Jack Lord x 2 = 1st Episode of "Hawaii Five-O" + "Walk Like a Dragon"

One could argue that the first episode of the original Hawaii Five-O TV series was the "pilot" broadcast on CBS on September 20, 1968. While the pilot certainly established the show's premise--and introduced Wo Fat, its most famous villain--it was still a trial run. When the series was given the green light, James MacArthur had replaced Tim O'Kelly as Danny and Richard Denning had taken over from Lew Ayres as the governor.

Louise Troy and Kevin McCarthy.

"Full Fathom Five," shown the week after the pilot's premiere, doesn't feature a villain of Wo Fat's notoriety. However, it does offer Kevin McCarthy--who specialized in slimy characters--as Victor Reese, who teams with his wife (Louise Troy) to scam and then murder lonely women with money. Interestingly, the Five-O team might have never suspected Reese if an attorney hadn't pressured McGarrett to search for a missing heiress. In an effective ironic twist, the heiress turns out to be alive. However, while investigating her disappearance, Danny uncovers ten cases where single women with no close relatives had disappeared at the rate of one per month.

When McGarrett assigns a female detective (Patricia Smith), with no field experience, to go undercover as Reese's next target, Danny takes exception.

DANNY:  I don't like it.

McGARRETT:  Nobody asked you.

Jack Lord as Steve McGarrett.

As with most of the show's episodes, the focus is on the investigation. We don't get a glimpse of the personal lives of McGarrett, Danny, Kam Fong (Chin Ho), or Zulu (Kono). But we do get plenty of stunning Hawaiian scenery, a lively shootout at the climax, and the terrific opening credits (voted #4 all-time in 2010 by TV Guide readers--and it should have ranked higher). Surprisingly, though, McGarrett never utters his signature line: "Book'em, Danno!"

For the record, Jack Lord was a last minute replacement as Steve McGarrett. Creator Leonard Freeman originally wanted Richard Boone (allegedly, Gregory Peck was also in the discussion). Lord's no-nonsense attitude was perfect for the part, though, and he played McGarrett for 12 years, making Hawaii Five-O the longest running detective series prior to Law & Order (which is a hybrid anyway).

Stephen J. Cannell (The Rockford Files, The A-Team) tried to revive Five-O with a 1997 pilot starring Gary Busey and MacArthur, who returned as Danny (now governor of Hawaii!). It didn't sell, but, of course, the 2010 series revival became a hit for CBS.

Jack Lord as Linc.

In 1960, eight years before his signature Five-O role, Jack Lord starred in Walk Like a Dragon, an underrated "B" film written and directed by James Clavell (best known as the author of Shogun). Set in California after the Civil War, it features Lord as Linc Bartlett, a small town freight line owner on a trip to San Francisco. He buys a nineteen-year-old Chinese girl, being sold as a slave, to rescue her from a certain life as a prostitute. He gives the girl, Kim (Nobu McCarthy), her freedom--but she has nowhere to go and still considers Linc her owner. Linc ends up taking Kim and a young Chinese man named Cheng Lu (James Shigeta) to his home town of Jerico--where they all have to cope with the devastating impacts of racial prejudice.

James Shigeta as Cheng Yu.

As in Shogun, Clavell does a masterful job of showing what it's like to be thrust into a totally different culture. He eschews subtitles when the Chinese characters speak, giving the viewer a taste of what it's like to not understand potentially important conversations (incidentally, the Shogun miniseries avoid subtitles as well). In one telling scene, Cheng Lu's uncle speaks in broken English in front of Linc, only to speak it fluently to Cheng Yu in private. He explains to his nephew: "If you want to stay alive, you always have to follow certain rules."

Nobu McCarthy as Kim.

Each of the three main characters struggle with the sudden changes in their lives. Linc realizes he's fallen in love with Kim, but knows their life as a married couple would be a very difficult one. Cheng Lu doesn't want to play by the "rules" like his uncle; he wants to be treated with the same respect as men like Linc. And Kim finds herself caught in the middle, unsure whether to pursue a challenging future with the man she loves or a more traditional one with a man she respects.

Mel Torme--the gunfighter?

The cast is uniformly fine, with Lord giving one of his best performances as the conflicted Linc--although Shigeta steals the film. A major surprise is Mel Torme as Deacon, a Bible-quoting gunfighter dressed in black. It's a fascinating casting choice and, frankly, Mel handles the part well. He also sings the atypical title tune.

Seven Things to Know About Don Rickles

1. He appeared in four of American-International's Beach Party movies: Muscle Beach Party (1964); Bikini Beach (1964); Pajama Party (1964); and Beach Blanket Bingo (1965). So how did that happen? Rickles' agent was Jack Gilardi, who was then married to Annette Funicello! Our favorite is Muscle Beach Party, in which he played Jack Fanny, a fast-talking bodybuilding coach whose protégés include Peter Lupus (Willy in Mission: Impossible).

