What did you watch this week in classic TV on DVD(or Blu)? (9 Viewers)

[Charles 22]

Damn that’s perfect Randall. Just what I’d have placed atop my photo essay if I wrote that good!

Yes I sure hope so. Would love to hear interviews with both about this episode. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a A Word on Science Fiction like there is A Word on Westerns?

Oh so sexy! Welcome Randall! If you noticed I started with 176 images and cut down to 52. All told took about 4 hours. (Getting faster). If only Route 66 looked this good. We can dream can't we?

When I did my first Nyoka review, that thing probably took me six hours. I don't think I got all that more efficient as I did more either. At least I didn't fall into the trap of using that "other" picture inclusion thing, again, which really shoots it to hell. I had to come up with a story too, so it was a lot more complicated. Sheesh, just deciding which pics best represent the episode, if that's what you have in mind, is a major pain as you know.

 

[Charles 22]

I always got a kick out of this show mostly because the dialog was so wack. Everyone was talking really fast to make it all fit into the mouth movements. It was just the strangest show and I laugh pretty hard throughout.

Oh damn, have I got a good one for you. Yesterday I concluded the GRX second episode. In this one, Speed gets behind its wheel, gets the green gas sprayed in his face, etc. But the really hilarious bit comes with the end of the prior episode, when he stupidly drinks water like you're not supposed to, and PASSES OUT while driving it, what 400MPH? I just say 400MPH, because I notice the Mach 5 speedometer says 360MPH on it, and it's faster than the Mach 5. So what happens when Speed passes out? Why it's the solution to the GRX problem, since being unconscious doesn't seem to impair it at all, and you stay driving real straight, and just as fast.

So perhaps even more funny, in the second part they have the usual previous episode review, where they somehow don't show the same thing you saw the first episode (this is at least the second time I've noticed that). So now, when they show Speed passed out in the car, it is unsteady in the lane ever briefly, so apparently, they saw it being steady in that circumstance as bogus, and corrected it, but, not for long. For the rest of that portion it's staying ever so straight and fast. But hold on to your seat, here comes the hilarious bit. The car is coming to a hard banking curve on the track, and what does it do? Why apparently it turns itself, since Speed is still out, and on top of that, it does so ridiculously quickly, and on TWO WHEELS ! See 42:00 on this video:




Wait a damn minute. Maybe I wasn't watching all that closely when I saw the episode on my tv, but apparently Speed can drive while he's unconscious, because for each turn, he turned the wheel ever so slightly. Now I'm asking myself what is stupider? That he can drive while unconscious, or that the car can drive itself assuming he's really unconscious? The mind boggles.

Woah, I guessed correctly, the GRX speedometer does actually have 400MPH on it, as seen on this vid earlier.

 

[Charles 22]

I always got a kick out of this show mostly because the dialog was so wack. Everyone was talking really fast to make it all fit into the mouth movements. It was just the strangest show and I laugh pretty hard throughout.

One hilarious thing I spotted on that vid. At 4:34, with the two punches Speed gets, it sounds like somebody just smashed their hands on a piano twice.

 

[The 1960's]

Sheesh, just deciding which pics best represent the episode, if that's what you have in mind, is a major pain as you know.

Here’s a seldom seen image that was pulled from production at the last moment by Outer Limits Producer Joseph Stefano and Executive Producer Leslie Stevens.

---

 

[Jeff Flugel]

Bringing my 2021 classic TV viewing to a close with a handful of fun shows, ranging from the late ‘50s to the early ‘80s.

The Six Million Dollar Man – 2.4 “The Pal-Mir Escort”
Steve Austin (the always reassuringly down-to-earth Lee Majors) is tasked with protecting the ailing Prime Minister of Eretz, Salka Pal-Mir (Anne Revere), as she is being transported cross country to receive a bionic heart implant, courtesy of Dr. Rudy Wells (Allen Oppenheimer). The PM’s traitorous Chief of Security (Nate Esformes) is determined that she not survive the trip to complete her peace negotiations with her country’s enemies, and hires a team of mercenaries (led by Denny Miller) to attack the convoy. It's a nifty set-up for some cool bionic smack-downs, but Steve doesn’t really swing into action until the final minutes of the episode. Luckily, Ms. Revere’s soulful and feisty performance, and her interactions with low-key Lee, keeps this one going.

The Professionals – 1.11 “Long Shot”
CI5 agents Bodie (Lewis Collins) and Doyle (Martin Shaw), assigned with protecting an American ambassador (UFO’s Ed Bishop), in England for peace talks, from notorious international hitman Ramos (Roger Lloyd-Pack), soon discover that the real target is their tough-as-nails boss, Cowley (Gordon Jackson). It’s a race against time to nab Ramos before he strikes, as well as to rescue his hostage, a millionaire’s daughter (Judy Matheson), before the condemned building she’s tied up in is demolished by construction workers.

Judy Matheson ​

Another entertaining entry in this very popular action / espionage series from The Avengers’ producer Brian Clemens, which ran on London Weekend Television from 1977-1983 for four seasons and 57 episodes. It’s a bit strange to see Roger Lloyd-Pack, more famous for his broad comedy roles on such programs as Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley, as a Eurotrash master assassin, but he’s just fine, and is obviously having a ball playing a slimy bad guy. Aside from the muscular action, the show also benefits from some great tough guy banter between the two leads. This is one of Network’s earliest HD triumphs; the series, which features oodles of location filming around London and the surrounding Home Counties, was filmed on 16mm and for years looked grotty as hell on both television airings and DVD; it now absolutely sparkles on Blu-Ray. It also has what for my money is one of the all-time funkiest theme tunes (click here and see if you agree).

And for those who haven't encountered this series before, here's a little taster:



The Guns of Will Sonnett
1.8 “Meeting at Devil’s Fork”
1.12 “The Turkey Shoot”
1.14 “Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett”
I really like this, one of the last TV westerns to utilize the half-hour format, which follows ornery but wise old cuss Will Sonnett (Walter Brennan) and his grandson, Jeff (Dack Rambo) as they ride from town to town, trying to catch up with Will’s son (and Jeff’s pa), Jim Sonnett (Jason Evers), whose reputation as a notorious gunfighter always follows him. Of course, ol’ Will taught Jim everything he knows about handling a gun, ditto his grandson ("Not brag, just fact."), which leads to plenty of pistol-blazing action at the climax of most episodes. Despite many years playing a comical hick on The Real McCoys, Brennan is dead serious here (and very good), even reciting the rustic poems which open and close each episode. The show overall is compelling viewing for western fans, and as usual for this time period, nearly every episode is graced by a number of strong guest actors. The only knock I can give is not on the show itself, but Timeless’ DVD set; the company apparently only had access to washed out, hack-up syndicated prints…a real shame, but the show is good enough that I’m glad it got released at all, even in this unfortunately-compromised state.

In “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” Will and Jeff are used as bait by a gang of vengeful outlaws (including James Best, Tom Reese and Harry Dean Stanton) to lure Jim Sonnet into an ambush. Wily Will ensures the miscreants get a well-deserved dirt nap.

Strapped for cash, Will enters Jeff in a shooting contest, in hopes of winning a $500 prize bull, in “The Turkey Shoot.” The man putting up the bull, hardcase rancher Atwood (R.G. Armstrong), is confident that his cocky son (David Macklin) will win the shoot as he usually does each year, but events turn deadly when Jeff ends up winning.

“Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett” features sterling work by J.D. Cannon as a washed-up former gunslinger who Will must somehow get sober, in order to impersonate Jim Sonnet just long enough for Will to free Jeff, who is being held by a pair of hoodlum brothers (Dennis Hopper and Rex Holman) out to gun down Jim for his having killed their pa.

Each episode ends not only with a violent shoot-'em-up, but another near miss, as Will and Jeff never quite meet up with Jim despite their best efforts…that is, until S2, when the family reunites at long last. (Evers does in fact show up briefly at the coda of “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” ironically arriving mere seconds after his pa and son have ridden way).

Bonanza – 4.6 “The Way Station”
Randall reviewed this one back in January, to commemorate the passing of the lovely Dawn Wells. It’s a rock-solid entry in the long-running Cartwright saga, and a solo Adam episode, as the eldest Cartwright brother (Pernell Roberts) takes shelter from an incipient sandstorm at a remote desert stage stop run by a crotchety stationmaster (Trevor Bardette) and his pretty, bored granddaughter, Marty (Ms. Wells). They’re soon joined by a fugitive gunslinger (Robert Vaughn) on his way to Mexico with a sheriff’s posse hot on his trail. Marty, yearning for a better life anyplace else, sees the handsome young killer as a way out of her dead-end existence, and it’s up to Adam to keep her from making a big mistake. A good script and a vivid star turn by Vaughn make this one a winner. It helps that it's early enough in the series' run that the saturnine, charismatic Roberts obviously still gives a damn (he starts to tune out by S6, his last with the show).

