Maverick is among my favorite vintage shows and I think it holds up very well today. I agree that Jack Kelly was very good, but I would have to say that James Garner was just a a true TV and movie star and any show would suffer with his loss. I'm not familiar with the forth season, but if it's not overly pricey I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the review.
Jack, I certainly agree with much of what you say, but I do think there are enough fading virtues still left in Maverick's season 5 that I'm glad to have it too. And when it comes to the original series, I'm a completeist. But I have as yet to pick up the 1981 reincarnation Bret Maverick. A lower priority, as although that show has it's own virtues, it only holds a pale gleam to the original. Another example of the old dictum, "you can never go home again". But anything with James Garner in it is a must for me.
Thanks Jeff! Anita Sands is a pure delight in The Witch of Hound Dog, for me one of the highlights of season 4. Not only is she beautiful, but she has the most lovely and soft voice. She returns in another season 4 episode, Family Pride. That one is a Roger Moore episode that I also like. Thanks for reminding me about her appearance in Bonanza season 2, I'll pull that one out for a revisiting soon.Great stuff, guys! I really enjoyed your photo essay on that 4th season Maverick episode, Randall...and wow - Anita Sands looks highly alluring in those screengrabs! I'm not familiar with this actress...no surprise, as she apparently didn't appear in much before retiring from acting in 1963, her final appearance being in a third season My Three Sons episode. She seems perfectly cast as the kind of sexy mystery woman that could cast a spell over Bart. Looks like the only episode of hers that I currently have in my collection is in Bonanza S2's "The Spitfire." Might have to throw that one in later this week.
Despite Jack P's valid reservations about S4 of Maverick, I'm planning on picking that season set up, not only for the above episode and other Jack Kelly entries, but also for the 15 or so episodes with Roger Moore as Cousin Beau. I think I might just pass on the abbreviated, Kelly-only S5 though.
I agree completely Tim. James Garner had the power and presence of a real old time movie star, and his loss was something the series could never overcome. If I was to state my two favorite male action stars, they would be James Stewart and James Garner. Too bad they never had a chance to work together. In my opinion, James Garner was the essence behind the greatest comedic western ever made with Maverick, and for me the single greatest private eye show ever in the immortal Rockford Files. Between that and his great feature film career, what an incredible legacy!
Great shows. I recently watched that episode of Father Knows Best and couldn't stop laughing when the college students kept shouting to make sure Jim could hear them.Star Trek: The Next Generation – 2.3 “Elementary, Dear Data”
Picked the Blu-Ray set up cheap a while back, mainly to see the hour-long reunion with all the main cast members, recorded as a special feature during the show's 25th anniversary. I watched some of this season when it initially aired, but my strong aversion to Diana Muldaur - here playing the tetchy ship’s doctor, Pulaski, who temporarily takes over from the fired Gates McFadden - caused me to skip a good deal of it at the time. I’m looking forward to working my way through this set and seeing some new-to-me episodes, despite this season's so-so reputation. “Elementary, Dear Data” is one of the few that I clearly remember watching before, and I enjoyed seeing this seminal holdeck story for the first time in many years. The central idea, of a computer construct (here the holodeck version of Professor Moriarty, played with sinister, icy relish by Daniel Davis) achieving sentience and gaining knowledge and power over the Enterprise, is a good one…so good, in fact, that the series would bring the Moriarty character back in S6’s “Ship in a Bottle.”
Some fans carp over Brent Spiner’s heavyhanded Sherlock Holmes impression, but it works fine for me. The script makes it clear that Data is enjoying the role play, and is over-eager in his impersonation of the character. The only real niggle about the episode for me is that what begins as the episode’s central thesis - Dr. Pulaski’s claim that an android like Data is incapable of true inductive reasoning ala Holmes – is never really addressed by its conclusion. Of course, regular viewers know that Data is exceedingly capable of solving any mystery that comes his way, as we’ve seen him do so on an almost weekly basis throughout the series' run, often saving his crewmembers’ bacon in the process many times over.
Father Knows Best
2.11 “Spirit of Youth”
2.14 “Stage to Yuma”
While I enjoyed Robert Young’s odd little side jaunt into western territory, “Stage to Yuma,” I can’t imagine what audiences of the time made of it. Expecting to see the usual pleasant family antics, they were instead treated to a rather harsh, stagebound (literally) tale of death, self-sacrifice and last-minute redemption, with Young seemingly enjoying casting himself against type as a morally ambivalent outlaw. Not bad, and as a big western fan, I enjoyed it for its offbeat approach, but have to confess to much preferring the return to regular sitcom shenanigans with the charming “Spirit of Youth,” in which Jim and Margaret Anderson, chafing at their children’s concerns that they are getting old, return to their alma mater for a weekend to attend a college reunion. After a night spent in their crowded former fraternity and sorority houses, they soon realize that middle age is not such a bad thing after all.
