Unsold TV Pilots: The Greatest Shows You Never Saw Page 4

  31. Good Against Evil (aka Time of the Devil). ABC 5/22/77. 90 minutes. Twentieth Century Fox Television and Frankel-Bolen Productions. Director: Paul Wendkos. Executive Producers: Ernie Frankel and Lin Bolen. Writer: Jimmy Sangster. Music: Lalo Schifrin.

  Dack Rambo is a writer with the great misfortune of falling in love with Satan's girlfriend (Elyssa Davalos). When she is unceremoniously spirited from him by a group of devil-worshippers, led by the evil Rimmin (Richard Lynch), he enlists the aid of an exorcist (Dan O'Herlihy) to help search for her and rid the world of evil as they go.

  Cast: Dack Rambo (as Andy Stuart), Elyssa Davalos (Jessica Gordon), Dan O'Herlihy (Father Kemschler), Richard Lynch (Rimmin), John Harkins (Father Wheatley). Jenny O'Hara (The Woman), Lelia Goldoni (Sister Monica), Peggy McCay (Irene), Peter Brandon (Dr. Price), Kim Cattrall (Lindsay !sky), Natasha Ryan (Cindy Isley), Richard Sanders (The Doctor), Lillian Adams (Beatrice), Erica Yohn (Agnes), Richard Stahl (Brown), Sandy Ward (Lt. Taggert), Isaac Goz (Merlin).

  32. Hear No Evil. CBS II/10/82. 2 hours. Paul Pompian Productions and MGM Television. Director: Harry Falk. Producer: Paul Pompian. Writer: Toni Lazarus. Music: Lance Rubin.

  Gil Gerard is a cop who is left deaf by a car bomb and adapts to his new disability with the help of his partner (Bernie Casey), a therapist (Mimi Rogers), and a "hearing" dog. In the pilot, he tracks the PCP-producing motorcycle gang that tried to kill him.

  Cast: Gil Gerard (as Inspector Bill Dragon), Bernie Casey (Inspector Monday), Mimi Rogers (Meg), Ron Karabatsos (Lt. Lew Haley), Robert Dryer (Vinnie Holzer), Christina Hart (Sheila Green), Brion James (Bobby Roy Burns), Wings Hauser (Don Garrard), Emily Heebner (Vicki). Bruce McKay (Capt. Shalhart), Parker Whitman (Riles), Joe Bawl (Cabbie), Mickey Jones (Blackman), Raven De La Croix (Candy Burns), William Paterson (Minister), John G. Scanlon (Summers), Jana Winters (Hooker), Charles Bouvier (Wilkes), Steve Burton (Cop), Sam Conti (Sonny), W. Scott Devenney (Rachmil), Chuck Dorsett (Dr. Larsen), Paul Drake (T.D.), Julianna Fjeld (Rico), Cab Covay (Hit Man), Gary Pettinger (Wrigley), Janet Raney (Terri).

  33. High Risk (aka The Troubleshooters). ABC 5/15/76. 90 minutes. Danny Thomas Productions and MGM Television. Director: Sam O'Steen. Executive Producer: Paul Junger Witt. Producer: Robert E. Relyea. Writer: Robert Carrington. Music: Billy Goldenberg

  Six former circus performers team up to solve crimes and help people in need. They aren't altruistic, they just love the sheer challenge of it—and the money. In the pilot, they use all their Big Top experience to steal a priceless golden mask. Proposed series regular JoAnna Cameron was also starring as the superheroine Isis in the CBS Saturday morning show.

  Cast: Victor Buono (as Sebastian), Joseph Simla (Guthrie), Don Stroud (Walter-T), JoAnna Cameron (Sandra), Ronne Troup (Daisy), Wolf Roth (Erik), Rene Enriquez (Ambassador Henriques), John Fink (Quincy), George Skaff (Aide), William Beckley (Butler).

  34. Huggy Bear and the Turkey. ABC 2/19/77. 60 minutes. Spelling-Goldberg Productions. Director: Claude Ennis Starrett, Jr. Executive Producers: Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. Producers: Joseph T. Naar and Michael Hiatt. Writer/creator: Ron Friedman, from characters created by William Blinn. Music: Tom Scott.

