The tagline echoed the era’s larger-than-life action heroes: The Man . . . The Machine . . . The Movie:. But this wasn’t the big screen; it was primetime television in 1985, and the series was Street Hawk. As someone revisiting this show decades later, the immediate feeling is a rush of nostalgia. It’s a reminder of a time when television embraced high-concept action, and Street Hawk was right there alongside giants like Knight Rider, Airwolf, and Blue Thunder, all promising cutting-edge technology and crime-fighting thrills.
Alt text: Vintage promotional image for the Street Hawk Series, highlighting the show’s tagline and the sleek motorcycle.
Looking back, the premise of Street Hawk is undeniably rooted in 80s action cheese, and perhaps hasn’t aged gracefully in terms of sophistication. Yet, there’s an undeniable charm and fun factor that persists, especially for those who grew up with this kind of television. The recent home video release by Shout Factory, timed for the show’s 25th anniversary some years back, is a welcome opportunity to revisit this cult classic. This DVD set brings together all twelve original episodes of the Street Hawk series, plus the 70-minute pilot that launched it all, providing a complete package for fans and curious newcomers alike.
The pilot episode serves as the origin story, introducing us to Jesse Mach (Rex Smith), a daredevil motorcycle cop who embodies the “man” in the tagline. He crosses paths with Norman Tuttle (Joe Regalbuto), the quintessential nerdy genius and creator of the “machine” – Street Hawk itself. Tuttle, in a pre-cursor to many tech-centric shows, has spent years developing this top-secret government project: a hyper-advanced motorcycle. This isn’t just any bike; Street Hawk is armored, weaponized, and capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 miles per hour thanks to its “Hyperthrust” feature.
Initially hesitant, Tuttle eventually agrees that Mach is the perfect pilot for Street Hawk. However, before Mach can fully embrace his destiny, tragedy strikes. In a classic action trope, Mach and his police buddy (Robert Beltran) stumble into the path of a ruthless cocaine trafficker, played with relish by Christopher Lloyd. The friend is killed (fueling the obligatory revenge plot), and Mach is left with a severe leg injury, seemingly ending his motorcycle riding days.
But fate, or rather, the Federal government, intervenes. They offer Mach a deal he can’t refuse: experimental treatment to fix his leg and the chance to become Street Hawk. With Tuttle as his man in the van, guiding him remotely from a high-tech control center, Mach becomes a high-speed, two-wheeled vigilante. Their first mission is clear – take down the criminals responsible for his friend’s death. To maintain his cover, Mach continues his public relations role with the police department, even faking the need for a cane, adding a touch of classic superhero secret identity to the mix. While some of these elements were tweaked slightly as the series progressed, the core dynamic was set.
What follows the pilot are twelve episodic adventures, each around 48 minutes long, showcasing the dynamic duo of Mach and Tuttle battling crime astride the Street Hawk. The formula is simple but effective: Mach, with his macho bravado, and Tuttle, with his nerdy cautiousness, create a classic odd-couple pairing that provides both action and comedic relief. The storylines themselves are fairly straightforward and geared towards a younger audience, but they deliver on the promise of fast-paced action and vehicular mayhem. While perhaps tame by today’s standards, the episodes are packed with stunts and cartoonish violence typical of 80s action TV, with on-screen deaths presented in a way that avoids being overly graphic.
Alt text: Rex Smith as Jesse Mach in Street Hawk series, showcasing the 80s fashion and hairstyle of the era.
The Street Hawk series is steeped in 80s aesthetics. The hairstyles are big, the outfits are bold, and the technology, represented by blinking green-screen computers in Tuttle’s control center, is delightfully retro. The villains are suitably over-the-top, with their armies of machine-gun wielding henchmen, a staple of the genre. Even the music contributes to the nostalgic feel. The theme song, in particular, is instantly memorable, and surprisingly, it was composed by electronic music pioneers Tangerine Dream, known for their scores in films like Legend.
One of the unexpected delights of revisiting Street Hawk is the impressive roster of guest stars that appeared throughout its short run. Beyond Christopher Lloyd in the pilot, the series featured Sybil Danning, Jere Burns, Daphne Ashbrook, Clu Gulager, Keye Luke, Bianca Jagger, Bibi Besch, and Dennis Franz in single-episode roles. Most notably, the episode “A Second Self” includes a pre-fame George Clooney as Mach’s former racing rival who’s gone astray into car theft. This episode, with Clooney sporting a truly magnificent 80s hairstyle and medallion, even delves into a quirky “bro-mance” subplot between Clooney’s character, Mach, and Tuttle.
Shout Factory’s DVD release of the complete Street Hawk series goes beyond just the episodes themselves. They’ve included a selection of bonus features that will surely please dedicated fans. It’s commendable that they invested in extras, as many cult TV releases often skimp on supplemental material.
Alt text: DVD cover for the Street Hawk series release, featuring the iconic Street Hawk motorcycle and logo.
Street Hawk today might not hold the same impact it had for a ten-year-old in 1985, but its appeal as a time capsule of 80s television action remains strong. The opening sequence, with its dramatic narration reminiscent of The A-Team, and the fog-shrouded shots of the Street Hawk bike, effectively sets the tone for each episode. The sped-up “Hyperthrust” sequences, accompanied by synth-heavy music, are still entertaining in their absurdity. While the storylines are predictable and often silly, they possess a certain nostalgic charm. For fans of the Street Hawk series and 80s action television in general, this DVD set is highly recommended. Even those unfamiliar with the show might find it a worthwhile, and surprisingly fun, viewing experience, especially for the George Clooney guest appearance alone.
The DVD Release Details
Video Quality:
Shout Factory presents Street Hawk in its original 4:3 aspect ratio, preserving its television broadcast format. The series was filmed, and some film grain is visible, which is expected for a show of this vintage. However, overall, the visual quality is commendable given the age of the source material.
Audio Quality:
The audio is presented in English Dolby Digital 2.0 mono for all episodes. Surprisingly, the Tangerine Dream score sounds vibrant and full, even in mono. The audio mix is robust for its format, and dialogue is consistently clear. No alternate language tracks or subtitles are included.
Bonus Features:
The extras are located on the final disc of the 4-DVD set. The centerpiece is “Street Hawk: The Making of a Legend,” a 40-minute documentary featuring interviews with series stars Rex Smith, Joe Regalbuto, and Jeannie Wilson. It’s an engaging and informative look back at the series, presented in anamorphic widescreen.
The DVD also includes extensive image galleries categorized as: Publicity Stills, Publicity, Action Shots, Bike Designs, Behind the Scenes, Original Bike Restoration, and Collectables, with the latter showcasing vintage Street Hawk merchandise.
Text-based extras offer vintage and contemporary biographies for Rex Smith, Joe Regalbuto, and Jeannie Wilson, along with a series synopsis, the original series concept, and the original press brochure. Rounding out the extras is the unbroadcasted pilot episode (in slightly rougher visual condition with a “PROP. MCA #3965” watermark).
Finally, a booklet with episode information and concept art of the Street Hawk motorcycle is included in the DVD set.
Final Recommendation:
For fans of the Street Hawk series, this Shout Factory DVD set is a must-have, packed with episodes and generous bonus materials. While the show is undeniably dated and juvenile by today’s standards, it retains a nostalgic charm and offers a fun glimpse into 80s action television. Even newcomers might find enjoyment in its over-the-top action and the early appearance of George Clooney, making it a worthwhile addition to any collection of classic TV.
