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'The Paper Chase' on DVD

G-Fafif Apr 10 2009 10:07 AM

A longstanding video wish of mine came true this week when the first season of "The Paper Chase," the highly praised, low-rated series that aired on CBS in 1978-79 came to DVD. It was so beloved that William Paley himself overrode its cancellation so it could at least see out its run. The eps were later shown on PBS, which didn't do that sort of thing back then. Showtime picked up the series later for three more seasons, through graduation. But this is the one I've been waiting for: James T. Hart (James Stephens) from Minnesota dealing with the rigors of a prestigious Northeastern law school (never specified as Harvard on TV though it was in the also excellent movie from 1973) and attempting to match wits with the inscrutable and demanding Professor Charles Kingsfield, a legendary portrayal by John Houseman. I'm sure I haven't seen any of these eps since at least the mid-'80s, some not since the year it aired originally, but it all came rushing back to me. I love the earnestness of the law students but am saddened just a bit by the notion that somewhere they grew older and probably more cynical since I first met them. Weird juxtaposition of my viewing the first disc is Mrs. Fafif recently Netflixed the first season of "The Mod Squad," which came along ten years earlier. That was ABC's slick attempt, through hip, with-it, young detectives to cash in on the youthquake of the late '60s. Laughable to watch now, of course, but instructive in that here was network television trying to present, in its twisted way, idealistic young people (albeit with lots of chase scenes) when that was considered off the charts unusual. And here I am watching, from ten years later, "The Paper Chase," where the young people are idealistic in an institutionalized sense (a rainbow coalition of law students, young men and women all getting their shot) yet the times have changed. The 1968 of the Mod Squad was rebellious, no matter how cartoonish it came off on the show. The 1978 of the Paper Chase was tired, no matter how well-intentioned its players. I recommend a Netflixing of "The Paper Chase" if you've never seen it or the entire set if you've been missing it as I've been for the past three decades. It's good enough to own.

themetfairy Apr 10 2009 10:42 AM

The movie was always a favorite of D-Dad's. Thanks for the heads up!