mbeallo-78462
I agree with the positive reviews. I think the series was amazing. I loved the book (yes, it was a book), the movie, and the series, both the CBS version and the Showtime version. They were all great, but the Showtime version was the best.I saw the original film when I was in high school. After seeing the movie, I read the book (written by John Jay Osborn, Jr.). Those were two things that made me want to go to law school. I eventually did, but not until I was in my early 30s.I don't know what to add beyond what has already been said. Houseman's Kingsfield was the archetype law professor. I never had a professor that was anything like him, thank goodness, but I did have a lot of respect for my own Contracts professor.If the show is not available on DVD, it should be. If you haven't seen it, and there's any other way of watching it, give it a shot.
kpagan79
I remember this series for a bit of a quirky reason. I was a law student (SMU in Dallas) and entered in the Fall of 1983, the same year Showtime picked this up and ran it. Because of that timing, "Hart" and gang were progressing through law school at the same time as me and my classmates, so we would get together after episodes and critique! I liked the show and it was fairly reflective of law school reality and life. (Not to pick nits, but one area was pretty far off - the law review "office." I wasn't on law review, but certainly friends were and the show portrayed it as like a major metropolitan daily newspaper! It was the opposite end of that spectrum, in reality! The law reviews come out about 3 times a year and students spend their time in the library "cite checking" not running into the law review offices to "beat the presses"! But I digress . . .) I do think the movie was certainly more powerful, and I pull that out about once every 3 or 4 years, but the images bring back some not too pleasant memories! Anyway, I would like to get a copy of the complete series somewhere, but can only find the first two seasons online. Any suggestions??
SedonaRocksFilms
I am Stephen Seretan, and I wrote all the music for the series from CBS to Showtime. John Houseman was a joy to work with and a good friend. I miss him. He was an original. The series was great fun and a dream job for me. Thanks for all the nice comments. I would love to see it aired again.The shows had very little music for each episode, so my job was easy. Does anyone remember the scores to any shows? I would like to know. Film music is supposed to be "not heard" by the audience, but in our show it was prominent. I had several themes going to bind the drama together.
renfield54
This was such a great show it was continued as a SHOWTIME cable series. An improvement on the film of the same name, the continuity was seamless and was done expertly and lovingly. The adventures of Mr. Hart and his co-horts was a pleasure to watch. The small screen version so defined the Paper Chase and Harvard Law School that I find the big screen, Timothy Bottoms, version very unsatisfying and dated.Timothy bottoms is not missed as Mr. Hart, due to the great performance of James Stephens. John Houseman reprising his role of the scholarly, curmudgeon, Professor Kingsfield, provides the link to the original movie that makes the series work. He was exceptional in the role. First feared and hated (by some), he gradually wins you over becoming admired and even loved by those that understand him best (like Hart), providing a near father figure.An intelligent series for the masses, try to see it in chronological order. ENJOY.........
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