Magnum, P.I. (TV Series) Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii (1980) User Reviews

I Woke Up Aged 33 and Realized I'd Never Been 23

[Tim-311 · 7/10 · 25 October 2009]

In part 2 of the series pilot we continue with Magnum and Lieutenant Dan's sister Alice trying the clear his name. They meet with "Snow White", and the 19-yr old coke kingpin takes a liking to Magnum. It serves her purpose so she gives them some good leads as to who is behind Dan's death, a man named "LaBulle". Turns out that during one of Dan's routine investigations for the Navy he found that an illegal gold deal was going down. Perhaps whoever was doing the deal killed Dan for finding out? Inquiring minds want to know.

Intersliced between the guys finding out more information are flashbacks to their missions in Vietnam. One of these flashbacks shows Magnum, Dan, Rick & TC getting out of a firefight but having to leave their commander behind. Foreshadowing perhaps?

Magnum heads back to the Navy base to snoop around and see if he can't find out more about the cases Dan was working on. He bullies his way into the base past a new recruit (great cameo by Judge Reinhold) and discovers that Dan was indeed looking into a WWII plane wreck that was carrying secret cargo but unfortunate enough to be flying into Hawaii Dec. 7th, 1941. Turns out that a US plane carrying government gold was found but that Captain Cooley reported that the find was only a Japanese Zero shot down in the Pearl Harbor attack – nothing of value. Dan went to Japan to find the truth and that Cooley was lying. Oh Magnum also finds Captain Cooley quite dead.

One of La Bulle's thugs tries to tie up loose ends by killing Magnum/Higgins but Rick ends up shooting the guy (is it not a problem to shoot a semi-automatic machine gun in the streets of Hawaii – where are the cops?) and Magnum saves Higgins's life. Worth a smirk or two.

We cut to a scene of Magnum swimming and then looking pensive. He has a "gut" that he knows this La Bulle. And he has a "gut" that La Bulle has not left the country yet. Lots of magnum's "guts" seem to play out and – he finds La Bull at the airport and the payoff is that it is their old commander who survived the firefight in Vietnam years ago. Magnum avenges Dan right there in the men's room at the airport.

I liked the overall episode better than most. It had it all - a mystery, the set-up of his military career and his subsequent ties to Rick & TC, cool surroundings, Higgins and the "lads", hot ladies, great Hawaiian shirts and too short shorts. It's Magnum, baby!

Episode Body Count: Women kissed = 1, Bad guys shot & killed by Magnum = 1

Running Body Count: Episodes = 2, Women kissed = 1, Bad guys shot & killed by Magnum = 1

Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii - great crime series about murder and corruption

[NightmareOnElmStreetFan · 9/10 · 13 April 2019]

Since I watched last night an awful reboot about my favorite 80's show Magnum P.I. I decide to review 2 part episodes of a great 80's show that evolves murder and drug smuggling. I love Magnum P.I. I grew up with this show it is part of my childhood. I watch this show from elementary school trough high school. In high school I was fascinating about this show I watch it all the time. The pilot episode and part II conclusion to Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii in Season 1 I love to death.

The first episode is about a murder: when a Naval comrade, Lieutenant Dan Cook, USN (Allen Williams) and Childhood friend of Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) turns up dead and is murdered. Naval Medical Examiner found a burst bag of smuggled cocaine in his stomach. His superior Captain J. Cooly, USN (Fritz Weaver) covers up the whole idea and makes like Dan Cook was a drug smuggler and smuggle drugs from Tokyo to Hawaii on the plane till airport. Magnum doesn't believe this story, his friend was not a drug smuggler and he starts his own investigation with Alice (Pamela Susan Shoop) Dan's sister. He knows that Dan's cases he worked on are leads why Dan was murdered but Captain Cooly and Healy (W. K. Stratton) dose not want to give him a file cases. Magnum will do anything to find out the truth, why his friend was murdered.

Great introduction to Magnum, Higgins T.C, Rick, Zues and Apollo two Doberman dogs. Great acting, charisma and enthusiasm from Tom Selleck. The acting is top notch in this episode everyone did a great job in here. You have a car chase with Ferrari two assassins chases Magnum with a machine gun and the car of the pair men drives over brick off the road and explodes. The episode also focus on Magnum when he was in Vietnam fighting Vietcong, I know these 2 episodes doesn't show the enemy, but Dan Cook was not only Magnum's friend they both serve in the same unit in Vietnam with T.C. and Rick.

The music theme was alright but I prefer the later one that was used for intro from Mike Post and Pete Carpenter. I love the Robin Nest estate locations and where they were filmed in the 80's. I love Magnum's car and I love Magnum swimming in the water in the opening sequence. To hell with Reboot watch this original show. Season 1 to me is the best one in the show that aired in 1980's.

Strong pilot episode; a perfect blend of action, drama and comedy

[DVD_Connoisseur · 8/10 · 22 September 2018]

"Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii" manages to squeeze a lot into its 90 minutes, introducing all the main characters of the series and revolving around a relatively strong plot.

