From: actingman@i... Date: Sun Jul 2, 2000 10:32 am Subject: Honeymoon To Kill Listening to Don's audio cd of this episode, I think it's a good use of the stock show music...mainly because a lot of the cues used were from the pilot, but also because the stock episode music was used very nicely...even the cheesy jazzy music was used in a way I didnot find annoying. From: Jim Alexander Date: Mon Jul 3, 2000 3:37 am Subject: Ken Peak SEARCH TV GUIDE cover artwork HEY! Nice to see some activity on the list (like I'VE been contributing a lot lately). (grin) Speaking of the SEARCH TV GUIDE cover... I have an artist friend who I've enlisted to re-do the SEARCH cover. I've asked him to take out all the words on the cover. The actors names, the TV GUIDE logo, the 'Lassie' blurb, the price, etc. Basically-- to reproduce what Ken Peak turned in to the folks at TV GUIDE when he was hired to do the art. I've offered to pay him $100 to do this. In return, I hope (if everything works out well) to offer, nice 11-by-14 reproductions of the finished art. He's an exceptional computer artist, and I believe he'll do a great job. Depending on how many people on the list are interested, I wanted to 'split' the cost among us. If no one is game, then I'll pay the $100 myself. If 4 people are interested, it'll be $25 apiece. 5: $20 apiece... etc, etc. Don't send money yet. He has yet to begin. If you want to see the finsished rendition, I'll attach a pic when he completes it. Welcome to new listmember, "dmanmetz" ( If you enclosed the man's name in your letter John, I didn't see it in my initial, quick scan). I'll be happy to do dubs for him! Any word on where we can get any other episodes on videotape, like, say... THE GOLD MACHINE??? (wink, wink) Glad to get THE BULLET script! Also glad to've met y'all through this list! Listened to the HONEYMOON TO KILL on the way to the in-law's this weekend, and enjoyed it (again). Thanks, Don! Jim Alexander probecontrol@d... From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Mon Jul 3, 2000 5:02 am Subject: Hello to new member--more on audio CDs--more on video list Hello everyone, Don here. Just wanted to congratulate our newest member for joining our group. Greetings to DMANMETZ@a..., glad to have you aboard! Right off the bat, with the audio CDs, I have two extra sets of them already! I think a few of them need either a front insert or a back cover, but the CDs themselves have already been burned. If our new member can email me a shipping address (to dghprobe3@a...), I can send out a group of ready audio CDs ASAP. One item, though, I think there was a slight mistake in the listing for Jim's episodes: ------------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 7/2/00 11:05:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time, actingman@i... writes: > The Murrow Disappearance > Short Circuit > The Adonis File > In Search Of Midas > (Operation Iceman) > Numbered For Death > Jim (probecontrol@d...) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't think anyone on the list has the VIDEO for OPERATION ICEMAN (unless I haven't heard about it). I'm readying the audio CDs of my OPERATION ICEMAN recording as I write this. As far as I know, we only have the audio for that episode. However, we can add to Jim's list the following episodes on VIDEO: "Let Us Prey" (Australia version--different from the 16mm w/commercials I have--Jim's copy is without the film flutter in the gate during the opening teaser.) "Flight to Nowhere" (Australia version--different from the Armed Forces version--Jim's copy has the opening teaser intact!) It's been rather quiet on the mailing list lately, so a little 'new blood' might help get us going again! :) From: Jim Alexander Date: Mon Jul 3, 2000 12:02 pm Subject: Re: [probe_control] Hello to new member--more on audio CDs--more on video list I do have a copy of ICEMAN. Sorry that this one slipped through. I'll make an extra copy for Don, too! (grin) Jim probecontrol@dynasty.net ---------------------------- dghprobe3@aol.com wrote: Hello everyone, Don here. Just wanted to congratulate our newest member for joining our group. Greetings to DMANMETZ@aol.com, glad to have you aboard! Right off the bat, with the audio CDs, I have two extra sets of them already! I think a few of them need either a front insert or a back cover, but the CDs themselves have already been burned. If our new member can email me a shipping address (to dghprobe3@aol.com), I can send out a group of ready audio CDs ASAP. One item, though, I think there was a slight mistake in the listing for Jim's episodes: ------------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 7/2/00 11:05:21 PM Eastern Daylight Time, actingman@iname.com writes: > The Murrow Disappearance > Short Circuit > The Adonis File > In Search Of Midas > (Operation Iceman) > Numbered For Death > Jim (probecontrol@dynasty.net) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't think anyone on the list has the VIDEO for OPERATION ICEMAN (unless I haven't heard about it). I'm readying the audio CDs of my OPERATION ICEMAN recording as I write this. As far as I know, we only have the audio for that episode. However, we can add to Jim's list the following episodes on VIDEO: "Let Us Prey" (Australia version--different from the 16mm w/commercials I have--Jim's copy is without the film flutter in the gate during the opening teaser.) "Flight to Nowhere" (Australia version--different from the Armed Forces version--Jim's copy has the opening teaser intact!) It's been rather quiet on the mailing list lately, so a little 'new blood' might help get us going again! :) From: actingman@i... Date: Tue Jul 4, 2000 4:16 am Subject: A mention of Sir John The following is from the "London Calling" column in the June 23, 2000 Back Stage by David Macgillivray: "Last Words on Dear Johnnie" What else is there to be said about the late Sir John Gielgud? Here are some tidbits that may not have crossed the Atlantic. Although leading obituarists predictably hailed him the greatest British actor of the 20th century, Sir John was to most of the population a vaguely familiar small-part player in costume epics. I suspected this about 20 years ago when we were both collecting our spectacles at a Regent Street optician. "What's your name?" the receptionist enquired of her noble client. "Gielgud," he replied. The woman wrote it down, then asked, "What's your first name?" Confirmation of Sir John's lowly status among the plebs came when the Daily Sport, Britain's trashiest tabloid, headlined its announcement of his death, "Butler in Dudley Moore film dies." When they were both alive, Sir John Gielgud and Lord Olivier were mercilessly lampooned on TV's puppet show Spitting Image as silly old actors of a bygone age. The puppet Olivier always referred to the puppet Gielgud as "dear, dear Johnnie," and this is how many columnists remembered him, albeit fondly. But as least Johnnie did not make Larry's "mistake" of committing his Shakespearean triumphs to celluloid. A BBC sound recording of Gielgud's Romeo in 1935, played in a tribute program, suggests that, had it been filmed, it would now be treated with as much derision as Olivier's Othello. Ironically, Sir John's more enduring legacy may be the dozens of delightful screen cameos he did for fun in his old age. From: Jim Alexander Date: Tue Jul 4, 2000 4:25 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] A mention of Sir John Thanks for the 'Sir John' memoir, John! I get the idea that Gielgud was more than just a classy gentleman. That he was well-liked and kind, in 'real life'. More than that, as Olivier before him, I think he... just liked to 'act'. Whether it was Shakespeare, a network TV Pilot film (like say... SEARCH), or a tongue-in-cheek American comedy... Gielgud liked to practice his craft. Jim probecontrol@d... From: dmanmetz@a... Date: (Date Unavailable) Subject: Re: [probe_control] Hello to new member--more on audio CDs--more on video list Hello, my address is : 2401 Dalmation Pl Belcamp,Md 21017 APT # 204 Not to be pickey, but I was kinda looking for video tapes if you had them. I just wanna see the show! I much do I owe you? From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Thu Jul 6, 2000 2:27 am Subject: OT (Off Topic): Link to terrific Enterprise photo @ Smithsonian Wanna see something neat? I think you'll like this. It's a really nice photo of the original USS Enterprise model on display at the Smithsonian Institute. For the photo itself try: http://www.nasm.edu/nasm/shops/enterprise.jpg Original page linking to the photo: http://www.nasm.edu/nasm/shops/shops.html From: actingman@i... Date: Thu Jul 6, 2000 3:32 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Hello to new member--more on audio CDs--more on video list The episodes I listed in my note to you were video tapes. The audio cds I mentioned are of episodes we haven't found yet (I didn't list those titles.) We figure the audio alone is better then nothing. What's your name by the way? The post office likes that on mail as well. At , you wrote: >Not to be pickey, but I was kinda looking for video tapes if you had >them. I just wanna see the show! I much do I owe you? From: dmanmetz@a... Date: (Date Unavailable) Subject: Re: [probe_control] Hello to new member--more on audio CDs--more on video list I'm sorry, I guess in my excitment I forgot that the post office likes that (LOL. Christopher Metz 2401 Dalmation Pl Belcamp, MD 21017 APT#204 Thanks again From: "Bryan Durk" Date: Sat Jul 8, 2000 7:28 am Subject: Viewmaster Reels As I think everyone on this list knows Viewmaster released a 3 reel selection featuring Search. It was released as Viewmaster Item Number: B591 For a history of Viewmaster releases go to: http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/ ~number6/vm/packets-BB999.html The Search reels are offered from time to time on eBay, some have even been in factory sealed condition. From: actingman@i... Date: Mon Jul 10, 2000 2:49 am Subject: Egroups Don has mentioned it in the past...I experienced it last week, and Bryan may be going for the record. Egroups sometimes holds on to messages before it sends them out to the list. One of my messages recently took at least 12 hours. Bryan send out two messages on Friday night...we've only received one so far. So don't be surprised if your messages to the list get delayed. But at the same time write to me if it's been too long...I will be happy to check the server. John From: Jim Alexander Date: Wed Jul 12, 2000 5:40 pm Subject: Search TV GUIDE cover re-do! Hey, kids! Here's