Ellery Queen – 1.7 “The Adventure of Col. Nivins’ Memoirs”
When Ellery’s publicist, Jenny (cutie-pie Gretchen Corbett, soon to gain greater fame as attorney Beth Davenport on The Rockford Files) discovers the body of her client, a former WWII spy (Lloyd Bochner) who has just written a tell-all memoir, she turns to the great detective for help clearing her of any suspicion in the murder. As usual, there’s no shortage of suspects who stand to suffer from the dead colonel’s incriminating exposé, including a Russian diplomat (Robert Loggia) and his wife (Nina Van Pallandt); a suspiciously unconvincing Indian concierge (Pernell Roberts in brownface...at least temporarily) who works at the dead man’s club; an antiques dealer (Peter Bromilow); and a famous photographer (Rene Auberjonois). While not up there with the best episodes this very enjoyable and sadly short-lived love letter to Golden Age mysteries offers, it’s still a decent watch, thanks mainly to the extremely likable screen presence of Jim Hutton as the absent-minded “maestro” Ellery, and the warm chemistry between him and David Wayne as Ellery's father, the peppery Inspector Queen.

Man with a Camera – 1.4 “Closeup on Violence”
Ace freelance photographer Mike Kovac (rugged Charlie Bronson) gets involved when some young punks swipe his camera, after he inadvertently snaps a photo of the daughter (Angie Dickinson) of an aging gangster (Robert Armstrong) they’re sheltering, while taking some shots of the crowd at the scene of a fire. The wounded one-time bigshot criminal thinks the young bucks look up to him, but they’re actually out to grab the cash he’s reputedly got stashed somewhere. It’s fun to see a young, pre-superstardom Chuckie B. in action, and no surprise, he makes for a stalwart lead here, giving a more animated and breezy performance than became the norm in his later "stone face" years. We also get to see Kovac’s softer side, in a couple of cute scenes between him and his doting pop, Anton (Ludwig Stossel). Needless to say, Ms. Dickinson, while not given much to do, looks smashing. Directed by the acknowledged master of theater-going ballyhoo, William Castle.

Banacek – 1.8 “The Two Million Clams of Cap’n Jack”
Everyone’s favorite smug bastard insurance investigator, Thomas Banacek (George Peppard), has just 36 hours to locate two million in stock certificates which have been stolen from inside a top-security elevator - while it was moving. The certificate plates were for the acquisition of Cap’n Jack Osburn’s seafood restaurant chain, set to go public following the weekend of the robbery. Cap’n Jack’s flaky but very attractive daughter, Erica (Jessica Walter) is soon dogging Banacek’s every step…but are her full-court press romantic overtures genuine?...or does she have her own agenda, i.e. beating him to the punch in solving the case?

Banacek pokes around in his usual seemingly laid-back fashion to earn his 10% finder’s fee, chomping on expensive cigars, wearing natty turtlenecks, trading good-natured banter with his assistants, runty chauffeur Jay (Ralph Manza) and bon vivant bookseller Felix (Murray Matheson) - all the while sifting through the suspects, who include Cap’n Jack himself (a bushy-bearded Andrew Duggan); his brother (William Shallert); the mogul (Jason Evers) who is buying out the company; a building maintenance supervisor (Gregory Sierra); and an ex-con security guard (Wally Taylor) who's either the prime suspect or a fall guy. This show, part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology series, can be relied on to deliver a clever “locked room” type of mystery every episode, and the solution to the crime here is, true to form, deceptively simple yet ingenious. Walter’s character verges on annoying, but there’s no denying that the actress is a real looker. Also with Linden Chiles, Fredd Wayne and David White (late of Bewitched) as the head of the insurance company who reluctantly engages Banacek’s costly services.

Minder – 1.9 “Monday Night Fever”
Beloved, long-running lighthearted crime drama from Euston Films / Thames Television, starring Dennis Waterman as affable former boxer and ex-con, Terry Malloy, who’s occasionally employed by shifty businessman Arthur Daley (George Cole) as a “minder" (Brit slang for bodyguard). In this one, Arthur, distracted due to his infatuation with Sharon (Sheila White), a young blonde singer distinctly lacking in talent, is uncharacteristically conned out of 600 quid by Chris Lambert (Eric Deacon), the crooked manager of a run-down rock club. Arthur and Terry have a falling out when Terry refuses to strongarm Lambert and his smarmy henchman, Big John (Brian Croucher, perhaps better known for playing the second Travis on cult sci-fi series Blake’s 7) to cough up the cash. But when a furious Arthur engages the leg-breaking services of violent psycho Vic Piner (Anthony Heaton) in his place, it’s up to Terry to sort the situation out pronto, before it gets out of hand.

This is a very enjoyable show, thanks to its mordant humor, colorful characters, thick, seedy late '70s London underworld atmosphere, frequent punch ups and, above-all, the snappy back-and-forth between the two leads. Also with a so-young-he’s-almost-unrecognizable Patrick Malahide (Inspector Alleyn) in the second of 24 appearances as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Chisholm, out to nab Arthur if he strays too far across the line.

Gunsmoke
1.29 “Doc’s Revenge”
4.11 “How to Kill a Friend”*
Inspired by HTF member Skylar (a.k.a Museum Pieces), who’s been running through the early seasons of this iconic western one episode at a time in the dedicated Gunsmoke thread, I decided to check these two stories out. Once again, I was struck by the beautifully streamlined storytelling that characterizes these early half-hour episodes, each one a taut morality play, laced with just enough humorous byplay between the regular cast to make them feel like part of a real, lived-in world. In “Doc’s Revenge,” the crusty but soft-hearted physician (Milburn Stone) shocks his old friends, Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness, nicely grown into the part) and Chester (Dennis Weaver) when he barges into a saloon, threatening to kill miner Clem Maddow (Chris Alcaide), who’s passing through Dodge with his brother (Ainsley Pryor) and partner (Barney Fife-lookalike Harry Bartell). Matt steps in and defuses the situation, but later, Clem winds up backshot, and in desperate need of Doc’s treatment. A nicely dramatic episode, which adds texture to Matt and Doc's relationship.

Equally good is “How to Kill a Friend,” which sees Matt forced to square off against former buddy turned bitter gun-for-hire, Toque (Pat Conway). The episode title gives the ending away, but this remains a good showcase for Matt Dillon’s pragmatic character, as he does everything he possibly can to prevent a violent confrontation with Toque, until he's left no choice. Phillip Abbott and James Westerfield play crooked gamblers whose conniving sets the fatal final events in motion.

An odd note about the sequencing on the otherwise stellar CBS/Paramount DVD S2 release: the above episode actually is from S4, but was accidentally placed on S2 Disc 1 under the title “How to Cure a Friend”…which is a completely different episode (2.7) co-starring Andrew Duggan and Simon Oakland.

Tombstone Territory – 1.29 “Doc Holliday in Durango”
Seeing Pat Conway’s effective guest star appearance in the above Gunsmoke episode spurred me on to dive back into his own very capable ZIV western. In this one, Tombstone sheriff Clay Hollister (Conway) heads to Durango on the trail of gunman Ed Mace (Mark Tapscott) and his crew, after Mace kills two men, one of whom was Hollister’s deputy. Seems Mace has plans to gun down infamous gambler and fast draw Doc Holliday (Gerald Mohr). After a brief gunfight in a Durango saloon, the wounded Hollister teams up with Doc to track Mace and his gang down. Deadly frontier justice results. The talented Mohr tamps down his innate charm to depict Holliday as a full-on arrogant, bullying prick; I’m curious to compare Mohr's take on the role here with his two appearances as Holliday on Maverick.

Overall, I’m finding Tombstone Territory a strong western with plenty of action, good performances and some nice outdoor location filming. It’s a solid B+ to A- in my book, and at its best, can hang with the biggest guns in the genre. It’s also one of the better-looking of Timeless Media Group’s black-and-white DVD releases.

 

[Charles 22]

Bringing my 2021 classic TV viewing to a close with a handful of fun shows, ranging from the late ‘50s to the early ‘80s.

The Six Million Dollar Man – 2.4 “The Pal-Mir Escort”
Steve Austin (the always reassuringly down-to-earth Lee Majors) is tasked with protecting the ailing Prime Minister of Eretz, Salka Pal-Mir (Anne Revere), as she is being transported cross country to receive a bionic heart implant, courtesy of Dr. Rudy Wells (Allen Oppenheimer). The PM’s traitorous Chief of Security (Nate Esformes) is determined that she not survive the trip to complete her peace negotiations with her country’s enemies, and hires a team of mercenaries (led by Denny Miller) to attack the convoy. It's a nifty set-up for some cool bionic smack-downs, but Steve doesn’t really swing into action until the final minutes of the episode. Luckily, Ms. Revere’s soulful and feisty performance, and her interactions with low-key Lee, keeps this one going.

The Professionals – 1.11 “Long Shot”
CI5 agents Bodie (Lewis Collins) and Doyle (Martin Shaw), assigned with protecting an American ambassador (UFO’s Ed Bishop), in England for peace talks, from notorious international hitman Ramos (Roger Lloyd-Pack), soon discover that the real target is their surly, tough-as-nails boss, Cowley (Gordon Jackson). It’s a race against time to nab Ramos before he strikes, as well as to rescue his hostage, a millionaire’s daughter (Judy Matheson), before the condemned building she’s tied up in is demolished by construction workers.

