McCloud Series One and Two - The Memorable TV DVD Review

You couldn't call him streetwise but Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud could certainly look after himself, arriving in New York (from his native Taos, New Mexico) on the trail of a refugee prisoner (seen in the pilot episode Portrait of a Dead Girl aka Who Killed Miss USA) and ending up staying and working for Manhattan's 27th Precinct.

Part of the NBC Mystery Movie strand (which also gave us such fellow classics as McMillan and Wife, Columbo and Quincy - all now thankfully available on DVD too thanks to Universal) McCloud is also one of the most fondly remembered shows of the seventies, there was something so incongruous to see McCloud riding his horse through the New York traffic wearing his sheepskin jacket, cowboy boots and a Stetson but he was a real likeable character, each episode (and there 11 spread across three double sided discs) is feature length and of course much is made of McCloud's fish out of water-ness but in reality its his new partner Sgt Joe Broadhurst (played by Terry Carter) who has most trouble getting used to the new routine.

Dennis Weaver is just perfect as Sam McCloud, stately and a real gentleman but willing to get into the thick of the action when needed.

The plots are cute too, and range from the traditional who-dunnit to McCloud tangling with Smugglers and even getting caught up with the mob. There are some groovy guest stars too including a pre Hart to Hart Stefanie Powers, Randolph Mantooth, the Karate Kid's Pat Morita and the legendary Burgess Meredith. Very enjoyable and still great to watch even though they are now coming up for 35 years old McCloud is definitely worth a look.

ANY SPECIAL FEATURES?

No special features as such but the set includes a bonus episode of fellow Tec show from the early seventies McMillan and Wife which is also released this month by Universal.