We were at a Minnesota Twins baseball game, when they flashed the following message on the screen: “They caught the one armed man on the TV series, ‘The Fugitive’” The sold out crowd broke out in a sustained thunderous applause! It was an unforgettable experience!
I was 15 years old when the final episode of the Fugitive aired in 1967. The Fugitive was my favorite television series and I never missed an episode. This was the scene, the final few minutes of the whole series that was on when the picture tube on our television set went out. I ran to a neighbors house to see how it ended but got there too late. It was on television again, maybe 25 or 30 years ago, but I had a business conference I had to be at and I didn't get to watch it. Today, I am 65 years old. It took 50 years for me to see how this episode ended. Scratch one item off the bucket list. Thanks.
That's amazing....love it !!!! Had to watch this scene in the hallway....it was pass our bedtime....the next day ...I went in the 4th grade....miss this great time in life and television.....📺....thank you....Billy C. that damn police lieutenant....🤨...however he did save the doc's life......😊
I was 12 years old in 1967 , that was a sad day , when that series "the fugitive " ended , I wanted it to go on forever, what a memorable performance by David Janssen. Great 👍 memories
I live in Los Angeles, and when the final episode aired, the city shut down. My parents went to a very popular restaurant in Beverly Hills the next night, and waiting for their table, took a seat at the bar. The bartender told them the restaurant was pretty much empty the night before, and Beverly Hills was as quiet as Sunday night at 3 in the morning. All because EVERYONE stayed home to watch this final great episode!
This and The Invaders...best tv shows ever made. Sadly I was born too late but watching these. These were made when Television was real Television. Unfortunately today we'll never get anything like this anymore
Indeed - watching Janssen has made me watch the eyes of performers more - some are a lot better at using the eyes to convey emotion than others - Sylvester Stallone in the Rambo films is strikingly effective there.
For me the real star of the series, and certainly the final episode, was police lieutenant Gerard played by Barry Morse. He played the part of the obsessive hunter of Kimble so brilliantly. I watched the series again recently on DVD, and there are key episodes where subtly Gerard slowly has doubts about Kimble's guilt, so that by that final episode he is on Kimble's side in trying to find the truth. The quick scene shift from the tower to Gerard shooting and killing the One Armed Man is one of the most brilliant in TV history, and the eye contact between Gerard and Kimble when the truth is finally known, I believe is a genuine moving emotional moment between the actors who had played their roles for 4 years.
We never missed an episode of The Fugitive. My mum had the hots for Barry Morse. In every episode he appeared my mum with excitement would say; LOOK! LOOK! it`s lieutenant Gerard and her eyes would be glued to the set.
@@RagShop1 Actually, the episode of Dallas, "Who Done It?" where they revealed who shot J.R., beat The Fugitive's record in 1980. MASH beat it 3 years later.
I think we were held to ransom by the producers to pay extra for the final episode. I think we said don’t bother in the end as our viewers are getting bored - that I think brought the price down!
Oddly enough, the Fugitive was my favorite TV show, and this concluding episode was on my 16th birthday. I have never forgotten it, and have watched it many many times since.
Gerard shakes Kimble's hand outside the courtroom in the best closing scene to a TV drama ever, which I remember watching at the time all those years ago...
I agree Mr Stevesman1. It is THE best closing scene ever. In some postings on The Fugitive there have been a number of criticisms of the scene. In particular that Kimble showed weakness by shaking Gerard's hand. One school of thought is that he should have either hit Gerard, or ignored him. I think that would have been a mistake, and quite out of character for Kimble. Clearly he was a decent man, who had a very strong sense of moral duty. On several occasions throughout the series he put himself at risk to help people in danger. He obviously took his Hippocratic Oath seriously and felt duty bound to help anyone who was injured or sick. And he was also a humane and kindly man for whom becoming a doctor would have been a natural expression of his consideration for others. I also believe that, given his own sense of duty, Kimble respected Gerard's equally strong convictions in that regard. Gerard might be tracking him, but I believe Kimble would have accepted that Gerard was simply doing his job. It was nothing personal. As the series progressed, Gerard clearly began to appreciate that Kimble was no common criminal. Towards the end I felt he began to respect Kimble, and even gave him an opportunity to clear his name at the end. In the scene at the foot of the tower, Gerard was scathing of Lloyd (J D Cannon) Chandlers' initial reluctance to clear Kimble's name. When Chandler finally agreed, Gerard immediately asked him to give evidence under oath. In early drafts of the final 'handshake' scene, Gerard and Kimble were given dialogue to speak, but neither Barry Morse or David Janssen were happy with their lines. Or indeed with the overall design of the scene. Between them they decided the best way to play the scene was to use silence and eye contact to convey the myriad of emotions and feelings both men were experiencing. I think they were absolutely correct. Morse and Janssen had become firm friends during the filming of the series, and totally trusted each other's dramatic instincts. In the scene as it was finally played, the silence conveys an enormous amount - respect, relief, embarrassment, puzzlement even. Oddly, these long time adversaries, knew very little about each other as normal people . One was a hunter, the other his quarry. They had been thrown together completely by accident, and each had a particular role thrust upon him , and had to play out that reality for over four years. Now, their relationship - unusual as it was - was over, and both were returning to the rest of their lives. I sometimes wonder, in the imaginary world of The Fugitive, what happened these characters in the years that followed? Did Kimble get married? Did he successfully return to his previous life? Did Gerard stay in the police? Did he make Captain? And did they ever think of each other? Maybe even miss each other in a strange way? I'm really pleased we were left with all these questions at the end. We can come up with the answers that are perfect for ourselves. And that is the word that best sums up the entire Fugitive experience for me... Perfect!
@@gerardhennessy3586 you are spot on and I agree with everything you said. A tremendous series with a fitting conclusion m. I only wish they brought back Susan Oliver (from "Never Wave Goodbye). Oh, well......
Steve - me as well. Janssen went on to play O’Hara at United States Treasury and Barry Morse’s face was used for Shere Khan in Jungle Book. I am sure the latter was kinda deliberate parody for hounding the innocent. We had the to wait ages for the final episode in the UK as the makers wanted to hold us to ransom to buy it.
