Smart TV series finds way to DVD
Video Viper for May 1, 2009
In some ways, television really hasn't changed much.
Back in 1978, CBS rolled out a new series, “The Paper Chase.” John Jay Osborn, Jr. finished Harvard Law School back in 1970 and promptly wrote a novel about his experiences called “The Paper Chase.”
In 1973 the book was made into a motion picture with Timothy Bottoms as James T. Hart, a first-year law student at a university that appears much like Harvard. The frightful, no-nonsense, powerful and respected Prof. Kingsfield was played by John Houseman.
The film was so respected it became the CBS series. Fortunately, Houseman reprised his role as Kingsfield, even though he was 76 at the time. James Stephens took over the role of Hart.
Unfortunately, the series was well written, well directed, with good characters and solid, varied plotlines. So of course, ratings were low.
And even in 1978, ratings ruled television, despite the lack of a myriad of cable rivals and only three commercial networks.
CBS said it would give the show a chance, but after one season and 22 episodes, it was gone. “Paper Chase” was dubbed “The series too good for television.”
But the series wouldn't die. PBS picked up the first season and ran the reruns for awhile, but didn't have the money to produce new episodes.
Eventually, in 1983, Showtime pay TV picked up the series, reran the first season and produced three more seasons, concluding with “Paper Chase the Graduation Year.”
Houseman was well into his 80s by the time series concluded. He owned the role for more than 10 years.
His crusty Kingsfield accepted no excuses. He was rigid in his methods. He expected perfection and would accept nothing less. Houseman was born to play the role and it is truly one of the most stunning roles ever on television.
The first episode introduces us to Hart, a boy who grew up on a farm and loved it, but yearned to become a lawyer. He ends up at an Ivy League school surrounded by legacy would-be attorneys who wear sweaters and bowties.
It is a TV series about who makes Law Review and scenes taking place in study groups.
It opens with Hart, late for school, because his new alarm clock fails to work. Like those who have nightmares about waking up and having to go to class for a big test unprepared, Hart doesn't realize he is supposed to know certain material for his first class.
Of course the gruff Kingsfield calls on Hart, mostly because he stumbles into class late and looks bewildered. When Hart admits he doesn't know the material, Kingsfield places a ceremonial shroud over him, declaring him dead in his class.
Hart eventually finds a way to make himself unshrouded, something never done before at Harvard, er, wherever this takes place. The little smirk on Houseman's face at end of Show 1 is priceless. What an actor!
If you want to sample a series about smart people talking about and doing smart things, that first season is out on DVD through SHOUT video.
It's worth researching.
PAPER CHASE
• Directed by Georg Stanford Brown, Mark Cullingham and others
• Written by John J. Osborn Jr. and many others
• Runtime: 57 episodes, 60 minutes each, the first season minus commercials
• Not rated. Good for children to watch to introduce them to academics and studying
• 5 stars out of 5
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