Tributes To Your Favorite Classic TV Stars (2 Viewers)

[Bryan^H]

Al Lewis Birthday Memorial (April 30, 1923 - February 3, 2006)

What can I say about Al Lewis except the obvious...he was a goofball. One of the best goofballs to ever star on television.
He made people laugh and he was darn good at it. 'The Munsters' was unique because the casting was brilliant. Although Fred Gwynne and Al Lewis worked together before on 'Car 54 Where Are You?'
It was 'The Munsters' that made them legendary in the TV world I think. Herman, and Grandpa
Munster--The physical comedy of Herman not realizing his size or strength causing him mishaps, and impish Grandpa always cooking up crazy potions and pills-what a great series.
Great actor.




Al Lewis starred in an episode of Lost In Space "Rocket to Earth", and watching him play alongside another colossal ham Jonathan Harris, it is just too much fun.



Here is the improvised scene that Al, and Jonathan cooked up because the ep was running short and needed some more air time. They saved the network thousands of dollars that day.


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With his wife (red sweater) Karen Ingenthorn


Al,Lewis, Beverly Owen, Fred Gwynne

 

[ponset]

Lee Majors.

Upcoming Tributes May 2024

May 5th Will Hutchins 94th Birthday Tribute
May 7th Darren McGavin Birthday Memorial
May 8th Ricky Nelson Birthday Memorial
May 11th Denver Pyle Birthday Memorial
May 18th Pernell Roberts Birthday Memorial
May 20th Anthony Zerbe 88th Birthday Tribute

 

[ponset]

Elizabeth Montgomery.

Upcoming Tributes May 2024

May 5th Will Hutchins 94th Birthday Tribute
May 7th Darren McGavin Birthday Memorial
May 8th Ricky Nelson Birthday Memorial
May 11th Denver Pyle Birthday Memorial
May 18th Pernell Roberts Birthday Memorial
May 20th Anthony Zerbe 88th Birthday Tribute

 

[Sky King]

Hi all,

Call me picky, but I think Elizabeth Montgomery lost some of her natural beauty when, later in life, she had her upper teeth capped.
For me she was far more appealing with her natural smile.

John

 

[Jeff Flugel]

Happy 94th Birthday, Will Hutchins!​

Will Hutchins (born Marshall Lowell Hutchason; May 5, 1930) is an American actor most noted for playing the lead role of the young lawyer Tom Brewster, in the western television series Sugarfoot, which aired on ABC from 1957 to 1961 for 69 episodes. Hutchins was born in the Los Angeles. As a child, he visited the location filming of the W.C. Fields' comedy Never Give a Sucker an Even Break and made his first appearance as an extra in a crowd. He attended Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he majored in Greek drama. He also studied at the University of California at Los Angeles, where he enrolled in cinema classes.

During the Korean War, he served for two years in the United States Army Signal Corps as a cryptographer in Paris, serving as a Corporal with SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) Following his enlistment he enrolled as a graduate student at UCLA in their Cinema Arts department on the G.I. Bill. Hutchins began acting and got a role on Matinee Theater. (More at his Wikipedia entry here).

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Among Hutchins' work on the big screen were roles in Hell Bent for Glory, No Time for Sergeants, Young and Eager, Merrill's Marauders, the cult Monte Hellman western The Shootout, two fun Elvis flicks (Spinout and Clambake), Shangani Patrol and a small bit in the Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force.

But Hutchins is most well-known for his TV work, in particular his charming performance as Tom Brewster in Sugarfoot, an easygoing young man studying to be a lawyer while he wanders the west, getting into various scrapes and coming to the aid of those in trouble. Brewster's likable and resourceful character is summed up perfectly in the lyrics to the show's catchy theme song:

Sugarfoot, Sugarfoot...easy lopin', cattle ropin' Sugarfoot,
Carefree as the tumbleweeds, a-joggin' along with a heart full of song
And a rifle and a volume of the law.

Sugarfoot, Sugarfoot...never underestimate a Sugarfoot,
Once you get his dander up, ain't no one who's quicker on the draw.

You'll find him on the side of law and order,
From the Mexicali border, to the rolling hills of Arkansas

Sugarfoot, Sugarfoot, easy lopin', cattle ropin' Sugarfoot,
Ridin' down to cattle town, a-joggin' a-long with a heart full of song
And a rifle and a volume of the law.​

It's the second verse especially that strikes home, for despite the title of the series dubbing him a "sugarfoot", seemingly even more lowly on the cowboy totem pole than the derided "tenderfoot", it doesn't pay to rile Tom Brewster or take too much advantage of his good nature. When crossed, he's plenty tough, and like most western stars of that era, a complete badass when required, quick on the draw as well as with his fists. Sugarfoot has the usual pleasing variety of storylines, and Hutchins acquits himself well in the part, equally adept at comedy and drama, rangy of build, believably wily, his boyishly handsome face balanced by inquisitive eyes displaying his intelligence. And he's ably assisted by the usual array of fine guest stars and gorgeous starlets.

Sugarfoot
1.18 "Short Range"
"Sugarfoot" Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) takes a job as a puppeteer assisting a sultry young traveling carny (Erin O’Brien), in this story by busy writer/director Montgomery Pittman. When a little girl tells him her uncle plans to kill her, Tom is nonplussed…but soon realizes there's truth to the girl's story, which is tied in to a plot to sell guns to the Apache. Hutchins is an ingratiating screen presence, and has fun providing a variety of puppet voices, romancing both female guest stars (the foxy Ms. O'Brien and Olive Sturgess), and also showing he’s no slouch in the action department, pulling off a couple of smooth moves to take down the lead baddie in the climax. I must confess, though, to not quite getting the episode title.

2.4 “The Ghost”
More spooky goings-on as Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) tries to help a boy (Tommy Rettig, from Lassie and one of my favorite westerns, River of No Return) who was at the scene at a supposedly haunted house when the local sheriff was killed. The house is a creepy old manse that belonged to an infamous family of outlaws, who were lynched by the locals and are (supposedly) buried in five graves in the front yard. Also with Michael Pate, Ed Kemmer and a brief cameo by Martin Landau. Strong episode with a few interesting plot turns, and once again, the likable Hutchins gets to portray Brewster as forthright and competent. As the theme song says, “Never underestimate a sugarfoot.”

2.11 "Return of the Canary Kid"
This crossover episode features a welcome appearance by Wayde Preston as Christopher Colt (recently given a new lease on life with Warner Archive's splendid release of Colt .45 on Blu-Ray). Another idiosyncratic gem written and directed by Montgomery Pittman, this sequel features the return of Tom Brewster's outlaw doppleganger (a mere six episodes later in the season!) Tom agrees to pose as his ruthless "cousin" while the Canary Kid is cooling his heels in prison, in order to help stop the cattle rustling activities of the Kid's gang. Things go pretty smoothly until the real Canary Kid escapes from prison and turns up at the gang's camp. This one's even better than the first Canary Kid tale. Don "Red" Barry and Doye O'Dell provide amusing comic relief as the Kid's cheerfully homicidal compadres...and once again, mega-hot Saundra Edwards is on hand as the Kid's sultry, perpetually barefoot, cheroot-smoking girlfriend, Prudence, whose affections begin to sway towards the more gentlemanly Tom.

Sugarfoot - 2.18 "The Avengers"
A bad rainstorm forces the stagecoach carrying Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) and several other passengers - including convicted killer Pike (Steve London) - to hold up for the night in an abandoned, supposedly haunted mining town. Hutchins gets to be more assertive than usual as Brewster plays cowpoke detective to find out just what is behind a series of spooky - and deadly - goings on. A fun little "old dark house" adventure, atmospherically shot and sporting a solid cast of old pros, including Vito Scotti, Dorothy Provine, Luana Anders and Chubby Johnson. WB's patented "thunder and lightning" stock footage and sound effects get a workout in this one.

3.1 “Trial of the Canary Kid”
Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) is blackmailed into helping defend his nasty lookalike cousin, the Canary Kid, from being hanged on a murder charge. If he doesn't get the Kid off, a good friend of his, held captive by Canary's gang, may wind up taking a dirt nap. So Brewster reluctantly takes the case. The Kid insists he's innocent of this particular crime, but how to prove it? The show returns to the evil (or, at the very least, rascally) twin well for the third time (out of a total of four)...but under the sure hand of creative genius Montgomery Pittman, this sequel proves to be just as much fun as prior installments.

What really sets this one apart is the plethora of WB western crossovers. Not only do we see the return of Colt .45's Christopher Colt (big, laconic Wayde Preston, who appears in all four Canary Kid entries), but we also get brief appearances by Bronco (Ty Hardin, who gets a fun fight scene), deputy Johnny McKay (from Lawman), Adam West as Doc Holliday - and even a sly Maverick cameo (brother Bret’s mugshot on a wanted poster in the jail). Lisa Gaye plays a former moll in the Kid's gang, now gone straight and married to henpecked former gang member Edgar (William Phillips), who desperately wants out from under her thumb and back in Canary's gang.

Understandably in this busy episode, Ms. Gaye only gets a few scenes and none of them with Hutchins, so apparently she's not supposed to be the same character of Prudence, the Kid's sexy, cigar-chomping gal pal from the first two Canary episodes (played in those by super foxy Saundra Edwards). As if all of the above is not enough, the episode is chock full of splendid character actors, such as Don "Red" Barry, Gordon Jones, Olan Soule, John Hubbard, and “Aunt Bea” herself, Frances Bavier, as a distant relative of Tom's who gets him involved in the first place. The script (from a story by Pittman, who also directed) is credited to famed science fiction/fantasy writer C.L. (Catherine Lucille) Moore. This one is a hoot and a half, despite its limited town/jailhouse/courtroom setting, and you can tell that Hutchins relishes getting a chance to play his snarling bad guy alter ego once again.

 

[Jeff Flugel]

Will Hutchins Birthday Tribute (continued)
​

Sugarfoot - 3.3 “MacBrewster the Bold”
A joyful fifty minutes of classic TV, this. These WB westerns have a bad rap (not entirely unearned) for tired, recycled plots, but they could also at times come up with some really original stories. This episode is certainly a case in point. Things start normally enough as Tom Brewster (the ingratiating Will Hutchins) reluctantly accepts the job of marshal in a lawless mining town which is more-or-less under the thumb of tough outlaw Ben Cadigan (Myron Healy), who’s planning to clean out the local bank and doesn’t intend to let Sugarfoot get in his way. Right as things come to a head, three kilted Scotsman arrive in the town, claiming that Tom is the rightful chief of their clan, the MacBrewsters. Their leader, a fiercely proud and noble fellow named Dougal (Robin Hughes, “The Howling Man” from that classic episode of The Twilight Zone), wants Tom to accompany them back to Bonnie Scotland, but as Tom has given his word to the town’s mayor – and, more importantly, the mayor’s pretty daughter (Ruta Lee), agree to stick around until a new marshal arrives in town…leading to a lively final battle with Cadigan’s goons. This one is a real ripsnorter, with a good script and some winning performances, full of wit, humor, romance, and action. Hughes steals the show as the prickly, ultra-manly Scotsman, and Healy makes for a fine, charismatic villain. The rest of the cast is ace, too, including Roscoe Ates and Dorothea Lord, plus Allan Caillou and Tudor Owen as the other two feisty, claymore-wielding MacBrewsters. This one comes highly recommended.

3.6 “Outlaw Island”
Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) is escorting a white Arabian racehorse and its beautiful owner (Merry Anders) when their train is held up by a gang led by the notorious outlaw leader “The Baron” (Gerald Mohr). The Baron takes the horse and the lady, who he has become infatuated with, back to his island stronghold. Brewster poses as a veterinarian to infiltrate the hornet’s nest and rescue the girl. Randall previously gave a superb overview of this episode a few years back, and it is indeed a strong entry in this WB western series. Mohr is terrific as usual as the smooth baddie with delusions of grandeur. Also with Stagecoach West’s Robert Bray as a henchman, William Bryant as the imprisoned true patrón of the island, fiery Lisa Montell as the woman who loves him and comes to Tom’s aid in a clinch, plus familiar faces Jon Lormer, Pepe Hern, Martin Garralaga, and Paul Fierro.

3.11 "Wolf-Pack"
Easygoing troubleshooter Tom Brewster (Will Hutchins) arrives at the request of a friend who's ramrodding at a ranch plagued by wolf attacks. But these wolves aren't preying on cattle...they're killing people. Tom finds his friend's body, savaged by wolves, but suspects there's a sinister human hand behind the attacks. Not all of the story beats quite connect, but the premise is neat, and there's some nice snowy mountaintop atmosphere. Susan Crane plays the ranch owner's daughter, who has eyes not for Tom, but a manly trapper (Richard Coogan) who proves to be a welcome ally in the final showdown. Also with Robert Burton, Tom Fadden and Richard Garland.

