What did you watch this week in classic TV on DVD(or Blu)? (4 Viewers)

[Desslar]

Thanks to Tubi, I was able to give this one a spin. I agree, it's a very strong episode. The dream sequence alone is impactful and the true meaning of it doesn't really come clear until the episode plays out. Michael Parks (not an actor I've had a lot of experience with) does a lot of heavy lifting in a role with very little dialog. The ending is earned and actually got to me a bit.

I need to revisit this series as I'm not that familiar with the character dynamics, but I was a little non-plussed at how reluctant Tod was to help out. He's had a few years on the road, you'd think he'd be used to dropping everything (like what? They're just drivin') and help a nice girl and her drunk companion. But I guess he was the crusty one since Buzz was the popular sweetheart when he was on the series. Glenn Corbett does well, but he's a little on the bland side as an actor. He always kinda was in the stuff I've seen him in, but he's effective here.

I'll try to circle back to this series more.

Props to them for keeping the Screen Gems logo at the end!

A noticeable characteristic of Route 66 to me is that Tod and Buz are not exactly Michael Landon-style altruistic angels. They eventually end up doing a lot to help people, but they don't usually drop everything and throw themselves into the effort at the drop of a hat. Typically they have to first be somewhat won over/convinced of the urgency of the person in need's predicament. And even once they are on board with the person's cause, they engage in a fair amount of tough love, not hesitant to subject that person's aspirations to some harsh reality checks.

 

[The 1960's]

Thanks to Tubi, I was able to give this one a spin. I agree, it's a very strong episode. The dream sequence alone is impactful and the true meaning of it doesn't really come clear until the episode plays out. Michael Parks (not an actor I've had a lot of experience with) does a lot of heavy lifting in a role with very little dialog. The ending is earned and actually got to me a bit.

I need to revisit this series as I'm not that familiar with the character dynamics, but I was a little non-plussed at how reluctant Tod was to help out. He's had a few years on the road, you'd think he'd be used to dropping everything (like what? They're just drivin') and help a nice girl and her drunk companion. But I guess he was the crusty one since Buzz was the popular sweetheart when he was on the series. Glenn Corbett does well, but he's a little on the bland side as an actor. He always kinda was in the stuff I've seen him in, but he's effective here.

I'll try to circle back to this series more.

Props to them for keeping the Screen Gems logo at the end!

As I discussed with Scott via pm it was disappointing after putting so much time and effort into this tribute to Michael Parks that the ensuing 10 posts thereafter focused on a fan-boy discussion about the best episodes of The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. My own fault for bringing up the topic. You all have the right to talk about whatever you want here so don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. But there are clearly some of you who showed a complete disregard towards paying tribute to the topic I began more than likely because a photo essay means very little to you. That’s your right as well.

So thank you Scott for bringing it back on topic and for your thoughts about this touching episode. Some good observations too. Without giving away the details of the story itself, I agree Tod was surprising harsh with his lack of empathy in helping a lady in distress. And yes Glenn Corbett is no George Maharis but as you said at times he turns in surprisingly good performances, (see What a Shining Young Man was Our Gallant Lieutenant). It's one of my Corbett favorites.

It would have been nice to hear the thoughts of each and every one of you who took the time to actually watch the episode. It can be seen here. As always thanks to those of you who always show appreciation for my efforts.

 

[The 1960's]

I have now the volumes of the first go, and while a few of the episodes have other Columbia logos (like the 1988 Columbia Pictures Entertainment Lady, both with the 1988 jingle and with the original Screen Gems announcement), quite a few of them have the original Screen Gems Lady w/the announcer saying, "This has been a Screen Gems presentation from the Hollywood studios of Columbia Pictures-- Herbert B. Leonard, executive producer."

Ben I certainly will be looking forward to your comments and hopefully a review of specific episodes. It's exciting to hear someone will be viewing many of these for the very first time!

