the fun angles of the show was how the producers would work in elements of other series -- ranging from cast reunions (Star Trek and M*A*S*H) to guest stars appearing as their characters from other series (Mike Connors as Joe Mannix, Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, and Barbara Bain as Cinnamon Carter from Mission: Impossible.)

Diagnosis: Murder also led to a series of original novels by Lee Goldberg, an executive producer and writer on the TV show.

Season One

Season Six

Season Seven

Related links:
Detectives: DR. MARK SLOANE (Diagnosis Murder) by Lee Goldberg
Diagnosis-Murder.com
Diagnosis: Murder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Diagnosis Murder on TV.com

More TV main titles:
MATLOCK
MANNIX
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE
QUINCY, M.E.
HARRY O
MEDICAL CENTER
RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY
MISS MARPLE
BARNABY JONES
HAWAII FIVE-O 2010, 1996, 1975
THE AVENGERS w/ The New Avengers
PERRY MASON
THE EQUALIZER
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)

Twice the bionic action on DVD this fall

2010-07-21T22:52:00.000-05:00

TV Shows on DVD reports that Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers are FINALLY headed to DVD this fall! In October, Universal is releasing The Bionic Woman: Season 1 on four discs. Then in November, Time Life will release The Six Million Dollar Man: The Complete Series as a massive 40-disc set. Both promise to include bonus features -- including the cross-over episodes! Click through for more details.

Six Million Dollar Man, The: *EXCLUSIVE* Press Release Announces Time Life Plans for The Complete Series

Bionic Woman, The: Leap Into More Season 1 Extras, Including a Gag Reel and a Wagner Interview!

Opening Theme: RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY

2010-07-20T06:00:00.030-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

British legal mystery series Rumpole of the Bailey (1975-1992), created and written by John Mortimer, starred Leo McKern as an ageing London barrister who defends any and all clients. The television series led to a series of short stories, novels, and radio dramas.

Related links: Detectives: HORACE RUMPOLE (Rumpole of the Bailey) by John Mortimer

More TV main titles:
MISS MARPLE
MATLOCK
BARNABY JONES
HAWAII FIVE-O 2010, 1996, 1975
LAW & ORDER: UK on DVD
THE PERSUADERS
THE SAINT
THE ADVENTURER
THE AVENGERS w/ The New Avengers
PERRY MASON
JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE
THE EQUALIZER
MANNIX
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)

Big sale on classic mystery TV on DVD

2010-07-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

Right now, Amazon has some great classic mystery, crime, and cop TV shows on sale for cheap!

Available shows include Burke's Law (1963), Honey West (1965), Charlie's Angels (1976), Hart to Hart (1979), Columbo (1968), Perry Mason (1957), Police Woman (1974), Starsky & Hutch (1975), Rumpole of the Bailey (1975), Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964), Remington Steele (1982), Mannix (1967), Mission Impossible (1966), Monk (2002), Psych (2006), and more!

Click the names to see what seasons are available, or look for your favorites below. (It's not everything on sale, but still quite a selection.)

Opening Theme: MISS MARPLE

2010-07-15T06:00:00.125-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Agatha Christie's famed amateur sleuth Miss Jane Marple was introduced in the short story "The Tuesday Night Club," published in The Royal Magazine December 1927. Her first full-length novel was Murder at the Vicarage 1930.

Over the years, the character has been played by several actresses in film and on TV. From 1984-1992, the BBC series Miss Marple, starring Joan Hickson, adapted all the original Miss Marple novels. Starting in 2004, the ITV series Agatha Christie's Marple has starred Geraldine McEwan and now Julia McKenzie.

The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side, BBC, 1990 (starring Joan Hickson)

Agatha Christie's Miss Marple (starring Geraldine McEwan)

Masterpiece MYSTERY!: Miss Marple (starring Julia Mckenzie)

More themes:
Agatha Christie's Great Detectives (anime)
MATLOCK
BARNABY JONES
QUINCY
THE EQUALIZER
HARRY O
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)
PERRY MASON
Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries
Checkmate
Magnum P.I.
Monk
Simon & Simon
THE ROCKFORD FILES