@@gerardhennessy3586 I'm sad that anyone though it was weak of Kimble to shake Gerard's hand. It required great strength of character for Gerard to offer his hand and for Kimble to accept it. I'm glad Janssen and Morse got to play that scene their way -- they knew their characters inside and out by then. It's good that the series left it up to the viewers to decide how things go for the characters afterward. That way no one is unhappy. Personally, I think Kimble and Jean married before long and had several children, and he did return to work as a doctor after a good rest. (If he didn't marry Jean, I imagine he got back in touch with Monica Wells (Vera Miles) and ended up marrying her and adopting her son, but I think Jean is also a good match.) Once his exoneration made the national news, I imaging Kimble got inundated with letters from many of the friends he'd made while on the run, and he kept in touch with some of them. I also like to imagine that he and Gerard slowly became somewhat friends -- probably not close friends, but light socializing, not avoiding each other. And Gerard does eventually make Captain, but with a much more balanced approach to police work. I'm on the fence about whether Gerard managed to salvage his strained marriage, but I hope so.
I think a majority of the long running shoes in TV had lost something when the switch from b&w to color had arrived. It was as if screenwriters and producers were thinking, "Hey, we're in color, now, and we won't have to try as hard creatively as we used to in order to satisfy our viewership!"
One the greatest final episodes ever in television history. I loved it. David Janssen. May he rest in peace. To see Harrison Ford play him was an insult. David Janssen. One of televisions finest actors. I loved this scene. One of the best in television history.
I disagree strongly on saying Harrison Ford playing Dr Richard Kimble was an insult to David Janssen. If David Janssen was still alive he would haved loved Harrison Ford's performance period.
This could never have been done, but I have always wanted to see the reactions of at least some of the people Kimble helped over the four years when they find out that he is innocent and their trust in him was justified. So many took great risk to hide him and help him escape. It would have been a nice touch, but I can't imagine it could have been done well; just way too complicated. And also to see the faces and reactions of those who treated him so badly during that time only to find out in the end they were wrong about him.
In addition, so many actors played multiple characters in three or more episodes during the series' run, which one would they be in the finale and how would we know?
It would have been great to see the courtroom filled with those people but I guess the makers of this episode missed the oportunity. It all seemed so rushed at the end.
I guess it just wasn't possible to get all those actors/actresses together, but I have fun imaging the inundation of letters Dr. Kimble must have received when news came out that he was exonerated. It would have been big national news! It's funny, but aside from Jean Carlisle that we're pretty sure he marries sometime fairly soon after he's exonerated, the only other woman who I thought would be a good match for him was Vera Miles' character in the first episode filmed, "Fear in a Desert City."
One of the all time great tv series. If I'm not mistaken, the first one to have an official ending. David Jansen was excellent and they also had great guest stars.
I was a 12 year old patient at La Rabida Children's Hospital with rhumatic fever during the summer of 1967. The doctors extended the lights out time by one hour so we could watch. It was riveting.
Our family took a drive to that amusement park in 1968, just to see the remnants. That tall ride with the double cars was still there. Very surreal and sad to see a closed amusement park. It was all torn down very soon afterwards.
I was nine when this show aired. It seemed like the entire world turned in. This show had it all--a compelling story, great acting, outstanding B & W cinematography and music. Did you notice the music at the top of the tower briefly sounded like Vertigo? Each show was like a one-hour movie. Best drama show of that time, no question.
Shot at the Old Ocean Park Amusement Park in Santa Monica, California when it was Alive, I-SPY, Route 66, Mod Squad & Movies & Other T.V. Shows were Shot there back in the Day, Even After the Park was Shut Down in the Late 60's Movies & T.V. Shows were Shot There.
My father was the one who showed me this show. It's quite good, and I remember watching the ending scene with him. It was good to finally see Kimble get some justice for his wife.
Bill Raisch, yes. His role in this series was his first speaking role (at least, when he had to deliver full scenes of dialogue). Barry Morse said Bill was quite nervous about it, but Barry gave him some good advice and he did very well.
Years ago, a group of Japanese tourists visiting America went over to a man who was watching a scene being filmed on a soundstage for a TV drama. The Japanese tourists asked him for his autograph. The man was confused and said to them, "But I'm not a star. I don't work on the show. I'm just here visiting a friend." The tourists told him, "But you were the one armed man on the fugitive." That man was Bill Raisch and he happily gave them his autograph.
me, am 80 year, young male, richard butchieboy richards, am easy to find. am also the one armed man. it was terror for me, a then 18yr. l.a. kid all of a sudden everything became worse and when wymn screemed i went running. i would stay inside. thankgod i had presious parents who themselves, were almost overwhelmed by ''outa nowhere'' hate, threat......... the hatred. .............................................so, live long and prosper, richard richards ''the one armed crescent city man.'' remember i'm very easy to find.
Watching this show as a kid, I was sad thinking about how much he had to endure trying to prove his innocence. And how much the one armed man scared me.
In real life, I would have simply shot him in the leg. Even then, the cops would have gotten the truth from him. Anyway, good riddance! Great direction by Don. R.I.P.
I just enjoyed watching this short clip of the final episode, when Kimball catches the infamous one armed man! I still feel the same excitement as I did back when I watched it as youngster in 67 just like the gentleman in the previous comments I was also 15 and yes I never missed an episode of the Fugitive. I was a big fan of Mr Jansen until his untimely death in 1980. Thank you for all your years as an actor you were sensational! Don R. age 65
I was only 8 years old when I saw this final episode with my older brothers. We were so on the edge and the next morning I was discussing this episode with my classmates in school and playing it together we were so excited. I am an old man now and I don't think I ever saw a TV series that exciting in my life again well maybe the game of thrones.
I was in my thirties when I saw the show for the first time back in the early 90s I was renting a room from an old friend of the family and he turned me on to it I watch it any time I get the chance on reruns great show Rip David janssen as the fugitive
This was one of the MOST WATCHED Televised broadcasts in history. Somebody had to tell me? Yes, that's sounds good. I was there...young, but old enough to remember.
I loved this series back when! Have it on DVD. This final episode was shot at the POP pier amusement park in Venice Beach, Ca. It has since been demolished decades ago. Even the pier!