Judy Matheson ​

Another entertaining entry in this very popular action/espionage series from The Avengers’ producer Brian Clemens, which ran on London Weekend Television for four seasons and 57 episodes from 1977-1983. It’s a bit strange to see Roger Lloyd-Pack, more famous for his broad comedy roles on such programs as Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley, playing a Eurotrash master assassin, but he’s just fine, and is obviously having a ball playing a slimy bad guy. Aside from the muscular action, the show also benefits from some great tough guy banter between the two leads. This is one of Network’s earliest HD triumphs; the series, which features oodles of location filming around London and the surrounding Home Counties, was filmed on 16mm and for years looked grotty as hell on both television airings and DVD; it now absolutely sparkles on Blu-Ray. It also has what for my money is one of the all-time funkiest theme tunes (click here and see if you agree).

And for those who haven't encountered this series before, here's a little taster:



The Guns of Will Sonnett
1.8 “Meeting at Devil’s Fork”
1.12 “The Turkey Shoot”
1.14 “Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett”
I really like this, one of the last TV westerns to utilize the half-hour format, which follows ornery but wise old cuss Will Sonnett (Walter Brennan) and his grandson, Jeff (Dack Rambo) as they ride from town to town, trying to catch up with Will’s son (and Jeff’s pa), Jim Sonnett (Jason Evers), whose reputation as a notorious gunfighter always follows him. Of course, ol’ Will taught Jim everything he knows about handling a gun, ditto his grandson ("Not brag, just fact."), which leads to plenty of pistol-blazing action at the climax of most episodes. Despite many years playing a comical hick on The Real McCoys, Brennan is dead serious here (and very good), even reciting the rustic poems which open and close each episode. The show overall is compelling viewing for western fans, and as usual for this time period, nearly every episode is graced by a number of strong guest actors. The only knock I can give is not on the show itself, but Timeless’ DVD set; the company apparently only had access to washed out, hack-up syndicated prints…a real shame, but the show is good enough that I’m glad it got released at all, even in this unfortunately-compromised state.

In “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” Will and Jeff are used as bait by a gang of vengeful outlaws (including James Best, Tom Reese and Harry Dean Stanton) to lure Jim Sonnet into an ambush. Wily Will ensures the miscreants get a well-deserved dirt nap.

Strapped for cash, Will enters Jeff in a shooting contest, in hopes of winning a $500 prize bull, in “The Turkey Shoot.” The man putting up the bull, hardcase rancher Atwood (R.G. Armstrong), is confident that his cocky son (David Macklin) will win the shoot as he usually does, but events turn deadly when Jeff ends up winning.

“Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett” features sterling work by J.D. Cannon, as a washed-up former gunslinger who Will must somehow get sober, in order to impersonate Jim Sonnet just long enough for Will to free Jeff, who is being held by a pair of hoodlum brothers (Dennis Hopper and Rex Holman) out to gun down Jim for his having killed their pa.

Each episode ends not only with a violent shoot-'em-up, but another near miss, as Will and Jeff never quite meet up with Jim despite their best efforts…that is, until S2, when the family reunites at long last. (Evers does in fact show up briefly at the coda of “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” ironically arriving mere seconds after his pa and son have ridden way).

Bonanza – 4.6 “The Way Station”
Randall reviewed this one back in January, to commemorate the passing of the lovely Dawn Wells. It’s a rock-solid entry in the long-running Cartwright saga, and a solo Adam episode, as the eldest Cartwright brother (Pernell Roberts) takes shelter from an incipient sandstorm at a remote desert stage stop run by a crotchety stationmaster (Trevor Bardette) and his pretty, bored granddaughter, Marty (Ms. Wells). They’re soon joined by a fugitive gunslinger (Robert Vaughn) on his way to Mexico with a sheriff’s posse hot on his trail. Marty, yearning for a better life anyplace else, sees the handsome young killer as a way out of her dead-end existence, and it’s up to Adam to keep her from making a big mistake. A good script and a vivid star turn by Vaughn make this one a winner. It helps that it's early enough in the series' run that the saturnine, charismatic Roberts obviously still gives a damn (he starts to tune out by S6, his last with the show).

Ellery Queen – 1.7 “The Adventure of Col. Nivins’ Memoirs”
When Ellery’s publicist, Jenny (cutie-pie Gretchen Corbett, soon to gain greater fame as attorney Beth Davenport on The Rockford Files) discovers the body of her client, a former WWII spy (Lloyd Bochner) who has just written a tell-all memoir, she turns to the great detective for help clearing her of any suspicion in the murder. As usual, there’s no shortage of suspects who stand to suffer from the dead colonel’s incriminating exposé, including a Russian diplomat (Robert Loggia) and his wife (Nina Van Pallandt); a suspiciously unconvincing Indian concierge (Pernell Roberts in brownface...at least temporarily) who works at the dead man’s club; an antiques dealer (Peter Bromilow); and a famous photographer (Rene Auberjonois). While not up there with the best episodes this very enjoyable and sadly short-lived love letter to Golden Age mysteries offers, it’s still a decent watch, thanks mainly to the extremely likable screen presence of Jim Hutton as the absent-minded “maestro” Ellery, and the warm chemistry between him and David Wayne as Ellery's father, the peppery Inspector Queen.

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Man with a Camera – 1.4 “Closeup on Violence”
Ace freelance photographer Mike Kovac (rugged Charlie Bronson) gets involved when some young punks swipe his camera, after he inadvertently snaps a photo of the daughter (Angie Dickinson) of an aging gangster (Robert Armstrong) they’re sheltering, while taking some shots of the crowd at the scene of a fire. The wounded one-time bigshot criminal thinks the young bucks look up to him, but they’re actually out to grab the cash he’s reputedly got stashed somewhere. It’s fun to see a young, pre-super stardom Chuckie B. in action, and no surprise, he makes for a stalwart lead here, giving a more animated and breezy performance than became the norm in his later "stone face" years. We also get to see Kovac’s softer side, in a couple of cute scenes between him and his doting pop, Anton (Ludwig Stossel). Needless to say, Ms. Dickinson, while not given much to do, looks smashing. Directed by the acknowledged master of theater-going ballyhoo, William Castle.

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Banacek – 1.8 “The Two Million Clams of Cap’n Jack”
Everyone’s favorite smug bastard insurance investigator, Thomas Banacek (George Peppard), has just 36 hours to locate two million in stock certificates which have been stolen from inside a top-security elevator - while it was moving. The certificate plates were for the acquisition of Cap’n Jack Osburn’s seafood restaurant chain, set to go public following the weekend of the robbery. Cap’n Jack’s flaky but very attractive daughter, Erica (Jessica Walters) is soon dogging Banacek’s every step…but are her full-court press romantic overtures genuine?...or does she have her own agenda, i.e. beating him to the punch in solving the case?

Banacek pokes around in his usual seemingly laid-back fashion to earn his 10% finder’s fee, chomping on expensive cigars, wearing natty turtlenecks, trading good-natured banter with his assistants, runty chauffeur Jay (Ralph Manza) and bon vivant bookseller Felix (Murray Matheson) - all the while sifting through the suspects, who include Cap’n Jack himself (a bushy-bearded Andrew Duggan); his brother (William Shallert); the mogul (Jason Evers) who is buying out the company; an ex-con security guard (Wally Taylor) who's either the prime suspect or a fall guy; and a building maintenance supervisor (Gregory Sierra). This show, part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology series, can be relied on to deliver a clever “locked room” type of mystery every episode, and the solution to the crime here is, true to form, deceptively simple yet ingenious. Walters’ character verges on annoying but there’s no denying that the actress is a real looker. Also with Linden Chiles, Fredd Wayne and David White (late of Bewitched) as the head of the insurance company who engages Banacek’s costly services, albeit reluctantly.

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Minder – 1.9 “Monday Night Fever”
Beloved, long-running lighthearted crime drama from Euston Films / Thames Television, starring Dennis Waterman as affable former boxer and ex-con, Terry Malloy, who’s occasionally employed by shifty businessman Arthur Daley (George Cole) as a “minder" (Brit slang for bodyguard). In this one, Arthur, distracted due to his infatuation with Sharon (Sheila White), a young blonde singer distinctly lacking in talent, is uncharacteristically conned out of 600 quid by Chris Lambert (Eric Deacon), the crooked manager of a run-down rock club. Arthur and Terry have a falling out when Terry refuses to strongarm Lambert and his smarmy henchman, Big John (Brian Croucher, perhaps better known for playing the second Travis on cult sci-fi series Blake’s 7) to cough up the cash. But when a furious Arthur engages the leg-breaking services of violent psycho Vic Piner (Anthony Heaton) in his place, it’s up to Terry to sort the situation out pronto, before it gets out of hand.

This is a very enjoyable show, thanks to its mordant humor, colorful characters, thick, seedy late '70s London underworld atmosphere, frequent punch ups and, above-all, the snappy back-and-forth between the two leads. Also with a so-young-he’s-almost-unrecognizable Patrick Malahide (Inspector Alleyn) in the second of 24 appearances as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Chisholm, out to nab Arthur if he strays too far across the line.