From The Thrill of it All:
Agatha Christie meets Doctor Who
Detectives: HERCULE POIROT by Agatha Christie
Detectives: MISS MARPLE by Agatha Christie
Detectives: TOMMY and TUPPENCE by Agatha Christie
Detectives: SHERLOCK HOLMES by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Detectives: HAMISH MACBETH by MC Beaton
Detectives: HORACE RUMPOLE (Rumpole of the Bailey) by John Mortimer
Detectives: JESSICA FLETCHER (Murder She Wrote) by Donald Bain
Detectives: DR. MARK SLOANE (Diagnosis Murder) by Lee Goldberg
Retirement is Murder: 10 Senior Sleuths
100 Mystery Series: 1887-2010
Murderous Beginnings: 40 Detective Fiction Firsts
All Aboard For Murder: 10 Mysteries and Thrillers On Trains
Christmas Can Be Murder: 10 Seasonal Mystery Titles

Opening Theme: MATLOCK

2010-07-13T06:00:00.094-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Legal drama Matlock (NBC 1986-1992, ABC 1992-1995) starred Andy Griffith as folksy defense attorney Ben Matlock. The format of the show, not unlike that of Perry Mason (1957-1966) often found Matlock identifying the murderer in the courtroom and confronting him or her on the stand.

Over the years, Matlock's circle of helpers included daughters Charlene Matlock (Linda Purl) and Leanne MacIntyre (Brynn Thayer), legal partner Michelle Thomas (Nancy Stafford), and private investigators Tyler Hudson (Kene Holliday), Conrad McMasters (Clarence Gilyard), Cliff Lewis (Daniel Roebuck), and Jerri Stone (Carol Huston).

Matlock led to the spin-off Jake and the Fatman (1987-1992), starring William Conrad and Joe Penny. That show also had a spin-off -- Diagnosis Murder (1993-2001) starring Dick Van Dyke -- on which Andy Griffith guest-starred in one episode as Ben Matlock.

Matlock (TV series) - Wikipedia

More themes:
BARNABY JONES
PERRY MASON
JUDD FOR THE DEFENSE
LAW & ORDER: UK
QUINCY
THE EQUALIZER
HARRY O
MANNIX
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)
THE ROCKFORD FILES

Opening Theme: BARNABY JONES

2010-07-06T11:27:00.006-05:00

With the release of my new whodunit Nursing a Grudge starring geriatric amateur sleuth Earl Walker, this blog is featuring senior citizen detective shows the next several weeks ...

Barnaby Jones (1973-1980) starred Buddy Ebsen and Lee Meriwether as father- and daughter-in-law who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles. A spin-off from Cannon, starring William Conrad, the Barnaby Jones premiere episode "Requiem for a Son" found Jones coming out of retirement to find his son's killer. His widowed daughter-in-law helped him solve the case, and the two decided to keep the detective agency open. In 1976, Mark Shera joined the cast as J. R., a son of Barnaby's cousin.

A different kind of private eye, Barnaby Jones was a milk-drinker who caught criminals with his brains rather than his fists: "To its credit, the producers didn't downplay Barnaby's age, nor did they get cute about it," notes Thrilling Detective. "They simply treated him with respect and dignity, made us aware of his limitations but focused on his strengths. Not for Barnaby, then, the routine TV fare of fisticuffs and car chases. Rather he relied on his keen intellect, his home crime lab and good old detective work (a real rarity on the tube) to get the goods on the bad guys." Buy DVDs at Amazon

Barnaby Jones TV show theme song

Barnaby Jones on Wikipedia
Barnaby Jones on Thrilling Detective

More themes:
CHARLIE'S ANGELS
THE EQUALIZER
HARDY BOYS / NANCY DREW MYSTERIES
HARRY O
MANNIX
NBC Mystery Movie (COLUMBO)
PETER GUNN
THE ROCKFORD FILES
QUINCY
SIMON & SIMON

From The Thrill of it All:
Retirement is Murder: 10 Senior Sleuths
Detectives: MURDER SHE WROTE: JESSICA FLETCHER
Detectives: Lee Goldberg: DR. MARK SLOANE (DIAGNOSIS: MURDER)
Mysteries: Lawrence Block: BERNIE RHODENBARR
Detectives: M.C. Beaton: AGATHA RAISIN
Detectives: Agatha Christie: MISS MARPLE
100 Mystery Series: 1887-2010
Murderous Beginnings: 40 Detective Fiction Firsts
NURSING A GRUDGE: Hometown Mysteries
NURSING A GRUDGE is "summer fresh"
Download the first chapter free!