3.19 “Funeral at Forty Mile”
Tom Brewster arrives in the town of Forty Mile to help his cousin, Luke (Donald May), run for county sheriff…but soon finds himself investigating a series of cryptic messages targeting five men for the lynching of a young cowboy three years before. One of the five is Luke, who feels guilty over failing to prevent the lynching. Pretty good mystery with a fine supporting cast – including George Kennedy, Percy Hilton, Kent Taylor, John Qualen and a young and perky Louise Fletcher, as the fiancée of the dead man who Luke has feelings for. May briefly replaced lead Wayde Preston in S3 of Colt .45, when Preston walked off the show in a dispute with the stingy (and vindictive) Warner Brothers' brass.

Here's a two-part blog review of Sugarfoot S2, which consists entirely of lengthy, detailed reminiscences by Hutchins on each episode of that season. He's quite a raconteur, and has a lot to say about his co-stars, including the variety of leading ladies he had the good fortune to share scenes with (and date, in several cases). He's very candid about the cheapness of the WB sausage factory approach, but also admits that the shows are much better than he thought at the time.

Great reading, and the man's memory is incredible!

https://supervistaramacolorscope.wo...-sugarfoot-the-complete-second-season-part-1/

https://supervistaramacolorscope.wo...-sugarfoot-the-complete-second-season-part-2/

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After Sugarfoot was cancelled, Hutchins kept busy in a variety of film and TV appearances, and even worked for a time as a circus clown. He went on to headline two more short-lived series: Hey, Landlord (1966-67) and Blondie (1968-69). Among his TV guest appearances were roles on Gunsmoke, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Perry Mason, Love, American Style, Emergency! and The Streets of San Francisco. Hutchins also pops up in a small role in the enjoyable two-part episode "Going Home" of the breezy '70s buddy show Movin' On, a very enjoyable trucker version of Route 66, which follows middle-aged veteran long hauler Sonny Pruitt (Claude Akins) and his partner, younger, college-educated Will Chandler (Frank Converse), as they drive all over the country, getting involved with various people and their problems along the way. In this light-hearted Christmas entry, Will Hutchins plays an out-of-work layabout who Sonny's scatterbrianed but kindly ex-wife Dinah (Sheree North) has put up at her place, much to Sonny’s initial annoyance. Hutchins doesn’t get much to do, but it’s nice to see him anyway.

Hutchins has been married twice, first to Chrissie Burnett (from 1965 to 1968), with whom he has a daughter, and then to Barbara Torres (1988 to present). The garrulous Hutchins has been a frequent fixture at various Golden Boot and other western events and retrospectives over the years. Starting in 2008, he has also penned several humorous reminiscences for Boyd Magers' Western Clippings website. They make for some enjoyable reading, with tons of stories about his various Hollywood pals and acquaintances. The most recent entry, from July 2023, shows the then 93-year-old Hutchins still in full command of his mental faculties, sharp and witty as ever.

Here's a neat little interview with Hutchins:



And a great two-part interview with Hutchins from 2022, conducted by Rob Word for his fabulous YouTube channel, A Word on Westerns:





So here's wishing Will Hutchins a very happy 94th birthday! May he mosey along "with a heart full of song" for many more.

 

[JohnHopper]

BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL • DARREN McGAVIN (May 7, 1922-February 25, 2006)

Darren McGavin Biography
Darren McGavin (born William Lyle Richardson; May 7, 1922 – February 25, 2006) was an American actor. McGavin began his career working as a set painter for Columbia Pictures. In 1954, he originated roles in Broadway productions of My Three Angels and The Rainmaker, followed by film roles in David Lean’s Summertime and Otto Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm (both 1955). Continue to read at Wikipedia.

MANNIX SEASON 4

Episode #1
“A Ticket to the Eclipse” (1970)
producers: Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts
executive producer: Bruce Geller
associate producer: Barry Crane
writer: Harold Medford
story: Bruce Geller
director: John Llewellyn Moxey
director of photography: Gert Andersen
composer: Lalo Schifrin
theme music: Lalo Schifrin
music supervisor: Leith Stevens
guests: Darren McGavin, Dane Clark, Mark Stewart, Paul Mantee, Don McGovern, John Wheeler, Jack Griffin, Adele Yoshioka, Chris Woodley

Quote:
“Hey, Lieutenant! You blew it! You should’ve killed me! [laughing like a kook] You’re going to pay for it. You’re going to pay for it. [laughing like a kook]”
—Korean War veteran Mark (actor Darren McGavin).

Summary:
Martha (actress Chris Woodley), the niece of disabled Ray Endicott (actor Don McGovern), one of the soldiers from Joe Mannix’s old unit in Korea, is murdered in her apartment, and a lighter found there links the killing to another member of the unit, Tommy Gantt (actor Paul Mantee), who once dated the girl. But Mannix isn’t convinced of Gantt’s guilt, and begins to believe that the real killer is yet another former member of the unit—who may be taking revenge on his former comrades one by one. Korean War Veteran turned karate teacher Mark (actor Darren McGavin) eliminates all the members of his unit because they used to testify against him during a court-martial in which he was accused of manslaughter and, now, he is provoking Mannix in a private showdown.

Comments:
Darren McGavin as karate teacher Mark is not believable but his acting covers the lack of physical training, especially his weak lower body (see the calves)! Notice that McGavin wears terrible long hair to be hip and, later on, will carry a large straw hat at the zoo and during the white hunter outcome. Mark reminds Mannix he used to be a karate instructor and teach him how to kill. The unit of Joe is composed of four men: Max Carson, demolition expert Ray Endicott (actor Don McGovern), Tommy Gantt (actor Paul Mantee) and Mark (actor Darren McGavin). When Mark meets Mannix for the first time in his gymnasium for kids, he exclaims: “My fearless wartime leader, Lieutenant Joseph R. Mannix”. Mannix hates to be called by his former military grade. Like Satan, Mark tempts Mannix by pushing him to the limits and states he is a predator like himself when he underlines this veiled invitation: “But I guarantee you’ll be back at 10:00 tonight. You know why? To kill me. Because you’re going to walk out that door, and you’re going to find it’s all up to you, that you’re the only one who can stop me—if you can, of course. And you know something else, Joe? You’re going to want to do it. Because underneath, you’re a killer, too”. The swimming pool fight scene is a re-interpretation of the night lake scene from Cape Fear (1962). Director John Moxey worked many times with Darren McGavin: first a 1969 episode (“The Secret of Mareno Bay”) of The Outsider, The Death of Me Yet, The Night Stalker. The script is based on a story by producer Bruce Geller, creator of Mission: Impossible. Composer Lalo Schifrin makes his comeback after a season of absence on Mannix and the first sign of change is this opener score—with its dissonant organ music a la THX 1138 (1970) that prefigures the theme of “Scorpio” from Dirty Harry (1971) combined with the Mannix theme rearranged a la Bullitt (1968), a drop of Charley Varrick (1973) and some harpsichord use from The Beguiled (1971) and an obsessive steady little drumbeat—which paves the way for the rough Seventies leaning to come. Actually, on September 19, 1970, Lalo Schifrin writes music for the season openers of both Mission: Impossible (the season 5 “The Killer”) and Mannix and therefore the musical leaning is similar. Actor Dane Clark guests as Lt. Ira Deegan for the second time in his three appearances (that includes the season 3 “Walk With A Dead Man” and the season 4 “With Intent to Kill”) in that recurring part.

Review:
It’s the second piece of a Korean War quartet initiated with the season 2 “End Game” (also directed by British craftsman John Moxey), one of the best season 4 episodes, a duel and a survival drama that relies heavily on the wild agitator performance of guest actor Darren McGavin playing a Max Cady-like devilish character from Cape Fear (1962) but dressed as a white hunter to track down his old lieutenant. In the context of this Mannix episode, actor Mike Connors is the equivalent of Gregory Peck in the previously mentioned movie and describes his former comrade as a loaded gun. Notice the tour de force swimming pool sequence conceived and crafted with a hand-held camera by kinetic director John Moxey! The closest scene to “End Game” is the long night time locker room scene in which Mannix must avoid a series of traps but the main difference between the two is the various locations of the last one. The two finest episodes from season 4 has one common denominator: they’re remakes of notorious Film Noir—“A Ticket to the Eclipse” is a television version of Cape Fear (1962) and “The Mouse That Died” is the television version of D.O.A. (1950).

Korean War Veteran Quartet
“End Game” (season 2)
“A Ticket to the Eclipse” (season 4)
“The Man Who Wasn’t There” (season 6)
“A Word Called Courage” (season 8)

Guest Cop:
Lt. Ira Deegan (actor Dane Clark).

Actor Notes:
Mostly remembered for his part of reporter Carl Kolchak and used to be the leading man of six series (Crime Photographer in 1951, Mike Hammer in 1958, Riverboat in 1959, The Outsider in 1968—loosely based on Paul Newman’s 1966 detective movie Harper—, Kolchak The Night Stalker in 1974, Small & Frye in 1983) and, here, reprised and reworked the military role of actor Steve Ihnat from the season 2 “End Game” but treated in a delirious way, Darren McGavin started his career in the mid-1940’s cinema and quickly became a prolific character-actor on television in countless anthologies (among other things: Studio One, Tales of Tomorrow, Danger, Suspense, Climax, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Evil Touch), series, telefilms, movies made for television from the Seventies (The Challenge, Berlin Affair, Tribes, The Death of Me Yet, The Night Stalker as Carl Kolchak, Something Evil directed by Steven Spielberg, The Night Strangler as Carl Kolchak, The Six Million Dollar Man as cynical OSO spy head Oliver Spencer), appeared thrice on The Name of the Game, worked for producer Bruce Geller twice (Mission: Impossible: the season 2 “The Seal”, Mannix) and for QM Productions (Banyon, Brinks: The Great Robbery).

Guest starred in many western series in the 1960’s like Death Valley Days, Stagecoach West, Rawhide (the season 4 “The Sendoff”), Gunsmoke (thrice: the season 10 “Twenty Miles from Dodge”, the season 11 “The Hostage”, the season 12 “Gunfighter, R.I.P.”), Cimarron Strip (“The Legend of Jud Star”), The Virginian, Custer. Darren McGavin also directed one episode (the season 1 “The Blowup”) of his series Riverboat and two western series (Buckskin, Death Valley Days) and two segments (“A Game of Hearts” and “Gornak’s Prism”) of the anthology The Evil Touch in which he played. Moreover, Darren McGavin also had a movie career that included such work as David Lean’s Summertime (1955), Otto Preminger’s The Man with a Golden Arm and The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955), Paul Wendkos’ The Case Against Brooklyn (1958).

Lalo Schifrin - The White Hunter (1970)



Mannix | A Ticket to the Eclipse | Mark neck chops a Young Woman

Mannix | A Ticket to the Eclipse | Mark meets Mannix at the Gym

Mannix | A Ticket to the Eclipse | Mark invites Mannix for a Duel

Mannix | A Ticket to the Eclipse | Mark fights Mannix in a Swimming Pool

Mannix | A Ticket to the Eclipse | Mark tracks Mannix down in a Safari

Pictures of Korean War veteran Mark (actor Darren McGavin).

 

[The 1960's]

Darren McGavin (May 7, 1922) Birthday Memorial​

Darren McGavin (born William Lyle Richardson; May 7, 1922 – February 25, 2006) was an American actor. McGavin began his career working as a set painter for Columbia Pictures. In 1954, he originated roles in Broadway productions of My Three Angels and The Rainmaker, followed by film roles in David Lean's Summertime and Otto Preminger's The Man with the Golden Arm (both 1955). On television, McGavin portrayed the title character in Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1958–1959), and starred in Riverboat (1959–1961) and Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974–1975). For his recurring role on the sitcom Murphy Brown, he received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. While in New York, McGavin also appeared on several live theater programs that aired on television, such as Kraft Television Theatre and The U.S. Steel Hour. Also in 1955, McGavin appeared twice in the anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents, first in an episode titled "Triggers in Leash" and later in an episode titled "The Cheney Vase", as a scheming caretaker and aspiring art thief, opposite Carolyn Jones, Patricia Collinge, and Ruta Lee. He also later appeared in an episode of The Alfred Hitchcock Hour titled "A Matter of Murder" in 1964. McGavin (left) and Burt Reynolds in Riverboat (1959) Throughout his career, McGavin starred in seven different TV series and guest-starred in many more; these television roles increased in the late 1950s and early 1960s with leading parts in series such as Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, in which he portrayed the title character from 1957 until 1959. He was subsequently cast as Captain Grey Holden opposite Burt Reynolds in the Western series Riverboat, which aired from 1959 until 1961; Reynolds was replaced by Noah Beery Jr. midway through the series due to disputes between Reynolds and McGavin… Continue @ Wikipedia

Gunsmoke (1955-1975) HD Stream

S12E06 Gunfighter, R.I.P (Oct.22.1966)​

This is the Sixth Episode of the Twelfth Season of the historical long running Gunsmoke western series entitled Gunfighter, R.I.P. It’s Twenty Season longevity is something very special. If you enjoy a good western love story then you’ve come to the right place. Today, May 7th 2024, would have been the 102nd Birthday of Darren McGavin a versatile actor in his own right. It was a toss-up whether to use this story as a Memorial Tribute to Darren McGavin or a 93rd Birthday Tribute to France Nuyen this coming July 31st. Ms. Nuyen is so glorious here and the chemistry between these two fine actors is magical. It is their show. With the exception of Doc, we barely see any of the regular cast in this truly classic episode. Note: The images in this photo commentary are from the Gunsmoke HD Stream and are not modified in any manner.