Dan August – 1.9 “Epitaph for a Swinger”
When the philandering resident of a "singles only" apartment complex is killed, August and his team find no shortage of suspects. No great confounding mystery here (I twigged the true killer’s identity within 10 minutes, as any seasoned TV fan likely would), but it remains a slick police procedural anchored by charismatic Burt Reynolds, poker-faced Norman Fell and a good guest cast, including the still lovely Julie Adams, doe-eyed blonde Brooke Bundy (pictured below), Gordon Pinsett, Norman Alden and Robert Hogan.
Death Valley Days – 14.1 “Temporary Warden”
Host Ronald Reagan stars as James B. Hume, the temporary warden of the title, in this tale inspired by real historical events. When the governor offers him the job of warden of the Nevada state prison, Hume accepts - on the condition that he can round up three recently-escaped, hardbitten convicts himself. How he does so, without firing a single shot, makes for a pretty diverting little story. Reagan, though always a competent actor, was never a guy I’ve really warmed to on screen, but he’s quite good here, suitably tough and physical, with a wry humor. In some ways, this seems tonally more of a ‘50s western than one airing in the mid-‘60s, but that's not a bad thing in my book. It’s a good solid TV western series, a show I’d never seen before, but one which I’m happy I purchased. The episodes look nice, too: bright, colorful and reasonably sharp.
My Three Sons
1.7 “Lady Engineer”
1.8 “Chip’s Harvest”
More good stuff from this Peter Tewksbury-guided first season, though the terrible replacement music by Mark Heyes threatened at times to squelch my enjoyment, especially in “Lady Engineer” (seriously, my 7-year-old son, randomly punching keys on a Casio, would come up with better sounding stuff). Anyway, the sharpness of writing and acting shine through regardless. Steve (the unflappable Fred MacMurray, who seems more present in these early episodes than in later years) becomes attracted to a visiting rocket scientist (Dorothy Green) seemingly impervious to his romantic overtures. A neat ending here, as it reveals that maybe Steve wasn’t entirely barking up the wrong tree, after all.
“Chip’s Harvest” is that rare bird in television, a Thanksgiving episode...and a dang good one, too. At first, most of the family balks at young Chip’s insistence on bringing to Thanksgiving dinner his friend Johnny Squanto (Monty Ash), who they think is a mere shack-dwelling hobo who falsely claims to be an Indian (fair-minded Steve is not so sure). But when the Douglas’ stove breaks down and all restaurants are fully booked, it’s Johnny Squanto to the rescue, as he rigs up a backyard barbecue to roast the turkey. Bub, Mike and Robbie are forced to eat crow along with their turkey when Johnny shows up in full Native American regalia and reveals his noble background and generous spirit. A sweet, moving little story full of realistic family dynamics, and once again, smooth old pro MacMurray is very, very good, and makes it all look easy.
Doctor Who – 12.3 “The Sontaran Experiment”
Been going through my newly-arrived Tom Baker Season One Blu-Ray set, watching assorted extras, including the excellent and revealing one hour-plus interview with the great man himself, recorded for this release in 2018. These first few Phillip Hinchcliffe-produced years of the show are among my very favorites, and this first season for the big, googly-eyed, scarf-wearing Fourth Doctor is a good one, with several bonafide all-time classics, like "The Ark in Space" and the epic "Genesis of the Daleks." Baker takes command of the screen from the get-go, and brings a real alienness to the part that no one before or since has ever quite touched. “The Sontaran Experiment” is the only two-parter in Tom Baker’s run, and is not in the same league as the stories that bookend it. What it does have in its favor is having been completely filmed on (very cold-looking) Dartmoor locations, a more action-adventure focus and a fine performance by an ailing Kevin Lindsay, under heavy Sontaran make-up. The late Liz Sladen looks ridiculously cute in her bright yellow raingear, too. Most vintage Who used 16mm for filmed exteriors, but this story was shot on video, and as a consequence has a unique look, nicely cleaned up by the talented BBC restoration team. This story is also famous for being the one where Baker broke his collarbone during filming. There are some really dark aspects to this tale of an alien species carrying out lethal experiments on the human remnants of a future Earth, but this is balanced out by the warm interplay between the Doctor, Sarah and Harry Sullivan (Ian Marter), and the inevitability of the Doctor doing what he usually does: meting out some well-deserved justice in the end... however indirectly.
Doomwatch – 1.11 “The Battery People”
Typically gripping, albeit talky, fare, as Doomwatch head boffin Dr. Quist (John Paul, looking like Jon Pertwee’s stockier brother), seeing the rapid spike in divorce cases and (Shock! Horror!) the increase of gin consumption in a former Welsh mining town, sends in John Ridge (the suave Simon Oates) to investigate whether the chemical processes being used in the new factory farm there are indeed turning the local menfolk impotent. Ridge poses as a freelance journalist and starts poking around, although he uncharacteristically turns down the offer of some tea and a little extra from the disgruntled, sexually-frustrated ex-wife of one of the factory workers. The head of the company, a former general in military intelligence who once worked with a chemical warfare unit, is cagey…and for good reason. While the fashions, hairstyles and sexual politics might have dated, the central ideas of this show - and their sober, intelligent exploration - still seem fresh and relevant today.