Gunsmoke
1.29 “Doc’s Revenge”
4.11 “How to Kill a Friend”*
Inspired by HTF member Skylar (a.k.a Museum Pieces), who’s been running through the early seasons of this iconic western one episode at a time in the dedicated Gunsmoke thread, I decided to check these two stories out. Once again, I was struck by the beautifully streamlined storytelling that characterizes these early half-hour episodes, each one a taut morality play, laced with just enough humorous byplay between the regular cast to make them feel like part of a real, lived-in world. In “Doc’s Revenge,” the crusty but soft-hearted physician (Milburn stone) shocks his old friends, Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness, nicely grown into the part) and Chester (Dennis Weaver) when he barges into a saloon, threatening to kill miner Clem Maddow (Chris Alcaide), who’s passing through Dodge with his brother (Ainsley Pryor) and partner (Barney Fife-lookalike Harry Bartell). Matt steps in and defuses the situation, but later, Clem winds up backshot, and in desperate need of Doc’s treatment. A nicely dramatic episode, which adds texture to Matt and Doc's relationship.

Equally good is “How to Kill a Friend,” which sees Matt forced to square off against former buddy turned bitter gun-for-hire, Toque (Pat Conway). The episode title gives the ending away, but this remains a good showcase for Matt Dillon’s pragmatic character, as he does everything he possibly can to prevent a violent confrontation with Toque, until he's left no choice. Phillip Abbott and James Westerfield play crooked gamblers whose conniving sets the fatal final events in motion.

An odd note about the sequencing on the otherwise stellar CBS/Paramount DVD S2 release: the above episode actually is from S4, but was accidentally placed on S2 Disc 1 under the title “How to Cure a Friend”…which is a completely different episode (2.7) co-starring Andrew Duggan and Simon Oakland.

Tombstone Territory – 1.29 “Doc Holliday in Durango”
Seeing Pat Conway’s effective guest star appearance in the above Gunsmoke episode spurred me on to dive back into his own very capable ZIV western. In this one, Tombstone sheriff Clay Hollister (Conway) heads to Durango on the trail of gunman Ed Mace (Mark Tapscott) and his crew, after Mace kills two men, one of whom was Hollister’s deputy. Seems Mace has plans to gun down infamous gambler and fast draw Doc Holliday (Gerald Mohr). After a brief gunfight in a Durango saloon, the wounded Hollister teams up with Doc to track Mace and his gang down. Deadly frontier justice results. The talented Mohr tamps down his innate charm to depict Holliday as a full-on arrogant, bullying prick; I’m curious to compare Mohr's take on the role here with his two appearances as Holliday on Maverick.

Overall, I’m finding Tombstone Territory a strong western with plenty of action, good performances and some nice outdoor location filming. It’s a solid B+ in my book, and at its best, can hang with the biggest guns in the genre. It’s also one of the better-looking of Timeless Media Group’s black-and-white DVD releases.

0:43 on the video is sooooo lazy. So many bullets allegedly hitting that truck, and yet not a single hole appears on the body, and the attack is so over-the-top as it is, and yet not a single bullet. What, was this guy shooting pursuing ghosts off the truck? A bit of mosquito killing then (clearly, if they were pursuing mosquitos, they would have to be wearing body armor, hence all the bullets going into hyper-ricochet mode)?

Woah! Jessica Walter! I saw a Rockford Files with her in it, and she had her more customary short hair, and I was thinking to myself what she would look like with longer hair, especially if it was that dark brown her short hair is. I am slightly disappointed that it's not as dark, but I think it's just the lighting here, since there's probably more than they used on Rockford Files. Actually, when she has a big grin, if this is an indicator, it spoils her looks somewhat. She looks very good with just the average expression.

Also, Angie Dickinson, I didn't even recognize her. Mannnn, really hard to make up my mind if she looks better as a blonde or brunette. Usually hair color changes throw me, but Angie often had such a great style, it just trumped everything.

 

[The 1960's]

Bringing my 2021 classic TV viewing to a close with a handful of fun shows, ranging from the late ‘50s to the early ‘80s.

The Six Million Dollar Man – 2.4 “The Pal-Mir Escort”
Steve Austin (the always reassuringly down-to-earth Lee Majors) is tasked with protecting the ailing Prime Minister of Eretz, Salka Pal-Mir (Anne Revere), as she is being transported cross country to receive a bionic heart implant, courtesy of Dr. Rudy Wells (Allen Oppenheimer). The PM’s traitorous Chief of Security (Nate Esformes) is determined that she not survive the trip to complete her peace negotiations with her country’s enemies, and hires a team of mercenaries (led by Denny Miller) to attack the convoy. It's a nifty set-up for some cool bionic smack-downs, but Steve doesn’t really swing into action until the final minutes of the episode. Luckily, Ms. Revere’s soulful and feisty performance, and her interactions with low-key Lee, keeps this one going.

The Professionals – 1.11 “Long Shot”
CI5 agents Bodie (Lewis Collins) and Doyle (Martin Shaw), assigned with protecting an American ambassador (UFO’s Ed Bishop), in England for peace talks, from notorious international hitman Ramos (Roger Lloyd-Pack), soon discover that the real target is their surly, tough-as-nails boss, Cowley (Gordon Jackson). It’s a race against time to nab Ramos before he strikes, as well as to rescue his hostage, a millionaire’s daughter (Judy Matheson), before the condemned building she’s tied up in is demolished by construction workers.

Judy Matheson ​

Another entertaining entry in this very popular action/espionage series from The Avengers’ producer Brian Clemens, which ran on London Weekend Television for four seasons and 57 episodes from 1977-1983. It’s a bit strange to see Roger Lloyd-Pack, more famous for his broad comedy roles on such programs as Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley, playing a Eurotrash master assassin, but he’s just fine, and is obviously having a ball playing a slimy bad guy. Aside from the muscular action, the show also benefits from some great tough guy banter between the two leads. This is one of Network’s earliest HD triumphs; the series, which features oodles of location filming around London and the surrounding Home Counties, was filmed on 16mm and for years looked grotty as hell on both television airings and DVD; it now absolutely sparkles on Blu-Ray. It also has what for my money is one of the all-time funkiest theme tunes (click here and see if you agree).

And for those who haven't encountered this series before, here's a little taster:



The Guns of Will Sonnett
1.8 “Meeting at Devil’s Fork”
1.12 “The Turkey Shoot”
1.14 “Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett”
I really like this, one of the last TV westerns to utilize the half-hour format, which follows ornery but wise old cuss Will Sonnett (Walter Brennan) and his grandson, Jeff (Dack Rambo) as they ride from town to town, trying to catch up with Will’s son (and Jeff’s pa), Jim Sonnett (Jason Evers), whose reputation as a notorious gunfighter always follows him. Of course, ol’ Will taught Jim everything he knows about handling a gun, ditto his grandson ("Not brag, just fact."), which leads to plenty of pistol-blazing action at the climax of most episodes. Despite many years playing a comical hick on The Real McCoys, Brennan is dead serious here (and very good), even reciting the rustic poems which open and close each episode. The show overall is compelling viewing for western fans, and as usual for this time period, nearly every episode is graced by a number of strong guest actors. The only knock I can give is not on the show itself, but Timeless’ DVD set; the company apparently only had access to washed out, hack-up syndicated prints…a real shame, but the show is good enough that I’m glad it got released at all, even in this unfortunately-compromised state.

In “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” Will and Jeff are used as bait by a gang of vengeful outlaws (including James Best, Tom Reese and Harry Dean Stanton) to lure Jim Sonnet into an ambush. Wily Will ensures the miscreants get a well-deserved dirt nap.

Strapped for cash, Will enters Jeff in a shooting contest, in hopes of winning a $500 prize bull, in “The Turkey Shoot.” The man putting up the bull, hardcase rancher Atwood (R.G. Armstrong), is confident that his cocky son (David Macklin) will win the shoot as he usually does, but events turn deadly when Jeff ends up winning.

“Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett” features sterling work by J.D. Cannon, as a washed-up former gunslinger who Will must somehow get sober, in order to impersonate Jim Sonnet just long enough for Will to free Jeff, who is being held by a pair of hoodlum brothers (Dennis Hopper and Rex Holman) out to gun down Jim for his having killed their pa.

Each episode ends not only with a violent shoot-'em-up, but another near miss, as Will and Jeff never quite meet up with Jim despite their best efforts…that is, until S2, when the family reunites at long last. (Evers does in fact show up briefly at the coda of “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” ironically arriving mere seconds after his pa and son have ridden way).

Bonanza – 4.6 “The Way Station”
Randall reviewed this one back in January, to commemorate the passing of the lovely Dawn Wells. It’s a rock-solid entry in the long-running Cartwright saga, and a solo Adam episode, as the eldest Cartwright brother (Pernell Roberts) takes shelter from an incipient sandstorm at a remote desert stage stop run by a crotchety stationmaster (Trevor Bardette) and his pretty, bored granddaughter, Marty (Ms. Wells). They’re soon joined by a fugitive gunslinger (Robert Vaughn) on his way to Mexico with a sheriff’s posse hot on his trail. Marty, yearning for a better life anyplace else, sees the handsome young killer as a way out of her dead-end existence, and it’s up to Adam to keep her from making a big mistake. A good script and a vivid star turn by Vaughn make this one a winner. It helps that it's early enough in the series' run that the saturnine, charismatic Roberts obviously still gives a damn (he starts to tune out by S6, his last with the show).