Directed by
Mark Rydell
Writing Credits
Hal Sitowitz
Michael Fisher
Paul Savage
Norman MacDonnel
John Meston
Charles Marquis WarrenWarren

Stars
Darren McGavin … Joe Bascome
France Nuyen … Ching Lee
James Arness … Matt Dillon
Milburn Stone … Doc
Amanda Blake … Kitty
Stefan Gierasch … Mark Douglas
Michael Conrad … Paul Douglas
Don Hanmer … Barber
H.T. Tsiang … Ghing Fa
John Breen … Barfly
Forest Burns … Townsman
Pete Dunn … Gunman
Jaye Durkus … Gunman
Chuck Hamilton … Barfly
Bert Madrid … Bartender with Newspaper
Chick Sheridan … Barfly
Milan Smith … Barfly
Sid Troy … Barfly
Max Wagner … Barfly

Produced by
Philip Leacock
John Mantley
Music by
Ernest Gold
Cinematography by
Neal Beckner
Editing by
Albrecht Joseph
Casting By
Pam Polifroni
Art Direction by
John B. Goodman
Set Decoration by
Herman N. Schoenbrun
Makeup Department
Glen Alden
Pat Whiffing
Production Management
Robert M. Beche
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Al Kraus
Art Department
Clem Widrig
Sound Department
Jack A. Finlay
Vernon W. Kramer
Camera and Electrical Department
Lloyd Ahern II
Bobby Jones
Richard Craig Meinardus
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alexander Velcoff
Music Department
Gene Feldman
Ernest Gold
Script and Continuity Department
Edle Bakke
Additional Crew
Herbert DuFine
George Walsh​

Brothers Mark and Paul Douglas (Stefan Gierasch & Michael Conrad) look on as Gun For Hire Joe Bascome (Darren McGavin) arrives in town to execute Marshall Matt Dillon. Bascome is a selfish man, a killer, who never cared for anything in life but himself and the fee he collects upon taking the lives of others. The first thing is to clean up at the local Shaving Parlor. In comes laundry girl Ching Lee (France Nuyen) with clean cloths who hides her face so as not to see Bascome’s naked body.

As Bascome leaves the parlor he sees three men bullying Ghing Fa, the owner of Ghing Fa Washing & Ironing and the father of Ching Lee. When he’s thrown into the mud, it splashes on Bascomb’s newly cleaned pants.

He becomes embroiled a in a gunfight and is severely wounded. Ghing Fa is killed.

Thinking Bascome tried to help to save her fathers life, Ching Lee is grateful. She bravely cauterizes his bullet wound and then travels to Dodge and finds Doc.

She is determined to help nurse him back to health.

Doc: I don't want him to move when he wakes up. You won't let him, will you?
Ching Lee: No, I won't.
Doc: And let him have some food, when he comes to... something that will give him nourishment, like a good strong soup. Will you do that?
Ching Lee: Yes, of course I will.
Doc: All right, I'll get back into Dodge now, but I'll be back.
Ching Lee: Doctor, thank you for everything.
Doc: No, no, no, never mind about that. He'll take care of it.
Ching Lee: Oh, please, I want to pay. I owe him so much.
Doc: Seems to me he owes you something, too. Get some sleep.
Ching Lee: Thank you.

Delirious from fever Bascome finally awakens to a stubborn Ching Lee who refuses to undue the brace Doc put his wounded leg in.

Bascome: Get this off of me!
Ching Lee: Please, don't move.
Bascome: Get it off me!
Ching Lee: Please don't move your muscle.
Bascome: Who did this to me?
Ching Lee: The doctor. Your leg is in a...
Bascome: Get it off.
Ching Lee: Don't move.
Bascome: Don't just stand there. Untie it! Untie it!
Ching Lee: I will not, and you mustn't try. You're wounded, and you're going to start bleeding. Now, please!
Bascome: I don't care what no doctor said, now, untie me. I said untie me!
Ching Lee: NO!
Bascome: Who are you?
Ching Lee: My name is Ching Lee. Welcome to my home.
Bascome: Arghh.

Welcome To My Home

Ching Lee brings Bascome hot soup.

Ching Lee: The doctor said you should eat when you're awake. I've kept the soup... hot for you. It will be very good. Here you go.
[Knocks soup to the floor]
Ching Lee: Why did you do that?
Bascomb: Nobody's going to spoon-feed me. Where's my gun?
(sighs)

Mark and Paul Douglas are getting impatient. Meawhile Doc arrives for a checkup on Joe’s wounds.

Doc: Now squeeze. Was that the best you can do? Squeeze it. All right, all right. That's enough.
Ching Lee: Doctor?
Doc: Well...
Bascome: "Well" what?
Doc: I won't have to amputate.
Bascome: You know you don't have to amputate. What about my leg?
Doc: It's going to be all right.
Bascome: Well, then, get me out of this contraption then, will you?
Doc: Well, not if you ever want to use it again.
Bascome: Well, how long do you figure that's going to take?
Doc: If you're lucky, two or three weeks.
Bascome: Three weeks?
Doc: Why, you going someplace, are you?
Bascome: No, no, I got nowhere to go.
Doc: I heard what you did for her father.
Bascome: Yeah.
Doc: Well, it's kind of unusual nowadays, for anybody to stand up to three guns for an old man.
Bascome: Oh, yeah, well, uh... it just, uh, happened.
Doc: I suppose so. Well, that's all I can do for you, but I'm leaving you in good hands. You pay attention to what Ching Lee tells you, and you'll be all right.
Ching Lee: Thank you, Doctor. I'll get some money.
Bascome: I got money. Get my pants. That be enough?
Doc: It will ride. Good luck to you.
Ching Lee: Thank you, Doctor, for everything you have done.
Doc: Young lady, if you're ever out of a job, I can use a good nurse.

Ching Lee cooks Joe his dinner. He refuses her help eating so she cuts the meat into little pieces. His manly pride prevents him from showing any appreciation which she finds amusing.

 

[The 1960's]

As he tests his wounded leg, Bascome is annoyed by Ching Lee sneaking up on him. He’s in a great deal of pain and he’s very cranky. Joe wants some Whiskey which leads to a very touching scene

Ching Lee: Oh, be careful! Oh, God!
Bascome: Don't sneak up on me like that.
Ching Lee: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.
Bascome: I'm just a little jumpy, that's all.

Ching Lee: I understand.
Bascome: You do, huh?
Ching Lee: The doctor said not to walk on your leg for a week yet.
Bascome: You got any whiskey in the house?
Ching Lee: No. Would you like me to get you some?
Bascome: Yeah, yeah, you do that. Here-Here's some money.
Ching Lee: Oh, no! I have enough, thank you. I have got some wine.

Bascome: Wine?
Ching Lee: It was my father's. It's very old and very good. He drank very little at a time. He was afraid to run out. It's very good.
Bascome: Well, aren't-aren't you going to have some?
Ching Lee: Oh, yes. Chung ming fu kwai.

Bascome: Hmm?
Ching Lee: Chung ming fu kwai. Health and happiness.
Bascome: Oh, yeah.
Ching Lee: Chung ming fu kwai.
Bascome: Chung... ming...
Ching Lee: fu...
Bascome: fu…
Ching Lee: Kwai...
Bascome: kwai. Yeah.

Ching Lee: You don't like it?
Bascome: Yeah, it's-it's, uh... it's-it's-it's not, uh, it's-it's very interesting.
Ching Lee: I get some whiskey.
Bascome: No, really, you don't have to. It's very, uh...

Chung ming fu kwai

Joe helps Ching Lee with the laundry. With much laughter and a second toast comes love.

Ching Lee: Feeling better?
Bascome: Yeah, I am. I... I am.
Ching Lee: I'm glad.
Bascome: Yeah, so am I, that's a fact. You-you-you are the workingest woman.
(laughs)
Ching Lee: You want me to stop? You want to talk?

Bascome: Nothing to talk about.
Ching Lee: Okay.
Bascome: No, no, no, I'll-I'll take care of that.
Ching Lee: It's too heavy for you.
Bascome: Ah, it's not too heavy for my arm. I'll take care of it. AHHH!

Bascome: Well, is there... Well, is there anything else I can do for you?
(laughing)

(both laughing)
(laughing)
Bascome: You have a nice laugh.

Ching Lee: It's the sound of laughter that's nice.
Bascome: Are-are you gonna wash all this over again?
Ching Lee: No, just rinse it.
Bascome: Well, uh... Let's-let's have a drink.
Ching Lee: I'll get the whiskey.
Bascome: No, no, get the rice wine.
Ching Lee: But you don't like it.
Bascome: Well, it grows on you.

Ching Lee: All right. Just enough.
Bascome: Chung ming... fu kwai.
Ching Lee: Chung ming fu kwai.
Bascome: No, don't. You're... pretty.

The First Kiss

​

The Douglas brothers return. They’ve waited long enough for the $1000 dollars they’ll pay Bascome.

Mark Douglas: I think we've waited long enough.
Paul Douglas: And I think we're going to Dodge.
Bascome: All right, I'll, uh, I'll see you there in a couple of days.
Mark Douglas: You'll see us there tomorrow.
Bascome: Or what?
Mark Douglas: Or the deal's off and you can do all the laundry you want.
Paul Douglas: $1,000 is a lot of money.
Bascome: I want $500 now and $500 when the job's done.
Mark Douglas: Steady.
[Hands Joe the $500]
Bascome: Good-bye.

Readying for his trip to Dodge, just like that, Bascomb says goodbye to Ching Lee breaking her heart.

Bascome: You want something?
Ching Lee: No.

Ching Lee: Bye, Joe. Joe... Joe... Joe... Joe, please don't go. I love you, Joe. Love you.
Bascome: You what?
Ching Lee: I love you.
(laughing quietly)

Ching Lee: Is it funny I should love you? Joe, why are you laughing?

 

[The 1960's]

Bascome: I've wanted to laugh like this for a long time. You know how funny you look there standing... Look like, standing there-there, telling-telling me that you love me? (laughing): You take everything. Do you think I put myself in front of those three guns to save your father? That old man? He didn't mean anything to... You don't mean anything to me.

Ching Lee: I don't understand.

Bascome: All right, then, I'll tell you. In little simple words. I was on my way to Dodge, on business... my business! When this stupid thing happened. I had no choice of being here. I didn't want to be here. And then it got convenient. That's right, convenient. Well... (stammers) I don't need your convenience anymore. I don't need you anymore. Understand? It's simple. Well, don't just stand there. How much money do I owe you? Give me, give me, give me a bill. I'll pay you off. How much, how much do I owe you? Here...here, $20 ought to cover it. Thanks for your services.
(doorbell jangling)
Ching Lee: (sobbing)

Feeling guilty Joe leaves $500 for Ching Lee with the owner of the Shaving Parlor. At the Longbranch Ching Lee attempts to return the $500 to the Douglas brothers to stop the killing. Paul Douglas strikes her to the floor.

Ching Lee goes to see Joe at the Dodge House. He notices the bruise on her face and demands to know who struck her. She tells him.

Bascome: What happened?
Ching Lee: Nothing.
Bascome: Tell me. What happened?
Ching Lee: No...
Bascome: I want to know what happened.
Ching Lee: No.
Bascome: Now tell me. Tell me!
Ching Lee: I tried to make them take back the money we don't need the money, Joe.
Bascome: You stay here.
Ching Lee: We don't need it. Joe, no!

Bascome confronts the Douglas brothers.

Mark Douglas: Don't be stupid.
Bascome: Do it. Go ahead.
Mark Douglas: Paul...
Bascome: Do it!
Mark Douglas: Now, ease off, Joe.
Bascome: Which one of you did it?
Mark Douglas: No, the girl was shooting her mouth off. It would've been all over town.
Bascome: Which one?
Paul Douglas: It was me, but she was shooting her mouth off.
Bascome: Stand up.
Bascome: You read. Stand up. Take off your gun belts. Take them off!
Paul Douglas: Well, come on, Top Gun. Let's see what you can do with your hands.
Bascome: If you even as much as look at that girl, I'll kill you both. Now, as for Dillon, you buy yourself another gun.
Paul Douglas: I’m going to kill him.
Mark Douglas: Sure you are.
Paul Douglas: It's your fault. You had to get Dillon by having him...
Mark Douglas: Shut up!

With open arms Joe returns to Ching Lee at the Dodge House.

Bascome: Well, come here.

