Thursday, May 24, 2012

15 Greatest TV Characters of the 1960s: McGill

Name: McGill (no first name; "Mac" to acquaintances)

Portrayed by: Richard Bradford

TV series: Man in a Suitcase (1967-68)

Occupation: Freelance troubleshooter; former U.S. intelligence agent framed as a traitor to protect a mole.

Lifestyle: Travels throughout Europe and Africa; lives out of a suitcase!

Family and Friends: A few former girlfriends, but pretty much a loner.

Trademarks: Premature gray hair; smokes too much; gets beaten up a lot.

Classic quote: (When a woman asks if he's an American)  "No, ma'am. I'm a Texan."

Classic episodes: "Man from the Dead" (provides backstory on why he was framed); "Find the Lady" (a valuable painting stolen during World War II suddenly reappears).

9 comments:

  1. McGill is actually my third favorite T.V. P.I., after Harry O and The Outsider David Ross.

    RJR

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  2. McGill is an awesome character, surly yet with his own nobility. I just recently discovered this series and was knocked out by it. Richard Bradford should have become a big star.

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  3. This is such an excellent choice for 15 great TV characters of the 1960s. McGill is probably also the least known of your choices, Rick, but I really liked him. I thoroughly enjoyed "Man in a Suitcase" and Richard Bradford made the show unforgettable. He had a quirky thing he would do with his cigarette. Mac would stand it on end on a table, like it was a candle, without asking for or utilizing an ashtray. I wish the show had gone on longer than a year. McGill truly left me wanting more.

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  4. Bradford went on to star in the pilot for Medical Center, but was replaced by Chad Everett when the series was picked up. He had a long career in films (appeared as Mary Beth's father on Cagney & Lacy) and t.v. Yeah, he should have eben a star. Kicked the crap out of Marlon Brando in a fim called The Chase.

    RJR

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  5. YESSSSS! Excellent choice. I am quite a fan of McGill ("with a big M and a big G"), but no one else ever seems to know/remember the show!

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  6. Always good to hear from a McGill fan! I vaguely remembered liking the show, got the first DVD set, and fell in love with it. Too bad there was only one season.

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  7. why did Chad Everett replace Richard Bradford?

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  8. Richard was by far a much better actor than he was given credit for. Absolutely loved this series.

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