TELEVISION’S LOST CLASSICS – VOLUME TWO – RARE PILOTS – Blu-ray

This is a special series of lost classic programs from the Golden Age of TV. The series has been restored by SabuCat Productions from the best archival film elements available in high definition, some of the programs have not been seen since they were originally broadcast. Volume Two contains 4-rare ‘Pilot’ episodes. Pilot 1 – “Case of the Sure Thing,” introduced the series Racket Squad, which lasted for 3 seasons and was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. An interesting side-note, reportedly, this program may have inspired parts of the Hollywood hit, “The Sting.” It was first broadcast on CBS, Thursday, June 7, 1951 and starred Reed Hadley as Captain Braddock, and was written by Arthur Orloff. Note: Contains original network commercials as originally broadcast on CBS. Pilot 2 – “Cool and Lam,” is a light-hearted, detective yarn featuring characters first created by Erle Stanley Gardner. Bertha Cool runs a detective agency and Donald Lam is her junior partner, hence “Cool and Lam.” Directed by Jacques Tourneur! Pilot 3 – “The Life of Riley,” a heretofore lost pilot which starred Lon Chaney, Jr. as Chester Riley! This stand-alone episode was produced in 1948 but by the time the first season went into full production in 1949, Chaney had been replaced by no less than Jackie Gleason! Pilot 4 – “Nero Wolfe,” based on characters created by Rex Stout, is another one-off production. Kurt Kasznar is Nero Wolfe, with future mega-star, William Shatner co-starring. This is another “lost” pilot, presented here for the first time.

CBS Blooper Reel hosted by James Arness.