Cannon – 1.1 “The Salinas Jackpot”
Been listening to the great score to this episode for over a week (courtesy of LaLa Land’s 2-CD set Quinn Martin Vol. 1: Cop and Detective Series), so thought I might as well watch the actual story it accompanies. Cannon’s first episode, airing almost six months after the pilot movie, hits the ground running right out the gate. And I mean that literally…William Conrad is quite active here, running through hill and dale to escape a couple of vicious scumbags (John Perak and Tom Skerritt, in scary good ol' boy mode), who dressed up as rodeo clowns and gunned down four people in a payroll robbery. When Cannon starts to close in on the pair, they ambush him on a country road, wreck his car, shoot him in the leg and start to hunt him down. Wounded (and winded), Cannon seeks help from a flighty widow rancher (Sharon Acker) who wants to stay out of the whole affair. Luckily, her son (Vincent Van Patten) is made of sterner stuff. But in the end, it’s grizzled Frank Cannon who single-handedly goes all Straw Dogs on the baddies in the exciting climax. Great episode, great music, and it's a kick to see Conrad render Skerritt unconscious with a full-on anaconda squeeze.
Hawaiian Eye – 1.1 “Mahini Holiday”
Really enjoyed this, the first complete episode I've seen of the show - and, apparently, the first episode of the series overall, with an official hand-off at the beginning from 77 Sunset Strip’s Stu Bailey (Efrem Zimbalist, Jr). At first , I thought pencil-moustachioed lead Anthony Eisley was a bit of a stiff, but he started to grow on me by the end...though he doubtless regretted taking his shirt off next to super-ripped Bob Conrad in the poolside epilogue.
Ol' Jack Warner really pushed the boat out for this first episode: we get an extended scene on a real beach, with real stunt people splashing around in real surf...of course, it was undoubtedly a California beach...but hey, points for location shooting. The plot (about a famous painter who is suspected of trying to bump off his wife) is predictable, but there's enough of a faux-Hawaiian tiki vibe to make it all go down smooth. The story slows down about two-thirds of the way through to give Connie Stevens a chance to warble "Let's Fall in Love" and look absolutely adorable. The stunning Pilar Seurat has a bit part as well. Would definitely like to watch more of these (and the other WB detective shows). Pity there are no DVD sets full of crisp, uncut transfers in the marketplace.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who disliked Muldaur enough for that to be the primary reason to stop watching TNG. I'd also had enough of Wesley Crusher being on deck all the time (He's a kid for crying out loud! I don't care how smart he is he has no business on the bridge of a military exploration wessel doing *anything* but observing until he's had *proper* training) and/or saving the day. I'm also not a fan of holodeck episodes. That one is a rare exception as the actions jeopardize the ship - but Data as Holmes? Nope... didn't buy it, still don't like it. It's that type of stuff that turns me off holodeck episodes in general.
I enjoyed the "Spirit of Youth" episode. Although I've never understood why people think reliving that experience is a good thing. I hated the crowded frat houses back then (one of the reasons I never pledged a "social" fraternity - plus, being a GDI, I could then party at any of them) and would never, ever, consider returning to experience it again.
I've still not watched any of the seasons of this one and I have copies of all the releases. I've also never been that fond of Reagan as an actor. As you said, he's competent, but that's about it. I remember him running for and being elected Governor of California. I don't know if he was the first actor in that position but it was a big deal back then. Because of his acting career I've never been able to take him seriously, even as President. I'm that way with all actors. Who's to say they're being sincere or not as they built a career of being something they are not. Yep... stereotyping all the way...
Those music replacements are much of the reason I've not watched my S2 sets yet. If I'd never heard the original scores it might not bother me - but I have.
You're *really* making me want to break open my spankin' new "Tom Baker Season One" BR set and start watching it. I'm trying to hold off because I participate in monthly themed viewings of material on another site (DVDTalk for those interested). The annual SciFi/Fantasy challenge starts July 1st (actually dusk on June 30th) and I'm trying to save it - although I really don't "need" it to fill time as I have far more qualifying material in the unopened/unwatched pile than I can get through in a month. I'm about to talk myself into it though - in spite of the "Historical" challenge in which I'm currently participating (I've watched tons of war movies and documentaries due to working from home 2-3 days per week). I'm ready for a change... and those Dr. Who sets I've picked up the past few months are calling hard...
We keep it pretty fluid but I found if I didn't have some sort of structure a lot of my DVDs were going unwatched. Last night was going to be Bonanza but we had the latest Stargirl on Tivo and some new Hallmark movies on our Sling DVR and it was nice outside so we didn't get to it. Tonight is Mission Impossible which I'm pretty sure will get watched. This morning I get to make sure a disc from The West Wing that got scratched in delivery will play.