a 'sneak preview' of the SEARCH TV GUIDE cover that my graphic artist friend is working on! Pretty, huh? And it's not even finished! He still has some clean-up to do! As I mentioned in an earlier letter, I offered the man $100 for the job. If 4 SEARCH fans purchase a copy, it'll be $25 apiece (plus postage). If 5 people purchase-- $20. And so forth. So, now that y'all see what I had in mind... any takers??? C'mon! Jump on the band-wagon!!! ;) The more people that chip in-- the less $$$ it'll be for all of us! Anyone is welcome! Buy an extra to give as a gift! (just kidding!) I believe I'll be able to furnish a nice-sized 11 by 17 image, or close to it. It'll be printed (not photocopied) on high-quality paper. Let me know! P.S. Don-- Send me your address (again!) please-- I wanna mail out your OPERATION ICEMAN videocassette. Jim probecontrol@dynasty.net From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Wed Jul 12, 2000 7:53 pm Subject: Jim Alexander - TV Guide cover art Jim: Don Harden here. I've tried sending emails to your address at probecontrol@d... and they keep being returned to me as undeliverable. Not sure what the trouble is. My brother would also like one of the TV Guide cover prints, so that should help drive the cost down a bit and help make it a better deal for all of us. When you ship it, do you plan to use tubes or mail flat with tough cardboard? Keep us updated on this. Don dghprobe3@a... From: Jim Alexander Date: Thu Jul 13, 2000 12:44 am Subject: Jim Alexander - TV Guide cover art Got this letter too, Don! Maybe the other just got 'bottlenecked'... Jim probecontrol@d... ------------------------------------------ dghprobe3@a... wrote: > Jim: Don Harden here. I've tried sending emails to your address at > probecontrol@d... and they keep being returned to me as undeliverable. > Not sure what the trouble is. > > My brother would also like one of the TV Guide cover prints, so that should > help drive the cost down a bit and help make it a better deal for all of us. > When you ship it, do you plan to use tubes or mail flat with tough cardboard? > Keep us updated on this. > > Don > dghprobe3@a... From: "Ron Estes" Date: Sun Jul 16, 2000 4:53 am Subject: Hello to Probe Control I'm new to the Probe Control list, and wanted to say hi! I was twelve years old, growing up in Central Minnesota when SEARCH aired on our local NBC station. It instantly became my all-time favorite TV show for three reasons, which I'm sure I hold in common with others in my "demographic group." #3—The Scanner. I remember getting into discussions with skeptical, less imaginative children, who tried to tell me "they could never make a TV camera that small." I didn't bother to argue that it wasn't merely a TV camera, but was capable of scanning the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Needless to say, Leslie Stevens' vision of information-age technology was far more accurate than that of my classmates. #2—The Theme Song. If better TV theme music has been written, I haven't heard it. Dominic Frontiere's composition captured the essence of the show for me. It suggested a mix of action, exotic locales, adventure, romance, and sophistication. Previously, my favorite TV theme had been Mannix. As a kid, I never missed the opening credits of Mannix, but seldom sat through an entire show. Joe Mannix worked for a detective agency that had computer technology, but used it sparingly. #1—Angel Tompkins. Gloria Harding is, in my opinion, "The TV Babe of All Time." In my earlier years (ages 5-10), I had crushes on Marta Kristen (Judy Robinson from "Lost in Space") and Barbara Eden ("I Dream of Jeannie"). But neither them, nor the stars of the later 70's "jiggle shows" could compete. There's no woman I'd rather have wired into my head than Angel Tompkins. I was really thrilled to find this list at eGroups. Thanks to everyone who has posted here, and who's working to preserve the memories from this cool TV show. One of the great things about the Internet is its ability to help people reclaim their youth. From September 13, 1972 to August 29, 1973, SEARCH was an important part of mine. --Ron. From: Jim Alexander Date: Sun Jul 16, 2000 2:30 pm Subject: Hello to new listmember-- Ron! >... Thanks to everyone who has posted here, and who's working to preserve the memories from this cool TV show. One of the great things about the Internet is its ability to help people reclaim their youth. From September 13, 1972 to August 29, 1973, SEARCH was an important part of mine. ------------------------------- And still is, to us! ;) MAN! And I thought Don Harden could write impassioned letters! ;) GREAT to have you aboard, Ron! And thanks so much for sharing your comments with us! We look forward to many SEARCH discussions with you, and we're (I hope I can speak for others) thrilled to have the 'new blood'! Where're you from, friend? Tell us a bit about yourself-- and perhaps we all should introduce ourselves (again), to get re-acquainted! I'm an advertising firm copywriter from Evansville, Indiana! I'm 41, and have loved SEARCH since the first time that NBC aired the original pilot. I used to audiotape the episodes off the air! Jim probecontrol@dynasty.net From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 3:00 am Subject: Fwd: Museum of television/ SEARCH questions From: DMANMETZ@a... Date: Sun Jul 16, 2000 3:15 pm Subject: Museum of television/ SEARCH questions To: probe_control-subscribe@egroups.com Okay, here's a long shot SEARCH fans. There is Museum of television arts. One is located in Los Angles, California and the other is located in New York City. I have not been to this place yet, but from what I understand, they carry every television episode that ever exsisted. All you have to do is go in tell them what you would wish to view a tv show. It may cost a couple of dollars. They use to carry this site on the Nic at Nite/ TVLAND home page but they have recently dropped it from their site. Now for a couple of SEARCH questions??? I was very young when I saw this show, but I remember bits and pieces. 1. Where did the series rate in the A.C. Nielsen ratings for 1972-1973. I know it was up against CANNON that year, and that show was number 14 with a 22.4 audience. 2. Did SEARCH even have a chance at making it to a second season? 3. Is Marc McClure (Superman movies' Jimmy Olsen) Doug McClure's son? 4. Lockwood drove a silver Mercedes Benz and Grover drove a yellow Corvette Stingray. What kind of automobile did Bianco drive? 5. I know there was an episode when Grover was chasing after someone in blue Corvette and was thrown from the car after trying to hang on. What episode was that? Would really appreciate if someone could fill in the blanks for me, I haven't seen the show in 28 years!!! BONUS: You can read about SEARCH in the "Complete Directory To Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows" Here is a 1972 TV guide cover of Search From: actingman@i... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 3:15 am Subject: Museum of Television I live in NYC, and the one in NY does not have any episodes of Search. From: actingman@i... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 3:18 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Fwd: Museum of television/ SEARCH questions Actually, I too always wondered what Search's ratings were. Grover got thrown from a car? 1. Where did the series rate in the A.C. Nielsen ratings for 1972-1973. I >know it was up against CANNON that year, and that show was number 14 with a >22.4 audience. > >5. I know there was an episode when Grover was chasing after someone in blue >Corvette and was thrown from the car after trying to hang on. What episode >was that? From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 3:24 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Fwd: Museum of television/ SEARCH questions I told you it's been 28 years (LOL). I could have sworn there was an episode were Grover had his car and someone else had a blue corvette. He was holding on to the back of it while it was pulling away. I could be wrong and if I am, then I'll just leave it at that. From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 3:39 am Subject: SEARCH in the 1972-73 Neilsen ratings Don Harden here, gang. Hello to our two newest members, Christopher and Ron! Glad to have you with us. Christopher asked about how SEARCH did in the Neilsen ratings. Unfortunately, I have no detailed information on that. That's one of those areas I've set aside for future newspaper research. The only thing I have is a quick shot mentioned by the Atlanta Journal during the week of Jan. 10, 1973. That week, SEARCH was 35th in the Neilsen ratings out of some 64 shows. At midseason, it was in the middle of the list. It wasn't exactly a "hit" for NBC, but it wasn't doing that badly at that time either, considering that the competition was "Cannon" on CBS and "The Julie Andrews Hour" on ABC. From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 3:49 am Subject: Doug McClure's children In an earlier post, Christopher asked: "3. Is Marc McClure (Superman movies' Jimmy Olsen) Doug McClure's son?" A fascinating question! However, I checked my xerox of Doug McClure's listing in "Who's Who." It only lists two children, Tane Mae and Valerie Diane, both daughters. As some of you know, Tane McClure has been gaining some recognition in recent years for some movie and TV appearances. As to whether Marc McClure could be a distant relative, the only way to know for sure is to ask him. Wonder if he has an email address? Don From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 4:15 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Fwd: Museum of television/ SEARCH questions In a message dated 7/17/00 11:26:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, dmanmetz@a... writes: > I could have sworn there was an episode were Grover had his car and > someone else had a blue corvette. He was holding on to the back of it > while it was pulling away. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------ Christopher: When you get the VHS copy of "Let Us Prey" with the original commercials, take a look at the scenes to next week for "A Honeymoon to Kill." There is a quick set of scenes of Luigi's henchmen running toward Grover's car. One of them climbs onto the back of it and falls off as Grover speeds away. This could be what you remember. (Or I could be wrong, too!) Unfortunately, "Honeymoon" is one of the episodes we don't have on video--we have it on audio only. From: Bryan D. Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 5:01 pm Subject: Re: [probe_control] Museum of Television Neither does the LA Museum of Television. They do have a sponsership program if anyone has about 10 Grand. From: Bryan D. Date: Tue Jul 18, 2000 5:22 pm Subject: Re: [probe_control] Fwd: Museum of television/ SEARCH questions I should have mentioned in my prior post, there is a website for the Museum of Television and Radio, for more info you can go to their website at http://www.mtr.org/navigate/msmstmt.htm Also the University of Southern California has a Warner Bros. archive, you can go to http://www-cntv.usc.edu/resources/warner_bros_archive.html for more information. From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Wed Jul 19, 2000 2:06 am Subject: Another SEARCH ViewMaster on eBay! Heads up, group! Another SEARCH ViewMaster is up for bids on eBay! These ViewMasters come up again every so often. To keep members of the mailing list from bidding against each other and driving up the price, potential bidders should decide among themselves who is to get this one. And each time another one is found, it'll be the next person's turn. Perhaps the best thing to do is to start a "waiting list" of those members who are looking for a SEARCH ViewMaster and just go down the list one by one until everyone has one. Here's the link for the current SEARCH ViewMaster: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=385407498 We also might create a waiting list of those who are seeking copies of the two SEARCH paperback books, "Search," based on the 2 hour premiere movie and "Moonrock," both by Robert Weverka. These show up on eBay from time to time as well. Don (dghprobe3@a...) From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Thu Jul 20, 2000 11:01 pm Subject: SEARCH TV movie book on eBay! Heads up once again, group: There is a "SEARCH" paperback up for bids on eBay. This is the one based on the "Probe" pilot movie about the missing Entourage gem collection. The item is catalogued as: "SEARCH" TV movie book; Hugh O'Brian Item #382567203 Try this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=382567203 Again, two members of the SEARCH mailing list shouldn't have to be bidding against each other for this. If this happens, get in touch with each other and decide who will get this one and who will get the next one when it shows up. From: "Ron Estes" Date: Fri Jul 21, 2000 5:20 am Subject: Re: Hello to new listmember-- Ron! Per request, here's some more info about me: < run dossier > Name: Ron Estes < i.d. positive > Age: 39 Residence: Minneapolis, MN Occupation: Surveillance Analyst for American Express Hobbies: Genealogy (has tracked "y" chromosome back to 1495), reclaiming his adolescence (SEARCH, Casey Kasem's American Top 40), football handicapping (writes weekly column for Indoor Football League, found at www.indoorfootballleague.com). < end dossier > I have a good copy of the SEARCH pilot episode (taped from WGN directly off C-band satellite), the two Robert Weverka paperbacks, and some MP3 audio files I made from the pilot episode. I'm looking for tapes of the TV shows, and any other memorabilia. Feel free to email me with lists, prices, etc. I'd appreciate it! Also, I was reading earlier notes about scanner replicas that were being auctioned on eBay. Anyone own one of these? If so, how do they look, how much do they cost, and do you have the email address of the guy who makes them? Thanks, and I look forward to many discussions with this group! --Ron. From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Fri Jul 21, 2000 11:21 pm Subject: AFN Greetings SEARCH fans. Refering to message 105.Just a little about myself. I'm in the Military and I just finished up a year being stationed in Korea and I'm here to tell you that SEARCH did not come on AFKN (Armed Forces Korean Network). I e-mailed them and asked if they still carried the show and if videos were available to service members. They replied that they didn't keep archival materials and by contratual agreements and copyright laws they could not make videos available. He told me to write NBC at: National Broadcasting Company Television Archive Division 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, New York City 10112 I'm sure this will lead to a dead end, since the networks will ask money. From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Fri Jul 21, 2000 11:40 pm Subject: Re: [probe_control] AFN Don Harden here again. Just wanted to pass along to Chris that his information on AFN is correct. They ran SEARCH back during the late 70's or early 80's and they have told me that they no longer have any materials on it nor do they plan to air it again in the future. But AFN is not the only source we found for SEARCH episodes. The second source was FEN-MISAWA, which was AFN's offshoot in Northern Japan, the Far East Network. (See Search Mailing List Message #107). The third source was episodes aired by Network Ten in Australia during 1982. Actually, there is a fourth source, but we don't know who to thank. I refer to the VHS video transfer of a 16mm film floating around of the single episode "Let Us Prey" with original commercials and scenes to next week. This tape has been 'making the rounds' and is available from a handful of video pirates/dealers. The audio CDs we have are from tapes recorded by Don and John back in '73 when SEARCH ran on NBC! So far, I don't think anyone here has written to NBC's Archive Division. Might be worth a try, even if all you get in return is a form letter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------ In a message dated 7/21/00 7:22:51 PM Eastern Daylight Time, dmanmetz@a... writes: > Greetings SEARCH fans. Refering to message 105.Just a little about myself. > > I'm in the Military and I just finished up a year being stationed in Korea > > and I'm here to tell you that SEARCH did not come on AFKN (Armed Forces > Korean Network). I e-mailed them and asked if they still carried the show > and if videos were available to service members. They replied that they > didn't keep archival materials and by contratual agreements and copyright > laws they could not make videos available. He told me to write NBC at: > > National Broadcasting Company > Television Archive Division > 30 Rockefeller Plaza > New York, New York City > 10112 > > I'm sure this will lead to a dead end, since the networks will ask money. From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Fri Jul 21, 2000 11:44 pm Subject: 1972 Fall TV guide Preview I just got a hold of the 1972 Fall TV guide. Here the write up for SEARCH and the first episode write up. TV Guide write up (September 9, 1972) If World Securities Corporation can't solve a mystery, nobody can. It's agents are hooked up to computers by tiny electronic gizmos implanted under their skin, and carry miniaturized TV cameras wherever they go. So, while they are on a case, their movements, heartbeats, brainwaves, etc.-can be monitored in a control room that's filled with more ultramoderen gimmicks than the NASA Space Center. The Agents are played by Hugh O'brian, Tony Franciosa, and Doug McClure. O'Brian goes beeping and bopping (computers still haven't replaced the uppercut to the law) every two weeks; Franciosa and McClure alternate in remaining shows. Meanwhile, back at mission control, Burgess Meredith is supervising a roomful of keyboard kibitzers. Prominent among them is Angel Tompkins, cleverly disguised in a shapless lab coat. Debut: Sept. 13 Bonus: Premiere episode write up: SEARCH___Adventure Debut: The mysterious disappearance of a state Department offical sets the stage for intrigue. Hugh O'brian is a space-age sleuth who must find the diplomat before other Government agencies learn that he is missing. Script by series creator Leslie Stevens. Guest Stars Silvana Tristano...........Capucine Roger White................ Maurice Evens Miles Llewellyn............ David White Compton..................... Lawrence Cook McEgan...................... Veron Weddle PS. I will scan the picture they have when I purchase a scanner next month. From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Sat Jul 22, 2000 12:39 am Subject: Just for fun Okay SEARCH fans, I need you to use your imagnation: I'm assuming that the producers of SEARCH carfully choose their stars based on the hit TV shows they were on in the 1960's. Hugh O'brian on Wyatt Earp, Tony Franciosa on Name of the Game,Doug McClure on The Virginan and Burgess Meredith on Batman. Unfortunatley the BIG THREE did not have as much success in the 70's or 80's. Serious Franciosa with "Matt Helm" (75) and Arron Spelling Camp: Finders of lost loves (84-85), Cool McClure with ego maniac William Shatner in the "Barbery Coast" (75) and the embarrassing "Out of this World" (87-91) with the girl from "Saturday Night Fever", while dignifed O'brian guest starred on Fantasy Island and Police Story and then pretty much left showbusiness. SEARCH may have made it to syndication If say (here's the part were you use your imagnation) the producers chose 60's TV stars from other series. Robert (Wild, Wild West) as Lockwood, Van (The Green Hornet) Williams as Bianco William (Star Trek) Shatner as Grover Jim (Gilligan's Island)Backus as Cameron or Vince (Ben Casey) Evans as Lockwood Lee (The Big Valley) Majors as Bianco Mark (Lost in Space) Goddard as Grover Frank (Batman) Gorshine as Cameron Of course SEARCH fans I wouldn't change a thing of our beloved "ahead of it's time" TV show, except that it made longer than one year. Maybe you have a different vision, it's always fun to use your imagine. From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Sat Jul 22, 2000 12:49 am Subject: Just for fun part 2 Okay, just as I was sending my first messege, I had a brainstorm. Let's just say they updated SEARCH for the 90's with 80's TV stars. Come on, work with me (LOL) Here's what I visioned: Tom (Magnum PI) Selleck as Lockwood Ted (Cheers) Danson as Bianco David (Knight Rider) Hasselhoff as Grover Ernest (Airwolf) Borgnine as Cameron Can you see it? From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Sat Jul 22, 2000 1:07 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Just for fun In a message dated 7/21/00 8:43:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time, dmanmetz@a... writes: > Cool McClure with ego maniac William Shatner > in the "Barbery Coast" (75) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Don Harden here again. Chris' last email reminded me of something. Does anyone have episodes of "Barbary Coast"? I have the pilot (without McClure--that one has Dennis Cole instead) and one episode, "Jesse Who?" TV Land ran it for a time during the past year, but I don't get cable. I have the one episode only because a friend of mine happened upon it. Sometimes I shudder at what COULD happen to SEARCH. If it were remade as a movie last year, it would have been: Will Smith as Lockwood Will Smith as Bianco Will Smith as Grover Will Smith as Cameron Kevin Kline as Probe Control's janitor I know everyone is chuckling, but the real problem with Hollywood nowadays is that it could actually end up being WORSE than the above! Thanks to Chris for getting me started! :) From: Jim Alexander Date: Sat Jul 22, 2000 1:33 am Subject: Just for fun: Part ??? > >... Okay, just as I was sending my first messege, I had a brainstorm. Let's > just say they updated SEARCH for the 90's with 80's TV stars... ------------------------------ We could go at this all weekend! SEARCH for 2000 with 90's stars-- or SEARCH for the 70's with 60's stars (or has that already happened?)