New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

It Takes a Thief

post #1 of 133
1/24/08 at 10:16am
Thread Starter 
For years Robert Wagner's best TV series (also his first one after years as a film leading man), "It Takes a Thief" has been passed over for video release.

Why is that? The show has all the elements that make a great action show: Suspenseful plots, beautiful women, quality production values, international locales (even if it was all filmed at Universal in Hollywood), and an interesting lead character with Alexander Mundy.

Malachi Throne co-starred as SIA lead agent Noah Bain...who gives our hero Al a pardon in exchange for the former thief agreeing to work for the agency, utilizing his criminal skills. During the 2nd season, Al Mundy manages to become more of a freelance operative although the SIA still hires him for jobs.

The third and final season of the show was even better, starting with the improved version of the wonderful opening theme music and visuals (some of which were launched the previous year).

Edward Binns (as Wally) was the SIA contact who replaced Noah. Even more big name guest stars turned up than before, such as The 5th Dimension, Bette Davis in "Touch of Magic", and Broderick Crawford and Wagner's future Hart to Hart co-star Stefanie Powers in "Fortune City". Most important was the addition of veteran performer Fred Astaire as Alistar Mundy (Al's father, from whom he learned everything he knows) in 6 episodes. "The Great Casino Caper" remains my all-time favorite. Never mind Astaire's past film career as a dancer and singer. His recurring role on It Takes a Thief is the best example of him (at least on the small screen) as a dramatic actor.

So get on the ball Universal! There are only 65 episodes. How about releasing the partial first season (including the 2 hour pilot "Magnificent Thief") and the second season in a double set. Then after sales go through the roof, you can put the 3rd season out a few months later!
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series
post #2 of 133
1/24/08 at 11:02am

re: It Takes a Thief

^^^
Great choice! I watched It Takes a Thief faithfully as a child. It has all of the elements you describe, and would be a very welcome addition to DVD. I'd snatch it in a flash. So count me in as far as helping those sales to go through the roof ... once it is released, that is.
Reply
post #3 of 133
1/24/08 at 12:50pm

re: It Takes a Thief

Deal me in. I've had IT TAKES A THIEF on my DVD-release want list ever since they started releasing TV shows on DVD.
Reply
post #4 of 133
1/24/08 at 1:34pm

re: It Takes a Thief

Some of the Season 3 episodes were filmed in Europe. Also in Season 3,don't forget George Murdock as his new SIA control and Joseph Cotton as SIA chief "Mr.Jack".

And, in earlier shows, young Universal contract player Susan St James as another thief pal of Al's, "Chuck".
Reply
post #5 of 133
1/24/08 at 1:45pm

re: It Takes a Thief

It Takes a Thief ended just when it was getting interesting. I'd like to get reacquainted with this fine series, especially the third season, which took risks. I'll buy all three box sets on the day of release.
Reply
post #6 of 133
1/24/08 at 3:54pm

re: It Takes a Thief

I'd buy 'em in a second!
Reply
post #7 of 133
1/24/08 at 5:03pm

re: It Takes a Thief

I never knew of it but you got me wanting it. Apparently Will Smith is going to be in a film remake of it in 2010 so maybe by then we will see something.
Reply
post #8 of 133
1/24/08 at 5:41pm

re: It Takes a Thief

I'd like to see a Season 1 release in R1, at the very least.
Reply
post #9 of 133
1/24/08 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 

re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tory
I never knew of it but you got me wanting it. Apparently Will Smith is going to be in a film remake of it in 2010 so maybe by then we will see something.
Well, I'm no Will Smith fan but to his credit he can't possibly ruin It Takes a Thief the way he did with The Wild Wild West. I can believe Will as a thief.
Reply
post #10 of 133
1/24/08 at 6:28pm
Thread Starter 

re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Gu
Some of the Season 3 episodes were filmed in Europe. Also in Season 3,don't forget George Murdock as his new SIA control and Joseph Cotton as SIA chief "Mr.Jack".
Yep, I remember them but they didn't make as many appearances as Ed Binns. They were all good actors (particularly Joseph Cotten), but I suspect those other guys were hired whenever Binns wasn't available.

