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Inspired by the success of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, this briefly popular show was introduced as a midyear replacement during the 1971-72 season. It assiduously emulated the Paul Newman-Robert Redford film, not only in period and theme but also in its generally lighthearted tone. Hannibal Heyes (Pete Duel) and Kid Curry (Ben Murphy), cousins and outlaws, decide to go straight but remain hunted by sheriffs, bounty hunters, local posses, and, occasionally, ordinary people. Adopting fake names, the cousins hope to stay one jump ahead of their would-be captors until the governor decides that they've earned a proposed amnesty. Hannibal becomes "Joshua Smith," profound thinker, poker player, and eternal optimist; Kid uses the handle "Thaddeus Jones," a slow-thinking but quick-drawing worrywart. Their most persistent pursuer is Harry Briscoe (J. D. Cannon), an indefatigable agent of the Bannerman Detective Agency. Among the 15 episodes of Season 1, the clear standout is the 90-minute series pilot, which boasted a guest-star lineup of past, present, and future TV stars: James Drury (The Virginian), John Russell (Lawman), Forrest Tucker (F Troop), Earl Holliman (Police Woman), and Susan St. James (McMillan & Wife). Another snappy episode, "The McCreedy Bust," features Cesar Romero and Burl Ives as feuding ranchers, and "Stagecoach Seven" soft-pedals the comedy in favor of a tense narrative that finds Smith and Jones captured by a station agent besieged by outlaws. Duel and Murphy made a great team, and though the series was curtailed by Duel's shocking suicide in 1973, it picked up new fans as a result of constant repeats in syndication. Over 30 years later, the series still impresses. It's fast moving and funny, with just enough drama and action to satisfy viewers who like their westerns on the vigorous side. Ed Hulse

Product Details

• UPC: 025193304223
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 13:02:00
• Sales Rank: 6,098

This set contains DVDs which may be available separately:

• Alias Smith and Jones
• Alias Smith and Jones: The McCreedy Bust
• Alias Smith and Jones: Exit From Wickenburg
• Alias Smith and Jones: Wrong Train to Brimstone
• Alias Smith and Jones: The Girl in Boxcar #3
• Alias Smith and Jones: The Great Shell Game
• Alias Smith and Jones: Return to Devil's Hole
• Alias Smith and Jones: A Fistful of Diamonds
• Alias Smith and Jones: Stagecoach Seven
• Alias Smith and Jones: The Man Who Murdered Himself
• Alias Smith and Jones: The Root of It All
• Alias Smith and Jones: The 5th Victim
• Alias Smith and Jones: Journey From San Juan
• Alias Smith and Jones: Never Trust an Honest Man
• Alias Smith and Jones: The Legacy of Charlie O'Rourke

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