  Aired as an episode of Starsky and Hutch. Loosey-goosey snitch Huggy Bear (Antonio Fargas) teams up with a strait-laced J.D. "Turkey" Turquet (Dale Robinette) and opens his own detective agency. In the pilot, Foxy Baker (Emily Yancy) asks Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and Hutch (David Soul) to find her missing husband, and they refer her to the private eyes. This pilot went nowhere, and the situation it set up was ignored in subsequent episodes of Starsky and Hutch—Huggy Bear showed up as a snitch again (as if nothing ever happened) and J.D. disappeared for good.

  Cast: Antonio Fargas (as Huggy Bear), Dale Robinette (J.D. "Turkey" Turquet), Emily Yancy (Foxy Baker), Richard Romanus (Sonny), Carole Cook (Scorchy), Blackie Dammett (Sugar), Mickey Morton (Moon), Stan Shaw (Leotis), LaWanda Page (Lady Bessie), R.G. Armstrong (Dad Watson), Fuddie Bagley (Walter T. Baker), Joe La Due (Yank), Darryl Zwerling (Man), Titus Napolean (Milo), Eddie Lo Russo (Doc Rafferty), Robyn Hilton (Miss O'Toole).

  35. Hurricane Island. CBS 1961. Producer: Sam Rolfe. Special Effects: Jack Harris.

  A group of travelers are shipwrecked on an island that is populated by dinosaurs and other prehistoric terrors.

  36. The Impostor. NBC 3/18/75. 90 minutes. Warner Bros. Television. Director: Edward Abrams. Executive Producer: Richard Bluel. Producer: Robert Stambler. Writers/creators: Jerome Coopersmith and Jon Sevorg. Music: Gil Melle.

  Paul Hecht is a retired spy for the U.S. military who works as an actor off-Broadway to hide his real vocation—a professional impostor used to ferret out crime.

  Cast: Paul Hecht (as Joe Tyler), Nancy Kelly (Victoria Kent), Meredith Baxter (Julie Watson), Jack Ging (Carl Rennick), Barbara Baxley (Margaret Elliot), John Vernon (Sheriff Turner). Edward Asner (Barney West), Paul Jenkins (Teddy Durham), Joseph Gailison (Dwight Elliot). Victor Campos (Del Gazzo), Bruce Glover (Jennings), Sherwood Price (Reager), Charlotte Stewart (Jean Durham), Suzanne Denor (April), Ronnie Schell (Dance Director), George Murdock (Glover).

  37. I-Man. ABC 4/6/86. 2 hours. Mark Ovitz Productions and Walt Disney Television. Director: Corey Allen. Executive Producer: Mark Ovitz. Producers: Richard Briggs, Howard Friedlander, and Ken Peragine. Writers: Howard Friedlander and Ken Peragine. Music: Craig Safan.

  Aired as an episode of the Disney Sunday Movie. A single father working as a cabbie (Scott Bakula) is accidentally exposed to a strange gas—while rescuing a truck driver from a wreck—that makes him an "indestructible man." He, of course, becomes a secret agent and, in the pilot, teams up with a sexy female spy (Ellen Bry) to retrieve a stolen laser from an evil madman (John Anderson). The late Herschel Bernardi plays I-Man's boss.

  Cast: Scott Bakula (as Jeffrey Wilder), Joey Cramer (Eric Wilder), John Anderson (Oliver Holbrook), Ellen Bry (Karen McCorder), Herschel Bernardi (Internal Security Agency Chief), John Bloom (Harry), Dale Wilson (Rudy), Cindy Higgins (Allison), Charles E. Siegel (Cannoe), Joseph Golland (Meek Man), Jan Tracey (Robbery Suspect), Ted Stidder (Dr. Allen), George Josef (Guide Guard). Campbell Lane (General), Terry Moore (Distinguished Man), Lillian Carlson (Emergency Room Nurse), Roger Allford (ISA Agent), Anthony Harrison (Curtain Guard), Don Davis (Surgeon), Rebecca Bush (Sara), Garwin Sanford (Van Driver), Doug Tuck (Paramedic), Brian Arnold (Newscaster), Raimund Stamm (Norman), Janne MacDougall (Station Nurse), Nicolas Von Zill (Party Guard).

