Tonight I've got a real Weird Wednesday feature for you, the 1967 unaired pilot for a TV show based on the Dick Tracy comics, titled what else, but "Dick Tracy!"
This go round Ray MacDonnell is the Dick in the driving seat!
When this gig failed, Ray settled in at the soap opera "All My Children" for the next 41 years and/or 688 episodes as Joe Martin.
The title of this pilot episode was the uplifting, "The Plot To Kill Nato."
"Dick Tracy" was brought to you by the same people who did "Batman," and it's prety obvious! The only thing that is missing is the "Zap" and "Pow" visual sound effects!
"Batman" regular as King Tut, Victor Buono is the villianess Mr. Memory!
From looking at these credits, you might get the idea this is a cartoon, but it is not!
Jan Shutan was also in "Dracula's Dog," and "The Outer Limits" Episode "The Inheritors Pt. II."
They were obviously planning on a longer run when they made these opening credits, because Tess Trueheart never even shows up in this pilot episode!
Ken Mayer started out in "Space Patrol," and went on to be in what looks like almost every western show that was on in the 60's.
Monroe Arnold was also in shows like "My Favorite Martian," "Bewitched," and "The Munsters."
This would have been Jay Blood's only acting appearance if it had aired, and Bonnie Braids, like Tess Trueheart, was not even in this episode, but after this, she was Jan Brady for many years!
The infamous two way wrist radio and TV.
The infamous two way wrist radio and TV realized!
The reason I'm showing you all these cartoon images from the credits is because this "best copy" that you can watch on YouTube is barely watchable, and almost impossible to get any decent stills from!
A big nod of Dick Tracy's chapeau to Mr. KD for telling me this "Dick Tracy" show existed!
Victor Buono makes almost anything worth watching, even this!
AND.....one of the cooler features of the "Dick Tracy" show is that the theme was composed and performed by one of the most popular surf bands of all time, The Ventures!
So here you go kids, it's only a little over 28 minutes long, if nothing else, at least listen to the theme!
I love the "Dick Tracy" theme as written & recorded by The Ventures and have included it on some of the playlists I've made over the years. But until this very moment, I had never realized that the song was intended for an actual TV show! Thanks for the skinny, guys!
ReplyDeleteMy observations:
ReplyDeleteLOL Such a bad opening theme song, guys. But great closing credits theme. Go figure.
Victor Buono playing Victor Buono as another villain.
That newspaper Tracy is reading appears to be blank.
Jan Shutan has the honor of being the first person other than Shatner to play Captain Kirk (she's Janice Lester). She was nicely utilized here.
All in all, not interesting enough to warrant a series, but a cool piece of history. Thanks for sharing!
Jan Shutan was Scotty's girlfriend in The Lights of Zetar episode of ST. Sandra Smith was the actress who played the character Janice Lester (and Captain Kirk). Sorry. ;(
ReplyDeleteI spoke with actress-writer-puppeteer Shari Lewis and her husband Jeremy Tarcher once long ago, and Shari mentioned that she wrote The Lights of Zetar episode of Star Trek for herself, as she wanted to play the part of Scotty's girlfriend, Lt. Mira Romaine. Unfortunately for Shari, she was told that it wouldn't work, and actress Jan Shutan was brought in for Janice Lester in Turnabout Intruder. Shari seemingly never quite got over it.
Excuse my trivia detour, pls. Personally, I liked both of those ST episodes.
Like Snagglepuss, I shall now "Exit, dematerializing all the way, stage left!" once again...
You are right KD. I blew that one. :)
ReplyDeleteRandall, I'm sorry. You are far more of a ST expert than I. I wasn't trying to "one up" you by any means, and I probably shouldn't have posted it. Thank you, my friend. :)
ReplyDeleteOMG! It's Jan Brady (Eve Plumb) as Bonnie Braids!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You know I really shouldn't have left that out. I'll go back and add it. I mean some things ARE important!
ReplyDeleteThere were 6 scripts written that were never filmed - several are held by the College that holds Producer William Dozier's personal papers for GREENWAY which includes all the Batman and Green Hornet material as well - including Bruce Lee's treatment for an episode!
ReplyDelete