Convoy
Starring: John Gavin
Aired: 1965
Number of Seasons: 1
The show focused on Commander Dan Talbot and his crew, who
worked at a cargo ship helping to supply troops during World War II. Its black
and white format, which was done that way so it could include old war footage,
didn’t seem to please audiences who were more interested in the new technicolor
shows.
Holmes & Yo-Yo
Starring: John Schuck, Richard B. Shull
Aired: 1976
Number of Seasons: 1
Detective shows have always been popular, especially when
there is a duo involved. ABC expected to bring an exciting twist with this one.
The show revolved around Det. Alexander Holmes and his highly technological
android partner Yoyo. It ended up lasting only 1 season and was included in TV
Guide’s List of the Worst 50 TV Shows of All Time.
Richard B. Shull (Detective Alexander Holmes) became known
for his roles in some popular plays such as "The Marriage of Bette and
Boo" (1985) and the ever-popular "Victor/Victoria". He died in
1999. John Schuck, the android partner, went on to win the hearts of Trekkie
fans when he appeared in "Star Trek VI" and lately has been dedicated
to theater.
Sea Hunt
Starring: Lloyd Bridges
Aired: 1958 - 1961
Number of Seasons: 4
Sea Hunt starred Lloyd Bridges as a S.C.U.B.A. diver who
spent his time looking for things underwater, such as downed satellites and
sunken treasures, fighting villains and saving children lost in flooded caves,
among many other adventures. The show’s voice-over narrations gave it the
feeling of a radio program and every episode was filled with adventure and
happy endings.
Lloyd Bridges kept on appearing on several TV shows and
movies and ended up seeing his fan base renewed with his role as Steve
McCroskey in the highly popular 1980 comedy “Airplane!”, as well as his role as
Admiral Benson in “Hot Shots!”, starring Charlie Sheen. He continued actively
working until his death in 1998.
Johnny Midnight
Starring: Edmond O’Brien, Yuki Shimoda
Aired: 1960
Number of Seasons: 1
Johnny Midnight was a show about an ex-actor/theater
owner, turned private detective. He operated on Broadway and the theatre
district. He had an Asian assistant called Aki and most of his clients were
from the theatre. He frequently used makeup and disguises while investigating
undercover. The show was packed with beatnik characters and slang and had an
interesting jazzy soundtrack.
Edmond O’Brien had already won an Oscar for his role in
1954’s “The Barefoot Contessa” and, after Johnny Midnight, in 1964, he got a
nomination for Best Supporting Actor for “Seven Days in May”. He died in 1985
of Alzheimer’s disease. Yuki Shimoda went on to appear on several different
shows and movies up until his death in 1981.
Shotgun Slade
Starring: Scott Brady
Aired: 1959 - 1961
Number of Seasons: 2
Shotgun Slade was a Western but unlike any other, since it
was also a detective series. Slade, the main character, and his fellow cowboy
heroes Lucas McCain and Josh Randall carried around unique modified guns on the
show, but Slade’s was even more eccentric. He was a private detective, hired to
track down criminals and solve mysteries.
After playing Shotgun Slade, Scott Brady continued
appearing sporadically as an occasional tough cop in minor movies such as “$”
(1971), “The Loners” (1972) and “Wicked, wicked” (1973). He died in 1984 from
respiratory disease, but not before appearing in some big-screen movies such as
“The China Syndrome” (1979) and “Gremlins” (1984).
Our Man Higgins
Starring: Stanley Holloway, Audrey Totter,
Frank Maxwell
Aired: 1962 - 1963
Number of Seasons: 1
The show focused on butler Higgins, a servant who is “offered”
to Alice and Duncan McRoberts as part of an unexpected inheritance from
Scotland. He goes on to lend a precious hand taking care of the 3 McRoberts
children who are always up for some adventure. The kids end up helping Higgins
become more relaxed.
Stanley Holloway went on to appear regularly on several TV
shows and films and, in his later years, theatre. Audrey Totter semi-retired
after the show and came back in 1969 with a recurrent role in the show “Medical
Center”, until 1976. Frank Maxwell became known for his tough, authority
figures throughout his career.
Broadside
Starring: Kathleen Nolan, Edward Andrews
Aired: 1964 - 1965
Number of Seasons: 1
The show was the first military sitcom featuring women as
the main characters. It revolves around Lt. Anne Morgan and her fellow Waves.
They are posted to a station in Ranakai, which does not please Commander Adrian
that keeps on scheming to transfer the women somewhere else. Although the show
had good ratings, it was canceled after 1 season
Kathleen Nolan continued appearing on many shows and
movies. Also, she was the first female president of the Screen Actors Guild in
the 70s’. Edward Andrews also guest-starred on several shows and was featured
in many movies. Amongst his work is his recurrent role on “Love, American
Style” (1969) and in “Tora! Tora! Tora!” (1970).
The Hathaways
Starring: Peggy Cass, Jack Weston
Aired: 1961 - 1962
Number of Seasons: 1
Peggy Cass starred as Elinor Hathaway, the foster mother,
and manager to three hooligan monkeys, also known as the Marquis Chimps, living
in hers and husband Walter’s home in the Los Angeles suburbs. Unfortunately,
the human/chimp story didn’t appear to please audiences, and the show was
canceled after one season.
Peggy Cass continued appearing on several different shows
and movies, with recurrent roles on the show “The Doctors” (1978) and “Women in
Prison” (1987). She died in 1999. Jack Weston received a Tony nomination for
his role in the Broadway play “The Floating Bulb” and appeared on the 1987
movie “Dirty Dancing” as the resort manager. He died in 1996.