-- (James Darren as Grover, Adam West as Lockwood, Vic Morrow as Bianco, and Lorne Greene as Cameron) or SEARCH for the 60's with 30's stars-- ... The mind boggles! ;) Jim probecontrol@d... > Come on, work > with me (LOL) Here's what I visioned: > > Tom (Magnum PI) Selleck as Lockwood > Ted (Cheers) Danson as Bianco > David (Knight Rider) Hasselhoff as Grover > Ernest (Airwolf) Borgnine as Cameron > > Can you see it? From: Jim Alexander Date: Sat Jul 22, 2000 10:56 pm Subject: SEARCH Episode dubs Hey, Ron-- According to your letter... ------------------------------ > I'm looking for tapes of the TV shows, and any other memorabilia. Feel > free to email me with lists, prices, etc. I'd appreciate it. > ----------------------------- ... You're looking for episode dubs. We love the show as much as you do, and we've had many requests for episode dubs. While we'd love to be able to make dub after dub, and share our affection for the series 'for free', we're sure you understand that it gets costly (not to mention time-consuming) to provide. Here's what Don Harden and I have been suggesting, if it's all right... One VHS tape-full of episodes (around 6 hours worth) for $20. This is recorded at 6-hour speed; be advised that the video and audio quality may not be as good as 2-hour speed dubs, but you get the 'maximum' amount of episodes per tape. or A 2-hour speed dub of 2 series episodes for $8. While you get fewer episodes per tape, the audio and video quality is superior. People who desire to 'archive' the episodes prefer this speed. Please understand that this is not a "moneymaking" opportunity for us; we just want to be fairly compensated for our time, materials, packing, and postage. So... if you're interested-- you choose! And thanks for understanding! ---------------------------- >... Also, I was reading earlier notes about scanner replicas that were being auctioned on eBay. Anyone own one of these? If so, how do they look, how much do they cost, and do you have the email address of the guy who makes them? ---------------------------- I have one. They're quite nice. The 'circuit' detail is laser-etched onto the face. I will send your e-mail address to Ken Caslis, who plans to make these available. Hopefully, he'll contact you (though he's not as... prolific, as some of us). If he does not, please let us (me) know. OH! Here're the episode titles I have been dubbing for people: THE MURROW DISAPPEARANCE SHORT CIRCUIT THE ADONIS FILE IN SEARCH OF MIDAS OPERATION ICEMAN NUMBERED FOR DEATH LET US PREY and the original "Probe" version of the Pilot film, from pre-recorded tape! GREAT copy! Let me know if you'd like these... and on what SPEED. Thanks, Ron! Jim probecontrol@d... From: Jim Alexander Date: Sat Jul 22, 2000 10:58 pm Subject: SEARCH Episode dubs Whoops! Sorry to post to the list! I meant to send that letter straight to Ron! Sorry for the clutter-- Jim probecontrol@d... From: n43r@b... Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 5:09 am Subject: RE: Just for Fun I know I've been pretty inactive lately on this board, but as soon as I saw this thread, I had to jump in. It's fun to play casting director on occasion. The problem for me is, I cannot just throw out some names--I have to give the subject long and hard thought. For this exercise, my self-imposed rules boiled down to a single one: the actors/actresses I substituted would be at the age and physical state they were in 1971-3. My original aim in ginning up a list of substitute actors was to as closely fit the personalities of the SEARCH characters as originally presented, and as assayed by O'Brien, Franciosa, McClure, et. al. As I began selecting and discarding names, however, I opted to modify the idea a bit and choose performers who brought the same basic traits as established for their characters, but with emphasis on some of those traits different from the actors already in the roles. This gave me a little more leeway. But as I progressed, it dawned on me: to make this truly a thought-provoking post, let's leave behind the established personalities of Lockwood, Grover, and the others, and bring entirely new personalities to the table, and see how that chemistry would have played. And with that mea culpa, here are my selections and the processes which brought me to them: HUGH LOCKWOOD: My first thought was to go with placing more emphasis on the suavity of Lockwood's character, and toning down the more aggressive aspect with which Hugh O'Brien played him. That led me to putting Richard Long in the role. (Had that happened in real life, and had SEARCH continued for more than one season, the show would have faced its first cast crisis, as Long died in December of 1974; however, he was still handsome and urbane and would have fit the role right up to his death). Then, after I decided to throw all templates to the wind, and bearing in mind that the Lockwood character would appear in the brunt of the episodes, I decided to go with the best actor out of all the names I considered for any of the roles. This was the first of my ideas for taking the role in a new direction. And I awarded the role of Hugh Lockwood to--ROBERT CULP. NICK BIANCO: The first alternate name to occur to me here was George Maharis, of ROUTE 66 fame. But I wasn't quite satisified, as Maharis didn't bring anything different, in terms of personality, to the role of Bianco. I felt he would have played it pretty much the same as Tony Franciosa. So I sought actors who were known for their aggressive personalities, which is when I first thought of Robert Culp. Perfect for emphasising the aggressiveness of the Bianco character, even more so than Franciosa. But, try as I might, I could not envision Culp as an ITALIAN cop from NEW YORK. That was when it occurred to me that Culp was too good an actor to toss out of the mix, so it might be more fun to toss out the mix and create a new one. So I assigned Culp the Lockwood role. Now I needed something different for the Bianco role. Since I would have to throw out Bianco's back story along with his personality to present a different type of character, all I kept was the name "Nick Bianco". I decided to go as far afield from the original concept of Bianco as possible, and decided to make him a suave, cultured, yet savvy individual--and add a flavour of the continental. So I cast CESARE DANOVA as the now-cosmopolitan Nicholas Bianco. CHRISTOPHER ROBIN GROVER: This one was one of the more difficult to come up with an alternative actor. As the character was drafted, Doug McClure was the perfect choice to play him. The closest I could come was Gary Conway, late of BURKE'S LAW and LAND OF THE GIANTS. But after I went with a whole new combination of personalities, I opted to keep the laid-back nature as Grover was originally written, but to add a scholarly, almost-bookish mien to the character. A bit of an oblique from the standard man of action, but still able to carry a lead based on an inherent likeability of the actor and the character. I could not come up with any better choice to fit these new requirements for C.R. Grover than actor JIM HUTTON. CAMERON: This was the only one which was easy. I went with the first name that popped into my head, and he is still the best choice, as far as I'm concerned: JOHN HILLERMAN, in his best "Simon Brimmer" nose-in- the-air effontery. GLORIA HARDING: This one was the toughest of them all, even without changing the personality, but conforming to the established personality of PROBE's medical telemetry specialist. First, it was tough because it felt almost traitorous, even in an intellectual exercise like this, to consider anyone else by my friend Angel Tompkins for the role. Second, because it was so difficult to find anyone from that period in the 1970's who could strike the same note as Angel did. After rejecting my first choice, I thought of Anne Lockhart--who would have been perfect for the job, both in terms of beauty and personality--but I had to discard her since she was born in 1953, making her 20 years old, at best, at the time of SEARCH, and about seven-to-ten years too young for the role. Trying to fit the age requirement, I then thought of Pat Priest (late of THE MUNSTERS). I have seen her in other roles over the years. She could handle the wry commentary and the serious aspect of the part, but her image was a bit too wholesome for the part. I spent close to two hours on this one. In desperation, I went back to my rejected list, and looked again at my first discard. Her age was right; she was (and still is, for that matter) beautiful enough to fit the glamourous aspect of Gloria Harding. In her movie roles, she has handled the kind of sardonic humour she would need. So I thought it over, reconsidered, and decided that no one else--other than Angel herself--could fit the role as well as BARBARA RHOADES. I'll probably think of better choices while lying in the rack at 2 A.M., but for now, this is my best offer. It probably needs some honing and tweaking, but, y'know--if I may be so immodest--I think it would've worked this way, too. Commander Benson From: Jim Alexander Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 7:12 am Subject: CASTING COUCH Fabulous! Simply fabulous! Commander Benson has offered a wonderful, thought-provoking, well-written piece on some SEARCH 'alternatives'. It is hard to throw-out some of our star's personalities, and go in an entirely new direction, but I think that the Commander has offered some fascinating possibilities! I especially liked the choice of