Product Description

Complete first season of the television program focusing on the paramedic Squad 51, staff of Rampart Hospital, and the Los Angeles Sheriff and fire departments.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 23-AUG-2005
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3517 in DVD
• Brand: FULLER,ROBERT
• Released on: 2005-08-23
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .50 pounds
• Running time: 655 minutes

Amazon.com
Created and produced by TV legend Jack Webb, Emergency! delivered a double dose of medical drama and real-life action into its stories, which made it a major favorite among viewers during its '72-77 network run. The season 1 set compiles the first 11 episodes of the program, in which paramedics Gage (Randolph Mantooth) and DeSoto (Kevin Tighe) tackle crises both big and small, from plane accidents ("Crash," "Dealer's Wild") and baby deliveries ("Brushfire") to the rescue of a horse in a ditch ("Publicity Hound"). Ably assisting the men in the field are the emergency room hospital staff, led by Dr. Joe Early (Bobby Troup, the composer of "Route 66"), Dr. Kelly Brackett (Robert Fuller of Laramie), and Nurse Dixie McCall (singer Julie London); Deirdre Hall of Days of Our Lives fame also appeared (in this season only) as Nurse Sally Lewis. An energetic and entertaining series, the success of Emergency not only spawned a host of promotional tie-ins (and a Saturday morning cartoon), but also helped spark attention for and interest in paramedic work during its network run, which is a considerable legacy for any television program.

Though no extras are included in the season 1 double-disc set, the 1972 two-part pilot, "The Wedsworth-Townsend Affair," is included; directed by Jack Webb, the pilot also features guest appearances by Martin Milner and Kent McCord in their roles from another of his then-current series, Adam-12. --Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews

A Groundbreaking TV Show's Beginning
Emergency was a revolutionary TV show. It portrayed the work of firefighters, paramedics, and doctors pretty much the way it happens in real life. Prior to Emergency medical based shows tended to lean towards soap opera style dramatics to create compelling stories. With Emergency the writers used the real jargon spoken by these professionals ("51 start an IV, D5W TKO," "We're transmitting EKG," "We're sending you a strip, vitals to follow. Pulse is 160, the victim is in extreme pain, Rampart. V-fib!"), and it showed how lives were really saved.

The danger of firefighters' work was really shown for the first time in Emergency, and while the show did tend to glamorize firefighters to a small degree it also showed the dedication that they have to their jobs. Decades before the movie Backdraft you saw firefighters risking their lives on nearly a daily basis. Realism was goal one for the producers, and they achieved that goal.

Season 1 has some great episodes, but it also lacks the cast chemistry that came a year or two later with the addition of Michael Norell as Captain Stanley. The cast - filled with great personalities like Randolph Mantooth, Kevin Tighe, Robert Fuller, Bobby Troup, Ron Pinkard, and Julie London - spent the first season finding their footing with their characters. By season 2 most of them had their characters pegged and developed great interplay with each other.

The other firefighters on the show, played by Tim Donnelly, Marco Lopez, and Mike Stoker also deserve mention because although some of them were given very little to stretch them as actors they did have the perfect personalities to play those characters.

Jack Webb co-created Emergency, and it was his desire to make the show in as close to a "documentary" style as possible. The realism of Emergency ultimately paved the way for later medical shows such as ER.

This is definitely a show that should have its entire run on DVD. Hopefully this first season sells well enought to see the rest of the show released on DVD. To quote Captain Stanley, "Station 51, KMG 365."

Changed the face of Emergency medicine
While I realize this won't be released for a couple of months, I have a copy of all the episodes on video tape and just can't wait for the clarity of DVD. If you're too young to remember this 70s favorite, you need to watch. This series singlehandedly changed the face of emergency medicine by showing the U.S. how paramedics made a difference. The series inspired thousands to become firefighters, paramedics, nurses, and doctors. The paramedic program was, within one year, at least 20 years ahead of what it would've been without it. As the prior reviewer said, Universal, you rock! Now, let's get cracking on the other seasons' episodes.

Very Infuencial
Emergency! without a doubt is the single most important program of our time.With the exception possibly of "Americas Most Wanted" and "Unsolved Mysteries",Emergency! made more of a difference than any other "fluff" show on TV.Who had ever heard of Paramedics,or rescue squads before this show? Anyone who has ever dialed 9-1-1 and requested medical assistance,can thank Jack Webb,Mr Cinader,Johnny and Roy and everybody else associated with this groundbreaking show for urging nationwide EMT coverage.Remember,in the old days,ambulances could not perform lifesaving treatments and could only transport the injured.Many died enroute to the hospital not due to the severity of their injuries,but due to the lack of initial treatment,and no possible diagnosis of how serious their injuries were.Yup....every American today and from 1972- up to today owes a debt of gratitude to this amazing show.Forget CSI,ER,and Law & Order.....they are lightweights compared to the reach of this production.To this day,the Crown engine,the Ward LaFrance engine,and the 72 Dodge squad along with all surviving cast members are....every one...legends.Get ready for Emergency! mania once this DVD is released....It deserves it...and its the least we can do to honor the incredible program that we are fortunate to have.