1. Naked City
Ah, "Naked City." That 1958 version, you know. Filmed right there on the streets of New York, gave it a real authenticity, a kind of grittiness you just didn't see much on the tube back then. Every week, a new story, a new slice of life, but always with that documentary feel. And those closing lines, "There are eight million stories in the Naked City. This has been one of them." Stuck with you, didn't it? A true pioneer in broadcast drama, black and white, but full of color.
2. Thriller
And then there was "Thriller," with Boris Karloff. Oh, that man had a voice, didn't he? He'd introduce these little nightmares, real spine-tinglers, mostly in glorious black and white. It wasn't always ghosts and monsters; sometimes it was just the chilling suspense of a good old-fashioned mystery, or a psychological twist that left you feeling uneasy. Definitely pushed the boundaries of what you could show late at night. A proper anthology, really.
3. The Outer Limits
Now, if you wanted something a bit... stranger, "The Outer Limits" was your ticket. Started in '63, remember? Always opened with that voice-over, "There is nothing wrong with your television set..." and then they'd plunge you into some wild science fiction tale. It wasn't just about the monsters, though they had some memorable ones. It often made you think, too, about humanity or where we were headed. Very atmospheric, very black and white, very ahead of its time.
4. The Prisoner
"The Prisoner." Good Lord, that was a head-scratcher, and a brilliant one. McGoohan, after "Secret Agent," just threw out the rulebook. He's Number Six, trapped in that bizarre Village, always trying to escape. No clear answers, just endless questions about identity and control. It was maddening, mesmerizing, and utterly unique for television. A true long-form experiment, all those colors, too, when we were finally getting them. Nothing else like it.
5. Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Oh, Kolchak! Darren McGavin as that rumpled reporter chasing ghouls and monsters in the Windy City. He'd find the weirdest things, vampires, werewolves, even a demon, and no one would ever believe him. It was spooky, sure, but also had a great sense of humor. A proper monster-of-the-week show, but with a consistent character and a definite style. And it aired in '74, a great run, even if it was short. Paved the way for others, you know.
6. Police Story
"Police Story," from '73. That wasn't your usual cop show, not by a long shot. It was an anthology, really, showing police work from all angles – patrolmen, detectives, even the bad guys sometimes. It felt real, gritty, not glamorous like some of the others. Joseph Wambaugh, a former cop himself, helped make sure of that. They used actual dialogue and situations, which was a revelation. Powerful stuff, and often quite dramatic.