2. He originally aspired to be a serious actor and studied his craft at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. One of his classmates in the late 1940s was Grace Kelly. Rickles played dramatic film roles in Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), X--The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963), and Martin Scorsese's Casino (1995).

Rickles as Crapgame in Kelly's Heroes.

3. Rickles, who served in the Navy during 1944-46, played a member of the armed services in several films and TV series: Run Silent, Run Deep; Gomer Pyle USMC (as a guest star); Kelly's Heroes (1970); and CPO Sharkey (1976-78).

4. Frank Sinatra became an early fan of Rickles' stand-up act. According to Rickles' web site, when the then-unknown comedian spotted Sinatra in the audience at a Miami nightclub, he quipped: "I just saw your movie The Pride and the Passion and I want to tell you, the cannon was great." Sinatra's affectionate pet name for Rickles was "Bullet Head."

5. Rickles attributes his fame to his TV appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Rickles appeared over 100 times on The Tonight Show, sometimes as guest host. It was Carson that gave him his most famous nickname: Mr. Warmth.

6. Rickles also appeared frequently on The Dean Martin Show, which subsequently led to his participation in numerous "celebrity roast" specials in which he "insulted" the likes of James Stewart, Milton Berle, Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra (of course), Bob Hope, and many others.

7. At age 87, Don Rickles still tours regularly and appears on the late night shows with Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Jimmy Kimmel. In the recently-announced Toy Story 4, he will once again provide the voice for Mr. Potato Head.

A Review of "Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz"

As the holidays approach, the Cafe's staff is always on the lookout for unique gift ideas for classic film and TV fans. A great recent find, Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz, is sure to delight fans of the original Star Trek TV series. In his oversized 112-page book, Ortiz has designed a poster for each of the 80 episodes of Gene Roddenberry's 1966-69 series. While the majority of the posters are done in a movie style, some of them replicate the look of pulp novel covers, comic books, and advertisements.

One of my favorites (shown below) is the poster for the season one episode "Arena," which pits Captain Kirk against a reptilian alien in a potential battle to the death. Note the discoloration around the edges to give the impression that the poster was originally created in the 1960s.

In the book's introductory interview, Ortiz describes his approach to the posters: "Star Trek was many things. It wasn't just a show about science fiction. Episodes ranged from war, love, horror, court dramas, death, mental illness, politics, social issues, and of course the Western theme, to name just a few. Therefore, I was able to approach each poster with its own take, without feeling as though I were repeating myself."

At the back of the book, Ortiz includes a brief commentary about each poster, in which he describes his influences or intent. For the season one episode "What Are Little Girls Made Of?", his inspiration was the episode's two androids: the imposing Ruk (played by Ted Cassidy) and the beautiful Andrea (Sherry Jackson). "I thought a bit about Frankenstein while working on this one," writes Ortiz. "I like how Ruk and Andrea form a singular silhouette."

At a suggested retail price of $39.95, Star Trek: The Art of Juan Ortiz is not an inexpensive book. Still, it's a must-have for fans of the original series. The posters are stylish, colorful, clever, and suitable for framing (though you'd have to cut up your book!). Any trekker would beam it aboard his or her starship without hesitation.

Titan Books provided a review copy of this book.

We Provide the Cast...You Name the Movie!

In this new game (for the Café anyway), we provide three cast members of a famous film and you name the movie. How easy is that?  Of course, in some cases, we tried to make it challenging by selecting lesser-known supporting players such as Whit Bissell and Richard Anderson (both of whom appeared in a ton of movies and TV series). Still, it's a relatively easy quiz--so don't look up any of the answers! (You're on the honor system.) Be sure to include the question number with your response. Please don't answer all the questions so others can play, too.

1. Richard Anderson, Mel Ferrer, Eleanor Parker.

2. Una O'Connor, Eugene Pallette, Patric Knowles.

3. Patric Knowles, Ilona Massey, Bela Lugosi.

4. Dean Martin, Whit Bissell, Robert Mitchum.

5. Whit Bissell, Richard Anderson, Ava Gardner.

6. Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Brad Dexter.

7. Jack Nicholson, Vincent Price, Boris Karloff.

8. Celeste Holm, Art Linkletter, Vincent Price.

9. Lee Remick, Richard Anderson, Angela Landsbury.

10. Fred Astaire, Anthony Perkins, Ava Gardner.

11. Charles Ruggles, Leo G. Carroll, Maureen O'Hara.

12. Grace Kelly, Jeffrey Hunter, Richard Basehart.

13. Keenan Wynn, Red Skelton, Mike Mazurki.

14. Diane Ladd, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern.

15. Humphrey Bogart, Alan Hale, Miriam Hopkins.

Cary Grant IS James Bond in "Goldfinger"

Bond using a gold phone.