Hawaii Five-O 2010, 1996, 1975

2010-05-31T11:07:00.001-05:00

Lee Goldberg recently shared three different main titles for Hawaii Five-O: The opening credits for the brand-new version which debuts this fall; the pilot from the attempt to relaunch the show in the 1990s; and the theme as rendered by song and dance man Sammy Davis Jr.

Related links:
Remakes of HAWAII FIVE-O, ROCKFORD FILES, CHARLIE'S ANGELS
Opening Theme: Hawaii Five-O
Opening Theme: BARETTA "Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow"

HAWAII FIVE-0 Opening Credits 2010

New Hawaii Five O Intro

Sammy Davis Jr. Sings "You Can Count On Me" the theme from "Hawaii Five-O"

More TV opening credits:
Law & Order: UK
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Opening Theme: THE ROOKIES
Opening Theme: KOJAK
Opening Theme: STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO

CHECKMATE on DVD Jun 22

2010-05-06T21:53:00.002-05:00

Coming to DVD in a new 14-disc set: Checkmate--The Complete Series! Created by thriller writer Eric Ambler and filmed on the streets of San Francisco, Checkmate is considered one of the best TV dramas to come out of the 1960s, combining great scripts, locations and casting. The series -- which starred Doug McClure, Sebastian Cabot, and Anthony George -- revolves around private investigators and their quest to prevent crimes before they happen. The show's haunting, iconic music, composed by John Williams, is perfectly suited for Checkmate's San Francisco setting, of fog-filled streets, sweeping ocean views and cable cars. (Thanks to TVShowsonDVD for the tip!)

Related links:
TV Themes: CHECKMATE
Law & Order: UK on DVD
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Opening Theme: QUINCY
Opening Theme: MEDICAL CENTER
Rock out with MANNIX!

Law & Order: UK on DVD

2010-03-25T09:30:00.006-05:00

If you just thought there were a lot of iterations of Law & Order airing here in the States, then you don't know the half of it -- creator Dick Wolf has repurposed his cop-and-courts juggernaut to Great Britain, France, and Russia for their own unique spins on the franchise.

None of these has been available for viewing in the U.S. -- until now. Starting this week, Target stores are selling an exclusive DVD package of Law & Order: UK. Familiar faces include Doctor Who's Freema Agyeman ("Martha Jones") and Battlestar Galactica's Jamie Bamber ("Lee Adama").

More about the series at the official network site
More details about the DVDs at TVShowsonDVD

Law & Order: UK - Intro

Law & Order UK Advert 1

Related links:
LAW & ORDER on its way to the record books
Agatha Christie meets Doctor Who

More opening titles:
Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS
Opening Theme: THE ROOKIES
Opening Theme: KOJAK
Opening Theme: STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Opening Theme: BARETTA

Don't get around much anymore

2010-03-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

If anyone has noticed how rare blog updates have been around here, it's because I really need to scale back for a time. I've got to finish writing a manuscript. And any time I do find for blogging needs to go to my primary blog -- The Thrill of it All -- as I gear up for the publication of my whodunit this summer.

Police Woman 2.2 "The Score"

2010-02-27T11:00:00.001-06:00

More '70s TV cop action with Angie Dickson.

Police Woman Minisodes / The Score / Season 2 Episode 2 (5:22)

Related links:
Police Woman 1.4 "Seven Eleven"
Police Woman 1.6 "Only A Game"
Police Woman 1.11 "Smack"
Opening Theme: T.J. Hooker
Opening Theme: Twin Peaks
Opening Theme: The Adventurer

Police Woman 1.11 "Smack"

2010-02-20T11:00:00.002-06:00

More '70s TV cop action with Angie Dickson and guest star William Shatner.

Police Woman Minisodes / Smack / Season 1 Episode 11 (5:52)

Related links:
Police Woman 1.4 "Seven Eleven"
Police Woman 1.6 "Only a Game"
Watch CHARLIE'S ANGELS episodes free online!
Opening Theme: Simon & Simon
Opening Theme: Six Million Dollar Man
Opening Theme: Starsky & Hutch

Opening Theme: THE PROFESSIONALS

2010-02-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

Here are the opening credits for THE PROFESSIONALS. Theme by Laurie Johnston.