I grew up in Los Angeles, Eagle Rock to be exact. Whenever I had my turn picking between Disneyland and POP, I'd always pick POP. So I've visited there about 5 or 6 times. That rollercoaster was so scary, it went out over the ocean and if the car derailed you'd fall into the water nd drown. POP had a wilder experience than Mickey Mouse could ever pull off.
Yesterday,was the 37th year for David Janssen's death.Remarkably , Since then, no one ever embodied Dr. Kimble Character, as he did.The Whole work was an epic. My great respect to the whole fugitive tv series team, actors , actresses, directors and of course ,for you David. We missed you. My love to you forever.
I loved this series when I was kid. I stayed up late to watch the reruns. The stories were so meaningful and wistful, full of human heartbreak stories.
Fifty three (53) years after this aired, I finally see the ending in 2020!! I had watched this show religiously but missed the ending episode ...don’t remember why, but asked around how it ended and never got a decent answer.
The Fugitive series was shown in the UK in the sixty s and was compelling viewing but like you never saw the ending till now. The series is being shown again here on a freeview channel - for me I would have like to have seen Richard end up with one of the female characters played by Suzanne Pleshette and for the Wife of Gerard to have been there when they shook hands as he had taken care of her after the bus crash in a double episode.
"The Fugitive" finale was the most-watched program in TV history at the time...until "Roots", the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of "Dallas", the "M*A*S*H" finale, and of course Super Bowls 44 and beyond came along.
These shows from the 60's were superb...I noticed the musical score was by Dominic Fronteire...The same man who did the music from my favorite 60's show "The Outer Limits"
You just never know what's going to happen next in this life, do you? You can bet that, when Gerard found out that Dr. Kimble was truly innocent of the charges against him, it changed something inside of his psyche. Imagine chasing somebody that you thought was a murderous criminal, only to find out that he not only was innocent, but had proved his innocence. All of a sudden, a kind of an alliance is formed between these two men... and they end up taking out the true criminal! I love it! There is a sadness that remains, though. Mrs. Kimble is gone...but maybe there can now be a kind of peace that can be had, in knowing that she lived a good life, and that they can meet again...in Heaven!
The Fugitive was one of only two series I never missed an episode of if I could possibly help it when I was a kid, the other being Combat. I remember somebody claiming it would come out in the end that Lt Gerard was the actual killer of Kimble's wife. Btw, some trivia: Bill Raisch, the one-armed man, played a Roman soldier who got his arm chopped off by Kirk Douglas in Spartacus.
Bill Raisch worked with Kirk Douglas again in LONELY ARE THE BRAVE (1962), this time with Raisch picking a barroom fight with Douglas who up to then was minding his own business. It's a great scene, and can be found in RUclips.
The best TV ever, but even as a kid I thought Kimble dyeing his hair black was never enough. He should have occasionally dyed it blonde, changed the style, worn glasses, grown some facial hair, anything to avoid capture. He seemed to get recognised as Kimble every week....And such a tragedy for the great David Janssen to die young.
How wonderful to see this reminder of The Fugitive after all these years. A truly marvellous TV series. Many thanks for posting. A couple of answers and responses to comments made by other posts below. 1. The One Armed Man was played by Bill Raisch, who was born in Germany but raised in the US. His casting had nothing to do with being one-armed. He simply looked right for the part. The role was originally intended to be non-speaking, so his appearance was considered vital. At the time the TV company were applauded for casting someone with a disability. Something highly unusual then. Although Raisch appeared in only 11 episodes he was so memorable in the role of villain that he was completely typecast afterwards. In gratitude for his contribution to the success of the series, the producers put him on a lifelong salary and he never had to work again as a result. Bill Raisch died of lung cancer in 1984. Ironically he was hospitalised in Santa Monica when he died - only a couple of miles from the site of the old Pacific Ocean Park where his character was killed at the climax of The Fugitive 2. William Conrad recorded several different versions of his last voiceover words. The actual date 'when the running stopped' varied from country to country, depending on when the final episode was transmitted. In the United States the final episode was shown on 27th August 1967 so that was the date given on the voiceover. In Ireland where I lived it was 5th September, and so on. 3. In my opinion William Conrad's contribution was quite enormous. His deep voice and dramatic delivery added immeasurably to the overall tension of the series, and ensured that the final scene each week was highly memorable. Although now best remembered as the star of Cannon, in fact Conrad had started out as a radio actor, and played the part of Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke for several years. Not surprising given his wonderful voice. Thanks again to all concerned for posting. What a trip down memory lane I have had as a result.
Tony StarkMy pleasure Tony. I'm delighted you found it interesting. I have been a lifelong fan of the programme although I was only 15 when it ended in 1967. Sadly all the principal actors are now dead, although, happily, the wonderful Diane Baker who played Jean Carlisle, and whom Dr Kimble married at the very end of the final episode, is still very much alive. And remains just as beautiful as ever.
Gerard Hennessy What is really sad is that nowadays when they compile lists of the greatest tv show finales, The Fugitive is usually no longer on them because it was so long ago. Sad, because it remains the best to me.
Gerard Hennessy Thanks for the insights! Oh, how my mother (RIP) LOVED this program back in the day... and got us 3 little kids looking forward to this weekly drama! Poster, thanks for posting. Gerry, thanks for your comments!
Nov 07 2022 I Watched This Episode Today On Decade’s TV They Had A Weekend Binge of The Fugitive I’m 63 years old Been Watching Since I Was About 7 or 8 Years Old
The music in this episode was composed by Dominic Frontiere,who originally composed the exact background music from ABC's "THE OUTER LIMITS" in 1963. ABC really enjoyed Frontiere's music,that they also used it on "THE RAT PATROL" series in 1966-and all these TV shows had one thing in common,,United Artists TV! Quinn Martin and UA Television produced "THE FUGITIVE",while "OUTER LIMITS" was a Daystar/Villa DiStefano produced series with UA ,and "THE RAT PATROL" was a co-production of Mirisch-Rich Television,that was also released through United Artists TV(now MGM Television) a small world,indeed!
I use to watch the fugitive alot but missed the final episode! Thank you ever so much for showing this final episode it brought closure! Love watch reruns of fugitive with David Janson
Running through my mind: what a satisfying series it would make of Dr Kimble re-visiting those people whose paths he once crossed, now that he has been proven not guilty. I’m thinking mostly of his own brother and his mother-in-law. His father has since died. For that we would need some good writers, and I am sure there are many, but we won’t have any of the original players, so better to perish the thought.