  38. Infiltrator. CBS 8/14/87. 60 minutes. Ron Samuels Productions and TriStar Television. Director: Corey Allen. Executive Producer: Ron Samuels. Producer: Terry Morris. Writers: Kerry Lenhart and John Sakmar. Music: Barry Goldberg.

  Aired as a segment of CBS Summer Playhouse. Scott Bakula, an irreverent scientist working on a transporter device in the same complex where Deborah Mullowney is working on an ultra-high tech space satellite, accidentally beams himself into the satellite, which is then absorbed into his molecules. Now, whenever he gets angry, he becomes a neon-and-metal Gobot with an array of deadly weapons. Of course, like most guys who gain an uncontrollable and unpredictable power in a freak accident, he becomes a secret agent. The cute female colleague tags along to keep a watchful eye on her satellite—and on him, though she'd never admit she's got the hots for him. Charles Keating is the boss who sends them on their missions.

  Cast: Scott Bakula (as Paul Sanderson), Deborah Mullowney (Kerry Langdon). Charles Keating (John J. Stewart), Michael Bell (Markus), Peter Palmer (Minion).

  39. J.O.E. and the Colonel (aka J.O.E. and Michael). CBS 9/13/85. 2 hours. Production Companies: Mad Dog Productions and Universal Television. Director: Ron Satlof. Executive Producer/Writer/Creator: Nicholas Corea. Producer: Stephen P. Caldwell. Music: Joseph Conlan.

  The title changes reflect a change in concept. Originally, this was the ninety-minute story of liberal, idealistic scientist Michael Moran (Terence Knox), whose genes are used by the government to create a "superhuman" soldier (Gary Kasp
er) named Joe that's designed to be the ultimate killer. Unfortunately, because Joe won't just obey orders—he has to make up his own mind whether to kill or not—the government decides to destroy him. Michael fakes his demise, as well as Joe's. and they hit the road to help people in need. In the two-hour version that aired, Michael is killed off and Joe is teamed up with a tough army man (William Lucking). The J.O.E. of the title, incidentally, is an acronym for something called—but never explained—J-Type Omega Elemental. This pilot was rechristened yet again, as Humanoid Defender, when it was released on video cassette in 1987.

  Cast: Gary Kasper (as J.O.E.), Terence Knox (Michael Moran), William Lucking (Col. Fleming), Gail Edwards (Dr. Lena Grant), Allan Miller (Lyle), Christie Houser (Pam), Allan Rich (Pop Roth), Aimee Eccles (Miss Kai), William Riley (Travis), Michael Swan (Pike), Don Swayze (Max Carney), Douglas Alan Shanklin (Alpha), Robert Feero (Mueller), Bruce Corvi (Technician), Frankie Hill (Technician), John Davey (Wilson), Joe Borgese (Agent), Leigh Lombardi (Angelina).

  40. Judge Dee (aka Judge Dee and the Monastery Murders). ABC 12/29/74. 2 hours. ABC Circle Films. Director: Jeremy Paul Kagan. Producer: Gerald I. Isenberg. Writer: Nicholas Meyer, from the novel Judge Dee and the Haunted Monastery by Robert Van Gulick. Music: Leonard Rosenman.

  In this truly offbeat, highly entertaining pilot with an all Asian cast, Khigh Dhiegh is a roving judge in seventh Century China, deciding right and wrong and solving crimes. The series, had it materialized, would have focused both on the judge's home life as well as the crime she was involved with.

  Cast: Khigh Dhiegh (as Judge Dee), Mako (Tao Gan), Soon-Teck Oh (King I-Te), Miiko Taka (Jade Mirror), Irene Tsu (Celestial Wile), Susie Elene (Miss Ting), James Hong (Prior), Beverly Kushida (Bright Flower), Ching Hocson (White Rose), Yuki Shimoda (Pure Faith), Robert Sadang (Tsung Lee), Keye Luke (Lord Sun Ming), Frances Fong (Mrs. Pao), Tommy Lee (True Wisdom), Richard Lee-Sung (Driver), Tadashi Yamashita (Motai).