MAIN TITLES

More opening themes:
Agatha Christie's Great Detectives (anime)
Alias
Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan
Avengers w/ The New Avengers
Barney Miller

Police Woman 1.6 "Only A Game"

2010-02-13T11:00:00.003-06:00

More '70s TV cop action with Angie Dickinson and guest star Patrick Wayne.

Police Woman Minisodes / Only A Game / Season 1 Episode 6 (4:47)

Related links:
Police Woman 1.4 "Seven Eleven"
Watch CHARLIE'S ANGELS episodes free online!
Watch IT TAKES A THIEF episodes free online!
Opening Theme: Rockford Files
Opening Theme: S.W.A.T.
Opening Theme: Saint

Tonight on PSYCH (Feb 10)

2010-02-10T10:26:00.000-06:00

Tonight on USA Network's comedy detective series Psych: When Juliet asks Gus to help her track down an old boyfriend, she inadvertently exposes a dark and closely-guarded secret. Arnold Vosloo, Josh Braaten and Craig Sheffer guest star in "A Very Juliet Episode," premiering tonight at 10/9C on USA.

(Missed the last two episodes? Watch them online!)

Related links:
Tonight on PSYCH (Feb 3)
Promo for the next PSYCH (Feb 3)
PSYCH kicks off tonight (Jan 27)
Watch PSYCH episodes free online!
Check out this nifty PSYCH widget

Police Woman 1.4 "Seven Eleven"

2010-02-06T11:00:00.002-06:00

Classic '70s TV cop action with Angie Dickinson and guest star Larry Hagman.

Police Woman Minisodes / Seven Eleven / Season 1 Episode 4 (5:01)

Related links:
Watch CHARLIE'S ANGELS episodes free online!
Watch BIONIC WOMAN episodes free online!
Watch IT TAKES A THIEF episodes free online!
Opening Theme: BARETTA
Opening Theme: NAME OF THE GAME
Opening Theme: HARRY O

Tonight on PSYCH (Feb 3)

2010-02-03T11:41:00.002-06:00

Tonight on USA Network's comedy detective series Psych: When Shawn and Gus join Gus' new girlfriend on a rafting trip, a member of the group goes overboard -- but Shawn quickly realizes it was no accident. Sarah Shahi and Stacy Keibler guest star in "Thrill Seekers and Hell Raisers," premiering tonight at 10/9C on USA. (Missed last week's premiere? Watch it online!)

From the official website:

Psych Interactive Office - Now there's even more to see in this interactive look at the Psych office! We've added three big games: Gus' Blueberry Express and upgraded versions of golf and bowling. And don't miss this week's new addition: a look at Gus' Day Planner!

Find the Famous Pineapple - In John William Waterhouse's painting The Lady of Shallott, a young woman yearns for the love of Sir Lancelot. She'd be better off yearning for pineapples, because there are 10 of them cleverly hidden around her! Can you find them all?

All Access Sweepstakes - We're giving you a chance to win exactly what you want: an All-Access pass to the Psych Set! The winner gets to have lunch with the cast, a personal tour of the Psych office, autographed scripts and a video diary of their visit!

Spot the Pineapple Sweepstakes - Can you spot the pineapple hidden in each new episode of Psych? If so, you may be one of the 10 people who win a Pineapple Prize Pack each week! Enter right after tonight's new episode!

Psych '80s Challenge - Think you know the '80s better than Shawn and Gus? See if you can identify which film, TV show or band from the '80s is represented by each image in this spectacular collage!

Opening Theme: QUINCY

2010-02-01T08:00:00.001-06:00

Opening credits from Quincy starring Jack Klugman.

More main titles:
Batman 1966 w/ The Odd Couple
Rockford Files
S.W.A.T.
Saint
Simon & Simon
Six Million Dollar Man

MONK: Little Monk and the Talent Show

2010-01-30T11:00:00.000-06:00

Another MONK webisode, featuring a young Adrian Monk. When an unwelcome guest sneaks into the school talent show without paying, Little Monk and Ambrose attempt to prove his guilt.

Promo for the next PSYCH (Feb 3)

2010-01-29T16:09:00.000-06:00

Check out this preview of next week's episode of Psych on USA Network:

Related links:
PSYCH kicks off tonight (Jan 27)
Watch PSYCH episodes free online!
Check out this nifty PSYCH widget

Watch the DICK TRACY serial free online!