A noticeable characteristic of Route 66 to me is that Tod and Buz are not exactly Michael Landon-style altruistic angels. They eventually end up doing a lot to help people, but they don't usually drop everything and throw themselves into the effort at the drop of a hat. Typically they have to first be somewhat won over/convinced of the urgency of the person in need's predicament. And even once they are on board with the person's cause, they engage in a fair amount of tough love, not hesitant to subject that person's aspirations to some harsh reality checks.

Good synopsis Stephen. I thought I'd mention that Route 66 is one series that doesn't need to be watched in sequential order so if you're so inclined I'd like to hear your thoughts about Cries of Persons Close to One as well.

 

[bmasters9]

Ben I certainly will be looking forward to your comments and hopefully a review of specific episodes. It's exciting to hear someone will be viewing many of these for the very first time!

That's, in a way, what I plan to do-- I don't know if I'll be as exhaustive as @JohnHopper has been in chronicling the episodes of Gunsmoke, but if there is a guest star or moment in a specific episode that catches my attention and was the key moment of an episode, I will certainly bring that to everyone's attention here (@Jeff Flugel has appreciated quite a few of my specific episode reviews here for just those reasons, IIRC).

 

[bmasters9]

Ben I certainly will be looking forward to your comments and hopefully a review of specific episodes. It's exciting to hear someone will be viewing many of these for the very first time!

That's, in a way, what I plan to do-- I don't know if I'll be as exhaustive as @JohnHopper has been in chronicling the episodes of Gunsmoke, but if there is a guest star or moment in a specific episode that catches my attention and was the key moment of an episode, I will certainly bring that to everyone's attention here (@Jeff Flugel has appreciated quite a few of my specific episode reviews here for just those reasons, IIRC).

 

[bmasters9]

Double post-- post didn't take the first time; please ignore or delete the double post.

 

[JohnHopper]

As I discussed with Scott via pm it was disappointing after putting so much time and effort into this tribute to Michael Parks that the ensuing 10 posts thereafter focused on a fan-boy discussion about the best episodes of The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. My own fault for bringing up the topic. You all have the right to talk about whatever you want here so don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. But there are clearly some of you who showed a complete disregard towards paying tribute to the topic I began more than likely because a photo essay means very little to you. That’s your right as well.

So thank you Scott for bringing it back on topic and for your thoughts about this touching episode. Some good observations too. Without giving away the details of the story itself, I agree Tod was surprising harsh with his lack of empathy in helping a lady in distress. And yes Glenn Corbett is no George Maharis but as you said at times he turns in surprisingly good performances, (see What a Shining Young Man was Our Gallant Lieutenant). It's one of my Corbett favorites.

It would have been nice to hear the thoughts of each and every one of you who took the time to actually watch the episode. It can be seen here. As always thanks to those of you who always show appreciation for my efforts.

I watched that particular bleak social drama/character’s study on a suffering illiterate maverick and pricefighter turned aloof drunk wreck/sinner—people who watched the episode will understand the specific meaning—and I found it interesting and engrossing enough. I was fascinated by the picture of society and the contrast between the two leads (very Fifties clean cut)—who are modern day good samaritans—and the guest actor who belongs to another decade. Actor Michael Parks has an acting style that reminds me James Dean but with a restrained Sixties style. The morbid negative reverse dream sequence could belong to The Outer Limits or Thriller. The writer exploits the basic theme of alcoolism from the 1962 Days of Wine and Roses and actor Michael Parks perfectly recaptures the behavior of such pathology. Favorite scene: the introduction to the released from jail Tank who can’t sign his name on a form.

 

[bmasters9]

As I discussed with Scott via pm it was disappointing after putting so much time and effort into this tribute to Michael Parks that the ensuing 10 posts thereafter focused on a fan-boy discussion about the best episodes of The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. My own fault for bringing up the topic. You all have the right to talk about whatever you want here so don’t misinterpret what I’m saying.

I think I may have done likewise and wrecked that thread about The A-Team coming to Blu by fanboying on Emergency! because someone in that thread had wished for it too to come to Blu (a back-and-forth discussion about the latter, in a thread about the former).

