New Review 5 Out of 5 Stars

From Bart A. Baggett:  The 1960s were a fascinating time in American TV culture.  This book goes behind the scenes.

As a person who was not even born when the Mr. Novak TV series was on the air in a battle of just three networks, I found the detailed research and insightful behind-the-scenes drama very interesting.  Watching the DVD of the first season was also useful and almost comical in the simplicity of the teenage culture brewing in the early 1960s compared to our kids today.  The author has detailed conversations with actors, writers, and even exact financial contract details for the stars and co-stars.  If you were a TV star in the 1960s, you were a household name.  This book is like a time capsule of American television and culture.

48th Five Star Review of Mr. Novak!

5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021
Chuck Harter does an absolutely wonderful job in writing this book on “Mr. Novak,” one of the true
groundbreaking series in American television history. Chuck’s passion and knowledge really shine
through, and it’s clear that this project was a true labor of love. The meticulous research that was
done in writing this book is incredible. Anyone with even a passing interest in “Mr. Novak” will love
this book on a variety of levels…great stuff

DVD Set of First Season Now Available!

Warner Archives Issues DVD Set!

 

First Season DVD Set.

The early 1960s were a time with a TV landscape thought of as more innocent than today, but behind the scenes, changes were roiling the nation. Into this fray stepped a groundbreaking series based on true stories from the nation’s high school students and the teachers charged with tending them. James Franciscus stars as John Novak, an idealistic, novice teacher, while storied stage and screen veteran Dean Jagger costars as his mentor, Principal Albert Vane. Constantly challenging the rules of the education establishment, the dedicated young Mr. Novak guides his bright but troubled students while dealing with teen pregnancy, drug abuse, racial conflict and alcoholism – problems as relevant and shocking then as they are today. Notable guest stars include such luminaries as Lillian Gish, Martin Landau, Edward Asner and Beau Bridges. This groundbreaking series also features students from Los Angeles’ Marshall High School. Mr. Novak: The Complete First Season (DVD) is now available, the issue price is $47.99.

Here’s a few outlets where you can order this great set:

Warner Archives Shop

Walmart

Best Buy

Ebay

 

 

Video Review of Mr. Novak by Actor Tony Dow

Tony Dow is widely known for his role as Wally Cleaver on the long running “Leave It To Beaver” television series.

He appeared in 5 episodes of the Mr. Novak program and was a semi regular on the first season as George Scheros, the Editor of the High School paper. He was pleased to see the new book and called it “amazing” and “couldn’t wait to read it.”

His three episodes as the Editor will be featured in the official DVD release by Warners in Spring 2018.

Walter “Star Trek” Koenig endorsement of New Book on the Mr. Novak Series

How Walter Koenig’s Career on Star Trek Came About

Walter had his first leading role in an episode on the Mr. Novak show. He played a Russian exchange student who came to the American High School.

This excellent performance in part later landed him the game changing role of “Pavel Chekov” on Star Trek.

Walter gave an exclusive interview, wrote the Afterword and provided photos from his personal archive for the new book.

The DVD release next Spring of the first season of Mr. Novak will contain “The Boy without a Country” which features Walter’s great performance as Alexi Dubov.