Ellery Queen – 1.7 “The Adventure of Col. Nivins’ Memoirs”
When Ellery’s publicist, Jenny (cutie-pie Gretchen Corbett, soon to gain greater fame as attorney Beth Davenport on The Rockford Files) discovers the body of her client, a former WWII spy (Lloyd Bochner) who has just written a tell-all memoir, she turns to the great detective for help clearing her of any suspicion in the murder. As usual, there’s no shortage of suspects who stand to suffer from the dead colonel’s incriminating exposé, including a Russian diplomat (Robert Loggia) and his wife (Nina Van Pallandt); a suspiciously unconvincing Indian concierge (Pernell Roberts in brownface...at least temporarily) who works at the dead man’s club; an antiques dealer (Peter Bromilow); and a famous photographer (Rene Auberjonois). While not up there with the best episodes this very enjoyable and sadly short-lived love letter to Golden Age mysteries offers, it’s still a decent watch, thanks mainly to the extremely likable screen presence of Jim Hutton as the absent-minded “maestro” Ellery, and the warm chemistry between him and David Wayne as Ellery's father, the peppery Inspector Queen.

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Man with a Camera – 1.4 “Closeup on Violence”
Ace freelance photographer Mike Kovac (rugged Charlie Bronson) gets involved when some young punks swipe his camera, after he inadvertently snaps a photo of the daughter (Angie Dickinson) of an aging gangster (Robert Armstrong) they’re sheltering, while taking some shots of the crowd at the scene of a fire. The wounded one-time bigshot criminal thinks the young bucks look up to him, but they’re actually out to grab the cash he’s reputedly got stashed somewhere. It’s fun to see a young, pre-super stardom Chuckie B. in action, and no surprise, he makes for a stalwart lead here, giving a more animated and breezy performance than became the norm in his later "stone face" years. We also get to see Kovac’s softer side, in a couple of cute scenes between him and his doting pop, Anton (Ludwig Stossel). Needless to say, Ms. Dickinson, while not given much to do, looks smashing. Directed by the acknowledged master of theater-going ballyhoo, William Castle.

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Banacek – 1.8 “The Two Million Clams of Cap’n Jack”
Everyone’s favorite smug bastard insurance investigator, Thomas Banacek (George Peppard), has just 36 hours to locate two million in stock certificates which have been stolen from inside a top-security elevator - while it was moving. The certificate plates were for the acquisition of Cap’n Jack Osburn’s seafood restaurant chain, set to go public following the weekend of the robbery. Cap’n Jack’s flaky but very attractive daughter, Erica (Jessica Walters) is soon dogging Banacek’s every step…but are her full-court press romantic overtures genuine?...or does she have her own agenda, i.e. beating him to the punch in solving the case?

Banacek pokes around in his usual seemingly laid-back fashion to earn his 10% finder’s fee, chomping on expensive cigars, wearing natty turtlenecks, trading good-natured banter with his assistants, runty chauffeur Jay (Ralph Manza) and bon vivant bookseller Felix (Murray Matheson) - all the while sifting through the suspects, who include Cap’n Jack himself (a bushy-bearded Andrew Duggan); his brother (William Shallert); the mogul (Jason Evers) who is buying out the company; an ex-con security guard (Wally Taylor) who's either the prime suspect or a fall guy; and a building maintenance supervisor (Gregory Sierra). This show, part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology series, can be relied on to deliver a clever “locked room” type of mystery every episode, and the solution to the crime here is, true to form, deceptively simple yet ingenious. Walters’ character verges on annoying but there’s no denying that the actress is a real looker. Also with Linden Chiles, Fredd Wayne and David White (late of Bewitched) as the head of the insurance company who engages Banacek’s costly services, albeit reluctantly.

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Minder – 1.9 “Monday Night Fever”
Beloved, long-running lighthearted crime drama from Euston Films / Thames Television, starring Dennis Waterman as affable former boxer and ex-con, Terry Malloy, who’s occasionally employed by shifty businessman Arthur Daley (George Cole) as a “minder" (Brit slang for bodyguard). In this one, Arthur, distracted due to his infatuation with Sharon (Sheila White), a young blonde singer distinctly lacking in talent, is uncharacteristically conned out of 600 quid by Chris Lambert (Eric Deacon), the crooked manager of a run-down rock club. Arthur and Terry have a falling out when Terry refuses to strongarm Lambert and his smarmy henchman, Big John (Brian Croucher, perhaps better known for playing the second Travis on cult sci-fi series Blake’s 7) to cough up the cash. But when a furious Arthur engages the leg-breaking services of violent psycho Vic Piner (Anthony Heaton) in his place, it’s up to Terry to sort the situation out pronto, before it gets out of hand.

This is a very enjoyable show, thanks to its mordant humor, colorful characters, thick, seedy late '70s London underworld atmosphere, frequent punch ups and, above-all, the snappy back-and-forth between the two leads. Also with a so-young-he’s-almost-unrecognizable Patrick Malahide (Inspector Alleyn) in the second of 24 appearances as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Chisholm, out to nab Arthur if he strays too far across the line.

Gunsmoke
1.29 “Doc’s Revenge”
4.11 “How to Kill a Friend”*
Inspired by HTF member Skylar (a.k.a Museum Pieces), who’s been running through the early seasons of this iconic western one episode at a time in the dedicated Gunsmoke thread, I decided to check these two stories out. Once again, I was struck by the beautifully streamlined storytelling that characterizes these early half-hour episodes, each one a taut morality play, laced with just enough humorous byplay between the regular cast to make them feel like part of a real, lived-in world. In “Doc’s Revenge,” the crusty but soft-hearted physician (Milburn stone) shocks his old friends, Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness, nicely grown into the part) and Chester (Dennis Weaver) when he barges into a saloon, threatening to kill miner Clem Maddow (Chris Alcaide), who’s passing through Dodge with his brother (Ainsley Pryor) and partner (Barney Fife-lookalike Harry Bartell). Matt steps in and defuses the situation, but later, Clem winds up backshot, and in desperate need of Doc’s treatment. A nicely dramatic episode, which adds texture to Matt and Doc's relationship.

Equally good is “How to Kill a Friend,” which sees Matt forced to square off against former buddy turned bitter gun-for-hire, Toque (Pat Conway). The episode title gives the ending away, but this remains a good showcase for Matt Dillon’s pragmatic character, as he does everything he possibly can to prevent a violent confrontation with Toque, until he's left no choice. Phillip Abbott and James Westerfield play crooked gamblers whose conniving sets the fatal final events in motion.

An odd note about the sequencing on the otherwise stellar CBS/Paramount DVD S2 release: the above episode actually is from S4, but was accidentally placed on S2 Disc 1 under the title “How to Cure a Friend”…which is a completely different episode (2.7) co-starring Andrew Duggan and Simon Oakland.

Tombstone Territory – 1.29 “Doc Holliday in Durango”
Seeing Pat Conway’s effective guest star appearance in the above Gunsmoke episode spurred me on to dive back into his own very capable ZIV western. In this one, Tombstone sheriff Clay Hollister (Conway) heads to Durango on the trail of gunman Ed Mace (Mark Tapscott) and his crew, after Mace kills two men, one of whom was Hollister’s deputy. Seems Mace has plans to gun down infamous gambler and fast draw Doc Holliday (Gerald Mohr). After a brief gunfight in a Durango saloon, the wounded Hollister teams up with Doc to track Mace and his gang down. Deadly frontier justice results. The talented Mohr tamps down his innate charm to depict Holliday as a full-on arrogant, bullying prick; I’m curious to compare Mohr's take on the role here with his two appearances as Holliday on Maverick.

Overall, I’m finding Tombstone Territory a strong western with plenty of action, good performances and some nice outdoor location filming. It’s a solid B+ in my book, and at its best, can hang with the biggest guns in the genre. It’s also one of the better-looking of Timeless Media Group’s black-and-white DVD releases.

Jeff in my brief 8 months here both you and Randall have been an inspiration with your fine commentaries complimented by your exquisite images. I know your New Year will shortly commence. So future Jeff, Happy New Year 2022 to you and your family! Thanks for making this place a whole lotta fun and most importantly bringing me many new friends!!

 

[Purple Wig]

Bringing my 2021 classic TV viewing to a close with a handful of fun shows, ranging from the late ‘50s to the early ‘80s.

The Six Million Dollar Man – 2.4 “The Pal-Mir Escort”
Steve Austin (the always reassuringly down-to-earth Lee Majors) is tasked with protecting the ailing Prime Minister of Eretz, Salka Pal-Mir (Anne Revere), as she is being transported cross country to receive a bionic heart implant, courtesy of Dr. Rudy Wells (Allen Oppenheimer). The PM’s traitorous Chief of Security (Nate Esformes) is determined that she not survive the trip to complete her peace negotiations with her country’s enemies, and hires a team of mercenaries (led by Denny Miller) to attack the convoy. It's a nifty set-up for some cool bionic smack-downs, but Steve doesn’t really swing into action until the final minutes of the episode. Luckily, Ms. Revere’s soulful and feisty performance, and her interactions with low-key Lee, keeps this one going.

