ClassicFlix has announced plans to release the first 13 episodes of The Unexpected on DVD on September 23rd. The one season wonder produced by Ziv Television ran for 39 episodes in first-run syndication from March to December 1952.
Here’s the official description:
Locked away for decades, ClassicFlix brings the first 13 episodes of a rare suspense anthology series to DVD in The Unexpected – The Complete Series, Volume 1!
The Unexpected originally aired during Radio’s Golden Age, presenting fifteen-minute suspense dramas, with twist endings, which focused on the “hidden destiny” that awaited the protagonist just around the corner. In 1952, prolific production company Ziv Television brought the concept to TV where it served as a solid precursor to Rod Serling’s venerated Twilight Zone series which would enthrall TV audiences seven years later.
Each episode in Volume 1 is packed with guest stars including Billy Halop, Marjorie Reynolds, Hans Conried, Neville Brand, Margo, Anthony Caruso, Veda Ann Borg, Craig Stevens, Walter Kingsford, Mary Anderson, Michael Whalen, Jeanne Cagney, John Kellogg, Jane Nigh, Paul Guilfoyle, Nestor Paiva, Johnny Downs, Phyllis Avery, Virginia Grey, Jonathan Hale, Carleton G. Young, John Hamilton, Peter Leeds, John Archer, Lucien Littlefield and Jeanne Bates.
NOTE: Although contemporary press accounts and current websites list Herbert Marshall as the host of this program, his presence is absent from the 16mm prints we’ve acquired as part of this release.
And here’s a raw clip from the episode “Born Again” that ClassicFlix shared on its YouTube channel last June:
You can pre-order The Unexpected – The Complete Series, Volume 1 for $19.99 at the ClassicFlix website.
Looks like a great series. Video Noir.
Looking forward tp purchasing `The Unexpected` in September.
,,,what a surprise to see Billie Halop in top form,, *he was close friends of my own cousin BRRNARD PUNSLEY from the original Broadway DEAD END KIDS in 1936 here In NYC….(((.ironically it was bernard who put him back to work after a breakdown due to lack of work for years.**…. bernard had his act together when he left the group for med school***(*long forgotten trivia).. halop;s greatest revival was with O’Connor on ALL IN THE FAMILY as Archie’s bartender..remember…………….?
…..Halop was the highest paid child actor/ voice in radio in the business for many years…** a loud proportional voice// hired for his conspicuous presence..and could belt dialogue over the pit/ defining the personae of the dead end kids often understuding *spit(the leader the gang)Ironically they all caved and gave Sidney Lumet a walk on roll as a juvenile…his first stage experience!! Yiddish theatre didn’t favor sidney either…..halop;s infliece even went further,,,,,jerry lewis;s voice was cribbed from halop at day one.. I could never stand jerry personlly…ajas