77 Sunset Strip / Hawaiian Eye, etc. (1 Viewer)

[Rustifer]

Garner and Bacon appeared as themselves in the episode "Downbeat". I remember Garner met Stu at Dino's (the set), and probably Bacon was supposed to be interviewing Garner in the scene.

I have "Downbeat" recorded on my DVR but haven't watched it yet. I shall study the scene closely when I do.

 

[Rustifer]

Practically next door to Dino's was the Sea Witch, a nightclub referred to by Kookie in a couple of episodes

And down the street was the famous Ciro's (now the Comedy Club, I believe).



There was no lack of places to hang out in the area back in those days:

 

[Rustifer]

And there were comic books at one time:

For less than a quarter, one would get a ripping new caper from the Dudes on the Strip.
I know some of these are still available on EBay--a few go as high as $35. I'd buy them all up, but I can hear my wife saying "Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?..."

 

[Rustifer]

Here's another publicity still that I haven't seen before:

The lady is Jackie Russell. I'm not sure from what episode this was lifted--either "Stranger Than Fiction" or "Bel Air Hermit". Jackie also played a receptionist in Hawaiian Eye. She looks considerably more functional than the record player. Stu is admiring her dancing prowess and nothing else.

 

[Rustifer]

I'm on a roll. Here's what is labeled as "Press Information" put out by ABC's Photo Division at the time. I assume each of the stars probably had their own sheet. The sketch is by Robert Thompson. I guess he ran out of letters and thus not added the word "Strip" to the title.

I had forgotten that the series aired between 9:30-10:30 on Friday nights--which now would be considered a death knell time slot. No wonder I missed so many episodes the first time around when I was a kid--it was past my bedtime.

You probably can't read the text copy to see that Edd Byrne's name is misspelled. He's described as the "jive-talking parking attendant".

 

[Gary16]

I'm on a roll. Here's what is labeled as "Press Information" put out by ABC's Photo Division at the time. I assume each of the stars probably had their own sheet. The sketch is by Robert Thompson. I guess he ran out of letters and thus not added the word "Strip" to the title.

I had forgotten that the series aired between 9:30-10:30 on Friday nights--which now would be considered a death knell time slot. No wonder I missed so many episodes the first time around when I was a kid--it was past my bedtime.

You probably can't read the text copy to see that Edd Byrne's name is misspelled. He's described as the "jive-talking parking attendant".

It was 9:30-10:30 first season then 9:00-10:00 until season 6 when it was moved to 7:30-8:30 (effectively killing it in too early of a time period regardless of the format change).

 

[Rustifer]

It was 9:30-10:30 first season then 9:00-10:00 until season 6 when it was moved to 7:30-8:30 (effectively killing it in too early of a time period regardless of the format change).

Yeah, well--Mom still thought it was on too late for me.

At season 6, I lost interest since Jeff Spenser and Kookie were no longer around.

 

[Rustifer]

As a kid, I was fascinated by Stu and Jeff's snub nose .38's. Mattel had a great toy detective kit that included gun, holster and bullets that utilized their "greenie stik-m-caps".

Jeez, wish I still had mine. Wife, again, saying "Whyyyyyyyyyyy?"...

 

[Bob Gu]

The 77 SS comics were drawn by legendary artists,, Alex Toth and Russ Manning. There is a company, that sells on Amazon, reprinting some Dell comics for $8.95 each, higher by the resellers. They have one 77 SS comic reprint. But some of the complete comics are up on various comics BlogSpots and can be found by doing an image search for "77 Sunset Strip Dell Comics Toth Manning".

I had that Mattel .38 set, too. The plastic bullets fit into spring loaded shells and actually fired. I don't remember the range. An older relative 'borrowed' my gun and shot all my bullets into the woods and didn't retrieve them, (they were reusable). My parents would not buy me more ammo. I don't think they realized the gun fired plastic bullets when they bought it and now thought it to be dangerous. "You could put someone's eye out!" Of course the caps affixed to the shells still went bang!

 

[Rustifer]

The 77 SS comics were drawn by legendary artists,, Alex Toth and Russ Manning. There is a company, that sells on Amazon, reprinting some Dell comics for $8.95 each, higher by the resellers. They have one 77 SS comic reprint. But some of the complete comics are up on various comics BlogSpots and can be found by doing an image search for "77 Sunset Strip Dell Comics Toth Manning".

I had that Mattel .38 set, too. The plastic bullets fit into spring loaded shells and actually fired. I don't remember the range. An older relative 'borrowed' my gun and shot all my bullets into the woods and didn't retrieve them, (they were reusable). My parents would not buy me more ammo. I don't think they realized the gun fired plastic bullets when they bought it and now thought it to be dangerous. "You could put someone's eye out!" Of course the caps affixed to the shells still went bang!

I had forgotten that the bullets actually launched, albeit with weak velocity. Still, for a ten year old, it was a formidable weapon. You could also stick a cap anywhere and with a tap of a hammer cause a small explosion. Cheap fireworks.

 

[Rustifer]

Another Roger Smith album, called "Beach Romance", is available at Amazon: streaming, MP3 download, and vinyl.