Bascome: This is as wrong as anything can be.
Ching Lee: No.
Bascome: It will never last.
Ching Lee: It will last forever.

Bascome: No. No, only until a better gun comes along.
Ching Lee: You will drop your gun.
Bascome: And do what? That's how I make my living.
Ching Lee: You don't make a living with a gun. You make death.
Bascome: Well, what can I do? Maybe I should open a laundry?
Ching Lee: That's a way to make a living.
(Bascome laughs)
Bascome: Are all your people like you?
Ching Lee: No. They are not as happy

Suddenly the Douglas brothers burst in at gunpoint. They tell Joe he will keep his committment to execute Dillon or Ching Lee will die.

Bascome: I'm sorry.
Ching Lee: For what?
Bascome: For giving you hope. For thinking that I could just walk away from everything that I was.
Ching Lee: Joe... I love you, Joe.
Paul Douglas: That's a very sweet picture. C’mon.

The showdown at Dodge.
[Variation of original Gunsmoke theme can be heard in the background]

Bascome: Dillon! My name is Bascome, Joe Bascome. And I'm calling you.

Matt Dillon: Doc, better get out of the way.

Ching Lee: Joe!

Doc: Matt, bring her into the Dodge House.
(moans quietly) (whispers)

Bascome: Well?
Doc: It's a little too soon to tell.
Bascome: You mean she could die?
Doc: She's very badly hurt.
Bascome: But there-there must be something, something you can do.
Doc: Well, Mr. Bascome, I'm going to do everything I can. Just could be the rest is up to you.
Ching Lee: Joe?
Bascome: I'm here.
Ching Lee: Joe?
Bascome: I'm here.

Spoiler Clip: The Final Showdown

Closing Credits

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[ponset]

Rick Nelson born May 8th in Teanack, NJ to Ozzie and Harriet Nelson.
Died December 31st, 1985 in a plane crash near DeKalb, Texas.

In the late 1950s, Ricky Nelson wasn't just a teen idol. He was the teen idol.
Indeed, it's claimed that the December 1958 issue of Life magazine with Ricky on the front cover actually coined the phrase "teen idol" to describe him.

He had his ups and downs in the years that followed, but just when it looked like he might finally be on the verge of a genuine comeback, tragedy struck.

On New Year's Eve in 1985, he was the passenger on a plane that crashed when making an attempted emergency landing. While the pilots survived, all seven passengers died.

Ricky started off as a child star in his parent's radio sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Ozzie and Harriet's two sons were initially played by actors, but that all changed on February 20, 1949 when the then-12-year-old David and 8-year-old Eric Hilliard "Ricky" Nelson made their bow in the fifth season episode 'Invitation to Dinner'.

TV was still a fledgling medium then, and before making the switch from wireless to the small screen the show had a movie spinoff Here Come The Nelsons in 1952.

Long before the show was cancelled, Ricky had proved himself as its breakout star, bursting on to the pop and country charts.

Having dabbled in the clarinet and drums as a kid, he was inspired by the likes of Carl Perkins and the rest of the Sun Records stable to pick up a guitar.

Ricky's dad helped him get a one-single deal with Verve, and he released 'A Teenager's Romance' with a cover of Fats Domino's 'I'm Walkin'' on the flip.

Powered by a performance of the latter on The Ozzie and Harriet Show episode 'Ricky, the Drummer', the single was an instant success, going all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Also 1958 number one 'Poor Little Fool' and 1961 chart-topper 'Travelin' Man'.

His 1957 debut album Ricky also hit number 1, and the following five albums all charted well.

In 1961, Rick is 21 marked a shift in name from Ricky to Rick, but didn't dent his star, reaching number eight.

Ricky also enjoyed a parallel career as an actor,
His performances in 1959's Rio Bravo and 1960's The Wackiest Ship in the Army being especially well-received.

1971, the self-penned 'Garden Party' reached number six on the Hot 100.

Johnny Cash wrote "The Restless Kid" for Ricky to sing in RIO BRAVO but the director decide "Cindy" was a better song.

Travelin' Man is one of my favorite Ricky songs.



Garden Party Ricky's last big hit with the Stone Canyon Band.

Poem by a fan club member.

Thank you Ricky for so many pleasant memories.

 

[ponset]

Melissa Gilbert born May 8th, 1964.

Don Rickles born May 8th, 1926.

Don and Frank Sinatra.

 

[timk1041]

Outstanding tribute. I wish I had seen Rick in concert.

 

[The 1960's]

Denver Pyle (May 11, 1920) Memorial

Denver Pyle as Briscoe Darling

"Got time to breathe.. got time for music"

Denver Dell Pyle (May 11, 1920 – December 25, 1997) was an American film and television actor and director. He was well known for a number of TV roles from the 1960s through the 1980s, including his portrayal of Briscoe Darling in several episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, as Jesse Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard from 1979 to 1985, as Mad Jack in the NBC television series The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, and as the titular character's father, Buck Webb, in CBS's The Doris Day Show. In many of his roles, he portrayed either authority figures, or gruff, demanding father figures, often as comic relief. Perhaps his most memorable film role was that of Texas Ranger Frank Hamer in the movie Bonnie and Clyde (1967), as the lawman who relentlessly chased down and finally killed the notorious duo in an ambush…Continue @ Wikipedia

The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968)

May 11th in 1920 was the birthdate of Denver Pyle. Much like Alan Hale, Jr., Denver Pyle appeared virtually everywhere across the classic television landscape with an enormous 265 film credits which includes 100 Western films! Just about anytime you turn on your tv from a retro channel to a movie channel you’ll likely see Denver Pyle appear somewhere. To me, he was most impressive because he did both drama and comedy equally well. Between 1963 and 1966 he appeared on The Andy Griffith Show 6 times as Briscoe Darling, the father of four hillbilly sons and a daughter. His funniest Andy Griffith appearance was in the Fifth Episode of the Fourth Season entitled Briscoe Declares For Aunt Bee from October of 1963, his third as Briscoe Darling. Denver Pyle had a superb flair for comedy.

S04E05 Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee (Oct.28.1963)

Directed by
Earl Bellamy
Writing Credits
Everett Greenbaum
James Fritzell
Sheldon Leonard
Aaron Ruben
Danny Thomas

Stars
Andy Griffith … Andy Taylor
Ron Howard … Opie Taylor
Don Knotts … Barney Fife
Frances Bavier … Aunt Bee Taylor
Denver Pyle … Briscoe Darling
The Dillards … The Darling Family
Doug Dillard … Doug Darling
Rodney Dillard … Rodney Darling
Mitch Jayne .. Mitch Darling
Dean Webb … Dean Darling
Tom Jacobs … Townsman
Colin Male … Announcer

Produced by
Sheldon Leonard
Richard O. Linke
Aaron Ruben
Music by
Earle Hagen
Cinematography by
Sidney Hickox
Casting By
Ruth Burch
Art Direction by
Kenneth A. Reid
Set Decoration by
Ken Swartz
Costume Design by
Robert O'Dell
Makeup Department
Lee Greenway
Eva Kryger
Production Management
Ronald Jacobs
Frank E. Myers
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Robert Saunders
Art Department
Reggie Smith
Sound Department
Charles David Forrest
Dick Le Grand
Editorial Department
Joseph Gluck
Music Department
Donn Cambern
Herbert W. Spencer
Script and Continuity Department
Hazel W. Hall
Additional Crew
Doris Hartley
Aaron Ruben
Joel Swanson​

Briscoe Darling and his boys, Doug, Rodney, Mitch and Dean are causing a fuss at the local eatery Nick’s Cafe. Briscoe wants to sit in the kitchen and watch the chef cook his meal.

Andy: Well you see the sign over the door that says help only?
Briscoe Darling: That’s all I was trying to do. Now it looks like me and the boys are going to have to go without supper.
Andy: Well maybe we can do something about that. You come over to the house and have supper with me.
Briscoe Darling: Will that Aunt of yours let me sit in the kitchen watch her cook?
Andy: She’d be honored.
Briscoe Darling: You know something Sheriff, that haircut of yours may be city style, but your heart was shaped in a bowl.

A pre-dinner jam at the Taylors.

"Dueling Banjos"

​

The boys join Briscoe for a sit down dinner at the Taylors which turns out to be one of the funniest classic tv dinners of all-time.

Andy: Oh Aunt Bee those potatoes are a picture no artist could paint.
Aunt Bee: Oh gibbety gibbet.
Andy: She can’t stand to be bragged on
Briscoe Darling: Fine quality. I like modesty in a human female breed.
Andy: Yeah go pass the bread for the boys.
Opie: Ok Pa.
Andy: Ok have some pickles there.
Briscoe Darling: Thank you.
Andy: Tomatoe here. Salt here.

The darlings are hefty eaters. The bread disappears quickly before it reaches Brisco.

Briscoe Darling: BREAD!!
[Crashing heard from kitchen]

Aunt Bee: Mercy. What happened?
Andy: Mr. Darling put in a request for additional bread Aunt Bee.
Briscoe Darling: Oh, didn’t I yell loud enough?
Aunt Bee: Oh you must be big eaters?
Briscoe Darling: Oh we’re knowed as a family of hardy eatin’ men and beautiful delicate women.
Andy: Hahahaha. Here help yourself to some potatoes boys. Ahh good.

This time the potatoes suddenly disappear.

Briscoe Darling: TATORS!!!
[Crashing heard from kitchen]

Andy: Mr. Darling how about ahh when you want something just tell me and I’ll tell Aunt Bee.
Briscoe Darling: Oh oh that’s a good idea.
Andy: Aunt Bee we need more potatoes. Sure does look good don’t it?

Opie receives an empty plate.

Opie: MEAT!!

Andy: Ope, Aunt Bee will see what we need when she comes in. I don’t like for the boy to raise his voice at the table.

Briscoe Darling: Oh you’ve gotta watch that.

Briscoe Darling: Here that boys, no yelling at the table! It’ll take a while but I’ll learn ‘em.

BREAD! TATORS! MEAT!

​

Andy: Have a potatoe Ope.
Briscoe Darling: You get some meat?
Andy: Oh yeah we got meat.
Briscoe Darling: Something resting uneasy on your mind maam?
Aunt Bee: No no I was just admiring your hardy appetite.

Briscoe Darling: Bet it does your heart good to see a real eater at work, hmm.

Aunt Bee is loading up on the butter without a care in the world for Briscoe’s arteries.

Aunt Bee: Well Andy and Opie are pretty good eaters. Oh oh here you don’t have any butter on your Baked Potatoe.

Briscoe Darling: Oh well thank you maam for your kind attention.
Aunt Bee: There …
Andy: You all cooking for yourselves now that Charlene’s married are ya?
Briscoe Darling: Oh the boys there they’ve been taking turns. They’re just about the worst cooks they is. Just the other night they cooked up about the worst mess of grub I ever did see.
Andy: Oh?
Briscoe Darling: Hoot Owl Pie. Perfectly good Hoot Owl Pie just plumb wasted.
Andy: That’s a shame.
Aunt Bee: Oh you poor man. Have some more of my Pot Roast.
Briscoe Darling: Thank you maam.

Aunt Bee: Now, do you like pearly onions?
Briscoe: Oh, they twang my buds.
Aunt Bee: Well you don’t have any.
Briscoe Darling: Thank you.
Aunt Bee: There you are.

 

[The 1960's]

Briscoe Darling: Thank you. You know it appears to me you’re specializing on me. What about thee Sheriff and the boy here, they don’t eat enough to keep a June Bug alive.

Aunt Bee: Well they eat meals like this everyday, you’re a special guest Mr. Darling.
Andy: That’s right Mr. Darlng don’t worry about us you just dig in there and enjoy yourself.

Twang My Buds

​

After supper it’s time for some guitar pickin’ Mayberry style!

Andy: Come on Mr. Darling let’s play off our supper.
Briscoe Darling: Be right with yeah.

Aunt Bee: Some more pie Mr. Darling?
Briscoe Darling: Ahhh, I’m ample maam. Three cuts of pie is my high water mark. That woman’s pantin’ after me. That’s just the way they act when they got the cap set for you.
Andy: Come on Mr. Darling. What’ll it be?
Briscoe Darling: There you pick it and I’ll jug it.
Andy: How about “Dirty Me Dirty Me, I’m disgusted With Myself”?
Briscoe Darling: That makes me cry.

Andy: Well how about “Doug’s Tune”?
Briscoe Darling: That’s a good one. A one and a two and a one and a two.

During the tune Mr. Darling gets fresh with Aunt Bee. He winks at her and moves a little closer on the couch.

“Doug’s Tune”

​

Aunt Bee recites "A Fading Flower of Forgotten Love" by Agnes Ellicott Strong.

A rose I give to you
This rose so fresh with fragrance rare,
It's petals bringing joy to you
The fairest of the fair.
Oh roses are like memories
They fade and pass above
But you dear heart will 'er remain
my fading flower of forgotten love.

