I think there were several factors that all came together to make this a show which has been long remembered.
First was Robert Stack. Very few, if any, had that quality in their voice, and the presence to go with it, to make you actually afraid to watch the show!
Gary Remal Malkin's tracks for the show were second to none and totally fit the show....
Then of course to see justice being wrought to the criminals and to see the victims get the satisfaction of seeing them punished.

Yeah being able to see cases being solved was good. Would have been awesome to watch this series back in the day. The thought of a possible killer on the loose in your own home town and all that.

Yeah being able to see cases being solved was good. Would have been awesome to watch this series back in the day. The thought of a possible killer on the loose in your own home town and all that.
Oh man that avatar. I'll never forget seeing that segment. I remember seeing the tease before the commercial break and they show his face as she opens the door. That's some creepy stuff.

Oh man that avatar. I'll never forget seeing that segment. I remember seeing the tease before the commercial break and they show his face as she opens the door. That's some creepy stuff.

Way creepy, how it goes from his too-quiet, polite, reassuring voice to the child's piercing screams.

Yeah Stanton, all round creep.

Whenever possible, the actual family members and police officials have participated in re-creating the events. What you are about to see is not a news broadcast.

that's what made the series great, to me. that's what we discuss here most, after all.

The music, atmosphere, Stack's narration, and ambiance of certain segments made this show for me.

UM had great production values. The look and feel of the series made it great.

Whenever possible, the actual family members and police officials have participated in re-creating the events. What you are about to see is not a news broadcast.

that's what made the series great, to me. that's what we discuss here most, after all.

As a kid watching this show, that was something that never hit me. And the reason for that, I think, was because I would get so transfixed in the stories that I didn't have time to notice it. But you go back and watch these segments as adults and you really appreciate this aspect. You have to admire how often the actual family members and friends volunteered to help recreate these incredible painful moments in their lives.

I should add to this, what also made the show great (as discussed in the location thread) was how authentic it was for filming the reenactments at the exact location roughly 90% of the time. If they didn't, they were still pretty close. The reenactment of Roger Dean's murder, for example, was filmed just two blocks from the real Dean home where the crime occurred.

That impressive dedication to authentic detail on UM's part.

So much of it, I hate to preach to the choir, but it was due to Robert Stack's narration. He had that wonderful voice which lent gravitas to whatever he was talking about, no matter how silly; even the magic rock and the lady who sweats gold segments are worth watching for his voice.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/1f/6a/09/1f6a09017cc104023ac979495bda2527.jpg

The music and Mr. Stack's voice were what did it more so I think. You know you have an awesome soundtrack when people get terrified the moment it comes on! It was something I DID NOT look forward to as a kid! And the same with Mr. Stack's voice.
As I got older however my perception changed and I learned to appreciate it for the awesome thing it was!

The format. So many mysteries of all different types in one episode. There was something for everyone, whether you were interested in aliens, ghosts, murders, lost loves, or hidden treasure, there was a fair bet something would appeal to you in any given hour.