 

[ScottRE]

Thread drift happens, especially when it's a broad subject like this when everyone is watching something else and something is brought up. I just felt bad because it sprang out of a a response to a stupid post when I could have chosen to actually comment on the subject in a meaningful way. I wasn't making a satirical or funny post, I was being snarky for the sake of snark and then it became about one of MY favorite shows. So, yeah, I need to slow down and appreciate some of the more lovingly created posts here. Some of you folks go to a lot of effort to post screen shots and the like. I appreciate them all, but that's ultimately meaningless if I don't actually SAY I appreciate it.

This is one of my favorite forums mostly because are all fans and we generally are very friendly towards each other. And, as I told Neal, when we DO have a minor dust up, it's usually because "we're old men having a misunderstanding."

Anyways, I appreciate all of your posts and your overall good nature.

 

[The 1960's]

That's, in a way, what I plan to do-- I don't know if I'll be as exhaustive as @JohnHopper has been in chronicling the episodes of Gunsmoke, but if there is a guest star or moment in a specific episode that catches my attention and was the key moment of an episode, I will certainly bring that to everyone's attention here (@Jeff Flugel has appreciated quite a few of my specific episode reviews here for just those reasons, IIRC).

I think I may have done likewise and wrecked that thread about The A-Team coming to Blu by fanboying on Emergency! because someone in that thread had wished for it too to come to Blu (a back-and-forth discussion about the latter, in a thread about the former).

Thanks Ben. Not many of us can be as precise or as definitive as Mr. Hopper. But we all have our own unique way to describe our passion for the shows we love or hate for that matter. And sometimes we all go a bit overboard doing so. It’s all good!

I watched that particular bleak social drama/character’s study on a suffering illiterate maverick and pricefighter turned aloof drunk wreck/sinner—people who watched the episode will understand the specific meaning—and I found it interesting and engrossing enough. I was fascinated by the picture of society and the contrast between the two leads (very Fifties clean cut)—who are modern day good samaritans—and the guest actor who belongs to another decade. Actor Michael Parks has an acting style that reminds me James Dean but with a restrained Sixties style. The morbid negative reverse dream sequence could belong to The Outer Limits or Thriller. The writer exploits the basic theme of alcoolism from the 1962 Days of Wine and Roses and actor Michael Parks perfectly recaptures the behavior of such pathology. Favorite scene: the introduction to the released from jail Tank who can’t sign his name on a form.

Thank you John. Yes as I said it’s not a very easy watch but your words are spot on. You said it better than I could have. I’m sure one of the reasons I found this particular episode so unique for the Route 66 series is the negative reverse dream sequence as you called it, which very much has an Outer Limits feel to it. Terrific!

Thread drift happens, especially when it's a broad subject like this when everyone is watching something else and something is brought up. I just felt bad because it sprang out of a a response to a stupid post when I could have chosen to actually comment on the subject in a meaningful way. I wasn't making a satirical or funny post, I was being snarky for the sake of snark and then it became about one of MY favorite shows. So, yeah, I need to slow down and appreciate some of the more lovingly created posts here. Some of you folks go to a lot of effort to post screen shots and the like. I appreciate them all, but that's ultimately meaningless if I don't actually SAY I appreciate it.

This is one of my favorite forums mostly because are all fans and we generally are very friendly towards each other. And, as I told Neal, when we DO have a minor dust up, it's usually because "we're old men having a misunderstanding."

Anyways, I appreciate all of your posts and your overall good nature.

Thank you Scott! You just proved there’s lots of love here. Beautifully said. One of the many things I've learned throughout the years as a vintage collectibles dealer was that the written word or words can be easily misconstrued. So instead of a flamewar it's far more rewarding by reaching out to someone one on one. We just proved that.

My exuberance comes in the form of images because I don’t write very well. I’m getting better at that all the time I think. I’m also discovering with photo essaying that less is more, though I doubt anyone here is seeing that recently. Ha ha.

 

[Desslar]

Ben I certainly will be looking forward to your comments and hopefully a review of specific episodes. It's exciting to hear someone will be viewing many of these for the very first time!