The poem gets Briscoe right in the hert. He’s convinced Aunt Bee was speaking directly to him. He then declares his intent to marry Bee.

Briscoe Darling: Miss Bee, I never dreamed that anything so beautiful could be said to me.
Aunt Bee: What?
Briscoe Darling: It was your yer hert talking to my hert. Now my hert is answering. Miss Bee, I’m declaring for you.

Andy: Wait a minute.
Briscoe Darling: I want you to be my bride.
Aunt Bee: Ohhh. Oh good heavens.

It’s here that Briscoe Darling begins behaving like a predator.

Aunt Bee: I did no such thing, I did not set one — for you.
Briscoe Darling: There you go, letting your head talk for your hert.
Andy: Mr. Darling, Aunt Bee is a very hospitable woman. She treats all her guests like she treated you.
Briscoe Darling: Hee hee hee do you expect me to believe that?
Aunt Bee: Ohhh! Andy!
Andy: Mr. Darling you’re taking this this thing all wrong.
Briscoe Darling: Yeah? What about all that extra butter and that fussin’ about me getting plentiful? She aimed that supper rod at me and then shot me in the hert with that rose poetry.

Aunt Bee: I did no such thing.
Briscoe Darling: You go right ahead. You do all the protesting that’s expected of you but my declaration for you stands. What with Charlene getting married and all I’m plannin’ on taking a woman. Maam this is your lucky day.
Andy: Oh boy.
Briscoe Darling: Glad to see you approve Sheriff. Miss Bee, you get your cloths and sowing and your potholders packed and I’ll be by for you first thing in the mornin’.

Aunt Bee: You will not! Of all the nerve!
Andy: Look Mr,. Darling Aunt Bee just fixed a nice supper for you is all, she didn’t expect a proposal. Now she’s right upset the best thing you can do is just say goodnight.
Briscoe Darling: Ohhh moving too fast for her huh? Well I figure that since she just quit courtin’ me she expected me to quit court ‘er right back. I’ll put on my square wheels so's things won't get to rollin' too fast. Goodnight.

Briscoe Darling: Everybody on the truck. Goodnight Sheriff.
Andy: Goodnight Mr. Darling. Goodnight boys.

That night Aunt Bee is awoken by Briscoe crooning his love with a rendition of “Low And Lonely”.

Bee pleads with Briscoe to stop.

Aunt Bee: Mr. Darling you’ll wake up the whole town with this caterwauling.
Briscoe Darling: Caterwauling maam? I’l have you know that this courtin and chivalry is a lifelong custom of my people.

Aunt Bee: Well to us it’s disturbing the peace, GOODNIGHT!
Briscoe Darling: Well she’s playing awful hard to get boys, I’m gonna have to think this thing out.

The stalking reaches epic proportions as Mr. Darling kidnaps Aunt Bee.

Opie: Pa she’s gone Pa she’s gone!
Andy: Wait a minute? Who’s gone?
Opie: Aunt Bee. I went home for lunch and she wasn’t there. Listen to this note on the table.
Andy: She’s with me … Brisco Darling. That old buzzard!
Opie: You think he kidnapped her Pa?
Andy: Well I’m sure she didn’t go up there of her own free will.
Opie: What you gonna do Pa?
Andy: I’m gonna go up there and get her. You go over to Miss Martha's and ask her to fix you some lunch.

 

[The 1960's]

Opie: Aw, gee, Pa...
Andy: Now, Opie, I ain't got time to argue with you.
Opie: But she'll feed me grits and prunes!
Andy: In Norway the young'uns eat hardtack and raw fish.
Opie: I'll take the grits and prunes.

The scene switches to the home of the Darling family where there is a concert going on for Miss Bee.

Briscoe Darling: He he yeah I bet you ain’t never herd juggin’ like that?
Aunt Bee: You’ll be sorry you did this to me Mr. Darling. Andy’ll be here any minute and you’ll all wind up in jail.

Briscoe Darling: You mean he agin you being the happiest woman in the world?
Aunt Bee: Ohh, really! Thank heavens he’s here.
Briscoe Darling: I, I hope he brought his marrying books.
Andy: Aunt Bee you alright?
Aunt Bee: Yes.
Andy: He ain’t harmed you?
Aunt Bee: No.

Briscoe Darling: Me harm a beloved
Aunt Bee: Andy take me home, NOW.
Andy: Mr. Darling what’s a matter with you? You’ve gone too far. Don’t you know it’s against the law to kidnap somebody?
Andy: C’mon Aunt Bee
Briscoe Darling: Now hold on Sheriff. I don’t think you realize what I’m offering. For one the love of Briscoe Darling tiller of soil and filler of trees. Look, the constant devotion of my fun lovin’ warm and amusing sons, this sturdy hand built cabin with all it’s furnishings and pure on nails. All this would be hers to do with as she sees fit.
Aunt Bee: And I said no now isn’t that clear enough?
Andy: C’mon Aunt Bee, sorry.
Briscoe Darling: I ain’t given’ up. I’m gonna keep plotting my trough until she finally accepts me.
Andy: Now look Mr. Darling …
Briscoe Darling: No use talkin’, I’m gonna plot from now till doomsday if I gotta.
Andy: Ahh Mr. Darling why don’t you just let me and Aunt Bee step outside and talk about this few minutes. C’mon Aunt Bee.
Briscoe Darling: You do that.
Aunt Bee: Andy you’re not serious?

Andy has an idea. He convinces Bee to accept Briscoe Darling’s proposal in hopes that actually being married to her will not be the marital bliss he anticipated.

Aunt Bee: Well Andy and I had a little talk and I expect I was a little hasty so …
Andy: We accept.
Briscoe Darling: DID YOU HEAR THAT BOYS? YEE YAHOOO!!!

Andy: Easy Mr. Darling. You might break her you’re pretty strong you know.

Aunt Bee beefs up Briscoe’s already bloated ego and then praises his manly muscles.

Andy: Ain’t he strong Aunt Bee?
Aunt Bee: Yes he is.
Briscoe Darling: Here here lookey there.
Aunt Bee: Oooooooo …
Andy: Loooord did you ever see anything like that?
Aunt Bee: A musclar sight to behold!

Briscoe Darling: It really bugs when I lift something uh watch this. Get off of there! Ugghh there you are. Can you see it?

Aunt Bee needs to see Briscoe’s muscles in a better light so he and the boys carry the bed outdoors.

Aunt Bee: Well the light in here isn’t very good.
Briscoe Darling: Well then I’l just take my arm outside.
Aunt Bee: You’ll need the bed.
Briscoe Darling: Oh so I will. Grab a hold here boys. Just throw it on the floor. So it’s my muscular physical qualities finally got to you, huh? Raise it up there, swing ‘er around. Don’t scratch the furniture.
Briscoe Darling: Now wait a minute. Don’t look at her yet. Let the light get on it good. There she is.

Aunt Bee: Ohhhhh wonderful, just wonderful.
Briscoe Darling: As long as I got it there you might a well poke it with your finger.

Now the work begins as Aunt Bee begins giving orders.

Aunt Bee: Oh yes, oh you know I have an idea.
Briscoe Darling: What that?
Aunt Bee: As long as we have the bed out here why don’t we don’t we clean that part of the floor.
Briscoe Darling: Clean the floor?
Aunt Bee: We might want to dance later.
Briscoe Darling: Oh, yeah. Boys, there’s work to be done. Get on your old cloths.

Not used to being bossed around Briscoe is getting worn out real fast.

Briscoe Darling: May I ask you something Miss Bee?
Aunt Bee: Of course.
Briscoe Darling: Three hours ago I showed ma muscle, then I lifted the bed. Next thing I know all the appointments have been moved outside and we;re scrubbing the house down now how’d that happen?
Aunt Bee: Well I made a request of you and out of your deep affection for me you fullfilled it.
Briscoe Darling: That what I did Sheriff?
Andy: I’d say so.
Aunt Bee: May I see that muscle again?
Briscoe Darling: No you don’t. Might end up white washing the whole house.

Clean up time for Briscoe.

Finally it’s dinner time but with strict instructions from Bee.

Briscoe Darling: Boy!
Aunt Bee: One at a time each in his turn share and share alike you go first Briscoe as head of the family take one pass to the left. No no no no. Put one on the plate and pass the bowl to the left.
Briscoe Darling: We don’t do it that way here.
Aunt Bee: We do now! Don’t we?

Andy: Well lot warmer today than it was yesterday
Briscoe Darling: Warmer and more painful. That’s my crazy bone.
Aunt Bee: No elbows on the table.
Briscoe Darling: Tain’t fair.
Aunt Bee: What is it?
Briscoe Darling: You hittin’ first and explaining the rules later.

Aunt Bee: Napkins will go on the laps.
Briscoe Darling: I spill on my shirt I don’t spill on my pants.

Aunt Bee: Nice people don’t spill at all. Now with a happy marriage each of us must give a little.
Briscoe Darling: Ouch ouch for a pretty woman who reads rose poetry you sure pack a mean punch.
Aunt Bee: Don’t you raise your voice at the table!
Briscoe Darling: I’ll raise my voice I’l raise hogs I’ll raise whatever I want to raise! This is my table! That’s tears it, that just tears it! C’mon take me away.
Andy: What yeah talkin’ about?
Briscoe Darling: Clap them handcuffs on me for breach of promise!
Andy: You’re not?
Briscoe Darling: Yes I am. This is gone just far enough. I can take some manners, and I can take some cleaning up, and I can take a bossy mouth, but I ain't about to be beat to death with no spoon!

Briscoe says his goodbyes to Bee.

Briscoe Darling: Maam.
Aunt Bee: Just one thing.

[Bee gives Briscoe a kiss]

Aunt Bee: Thank you for wanting me.

Briscoe Darling: Well Miss Bee, your kisses are awful nice and highly valuable but to be perfectly honest with you they just ain’t worth the pain.

A fabulous performance by the great Denver Pyle!

Final Scene & Closing Credits

Episode Notes

1. Veteran character actor Denver Pyle appeared as the patriarch Briscoe Darling in 7 episodes between 1963 and 1966, including The Darlings Are Coming, Mountain Wedding, Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee, Divorce Mountain Style, The Darling Baby, and The Darling Fortune.

2. This is one of the few times a character appears without a shirt on when Mr. Darling is sitting in the tub. Other times are in Bargain Day where Opie doesn't wear a shirt since it's so hot. In Mind Over Matter,” when Goober takes his shirt off and Andy has to rub Goober’s aching back. In “Howard’s New Life,” Howard is seen with his shirt off on the beach on Saint Benedict’s Island.

3. In this episode, Briscoe sings as a soloist for the first and only time. He sings a song called "Low and Lonely." Usually, Rodney (the non-speaking guitar player) or sister Charlene Darling do the singing.

4. In this episode Briscoe refers to himself as a "tiller of soil" and yet throughout the entire series no farmland is ever seen near his shack, nor is a lick of work ever seen out of any of the family.

5. Frances Bavier was 61 years old at the time of filming, but Denver Pyle was only 43.

6. Don Knotts does not appear in this episode, despite being credited.

7. This episode includes the performances of four songs, including three that feature the music of the bluegrass band, The Dillards (as The Darling Boys). Andy Griffith joins on guitar on three of the songs. Altogether, they are: "Dueling Banjos," "Doug's Tune," "Old Dan Tucker," and "Low and Lonely."

8. In this episode, The Dillards play "Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos)," the first wide-scale airing of the 1955 composition by "Guitar Boogie" Arthur Smith. This song was later made famous in the film Deliverance (1972).

9. The Dillards, an established bluegrass band featuring Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard and other members, reprised their roles as the Darlings on The Andy Griffith Show multiple times from 1963 to 1966.

10. This episode marks the only time the Darling boys appear without their sister, Charlene (played by actress Maggie Peterson).

11. Andy Taylor and Opie Taylor sing a duet, "Old Dan Tucker," (or "Ol' Dan Tucker"). The song is accredited to "Old" Daniel Decatur Emmett (Emmit) and was first published in 1863.

12. In the The Andy Griffith Show Season 4 box set, this episode's title spells Briscoe without the 'e.’

13. Aunt Bee Taylor (Frances Bavier) recited a poem she used to perform in duet with Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith)'s Aunt Florence - "A Fading Flower of Forgotten Love" by Agnes Ellicott Strong. The poem was actually written by Andy Griffith Show writer Everett Greenbaum (Neal Brower, Mayberry 101: Behind the Scenes of a TV Classic, p. 201).

14. Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) told Opie Taylor (Ron Howard) that the children in Norway "eat hard-tack and raw fish." Hardtack (or hard tack) is a simple biscuit or cracker made from flour, water, and sometimes salt.

Denver Pyle Related Media

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---

On the trail, Bonner meets a young boy who is looking to join his father. Bonner brings the boy to town, where the bank is robbed, and the sheriff kills one of the robbers---the boy's father.