In his third outing as Ian Fleming's debonair James Bond, Cary Grant has made the role his own. Goldfinger, which opened yesterday at the Bijou, provides Grant's secret agent with a meatier story and the series' best villain yet in the guise of Sydney Greenstreet.

Greenstreet plays Auric Goldfinger, a European gold smuggler targeted by British intelligence. Assigned to maintain surveillance on Goldfinger, Bond quickly earns the villain's ire by causing him to lose a bet. It doesn't help that Bond then sleeps with Jill Masterson (Veronica Lake), Goldfinger's paid companion. In retaliation for Bond's meddling, Goldfinger has Jill gruesomely murdered--from asphyxiation after being covered in gold paint.

Veronica Lake as Jill Masterson and Jane Greer as sister Tilly.

In his vengeful pursuit of Goldfinger, Bond encounters and ultimately pairs up with Jill's sister, Tilly (Jane Greer). They discover that Goldfinger and his cronies are working on a major heist known only as Operation Grand Slam. But before they can learn more, Goldfinger's henchman Oddjob (Rondo Hatton) kills Tilly and Bond is taken prisoner. Can 007 escape from Goldfinger's clutches and thwart the evil mastermind's devious plan to control the world's gold?

A little beefcake?

Grant's strong performance grounds the screenplay's more outrageous elements, such as a key plot development hinging on his romancing of an airplane pilot called Pussy Galore (Eleanor Parker). He may be suave, but his steely gaze also convinces us that he's not afraid to use his fists or his Walther PPK. The Bond character also provides Grant with a great opportunity to move away from the more refined heroes he played in films like North By Northwest. And, naturally, there's a beefcake element to the Bond films that's sure to please Grant's female fans.

Yet, aside from the eye candy for both male and female viewers, Goldfinger offers a pair of quality villains. Sydney Greenstreet hits all the right notes as the gold-obsessed criminal mastermind. When a helpless, captured Bond tells Goldfinger that he won't talk, Greenstreet's villain gleefully retorts: "I don't want you to talk, Mr. Bond. I want you to die!" As his deadly henchman, Rondo Hatton has no dialogue as Oddjob, but he certainly captures the menace as no other actor could.

Eleanor Parker looking tough,
but lovely, as Ms. Galore!

The most difficult role, though, comes down to Eleanor Parker. First, she's saddled with one of the most outrageous character names in recent memory. Second, she has to come across as strong and independent--despite being incredibly attracted to Grant's secret agent. All things considered, she pulls the part off, which is a testament to her thespian skills.

Director Michael Curtiz keeps the action moving along at a fast clip. The production values are first-rate. And the big, brassy title tune warbled by Ella Fitzgerald is sure to be a hit on the pop charts. In short, this third entry in the James Bond series is just what it should be: Golden.


This fictional review is part of The Great Imaginary Film Blogathon hosted by Silver Scenes.

The Time Tunnel: A Retrospective on Irwin Allen's Classic Science Fiction Series

Cast members Robert Colbert, Lee Meriwether,
and James Darren--from Terry's private collection.

"Two American scientists are lost in the swirling maze of past and future ages during the first experiments on America's greatest and most secret project: the Time Tunnel. Tony Newman and Doug Phillips now tumble helplessly towards a new fantastic adventure, somewhere along the infinite corridors of time."

-- From the opening credits for Irwin Allen’s The Time Tunnel, spoken by Dick Tufeld, best known as the voice of “the Robot” in Lost in Space, with a theme song by John Williams. Seriously, even the credits have star power. They do not make television like they used to. 

While science fiction television in the 1960s might be best remembered for Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek, the backbone of most of the best TV series of that decade was Irwin Allen. Allen was responsible for Lost in Space, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and Land of the Giants. But my personal favorite, launched in 1966, was The Time Tunnel, which aired on Friday nights on ABC (right after The Green Hornet!) for one season. While it was Allen’s shortest-lived series, many of us who were kids (or adults!) at the time have fond memories of the Tunnel!

The Time Tunnel set.

The first episode set up the series:  Drs. Tony Newman (James Darren) and Doug Phillips (Robert Colbert) are scientists working on Project Tic-Toc, a time control experiment. Lack of results in their time experiments are leading to budget cuts, so Tony rashly enters the Tunnel before it can be fully tested. A few bright lights and explosions later, he finds himself on the H.M.S. Titanic. To save Tony (and potentially the ocean liner), Doug follows. There are lots of arguments and plans, but the Titanic sinks anyway. 

Then, at a critical moment, the two scientists are yanked from 1912 into another year, beginning a weekly jumping from one historical event to the next. Meanwhile, back at the Tunnel's headquarters, staff members General Haywood Kirk (Whit Bissel, in charge), with Dr. Raymond Swain (John Zaremba) and Dr. Ann MacGregor (Lee Meriwether), are running the science part of the show (and pretty much making up time rules from one week to the next).