Good synopsis Stephen. I thought I'd mention that Route 66 is one series that doesn't need to be watched in sequential order so if you're so inclined I'd like to hear your thoughts about Cries of Persons Close to One as well.

I appreciate your reviews and especially all the screen captures (love interesting location shooting), and definitely look forward to seeing that episode down the road.

I agree that a lot of Route 66 could probably be viewed out of order without any major continuity issues, but I still prefer to watch a series in order to see what changes over time, even if it's only the cars and haircuts. I think I left off somewhere near the end of season 1. I have the series on DVD, so I know I can pick it up anytime.

Meanwhile I'm quite busy sampling other series to decide if I want to buy them before the end days of physical media arrive (any day now it seems).

Right now working through:
Harbor Command
The Magician
M.A.S.H.
Minder
Lost

 

[The 1960's]

I appreciate your reviews and especially all the screen captures (love interesting location shooting), and definitely look forward to seeing that episode down the road.

I agree that a lot of Route 66 could probably be viewed out of order without any major continuity issues, but I still prefer to watch a series in order to see what changes over time, even if it's only the cars and haircuts. I think I left off somewhere near the end of season 1. I have the series on DVD, so I know I can pick it up anytime.

Meanwhile I'm quite busy sampling other series to decide if I want to buy them before the end days of physical media arrive (any day now it seems).

Right now working through:
Harbor Command
The Magician
M.A.S.H.
Minder
Lost

Thanks Stephen. I would never have known that because you rarely utilize the icons. Well then you have quite a few episodes until you get to “Persons”.

Interesting list you have there. The one that stands out for me is Harbor Command. Lucky for you that you own it as it too has now gone O O P. A very sad trend that ShoutFactory! has discontinued supply of many many classic tv series.

 

[Desslar]

Thanks Stephen. I would never have known that because you rarely utilize the icons. Well then you have quite a few episodes until you get to “Persons”.

Interesting list you have there. The one that stands out for me is Harbor Command. Lucky for you that you own it as it too has now gone O O P. A very sad trend that ShoutFactory! has discontinued supply of many many classic tv series.

Agreed it is sad to see many older series go out of print. I don't actually own any of the titles in my current watch list - I'm watching them all from various streaming sites. Harbor Command is available in its entirety (although some episodes are out of order) from the Internet Archive here:


I enjoy the footage of the harbor and occasional glimpses of downtown San Francisco. The show is rather stiffly acted and simply plotted, but that's to be expected for 30-minute shows of the time. If you enjoy dry 50s police procedurals, then I guess it'll do fine. I wouldn't give a strong recommendation except for those that have a passionate interest in the San Francisco harbor.

 

[Doug Wallen]

Kolchak - The Night Stalker (Blu-ray)
The Vampire (1.4) William Daniels, Suzanne Charry, John Doucette, Jan Murray, Larry Storch, Kathleen Nolan. Almost plays like a sequel to the original move, shame there were no callbacks. Vampire using an escort service, what a novel approach. I just enjoy these Kolchak episodes, so much fun.

The Werewolf (1.5) Eric Braeden, Dick Gautier, Henry Jones, Nita Talbot, Jackie Russell. An OK episode, just not a very good werewolf shape. Braeden must have needed a paycheck. At least Talbot was very entertaining as was Gautier.

Alias Smith & Jones
The Fifth Victim (1.12) Ramon Bieri, Joseph Campanella, Sharon Acker, Sean Garrison, Woodrow Parfrey, Barbara Rhoades,. Directed by Fernando Lamas. A killer's picking off participants in a poker game one by one, including the attempted murders of Hayes and Curry, to conceal the real target.

Journey From San Juan (1.13) Susan Oliver, Dub Taylor, Claudine Longet, Nico Minardos, Gregory Sierra. Hayes and Curry are in Mexico to bring a fleeing felon back to the states for the bounty.