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A murder suspect escapes a prison wagon. Sheriff Price Buchanan, who covets an appointment to Deputy U.S. Marshal, finds an injured Hoss. Buchanan, knowing his career is at risk if he fails his appointed duty, arrests Hoss and plans to substitute him in as his prisoner. Hoss befriends a fellow prisoner named Madge Tucker who knows Hoss was falsely arrested. Together, ... Read all

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Dedicated To The Memory of Denver Pyle
​

Upcoming Tributes May 2024

May 18th Pernell Roberts Birthday Memorial
May 20th Anthony Zerbe 88th Birthday Tribute
May 20th David Hedison Birthday Memorial
May 27th Lee Meriwether 89th Birthday Tribute
May 27th Bruce Weitz 81st Birthday Tribute
May 27th Jo Ann Harris 75th Birthday Tribute

 

[JohnHopper]

BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL • PERNELL ROBERTS (May 18, 1928-January 24, 2010)

Pernell Roberts Biography
Pernell Elven Roberts Jr. (May 18, 1928 – January 24, 2010) was an American stage, film, and television actor, activist, and singer. In addition to guest-starring in over 60 television series, he was best known for his roles as Ben Cartwright’s eldest son Adam Cartwright on the Western television series Bonanza (1959–1965), and as chief surgeon Dr. John McIntyre, the title character on Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986). Continue to read at Wikipedia.

THE WILD WILD WEST SEASON 3

Episode #2
“The Night of the Firebrand” (September 15, 1967)
creator: Michael Garrison
producer: Bruce Lansbury
assistant producer: Joe Kirby
associate producer: Leonard Katzman
story consultant: Henry Sharp
writer: Edward J. Lakso
director: Michael Caffey
director of photography: Richard L. Rawlings
composer: Richard Shores
theme music: Richard Markowitz
regulars: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin
guests: Pernell Roberts, Lana Wood, Len Wayland, Paul Prokop, Russ McCubbin, Zack Banks, Paul Lambert

Quote:
“My mind is troubled like a fountain stirred, and I myself see not the bottom of it.”
—Revolutionary Sean O’Reilley (actor Pernell Roberts) quoting William Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida.

Summary:
Sent by President Grant, James West travels to Fort Savage and finds subversive Sean O’Reilley (actor Pernell Roberts) disguised as Major Jason in charge trying to incite a revolution in Canada. Artemus Gordon first infiltrates the Canadian outpost, then travels to the American camp and finds James West held captive.

General Comments:
Producer Bruce Lansbury reshapes the series helped by story consultant Henry Sharp but, for the third season, the network asks to return to realism hence the vanishing of the fantastic element (magicians and science fiction) replaced by traditional western themes with bandits (“The Night of the Jack O’Diamonds”), conspirators (“The Night of the Assassin”, “The Night of the Arrow”), gangsters (“The Night of the Samurai”, “The Night of the Amnesiac”), corrupted politicians (“The Night of the Circus of Death”, “The Night of the Legion of Death”, “The Night of the Vipers”), greedy revengists (“The Night of the Underground Terror”), revolutionaries (“The Night of the Firebrand”), terrorists (“The Night of the Death-Maker”). In other words, Lansbury stays away from the eccentric tapestry and emphasizes a rough edge approach influenced by the Spaguetti western trend initiated by director Sergio Leone so therefore James West is dressed as a waistcoat-less blue corduroy drover outfit with black-leathered accessories and leans towards savage fights combined with a brand new gadget that you find in the season opener “The Night of the Bubbling Death”: the metal spike attached to a wire launched by the sleeve gun. The series is also shortened to twenty four episodes and undergoes two departures from alumni: composer-originator Richard Markowitz who gives one last score for “The Night of the Jack O’Diamonds” and cinematographer Ted Voigtlander replaced by Richard L. Rawlins and Edward R. Plante. Gone are the many actors playing federal heads ordering Jim and Artie that is simplified by one single actor introduced once the previous season: Douglas Henderson as Colonel Richmond. A new key writer make his entrance: Ken Pettus who will work with Lansbury (Mission: Impossible) and Conrad (Baa, Baa, Blacksheep) on further series. As usual, to see the leaning of the next season, pay attention to the last half of episodes. In the end, the series is turned into a manneristic Gunsmoke.

Episode Comments:
Pernell Roberts is excellent at playing a colorful foe through the figure of a revolutionary in love with a younger woman—that used to leave her academic studies—and imitates an Irish accent. Lana Wood as Sheila ‘Vixen’ O’Shaughnessy is a direct nod to the youth culture from the late 1960’s, especially when she explains her diehard ideology with these quotes: “A common goal, Mr. West! (…) To remove the stamp of tyranny from the brow of the masses” and also “His ideals [i.e., Sean O’Reilley’s ones] are more important than mere mortal flesh”. That renegade couple is interesting because they are both Irish and they use intimate monikers to define each other: my love/Macushla (by Sean O’Reilley) and my lord (by Sheila O’Shaughnessy)! The violent fate of Sean O’Reilley reminds the ending of General Titus Trask in the season 2 “The Night of the Cadre”. The episode is a showcase for the new leaning of savage violence of that season and two items sums it up: dynamite and cigar. It makes a nod to Star Trek through the Vulcan nerve pinch called “the pressure point” done on Sheila by Jim many times (at the revolutionary camp at night, at the new revolutionary camp in broad day light while kissing Sheila, at the train during the tag scene in which Jim shuts her up) which is Jim’s answer to his knock on the head from the rear done by Sheila during the prologue. “The pressure point” originally comes from the season 1 “The Night of the Grand Emir” when James West applies his fingers on the neck of Ecstasy La Joie (actress Yvonne Craig). One haunting and sophisticated shot that keeps returning during the wagon chase scenes: unconscious Vixen lying in the back of the wagon driven by Jim but shot with a beam of light on his face! For the record, this is a highlight for Ross Martin who delivers one of his best performances as a crazy Canadian trapper and features a re-orchestrated Artie’s theme music and Martin will play again a loudmouth trapper but later that season in “The Night of the Arrow” which also deals with blue coats and Indians. During the tag scene, Ross Martin as Artie recites Lord Byron’s poem She Walks in Beauty: “She walks in beauty like the night of cloudless climes, and starry skies, and all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspects and her eyes”! What is the common denominator between James West and Sean O’Reilley? Answer: cigar (again)! Robert Conrad and Pernell Roberts will star eleven years later in the mini series about Colorado entitled Centennial (1978).

The Gadgets:
After Sean O’Reilley’s departure from Fort Savage, Jim bursts a water barrel with the tip of his boots by swinging in order to wet the fuse of explosives and then unlocks his knife boot to cut his bonds—we can hear an updated version of the James West’s theme music for that scene. At night, nearby the camp, Jim uses a childish yo-yo to shake the branches of a bush and neutralizes a guard, stuns with the pressure point and abducts Vixen, extracts one bullet from the heel of his boot to create a smoke screen bag that is attached to an extra horse and to misguide the enemies, triggers an explosion inside the camp as a diversion. From Act 3, Artie joins O’Reilley’s camp and punches Jim and gives him a small metallic tabbaco box knife so that he cuts his bonds while kissing Sheila.

Jim’s Covers:
Jim keeps his identity throughout this adventure but fights real hard starting at Fort Savage when unmasking the fake Major Jason and facing his henchmen during the prologue. Then Jim is tied up to a pole surrounded by kegs of dynamite and, later on, uses the rope swing surprise to beat up and catches two O’Reilley’s scouts (Jacks and Pinto) that he hangs by the feet to a tree and gently warns them about the hostile Indian territory. Jim uses diversion and bluff twice: at the revolutionary camp at night with an explosion and in front of a broken wagon and O’Reilley by threatening to blow up the stock of explosives of the wagon. Jim is spared but tied up again but this time from a tree to a wagon. At the end of Act 3 and in front of the runaway wagon front seat, Jim loads his coat with stolen sticks of dynamite which is the episode’s trade mark! From Act 4, it’s pyrotechnics time a la Combat!, in other words, Jim stays hidden outside of a mining mountain, keeps on lighting with a cigar and launching sticks of dynamite and gunning down at O’Reilley’s gang while enjoying it! O’Reilley eventually is out of bullets and Jim starts a fistfight against the revolutionary which cheats by using a stick.

Artie’s Covers:
Artie first poses as Canadian trapper Bluebeard at a Canadian tavern and pretends to be violently drunk during Act 1 in order to get noticed by wanted criminal and leader André Durain and his second one-eyed Briscoe in order to join the putschist team and also meets O’Reilley’s envoy Clint Hoxie. Later on, Artie poses as French Canadian emissary of André Durain and patriot Jacques Beaumont to save Jim from being gunned down by the henchmen of O’Reilley and executed by O’Reilley himself. Ultimately, Artie escapes from the Iroquois’ chase and ends up at Fort Savage to deliver the stolen US arsenal (guns, ammunitions).

The Government Officials:
Major Jason (actor Len Wayland) from Fort Savage.

Review:
This is one of the best episodes of the season directed by Michael Caffey from Combat! and Garrison’s Gorillas and a very traditional but political drama—in the best sense of the word—that includes Indians (Iroquois), blue coats, Canadian mercenaries and a band of revolutionaries led by an educated Irishman and not far away from the two CBS western series of the time (Gunsmoke and Cimarron Strip). Writer Edward Lakso reworks the season 1 “The Night of the Flaming Ghost”. The narrative shows charades many times: revolutionary Sean O’Reilley posing as a refugee settler to infiltrate Fort Savage and takeover as Major Jason, an explosion at Fort Savage to fool the leaving revolutionaries, the smoke screen horse, a hat symbolizing James West and hidding sticks of dynamite used to misguide the gang. I didn’t like it back then because it was a far cry from the fantasy-oriented season 2 and its gallery of picturesque megalomaniacs and magicians and also because I found the endless wagon chases very dull and redundant. It’s not bland like the three Collier Young entries from season 1 but rather richly action-packed filled with tense chases (Jim riding away from the blood thirsty Iroquois tail of the prologue, Jim’s abduction of Vixen in Act 2, Artie running away from the Iroquois in Act 4), colorful, epic and it features a wonderful cast (Pernell Roberts as scarface subversive Sean O’Reilley, Lana Wood as upper-class student agitator Sheila ‘Vixen’ O’Shaughnessy and the daughter of a Senator, Paul Lambert as Canadian mercenary head André Durain) and a first-rate dynamic music score by Richard Shores.

The Book:
The Wild Wild West, the Series
by Susan E. Kesler
foreword by producer Bruce Lansbury
(Downey, Arnett Press, 1988, 251 pages, ISBN 0-929360-00-1)

The DVD Set:
The prints of season 3 are fully restored and look good. Unfortunately, the episode titles are not cleaned up and we notice some magenta that bleeds in the outline of the letters. A blu-ray edition is really needed and with real English subtitles and not cheap closed captions!

Guest Actor Notes:
Start his career in the mid-1950’s television, known for two series (the family western drama Bonanza and the surgeon drama Trapper John, MD), Pernells Roberts guests in many noteworthy western series (Trackdown, Sugarfoot, Have Gun Will Travel, Tombstone Territory, Lawman, Cimarron City, Bronco, Buckskin, The Rifleman, The Big Valley, Lancer, The Virginian, Alias Smith and Jones, The Quest, Centennial) during three decades and countless Universal series (San Francisco International Airport, The Bold Ones: The New Doctor, The Name of the Game, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, The Sixth Sense, Rod Serling’s Night Gallery, Banacek, Marcus Welby, M.D., Ellery Queen, Ironside, The Six Million Dollar Man, Switch, Baretta, The Rockford Files, Quincy M.E.) and telefilms of the Seventies (Dead Man on the Run, The Deadly Tower), plays on five QM series (Cannon, Bert D’Angelo/Superstar, Barnaby Jones, Most Wanted, The Streets of San Francisco) and on three Bruce Geller related works (Mission: Impossible, Mannix and Bronk). In 1959, he guests star in a top western film: Budd Boetticher’s Ride Lonesome, starring Randolph Scott and Karen Steele. 1967 is a great year for Pernells Roberts who appears on three major CBS series (The Wild Wild West through the season 3 “The Night of the Firebrand”, Mission: Impossible through the season 2 “Operation—Heart”, Gunsmoke through the season 13 “Stranger in Town”).


The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Firebrand | Meet Sean O’Reilley

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Firebrand | Sean O’Reilley warns James West

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Firebrand | Sean O’Reilley calls into question the Explosion

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Firebrand | Sean O’Reilley and his Gang shoot

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Firebrand | Sean O’Reilley faces James West

Pictures of Revolutionary Sean O’Reilley (actor Pernell Roberts).