The next best thing to your unrealized dream would be for an "authorized" series of Fugitive books to come out, and keep everyone in character. I would want to read well made adaptations of the episodes and even original material. Some entries in the series could be narrated by Gerard, others by the One Armed Man.
I'm still waiting all these years since 2008 for someone to step forward and say "that man is innocent". I suppose that when I finally meet God the record will be made straight.
I watched this series when it was first on tv. And those two weeks when part one and two ran. What good writing, acting... Not today. Feature film studios are in the dumper with a dead box office.
The Fugitive starts running again on MeTV late Sunday night/early Monday morning Sept. 10th/11th, 2017. (2 am Eastern & Pacific, 1 am Central & Mountain). It's starting from the beginning, Fear in a Desert City.
Never knew how this ended til now...I was only 5 at the time but I remembered the music and the crossing gate at the end. My mom use to watch it all the time. It aired in what's known today as the "Prime-time" slot either just before or right after the news at night....I thought this may have went all the way to the end without closure...Sort of like the cartoon character "Racer X" from Speed Racer who never revealed they were brothers or the "Charlie" cliffhanger from Charlie's Angles. I know in the movie remake with Harrison Ford, Did conclude with Kimble exonerated.
Ironic that it was Lt. Gerard who ended up saving Kimble from the electric chair considering how, for the past four years, he spent almost every waking hour of his life trying to capture Kimble.
A true case of before and after. Before he knew what had truly happened, Deputy Gerard was the hunter, just going after another hapless criminal. Afterwards, though, when he found out that Dr. Kimble truly was an innocent man, he switched up his role from being a hunter, to actually becoming a protector, of sorts. No matter what happens in this lifetime, justice will always win out. Always!
David Janssen died too early he is famous today had he lived longer he would have been much more famous and that fugitive show was just a masterpiece the final finale held the record for the most watched episode until it was passed in the 80s by who shot j r of Dallas in 1967 over half of the TV owners tuned in to watch the final two episodes
One thing I would have done differently in the final episode as Kimble’s last action. I would have had Kimble go back and get Janice Rule’s character as the love of his life from a few episodes earlier “The Walls of Night.” She had spent time in prison but was innocent as well.
We were at a Minnesota Twins baseball game, when they flashed the following message on the screen: “They caught the one armed man on the TV series, ‘The Fugitive’” The sold out crowd broke out in a sustained thunderous applause! It was an unforgettable experience!
Great comment!
I was 15 years old when the final episode of the Fugitive aired in 1967. The Fugitive was my favorite television series and I never missed an episode. This was the scene, the final few minutes of the whole series that was on when the picture tube on our television set went out. I ran to a neighbors house to see how it ended but got there too late. It was on television again, maybe 25 or 30 years ago, but I had a business conference I had to be at and I didn't get to watch it. Today, I am 65 years old. It took 50 years for me to see how this episode ended. Scratch one item off the bucket list. Thanks.
about the same here
@@MrFarrokhtony Better late than never.
Thank goodness there's youtube now...😅wow sir, what a story......😅😅😅
I was 16 Mom&I watched all of the episodes sort of a letdown after this one...Mom 86 still alive&well😁
That's amazing....love it !!!! Had to watch this scene in the hallway....it was pass our bedtime....the next day ...I went in the 4th grade....miss this great time in life and television.....📺....thank you....Billy C. that damn police lieutenant....🤨...however he did save the doc's life......😊
I was 12 years old in 1967 , that was a sad day , when that series "the fugitive " ended , I wanted it to go on forever, what a memorable performance by David Janssen. Great 👍 memories
I live in Los Angeles, and when the final episode aired, the city shut down. My parents went to a very popular restaurant in Beverly Hills the next night, and waiting for their table, took a seat at the bar. The bartender told them the restaurant was pretty much empty the night before, and Beverly Hills was as quiet as Sunday night at 3 in the morning. All because EVERYONE stayed home to watch this final great episode!
It still is on Me TV. Mon. Morning @1 am CST. I never miss it. I'm 70 yrs.old. That was the BEST series on ever!!!
I’m watching every week on MeTV!❤
"Tuesday, August 29. The day the running stopped."
One of all time great series. RIP David.
This and The Invaders...best tv shows ever made. Sadly I was born too late but watching these. These were made when Television was real Television.
Unfortunately today we'll never get anything like this anymore
I agree with you 100%!
A remarkable series that will never be forgotten.
Wow , I still watch reruns and im 60 years old now
I finally saw the finish of the fugitive, after all these years. Thanks..
when I saw this as a kid I bawled my eyes out with relief that he didn't have to run anymore :,)
I missed the last episode after watching the entire series. Finally got to see it today!
David Janssen, the master of understated acting. It was all in his eyes!
Indeed - watching Janssen has made me watch the eyes of performers more - some are a lot better at using the eyes to convey emotion than others - Sylvester Stallone in the Rambo films is strikingly effective there.
I have a notion to second that emotion ! Well said and well put !
Couldn't agree more. Understated!
⁶
I felt sad Janssen pass away to soon on February 13, 1980. If he could have live long, Janssen would have make an great cameo in Harrison Ford movie.
For me the real star of the series, and certainly the final episode, was police lieutenant Gerard played by Barry Morse. He played the part of the obsessive hunter of Kimble so brilliantly. I watched the series again recently on DVD, and there are key episodes where subtly Gerard slowly has doubts about Kimble's guilt, so that by that final episode he is on Kimble's side in trying to find the truth. The quick scene shift from the tower to Gerard shooting and killing the One Armed Man is one of the most brilliant in TV history, and the eye contact between Gerard and Kimble when the truth is finally known, I believe is a genuine moving emotional moment between the actors who had played their roles for 4 years.
“I said he killed. I didn’t say he was a killer.”.....Lt.Gerard
We never missed an episode of The Fugitive.
My mum had the hots for Barry Morse. In every episode he appeared my mum with excitement would say; LOOK! LOOK! it`s lieutenant Gerard and her eyes would be glued to the set.