The Professionals – 1.11 “Long Shot”
CI5 agents Bodie (Lewis Collins) and Doyle (Martin Shaw), assigned with protecting an American ambassador (UFO’s Ed Bishop), in England for peace talks, from notorious international hitman Ramos (Roger Lloyd-Pack), soon discover that the real target is their tough-as-nails boss, Cowley (Gordon Jackson). It’s a race against time to nab Ramos before he strikes, as well as to rescue his hostage, a millionaire’s daughter (Judy Matheson), before the condemned building she’s tied up in is demolished by construction workers.

Judy Matheson ​

Another entertaining entry in this very popular action / espionage series from The Avengers’ producer Brian Clemens, which ran on London Weekend Television from 1977-1983 for four seasons and 57 episodes. It’s a bit strange to see Roger Lloyd-Pack, more famous for his broad comedy roles on such programs as Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley, as a Eurotrash master assassin, but he’s just fine, and is obviously having a ball playing a slimy bad guy. Aside from the muscular action, the show also benefits from some great tough guy banter between the two leads. This is one of Network’s earliest HD triumphs; the series, which features oodles of location filming around London and the surrounding Home Counties, was filmed on 16mm and for years looked grotty as hell on both television airings and DVD; it now absolutely sparkles on Blu-Ray. It also has what for my money is one of the all-time funkiest theme tunes (click here and see if you agree).

And for those who haven't encountered this series before, here's a little taster:



The Guns of Will Sonnett
1.8 “Meeting at Devil’s Fork”
1.12 “The Turkey Shoot”
1.14 “Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett”
I really like this, one of the last TV westerns to utilize the half-hour format, which follows ornery but wise old cuss Will Sonnett (Walter Brennan) and his grandson, Jeff (Dack Rambo) as they ride from town to town, trying to catch up with Will’s son (and Jeff’s pa), Jim Sonnett (Jason Evers), whose reputation as a notorious gunfighter always follows him. Of course, ol’ Will taught Jim everything he knows about handling a gun, ditto his grandson ("Not brag, just fact."), which leads to plenty of pistol-blazing action at the climax of most episodes. Despite many years playing a comical hick on The Real McCoys, Brennan is dead serious here (and very good), even reciting the rustic poems which open and close each episode. The show overall is compelling viewing for western fans, and as usual for this time period, nearly every episode is graced by a number of strong guest actors. The only knock I can give is not on the show itself, but Timeless’ DVD set; the company apparently only had access to washed out, hack-up syndicated prints…a real shame, but the show is good enough that I’m glad it got released at all, even in this unfortunately-compromised state.

In “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” Will and Jeff are used as bait by a gang of vengeful outlaws (including James Best, Tom Reese and Harry Dean Stanton) to lure Jim Sonnet into an ambush. Wily Will ensures the miscreants get a well-deserved dirt nap.

Strapped for cash, Will enters Jeff in a shooting contest, in hopes of winning a $500 prize bull, in “The Turkey Shoot.” The man putting up the bull, hardcase rancher Atwood (R.G. Armstrong), is confident that his cocky son (David Macklin) will win the shoot as he usually does each year, but events turn deadly when Jeff ends up winning.

“Find a Sonnett, Kill a Sonnett” features sterling work by J.D. Cannon as a washed-up former gunslinger who Will must somehow get sober, in order to impersonate Jim Sonnet just long enough for Will to free Jeff, who is being held by a pair of hoodlum brothers (Dennis Hopper and Rex Holman) out to gun down Jim for his having killed their pa.

Each episode ends not only with a violent shoot-'em-up, but another near miss, as Will and Jeff never quite meet up with Jim despite their best efforts…that is, until S2, when the family reunites at long last. (Evers does in fact show up briefly at the coda of “Meeting at Devil’s Fork,” ironically arriving mere seconds after his pa and son have ridden way).

Bonanza – 4.6 “The Way Station”
Randall reviewed this one back in January, to commemorate the passing of the lovely Dawn Wells. It’s a rock-solid entry in the long-running Cartwright saga, and a solo Adam episode, as the eldest Cartwright brother (Pernell Roberts) takes shelter from an incipient sandstorm at a remote desert stage stop run by a crotchety stationmaster (Trevor Bardette) and his pretty, bored granddaughter, Marty (Ms. Wells). They’re soon joined by a fugitive gunslinger (Robert Vaughn) on his way to Mexico with a sheriff’s posse hot on his trail. Marty, yearning for a better life anyplace else, sees the handsome young killer as a way out of her dead-end existence, and it’s up to Adam to keep her from making a big mistake. A good script and a vivid star turn by Vaughn make this one a winner. It helps that it's early enough in the series' run that the saturnine, charismatic Roberts obviously still gives a damn (he starts to tune out by S6, his last with the show).

Ellery Queen – 1.7 “The Adventure of Col. Nivins’ Memoirs”
When Ellery’s publicist, Jenny (cutie-pie Gretchen Corbett, soon to gain greater fame as attorney Beth Davenport on The Rockford Files) discovers the body of her client, a former WWII spy (Lloyd Bochner) who has just written a tell-all memoir, she turns to the great detective for help clearing her of any suspicion in the murder. As usual, there’s no shortage of suspects who stand to suffer from the dead colonel’s incriminating exposé, including a Russian diplomat (Robert Loggia) and his wife (Nina Van Pallandt); a suspiciously unconvincing Indian concierge (Pernell Roberts in brownface...at least temporarily) who works at the dead man’s club; an antiques dealer (Peter Bromilow); and a famous photographer (Rene Auberjonois). While not up there with the best episodes this very enjoyable and sadly short-lived love letter to Golden Age mysteries offers, it’s still a decent watch, thanks mainly to the extremely likable screen presence of Jim Hutton as the absent-minded “maestro” Ellery, and the warm chemistry between him and David Wayne as Ellery's father, the peppery Inspector Queen.

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Man with a Camera – 1.4 “Closeup on Violence”
Ace freelance photographer Mike Kovac (rugged Charlie Bronson) gets involved when some young punks swipe his camera, after he inadvertently snaps a photo of the daughter (Angie Dickinson) of an aging gangster (Robert Armstrong) they’re sheltering, while taking some shots of the crowd at the scene of a fire. The wounded one-time bigshot criminal thinks the young bucks look up to him, but they’re actually out to grab the cash he’s reputedly got stashed somewhere. It’s fun to see a young, pre-superstardom Chuckie B. in action, and no surprise, he makes for a stalwart lead here, giving a more animated and breezy performance than became the norm in his later "stone face" years. We also get to see Kovac’s softer side, in a couple of cute scenes between him and his doting pop, Anton (Ludwig Stossel). Needless to say, Ms. Dickinson, while not given much to do, looks smashing. Directed by the acknowledged master of theater-going ballyhoo, William Castle.

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Banacek – 1.8 “The Two Million Clams of Cap’n Jack”
Everyone’s favorite smug bastard insurance investigator, Thomas Banacek (George Peppard), has just 36 hours to locate two million in stock certificates which have been stolen from inside a top-security elevator - while it was moving. The certificate plates were for the acquisition of Cap’n Jack Osburn’s seafood restaurant chain, set to go public following the weekend of the robbery. Cap’n Jack’s flaky but very attractive daughter, Erica (Jessica Walters) is soon dogging Banacek’s every step…but are her full-court press romantic overtures genuine?...or does she have her own agenda, i.e. beating him to the punch in solving the case?

Banacek pokes around in his usual seemingly laid-back fashion to earn his 10% finder’s fee, chomping on expensive cigars, wearing natty turtlenecks, trading good-natured banter with his assistants, runty chauffeur Jay (Ralph Manza) and bon vivant bookseller Felix (Murray Matheson) - all the while sifting through the suspects, who include Cap’n Jack himself (a bushy-bearded Andrew Duggan); his brother (William Shallert); the mogul (Jason Evers) who is buying out the company; a building maintenance supervisor (Gregory Sierra); and an ex-con security guard (Wally Taylor) who's either the prime suspect or a fall guy. This show, part of the NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology series, can be relied on to deliver a clever “locked room” type of mystery every episode, and the solution to the crime here is, true to form, deceptively simple yet ingenious. Walters’ character verges on annoying, but there’s no denying that the actress is a real looker. Also with Linden Chiles, Fredd Wayne and David White (late of Bewitched) as the head of the insurance company who reluctantly engages Banacek’s costly services.

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Minder – 1.9 “Monday Night Fever”
Beloved, long-running lighthearted crime drama from Euston Films / Thames Television, starring Dennis Waterman as affable former boxer and ex-con, Terry Malloy, who’s occasionally employed by shifty businessman Arthur Daley (George Cole) as a “minder" (Brit slang for bodyguard). In this one, Arthur, distracted due to his infatuation with Sharon (Sheila White), a young blonde singer distinctly lacking in talent, is uncharacteristically conned out of 600 quid by Chris Lambert (Eric Deacon), the crooked manager of a run-down rock club. Arthur and Terry have a falling out when Terry refuses to strongarm Lambert and his smarmy henchman, Big John (Brian Croucher, perhaps better known for playing the second Travis on cult sci-fi series Blake’s 7) to cough up the cash. But when a furious Arthur engages the leg-breaking services of violent psycho Vic Piner (Anthony Heaton) in his place, it’s up to Terry to sort the situation out pronto, before it gets out of hand.