ROBERT CULP. I've always enjoyed Culp's broad range, and 'twinkle in the eye' he's shown in his roles-- but Culp matches this with an integrity and intensity that's unmatched! Whether he's playing an OUTER LIMITS straight-arrow scientist, or the DEMON WITH A GLASS HAND-- or the dog-biscuit-eating "Bill Maxwell" on THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, Culp is a performer of the first caliber, and SEARCH would have been fortunate to've had him! Excellent choice! CESARE DANOVA is a fascinating choice. I'm not as familiar with the actor as I should be. In looking up Danova's credits on the Internet Movie Database, it's curious to note that he did play BIANCO! "Philip Bianco"-- in a movie called SCORCHY, just four years after SEARCH appeared on TV. JIM HUTTON was always a likable actor. Perhaps I've always seen him in roles where he wasn't as self-assured as I thought a Probe Agent would/should be. In most of his romantic roles, and even as TV's ELLERY QUEEN, Hutton always seemed to be talking to an 'inner voice'; he was always kind of off-center; a little awkward. Maybe I just never saw the right films. As I remember, even in HELLFIGHTERS with John Wayne, he still had many of those characteristics. But-- he would be an interesting choice! Commander Benson's choice for the role of CAMERON, is the one I guess I have the most difficulty visualizing. I suppose I envision Hillerman with that false, adopted accent he used for years on MAGNUM P.I. I've seen Hillerman in a couple of other projects, and he is a strong actor; helped my his beautiful voice-- I guess I just have a hard time getting past that snotty, self-centered accent, to see him as Cam! Meredith liked his wines, fine foods, and pretty girls, but I guess I never saw VCR as (to use the CMDR's phrase) "nose-in-the-air" type individual. I wonder what kind of dynamic that would have lent his relationship with the Probes during their missions? As far as BARBARA RHOADES goes, I'm going to have to watch my tape copies of KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER's episode: "Primal Scream", and SCREAM, BLACULA, SCREAM again to familiarize myself with her (Interesting too, that Rhoades played in an episode of ELLERY QUEEN opposite the CMDR's choice for GROVER-- Jim Hutton). Well done, Commander! Thanks for all your creativity and thought! P.S. Perhaps I'm too bold in asking, but do you think we'll ever have the opportunity to hear (first or second hand) from your friend, Angel? Jim probecontrol@dynasty.net From: n43r@b... Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 10:31 am Subject: Re: CASTING COUCH Glad you found my selections thought provoking, Jim. That was precisely the reason I tossed out the old personalities and came in with new ones. Besides, it's much easier to envision different actors with different takes on the roles, than to try to fairly evaluate a different actor playing the role the same way. For example, once it dawned on me to go far afield of the established personalities, I saw Robert Culp's Lockwood somewhere between his roles on I SPY and THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO--in other words, his aggressiveness ratcheted up a notch from CIA agent Kelly Robinson and taken down a notch from FBI agent Bill Maxwell. Culp's Lockwood would have followed his own instincts and driven straight to the heart of the case, often not being as diplomatic or as discrete as World Securities Corporation would have preferred. The PROBE electronic gizmos, he could take or leave--making use of them when they were handy; discarding them when they got in the way. Cesare Danova, admittedly, was perhaps the most off-the-wall way to go for a different kind of Nick Bianco. The late Danova, too, had always been one of my favourite performers. I envisioned his portrayal of Bianco very similar to his performance as "Anthony Draco", a mystery-solving wax museum owner in turn-of-the-century London, from the movie CHAMBER OF HORRORS (1966) (This movie, incidentally, got a number of bad reviews--including one by the famous Medved brothers--but they are unjustified. While it's not CITIZEN KANE, CHAMBER OF HORRORS is an entertaining way to kill two hours, with a capable cast: Danova, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Patrick O'Neal, Wayne Rogers.) Danova's Bianco, like his Draco, would be cultured, cosmopolitan, preferring an easy life style. He's the kind of fellow who would be more than glad to take every advantage and convenience of PROBE's gadgetry. Yet, Danova's Bianco, when called for, could be every inch as hard and determined (while Danova's image was generally the continental one, he could play cold-hearted, as in his role as a Nazi-fighting partisan in the television show GARRISON'S GORILLAS). Jim Hutton came to mind when I decided to take the bookish route for Grover--which in itself was suggested by the character's Christian names "Christopher Robin". I saw a person named this as someone who received a gentile, intellectual upbringing. I saw Hutton's approach to Grover as someone who was not overly enthralled with being a PROBE agent, but some circumstance in the past steered him into becoming a Stand-by Probe (which is not essentially different from the McClure version). Grover's take on a case, as assayed by Hutton, would be "Hey, look, I don't want to be here, so let's just make this as easy as possible." At the same time, that very "off-centre" part of his nature--that you mentioned, Jim--would give him a natural curiosity that, when triggered, would lead him to digging further into a case once he got roped into it. His awkward, eccentric way of investigating (very ELLERY QUEEN-ish, admittedly) would be a major source of frustration for Probe Control. I was afraid mentioning John Hillerman as "Cameron" would evoke images of Higgins, from MAGNUM, P.I. Admittedly, the image I had of Hillerman in the role isn't too far removed from that. I was seeing Hillerman in his role of Simon Brimmer, on Jim Hutton's ELLERY QUEEN (a role which died after only a handful of episodes; Brimmer was a radio sleuth and rival of Queen's. Brimmer became too hard for the writers to contend with; if Brimmer was in an episode, the writers had to come up with a separate solution to the mystery which fit all the clews, but pointed to a different suspect as the murderer--so, of course, Brimmer would be wrong, but not look like an idiot). Hillerman's Cameron, like his Brimmer, would tone the "veddy" British accent down to just enough to sound annoyingly superior, and have just enough arrogance to think that HE was the indespensable member of PROBE, and the field agents were just his leg men. That Barbara Rhoades worked opposite Jim Hutton in ELLERY QUEEN does not surprise me. I would not be surprised to find out that she had worked with everyone else I've named here. She has been one of those actresses who seems to be everywhere, in everything, and has been around for years. In her earliest days of television (late '50's/early '60's) she filled the glamourous-sexpot-with- sardonic-wit roles, primarily. And she's just maintained that over the last four decades. She has the kind of statuesque beauty that is noticable even in a role that does not call for it (such as in an episode of COLUMBO back in the early '70's). And about a year ago, I saw her in an episode of Bill Cosby's most recent television vehicle, COSBY; and while she's possibly added maybe an inch to all three measurements, she is still stunning. After I started to give her some serious thought, after going back through my list of rejects for the role of Gloria Harding, I recalled her timing and delivery of witty lines in her roles in GOODBYE GIRL (1977) and THE SHAKIEST GUN IN THE WEST (1968), the Don Knotts remake of SON OF PALEFACE. So she could easily handle both requirements for the role of Miss Harding. As to the opportunity to hear from the real Gloria--Angel Tompkins-- you are not too bold in asking, nor is it out of the question. It was about a year ago that I discovered this board and the fledgling web page that John and Brian are constructing. I was fairly surprised to see that SEARCH, a relatively unremembered show, had a following. So I called Angel and asked her how she would like to be a goddess. I told her about the site and put the possibility of involving herself in some form with it to her. She is not adverse to the idea, but frankly, I think she just had too many irons in the fire to really scope out this board. Recently, thanks to Brian--and after a bit of fumbling with addresses (a goof on my part)--he sent her a shirt with the SEARCH logo and a pristine copy of the PROBE pilot. I was able to stop by and see her in L.A. for a couple of days a few weeks ago, on my way back to the south Pacific from leave. She had held off on screening the tape until I had gotten there, and when we watched it, she wore the shirt (I think she loves that more than the movie--thanks again, Brian). Angel is really proud of her work in the pilot and in the show. Now that Brian has done his part, I am involved with 1.) ensuring she lets Brian know how grateful she is (typically, she is very prompt and reliable in expressing her thanks--but I want to make sure this time) and 2.) that she contribute something in some way to this board. That last item will take a bit of time. Currently, she is having trouble maintaining on line with her provider--I have not probed too far into why, since I suspect the problem is financial. But once she is back on line, I will get an E-mail from her, and I intend to direct her attention here. Commander Benson --- In probe_control@egroups.com, Jim Alexander wrote: > Fabulous! Simply fabulous! Commander Benson has offered a wonderful, > thought-provoking, well-written piece on some SEARCH 'alternatives'. It is > hard to throw-out some of our star's personalities, and go in an entirely > new direction, but I think that the Commander has offered some fascinating > possibilities! > > I especially liked the choice of ROBERT CULP. I've always enjoyed Culp's > broad range, and 'twinkle in the eye' he's shown in his roles-- but Culp > matches this with an integrity and intensity that's unmatched! Whether he's > playing an OUTER LIMITS straight-arrow scientist, or the DEMON WITH A GLASS > HAND-- or the dog-biscuit-eating "Bill Maxwell" on THE GREATEST AMERICAN > HERO, Culp is a performer of the first caliber, and SEARCH would have been > fortunate to've had him! Excellent choice! > > CESARE DANOVA is a fascinating choice. I'm not as familiar