Starring: David Janssen
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 1210 minutes
Distributed by: Warner Archive
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Warner Archive is studio behind this new fantastic release. This is the first time that the complete season of “Harry O” has ever been released on DVD. David Janssen, who is probably known best for his role in “The Fugitive”, recreates the role of a detective in this show. Though after watching this season, I must saw that this might have been David Janssen at his best. If you are reading this WB, please don’t keep us waiting and release season two ASAP!
“Harry O” blends a mix of action and humor. It definitely represents some good ole’ fashioned television. This releases consists of six DVD, which include all 22 episodes from the entire first season. Besides David Janssen, the show also co-stars Henry Darrow and Anthony Zerbe and includes a bunch of special guests including Stefanie Powers, Linda Evans, Martin Sheen, and Cab Calloway. The DVD looks great for a show from the 70’s and comes presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.37:1 and is in full frame. The audio comes in a Dolby Mono track, which also sounds great for its age. Besides containing the entire first season, this DVD release also comes with a special bonus of the original pilot episode “Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On”.
Harry Orwell is a decidedly different detective. And Harry O is decidedly different TV show. Forced off the force thanks to a bullet lodged near his spine, former police detective Harry Orwell gets by on his disability pension and the occasional private detecting gig (“100 bucks a day. Plus expenses”). No flashy car for the downtrodden Harry – he’s as apt to get around town on bus as he is on foot. But he’s as savvy as he is sophisticated, and though he might have to avoid the slugfests, he can crack any case. Even if it sometimes breaks his heart. Harry O features an actor at the top of his game, playing a character complex enough to contain his talents.