LIEUTENANT, THE + BONUS (NBC 1963-64) EXCELLENT QUALITY!!! Gary Lockwood, Robert Vaughn, Richard Anderson

Created by Gene Roddenberry before he launched Star Trek, The Lieutenant aired on NBC during the 1963–1964 television season.

Set at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California, this compelling drama follows the men of the United States Marine Corps during peacetime against the backdrop of the Cold War. From the newest recruit to the highest-ranking general, the Marines of Camp Pendleton represent the discipline, rigorous training and proud traditions of the Corps.

Gary Lockwood stars as Second Lieutenant William Tiberius Rice, a recent graduate of the United States Naval Academy who becomes a rifle platoon leader and training instructor. As the young lieutenant learns to command men older and more experienced than himself, he must also guide the younger Marines who already look upon him as “the Old Man.”

Robert Vaughn portrays Captain Raymond Rambridge, Rice’s company commander and a seasoned officer who rose through the ranks. Richard Anderson—later famous as Oscar Goldman on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman—appears in the recurring role of battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Steve Hiland. Linda Evans, years before The Big Valley and Dynasty, appears in several early episodes as Hiland’s daughter Nan, who develops an interest in Rice.

Filmed at MGM Studios in association with NBC, The Lieutenant featured an extraordinary roster of established performers and future stars, including Bill Bixby, Rip Torn, Robert Duvall, Eddie Albert, Patricia Crowley and Dennis Hopper. Several future Star Trek performers also appeared, including Leonard Nimoy, Majel Barrett, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and Ricardo Montalbán.

The controversial episode “To Set It Right,” written by Lee Erwin, was produced but never broadcast by NBC. The story confronted racial prejudice and featured Nichelle Nichols as the fiancée of a Black Marine played by Don Marshall, with Dennis Hopper portraying the Marine’s antagonist. Because racial conflict was considered too controversial for network television in 1964, NBC refused to air or pay for the episode, leaving MGM to absorb its production costs.

This 8-DVD collection contains the complete series, including the unaired episode “To Set It Right,” plus the bonus feature-length version of “To Kill a Man,” originally prepared for international markets.

Number of DVDs: 8

Number of Episodes: 29

Quality: 9.5/10 - B&W - Excellent picture and sound quality

Running Time: 26 hours (approx)

Aspect Ratio: Full Screen

NOTES: This is a fan-made DVD set. Not    a studio release.