A novelization by
Murray Leinster.

There are several reasons that The Time Tunnel appealed to many of us as kids. First, Tony and Doug got to go back in time to see famous events, along with a few imagined ones in the future. History you learned about in school was dramatically presented each week!  It was educational!  Second, producer Irwin Allen used scenes from Fox theatrical films to dress up the production, so it looked much more expensive than many series of the day. So for the Titanic episode mentioned above, there were scenes from A Night to Remember (1958) with a believable sinking. Another favorite episode about a war between Greeks and Trojans, "Revenge of the Gods," used clips from Fox’s 1962 film, The 300 Spartans.

Now, I do think that, for most of these “imagined” episodes, the series relied on props and monsters from other Allen shows. So when you thought that aluminum foil clad alien looked familiar from last week’s episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, you may have been right!  But then, that’s what made these shows so much fun! I remember having discussions with my childhood friends on Saturday mornings about the previous night’s episode and what we liked about it. 

A rare image from the View-Master set
that shows Tony and Doug home again.

While the show saved production dollars by using footage from theatrical features, The Time Tunnel was still a very expensive show. At that time, you didn't know that shows were cancelled in advance – or at least, I didn't – so when the series didn't return for its second season, I was crushed. I’d gotten the View-Master reels for The Time Tunnel for my birthday in 1967. I used to have theater shows on the side of our house with my V-M projector, showing the pictures from the first episode and telling the story!  The last slide of the set showed Tony and Doug back in the tunnel. They apparently made it home. I couldn't wait for the second season!

Insert a sad face here. The Time Tunnel was cancelled before the last episode was finished. ABC felt it had room for only one drama in their 1967-1968 season, and replaced Allen's series with The Legend of Custer. Who is writing a blog post about that show now?

Irwin Allen never lost his fascination with time travel  He attempted two more time-travelling series before he passed away in 1991. His wife, actress Sheila Mathews Allen, along with producer Kevin Burns, produced a Time Tunnel pilot for a new series for Fox in 2002. They tried again in 2006, but didn't get a pilot made. 

Lee Meriwether, aka Dr. Ann MacGregor,
signs an autograph for Terry.

As a child of the 1960s, living with reality shows of the 2010s, I still hold out hope for The Time Tunnel to return. Of course, I envision a new cast, new tunnel, new time travel rules--new everything!  But, I really want the first episode to pay homage to the original, with the scientists of Project Tic-Toc (now headed by Dr. Ann MacGregor) finally bringing Doug Phillips and Tony Newman home!

This Café exclusive was written by guest blogger and Irwin Allen authority TerryB. You can "like" Terry on Facebook.

'70s Flashback: "The Paper Chase" and "The Warriors"

John Houseman as Professor Kingsfield.

The Paper Chase. James Bridges' 1973 drama about the first year in Harvard Law School has aged well thanks mostly to Timothy Bottoms' appealing performance. Bottoms plays James Hart, a Minneapolis native who initially seems out of place with his classmates--many of whom are affluent and/or brilliant. Hart, though, is a hard worker and doesn't lack confidence (indeed, while he's a genuinely nice guy, he is also self-centered).

Timothy Bottoms (and hair) as Hart.

With Hart as the film's focal point, Bridges keys in on the young law student's relation-ships with: Professor Kingsfield (John Houseman), a demanding teacher of contract law; Susan (Lindsay Wagner), Hart's girlfriend and, as he learns later, Kingsfield's daughter; and Hart's fellow students in his study group. Hart's admiration for Kingsfield, a Harvard legend for 40 years, borders on obsession--at one point, Hart breaks into the law library to read Kingsfield's private papers.

While Houseman won a Best Supporting Actor as Kingsfield, the character remains intentionally enigmatic. We only glimpse Kingsfield outside the classroom environment. Susan reveals a few details about her father, but even their relationship seems more professional than personal. In one of the film's best scenes, it's difficult to know if Kingsfield is being honest or intentionally distancing Hart:

HART: Professor Kingsfield, I just want to tell you that I truly enjoyed your class.

KINGSFIELD: That's fine.

HART: What I meant is, you really mean something to me. And your class has really meant something to me.

KINGSFIELD (after long pause): What is your name?

Lindsay Wagner, pre-Bionic Woman.

The Paper Chase effectively captures the pressures of a prestigious law school, where the grades--not just getting a degree--impact one's future. That's not surprising since the screenplay was based on the novel by John Jay Osborn, Jr., a 1970 Harvard Law School graduate. The film is less successful in exploring the relationship between Hart and Susan. The couple never seems happy together. It's almost as if Susan's presence serves merely to provide a counterpoint to the law school scenes--which are the best part of the movie.