Any of you guys ever imitate Smith's, under the wrist, watch wearing style? I used to like those beltless slacks they all wore. If they had belt loops too they were called, 'convertibles' because you could wear them with a belt or without. (Nowadays, 'convertible' pants refer to unzipping the lower legs to become shorts.)

The under-wrist watch wearing was big when I was in high school circa 1965. It went well with my Madras shirt, levis, white Adler socks and Cordovan penny loafers. Full mustee, as it were.

 

[Rustifer]

Thanks, guys. It would be nice if 77 SUNSET STRIP ever makes it to DVD they could do at least one episode with full bumpers and scenes for next week etc. (I have been re-watching THE GALLANT MEN DVDs and the counter shows them as 50+ min., and that's without the beginning act bumpers and the original full opening flare up and down clip and bumper. The GM's from Goodlife I have seen were 46 minutes or so and I thought they might have been timesped. I have a CHEYENNE on tape that runs almost 53 minutes incuding a 2 minute scenes for next week.)

Someone has started uploading 77 again on youtube, including some of the 50 minute Goodlife ones, like 'The Fanatics'.

Since it appeared that WB was never going to issue the series on DVD, I began collecting episodes on VCR tapes. I found a very reliable source that transfered straight from the studio repros. Some had the original commercials intact, which amplified the viewing experience immeasurably. Salem cigarettes, Ford, Brylcreem and Chef Boy-At-Dee spaghetti were most prevalent. Imagine...a full spaghetti dinner in a box. We lead such complicated lives now.

 

[MartinP.]

Practically next door to Dino's was the Sea Witch, a nightclub referred to by Kookie in a couple of episodes.

For some reason, there are very few photos of The Sea Witch, good or bad.
You can see the red blade sign for the place in the photo below.

 

[Rustifer]

For some reason, there are very few photos of The Sea Witch, good or bad.
You can see the red blade sign for the place in the photo below.

Good to see you stopping by the forum again, Martin!
I notice the name Ruth Gillis on the marquee sign in front of Dino's. Looked her up but couldn't find much about her. She appeared uncredited in "East of Eden" in 1955, then not seen until "Casino" in 1995. Curious. I wonder what kind of act she had while appearing at Dino's.

 

[Rustifer]

And another Press Information sheet distributed by ABC. This one features Roger Smith in the episode "The President's Daughter". WB was particularly fond of occasionally setting the episodes in Mexico (read: WB back lot). I remember this one being particularly far-fetched.

The episode (from 3rd season) also starred Richard Long as Rex Randolph. I remember George Tobias (Mr. Kravitz from "Bewitched") playing a bumbling Mexican police or military man. Also starred the lovely Lisa Montell as...you guessed it...the president's daughter.

Lisa Montell

 

[Rustifer]

AHA! Another Press Information sheet! Stu Bailey in one of my most favorite episodes-"Reserved For Mr. Bailey". Stu wanders around a ghost town and spends time discussing philosophy with a female mannequin. One of the more innovative episodes. Directed by Montgomery Pittman, Stu turns in a solo performance. No other actors, only the voice of his enemy is heard.
It could have easily been mistaken for a 'Twilight Zone' episode.

 

[ponset]

Since I don't care for the International capers I skipped "The Hong Kong Caper" the 1st time around.
But decided to watch this time, glad I did as Neil Hamilton makes a guest appearance as does the lovely
Karen Steele.

 

[Flashgear]

Seeing as we are discussing 'The Strip' in it's context to '77 Sunset Strip' and classic tv in general...if you have the recently released season two (1958-59) CBS MOD of 'How to Marry a Millionaire' with Barbara Eden, Lisa Gaye and Merry Anders...check out the opening pre-credit sequence filmed from a moving car for the episode "The Comic"...the marquee at 'Ciro's' (just down a ways from 'Dino's') shows notorious comedian Lenny Bruce appearing...also the multi platinum vocal group the Ink Spots ('If I Didn't Care', 'I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire') with special guest Erroll Garner (famed jazz pianist and composer of 'Misty' and 'Autumn Leaves')...Dean Martin's club had a lot of fast competition for nightclub patrons in those days...

 

[Rustifer]

Since I don't care for the International capers I skipped "The Hong Kong Caper" the 1st time around.
But decided to watch this time, glad I did as Neil Hamilton makes a guest appearance as does the lovely
Karen Steele.

I'm with you on the dislike of the international capers, and have skipped over many of them.
Last night I caught part of "Secret of Adam Cain" which at least starts out in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Stu is actually filmed on location walking across the parking lot. Then it reverts to studio set interiors.

But hey, Criblecoblis, some great close ups of Stu smoking his Peterson pipe in this episode!

Kookie also briefly affects an English accent, which is surprisingly good.
Stu is supposed to head to the Hotel Laguna in San Dede to look for a stolen vase. When I first heard Hotel Laguna, I thought it was in reference to the one in Laguna Beach, Orange County. I spent many a wonderful twilight hanging out in the rooftop bar there.

Waiter! Martinis all around!

 

[Rustifer]

This 1961 TV Guide cover intrigued me:

What exactly did the (Ouch!) refer to? Was Roger Smith a known klutz? Was he prone to hurting himself in some way?

And then there were these two photos of Efrem with a quizzical look, as if he had just unceremoniously perched upon a whoopee cushion

Inquiring minds want to know...