Quote:
And, in earlier shows, young Universal contract player Susan St James as another thief pal of Al's, "Chuck".
Bill Bixby also appeared as another thief (George) in at least 2 or 3 first and second season episodes. The difference is that his character was often trying to upstage Al. Susan St. James and he didn't have any rivalry that I can recall. Her character was named Charlene "Charlie" Brown. I think Al did call her Chuck.
Reply
post #11 of 133
1/24/08 at 7:59pm

re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tory
I never knew of it but you got me wanting it. Apparently Will Smith is going to be in a film remake of it in 2010 so maybe by then we will see something.

The only way Universal releases an older series is with some kind of tie-in so if this indeed does come about then they will put the show out. Otherwise forget it. The only reason they put out Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew S2 is because of the Nancy Drew movie, Equalizer is being made into a film so that's coming out.
Reply
post #12 of 133
1/24/08 at 9:04pm

re: It Takes a Thief

I remember loving the show It Takes a Thief, yet I haven't seen it since way back when, so I remember nothing specific about it. That's neither here nor there, but my point is... does anyone really sales of this show would go through the roof? I don't think the younger folks have ever even heard of it. It isn't something like The Brady Bunch or Star Trek that generations know about. Some folks say the shows that most need DVD releases are shows that aren't on Nickelodeon or TVLand every day. The flip side, though, is that shows that don't still air don't reach new generations (and buyers).
Reply
post #13 of 133
1/24/08 at 9:13pm

re: It Takes a Thief

The hope would be for the new film and Robert Wagner's personal popularity to aid in sales. I want the rest of Hart to Hart as well and Switch too sounds interesting. I never heard of it aside from today and I think seeing it on people's lists of wants but never investigated it much.
Reply
post #14 of 133
1/24/08 at 9:15pm

re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikah Cerucco
does anyone really sales of this show would go through the roof? I don't think the younger folks have ever even heard of it. It isn't something like The Brady Bunch or Star Trek that generations know about. Some folks say the shows that most need DVD releases are shows that aren't on Nickelodeon or TVLand every day. The flip side, though, is that shows that don't still air don't reach new generations (and buyers).

I wouldn't say sales would go through the roof or anything, but I think it would have the same appeal as Mod Squad, Mission Impossible or even Mannix. I'd say a Seson 1 Volume 1 would be worth a shot.

I do remember Universal mentioning it in one of their annual wholesale catalogs that it was an upcoming release, but that was a couple of years ago.

HMMM maybe Time Life should have a crack at it.
Reply
post #15 of 133
1/24/08 at 9:57pm

re: It Takes a Thief

I'd love to own "It Takes a Thief" on dvd. Right after they release all the seasons of that, they can get working on "Switch" as well. Ah....Dreams coming true....hopefully.
Reply
post #16 of 133
1/24/08 at 10:20pm
Thread Starter 

re: It Takes a Thief

SWITCH was a great series too, and I wouldn't mind getting that on DVD also.

Hart to Hart I never cared for though, as much as I love Stefanie Powers.
The only show of hers I want is The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
Reply
post #17 of 133
1/25/08 at 6:25am

re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
I think it would have the same appeal as Mod Squad, Mission Impossible or even Mannix.

Mannix I give you uncontested. Mod Squad, maybe, though there was a movie a few years back that some younger folks might be exposed to. I also occasionally still hear pop references to the show. I think Mission Impossible is in a completely different category, what with the Tom Cruise movies. Everyone knows the name "Mission:Impossible" and though I have no marketing training, I have to believe getting people to say, "Hey, what's this?" is an accomplishment from a marketing POV.
Reply
post #18 of 133
1/25/08 at 8:21am

re: It Takes a Thief

THE MAGNIFICENT THIEF--the show's pilot--came out on vhs and it had an incredible cast: Joe Louis, Rochester, Raymond Burr, Susan St. James, Wally Cox, Leslie Nielson, James Drury, and Doug McClure. THIEF was a terrific show that had wonderful casts: Edward Everett Horton, Gale Sondergard (coming off the blacklist), Ida Lupino, Fernando Lamas, even Peter Sellers. Around that time, Wagner did a tv movie (75 minutes) called MADAME SIN with Bette Davis as a female Fu Manchu. CBS/Fox brought it out on vhs, but does anyone know who currently controls the video rights? Viacom?
Reply
post #19 of 133
1/25/08 at 5:36pm
Thread Starter 

re: It Takes a Thief

Magnificent Thief certainly did have a stellar cast, which you'll notice was composed largely of other Universal TV actors at the time. Senta Berger was the first "Babe of the Week" in that movie, and I think she guested in a different role in an episode months later. The pilot was filmed and aired on ABC in the fall of 1967. Then the weekly series started in January.