@@stillastillsfan"I didn't say he is a killer ,I said he has killed"
Yes indeed one of the greatest TV series of it's time 👍
That show was the highest rated show in the history of tv for about 10 more years I believe!
Until the finale of "M.A.S.H." in 1983. Nearly 16 years until "The Fugitive" finale was beaten.
@@RagShop1 Actually, the episode of Dallas, "Who Done It?" where they revealed who shot J.R., beat The Fugitive's record in 1980. MASH beat it 3 years later.
There were a lot less people in 1967. Some still didn’t even have a TV! Per Capita, The Fugitive finale wins.
If you were over 10 in 1967 you watched the ending. Highest watched episode in TV history at that point.
The day the running stopped
I was 8 at the time and recall references to the one armed man and the Fugitive being persued by Police officer Gerrard.
I think we were held to ransom by the producers to pay extra for the final episode. I think we said don’t bother in the end as our viewers are getting bored - that I think brought the price down!
The finale was worth waiting for back in '67.
Oddly enough, the Fugitive was my favorite TV show, and this concluding episode was on my 16th birthday. I have never forgotten it, and have watched it many many times since.
Gerard shakes Kimble's hand outside the courtroom in the best closing scene to a TV drama ever, which I remember watching at the time all those years ago...
I agree Mr Stevesman1. It is THE best closing scene ever. In some postings on The Fugitive there have been a number of criticisms of the scene. In particular that Kimble showed weakness by shaking Gerard's hand. One school of thought is that he should have either hit Gerard, or ignored him. I think that would have been a mistake, and quite out of character for Kimble. Clearly he was a decent man, who had a very strong sense of moral duty. On several occasions throughout the series he put himself at risk to help people in danger. He obviously took his Hippocratic Oath seriously and felt duty bound to help anyone who was injured or sick. And he was also a humane and kindly man for whom becoming a doctor would have been a natural expression of his consideration for others.
I also believe that, given his own sense of duty, Kimble respected Gerard's equally strong convictions in that regard. Gerard might be tracking him, but I believe Kimble would have accepted that Gerard was simply doing his job. It was nothing personal. As the series progressed, Gerard clearly began to appreciate that Kimble was no common criminal. Towards the end I felt he began to respect Kimble, and even gave him an opportunity to clear his name at the end. In the scene at the foot of the tower, Gerard was scathing of Lloyd (J D Cannon) Chandlers' initial reluctance to clear Kimble's name. When Chandler finally agreed, Gerard immediately asked him to give evidence under oath.
In early drafts of the final 'handshake' scene, Gerard and Kimble were given dialogue to speak, but neither Barry Morse or David Janssen were happy with their lines. Or indeed with the overall design of the scene. Between them they decided the best way to play the scene was to use silence and eye contact to convey the myriad of emotions and feelings both men were experiencing. I think they were absolutely correct. Morse and Janssen had become firm friends during the filming of the series, and totally trusted each other's dramatic instincts.
In the scene as it was finally played, the silence conveys an enormous amount - respect, relief, embarrassment, puzzlement even. Oddly, these long time adversaries, knew very little about each other as normal people . One was a hunter, the other his quarry. They had been thrown together completely by accident, and each had a particular role thrust upon him , and had to play out that reality for over four years. Now, their relationship - unusual as it was - was over, and both were returning to the rest of their lives.
I sometimes wonder, in the imaginary world of The Fugitive, what happened these characters in the years that followed? Did Kimble get married? Did he successfully return to his previous life? Did Gerard stay in the police?
Did he make Captain? And did they ever think of each other? Maybe even miss each other in a strange way?
I'm really pleased we were left with all these questions at the end. We can come up with the answers that are perfect for ourselves. And that is the word that best sums up the entire Fugitive experience for me...
Perfect!
@@gerardhennessy3586 you are spot on and I agree with everything you said. A tremendous series with a fitting conclusion m. I only wish they brought back Susan Oliver (from "Never Wave Goodbye). Oh, well......
Steve - me as well. Janssen went on to play O’Hara at United States Treasury and Barry Morse’s face was used for Shere Khan in Jungle Book. I am sure the latter was kinda deliberate parody for hounding the innocent.
We had the to wait ages for the final episode in the UK as the makers wanted to hold us to ransom to buy it.
@@gerardhennessy3586 I'm sad that anyone though it was weak of Kimble to shake Gerard's hand. It required great strength of character for Gerard to offer his hand and for Kimble to accept it. I'm glad Janssen and Morse got to play that scene their way -- they knew their characters inside and out by then. It's good that the series left it up to the viewers to decide how things go for the characters afterward. That way no one is unhappy. Personally, I think Kimble and Jean married before long and had several children, and he did return to work as a doctor after a good rest. (If he didn't marry Jean, I imagine he got back in touch with Monica Wells (Vera Miles) and ended up marrying her and adopting her son, but I think Jean is also a good match.) Once his exoneration made the national news, I imaging Kimble got inundated with letters from many of the friends he'd made while on the run, and he kept in touch with some of them. I also like to imagine that he and Gerard slowly became somewhat friends -- probably not close friends, but light socializing, not avoiding each other. And Gerard does eventually make Captain, but with a much more balanced approach to police work. I'm on the fence about whether Gerard managed to salvage his strained marriage, but I hope so.
I liked the show more in black and white than the last season in color.
I think a majority of the long running shoes in TV had lost something when the switch from b&w to color had arrived. It was as if screenwriters and producers were thinking, "Hey, we're in color, now, and we won't have to try as hard creatively as we used to in order to satisfy our viewership!"
Same with me and I like how Ed Begley and other former 12 Angry Men actors guest starred in some of the Fugitive episodes.
One the greatest final episodes ever in television history. I loved it. David Janssen. May he rest in peace. To see Harrison Ford play him was an insult. David Janssen. One of televisions finest actors. I loved this scene. One of the best in television history.
I disagree strongly on saying Harrison Ford playing Dr Richard Kimble was an insult to David Janssen. If David Janssen was still alive he would haved loved Harrison Ford's performance period.
Yup, and even David Janssen would even like Tim Daly to honor the play as Dr. Richard Kimble.
@@TheImaginator972 Idk about that one lol.