with the actor > as I should be. In looking up Danova's credits on the Internet Movie > Database, it's curious to note that he did play BIANCO! "Philip Bianco"-- > in a movie called SCORCHY, just four years after SEARCH appeared on TV. > > JIM HUTTON was always a likable actor. Perhaps I've always seen him in > roles where he wasn't as self-assured as I thought a Probe Agent > would/should be. In most of his romantic roles, and even as TV's ELLERY > QUEEN, Hutton always seemed to be talking to an 'inner voice'; he was always > kind of off-center; a little awkward. Maybe I just never saw the right > films. As I remember, even in HELLFIGHTERS with John Wayne, he still had > many of those characteristics. But-- he would be an interesting choice! > > Commander Benson's choice for the role of CAMERON, is the one I guess I have > the most difficulty visualizing. I suppose I envision Hillerman with that > false, adopted accent he used for years on MAGNUM P.I. I've seen Hillerman > in a couple of other projects, and he is a strong actor; helped my his > beautiful voice-- I guess I just have a hard time getting past that snotty, > self-centered accent, to see him as Cam! Meredith liked his wines, fine > foods, and pretty girls, but I guess I never saw VCR as (to use the CMDR's > phrase) "nose-in-the-air" type individual. I wonder what kind of dynamic > that would have lent his relationship with the Probes during their missions? > > As far as BARBARA RHOADES goes, I'm going to have to watch my tape copies of > KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER's episode: "Primal Scream", and SCREAM, BLACULA, > SCREAM again to familiarize myself with her (Interesting too, that Rhoades > played in an episode of ELLERY QUEEN opposite the CMDR's choice for GROVER-- > Jim Hutton). > > Well done, Commander! Thanks for all your creativity and thought! > > P.S. Perhaps I'm too bold in asking, but do you think we'll ever have the > opportunity to hear (first or second hand) from your friend, Angel? > > Jim > probecontrol@d... From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 5:28 pm Subject: Re: [probe_control] Re: CASTING COUCH Just wanted to thank Adam Benson for his terrific post on SEARCH casting alternatives. As I was mulling over his choice of Cameron, the thought occurred to me that David Wayne of "Ellery Queen" would have made a good Cameron as well. My take on Cameron was that he was something of a wise but sometimes gruff Obi-Wan-like 'father figure' to the Probe agents. No one has mentioned Dr. Barnett, but I've heard that Ford Rainey is still with us--though in his 90's. It would be something if SEARCH could somehow return and Ford Rainey would be the one link to the original cast. Don From: Jim Alexander Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 10:00 pm Subject: Last call: Search TV GUIDE cover! Here's the "last call" for all those who're interested in the Bob Peak SEARCH TV GUIDE cover 're-do'. For any of those who may've not received the original e-mail, I've had an artist-friend re-do the cover, without any of the word-graphics-- similar to what Peak must've turned in to TV GUIDE in 1972. I've offered him $100 for the job. Currently, we have 6 interested parties. Don Harden and his brother, Ken Caslis, John and Bryan, and myself. $100 split 6 ways is $16.60 apiece. If anyone else is interested-- it'll be even cheaper for everyone involved. E-mail me if you want one. Postage will be extra. Size will be around 11 by 17, mailed however you want it (rolled or flat). Jim probecontrol@d... From: Jim Alexander Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 10:23 pm Subject: Last call: Search TV GUIDE cover! Gentlemen (I guess that's not sexist, since we haven't heard from any ladies in a long, long time on the list)-- Here's the "last call" for all those who're interested in the Bob Peak SEARCH TV GUIDE cover 're-do'. For any of those who may've not received the original e-mail, I've had an artist-friend re-do the cover, without any of the word-graphics-- similar to what Peak must've turned in to TV GUIDE in 1972. The attachment is a 'rough'-- it still needs a bit of tweaking. I've offered him $100 for the job. Currently, we have 6 interested parties. Don Harden and his brother, Ken Caslis, John and Bryan, and myself. $100 split 6 ways is $16.60 apiece. There will be no printing fee charged for each individual print-- all money will go straight to the artist, and I will take care of the printing costs. If anyone else is interested-- it'll be even cheaper for everyone involved. The artists is kindly waiting for payment until all the requests are in. E-mail me if you want one, at: probecontrol@d... Postage will be extra. Size will be around 11 by 17, mailed however you want (rolled or flat). These will be individually printed, and not photocopied. Let's make Wednesday (July 26th) the cut-off date (as far as requests go), so we can get these printed, huh? My apologies for the repeat posts for some of you-- I just wanted to make sure that everyone was covered-- after these are done, there might not be any 'going back' and getting more. Send no money, yet. I'm going to wait until they're actually printed and ready to go, before I request any $$$. Thanks! Jim From: dmanmetz@a... Date: Sun Jul 23, 2000 11:15 pm Subject: Retract Glad I could generate some discussion on what could have been.. After reading Commander Benson's indepth analysis, I realized a few things. Even though it was just for fun, I really need to see the show again to fully understand the characters. Had I known that the Grover character was we term today "a slacker" then I would have choosen someone else besides William Shatner, who is very serious. However, besides the technology involved with SEARCH, strong characters and story play an important part on a TV show works or not. After reading Commander Benson's write up, I glad he had the knowledge pick apart the characters and present an outline to those of us who have seen the show in years. Oh forget my "Just for fun part 2" I didn't know what I was doing at the time (LOL). II have a better "feel" for the show now. From: dghprobe3@a... Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 2:28 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Retract Don here again. Just wanted to pass along to Chris that he need not retract anything he has posted so far to the SEARCH Mailing List. Gathering from the generally positive feedback, his emails have put some life into what has been a somewhat quiet mailing list for the past few weeks or so. Everyone--please keep sending us interesting/humorous/whatever commentary! We enjoy it! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 7/23/00 7:16:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time, dmanmetz@a... writes: > Glad I could generate some discussion on what could have been.. After > reading Commander Benson's indepth analysis, I realized a few things. Even > though it was just for fun, I really need to see the show again to fully > understand the characters. Had I known that the Grover character was we > term today "a slacker" then I would have choosen someone else besides William > Shatner, who is very serious. However, besides the technology involved with > SEARCH, strong characters and story play an important part on a TV show > works or not. After reading Commander Benson's write up, I glad he had the > knowledge pick apart the characters and present an outline to those of us > who have seen the show in years. Oh forget my "Just for fun part 2" I didn't > know what I was doing at the time (LOL). II have a better "feel" for the > show now. From: actingman@i... Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 2:58 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] AFN Worth a try...but I would be surprised if they have anything. After a certain time, or after using the runs they paid for, rights returned to Warner Brothers. At 07:21 PM 7/21/00 -0400, you wrote: > Greetings SEARCH fans. Refering to message 105.Just a little about > myself. > I'm in the Military and I just finished up a year being stationed in Korea >and I'm here to tell you that SEARCH did not come on AFKN (Armed Forces >Korean Network). I e-mailed them and asked if they still carried the show >and if videos were available to service members. They replied that they >didn't keep archival materials and by contratual agreements and copyright >laws they could not make videos available. He told me to write NBC at: > >National Broadcasting Company >Television Archive Division >30 Rockefeller Plaza >New York, New York City >10112 > > I'm sure this will lead to a dead end, since the networks will ask money. From: actingman@i... Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 2:58 am Subject: Re: [probe_control] Just for fun part 2 I like the Borgnine idea. At 08:49 PM 7/21/00 -0400, you wrote: > Okay, just as I was sending my first messege, I had a brainstorm. Let's >just say they updated SEARCH for the 90's with 80's TV stars. Come on, work >with me (LOL) >Here's what I visioned: > >Tom (Magnum PI) Selleck as Lockwood >Ted (Cheers) Danson as Bianco >David (Knight Rider) Hasselhoff as Grover >Ernest (Airwolf) Borgnine as Cameron > >Can you see it? From: actingman@i... Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 3:05 am Subject: Cameron for today Trying to catch up real fast...I would like to see the new director of Probe...monitoring the cases...none other then Nick Bianco himself. Franciosa would be great in such a role ordinarily, but on top of that, as Bianco, now on the other side of the scanner, it would be interesting to see him coping with what he himself use to do. From: "Don Harden" Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 3:26 am Subject: Angel Tompkins' recollections of SEARCH --- In probe_control@egroups.com, n43r@b... wrote: > > Angel is really proud of her work in the pilot and in the show. ----------------------------------------------- This is wonderful to hear, Adam. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. One of these days you will have to describe in whatever detail you can, some of Angel's reactions and comments to different things in the "Probe" pilot as well as "The Murrow Disappearance." Any of her recollections of 'behind the scenes' happenings with SEARCH would be quite valuable to those of us who follow this mailing list with interest. Take care! Don dghprobe3@a... From: Jim Alexander Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 3:53 am Subject: Cameron for today > >... Bianco, now on the other side of the scanner, it would be > interesting to see him coping with what he himself use to do. ------------------------------ Cool idea! Jim probecontrol@d... From: "Don Harden" Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 5:32 am Subject: Another SEARCH TV Guide on eBay Here's another "head's up," gang. That auction site, eBay, has another SEARCH TV Guide from Nov. 1972 up for bids. The item is listed as: TV Guide w/ McClure, Franciosa & OBrien cover. Item #390619218 Try this link: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390619218 Bidding starts at $2.99 plus shipping with no bids so far. Auction ends on July 30. Item does have an address label on it. Again, members of this mailing list need not bid against each other for this. If this happens, contact each other and decide who gets this one. These TV Guide issues show up on eBay every so often. (This issue of TV Guide is the one with the cover art by Bob Peak. List member Jim Alexander is making exclusive prints of this artwork available to members of the list. Contact Jim at probecontrol@d... for all the details.) From: n43r@b... Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 12:22 pm Subject: Re: Angel Tompkins' recollections of SEARCH Don, I would be glad to share what I know about Angel's involvement in PROBE and, later SEARCH. It would be more beneficial to have her tell the stories, though. Not only for the obvious reason of having the accounts first hand; but because I've never really discussed SEARCH at length with her. The first time we ever talked--over nine years ago--I did ask her what led to her leaving the show. It turns out she didn't leave so much as she was let go. The READER'S DIGEST version is that she had a verbal promise from Leslie Stevens that once the show had established itself, her character would be let out of Probe Control and into the field more often--which did happen once. Once Stevens left the show (more on that below), the new producers refused to honour Stevens' promise. Now Angel is not one to let a wrong go unaddressed. Frankly, she's as tenacious as a pit bull when she feels that she's been crossed. Add to this some bad advice she was given as to how the industry worked, and she became very contentious. This got her kicked off the show and blacklisted as a trouble-maker. That is why her rising star dwindled so quickly, and when she was finally seen on the big screen again, it was in B-films. The next time I raised the issue of her role of Gloria Harding was about a year ago, right after I had received a copy of PROBE and saw it again for the first time in about 25 years. I called her right after seeing it, just to tell her how marvellous she was (candidly, I don't think she was ever quite as good in anything else). She talked a bit about what I discussed above, and then I had to ask her a type of question which I NEVER ask any of the actors I happen to know: I asked her what someone--in this case, Burgess Meredith--was really like. Angel has nothing but praise for him. She said he was a delightful man, utterly professional and fun to be with on a set. She particularly admired his precise diction and delivery. Shortly after this, someone on this board--I think it was John--asked about Leslie Stevens and why his involvement with SEARCH was cut so short. I called Angel and asked her. This is the reply she gave me and I posted: "O.K., gang. Angel came through with the answer to why Leslie Stevens left SEARCH prematurely. I'll give her answer here, as she sent it to me: 'Leslie Stevens shot himself in the foot (got greedy) and killed the show. While he was shooting SEARCH for NBC, he (at the same time) had sold a concept to CBS to make movies-of-the-week, splitting them up into five half-hour episodes and then splicing them back together for release to theatres. 'When NBC got word (of his deal with CBS), it got so pissed at Leslie that he quit SEARCH in a snit, and the show only stayed on for one year, with four producers trying to fill Leslie's shoes. Leslie was the spark that ignited the show, and John Christopher Strong III, who was the associate producer, just couldn't pull it off without our insane, greedy leader.'" The last time Angel and I had occasion to discuss PROBE and SEARCH was three weeks ago, when we were screening PROBE at her home. It was difficult for me to watch, because I spent all mine time swivelling my head between watching her performance and watching her face for her reactions to her performance. I also have to admit, about a month before this was when John, I think--again, alerted us to the eBay auction of the Viewmaster reels of the SEARCH episode in which she had such a large part, and I bid on them with the intention of giving them to Angel as a gift. I won and I did. She was thrilled to get them. About 14 years ago, her Beverly Hills home was destroyed in a house fire, and she lost all of her memorabilia. So, thanks to you folks, I was able to return a bit of it to her. As I said, she is very proud of her part and her performances in PROBE and SEARCH; but I think it's tinged with a little sadness about what came after. For what it's worth, she still gets fan mail; and now and then, she tells me about some of the more entertaining letters she receives. I guess I don't ask her much about the show because a long time ago-- I'm not exactly sure when--I slipped out of thinking of her first as an actress and started thinking of her first as a friend. Like all human beings, she isn't perfect and there can be times when she is hard to take--as is true of us all--but she's as warm, considerate, and loyal a friend as anyone could ask. And as soon as she gets back on line--which I hope is soon, because from Japan, the phone charges are murder--I will see what I can do about steering her over to this board. Commander Adam Benson --- In probe_control@egroups.com, "Don Harden" wrote: > --- In probe_control@egroups.com, n43r@b... wrote: > > > > Angel is really proud of her work in the pilot and in the show. > > ----------------------------------------------- > This is wonderful to hear, Adam. Thank you so much for sharing this > with us. One of these days you will have to describe in whatever > detail you can, some of Angel's reactions and comments to different > things in the "Probe" pilot as well as "The Murrow Disappearance." > Any of her recollections of 'behind the scenes' happenings with > SEARCH would be quite valuable to those of us who follow this mailing > list with interest. Take care! > > Don > dghprobe3@a... From: Jim Alexander Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 12:37 pm Subject: Another SEARCH item on eBay Don Harden wrote: > Here's another "head's up," gang. That auction site, eBay, has another > SEARCH TV Guide from Nov. 1972 up for bids. ------------------------------------- And... There's a SEARCH View-Master reel on eBay currently, too! It doesn't look like it's in too bad'a shape! Search under 'view master search tv show'. Good luck! Jim probecontrol@d... From: "Don Harden" Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 4:40 pm Subject: Re: Angel Tompkins' recollections of SEARCH Thanks again, Adam, for another marvelous post to the SEARCH Mailing List. Looking forward to hearing more from Angel in the future. ------------------------------------------------------- --- In probe_control@egroups.com, n43r@b... wrote: >Don, >I would be glad to share what I know about Angel's involvement in >PROBE and, later SEARCH. It would be more beneficial to have her >tell the stories, though. Not only for the obvious reason of having >the accounts first hand; but because I've never really discussed >SEARCH at length with her... From: "Don Harden" Date: Mon Jul 24, 2000 8:08 pm Subject: Actingman's SEARCH slides--and more --- In probe_control@egroups.com, Bryan D. wrote: > Notice to the Group: > >All of Actingman's (John's) Slides are posted in thumbnail form on >the website. You can view then at: > http://probecontrol.com/Slides/catalog_1.htm --------------------------------------------------- I repeated the above for the new members who may have missed it. Also, to any of the new members who may have collected filmclips or slides of SEARCH from Lincoln Enterprises during the 1970's or 80's, let us know what scenes you have. We are in the process of digitizing a large number of SEARCH filmclip scenes for eventual posting or distribution on CD. The detail captured is terrific. You can ship your filmclip slides to us and we can return them to you when we finish scanning them. Currently I am scanning a large collection held by my brother and myself along with Jim Alexander's collection. Thanks to everyone for whatever help you can give. Don dghprobe3@a... From: n43r@b... Date: Fri Jul 28, 2000 10:35 am Subject: Re: Cameron for today When John mentioned that he would like to see Anthony Franciosa reprise his rôle as Nick Bianco in the modern-day position of director of World Securities Corporation, that really got my imagination churning. It's a clever idea. And it would be entertaining, indeed. So that gave me the idea of casting a revival of SEARCH, using contemporary actors. That was a much tougher chore for me than my previous casting attempt of re-assessing the rôles with other '70's actors, since I watch almost no modern television programming--and the exceptions do not lend themselves to the SEARCH format. Nevertheless, I think I have come up with something acceptable. So, starting with John's excellent suggestion of Tony Franciosa as the director of World Securities, here are the remainder of my casting choices for the updated show--SEARCH 2000. (To make this clear, I am not casting a remake--we operate from the presumption that Lockwood, Grover, Bianco, et al. were former agents, or in the case of Bianco, currently part of PROBE. The actors I suggest would be playing different Probe agents.) The first I suggest was the hardest to cast: I wanted someone close to Lockwood in character and personality and background. Except I chose to tune up the refinement and sophistication just a bit and tone down the aggressiveness--but not too much. This is not "My Man Godfrey", but more like a younger man who has reached the executive boardroom. He knows his wines, recognises art, drives a fine and modern auto, and has an excellent tailor. But he isn't afraid to go head to head with someone, and is man enough to take out the bad guys in true Lockwood fashion. For this character, I selected actor PHIL MORRIS (last seen regularly in the 1980's revival