Bette Davis, who worked with Bob Wagner in the 1970 Thief episode "Touch of Magic" was indeed reunited with him for her unsold TV pilot for "Madame Sin", but that was in 1972.
Reply
post #20 of 133
1/25/08 at 7:44pm

re: It Takes a Thief

Count me in on this one also!!!!! I have always liked this show since its original late-60s run!!!!! Great music, great plots, great acting!!!!! I would unconditionally buy this title from Day One of its DVD release!!!!!
Reply
post #21 of 133
1/25/08 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 

re: It Takes a Thief

Here's how the opening looked and sounded. Some of these are taken from rare TV Land reruns.

YouTube - it takes a thief pilot intro - Robert Wagner

The first season's montage is cheesy, but after that the split-screen effects as well as Dave Grusin's improvements in the theme music helped a lot:

First Season: YouTube - It Takes A Thief Season 1 Credits

2nd Season: YouTube - It Takes A Thief Season 2 Credits

3rd Season theme (not the one with Fred Astaire, unfortunately): YouTube - It Takes A Thief Season 3 Credits

Part of the first act of "The Great Casino Caper" (with Astaire): YouTube - It Takes A Thief 3.04 with Fred Astaire

SWITCH (2nd season): YouTube - Robert Wagner - Eddie Albert - Switch intro (Glen A. Larson)

SWITCH (3rd season): YouTube - ''Switch'' Intro
Reply
post #22 of 133
9/10/08 at 10:21am

re: It Takes a Thief

I just discovered this show recently as it's been airing weekends on "RTN" and I love it.

I hope it find its way to DVD.
Reply
post #23 of 133
9/10/08 at 10:33am

re: It Takes a Thief

You can also watch some episodes on Hulu.com. I am in for this series aswell. I am also interested in another Robert Wagner classic "Switch". It would be nice if Sony could release more Hart to Hart aswell.
Reply
post #24 of 133
9/10/08 at 2:21pm

Re: It Takes a Thief

Robert Waggoner said in an interview that more Hart to Hart was coming. When? Well, that's anyones guess. I wish Time/Life would pick up some of these classic series. They have done an outstanding job so far with what they have released. Here's hopin'.
Reply
post #25 of 133
9/12/08 at 10:21am

Re: It Takes a Thief

I think Wagner is a likeable actor and I also remember this series. I still remember the title music.

While I don't recall the episodes at all, I do remember the premise very well. One episode stands out where he and some passagers are trapped on an airliner and he had to do something to get them out of the jam. The third year with Fred Astaire was very different, it almost seemed like he was a free agent roaming Europe.

I'd be curious too if they release the series on DVD.
Reply
post #26 of 133
9/23/08 at 3:15pm

Re: It Takes a Thief

PS: For those who are interested, today Robert Wagner's biography, Pieces of My Heart: A Life was released. If you like Wagner, it sounds like an interesting read and you get a taste of that old Hollywood in those last years of the 50's.
Reply
post #27 of 133
9/23/08 at 4:16pm

Re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nelson Au
PS: For those who are interested, today Robert Wagner's biography, Pieces of My Heart: A Life was released. If you like Wagner, it sounds like an interesting read and you get a taste of that old Hollywood in those last years of the 50's.
Nelson,

Thanks for the information on the biography. As for the show, I too loved it. My father watched it regularly in the 1960s. And I recall the theme music rather fondly myself.

For my money, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood were perhaps the most handsome couple I've ever seen in show business.









And Mr. Alexander Munday himself:

Reply
post #28 of 133
9/23/08 at 7:26pm

Re: It Takes a Thief

Hey Scott! Yes, the Wagners were Hollywood royalty.
Reply
post #29 of 133
9/27/08 at 10:36am

Re: It Takes a Thief

It is so sad that Ms. Wood died so young. I remember when I first heard about her death. It shook me even then. She'd be about 70 now...
Reply
post #30 of 133
9/27/08 at 10:41am

Re: It Takes a Thief

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tina_H_V
It is so sad that Ms. Wood died so young. I remember when I first heard about her death. It shook me even then. She'd be about 70 now...
Agreed. She is to me a fine actress, as well as one of the most beautiful brunettes I've ever seen. I still love and admire her work in West Side Story, Rebel Without a Cause, Brainstorm, and so many others....
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: TV on DVD and Blu-ray

Gear mentioned in this thread:

It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series