Warner Bros.’ Warner Archive Collection will finally release the short-lived 1973-74 television series based on the trio of Shaft films that preceded it. The TV series, which were more like feature-length movies, with 90-minute running times, also starred Richard Roundtree, who played the titular character in the theatrically-released trilogy.

In all, there were 7 episodes of these TV movie/episodes of Shaft (The Enforcers, The Killing, Hit-Run, The Kidnapping, Cop Killer, The Capricorn Murders, and The Murder Machine) – and I have to admit that, while I’ve watched all 3 feature films, I haven’t seen any of the 7 TV titles; and despite how underwhelming I’ve heard they all were (compared to the big screen movies – notably the 1st 2), I’ll pick up the DVD set when it’s released this Tuesday, October 4th.

Cost? According to Amazon.com, $49.99.

He’s the coolest private detective around, caught up in all the hottest cases. Can you dig it? Richard Roundtree portrays streetsmart Harlem sleuth John Shaft, reprising the film role he played in three trend-setting movies of the early 1970s (and would revisit in the 2000 Shaft remake starring Samuel L. Jackson). In these seven episodes that each ran in a 90-minute timeslot, Shaft likes his women chic, his cars fast and his clothes expensive – and takes the fight to mob lowlifes, scumballs and vigilantes who prey upon Shaft’s pals and other decent, everyday people. And, yes, it just wouldn’t be Shaft without the signature theme music of Isaac Hayes. That’s here, too. Right on!

Why not Blu-ray at this point?

Anyone watched any of the TV episodes?

Here’s what the DVD cover art will look like.