This could never have been done, but I have always wanted to see the reactions of at least some of the people Kimble helped over the four years when they find out that he is innocent and their trust in him was justified. So many took great risk to hide him and help him escape. It would have been a nice touch, but I can't imagine it could have been done well; just way too complicated. And also to see the faces and reactions of those who treated him so badly during that time only to find out in the end they were wrong about him.
In addition, so many actors played multiple characters in three or more episodes during the series' run, which one would they be in the finale and how would we know?
It would have been great to see the courtroom filled with those people but I guess the makers of this episode missed the oportunity. It all seemed so rushed at the end.
@@alanmehta6448 They weren't going to do the finale at first and the public complained so much.
I guess it just wasn't possible to get all those actors/actresses together, but I have fun imaging the inundation of letters Dr. Kimble must have received when news came out that he was exonerated. It would have been big national news! It's funny, but aside from Jean Carlisle that we're pretty sure he marries sometime fairly soon after he's exonerated, the only other woman who I thought would be a good match for him was Vera Miles' character in the first episode filmed, "Fear in a Desert City."
One of the all time great tv series. If I'm not mistaken, the first one to have an official ending. David Jansen was excellent and they also had great guest stars.
I was a 12 year old patient at La Rabida Children's Hospital with rhumatic fever during the summer of 1967. The doctors extended the lights out time by one hour so we could watch. It was riveting.
Our family took a drive to that amusement park in 1968, just to see the remnants. That tall ride with the double cars was still there. Very surreal and sad to see a closed amusement park. It was all torn down very soon afterwards.
I was nine when this show aired. It seemed like the entire world turned in. This show had it all--a compelling story, great acting, outstanding B & W cinematography and music. Did you notice the music at the top of the tower briefly sounded like Vertigo? Each show was like a one-hour movie. Best drama show of that time, no question.
A Quinn Martin production the best
I was 9,,years old watching this with my dad rip dad never forget.
Shut up lying bitch
Shot at the Old Ocean Park Amusement Park in Santa Monica, California when it was Alive, I-SPY, Route 66, Mod Squad & Movies & Other T.V. Shows were Shot there back in the Day, Even After the Park was Shut Down in the Late 60's Movies & T.V. Shows were Shot There.
i remember this one well. it was an enormous tv event. i think everybody was watching across the country.
My father was the one who showed me this show. It's quite good, and I remember watching the ending scene with him. It was good to finally see Kimble get some justice for his wife.
The actor that played the one armed man was born in 1905. So he was 62 years old when he played in this scene.
Bill Raisch, yes. His role in this series was his first speaking role (at least, when he had to deliver full scenes of dialogue). Barry Morse said Bill was quite nervous about it, but Barry gave him some good advice and he did very well.
One of the best series I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
Years ago, a group of Japanese tourists visiting America went over to a man who was watching a scene being filmed on a soundstage for a TV drama. The Japanese tourists asked him for his autograph. The man was confused and said to them, "But I'm not a star. I don't work on the show. I'm just here visiting a friend." The tourists told him, "But you were the one armed man on the fugitive." That man was Bill Raisch and he happily gave them his autograph.
History Here People , Finally The One Armed Man Gets Caught !
What a TV Series !!
But I can't believe it's not on Me-TV antenna TV or Cozi TV
@Upson Pratt I know I can't believe they have it on that late they should show at Monday through Friday at 9 p.m.
me, am 80 year, young male, richard butchieboy richards, am easy to find.
am also the one armed man.
it was terror for me, a then 18yr. l.a. kid
all of a sudden everything became worse
and when wymn screemed i went running. i would stay inside.
thankgod i had presious parents who themselves, were almost
overwhelmed by ''outa nowhere'' hate, threat......... the hatred.
.............................................so, live long and prosper,
richard richards ''the one armed crescent city man.''
remember i'm very easy to find.
Watching this show as a kid, I was sad thinking about how much he had to endure trying to prove his innocence. And how much the one armed man scared me.
I remembered the ending. I last saw it in 1967 when it aired I was 13 and I remembered they were in a tower, wow.
The BEST final episode of any series ever! Thanks for the upload!
Thanks for the nod, Robert. It's nice to read a comment from someone who knows how to express a coherent thought!
In real life, I would have simply shot him in the leg. Even then, the cops would have gotten the truth from him. Anyway, good riddance! Great direction by Don. R.I.P.
I just enjoyed watching this short clip of the final episode, when Kimball catches the infamous one armed man! I still feel the same excitement as I did back when I watched it as youngster in 67 just like the gentleman in the previous comments I was also 15 and yes I never missed an episode of the Fugitive. I was a big fan of Mr Jansen until his untimely death in 1980. Thank you for all your years as an actor you were sensational!
Don R. age 65
I was only 8 years old when I saw this final episode with my older brothers. We were so on the edge and the next morning I was discussing this episode with my classmates in school and playing it together we were so excited. I am an old man now and I don't think I ever saw a TV series that exciting in my life again well maybe the game of thrones.
The 60's had the best T.V. shows bar none!
I agree. Shows from the 1960's were top notch.
I like the 70s shows too. Harry O for example.
@@franziskakre8309 and Rockford Files.
My buddies mom hooked me on this show and I never stopped watching
I can't even explain how happy I was. I was only 9 years old when I saw it on tv.
I was in my thirties when I saw the show for the first time back in the early 90s I was renting a room from an old friend of the family and he turned me on to it I watch it any time I get the chance on reruns great show Rip David janssen as the fugitive
I was 6 the first time I watched the fugitive,best TV series ever made
I was 5 when I watched this scene in 1972 in South Korea.. Thanks for pointing it...
Iam glad he got the one arm man and he got justice and after all the series I got the series on dvd
This was one of the MOST WATCHED Televised broadcasts in history. Somebody had to tell me? Yes, that's sounds good. I was there...young, but old enough to remember.
I loved this series back when! Have it on DVD. This final episode was shot at the POP pier amusement park in Venice Beach, Ca. It has since been demolished decades ago. Even the pier!
I grew up in Los Angeles, Eagle Rock to be exact. Whenever I had my turn picking between Disneyland and POP, I'd always pick POP. So I've visited there about 5 or 6 times. That rollercoaster was so scary, it went out over the ocean and if the car derailed you'd fall into the water nd drown. POP had a wilder experience than Mickey Mouse could ever pull off.