The Paper Chase was adapted into a critically-acclaimed CBS TV series in 1978 with Houseman back as Kingsfield and James Stephens as Hart. Nevertheless, it wasn't a ratings hit and was cancelled after one season. Showtime revived it in 1983, where it ran for three years and ended with Hart's graduation from law school.

Michael Beck as Swan.

The Warriors. Walter Hill's once-controversial 1979 gang film can now be appreciated for what it is: a stylish chase drama with few pretensions. The plot is set into motion when Cyrus, the charismatic leader of the largest gang in New York, calls for a one-night "gang convention" with nine delegates each from over 100 gangs. Cyrus's message is not necessarily a peaceful one; he wants to unite all the gangs so they can control the city's streets. While many gang members cheer, some do not--to include Swan, a member of the Warriors.

When Cyrus is unexpectedly assassinated, the real culprits frame the Warriors and kill its leader. Swan (Michael Beck) takes command and the rest of the film chronicles the Warriors' night-long trek to get back to the safety of its home turf in Coney Island. Along the way, they must negotiate, fight, and flee from the many gangs trying to avenge Cyrus's death.

The outlandish gangs contribute to the film's surreal look: The Punks wear overalls and striped shirts; the Boppers sport purple vests and black pimp hats; the Lizzies is an all-girl gang; and, most famously, the Baseball Furies wear baseball shirts, sport Kabuki make-up, and use baseball bats for weapons.

Deborah Van Valkenburgh as Mercy.

One of the strongest elements in The Warriors is the evolving "romance" that develops between Swan and Mercy (Deborah Van Valkenburgh), a young woman he meets along the way. Beck and Van Valkenburgh have a natural chemistry that enhances the "opposites attract" relationship of their characters. My favorite scene in The Warriors is when, during a rare quiet moment, Swan and Mercy watch a "normal couple" returning from a prom on the subway--knowing their lives will never be like that, assuming they even survive the night.

In many ways, The Warriors sets the stage for Hill's more polished (and better) 1984 picture Streets of Fire. Both films take place principally at night in an urban setting, employ rock and pop music to great effect, and feature a romantic "odd couple."

The climax on a Coney Island beach provides an effective
contrast to the night-long chase in the city.

When The Warriors was originally released, it was linked to three outbreaks of violence at theaters where it was playing. The film does not condone nor glamorize violence. And it doesn't seek to manipulate its audience in the manner of films like Death Wish and Billy Jack. Unfortunately, any film with a topical subject matter has the potential to affect its viewers in an undesirable way, despite its intentions.

The High Chaparral: Still Riding High After All These Years

The cast of The High Chaparral.

By the mid-1960s, Western family sagas--spurred by the popularity of Bonanza--dominated the U.S. television landscape. In addition to the Cartwrights, there were the Barkleys (The Big Valley), the Lancers (Lancer), the Shermans (Laramie), the McCains (The Rifleman), and many others. Most of these families were headed by a single parent, usually a widowed father. An exception was The High Chaparral, which was created late in the cycle by David Dortort, a producer-writer who hit the jackpot with Bonanza in 1959. By 1967, Dortort had ceded the reins of Bonanza to his associates so he could focus on his new Western.

The pilot episode of The High Chaparral follows the journey of the Cannon  family en route to a new beginning in the Arizona Territory in the 1870s. The family includes: "Big John" Cannon (Leif Erickson); his wife Annalee (Joan Caufield); young adult son Billy Blue (Mark Slade); and John's brother Buck (Cameron Mitchell). Along with the usual perils of frontier travel, the Cannons discover that a Mexican landowner covets their new ranch and that the local Apaches are hostile. During an Apache raid, Annalee is killed and John's strained relationship with his son comes to a head.


John and Victoria looking formal.

With future Apache attacks a certainty, John reaches a truce with neighbor Don Sebastian Montoya and--to seal their deal--marries Don Sebastian's daughter Victoria (Linda Cristal). Victoria's rakish brother Manolito (Henry Darrow) joins his sister at the High Chaparral--Annalee's name for the Cannon ranch--and a new "family" is formed.
What sets The High Chaparral apart from other 1960s Westerns is its evolving family relationships. The Big John-Victoria relationship progresses from one of mutual respect to genuine love. Buck's relationship with Blue evolves from supportive uncle to de facto father at times (e.g., when Blue decides to leave the High Chaparral, it's Buck that goes after him and convinces him to return). Buck and Manolito--two kindred spirits when it comes to having a good time--act more like brothers than Buck and John.

"Brothers" Buck and Mano.

The concept of "blended families" in TV Westerns was nothing new in the 1960s. The brothers in Bonanza each had a different mother. Heath Barkley was the illegimate son of Victoria's husband in The Big Valley. The two brothers in Lancer are stepbrothers and one of them was half-Mexican. However, The High Chaparral went further than its predecessors by creating a blended family of different cultures. Hispanic characters such as Victoria, Manolito, and Don Sebastian simply don't play supporting roles; they are major characters that frequently drive the plot lines. Likewise, their cultural values and their passion for their native Mexico plays an important part in episodes such as "A Good Sound Profit" (about equipping an army to overthrow Mexican leader Benito Juarez).