 

[JohnHopper]

BIRTHDAY MEMORIAL • PERNELL ROBERTS (May 18, 1928-January 24, 2010)

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE SEASON 2

Episode #7
“Operation ‘Heart’” (October 22, 1967)
producer: Joseph Gantman
executive producer: Bruce Geller
associate producers: John W. Rogers and Robert F. O’Neill
executive in charge of production: Herbert F. Solow
script consultants: William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter
script supervisor: Allan Greedy
writers: John O’Dea and Arthur Rowe
director: Leonard J. Horn
cinematographer: Michel Hugo
composer: Gerald Fried
theme music: Lalo Schifrin

Quote:
“But before that, before anything else, loyal to me. To me, whom he fought beside for three long, bloody years. To me, who saved his life more than once. Write that down, Mr. Phelps. Tell your readers that. That the rumors are false. That the men who made this country free are united.”
—President Beyron Rurich (actor Pernell Roberts) about his friend Gomalk.

Tape scene:
Jim stops his convertible car and heads straight to an automatic photo booth and comes out a small key from his jacket’s front pocket. Once inside, he inserts a coin in the machine and unlocks the inferior compartement in which he finds an A4 kraft envelop planted on a reel tape player.

Summary:
In Yurova, Eastern Europe, Soviet sympathizer Colonel Stephan Gomalk (actor Michael Strong), the chief of the police, has arrested by mistake Nobel Prize archaeologist Professor William Bennett (actor Aaron Fletcher), thinking he has been an informed spy, but is confined in the prison ward because of his heart weakness. Gomalk prepares a coup by assassinating guerrilla-president Beyron Rurich (actor Pernell Roberts). Jim and Cinnamon make believe that Bennett is truly a spy to break the overthrow and free the sick man.

Cast and details:
• Pro-West President Beyron Rurich played by Pernell Roberts
• Cunning Colonel Stephan Gomalk played by Michael Strong
• Gomalk’s aide Kramer played by Peter Coe
• Hospital Doctor Levya played by Michael Fox
• Professor William Bennett played by Aaron Fletcher

Guest IMFer
It features an IMF guest agent: surgeon Dr. Owen Siebert (actor Robert Karnes) who tells Jim that he will freeze Bennett’s body and informs his IMF colleagues about a heart pill called digitalis and one square and lethal one in particular. He also poses as Mrs. Bennett’s doctor and as a demolition expert.

Jim Phelps
Jim Phelps poses as a magazine writer while keeping his full name and is gunned down in the arm by Barney on purpose in order to infiltrate the prison ward.

Cinnamon Carter
Cinnamon poses as Mrs. Bennett and tries to kill her husband with a lethal digitalis pill; she prints an invisible message (“Support ‘Anniversary’ fully. Funds and arms coming.”) on a white handkerchief from the ink of a cigarette pack then she is interrogated and slapped by Gomalk.

Rollin Hand
Rollin plays three parts: he first disguises and poses as an old sour sick man to enter the hospital, poses as a surgeon to rig the heart beat machine and to plant the fake bomb in the operating room and threatens hospital doctor Levya with a handgun. He eventually disguises as professor Bennett and compromises Gomalk and stops the heart beat machine via a remote control. Rollin quickly resumes to his former old sour sick man cover (off camera) and leaves the hospital with Jim by cab.

Willy Armitage and Barney Collier
Willy and Barney pose as snipers during the assassination attempt and demolition experts to hide Bennett’s body under the oxygen tank in the bomb stretcher. Barney customizes a fake bomb from three magnetic oxygen canisters. Willy poses as an oxygen delivery man and drives the demolition van called “Emerzenciskija” that contains a surgical unit.

Comments:
This is the first part for Pernell Roberts and the only positive one on the series and he plays a figure of authority. As in the season 3 “The Night of the Firebrand” from The Wild Wild West, Roberts wears a fat moustache and imitates a foreign accent; he even smokes a cigarillo during a brief scene in Act 3. Actor Michael Strong as Gomalk is also interesting especially during the interrogation scenes (Bennett, Cinnamon) and, above all, when he suspects the bomb stretcher to contain Bennett’s body. Notice this bizarre European country that looks rather Central American (i.e., Cuba): see Pernell Roberts’ Latin guerrilla outfit (orange sunglasses) and macho manners (washing his teeth with some booze). Film-maker Leonard J. Horn used to direct a sniper-oriented episode of Stoney Burke entitled “Point of Entry” and will shoot another surgeon-related story on the series through the season 6 “The Miracle”: his last episode on Mission: Impossible. During the dossier scene, Jim picks the file of creator-executive producer Bruce Geller and rejects it.

Review:
It’s good power struggle amongst friends plot combined with a surgeon sub drama that includes two ploys (an assassination attempt and a bomb alert) and a relentless pace thanks to the effective and fluid film-making of Leonard J. Horn (see the use of hand-held camera shots, zoom shots, various angle shots) and another multi-parts for actor Martin Landau as Rollin Hand and a solid suspenser about a conspiracy against the chief of the government! Code-plan: Anniversary. The execution of former friend Gomalk by Rurich is noteworthy and the end of the scene is tracked with the dry and solemn martial beat culled from the cue “No Slaking” from Gerald Fried’s “Trek”. Despite the onscreen credits of composer Gerald Fried, this episode is filled with various stock music.

Actor Notes:
Pernell Roberts participates at three Bruce Geller related works: Mission: Impossible, Mannix (the season 7 “Little Girl Lost”) and Bronk (“Deception”). He guests in four times on Mission: Impossible: the season 2 “Operation Heart”, the season 3 “The Mercenaries”, the season 4 “Death Squad”, the season 7 “Imitation”. The first two episodes highlight the best performances of Pernell Roberts.

Stock music:
“Pilot” by Lalo Schifrin
“Trek” by Gerald Fried
“The Survivors” by Walter Scharf


Mission: Impossible | Operation—Heart | Main Titles/Trailer

Mission: Impossible | Operation—Heart | Meet President Beyron Rurich

Mission: Impossible | Operation—Heart | The Assassination Attempt on Rurich

Mission: Impossible | Operation—Heart | The Official Arrival of Rurich

Mission: Impossible | Operation—Heart | Rurich executes traitor Gomalk

Pictures of President Beyron Rurich (actor Pernell Roberts).

 

[JohnHopper]

88th BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE • ANTHONY ZERBE (May 20, 1936)

Anthony Zerbe Biography
Anthony Jared Zerbe (born May 20, 1936) is an American actor. His notable film roles include the post-apocalyptic cult leader Matthias in The Omega Man, a 1971 film adaptation of Richard Matheson’s 1954 novel, I Am Legend; as an Irish Catholic coal miner and one of the Molly Maguires in the 1970 film The Molly Maguires; as a corrupt gambler in Farewell, My Lovely; as the leper colony chief Toussaint in the 1973 historical drama prison film Papillon; as Abner Devereaux in Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park; as villain Milton Krest in the James Bond film Licence to Kill; Rosie in The Turning Point; Roger Stuart in The Dead Zone; Admiral Dougherty in Star Trek: Insurrection; and Councillor Hamann in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. Continue to read at Wikipedia.

THE WILD WILD WEST SEASON 3

Episode #12
“The Night of the Legion of Death” (Novemver 24, 1967)
creator: Michael Garrison
producer: Bruce Lansbury
assistant to the producer: Joe Kirby
associate producer: Leonard Katzman
story consultant: Henry Sharp
writers: Robert C. Dennis and Earl Barret
director: Alex Nicol
director of photography: Edward R. Plante
composer: Richard Shores (stock)
theme music: Richard Markowitz
regulars: Robert Conrad, Ross Martin
guests: Kent Smith, Anthony Zerbe, Karen Jensen, Toian Matchinga, Walter Brooke, Alex Gerry, James Nusser, Doug Rowe, Eli Behar, Thad Fitzgerald, Ralph Thomas, Robert Terry, Bill Erwin, Don Ross, Donnelly Rhodes

Quote:
“You’re not the governor. You’re a wonderfully endowed face, a commanding presence, a bell-like silver voice. You’re a hollow, tin-plated fraud, Brubaker. I’m the governor. I made you. I put you into office. I created your black legion. I write your speeches for you, tell you what to say, what to think, what to reach for, who to reward, who to execute. You’re a Greek mask…that I… speak through. Don’t ever forget that.”
—Secretary Deke Montgomery (actor Anthony Zerbe) describing Governor Brubaker.

Summary:
James West and Artemus Gordon uncover a devious plot devised by an ambitious dictatorial governor who has plans to become President of the United States. The candidate for president is territorial Governor Winston Edgar Brubaker (actor Kent Smith), but he is really a front for the real power-hungry Secretary Deke Montgomery (actor Anthony Zerbe). The territory has strict policies about outsiders who may want to interfere with their political ambitions. There is a sizable army of green-clad soldiers led by ruthless Captain Dansby (actor Donnelly Rhodes) who quickly put down any opposition. Artie in disguise just about gets hung for interfering until Jim “kills” him with a drugged rifle round from a upper-story window that faces the square with the gallows. Then Jim is wanted for murdering the man Artie was impersonating. Jim’s charm works on one the governor’s lady friend Henriette Faure (actress Toian Matchinga) to learn about a secret tunnel into his house. Also helping is the daughter named Catherine Kittridge (actress Karen Jensen) of a community member who has been outspoken against the Secretary and Governor’s plan. Jim has to stand trial for the supposed murder of Aaron Addison aka Arte’s alter ego. But he is acquitted and must abduct Governor Brubaker and send him back to Washington.

Comments:
The stylized emblem of the militia called the black legion—which implies black shirts—is a thunderbolt that goes through a crown of bay leaves and that political detail is a veiled reference to the season 1 “The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen” that features an irregular army of subversives and actress Toian Matchinga. The green uniforms of the militia come from the season 2 “The Night of the Brain”. The sniper prologue is a rework/variation of the season 3 “The Night of the Assassin” which is a veiled reference to the Dallas’ assassination of president Kennedy. One basic element is borrowed from these season 3 episodes: “The Night of The Bubbling Death” (see the lady’s wardobe hideout), “The Night of the Firebrand” (see the wagon escape charade), “The Night of the Assassin” (the lovers kiss shield strategy), “The Night of The Hangman” (the trial for murder). The lawyer of Jim is played by actor James Nusser aka wino Louie from Gunsmoke. The courthouse is the saloon set recycled from Cimarron Strip. Even though, the story is serious, the narrative is filled with incoherences like the second part of the prologue when Jim escapes from the upper floor of a house and ends up in a barn and comes out from the same house again. Jim’s savage fight scene at the exit of the trial seems pointless and gratuitous. At the end of Act 3 and during the garden house scene, Jim has a shorter haircut but he resumes to his fancy haircut at the start of Act 4 when he puts under a rest Governor Brubaker at his study. Robert Conrad and Anthony Zerbe will star eleven years later in the mini series about Colorado entitled Centennial (1978).

The Gadgets:
Jim uses binoculars and a foldable golden rifle hidden in the floorboard of a house’s upper-story in order to fire a sedative-laden bullet into Artie in disguise. To escape from the militia, Jim dusts some cutting white gun powder around him to bore a hole in the floorboard and gets down to the lowest level of the house: that trick reminds the elevator scene from the season 3 “The Night of The Bubbling Death”. At a private reunion, Captain Dansby shows Secretary Deke Montgomery, straw man Governor Brubaker, first lady Henriette Faure the secret passage from the study that is activated by spinning a floor globe. At night, Artie forces the door of the garden house by using a door opener fuse.

Jim’s Covers:
Wearing his blue corduroy trailer outfit, Jim poses as a sniper-assassin in order to save Artie from the gallows. He then escapes from the upper room and lands on a barn and fights real hard the soldiers of the militia, accompanied by Richard Shores’ action cue from the season 2 score “The Night of the Eccentrics”. From Act 1, Jim takes refuge in a garden house where he meets beautiful Henriette Faure and pretends to be the lover of a married woman but a militia corporal knocks to warn her about a killer on the loose. Miss Faure offers Jim a way out by pressing a secret button on a pole that open a trap door from the floor. Jim gives her a thank-you kiss, explores the long tunnel and discovers two exits: one that leads outside with a militia guard and one that leads to the study of governor Brubaker thanks to a floor button and a moving wall that Jim choses and where he meets secretary Montgomery who calls Captain Dansby ordering two guards to take him for interrogation. Jim escapes from the place by jumping out of the window and hides in a mortuary cabinet compartment of the city morgue. At night, Jim injects a drug to revive stunned Artie stored in the lower compartment. Out of the blue and accompanied by two militia soldiers, Catherine Kittridge enters the morgue and asks to see the body of Aaron Addison (Artie). The morgue attendant interferes into Jim’s affair so he knocks him unconscious and stores him in Artie’s compartment. Jim and Artie, pretending to be drunk, cross the main office in front of the two militia soldiers. Jim drives fast a wagon as in the season 3 “The Night of the Firebrand” to escape from the militia (stock footages from a 1950’s B-movie western with irrelevant blue coats). Later on, Jim returns to the office of governor Brubaker to take him into custody but he is arrested by Montgomery and Dansby for a trial. Jim is represented by a third-rate and coward lawyer incapable of defending his client. At the end of his successful trial, Jim faces and fights real hard three henchmen inside the establishment—Jim even falls from the first floor and lands on a wood table. Jim then joins back Catherine Kittridge in a barn. Out of the blue, two militia watchmen enter and Jim kisses Catherine so the guards leave: Jim uses the lovers kiss shield strategy.

