When I saw that Simon MacCorkindale & John Saxon were both in this, I was sure they'd have no scenes together. If I told you they're in the same story, it becomes much more promising doesn't it?! Sadly for the viewers, they are miscast, each playing the other's part. Not only that: they are both concealed under such thick disguises that most of their charisma is lost, especially Simon's, whose stage presence is almost as dull as the lady they both fight for.
MacCorkindale is hidden under such a ridiculous wig, which someone forgot to comb, that it spoils his performance. Saxon is Cyrano, with a mile long nose and that's way too much make up to let him shine through. He is always good, but his performance is hindered by such a bore of an actress as his character's love interest, that it makes him all the less interesting. We don't care about her; by extension, we don't care about the men. Why oh why had the casting directors such a thing for Lynley that she appeared almost a dozen times in F. I.!?
Carol Lynley has always been a bore. She is here are perhaps her prettiest in a Milady platinum blonde wig, with Shirley Temple curls. In the right lighting, she is stunning. But she has no idea how beautiful she looks. And so, she delivers her lines with her customary miserable mien and demeanor, the same that Judy Landers delivers hers with the personality of Orange, the Starsky & Hutch character, which was based on Shirley Temple. Lynley's dull and soporific personality is as deafening as it is blinding.
Bart Braverman, the Indian-American actor best known for being a sidekick in Las Vegas is even more dull than the rest of the cast. His story gets interesting when he opens the magic trunk and we see photos of Harry Houdini... whom everyone fails to mention, including Roarke. No idea why the bimbo (as always played by Judy Landers) had to be in a Jane suit, because he was no Tarzan. The Cheetah chimp delivered, and it was dressed in dark brown bikini bottoms, probably to conceal its ape-ish manhood.
Perhaps the only interesting thing here is that the magician's last name was Potter. Did a certain writer name her Harry from watching this show? Hmm... Harry Houdini, Mister Potter... Harry Potter. There you go. She was probably a fan of this show and the names stuck.
For the rest, we get yet another scene were Roarke appears in a costume: here, a monk. No Tattoo, and the ever soporific (as well) Julie is here a tiny bit more animated, having to act gu-gu and sighing over the lovers at the end. All the other episodes I saw her in, she was more wooden than Chucky, the doll. Perhaps Tattoo would have livened things up? But he is nowhere to be found. And Lloyd Bochner's character is despicable as usual, but to me, that translates as a despicable performance AND actor. Sorry: could never stand the guy, he always plays the same character. (Himself?)
Props for the colorful doves and a special mention to the Polynesian dancers who are seen dancing for exactly one point five seconds of total screen time. (Yep: 1.5 secs!) Imagine these extras disappointment when they tuned in, because they probably performed the entire 2 min dance. Perhaps the very best of this show is knowing that Saxon & MacCorkindale shared a few scenes together, and that's that. One snooze-inducing episode, and that's really too bad! Imagine a different actress cast as the damsel in distress and the men sans makeup and we'd have had a show. All in all, a HUGE disappointment, as is the case with most of these episodes due to low production values, unremarkable direction, costumes, set decor or score. A way too generous 6/10 from me, for effort.
MacCorkindale is hidden under such a ridiculous wig, which someone forgot to comb, that it spoils his performance. Saxon is Cyrano, with a mile long nose and that's way too much make up to let him shine through. He is always good, but his performance is hindered by such a bore of an actress as his character's love interest, that it makes him all the less interesting. We don't care about her; by extension, we don't care about the men. Why oh why had the casting directors such a thing for Lynley that she appeared almost a dozen times in F. I.!?
Carol Lynley has always been a bore. She is here are perhaps her prettiest in a Milady platinum blonde wig, with Shirley Temple curls. In the right lighting, she is stunning. But she has no idea how beautiful she looks. And so, she delivers her lines with her customary miserable mien and demeanor, the same that Judy Landers delivers hers with the personality of Orange, the Starsky & Hutch character, which was based on Shirley Temple. Lynley's dull and soporific personality is as deafening as it is blinding.
Bart Braverman, the Indian-American actor best known for being a sidekick in Las Vegas is even more dull than the rest of the cast. His story gets interesting when he opens the magic trunk and we see photos of Harry Houdini... whom everyone fails to mention, including Roarke. No idea why the bimbo (as always played by Judy Landers) had to be in a Jane suit, because he was no Tarzan. The Cheetah chimp delivered, and it was dressed in dark brown bikini bottoms, probably to conceal its ape-ish manhood.
Perhaps the only interesting thing here is that the magician's last name was Potter. Did a certain writer name her Harry from watching this show? Hmm... Harry Houdini, Mister Potter... Harry Potter. There you go. She was probably a fan of this show and the names stuck.
For the rest, we get yet another scene were Roarke appears in a costume: here, a monk. No Tattoo, and the ever soporific (as well) Julie is here a tiny bit more animated, having to act gu-gu and sighing over the lovers at the end. All the other episodes I saw her in, she was more wooden than Chucky, the doll. Perhaps Tattoo would have livened things up? But he is nowhere to be found. And Lloyd Bochner's character is despicable as usual, but to me, that translates as a despicable performance AND actor. Sorry: could never stand the guy, he always plays the same character. (Himself?)
Props for the colorful doves and a special mention to the Polynesian dancers who are seen dancing for exactly one point five seconds of total screen time. (Yep: 1.5 secs!) Imagine these extras disappointment when they tuned in, because they probably performed the entire 2 min dance. Perhaps the very best of this show is knowing that Saxon & MacCorkindale shared a few scenes together, and that's that. One snooze-inducing episode, and that's really too bad! Imagine a different actress cast as the damsel in distress and the men sans makeup and we'd have had a show. All in all, a HUGE disappointment, as is the case with most of these episodes due to low production values, unremarkable direction, costumes, set decor or score. A way too generous 6/10 from me, for effort.