Never Trust An Honest Man (1.14) Richard Anderson, Severn Darden (dual role), Marj Dusay, Ford Rainey. Psycho house. Train trip poker and mistakenly picking up the wrong bag involve Hayes and Curry in a jewel mix up, near assassination and a misunderstanding between partners.

The Legacy Of Charlie O'Rourke (1.15) Joan Hackett, J. D. Cannon, Guy Raymond, Billy Greenbush. A former partner is scheduled for a hanging. He has hidden his last big score and everyone is after it, including Harry Briscoe (Cannon), a Bannerman detective. Season finale.

Alfred Hitchcock Presents
The Derelicts (1.19) Robert Newton, Cyril Delevanti, Peggy Knudsen, Philip Reed. An inventor with a trophy wife who doesn't have enough trophies causes financial problems for him. Instead of repaying his silent partner, he murders him. Unknown to him, he is witnessed by two vagrants who then blackmail him. When that begins to fail, they take turns pawning items which then creates more problems. Meanwhile the wife continues to spend.

And So Died Riabouchinska (1.20) Claude Rains, Charles Bronson, Virginia Gregg. An interesting tale of a man and his doll. Bronson and Rains really chew the scenery in this one.

Safe Conduct (1.21) Claire Trevor, John Banner, Jacques Bergerac, Werner Klemperer, Peter Van Eyck. An unimpeachable journalist with a free pass to cross the Iron Curtain is tricked by freedom fighters. A very talky episode that is notable for the earliet screen pairing of Klemperer (Klink) and Banner (Schultz).

The Virginian
It Tolls For Thee (1.9) Lee Marvin, Pippa Scott, Albert Salmi, Warren Kemmerling, Ron Soble, John Zaremba. When is it time to fight and when do we take up arms. Really enjoy when Lee Marvin shows up, excellent performance as he faces off against the Judge.

The Waltons
The Fulfillment (2.20) Victor French, Ivy Jones, Tiger Jones. Another standard trope that affects Walton neighbors. Curtis (French) and Anne (Rose) have been given devastating news, they are unable to have children. This news comes at a time that finds the Waltons temporarily fostering a child. This child has taken a shine to Curtis. Anne has again started retreating into her movie fantasy life. The episode ratchets the tension and emotions before ending as we know it will.

The Ghost Story (2.21) Wilford Brimley, James Gammon. The children help Ike by taking a Ouija board from the store so that the Baldwin sisters can't monopolize his time trying to get "recipe" info from their father. Bringing the board into the house brings strange things onside. A cousin the family is looking out for is supposed to take a train to meet his father and the board indicates there is an issue. Twilight Zone ending.

The Graduation (2.22) MariClare Costello, John Ritter, Tammi Bula. What does the future hold for John-boy? He is class valedictorian and is being pressured from all sides about his relationship with Marcia Woolery. Olivia and Grandma work all night to get a proper suit tailored in time for graduation.

The Five Foot Shelf (2.23) Ben Piazza, Wilford Brimley, Anne Beesley. A travelling salesman steals Olivia's emergency cash in order to buy a doll for his daughter. The longer he stays in their barn, the guiltier he feels, especially after he was confronted and refused to return the money.

The Car (2.24) Ed Lauter, Bonnie Bartlett, Paul Sorenson. John-boy is searching for a car so he can commute from home to Boatwright when the fall session begins. he finds an excellent older used car and makes an arrangement to do household maintenance in exchange for the car. Rudge (Lauter) has an extreme emotional attachment to the car, It is tied to his son's death. John-boy eventually helps him come to terms.

Combat
The Little Carousel (3.8) Sylviane Margolie, Warren Vanders. Saunders develops an emotional attachment to a teenage nurse assistant. She ingratiates herself with him and they develop a father/daughter type of relationship. She "saves" several soldiers. The episode only had one ending and it is what we get. What we usually see is the anger and hurt shown by Saunders - in front of his men. Very emotional episode. This one even intrigued my wife who does not generally enjoy this series.