2010-01-29T06:00:00.012-06:00

In this 15-chapter serial from 1937, Ralph Byrd plays the famed detective Dick Tracy as he goes after the master criminal The Spider. Based on the cartoon strip by Chester Gould, it also stars Kay Hughes and Smiley Burnette.

It Takes a Thief: A Matter of Grey Matter

2010-01-28T06:00:00.002-06:00

A feature-length thriller from '60s spy series It Takes a Thief starring Robert Wagner. Al Mundy sets out to steal the formula for a solid missile fuel from a wealthy recluse -- and discovers a 12-year-old boy may be the brains behind the formula.

A Matter of Grey Matter: Part 1 Season 2 : Ep. 16 (51:10)

A Matter of Grey Matter: Part 2 Season 2 : Ep. 17 (51:04)

Related links:
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Billy Bixby
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Fred Astaire
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Susan Saint James
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Ricardo Montalban
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Joseph Cotten Opening Theme: It Takes a Thief
Watch IT TAKES A THIEF episodes free online!

PSYCH kicks off tonight (Jan 27)

2010-01-27T12:03:00.002-06:00

Funny detective series Psych returns tonight on USA Network for the second-half of its fourth season. From the official newsletter:

Psych returns tonight with an all-new episode! Shawn tangles with the Army when he claims that a Private's suicide was actually murder, and suspects that Juliet's former military/current mercenary brother is involved. John Cena and Rachael Leigh Cook guest star in "You Can't Handle This Episode," premiering tonight at 10/9C on USA.

New on the official site:

Psych Interactive Office - Now there's even more to see in this interactive look at the Psych office! This week we've got three big games: Gus' Blueberry Express and upgraded versions of golf and bowling. Plus, you can now listen to Shawn & Gus' voicemails!

Psych '80s Challenge - Think you know the '80s better than Shawn and Gus? See if you can identify which film, TV show or band from the '80s is represented by each image in this spectacular collage!

Dulé Hill & John Cena Video Chat - Just a few hours before hosting this week's Monday Night Raw, Dulé Hill sat down with WWE's John Cena to answer fan questions in a special video chat. So where was James Roday? Watch and find out...

Countdown Calendar - For the past 31 days we've been counting down to tonight's premiere by revealing a new Psych tidbit every day! Check out all episode previews, answers to fan questions, Where Are They Now? updates, trivia questions, and the shocking photo for Day 1!

Producers Interview - In our new video interview, Psych's executive producers Steve Franks, Kelly Kulchak and Chris Henze discuss upcoming episodes, special guest stars, the return of Mr. Yang and much more!

Find the Famous Pineapple - Art lovers have long been impressed by Marc Chagall's painting "I and the Village". But what impresses us most are the 8 pineapples he managed to hide in it! Can you find them all?

Related links:
Watch PSYCH episodes free online!
Check out this nifty PSYCH widget

It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Bill Bixby

2010-01-26T06:00:00.002-06:00

Another pair of episodes from the classic 1960s espionage series It Takes a Thief starring Robert Wagner, including one guest-starring Bill Bixby.

To Steal a Battleship Season 1 : Ep. 10 (50:50)
Al Mundy is assigned to recover NATO defense plans from a woman who is offering them for sale to the wrong people. Bixby guest stars as a competing thief from Al's past.

Locked in the Cradle of the Keep Season 1 : Ep. 13 (50:49)
Al Mundy searches in the dungeon of an old castle to find out why an agent was killed.

Related links:
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Susan Saint James
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Ricardo Montalban
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Joseph Cotten
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Fred Astaire
Watch IT TAKES A THIEF episodes free online!
Opening Theme: It Takes a Thief

Opening Theme: MEDICAL CENTER

2010-01-25T08:00:00.000-06:00

Opening credits from Medical Center starring Chad Everett.

More main titles:
Mission: Impossible
Mod Squad
Monk
NBC Mystery Movie (Columbo)
Perry Mason

ASK DISHER: "What do you think of online dating?"

2010-01-23T11:00:00.001-06:00

Another MONK webisode starring Lt. Randy Disher.