The High Chaparral debuted in 1967 in the Sunday 10 P.M. timeslot, immediately following Bonanza on NBC. The next year, it moved to Fridays, where it remained for the rest of its four-year run. While The High Chapparal scored decent ratings, it never cracked the Nielsen Top 20 shows for a season. Western dramas had also begun to fade from the television landscape. Less than two years after High Chapparal's cancellation  in 1971, even Bonanza came to the end of its 14 seasons.

Over the last four decades, The High Chaparral has attracted a loyal following (click here to visit an in-depth web site created by its fans). Surprisingly, the series has never been released on DVD in the U.S., although the show's fans rave about a region-free DVD set produced in the Netherlands. And if you've never seen The High Chaparral and want to sample it, you can watch it currently on the INSP cable network.

Seven Things to Know About "The Magnificent Seven"

1. The Magnificent Seven (1960) is a pretty faithful adapatation of Akira Kurosawa's classic Seven Samurai (1954)--except that the American Western is 79 minutes shorter! It does have a scene not in the original: the one where Chris (Yul Brynner) and Vin (Steve McQueen) drive the hearse to boot hill.

2. Yul Brynner was the only one of the original cast to appear in a sequel. He reprised the role of Chris for Return of the Seven (1966), which featured Robert Fuller (Laramie) as Vin. In subsequent movies, Chris was played by George Kennedy (Guns of the Magnificent Seven) and Lee Van Cleef (The Magnificent Seven Ride!).

3. Steve McQueen fidgets with his hat frequently during the film--allegedly in an attempt to draw attention to himself. He wasn't a star yet and, in fact, was still headlining the TV series Wanted: Dead or Alive.

4. Brynner was already a star, of course, but four other Seven actors went on to achieve film or television fame: McQueen, Robert Vaughn, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson. In fact, McQueen, Coburn, and Bronson reteamed for the 1963 classic The Great Escape. As for the rest of the Seven, Horst Buchholz was already considered a promising newcomer and subsequently appeared in Billy Wilder's One Two Three. That leaves Brad Dexter--who played Harry--as the odd man out. Dexter never came close to stardom, but had a long career as a supporting player; he appeared in several films with best pal Frank Sinatra.

5. In his autobiography, Eli Wallach wrote: “The one regret I had in making The Magnificent Seven was that I never heard Elmer Bernstein’s musical score while making the film. If I had heard that score, I think I would have ridden my horse differently.” Wallach originally wanted to play the Buchholz role--until he read the script and realized that the villainous Calvera was the juiciest part.

6. Elmer Bernstein's music score didn't gain fame until part of it was used in Marlboro cigarette commericials. The Philip Morris Tobacco Company licensed Bernstein's music in 1963 for a Western-themed ad campaign and the rest is history. In fact, it became widely known as the "Marlboro theme." A 1967 album was released called The Music from Marlboro Country, which included musical tracks from The Magnificent Seven and Return of the Seven.

7. Robert Vaughn appeared in two other versions of The Magnificent Seven. He played a mercenary in Battle Beyond the Stars (1977), a low-budget remake that transplanted the premise to an outer space colony harassed by John Saxon's villain. Vaughn's character was "adopted" by the colonists' children (as Bronson's character was by the peasant children in the original). Then, for the 1998-2000 CBS TV series The Magnificent Seven, Vaughn guest-starred as a judge on six episodes.

The Five Best Classic TV Detectives

In trying to come up with the "five best" classic TV detectives, I used the following criteria: quality; longevity; and iconic status. And, of course, to be considered classic TV, the detective's series must have originated no later than the 1980s. Thus, it was with heavy heart that I omitted later personal favorites like Cadfael and Christopher Foyle of Foyle's War. I also left out TV series where the protagonists may have done some sleuthing, but weren't necessarily detectives by trade (e.g., The Avengers, The Saint). Without further ado, here are my top five choices:

1. Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie's Poirot) (1989 - ). Incredibly, David Suchet has never won an acting award for his pitch-perfect portrayal of Ms. Christie's Belgium detective. He captures all the nuances of the prissy, perceptive sleuth who uses his "little gray cells" to solve the most baffling cases. When Poirot proclaims he is the world's greatest detective, he's not being egotistical--he's being honest. This series, which debuted in 1989, will conclude in 2013 after 13 nonconsecutive seasons. Its enduring popularity can be partially attributed to the fact that its episodes are based on Ms. Christie's short stories or novels--which often feature ingenious plot twists and/or methods of murder. Many fans favor the one-hour episodes, but I have a soft spot for the longer "movies" based on Christie's novels, several of which are set in exotic locations ("Murder in Mesopotamia") or English country estates ("The Mysterious Affair at Styles"). 