Yesterday,was the 37th year for David Janssen's death.Remarkably , Since then, no one ever embodied Dr. Kimble Character, as he did.The Whole work was an epic. My great respect to the whole fugitive tv series team, actors , actresses, directors and of course ,for you David. We missed you. My love to you forever.
Well Harrison Ford did a good job in the film and it was a blockbuster, second only to Jurassic park in 1993
@@knownpleasures I agree Ford was great but this is about Jaansen and how he embodied the role. Idk why you're trying to make it about someone else.
@@kendallrivers1119 I agree with you. This is David Janseen's ( Richard Kimble's) spot ⭐ light March 12 ,,2021
This show and the physical and emotional toll it took on David eventually contibuted to hid death years later.
David, you are missed.
This was on past my sister's and my bedtime but my Mom let us stay up to watch the last episode!!!
I loved this series when I was kid. I stayed up late to watch the reruns. The stories were so meaningful and wistful, full of human heartbreak stories.
Fifty three (53) years after this aired, I finally see the ending in 2020!! I had watched this show religiously but missed the ending episode ...don’t remember why, but asked around how it ended and never got a decent answer.
The Fugitive series was shown in the UK in the sixty s and was compelling viewing but like you never saw the ending till now. The series is being shown again here on a freeview channel - for me I would have like to have seen Richard end up with one of the female characters played by Suzanne Pleshette and for the Wife of Gerard to have been there when they shook hands as he had taken care of her after the bus crash in a double episode.
The one armed man fell from a tower then lt. Gerrard killed the one armed man.
"The Fugitive" finale was the most-watched program in TV history at the time...until "Roots", the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of "Dallas", the "M*A*S*H" finale, and of course Super Bowls 44 and beyond came along.
Definitely the best ending of any tv show
Frank Bullitt. In that ( 1960's ) Era yes The Fugitive 🙂 had the best ending of any tv 📺show March 12,2021
These shows from the 60's were superb...I noticed the musical score was by Dominic Fronteire...The same man who did the music from my favorite 60's show "The Outer Limits"
I remember exactly where I was when I viewed the final episode.I was in high school and knew the one armed man was finally going to be caught.Finally.
After Four Seasons, Dr. Kimble Finally Got Justice!
Not only justice, but a new-found friend in Deputy Gerard!
And the day he can stop running.
Ironic that Lt. Gerard pursued Kimble and in the end, he saved his life.
Kimble saved Gerards life a couple of times over the 4 seasons
@@knownpleasures 6x in 5 eps that Dr.K. saved Lt. Gs life.
@@MsBackstager Yeah, Kimble was still several "up" on Gerard in that department.
You just never know what's going to happen next in this life, do you? You can bet that, when Gerard found out that Dr. Kimble was truly innocent of the charges against him, it changed something inside of his psyche. Imagine chasing somebody that you thought was a murderous criminal, only to find out that he not only was innocent, but had proved his innocence. All of a sudden, a kind of an alliance is formed between these two men... and they end up taking out the true criminal! I love it! There is a sadness that remains, though. Mrs. Kimble is gone...but maybe there can now be a kind of peace that can be had, in knowing that she lived a good life, and that they can meet again...in Heaven!
@@knownpleasures And he could of just left Gerard to his fate and ran....but he didn't....I think it was the doctor in him.
Just think, a mystery spanning from an era of black and white, ending in full colour
Very
Just fantastic series saw every episode from when I was a little kid. It's on now on meTV sun 1 am. Enjoying it even more. RIP David.
The best ending to a show .....EVER. They even ran all the reruns so this show was held off until Aug 22nd and 29th, 1967.
I came to this show late, but am now a big fan. My favourite 60s US drama 💕
The Fugitive was one of only two series I never missed an episode of if I could possibly help it when I was a kid, the other being Combat. I remember somebody claiming it would come out in the end that Lt Gerard was the actual killer of Kimble's wife. Btw, some trivia: Bill Raisch, the one-armed man, played a Roman soldier who got his arm chopped off by Kirk Douglas in Spartacus.
Bill Raisch worked with Kirk Douglas again in LONELY ARE THE BRAVE (1962), this time with Raisch picking a barroom fight with Douglas who up to then was minding his own business. It's a great scene, and can be found in RUclips.
The best TV ever, but even as a kid I thought Kimble dyeing his hair black was never enough. He should have occasionally dyed it blonde, changed the style, worn glasses, grown some facial hair, anything to avoid capture. He seemed to get recognised as Kimble every week....And such a tragedy for the great David Janssen to die young.
How wonderful to see this reminder of The Fugitive after all these years. A truly marvellous TV series. Many thanks for posting.
A couple of answers and responses to comments made by other posts below.
1. The One Armed Man was played by Bill Raisch, who was born in Germany but raised in the US. His casting had nothing to do with being one-armed. He simply looked right for the part. The role was originally intended to be non-speaking, so his appearance was considered vital. At the time the TV company were applauded for casting someone with a disability. Something highly unusual then.
Although Raisch appeared in only 11 episodes he was so memorable in the role of villain that he was completely typecast afterwards. In gratitude for his contribution to the success of the series, the producers put him on a lifelong salary and he never had to work again as a result.
Bill Raisch died of lung cancer in 1984. Ironically he was hospitalised in Santa Monica when he died - only a couple of miles from the site of the old Pacific Ocean Park where his character was killed at the climax of The Fugitive
2. William Conrad recorded several different versions of his last voiceover words. The actual date 'when the running stopped' varied from country to country, depending on when the final episode was transmitted. In the United States the final episode was shown on 27th August 1967 so that was the date given on the voiceover. In Ireland where I lived it was 5th September, and so on.
3. In my opinion William Conrad's contribution was quite enormous. His deep voice and dramatic delivery added immeasurably to the overall tension of the series, and ensured that the final scene each week was highly memorable. Although now best remembered as the star of Cannon, in fact Conrad had started out as a radio actor, and played the part of Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke for several years. Not surprising given his wonderful voice.
Thanks again to all concerned for posting. What a trip down memory lane I have had as a result.
Gerard Hennessy Thank you for all this wonderful information!