This is a very enjoyable show, thanks to its mordant humor, colorful characters, thick, seedy late '70s London underworld atmosphere, frequent punch ups and, above-all, the snappy back-and-forth between the two leads. Also with a so-young-he’s-almost-unrecognizable Patrick Malahide (Inspector Alleyn) in the second of 24 appearances as the suspicious Detective Sergeant Chisholm, out to nab Arthur if he strays too far across the line.

Gunsmoke
1.29 “Doc’s Revenge”
4.11 “How to Kill a Friend”*
Inspired by HTF member Skylar (a.k.a Museum Pieces), who’s been running through the early seasons of this iconic western one episode at a time in the dedicated Gunsmoke thread, I decided to check these two stories out. Once again, I was struck by the beautifully streamlined storytelling that characterizes these early half-hour episodes, each one a taut morality play, laced with just enough humorous byplay between the regular cast to make them feel like part of a real, lived-in world. In “Doc’s Revenge,” the crusty but soft-hearted physician (Milburn Stone) shocks his old friends, Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness, nicely grown into the part) and Chester (Dennis Weaver) when he barges into a saloon, threatening to kill miner Clem Maddow (Chris Alcaide), who’s passing through Dodge with his brother (Ainsley Pryor) and partner (Barney Fife-lookalike Harry Bartell). Matt steps in and defuses the situation, but later, Clem winds up backshot, and in desperate need of Doc’s treatment. A nicely dramatic episode, which adds texture to Matt and Doc's relationship.

Equally good is “How to Kill a Friend,” which sees Matt forced to square off against former buddy turned bitter gun-for-hire, Toque (Pat Conway). The episode title gives the ending away, but this remains a good showcase for Matt Dillon’s pragmatic character, as he does everything he possibly can to prevent a violent confrontation with Toque, until he's left no choice. Phillip Abbott and James Westerfield play crooked gamblers whose conniving sets the fatal final events in motion.

An odd note about the sequencing on the otherwise stellar CBS/Paramount DVD S2 release: the above episode actually is from S4, but was accidentally placed on S2 Disc 1 under the title “How to Cure a Friend”…which is a completely different episode (2.7) co-starring Andrew Duggan and Simon Oakland.

Tombstone Territory – 1.29 “Doc Holliday in Durango”
Seeing Pat Conway’s effective guest star appearance in the above Gunsmoke episode spurred me on to dive back into his own very capable ZIV western. In this one, Tombstone sheriff Clay Hollister (Conway) heads to Durango on the trail of gunman Ed Mace (Mark Tapscott) and his crew, after Mace kills two men, one of whom was Hollister’s deputy. Seems Mace has plans to gun down infamous gambler and fast draw Doc Holliday (Gerald Mohr). After a brief gunfight in a Durango saloon, the wounded Hollister teams up with Doc to track Mace and his gang down. Deadly frontier justice results. The talented Mohr tamps down his innate charm to depict Holliday as a full-on arrogant, bullying prick; I’m curious to compare Mohr's take on the role here with his two appearances as Holliday on Maverick.

Overall, I’m finding Tombstone Territory a strong western with plenty of action, good performances and some nice outdoor location filming. It’s a solid B+ to A- in my book, and at its best, can hang with the biggest guns in the genre. It’s also one of the better-looking of Timeless Media Group’s black-and-white DVD releases.

Great reviews as always Jeff! I just polished off an episode of The Guns Of Will Sonnett myself a few minutes ago. The downbeat existential nature of the serIes, Brennan’s voiceovers, the theme music and even the timelost, battered quality of the print made it perfectly appropriate viewing for a chilly afternoon as the rain pours down, the heater hums, the year winds down. In “Ride The Man Down”, the Sonnetts accompany a posse led by Sheriff Kevin McCarthy after a fleeing bankrobber said to be Will Sonnett. McCarthy is perfect as the Sheriff, who once rode with Sonnett but is bent on bringing him in for trial.

Your Six Million Dollar Man review had me wondering how many shows of that time used the same basic situation. I recently watched a Cannon where a foreign prince was kidnapped while in the USA for surgery and wasn’t there a Hawaii Five 0 constructed around a similar premise?

 

[Nelson Au]

I have a different take on why I still find it relevant, but probably not as much as originally. I mean I love much of the music, as I always did, but now I take on the angle more of enjoying its stupidity - it's just beyond words. The more you re-watch, the more stupidity, both in the plot, and in you.

Presently I'm watching the Mach 5 vs the Mach 5. And two things occur to me. Number one, you ever notice the similarities between Trixie and Mama Racer (even both voiced by the same woman)? Are we talking Oedipus Complex much, for Speed? Secondly, of far more importance, there's what I call the "Spot the Snake" part of the show, that is how many times do you see Snake Oiler?

Now any fan of the three-part Alpine Race, loves Snake Oiler, and he has a very unique voice. I wasn't going to say anything, but the voice actor playing the part of Snake, also played the part of the GRX racer with the red hair. And tonight, I spotted Snake again, that is he was in the Mach 5 vs Mach 5 first part. He played a policeman and had only 1-2 lines. Hold on a minute, I'll see if I can find who played him................ I can't believe it. IMDB doesn't even list the Snake character, and he was a large part of those Alpine episodes. Man, I feel so ripped off.

I'm also kind of curious about Speed and Trixie again. Is Trixie sort of a groupie which Speed uses for the lunches she makes, but otherwise pretends she doesn't exist romantically? You know she's got it in for Speed anyway. I'll have to keep a closer eye on that as I go along, and also keep playing Spot the Snake.

I’ve only just got to The Secret Engine parts 1 and 2. I have a way to go before I get to those episodes. I’ll try to catch up!

 

[The 1960's]

Great reviews as always Jeff! I just polished off an episode of The Guns Of Will Sonnett myself a few minutes ago. The downbeat existential nature of the serIes, Brennan’s voiceovers, the theme music and even the timelost, battered quality of the print made it perfectly appropriate viewing for a chilly afternoon as the rain pours down, the heater hums, the year winds down. In “Ride The Man Down”, the Sonnetts accompany a posse led by Sheriff Kevin McCarthy after a fleeing bankrobber said to be Will Sonnett. McCarthy is perfect as the Sheriff, who once rode with Sonnett but is bent on bringing him in for trial.

Your Six Million Dollar Man review had me wondering how many shows of that time used the same basic situation. I recently watched a Cannon where a foreign prince was kidnapped while in the USA for surgery and wasn’t there a Hawaii Five 0 constructed around a similar premise?

I’ve only just got to The Secret Engine parts 1 and 2. I have a way to go before I get to those episodes. I’ll try to catch up!

Two more new friends! Happy New Year guys!

 

[Purple Wig]

Two more new friends! Happy New Year guys!

Happy New Year to you Neal!

 

[Doug Wallen]

Year ending viewing, been watching more movies during this week, but I did find time for these.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Lamb To The Slaughter (3.2 ) Barbara Be Geddes, Harold J. Stone, Allan Lane. A personal favorite of mine. I introduced this one to my son on Christmas Eve. Love the irony of this one. Mary (Bel Geddes) is a devoted wife and an exceptional pregnant housekeeper. One day, her husband, the police chief, announces he wants a divorce because he has fallen for someone else. Mary was preparing supper by thawing out a frozen leg of lamb. She strikes him and kills him. She sets about making the house look like the scene of an attack before she calls the police. The investigating officer, Lt. Noonan (Stone) is frustrated when he can't find the murder weapon. Throughout their questioning and investigation, Mary continues to prepare the lamb, which she serves to the investigating officers. Excellent episode.

The Fall Guy
The Adventures Of Ozzie and Harold (1.13) Buddy Hackett, William Bryant, Joyce Jameson, William Bassett, Alejandro Rey. Ozzie (Hackett) has an invisible friend named Harold, and they see two cops murder a judge. Ozzie knows Colt and places a call while in jail that involves Colt's team. The gangster (Rey) hired hit men who dressed as cops, their new assignment is to silence Ozzie, Colt is trying to prevent that.

Soldiers Of Fortune (1.14) J. D. Cannon, Robert F. Lyons, Cynthia Sikes, Joe Higgins. Colt and Howie are caught in an explosive situation when they join a survival group as stunt men trying to gather survival skills for a film job. They are actually trying to find a bail jumping green beret.

Ready, Aim, Die (1.15) Mary Crosby, Charlie Callas, Michael Pataki, Al Ruscio, Michael Delano, Paul Lambert. Coleen (Crosby in full on Kristin Shepherd mode) imposes on Big Jack to hire Colt to find her missing, gambling addicted brother. She is actually a paid assassin looking for a witness in government protection.

Ladies On The Ropes (1.16) Val Bisoglio, Michael V. Gazzo, Clare Klaren, Melanie Vincz. It's the 80's, can we say it's time for the obligatory female wrestler episode. If you do, this is it. Strange to see Godfather II's Gazzo in this one.