  41. The Letters. [Pilot #1] ABC 3/6/73. 90 minutes. Spelling/ Goldberg Productions. Directors: Gene Nelson and Paul Krasny. Executive Producers: Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. Producers: Paul Ringer Witt and Tony Thomas. Writers: Ellis Marcus, Hal Sitowitz, and James G. Hirish. Creator: Paul Junger Witt. Music: Pete Rugolo.

  A precursor to Spelling's subsequent Love Boat"—brand of anthology series and pilots (Fantasy Island, Hotel, Airport, Finder of Lost Loves, etc.) and the first of two pilots about what happens to people when they receive letters that have been delayed by one year (they were lost in a plane crash and recently recovered). Henry Jones stars as the postman, bringer of sadness, happiness, and danger.

  "The Andersons: Dear Elaine." Cast: John Forsythe (as Paul Anderson), Jane Powell (Elaine Anderson), Lesley Ann Warren (Laura Reynolds), Trish Mahoney (Stewardess), Gary Dubin (Paul Anderson, Jr.), Mia Bendixsen (Lisa).

  "The Parkingtons: Dear Penelope." Cast: Dina Merrill (as Penelope Parkington), Leslie Nielsen (Derek Childs), Barbara Stanwyck (Geraldine Parkington), Gil Stuart (Michael), Orville Sherman (Minister).

  "The Forresters: Dear Karen." Cast: Pamela Franklin (as Karen Forrester), Ida Lupino (Mrs. Forrester), Ben Murphy (Joe Randolph), Shelly Novack (Sonny), Frederick Herrick (Billy), Ann Noland (Sally), Brick Huston (Officer), Charles Picerni (First Man).

  41a. Letters From Three Lovers (The Letters II [Pilot #2]. ABC 10/3/73. 90 minutes. Spelling/Goldberg Productions. Director: John Erman. Executive Producers: Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. Producer: Parke Perine. Writers: Ann Marcus ("Dear Vincent" and "Dear Maggie") and Jerome Kass ("Dear Monica"). Creator: Paul Junger Witt. Music: Pete Rugolo.

  The same concept as the previous pilot, with one slight alteration—the long-delayed letters are from lovers. Henry Jones again plays the postman.

  "Dear Vincent." Cast: Belinda J. Montgomery (as Angie), Martin Sheen (Vincent), Logan Ramsey (Wilson), Lou Frizzell (Eddie), James McCallion (Al), Claudia Bryar (Manager), J. Duke Russo (Harry), Frank Whiteman (Officer).

  "Dear Monica." Cast: June Allyson (as Monica), Robert Sterling (Bob), Barry Sullivan (Joshua), June Dayton (Jeanne), Roger Til (Maitre d'), Amaentha Dymally (Maid), Howard Morton (Desk Clerk).

  "Dear Maggie." Cast: Ken Berry (as Jack), Juliet Mills (Maggie), Lyle Waggoner (Sam), Dan Tobin (Thompson), Ellen Weston (Donna), Kathy Baumann (Girl), Navis Neal (Jewelry Clerk), Bill McClean (Irate Man), Ed Fury (Man at Pool).

  42. The Little Green Book. CBS 1960. Producers: Richard Sale and Al Scalpone.

  The series would follow the adventures of a boy whose father is killed by the FBI. When the boy becomes a man, he inherits his father's diary and discovers his dad was a mobster. The hero then sets out to right his father's wrongs.

  43. Lost Flight. CBS 1970. 105 minutes. Universal Television. Director: Leonard Horn. Executive Producer: Frank Price. Producer: Paul Donnelly. Writer/Creator: Dean Riesner.

  Frank Price's second attempt to sell the "people lost on uncharted island and must create own civilization" concept. This time, it's an airliner that crash-lands on a mid-Pacific island with Lloyd Bridges as the captain and the leader of the survivors and Bobby Van as the troublemaker. This pilot was diverted to theatrical release. Shot on location in Hawaii.