Tony StarkMy pleasure Tony. I'm delighted you found it interesting. I have been a lifelong fan of the programme although I was only 15 when it ended in 1967. Sadly all the principal actors are now dead, although, happily, the wonderful Diane Baker who played Jean Carlisle, and whom Dr Kimble married at the very end of the final episode, is still very much alive. And remains just as beautiful as ever.
Gerard Hennessy What is really sad is that nowadays when they compile lists of the greatest tv show finales, The Fugitive is usually no longer on them because it was so long ago. Sad, because it remains the best to me.
Gerard Hennessy Thanks for the insights! Oh, how my mother (RIP) LOVED this program back in the day... and got us 3 little kids looking forward to this weekly drama! Poster, thanks for posting. Gerry, thanks for your comments!
the one armed man's wife always complained about second hand smoke
Nov 07 2022
I Watched This Episode Today On Decade’s TV
They Had A Weekend Binge of The Fugitive
I’m 63 years old Been Watching Since I Was About 7 or 8 Years Old
The greatest television drama series of all time Period!!!!!
Watching this on Thursday, August 29, 2019. Fifty-two years to the Day the Running Stopped.
It's now 2022 and I've just seen this for the first time !!
The music in this episode was composed by Dominic Frontiere,who originally composed the exact background music from ABC's "THE OUTER LIMITS" in 1963. ABC really enjoyed Frontiere's music,that they also used it on "THE RAT PATROL" series in 1966-and all these TV shows had one thing in common,,United Artists TV! Quinn Martin and UA Television
produced "THE FUGITIVE",while "OUTER LIMITS" was a Daystar/Villa DiStefano produced series with UA ,and "THE RAT PATROL" was a co-production of Mirisch-Rich Television,that was also released through United Artists TV(now MGM Television) a small world,indeed!
Joe S Hill - didn't I read somewhere that some of the score from this episode ended up.in the original version of Night Of The Living Dead?
I use to watch the fugitive alot but missed the final episode! Thank you ever so much for showing this final episode it brought closure! Love watch reruns of fugitive with David Janson
Running through my mind: what a satisfying series it would make of Dr Kimble re-visiting those people whose paths he once crossed, now that he has been proven not guilty. I’m thinking mostly of his own brother and his mother-in-law. His father has since died. For that we would need some good writers, and I am sure there are many, but we won’t have any of the original players, so better to perish the thought.
The next best thing to your unrealized dream would be for an "authorized" series of Fugitive books to come out, and keep everyone in character. I would want to read well made adaptations of the episodes and even original material. Some entries in the series could be narrated by Gerard, others by the One Armed Man.
I have never enjoyed a series as much. I felt so sorry for him as it it was real.its a tragedy he died so young
When this show was on my parents forbade visitors or phone calls every night it aired for all 4 years.
was 10 years old stayed up to watch it
It was in reruns when I started watching it. I was so relieved with the ending.
What a great finale
Wow, what a great last line to say at the end of a series like this one. "Let's get started." Roll credits and that is that for the series. Cool.
Not the final scene. Here's the 2 1/2-minute Epilog:
m.ruclips.net/video/Js8bjD9jM3k/видео.html
About time Gerard saved Kimble life, Kimble saved Gerard life so many times!!
Yup, and from interrogating the One-Armed Men, Gerard starting to believe Kimble is innocent after years of chasing him.
I'm still waiting all these years since 2008 for someone to step forward and say "that man is innocent". I suppose that when I finally meet God the record will be made straight.
I watched this series when it was first on tv. And those two weeks when part one and two ran. What good writing, acting...
Not today. Feature film studios are in the dumper with a dead box office.
The Fugitive starts running again on MeTV late Sunday night/early Monday morning Sept. 10th/11th, 2017. (2 am Eastern & Pacific, 1 am Central & Mountain). It's starting from the beginning, Fear in a Desert City.
One of the highest rated tv episodes in history
The part where Kimble literally beats him senseless and he admits to the killing always gets me.
David Janssen was beautiful
After 5 years Richard Kimble is free and no longer has to run.
What about all the addition chares for escape from multiple states? Yes, happy ending.
Never knew how this ended til now...I was only 5 at the time but I remembered the music and the crossing gate at the end. My mom use to watch it all the time. It aired in what's known today as the "Prime-time" slot either just before or right after the news at night....I thought this may have went all the way to the end without closure...Sort of like the cartoon character "Racer X" from Speed Racer who never revealed they were brothers or the "Charlie" cliffhanger from Charlie's Angles. I know in the movie remake with Harrison Ford, Did conclude with Kimble exonerated.
Those were the days, whole family watch this, each friday late 1960 ' s, ...Black and white tv. Good times.
Ironic that it was Lt. Gerard who ended up saving Kimble from the electric chair considering how, for the past four years, he spent almost every waking hour of his life trying to capture Kimble.
Call it repayment for the several times Kimble has saved Gerard in the series such as in Never Wave Good-Bye part 2.
A true case of before and after. Before he knew what had truly happened, Deputy Gerard was the hunter, just going after another hapless criminal. Afterwards, though, when he found out that Dr. Kimble truly was an innocent man, he switched up his role from being a hunter, to actually becoming a protector, of sorts. No matter what happens in this lifetime, justice will always win out. Always!
At my house we watched it every week
It absolutely amazing and so incredible how they dragged out that little confession for 4 seasons
My Favorite TV series use to be shown in Karachi Pakistan in the year 1970 , when i was 5 year old .
David Janssen died too early he is famous today had he lived longer he would have been much more famous and that fugitive show was just a masterpiece the final finale held the record for the most watched episode until it was passed in the 80s by who shot j r of Dallas in 1967 over half of the TV owners tuned in to watch the final two episodes
I never saw the end until now.
Good job, Kimble !
This used to be Sam Kinison's favorite show. He never lived to see the movie though.
I was mopping floors at a midwestern hospital (summer job) and you bet I had the TV turned on in the rooms I visited. Great finish!
So the man with a gun managed to win a fight with an unarmed hand-capped man. What a hero...
Whats your problem?? Just another jerk/asshole??
One thing I would have done differently in the final episode as Kimble’s last action. I would have had Kimble go back and get Janice Rule’s character as the love of his life from a few episodes earlier “The Walls of Night.” She had spent time in prison but was innocent as well.