March 17, 2017

Around the dial

This week, The Flaming Nose kicks off our spin through the dial with something I really like, a critical look at the moral code - or lack thereof - of the Fox series Lethal Weapon. Some people will argue that these are only TV characters, after all, but I don't think we do this nearly often enough, look at the consequences of the behavior displayed by our supposed "heroes" on TV.

The latest edition of The Hitchcock Project at bare-bones e-zine is all about the James Bridges-penned episode "The Cadaver," which was originally scheduled to be broadcast on November 22, 1963. A good episode, and an interesting look at how Bridges adapted and molded (and improved on?) the original story, written by Robert Arthur.

Comet TV was showing one of Vincent Price's cheesier horror flicks the other night, and while I didn't take the time to watch it, I've always enjoyed Price and his sophistication; even when he's playing in a Roger Corman special, he invests the material with a dignity it often doesn't deserve. Therefore, I was pleased to see Classic Film and TV Café look at Price's five best performances - including one made by Roger Corman!

Nothing says Puppets! quite like Thunderbirds! The premiere episode of MST3K had a double-feature of those movies, even though they were from another Gerry Anderson series - Stingray, perhaps. Anyway, we're talking about Thunderbirds, or rather Fire Breathing Dimetrodon Time is, with a review of a second season underwater thriller you won't want to miss!

I was old enough to have watched Camp Runamuck but, like so many of the shows from that era, I don't think I would ever have known about it were it not for the invaluable Brooks and Marsh encyclopedia. Thanks to YouTube - and Classic Television Showbiz - we get a chance to see exactly what Camp Runamuck was like.

Television Playhouse sounds like a pretty generic name for a TV series, but according to Television Obscurities, this 1947-48 series was also pretty good. I continue to think that one of the misfortunes of contemporary television is that it's stopped trying to bring the feeling of live theater to the home. It really is a different kind of entertainment - one worth pursuing.

Television's New Frontier: the 1960s is into the year 1961, and one of my favorite series: Perry Mason. Some interesting information here on how the success of the show helps explain the shadow life created by star Raymond Burr, and a close call that Burr experienced in 1960.

And with that sampling, you should have enough to keep you busy until tomorrow. If not, go back to the sidebar and check the other great blogs listed there - like me, if you're not careful, you might learn something. And while you're at it, a happy St. Patrick's Day to you! TV  

3 comments:

  1. And happy St Patrick's day to you too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for posting that link to CAMP RUNAMUCK. In reference to your Wednesday column, if the episode w/ Maureen McCormick were done nowadays, her character would probably be considered transgendered and be forced on the boys' camp.

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