Fly Away Home (3.9) Neville Brand. Unusual story about the use of carrier pigeons to photograph military installations and carry it back to headquarters. The birdman has an overly strong love of the birds and is extremely overprotective which causes friction between him and the troop,

A Rare Vintage (3.12) Lyle Bettger, Marcel Hillaire, Lawrence Montaigne, Corey Allen. Lt. Hanley is injured and captured. Caje and a local (Hillaire) go undercover as wine makers to try and help Hanley escape. Plays like a Mission:Impossible episode.

The Enemy (3.17) Robert Duvall. Hanley captures a very inventive Nazi bomb expert. Basically a two-person drama. Very claustrophobic and well acted episode.

Ellery Queen
The Adventure Of Colonel Nivin's Memoirs (1.7) Lloyd Bochner, Robert Loggia, Rene Aubernjunois, Gretchen Corbett, Pernell Roberts, Nina VanPallandt. So much fun watching these actors play their various roles in these well written and acted mysteries. The byplay between Ellery and his father is always a treat.

The Adventure Of The Mad Tea Party (1.8) Edward Andrews, Jim Backus, Julie Sommars, Rhonda Fleming, Larry Hagman, Julius Harris, Carmen Mathews, Patricia Smith, Olan Soule. Great to see JR (Hagman) in a Mad Hatter type costume. Another fun episode loaded with redheads (a personal favorite).

 

[The 1960's]

Agreed it is sad to see many older series go out of print. I don't actually own any of the titles in my current watch list - I'm watching them all from various streaming sites. Harbor Command is available in its entirety (although some episodes are out of order) from the Internet Archive here:


I enjoy the footage of the harbor and occasional glimpses of downtown San Francisco. The show is rather stiffly acted and simply plotted, but that's to be expected for 30-minute shows of the time. If you enjoy dry 50s police procedurals, then I guess it'll do fine. I wouldn't give a strong recommendation except for those that have a passionate interest in the San Francisco harbor.

That is the very same episode I hyper-linked to above and that's exactly why I like the show. Stiff and dry. Sometimes I just prefer not to use my brain.

I need to revisit this series as I'm not that familiar with the character dynamics, but I was a little non-plussed at how reluctant Tod was to help out. He's had a few years on the road, you'd think he'd be used to dropping everything (like what? They're just drivin') and help a nice girl and her drunk companion. But I guess he was the crusty one since Buzz was the popular sweetheart when he was on the series.

Scott your comment above triggered some additional thoughts. I always look to Randall as my Route 66 guru. Perhaps he’ll chime in with some thoughts about what I’m about to write. Back in Season Two of Route 66, Episode Four titled Birdcage On My Foot (Oct.13.1961) featured Robert Duvall as a heroin addict. A landmark episode no doubt. I’m not going to get too specific as I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who hasn't seen it. However, there we see a side of Tod Stiles who was not at all sympathetic to Arnie the junkie (Duvall). So this shortcoming in his nature would be a prelude of things to come later in the series, and as you pointed out in S04E17 Cries of Persons Close to One (Jan.31.1964).

 

[Flashgear]

Scott your comment above triggered some additional thoughts. I always look to Randall as my Route 66 guru. Perhaps he’ll chime in with some thoughts about what I’m about to write. Back in Season Two of Route 66, Episode Four titled Birdcage On My Foot (Oct.13.1961) featured Robert Duvall as a heroin addict. A landmark episode no doubt. I’m not going to get too specific as I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who hasn't seen it. However, there we see a side of Tod Stiles who was not at all sympathetic to Arnie the junkie (Duvall). So this shortcoming in his nature would be a prelude of things to come later in the series, and as you pointed out in S04E17 Cries of Persons Close to One (Jan.31.1964).