Alfred Hitchcock Hitchcock Presents
Revenge (1.1) Vera Miles, Ralph Meeker, Frances Bavier, Ray Teal. Directed by Hitchcock. Excellent series and season premier. A woman(Miles) suffering from a breakdown due to the stress of being a ballet dancer is attacked in her trailer. She is near comatose and very nervous. While trying to get her mind off her ordeal, she sees her attacker and her husband(Meeker) takes his revenge. Once they are traveling, she again sees her attacker. Uh-oh!!! This story was also remade when the 80's version was aired. The intro segments were colorized to make it palatable to a younger audience.

Premonition (1.2) John Forsythe, Warren Stevens, Cloris Leachman, George MacReady, Percy Helton, Paul Brinegar. A long lost prodigal son(Forsythe) returns home because he felt something. While there, he learns his father is dead and gathers the feeling that his family is keeping something from him. He continues searching and finally uncovers the truth when he revisits the family hideaway in the country.

Triggers In Leash (1.3) Ellen Corby, Gene Barry, Darren McGavin, Casey MacGregor. This episode has good actors in a very silly story. Two gunfighters end up at the same backwoods rest stop and keep their eyes locked on each other while they eat their breakfast. Maggie(Corby) tries to keep them from killing each other.

Don't Come Back Alive (1.4) Sidney Blackmer, Virginia Gregg, Robert Emhardt, Irene Tedrow. What would you do to pay the rent and utilities? This couple devise a method to scam the insurance company for the face value of the wife's insurance policy. She has to move to a new town, new identity and wait the seven years to be legally dead before she reconnects with her husband. Problem number one is a persistent insurance investigator, problem number two the wife isn't ready to reconnect. What to do, what to do?

Into Thin Air (1.5) Pat Hitchcock, Alan Napier, Maurice Marsac, Geoffrey Toone. A television version (sorta) of The Lady Vanishes, starring Sir Alfred's daughter. OK episode, just a bit tedious.

Salvage (1.6) Gene Barry, Nancy Gates, Maxine Cooper, Elisha Cook, Jr., Virginia Christine. A great example of “do unto others”. A gangster who is released from prison has his heart set on killing the woman who got his brother killed. Once he finds her, she just gives up and the gangster finds he currently has lost the will for exacting revenge. He enters into a partnership with her and makes her a success. Can there be a happy ending? C'mon, this is Hitchcock.

Breakdown (1.7) Joseph Cotten, Raymond Bailey, Harry Landers, Harry Shannon, Aaron Spelling. Directed by Hitchcock. Pilot was excellent, this episode is superb. An emotional cripple with no feelings for a fired employee realizes he needs emotions so he can convince morgue attendants he is alive. He needs this as he was involved in a car accident and is lying paralyzed. Excellent showcase for Cotten as the injured driver.

 

[Jeff Flugel]

Jeff in my brief 8 months here both you and Randall have been an inspiration with your fine commentaries complimented by your exquisite images. I know your New Year will shortly commence. So future Jeff, Happy New Year 2022 to you and your family! Thanks for making this place a whole lotta fun and most importantly bringing me many new friends!!

Thank you so much, Neal - and right back atcha! You've been a great addition to the forum and have brought a heaping helping of enthusiasm, passion and enjoyment to this thread and many others here. Thanks for all your effort, fabulous screencaps and support over the past year, and a very happy New Year to you and yours, too!

Great reviews as always Jeff! I just polished off an episode of The Guns Of Will Sonnett myself a few minutes ago. The downbeat existential nature of the serIes, Brennan’s voiceovers, the theme music and even the timelost, battered quality of the print made it perfectly appropriate viewing for a chilly afternoon as the rain pours down, the heater hums, the year winds down. In “Ride The Man Down”, the Sonnetts accompany a posse led by Sheriff Kevin McCarthy after a fleeing bankrobber said to be Will Sonnett. McCarthy is perfect as the Sheriff, who once rode with Sonnett but is bent on bringing him in for trial.

Your Six Million Dollar Man review had me wondering how many shows of that time used the same basic situation. I recently watched a Cannon where a foreign prince was kidnapped while in the USA for surgery and wasn’t there a Hawaii Five 0 constructed around a similar premise?

Thanks very much, Alan! Appreciate the support and your splendid reviews and excellent taste in classic TV as well! Happy New Year to you!

What a coinkidink that you were watching The Guns of Will Sonnett around the same time. Agreed with your comments all the way.

You make a good point re: the plot synopsis from the above 6MDM episode...I was thinking much the same thing. Might be an interesting exercise to research just how many '60s and '70s action/adventure shows used this particular trope.

 

[Jeff Flugel]

Well, it's already 2022 here in Japan, but to all my fellow HTFers in N. America, as 2021 comes to a close, I want to wish you all happy New Year! A big "thank you" to all those members, both regular and occasional, who contributed to this thread over the past 12 months. It's been a real pleasure reading your thoughts and sharing the love and appreciation for classic TV in all its varieties with you this past year. Thanks to your participation, we've added 147 pages and approximately 2,937 (!!) new posts to this thread, making it one of the most active in the TV-on-DVD forum.

For me personally, it was a fruitful year for this hobby, as I came within spitting distance of 400 hours of vintage TV viewing, spread out over 205 different TV series (by now, most of you know my magpie approach all too well). My movie viewing suffered, though, as I only managed to watch 31 films in 2021. As movies, particular classic ones, are another major interest of mine, I'll try and achieve a better balance between the two formats in 2022.

I also spent an inordinate amount of cash this past year, picking up a lot of titles on both DVD and Blu-Ray to add to my collection. I estimate my physical media acquisitions at around 76 or so titles, either single season or complete series sets...and that's only for TV! Luckily, my wife is a patient and understanding woman who gives me minimal flack about my disc spending. After all, I don't drink, smoke or hold any season passes for sporting events, so what the hell? We all spend money on things we like...might just as well be on home entertainment.

At any rate, I'm very thankful for this fine thread and for the fact that everyone tries their best to foster a generally positive and supportive environment - a true rarity on the wild, woolly Internet. That is what makes this place one of my absolute favorite hang-outs online. Looking forward to reading everyone's posts over the next 12 months.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy and productive New Year! Roll on 2022...

 

[Doug Wallen]

Well folks, we in Georgia have entered 2022. Happy New Year!!!

Starting this New Year watching the first disc of The Virginian. Classic TV and this forum is the best place to be.

Looking forward to another great year of viewing and discussing this hobby/addiction of ours.

 

[Charles 22]

I’ve only just got to The Secret Engine parts 1 and 2. I have a way to go before I get to those episodes. I’ll try to catch up!

Take your time, as foolishness must really set in well, before it reaches its optimum. Does that make any sense? I'm doing an episode a night, and just finished Mach 5 vs Mach 5 today. Man, some of those killings in that show can be so sort of cold and brutal. For example, if you've yet ran into the classic with the Melange X-33, stupid Trixie just sort of says "Oh what the hell, your brother just died in a horrific helicopter crash, so what?"

Then this last episode I did tonight, where nobody really cares that the daughter gets killed right in front of her father. It seems he was helping a man to rule the world, that man kills his daughter, so after the bad guy is defeated, he decides he will now take that same factory he was using to help control the world, and instead help mankind, as his daughter would like that. There isn't the slightest hint throughout, that good ol' dad should be spending time doing kind things within the confines of his local prison cell instead. I'm really enjoying watching this yet again, as the laughs just keep coming. Actually, I've sort of come to peace with a bit I've always hated, that is the illogic that Spritle and Chim Chim are viable means of saving the day, as now I realize, that no matter how stupid it is, it is pretty funny. I actually slightly enjoy some of that team going off and doing their own thing at times.

 

[Purple Wig]

Cannon - The Stalker. This episode may not be the finest in the annals of Cannon-dom, but still an enjoyable watch. For some reason Cannon decides to totally abandon his wits and usually formidable intellect when he goes on vacation. “Hey Cannon, did you hear that psycho you put away for mass murder just broke out of jail and was last seen headed this way?” “Gee, that’s strange but I can’t be bothered with that now, I’m just going to enjoy myself here in this isolated cabin with no phone, and leave my gun behind for good measure.” After the psycho, effectively portrayed by Luke Askew, pumps a lot of lead into Cannon’s boat before wandering away, Cannon’s next act is to leisurely gather up his rod and reel and slowly saunter on back to the cabin. For the first half of the show the characters all act like automatons with no consciousness other than to drag themselves through plot twists. Towards the end of the show Cannon realizes his strategy of moving slowly and doing little else isn’t working, and he suddenly becomes the Cannon we remember from other episodes and beats the stuffing out of Askew. The episode has the feel of a 70’s exploitation roughie like Trip With The Teacher or A Scream In The Streets minus the blood. I’m still confused by the slow witted Cannon of the first half of the show.

 

[Richard Gallagher]

I just finished watching the complete series of Have Gun - Will Travel. My impression is that the final season episodes had less violence than previous seasons. I'm trying to remember if there was an anti-violence-on-TV campaign during that season. Regardless, HGWT is my favorite series from the golden age of TV westerns.

 

[Nelson Au]

Take your time, as foolishness must really set in well, before it reaches its optimum. Does that make any sense? .

I’ll take heed of your advise!

 

[Nelson Au]

Happy New Year guys, thanks for the fun.