Artie’s Covers:
Artie first poses as old man Aaron Addison on the way to be hanged and is shot on purpose by Jim during the prologue. Later on, Artie is revived by Jim who removes his face mask at the city morgue and pretends to be drunk with embalming fluid. Later on and at the trial of Jim, Artie as Aaron Addison pops up from nowhere! At the exit of the trial and in front of Jim, Artie changes his disguise and turns into a Morrocan and comes out of the courthouse while avoiding the militia.

Jim and Artie
At night, Jim and Artie are tailed by the militia and they jump out of an escape wagon that serves as a bait for the militia. Later on, they end up in the closet of Catherine Kittridge who is harassed by Captain Dansby and she makes a false promise of a date to get rid of him. Jim and Artie introduce themselves and explain their assignment. Later on, they enter the garden house, Jim open the secret passage, they borrow the staircase and they hardly walk into the tunnel and stop cold when Artie informs Jim about the social standing of Henriette Faure then a moving wall seals the entrance. Artie notices some odd upper wires and tells Jim to run fast when, at a remote distance, a militia sergeant detonates an explosive charge under the command of Captain Dansby. The tunnel is a wreck. Jim and Artie eavedrop near the secret passage while Miss Faure talks to Brubaker. They get into the study, put Brubaker under a rest, resume to the tunnel and transport him by carriage back to the train. Artie learns from Brubaker that he is a powerless shallow figurehead when Montgomery comes out from nowhere and threatens them with a handgun. Captain Dansby and his militia arrive. The carriage of Montgomrey and Brubaker leave. Jim and Artie fight the soldiers, steal their horses and run away. Meanwhile in town, Catherine Kittridge prepares her Derringer to assassinate Brubaker when she witnesses weakling Brubaker totally controlled by Montgomery and who falls apart. Montgomery steps into the rally when Jim and Artie arrive in town and talk to Catherine Kittridge. Montgomery delivers an impassioned political speech and lies to the excited audience by revealing that Brubaker dies. Jim, Artie and Catherine sit down with the townspeople and listen to the madman’s ultimate soliloquy when the community center empties of his disappointed diehard supporters.

The Government Officials:
None.

Review:
It’s among the best episodes of that “too” realistic season that deals with a case of a puppet and corrupted politician combined with a separist State sub theme and a slight courthouse-oriented drama. As usual, it’s a serious topic treated in a light way. Oddly enough, actor Kent Smith is credited first while appearing at the end of Act 2 but Anthony Zerbe is the real guest star of this tale of power struggle but he doesn’t get a commercial break art. Anthony Zerbe’s manic character foreshadows his season 3 part on his episode (“Live Bait”) of Mission: Impossible. The politicians sham of the script reminds a season 1 episode (“The Confession”, also guest starring actor Kent Smith) of Mission: Impossible. The gallows prologue is a little compact masterpiece of action-adventure in which Jim is depicted as an assassin and a fugitive on the run and in which we meet the real main foes: flawed ideologist Montgomery with a scarred face on the lower right cheek and round frame spectacles and tin soldier Dansby.

The Book:
The Wild Wild West, the Series
by Susan E. Kesler
foreword by producer Bruce Lansbury
(Downey, Arnett Press, 1988, 251 pages, ISBN 0-929360-00-1)

The DVD Set:
The prints of season 3 are fully restored and look good. Unfortunately, the episode titles are not cleaned up and we notice some magenta that bleeds in the outline of the letters. A blu-ray edition is really needed and with real English subtitles and not cheap closed captions!

Guest Actor Notes:
Start his motion picture career in a small part for a Paul Newman’s vehicle known as Cool Hand Luke (1967), Anthony Zerbe acts as a regular character in two series: Harry-O (1975-1976) as Lieutenant K.C. Trench, starring David Jenssen and The Young Riders (1989-1991). I vividly remember him as a typical Seventies figure and a great nasty foe and I associate his name with two sci-fi films: The Omega Man (1971) as lunatic prophet Matthias, starring Charleton Heston, and The Dead Zone (1983), starring Christopher Walken. He appears as a guest in many western series (The Big Valley, The Iron Horse, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, Bonanza), in four QM series (12 O’Clock High, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, The FBI) and in two Bruce Geller productions (Mission: Impossible, Mannix) in which he shines and transcends his parts. Zerbe plays twice with television star James Arness: see Gunsmoke (the season 13 “Blood Money”, the season 16 “The Noonday Devil”, the season 18 “Talbot”) and How The West was Won. Like Pernell Roberts, 1967 is a great year for Anthony Zerbe who participates at two landmark CBS series: The Wild Wild West (the season 3 “The Night of the Legion of Death”) and Mission: Impossible (the season 2 “The Photographer”). Like Pernell Roberts in his Wild Wild West episode (“The Night of the Firebrand”), Zerbe has a scare on his face that symbolizes corruption.

Anthony Zerbe website:

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Stock music:
“The Night of the Firebrand” by Richard Shores
“The Night of the Samourai” by Jack Pleis
“The Night of the Eccentrics” by Richard Shores
“The Night of the Assassin” by Walter Scharf


The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Legion of Death | The Assassination of Aaron Addison

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Legion of Death | Meet Secretary Deke Montgomery

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Legion of Death | Montgomery explains his plan to Brubaker

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Legion of Death | Montgomery unmasks straw man Brubaker

The Wild Wild West | The Night of the Legion of Death | The Final Speech of Montgomery

Pictures of Manic Secretary Deke Montgomery (actor Anthony Zerbe).

 

[JohnHopper]

88th BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE • ANTHONY ZERBE (May 20, 1936)

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE SEASON 2

Episode #15
“The Photographer” (December 17, 1967)
producer: Joseph Gantman
executive producer: Bruce Geller
associate producers: John W. Rogers and Robert F. O’Neill
executive in charge of production: Herbert F. Solow
script consultants: William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter
script supervisor: Allan Greedy
writers: William Read Woodfield and Allan Balter
director: Lee H. Katzin
cinematographer: Michel Hugo
theme music: Lalo Schifrin

Quote:
“Jason Redding, nuclear physicist. Tried, convicted. Executed for passing America’s precious secrets on to the enemy. (...) Unlike my father, I am a traitor. You see, my father was absolutely loyal to this country. He loved it. He loved it enough to build a bomb he despised.”
—Photographer David Redding (actor Anthony Zerbe).

Tape scene:
Jim stops cold his blue convertible car near the entrance of a poorly lit warehouse. He comes out of his vehicle, climbs the stairs, stops at the first floor and enters a studio. He heads to a pole and pushes a button that elevates a painting on the opposite side in which he finds a taped A4 kraft envelop and a mini reel tape.

Summary:
To avoid the release of a deadly pneumonic plague bacillus over the United States by foreign agents, the IMF simulates the aftermath of nuclear war to get red infiltrators David Redding (actor Anthony Zerbe) and his mentor Alex Morley (actor John Randolph), whose front activity is fashion photography in their American estate, to reveal a top-secret key-code from their bomb shelter (equiped with an auxiliary power, water tanks, air filtration, periscope).

Cast and details:
• Hip women photographer David Redding played by Anthony Zerbe
• USSR agent Alex Morley played by John Randolph
• Elite Magazine agent Fran Wiliams played by Kathleen Hughes
• Model Mandy played by Ludmila
• Federal employee Joshua played by Josh Adams

Cinnamon Carter
Cinnamon poses as a former Elite model and Benton Research Institute biochemist Dr. Cinnamon Carter Crawford working for the Federal Security Department; she pauses for David Redding but accompagnied by her husband Jim Crawford. The couple is threatened by armed Morley. Redding blackmails Cinnamon so Jim is tortured with electric wires from a voltage output device so that Cinnamon reveals her top secret project and Morley eventually guns Cinnamon down! Notice the good parallel editing: while Redding takes pictures of Cinnamon, Jim shoots Redding’s estate for the set decoration. Second episode, after “Echo of Yesterday”, in which Cinnamon is involved with photography and guns down and besides, there’s again a forbidden 6x6 Hasselblad back and here, it is Cinnamon who protects a secret formula written in a transparent board and you can hear the same highly dramatical music track by Robert Drasnin when the couple is bumped off.

Jim Phelps
Jim poses as Cinnamon’s husband Jim Crawford. He lets Cinnamon alone with Redding and Morley while taking pictures of the estate and picking the lock on the door of the bomb shelter to replace the bullets of six pump action shotguns and two handguns by blanks that release some red paint thanks to the ammunition-laden lining of his jacket. From Act 3, Jim is tortured with electricity and gunned down by Redding.

Barney Collier
Barney drives a truck, stops near the estate of Redding, waits for the departure of Redding and Morley to trespass and search the house to locate two handguns that he loads with blanks that release some red paint. Later on and in a warehouse, Barney builds a wasteland set with burnt trees. He organizes the con near the bomb shelter and jams Redding’s messages via a satellite dish connected to a special transmitter and, later, plays a fake nuclear alert radio message thanks to the regular reel to reel player from the tape scene. Redding’s estate is the same used in “The Council, Part I”.

Rollin Hand and Willy Armitage
From Act 4 and coming out of Barney’s truck and armed with handguns, Rollin and Willy pose as un-named Federal Security agents to arrest Redding and Morley who, feeling scared, decide to give them the secret code at the shelter in order not to go to New York and avoiding the nuclear attack. In the end, they’re both gunned down: first Willy by Redding’s pump-action shotgun and Rollin by Morley’s pistol.

Characters’ Associations
Barney, Jim, Willy and Cinnamon install the nuclear wasteland mock-up while Rollin is held prisoner in the bomb shelter. First, Barney buries some explosive charges in the ground, Jim and Willy plant the set that surrounds the entrance of the periscope, Cinnamon heats up the air duct of the shelter with a hot lance to simulate the radioactive side effects.

Comments:
Actor Anthony Zerbe is at his creepy prime with his messy locks of hair look and wears the same large frame spectacles from The Omage Man (1971) in which he plays the television news man. “The Photographer” and The Omega Man (1971) shares the germ warfare subtext. At the federal office of Cinnamon, David Redding remembers fashion model Cinnamon Carter who used to work in the same magazine (Elite). As the story progresses, Redding shows his true devilish nature, especially during the torture scene in Act 3. Lots of IMFers seem to get shot to death but imagine the situation if Barney or Jim fail to replace all the real bullets by blanks. This Apocalypse episode is the con game equivalent of “Time Enough at Last” for The Twilight Zone. As in the season 2 “The Survivors”, there’s a fake radio broadcast that announces the attack—thanks to Barney’s recorded voice—followed by an earthquake triggered again by Barney’s device. Redding rises not only his antenna but a periscope to watch the nuclear wasteland. The key-code is “photographerbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz” combined with the date and the phone book. Executive producer Bruce Geller injects a lot of optical zoom shots in the course of the narrative.

Review:
It’s an odd and inspired germ warfare intrigue that includes the earthquake con and ends up as the first landmark Apocalypse episode and features a fashion photographer manipulated by a double agent and his father’s best friend. The subplot is much more interesting: defection for a revenge. The narrative has an unusual gun use-orientation. Former American communist and blacklisted actor John Randolph plays the double agent. Notice one elegant silky smooth jazz track used when Redding goes to the models agency to meet Fran Wiliams, his agent (sic). The first photo session reminds Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blow Up (1966): Redding calls all his models by the moniker ‘my sweet’. The fashion pictures are taken by Bob Willoughby. For the record, this is the last Desilu episode!

Actor Notes:
Anthony Zerbe brilliantly participates at two Bruce Geller related works: Mission: Impossible, Mannix (the season 2 “Death in a Minor Key”, the season 6 “Cry Silence”, the season 7 “All the Dead Were Strangers”, the season 8 “A Word Called Courage”). He guests in five times on Mission: Impossible: the season 2 “The Photographer”, the season 3 “Live Bait”, the season 4 “The Amnesiac”, the season 5 “The Amateur”, the season 6 “The Connection”. Zerbe shines in two episodes in particular: “The Photographer” and, above all, “The Amateur”.

Stock music:
“The Council, Part I” by Jerry Fielding
“Memory” by Lalo Schifrin
“Pilot” by Lalo Schifrin
“Echo of Yesterday” by Robert Drasnin
“Operation Heart” by Gerald Fried


Mission: Impossible | The Photographer | Main Titles/Trailer

Mission: Impossible | The Photographer | Redding shoots a Model

Mission: Impossible | The Photographer | Redding goes at the Elite Agency

Mission: Impossible | The Photographer | Redding confesses to Cinnamon

Mission: Impossible | The Photographer | Redding tortures and kills Jim

Pictures of Photographer David Redding (actor Anthony Zerbe).