The Fugitive is an American television series produced by QM Productions and United Artists Television that aired on ABC from 1963-1967. David Janssen starred as Dr. Richard Kimble, an innocent man from the fictional town of Stafford, Indiana, who was falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death penalty. En route to death row, Kimble's train derailed and crashed, allowing him to escape and begin a cross-country search for the real killer, a "one-armed man" (played by Bill Raisch). At the same time, Dr. Kimble was hounded by the authorities, most notably by Stafford Police Lieutenant Philip Gerard (Barry Morse).

The Fugitive aired for four seasons, and a total of 120 episodes were produced. The first three seasons were filmed in black and white, while the final season was in color.

Dr. Richard Kimble is framed for his wife's murder by a mysterious one-armed man. During sentencing Kimble escapes intending to catch the one-armed man and find out why he was framed. Following in hot pursuit is Inspector Philip Gerard, who is intending to bring in Kimble alive. But Gerard and the one-armed man are not the only thing Kimble has to worry about. The father of his late wife has hired bounty hunters who are willing to break the law to catch him, and in the age of internet tracking and high-tech surveillance, it's not as easy to hide as it used to be. Written by Ronos

Dr. Richard Kimble is accused to be the murder of his wife. The night before his execution, he escapes. The only chance to prove his innocence is to find the man who killed hi wife. Kimble, persecuted by the Lt. Gerard, risks his life several times when he shows his identity to help other people out of trouble. Written by Florian Baumann

Dr. Richard Kimble, a pediatrician in Stafford, Indiana, has an argument with his wife Helen and storms off. While returning his car almost hits a one armed man who darts out into the street from the vicinity of his home. Running into his home past the open front door, he sees Helen dead on the floor. Although innocent, he is tried and convicted for murder, and sentenced to death. Police Lieutenant Phillip Gerard is taking Kimble by train to prison to be executed, when the train derails and Kimble escapes. He travels from place to place, frequently changing his name, taking jobs where he can get them, usually menial, and ever on the alert lest he be recognized and captured. Lt. Gerard and other police are hot on his trail, and even well-meaning civilians can cause his ruin. While running, Kimble constantly seeks the one armed man so he can prove his innocence. Viewers can certainly believe in his innocence, since in each episode he displays outstandingly good character, frequently putting himself at risk to help another person in need. The fact he must frequently travel puts Kimble in a variety of interesting situations involving people of all different characters from all stations of life. Although he no longer has a medical license, his skills as a doctor are often needed and play a role in the drama. The main character, Richard Kimble, is played by actor David Janssen. He is intelligent, modest, generous, honest, hard-working, strong and trustworthy. Attractive to the ladies, he has many romances throughout his travels, and is always honest with them about the fact he never sticks around one town too long. Yet, the nature of being a fugitive occasionally requires some dishonest and even violent conduct on his part, though never too violent. His adversary, Lieutenant Phillip Gerard, played by actor Barry Morse, feels responsible for Kimble's escape, and Kimble is never far from his mind. Gerard is intelligent, honest, and completely devoted to duty. He does not bother himself with the question of whether Kimble is innocent, because the courts declared him guilty, and it is Gerard's job to obey their orders. His shrewd detective skills often place Kimble in severe jeopardy. He appears in about half the episodes. In the remaining episodes, other police officers usually figure prominently. Kimble gets away at the end of every episode, sometime through his own efforts, sometimes through luck, and sometimes with the aid of a citizen, or even a policeman, who believes in Kimble's innocence or otherwise is impressed with his good deeds. The one armed man, played by actor Bill Raisch, does not appear in many episodes, but is an evil presence throughout the series. When he does appear, he is ruthless, violent, and simple-minded, with good instincts for self-preservation. Like Kimble, he is a fugitive, having to run from the relentless pursuit of Kimble. Toward the end of the series he appears more often, and Kimble learns his name, Fred Johnson. Each of the 120 episodes has a unique plot, often complex and showing great creativity, though some themes are repeated. Another attraction to the show is the guest stars, many of whom are among the most renowned names in show business In the final episode, The Judgment, Parts I and II, Kimble is finally cleared, to the great relief of his sister Donna Taft, played by actress Jacqueline Scott, who appears in episodes periodically throughout the series. The Fugitive, which ran for four years from 1963 to 1967, is arguably the finest dramatic show ever to appear on television. Written by James Lawrence, ynot@earthlink.net

Dr. Richard Kimble, an Indiana pediatrician, is accused, arrested, tried and convicted of the murder of his wife. Kimble claims he was on his way home from a drive when the murder occurred, and saw a one-armed man running from his house upon his return. Kimble manages to escape from the detective assigned to the case, Lt. Philip Gerard, and spends the next four seasons on the run--helping people with their problems and searching for the one-armed man, while running before the relentless pursuit of the police detective obsessed with his capture--Gerard. Written by Marty McKee

Richard David Kimble is a pediatrician living in Stafford, IN, a suburb some 75 miles from Indianapolis. His wife is Helen Waverly-Kimble, a former nurse whom he met while a hospital intern. In 1961 they are to have a baby, but their baby dies upon being born and Helen can physicially no longer bear children. When Richard Kimble wants to adopt a child, Helen objects, and the disagreement stresses their relationship until, on the fateful night of September 19, 1961, Richard storms out of their house after another bitter quarrel. After a drive, he cools off and returns home, but as he arrives he sees a heavyset man running out of his house and nearly strikes him. The man's image burns into Kimble's pysche; heavyset, with short black hair, saddish eyes, mildy cherubish complexion, and his right arm below the elbow is missing. The man (who will eventually be identified as Fred Johnson) runs off, and Kimble rushes into his house - to find Helen lying on the floor, dead. The Stafford PD's investigation uncovers no one-armed man matching Kimble's description, and he is charged with Helen Kimble's murder, convicted, and sentenced to the electric chair. But in March 1963, while being escorted by the investigating officer of Helen's murder, Lieutenant Philip Gerard, the train on which both men are riding derails, and in the crash Kimble becomes seperated from Gerard. Now free, Kimble flees into the night, and his journey begins, as he traverses the country, searching for Fred Johnson, the one-armed vagrant who killed Helen Kimble, and helping others he meets in his travels. All the while he must stay one step ahead of Philip Gerard, who blames himself for Kimble's escape and who is determined to bring the Fugitive to justice, despite doubts within his own mind as to Kimble's guilt. Written by Michael Daly (fanstp43@aol.com)