'50s crime drama FEDERAL MEN comes to DVD July 31

In the '50s TV drama took its cue from newspapers and the files of police, the FBI, and the U.S. Treasury Department. "Treasury Men in Action" was one of them. The 30-minute crime drama aired from 1950-1955. Film Chest is releasing 16 episodes from the fifth and final season under the title "Federal Men." Bigger volumes have been available, but this sampler is for the curious who aren't ready to plunk down more money. Here's the announcement:

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — July 1, 2012 — For Immediate Release — Straight from the files of the U.S. Treasury Department, the classic ’50s program "Federal Men" will be  recaptured on DVD July 31 by Film Chest on the American Pop Classics label.

"Federal Men," which ran for five seasons (1950-55) on ABC, featured true government stories of fraud and deception.  In each thrilling episode – based on real-life cases – “The Chief” (Walter Greaza, The Street With No Name, TV’s The Edge of Night) and his agents pursue counterfeiters, loan sharks, gamblers, bootleggers, swindlers, smugglers and confidence men.

Featuring a who’s-who of Hollywood, series guest stars included James Dean, Claude Atkins, Carolyn Jones, Ben Gazzara and Nancy Evans and more.

Episodes featured in this three-disc collection from the fifth and final season include “The Case of the Man Outside,” “The Case of the Bad Bargain,” “The Case of the Black Sheep,” “The Case of the Little Tin Box,” “The Case of the Man Trap,” “The Case of the Gentleman Cheat,” “The Case of the Green Feathers,” “The Case of the Buried Treasure,” “The Case of the Princely Pauper,” “The Case of the Iron Curtain,” “The Case of the Man Next Door,” “The Case of the Tight Squeeze,” “The Case of the Leather Bags,” “The Case of the Chartered Chiseler,” “The Case of the Slippery Eel” and “The Case of the Steady Hand.”

"Federal Men" is presented in full screen with an aspect ratio of 4 x 3 and original sound.