of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE--and yes, the son of Greg Morris, regular in the original M:I). The next character was, frankly, suggested by one of the few contemporary television actors with whom I am familiar. His essential personality or, more accurately perhaps, the personality of the character he portrayed in his most well-known series struck me as perfect for another Probe. Someone who is obviously well-educated--a doctorate, at least, perhaps even a certified genius; but with none of the stereotypical "egghead" trappings. Someone who is skilled, competent, at physical things like martial arts or foreign languages or acrobatics; but doesn't appear to be, nor is so thoroughly skilled to be a master. A personality which is affable, personable, almost too much so. Easy going, but not phlegmatic; and also willing to take a stand when the situation calls for it. The one I had in mind when I thought of this kind of Probe was SCOTT BAKULA (formerly of QUANTUM LEAP). Lastly--and this was the first character I thought of. It immediately leapt to mind. We have an agent who has been at the Probe business for a long time. Some in the executive boardroom would say too long. He hasn't got a doctorate; he doesn't wear designer suits; he can't speak six languages. He's rough around the edges, tough as the proverbial nails, but has a gruff charm. He comes from the days when investigating meant kicking in the door and slapping the truth out of the first hoodlum you caught. But he is not stupid: he has forty years of dealing with human nature. He knows how people think, how they react, what they do. He stays at the job because it's the only thing he knows how to do; it's the only thing which gives his life purpose. Yet, he causes so much public relations trouble for World Securities (not to mention the fact that they think he is 'way too old to be a field agent) that the suits are constantly up in arms and threatening to fire him (and they probably would, too--except for the intervention of director Bianco, who sees him as a kindred spirit). I could only envision one man for this part: ROBERT LOGGIA. Now for Probe Control. There is only one person who would be perfect for the job that Cameron used to have. And it would provide the only other link with the older series. Not to mention that it would be functionally and ćsthetically perfect. As the new Probe Control, I would have Gloria Harding--as assayed by ANGEL TOMPKINS. Just some thoughts off the top of my head. Commander Benson --- In probe_control@egroups.com, actingman@i... wrote: > Trying to catch up real fast...I would like to see the new director of > Probe...monitoring the cases...none other then Nick Bianco > himself. Franciosa would be great in such a role ordinarily, but on top of > that, as Bianco, now on the other side of the scanner, it would be > interesting to see him coping with what he himself use to do. From: "Don Harden" Date: Sat Jul 29, 2000 4:11 am Subject: Edits in Australian version of "Flight to Nowhere" Hello again, Don here. I was watching Jim's Australian version of "Flight to Nowhere" and noticed that there are some small edits in it. (These are not Jim's fault.) At the end of Act 1, where the 'Goldilocks Twins and the Big Bad Bear' beat up Lockwood in his hotel room, they cut the bad guy's line, "Take him up to the roof, I want him to fall a long way." (This line exists in the Armed Forces version.) They cut this line, then they proceed to show them attempting to throw him off the roof. What's worse? Talking about it or showing it? Censors can get strange sometimes. Also, during the desert fight scene between Lockwood and Anderson, there are a number of edits that make the fight a good bit shorter than it is on the Armed Forces copy. You can also tell that there's some music missing during the scene. I need to go through the episode again to see if there isn't anything else missing. Same thing goes for the final fight scene in "Numbered for Death." It looks edited to me and there are simultaneous cuts in the music. These don't appear to be video edits by Australian TV--they look like someone at Warner Bros. put cuts in the actual film itself. Wonder why? Are the violence codes different in different countries? Are certain kinds of punches and kicks not allowed? Could be. I've heard that there are some four Classic Star Trek episodes that are not run in England because of a certain type of violence. Don dghprobe3@a... From: "Bryan Durk" Date: Mon Jul 31, 2000 4:21 am Subject: Another round of logo stuff In the next week or two I am going to get another batch of logo stuff. If anyone wants a shirt, hat, etc. with the Search logo embroidered on it, let me know. Prices depend upon what you want done, but you can also send almost anything that you want the logo on and they will do it for $5. If you would like to see a gif file of the logo, contact me. Thanks. bryankd@m... From: "Bryan Durk" Date: Mon Jul 31, 2000 4:23 am Subject: Casting a Search Remake I sent this message last week, but it never posted. I blame my ISP. If there were Search remake, I would like to see John (actingman) play the part of Cameron. He has a true understanding of the part. I'm embarrassed that after 28 years I didn't get the Camera-On pun in the name (of course he did, along with other nuances of the role); he once mentioned to me that he saw himself in the role. Who would be better than an actor who is also a devoted fan of the show? I think that Tony Franciosa would make a great Dr. Barnett. As a former probe himself he could have the right amount of crackiness and compassion when the case is having problems. From: "Bryan Durk" Date: Mon Jul 31, 2000 9:18 pm Subject: Ancient History (1995) Long before I found John, or the rest of the group, I was searching for Search info on the internet and found this post in 1995. I've emailed the author again just to see if there would be any response, but never got a response in 1995. There are incorrect assertions made in the post, but it still brings up some interesting points. The listing is interesting because years ago I had read of Hugh O'brian's financial investment in the series, but could never find where I read it, and with my faulty memory I couldn't be sure if I had it right. Also of interest is the mention of Fortune Hunter. I have never heard of/seen this series, but it might be interesting to get a copy of the pilot, and compare it to Search. Original Post follows: Subject: Re: Old Sci-Fi/Mystery show - Search From: gharlane@c... (Gharlane of Eddore) Date: 1995/08/31 Message-Id: <425er5$aft@n...> Distribution: world Sender: High Council of Eddore References: Followup-To: alt.dev.null Summary: brief info Organization: Evil Beings from Planet Eddore, Inc. Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv In sgh@c... (Scott G. Hall) writes: > I would like some help in locating and old TV show that aired in the early > seventies -- Search. The plot had a spy (007ish) who wore a camera on his > neck and had an ear implant that not only allowed communication, but also > allowed monitoring of his vital signs. Burgess Meridith (sp?) played the > person behind a console that received telemetry, vitals, video, and did the > communications (Max Headroom-like). Primary production honcho was Leslie Stevens, and Anthony Spinner was an important principal in the operation. There were money problems, due to Universal's parsimonious approach to funding that type of show, and Stevens end-ran them by getting Hugh O'Brian involved at the outset. You see, Hugh O'Brian bought a LOT of oil land in Texas, back in the fifties, with his earnings from shows he starred in *then*. Result: Enough liquid assets to fund about half the new show, and never miss a dime of it if it didn't pan out. If you can find a copy of the pilot movie, "PROBE," pay close attention to the editing and the music, which were exceptional work at the time. When the program went series, Stevens tried to go for alternating production crews and stars, so he could run it at a lower stress level than most such series; Doug McClure was the best pick, but at various times folks like Tony Franciosa were involved, too. I believe that the "Sci-Fi" channel re-runs them ocasionally, but it's been years since I've seen any of them. I *can* tell you that in summer '72, Universal funded a format revision crew of a half-dozen competent SF writers to work up a good series format and a set of scripts, but that due to airtime(length) changes, Stevens ended up doing most of the script work himself, hewing to the original format. Some of the revision crew's work was so good that if it had been shot and aired, no one would remember "STAR TREK;" but it all got shoved into a vault somewhere and forgotten. A ham-handed and blatantly plagiaristic attempt was made to RE-make "SEARCH" last year, when Fox Network had "FORTUNE HUNTER" in production. In fact, the pilot for "FORTUNE HUNTER" used entire scenes and blocks of dialog lifted bodily out of "PROBE," the pilot movie for "SEARCH." > I seem to remember that it aired only for one season (at least here in the > States). Some of the special effects on this series later showed up on > shows like Six Million Dollar Man and Logan's Run, and some of the plot > ideas showed up all over the place -- even in ST-TNG and Star Wars. The "plot ideas" you refer to are very old-hat in the genre; but yes, FX footage from the shows did get recycled in other Universal products, at least. Harve Bennett was notorious for prowling the film vaults and grabbing anything he could splice into his shows to save a buck, even rewriting scripts to suit available footage. (And he's not the only one... "WONDER WOMAN" used the saucer and alien world footage from ...get this... the MASTER print... of "THIS ISLAND EARTH"... *several* times.) > Anyone know: > 1) who has the current rights to the series, Gotta be Leslie Stevens and Hugh O'Brian, unless they sold their rights to the studio. > 2) who I might contact regarding its current airing, Check the Scheds on the "Sci-Fi" channel. > 3) or if the Sci-Fi channel has picked it up for their "collectors series"? I dunno, but surely someone else here will. Note that the "SEARCH" episodes had more program material per hour than the "Sci-Fi" channel likes to air, so unless they run it in an extended slot, you'll be seeing cut versions. (Not that this is necessarily bad.) > [I don't mind posts as an answer, but also include my email address as a > copy to -- I'll be sure to see your answers] No, thanks. Read the topic.