  Cast: Lloyd Bridges (as Steve Bannerman), Anne Francis (Gina Talbot), Ralph Meeker (Glenn Walkup), Andrew Prince (Jonesy), Billy Dee Williams (Merle Barnaby), Jennifer Leak (Beejay Caldwell), Bobby Van (Roger).

  44. Madame Sin. ABC I /15 /72. 2 hours. ITC Entertainment. Director: David Greene. Executive Producer: Robert Wagner. Producers: Lou Morheim and Julian Wintle. Writer: Barry Oringer. Creators: Barry Shear and Lou Morheim. Music: Michael Gibbs.

  A strange pilot distinguished by having Bette Davis as an all-powerful dragon lady who kidnaps a former C.I.A. agent (Robert Wagner), brainwashes him with a special ray gun, and enlists him in her high-tech global intelligence agency that operates out of her Scottish castle. In the pilot, she uses him to steal a polaris submarine. Shot in England though, had it gone to series, it would have been produced in Hollywood.

  Cast: Bette Davis (as Madame Sin), Robert Wagner (Tony Lawrence), Denholm Elliott (Sin's Aide), Gordon Jackson (Commander Ted Cavendish), Dudley Sutton (Monk), Catherine Schell (Barbara), Paul Maxwell (Connors), Pik-Sen Lim (Nikko), David Healy (Braden), Alan Dobic (White), Roy Kinnear (Holidaymaker), Al Mancini (Fisherman), Charles Lloyd Park (Willoughby), Arnold Diamond (Lengett), Frank Middlemass (Dr. Henriquez), Burt Kwouk (Scarred Operator), Paul Young (Naval Officer), Jack Weir (Chief Petty Officer), Gerard Norman (Lt. Brady), Stuart Hoyle (Naval Officer), Stuart McGugan (Sailor), Gabriella Ligudi (Nun), Vanessa Kempeter (Nun), John Orchard (Revolutionary), John Slavid (Revolutionary), Barry Moreland (Musician).

  45. Man From the 25th Century. CBS 1968. 20 minutes. Twentieth Century Fox Television. Producer: Irwin Allen.

  A demonstration film (completed 2/15/68) inspired by The Day the Earth Stood Still and starring James Darren as an alien who, for reasons unknown, Irwin Allen chose to call "The Man from the 25th Century." Costars included John Napier, John Crawford, and Ford Rainey. From John Gregory Dunne's book The Studio comes this description, by Irwin Allen, of the series: "A one hour weekly television series of science fiction, high adventure and action. It is the eerily horrifying tale of Andro, our nearest planetary neighbor, whose source of power is being used far more quickly than it can be created and whose need to attack earth and replenish such power is of the highest priority. An earthling, kidnapped in infancy and transported to Andro for indoctrination, is returned to earth to start its downfall. He is repelled by his assignment and defects to the earthlings. Each week the non-humans from Andro arrive in flying saucers and create havoc on earth. Each week the earthlings, aided by The Man from the 25th Century and his weaponry, succeed in dissuading the enemy.”

  Allen, in Dunne's book, also went on to describe the leading character as "twenty-four, dark, handsome, six feet, three inches tall . . . he is the most unusual of men. Graduate of the sciences of Nali, the great technologic
al studies offered by the scientists of the planet Andro. Brilliant, trained to kill, and a master in the art of self defense. Hidden deep within is a warm, friendly nature. But, so penetrating was his indoctrination, even he is unaware of his second personality." Originally planned as a spin-off of Lost in Space, this presentation film never aired.

  46. The Man With the Power. NBC 5/24/77. 90 minutes. Universal Television. Director: Nicholas Sgarro. Producer/Writer: Alan Baiter. Music: Pat Williams.

  Bob Neill is a high school teacher, but not an ordinary high school teacher. He's actually the child of an alien being an earth woman—and he uses his incredible psychic powers as a part-time secret agent who, on this mission, protects a visiting princess from killers.