Tom Selleck hits the ground running with his portrayal of retired naval lieutenant turned private eye, Thomas Magnum. He's simply brilliant in this part.

"Magnum P.I." is a wonderful cocktail of action, drama and comedy. It's pretty gritty in places but there's a reassuring sense of safety with Magnum on the case, his internal stream of consciousness keeping the viewer abreast of his thoughts and feelings. John Hillerman is the perfect comic foil as Higgins.

This episode contains an early Judge Reinhold appearance; short but memorable.

Wonderful escapism. All that's missing is the "Magnum P.I." theme tune but this will follow later in the season.

8 out of 10.

They don't make em like this anymore!

[fiverites · 26 March 2006]

I have this pilot episode on DVD. It's a great introduction to Magnum, Higgins, T.C, Rick and even Zues and Apollo.

Unfortunately, this movie length pilot does not have the unforgettable opening theme song.

Loud shirts, short shorts, trademark mustache and the red T top Ferrai, make this a classic! Magnum P.I is a show that you can watch comfortably knowing you will get a show you could watch with your kids, mother or priest and all will enjoy it.

They need to bring Magnum back.....and no one can ever be Magnum but Tom Selleck. That man is so likable! They don't make em like this anymore.

This show rules!

[Flamio · 10/10 · 31 March 2000]

This show was one of the best of the 80's, period. On location in paradise, Hawaii. Tom Selleck the sincere stud who made women drool. Foxy chics. Higgins with his boring English stories and stoic personality fit the role perfectly. T.C. and Rick with the whole Da Nang flashbacks were great. Filming was great and beautiful over the water. The theme song is still one of the best and most recognizable around. The mystery of their pasts always came up and made you yearn for more. The ending was always like a Columbo mystery which you almost could never guess. Great celebrity guest stars. The whole Detroit baseball gig. The use of animals, kids, different races, the Hawaii persona, very cool. Excellent show. I still enjoy the reruns on A&E. Flamio

Visit Hawaii

[hjochade · 10/10 · 7 May 2003]

My wife and I had never seen Magnum PI when it was on prime time until my friend had a farewell to Magnum party when the series was ending. We went to Hawaii in 1990 & 1994 and looked for all of the places in the show. After our trip we started watching the re-runs. We fell in love with the show. If you have ever been to Hawaii, you will love the show. Sure they don't always play it straight, there are "comedy" episodes, but the scenery and the locations make it all worth while. Enjoy and dream!

I Don't Think I Ever Thanked Him

[Tim-311 · 7/10 · 25 October 2009]

In part 1 of the series pilot we are introduced to Thomas Magnum, ex-navy, who has been granted permission to live at the estate of famous writer Robin Masters (RM) in exchange for conducting security checks. In seeing if Magnum can steal RM's Ferrari we are given the set-up that he is on his way to pick up an old navy buddy Dan at the airport. Dan, a son of a high ranking Admiral, is approached while waiting for Magnum to show up by two guys in Navy uniforms and told that he is needed somewhere else. They grab him and beat him up bad enough that he is killed. Magnum drives by and never sees his friend.

According to the autopsy, Dan died when packets of coke his was carrying in his stomach burst during his beating. During the autopsy it is discussed that perhaps this detail of his death not be made public. The big cheese, Captain Cooley will have none of it and orders that Lieutenant Dan (who has his legs Forrest) be stripped of all military benefits, Admiral's kid or not. Be careful Captain, karma can come back and bite you in the butt.

Magnum is outraged at the official finding and shares his disbelief with Dan's "little" sister who has come to Hawaii to claim Dan. Of course she is no longer the "little" sister Magnum remembers but a now a beautiful young woman. Together they set off to find out what really happened as it is clear from the get go that all is not as it seems. Car chases commence, gun fire ensues and the 2nd death in the series officially clocks in at 33:19. Seeing as how Dan was such a straight shooter they target a mysterious "Snow White" as this person is the only dealer big enough around to waste 10 bags of coke in setting up a fake death. To be continued in part 2….

Funniest parts of the episode – Seeing Higgins's face when Magnum does steal the Ferrari and seeing Rick dressed like Humphrey Bogart right out of Casablanca complete with "of all the cheap gin joints…." quote.