2. Columbo (1968-78; 1989-2003). William Link and Richard Levinson created this persistent police detective for a 1960 episode of the TV anthology series The Chevy Mystery Show starring Bert Freed. Thomas Mitchell played Columbo in a 1962 stage play and Bing Crosby even once considered donning the now-famous crumpled raincoat. However, it was Peter Falk who made the part famous, first in a pair of made-for-TV movies and then in a subsequent long-running TV series. At the start of each episode, the viewer watched the murderer commit his or her crime. Then, Columbo--whom the killer always underestimated--would methodically unravel the mystery and catch the culprit (his trademark was leaving the the room after questioning the killer, only to pause with a variation of: "Just one more thing..."). Falk excelled in this cat-and-mouse game construct, often acting opposite quality guest stars like Patrick McGoohan, John Cassavetes, Laurence Harvey, Vera Miles, and Faye Dunaway.

3. Jessica Fletcher (Murder, She Wrote) (1984-96). Link and Levinson were also responsible for creating the most successful female detective on American television. Personally, I think Agatha Christie ought to get a little credit since there are similarities between middle-aged widow Jessica Fletcher and elderly spinster Miss Jane Marple. Ironically, Angela Lansbury played both characters, appearing as Miss Marple in the 1980 motion picture The Mirror Crack'd. Before Lansbury was cast as Jessica Fletcher, Jean Stapleton and Doris Day were considered for the lead in Murder, She Wrote. Frankly, though, I can't imagine anyone but Lansbury, who was Emmy-nominated 12 times for playing Jessica Fletcher--and somehow never won. The series took place in Cabot Cove, a small coastal town in Maine...and apparently a hot spot for murders. Fortunately, the town's most famous resident--bestselling mystery writer Jessica--was as astute as any of her fictional creations and never failed to unmask the culprit.

4. Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files) (1974-80). A wrongly-accused ex-convict who lived in a mobile home, Jim Rockford had little in common with most of the detectives on the airwaves in the 1970s. However, his unique persona--plus the fact he was played by James Garner--kept fans tuning in for six years. Since the series was co-created  by Roy Huggins and starred Garner, it's often compared to their earlier offbeat Western show Maverick. Yet, other than being laid-back and preferring to avoid violence, I think Rockford is a solid departure from the slippery Bret Maverick. Rockford was often assisted by his father Rocky (Noah Beery, Jr.), a retired truck driver and Angel (Stuart Margolin), a con artist Rockford met in prison.

5. Sherlock Holmes (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) (1984-94). For many Holmes enthusiasts, Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Conan Doyle's Baker Street sleuth is considered the definitive one (personally, I'm frightfully fond of Peter Cushing in Hammer's The Hound of the Baskervilles). The series debuted on Britain's ITV network in 1984, with David Burke as Dr. Watson (he was subsequently replaced by Edward Hardwicke). It was developed by John Hawkesworth, who produced other noteworthy classic series such as Upstairs, Downstairs and The Duchess of Duke Street. During its ten-year run, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes featured 35 one-hour episodes, a two-parter, and five movies (which included adaptations of Conan Doyle's novels The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Sign of Four). In the U.S., the series became one of the most popular ones that appeared under the Mystery! banner on PBS. Brett, who died of heart failure at 59, also appeared on stage as Dr. Watson--opposite Charlton Heston as Holmes in The Crucifer of Blood in 1981.

"The Flight of the Phoenix" Soars

Director Robert Aldrich bookends The Flight of the Phoenix with a wild airplane crash and an exhilarating climax. But it’s the drama in-between that makes the film so engrossing:  the friction among the survivors, their audacious plan to reach civilization again, and a brilliant plot twist that comes out of nowhere.

James Stewart in his best 1960s performance.

James Stewart stars as Frank Towns, a veteran pilot flying a second-rate plane for Arabco, a Middle East oil company. The plane’s eleven passengers, mostly oil company employees and soldiers, are oblivious to the fact that the radio doesn't work and the voltage regulators are inoperative. Towns and his navigator friend Lew (Richard Attenborough) ignore these inconveniences—but they can’t ignore the sandstorm nipping at their heels. As swirling sand clogs first one propeller, then the next, Towns has to crash land the plane in the middle of the desert.

Hardy Kruger as Dorfmann.

Although food is not a problem (the cargo included an “unlimited supply of pressed dates”), strict water rationing and the unforgiving desert heat take an immediate toll on the survivors. Thoughts of rescue dwindle with each passing day (Towns knows it’s unlikely, given they were significantly off course). Hope fades further after Captain Harris (Peter Finch) ignores warnings and decides to “march out of there” to an oasis over 100 miles away. At the peak of their despair, Henrich Dorfmann, a quiet, bespeckled German, proposes an incredible plan to save them. It would be unfair to discuss any more of the plot. Keep in mind, though, that there’s an unexpected twist near the end that puts a darkly humorous spin on the proceedings.