Neal, I might be wrong, but I've always taken Tod Stiles' stern and unsympathetic reaction to these alcohol and drug addict characters as a slender thread of continuity (in a TV era that eschewed continuity) briefly explained in Route 66's pilot episode Black November where Tod reveals that the only thing his recently deceased father has bequeathed him is that brand-spanking new 1960 Corvette, having ruined his life with alcoholism and losing all of the family fortune in the aftermath of Tod's mother passing away. You imagine the Stiles family comfortably ensconced in Gilded Age opulence in some old money colony in Newport or Westchester county Connecticut. Carrying a sense of grief-laden betrayal from the father he still loves, Tod needs the searing Hells' Kitchen perspective that Buzz has lived to moderate his views into some level of understanding. Tod Stiles came from a very dysfunctional family, as evidenced yet again in another excellent episode, Most Vanquished, Most Victorious. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Desslar]

Ellery Queen
The Adventure Of Colonel Nivin's Memoirs (1.7) Lloyd Bochner, Robert Loggia, Rene Aubernjunois, Gretchen Corbett, Pernell Roberts, Nina VanPallandt. So much fun watching these actors play their various roles in these well written and acted mysteries. The byplay between Ellery and his father is always a treat.

The Adventure Of The Mad Tea Party (1.8) Edward Andrews, Jim Backus, Julie Sommars, Rhonda Fleming, Larry Hagman, Julius Harris, Carmen Mathews, Patricia Smith, Olan Soule. Great to see JR (Hagman) in a Mad Hatter type costume. Another fun episode loaded with redheads (a personal favorite).

Wow! Look at those guest stars! It's like the all-star series of 70s TV. I was hesitant to pick this show up because most whodunnits have limited re-watch value, but maybe I should reconsider. I much prefer David Wayne here to the crotchety drunk he played on Dallas.

 

[The 1960's]

Neal, I might be wrong, but I've always taken Tod Stiles' stern and unsympathetic reaction to these alcohol and drug addict characters as a slender thread of continuity (in a TV era that eschewed continuity) briefly explained in Route 66's pilot episode Black November where Tod reveals that the only thing his recently deceased father has bequeathed him is that brand-spanking new 1960 Corvette, having ruined his life with alcoholism and losing all of the family fortune in the aftermath of Tod's mother passing away. You imagine the Stiles family comfortably ensconced in Gilded Age opulence in some old money colony in Newport or Westchester county Connecticut. Carrying a sense of grief-laden betrayal from the father he still loves, Tod needs the searing Hells' Kitchen perspective that Buzz has lived to moderate his views into some level of understanding. Tod Stiles came from a very dysfunctional family, as evidenced yet again in another excellent episode, Most Vanquished, Most Victorious. Just my 2 cents.

Excellent observation Randall. I knew your take on Tod's past would reveal a dark and troublesome origin. And yes Black November and Most Vanquished, Most Victorious how could I have forgotten?
Thank you my guru.

 

[JohnHopper]

Thank you John. Yes as I said it’s not a very easy watch but your words are spot on. You said it better than I could have. I’m sure one of the reasons I found this particular episode so unique for the Route 66 series is the negative reverse dream sequence as you called it, which very much has an Outer Limits feel to it. Terrific!

More about Michael Parks
You can watch him in another inspired part as a mechanic/race car champ Tack Reynolds in “The Mob Riders” from Stoney Burke which used to be a pilot for an intended spin-off series that never was.
Parks had a very small part on Gunsmoke but it was too shallow and limited as the son of a charlatan in the season 7 “The Boys”.
In those days, Parks seems to shine and be typecast as a New Wave young man in two feature films Wild Seed and The Idol.

 

[The 1960's]

More about Michael Parks
You can watch him in another inspired part as a mechanic/race car champ Tack Reynolds in “The Mob Riders” from Stoney Burke which used to be a pilot for an intended spin-off series that never was.
Parks had a very small part on Gunsmoke but it was too shallow and limited as the son of a charlatan in the season 7 “The Boys”.
In those days, Parks seems to shine and be typecast as a New Wave young man in two feature films Wild Seed and The Idol.

Thanks very much John. Stoney Burke is one of my all-time favorites. I was actually planning on a photo essay of The Mob Riders, that is if the quality warrants such. But I was unaware of both Wild Seed and The Idol. Both can be found on YouTube. I will be checking these out over the coming days thanks to you!

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