1. One Step Beyond
Before Rod Serling gave us his famous dimension, John Newland was already dipping into the strange with 'One Step Beyond.' These were true stories, mind you, or at least they claimed to be, often shot with a stark, almost documentary feel that made the paranormal seem awfully close to home. And in black and white? It just made those ghostly encounters and premonitions feel all the more unsettling. You really felt like you were peeking behind the curtain.
2. Thriller
Oh, 'Thriller'! When Boris Karloff introduced an episode, you knew you weren't in for a cozy evening. This show truly earned its name, leaning hard into horror and genuine suspense, often leaving you with a shiver. It was darker, more macabre than its anthology brethren, and many of those early tales, especially the supernatural ones, stuck with you. And what a treat to see Karloff himself in some of them, a true master of the macabre.
3. The Prisoner
'The Prisoner' wasn't just a show; it was an experience, a puzzle box dropped right into your living room. Patrick McGoohan, who'd just left 'Secret Agent,' created something truly unique – a spy who quits, only to be trapped in a bizarre, idyllic village. Every episode built on the last, questioning identity and freedom. It was bold, often confusing, but utterly captivating. And that Rover! Still gives me the creeps.
4. The Name of the Game
Now here was something different for its time: a 90-minute drama, longer than your average movie! 'The Name of the Game' rotated its star power—Stack, Franciosa, Barry—each taking a turn investigating something big for a magazine publisher. It felt grand, almost cinematic, pushing the boundaries of what TV could do with its expansive stories and relevant themes. And those rotating leads kept things fresh, a clever trick for such a long format.
5. Harry O
David Janssen, after 'The Fugitive,' came back as 'Harry O,' a private eye who was a bit more world-weary and a lot less active than your typical gumshoe. He lived by the beach, nursed a bad back, and often let the cases come to him. It was a more thoughtful, melancholic take on the detective genre, letting Janssen's quiet intensity shine. A mood piece, really, with a cynical wit that hit just right.