Richard Attenborough.

Despite the presence of bigger stars and supporting actor Oscar nominee Ian Bannen, the cast standouts are Hardy Kruger and Richard Attenborough. Kruger creates an unforgettable character in Dorfmann, making him irritating, childish, determined, and innovative. It’s a well-rounded performance matched by Attenborough’s wonderfully understated turn. As the unassuming man who holds the survivors together, Attenborough’s character soothes egos and forges unlikely alliances in the best interests of the group.

Given the film's subject, it may be surprising to learn that Flight of the Phoenix is also noteworthy for introducing a famous love song. Connie Francis can be heard singing "Senza Fine" (written by Gino Paoli) on the radio. While the song, also oddly known as "The Phoenix Love Theme," never charted for Francis, it still became a popular standard. Billy Wilder used it extensively--and to great effect--in his charming 1972 romantic comedy Avanti! with Jack Lemmon and Juliet Mills.

Thematically, The Flight of the Phoenix covers a lot of ground, ranging from the friction between officers and noncommissioned officers to the clash between modern technology (represented by Dorfmann) and an old-fashioned practical way of life (Towns). Ultimately, though, Aldrich’s film is an exciting tribute to man’s ingenuity and will to survive. (Note: Avoid the 2004 remake which is a second-rate affair all around.)

Six Things to Know About Dick Powell

Powell as Rex, with Joyce Holden
as a "humanimal" who was a horse.

1. He once played a dog in a movie! In the 1951 comedy You Never Can Tell, a German Shepherd named King inherits a fortune following his eccentric owner's death--but then is swiftly murdered. The canine angel asks if he can return to Earth long enough to catch his killer and clear the innocent woman accused of the crime. King is sent back to Earth as a "humanimal"--an animal reincarnated as human—in this case, a private eye named Rex Shepherd (Dick Powell!).

Powell as Marlowe.

2. He pulled off the trickiest of career moves, going from a musical-comedy star to a dramatic actor. When he signed with RKO in the 1940s, it was on the condition that he could do more than just musicals. After losing out to Fred MacMurray in Double Indemnity, he was cast as Philip Marlowe in Murder, My Sweet and the rest is history.

3. Powell was a television visionary and founded Four Star Television with David Niven, Charles Boyer, and Joel McCrea (who left and was replaced by Ida Lupino). Four Star produced successful series such as Four Star Playhouse, Zane Grey Theater, Burke's Law, and The Big Valley.

A publicity still with June.

4. Dick Powell was married three times: Mildred Maund (1925-27); Joan Blondell (1936-44); and June Allyson (1945-63). When June Allyson first started dating Powell, who was thirteen years older, MGM executive Louis B. Mayer tried to dissuade her. She later asked Mayer to give her away at her wedding to Powell--and he did so.

5. Powell once played John Kennedy in a film about a presidential assassination! In The Tall Target, Powell is a Pinkerton detective named John Kennedy who learns about a plot to assassinate Lincoln. The film was based on a real-life event known as "The Baltimore Plot."

6. The last film directed by Dick Powell was The Conqueror starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan. The movie was shot near a nuclear test site in Utah, which many believe was contaminated with nuclear fallout. According to a 1980 People magazine article: "Of The Conqueror's 220 cast and crew members from Hollywood, an astonishing 91 have contracted cancer. Forty-six of them, including Wayne, (Susan) Hayward and Powell, have died of the disease."

We Describe the Movie...You Name It!

This is our 6th edition of this type of quiz. The rules are easy: Name each film below based on our vague description. Be sure to include the question number with your response. Please don't answer all the questions so others can play, too. There is one film that is the single best answer to each description.

1. Two females have a disagreement about shoes.

2. Guys argue about who has the coolest scars.

3. A woman dresses up like a dead woman, changes back to herself, dresses up like the dead woman again, and then dies.

4. One of the characters is apparently crazy about kitten whiskers. Go figure!

5. Turtles named after clothing accessories. Now, that's original!

6. Plastic.

7. Pacific All Risk Insurance Company.

8. Alleged criminal enters a contest to impress a pretty girl.

9. Just prior to this film's infamous climax, one character says to two of his cohorts: "Let's go." One of them replies: "Why not?"

10. When she first makes her appearance in this film, you just know that Kathie is a bad girl...

11. Is that clown a killer?

12. When you get down to it, the main character is the house.

13. In my favorite segment of this film, a woman saves her marriage by flying kites.

14. Woman destroys monster by spending the night with it.

15. One character suffers from crocodyliphobia--and with good reason.