Dr. Horrible vs. Batman

2010-01-23T09:08:00.005-06:00

TV star Neil Patrick Harris clearly has musical talent, given his song-and-dance appearances on everything from The Emmys and Sesame Street to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog and even the 100th episode of How I Met Your Mother. Last fall, Cartoon Network series Batman: The Brave and the Bold recruited NPH to play Music Meister, a bad guy whose hypnotic voice forces everyone around him to sing and dance to his whim -- including Aquaman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary, plus an assortment of familiar baddies. They even released a soundtrack album.

Batman: the Brave & the Bold "Drives Us Bats" Music Video

Speaking of Dr. Horrible, here's when he interrupted the Emmy Awards ...

Related links:
Rock out with MANNIX! (Neil Diamond, Buffalo Springfield)
Unaired '60s BATGIRL pilot
Opening Theme: BATMAN 1966 w/ The Odd Couple
Opening Theme: SPIDER-MAN LIVE ACTION 1970s
Opening Theme: SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN
Opening Theme: SPIDER-MAN 1967

Rock out with MANNIX!

2010-01-22T21:12:00.002-06:00

From time to time, private investigator Joe Mannix (Mike Connors) followed a lead that took him to a club or recording studio -- where he crossed paths with some real-life recording artists. Three examples below, including videos:

Neil Diamond performed "The Boat That I Row" and "Raisin' Cain" (and has a line of dialogue!) on the episode "The Many Deaths of Saint Christopher" (Oct 7, 1967).

NEIL DIAMOND on "Mannix"

Buffalo Springfield performed "Bluebird" and "For What It's Worth" on the episode "Warning: Live Blueberries" Oct 28, 1967).

BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD on "Mannix"

The Peppermint Trolley Company performed "Trust" on the episode "Who Will Dig The Graves?" (Nov 16, 1968).

PEPPERMINT TROLLEY CO. on "Mannix"

Related links:
Opening Theme: Mannix
DVD extras announced for MANNIX
Fiction and DVD Links (27 Feb 08)
MANNIX to the max

Watch CASTLE episodes free online!

2010-01-22T06:00:00.002-06:00

Episodes of Castle starring Nathan Fillion as best-selling mystery writer Richard Castle and Stana Katic as Detective Kate Beckett. Castle's fame gives him an all-access pass to her cases and he's working her last nerve. But somehow, together, they're the perfect partners in crime.

It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Fred Astaire

2010-01-21T06:00:00.003-06:00

Another double-shot of classic '60s espionage series It Takes a Thief starring Robert Wagner, featuring a pair of episodes guest-starring Fred Astaire.

The Great Casino Caper Season 3 : Ep. 4 (51:08)
Al Mundy and his father set out to loot the vault of a casino in Venice and sell the lira to a counterfeiter.

The Three Virgins of Rome Season 3 : Ep. 7 (51:39)
When Al Mundy is assigned to protect three priceless paintings, he finds that his father wants to steal them.

Related links:
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Susan Saint James
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Ricardo Montalban
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Joseph Cotten
Watch IT TAKES A THIEF episodes free online!
Opening Theme: It Takes a Thief

Opening Theme: THE ROOKIES

2010-01-20T08:00:00.000-06:00

The main titles for The Rookies.

More main titles:
Opening Theme: HARRY O
Opening Theme: HAMISH MACBETH
Opening Theme: DAN AUGUST
Opening Theme: THE PERSUADERS
Opening Theme: S.W.A.T.
Opening Theme: Saint
Opening Theme: Simon & Simon
Opening Theme: Six Million Dollar Man
Opening Theme: Starsky & Hutch

It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Joseph Cotten

2010-01-19T06:00:00.004-06:00

A feature-length thriller from classic '60s espionage series It Takes a Thief starring Robert Wagner, with special guest Joseph Cotten (Shadow of a Doubt). Al Mundy (Wagner) arranges to be imprisoned in East Germany as a spy, to make possible his exchange for a supposed Communist spy -- a man who is actually a U.S. agent.

Hans Across the Border: Part 1 Season 2 : Ep. 7 (51:24)

Hans Across the Border: Part 2 Season 2 : Ep. 8 (50:57)

Related links:
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Susan Saint James
It Takes a Thief: Guest-starring Ricardo Montalban
Watch IT TAKES A THIEF episodes free online!
Opening Theme: It Takes a Thief