All of this discussion about possible new hosts, their strengths, what they would bring to the series, and, most importantly, how they would measure up to the outstanding original host has got me to thinking...just what was it about Robert Stack that made him so cool?

All of us here, for our own varied reasons, have a deep affinity for this show. I would also go out on a limb and assume that most of us, if not every single one of us, have a similar affinity for the original host. I know that my own personal experience has been that ever since I first discovered Unsolved Mysteries, as an occassional time slot filler hosted by Raymond Burr and/or Karl Malden when I was about 10, I was hooked on the show. As hooked as I was, however, I never realized that the two aforementioned hosts weren't the perfect fit for the job. I never realized it until I saw Robert Stack in the same exact role. He just seemed to fill in the cracks I never realized existed. He deftly voiced the segments with a style and panache I didn't know they needed until I heard it. Point Blank...he WAS the man for the job.

But why? What exactly did he have that those others didn't?

This affinity I hold for Mr. Stack, stemming solely from his job hosting a television show, has led me to sort of "root" for the man in all his other endeavors. I should make mention that I am of course aware that he is no longer with us. So when I say I "root for the man in all his other endeavors" I am speaking about wanting to like things I happen to find him in, his older works that are new to me.

I find myself wondering what he thought about certain cases, about the people involved. For example, the case of the woman, an aspiring actress whose body was found in her apartment after being dead apparently for a week or more. What did Robert Stack think about her possibity of making it as an actress? What sad tales of dashed Hollywood dreams did he know of in his decade spanning career? I also find myself wondering how he viewed the cases from the 40s and 50s, especially the Black Dahlia case. Did he think it was a simpler, more innocent, time back then? Did he find himself more jaded about things after hosting the show and witnessing some of the worst human kind has to offer? Did he find himself more hopeful about the world after witnessing some of the very wonderful people featured during specific segments? Or did none of it even register with him...was it just a steady patcheck? Was his opinion more in line with Henry Silva's in the hilarious Unsolved Mysteries spoof "Bull**** or Not?" featured in the feature film AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON?

One of my favorite Robert Stack stories I heard while watching the DVD Commentary track for the film AIRPLANE! The makers of the film were discussing the difference between Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack. They mentioned that Lloyd Bridges would often come to them, puzzled about some of the more bizarre passages of the script. They said he would say things like, "Okay guys....now I say my line and then a...a...watermelon falls out of the sky?!? Do I acknowledge it? Do I look at it? What's the joke?" To which Robert Stack immediately fired out, "Gd***it Lloyd...WE'RE the joke!!" Meaning that these two established Hollywood straight men acting deadly serious in this absurd spoof on airline disaster films was part of the humor. He got it. He GOT that sense of humor. For me it just makes him even that much cooler.

If they ever do find a host as well suited for this gig as he was, and that's a big IF, I firmly believe it will be someone with talents nobody expected yet who will knock people's socks off.

One of my favorite Robert Stack stories I heard while watching the DVD Commentary track for the film AIRPLANE! The makers of the film were discussing the difference between Lloyd Bridges and Robert Stack. They mentioned that Lloyd Bridges would often come to them, puzzled about some of the more bizarre passages of the script. They said he would say things like, "Okay guys....now I say my line and then a...a...watermelon falls out of the sky?!? Do I acknowledge it? Do I look at it? What's the joke?" To which Robert Stack immediately fired out, "Goddammit Lloyd...WE'RE the joke!!" Meaning that these two established Hollywood straight men acting deadly serious in this absurd spoof on airline disaster films was part of the humor. He got it. He GOT that sense of humor. For me it just makes him even that much cooler.

This story is AWESOME! Thanks for sharing, Corky. I didn't realize they had a special addition Airplane! dvd w/commentary and everything. I'll have to check it out. It seems like RS was pretty much universally loved and respected, and this story illustrates why. I'm really ambivalent about the fact that SpikeTV will be reworking the old cases and replacing Stack's voice rather than producing brand new episodes.

Stack was just so smooth. Like butter. I don't even think you could put in all in words (although you done well, Corky) but he was the best.

Nice article... ;)

Am I the only one who finds themselves wondering what Robert Stack actually thought about the segments profiled? Or if certain cases stuck with him?

Am I the only one who finds themselves wondering what Robert Stack actually thought about the segments profiled? Or if certain cases stuck with him?

Well, a few months ago someone at this forum noted the belief that Robert Stack genuinely cared about a lot of the stories featured on the show. I actually agree, because there were countless segments (especially the lost love and crime segments) in which one could see indications of that. Although he didn't necessarily believe every single story presented on the show, it was very clear that Stack had genuine regard for many of them. And to me, that was one of the reasons why he worked out so well on the show.

If you truly care about the stories told on a show like UM, you don't need to say it. All you have to do is show it. It speaks louder than words. :)

...it was very clear that Stack had genuine regard for many of them. And to me, that was one of the reasons why he worked out so well on the show.

If you truly care about the stories told on a show like UM, you don't need to say it. All you have to do is show it. It speaks louder than words. :)

I couldn't agree more, Kane. I think his genuine spirit shines forth most notably in the segment where interviews the Dodge heir lady and Jennifer Pratt. You can observe his vested and piqued interest in both cases as well as the ease with which he converses with the participants.

I couldn't agree more, Kane. I think his genuine spirit shines forth most notably in the segment where interviews the Dodge heir lady and Jennifer Pratt. You can observe his vested and piqued interest in both cases as well as the ease with which he converses with the participants.

I remember his interview with the Pratt family from the show's 3rd anniversary special that aired in 1990. I've only seen that interview once, as it never showed up on Lifetime. Although conducting such interviewes wasn't something he often did, it was great that he did it. To me, it was a strong piece of evidence that he was invested in the show (and that he wasn't doing the show just for the money).

In fact, according to a 1996 article in Parade magazine, Stack said he was "proud to be the host of such a high-quality TV series," and that the same type of team effort he put forth earlier in his life (obviously through his role as Eliot Ness on The Untouchables) was "an essential element of the show's success."

I couldn't agree more, Kane. I think his genuine spirit shines forth most notably in the segment where interviews the Dodge heir lady and Jennifer Pratt. You can observe his vested and piqued interest in both cases as well as the ease with which he converses with the participants.


Duuude, love the avatar!!! Also, is the Jennifer Pratt interview on any of CD's volumes?

Duuude, love the avatar!!! Also, is the Jennifer Pratt interview on any of CD's volumes?

It's on vol 9 and I think vol 10 as well.

It's on vol 9 and I think vol 10 as well.

Huh, I only have volumes 1 & 2 (uh yea, I need to get more) and I know that it's on one of those.

Huh, I only have volumes 1 & 2 (uh yea, I need to get more) and I know that it's on one of those.

you're partially right, the segment is on vol 2. They were talking about the follow-up interview, which is on vol 9.

Yes, great post Corky and great avatar!

I think the main reason I prefer UM/Stack vastly to similar type shows and hosts was that Stack used a "just the facts, ma'am" approach and didn't rely on theatrics. Nowadays, I'll occasionally turn on Court TV or those Dateline Mysetries on Saturdays (or whatever they're called) and the heavy use of theatrics is a turn off of me: the constant airing of criminal's photographs (we don't need to see it that much), the jumpy camera work, the overuse of music is such an obvious and sick attempt to scare the viewer. Granted UM stills scares people, but they stuck to the facts and used a low-key approach as opposed to trying to intentionally scare the audience.