Episode Body Count: Women kissed = 0, Bad guys shot & killed by Magnum = 0

Running Body Count: Episodes = 1, Women kissed = 0, Bad guys shot & killed by Magnum = 0

Magnum P.I. - Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii

[Scarecrow-88 · 8/10 · 24 June 2016]

Pilot double header has Thomas Magnum (the incomparable Tom Selleck), mustache, "borrowed" Ferrari, privileged pad, and PI job, a former Vietnam Navy Seal finding the mother lode in a novelist named Robin Masters who allows him to live comfortably in a lavish estate much to the chagrin of "security specialist" Higgins (John Hillerman, in the role of his career). Higgins is seemingly an uptight and snobbish English gent, always annoyed at Magnum, due to his "leeching off the wealth of Masters" (although Higgins does the same, really). When Magnum's Navy Nam comrade is beaten after returning from Japan, with cocaine baggies in his belly disrupted, and the drug absorbed into his system, he dies. Magnum's old nemesis, Coolly (Fritz Weaver), a commanding officer who had it out for the dead Naval Intelligence officer, considers him unworthy of military honors. Magnum is out to make damn sure his buddy's rep is vindicated. The dead officer's sis (Pamela Shoop, who was in a little bit of everything at this time) also wants vindication for her brother. Sparks fly between her and Magnum while they investigate. Flashbacks to Vietnam are interspersed with Magnum's investigation which includes his trip in a chopper with fellow Nam pilot, TC (Roger Mosely) to an island which might lead him to a smuggler known as La Bull and gaining insight about where he might be from a teenage "Queenpin" thanks to a meet orchestrated by another Nam pal, "Rick" (Larry Manetti). Rick ran a posh night club in the style of Casablanca. Will Magnum uncover who implicated his friend, restore his name, and see him get justice?

A solid pilot!

[Analog_Devotee · 7/10 · 31 October 2021]

A fun and pulpy action-packed beginning!

This first episode does struggle somewhat like most pilots tend to, what with having to juggle holding our attention and acting as an introductory to our characters, but there are very few dull moments to be had. I'm thoroughly looking forward to checking out the rest of the show -- I have a feeling it's only going to get better!

Best of the early eighties

[Alex-372 · 10/10 · 16 February 2000]

Magnum P.I. was the best series of the early eighties. Sometimes the stories were weak (too often, especially in the 2nd season), and the acting hokey, and in the first season the production values were laughable.

However, if it had even an ok storyline, the performances of TC, Rick, Higgins and especially Tom Selleck would shine through with charm, humor, and often believable action.

However, what was most memorable (especially for me, stuck on a horrifyingly dreary school routine), were the open seas, the open skies and general tropical landscape. And of course most importantly, every week a crime would be solved.

The beginning of Magnum and the 80s

[safenoe · 8/10 · 19 June 2023]

I always find it amusing when imdb reviewers devote a lot of time reviewing the first part of the series opener (e.g. Monk) but taper off when it comes to the second part. Anyway, I'm finally getting around to watching Magnum from the beginning and you can feel the bridge between the 70s and 80s with the funky music and the soaring 80s.

Here Magnum works hard to clear the name of an old army buddy who supposedly swallowed illegal substances big time. Interestingly, the second part doesn't quite answer how that happened but still. Anyway, the end credits roll like in the cinema, so that's quite unique.

How to watch in Aus

[info-29789-51814 · 10/10 · 23 July 2022]

How do you watch this in Australia, it won't play! I have down loaded the App etc and nothing seems to work. No play button etc. This is the best show ever I remember from my childhood so desperate to watch it here! What else can I say to drum up 159 characters!

Ivan do you see the sunrise?

[GURNEYRAMPART · 16 May 2003]

One of the best magnum episodes revolves around a russian advisor magnum knew in vietnam named Ivan and his return into magnums life. This story dealt with magnums stay as a POW and the role this russian played as his captor. The two part episode was a great piece of story telling and the story drew in rick and tc as well.

I remember watching this pilot as a kid!

[mm-39 · 8/10 · 25 July 2021]

Well before woke destroyed t v all I can say they don't make them like they use too. I remember watching this pilot as a kid! Don't Eat the Snow in Hawaii has worst 70's lounge intro music before the fame theme starts. There is a bit of Rockford files style theme with bad guys, beatings, and a frame. Magnum must find out who murdered a navel friend and framed the bud as a drug smuggler. Like Rockford Magnum has a few slick moves as a detective. Most of us thought Magnum was a little to perfect, but Magnum grows on you! There is no preachy message, or p c two dimensional characters. Magnum is big, though kind, but a likeable goof too! A flawed hero. Friends T C can be silly in a male way, while Rick is slick in a silly way which make the flawed character likable. The pretentious Higgens counters Magnum to keep Magnum sharp. Don't Eat the Snow has all the character mix well in the character arch as a more sexy Rockford style ( Magnum has women, free estate, and Ferri) mystery unravels. Magnum has women, free estate, and Ferri.

Mind Blowing Special Effects and hilarious comedy

[sky7e · 4 May 2001]

Ok, I watched the Magnum P.I. series religiously, and even I couldn't believe the twists and turns in this laff-a-minit thrill ride. No way Tom Selleck couldn't prove he wasn't the super stud for all time. He shows off his package for minutes at a time, and don't think that Judge Reinhold! isn't looking. You find out the truth about Magnum, including why he's called Magnum, and along the way laugh and love with our hero. Watch the boat explode at the beginning, and the fight with a giant squid and also the girls in bikinis make this the movie of a lifetime. 3 thumbs up.

A GREAT MAGNUM WORK !

[REVENANT-3 · 13 December 1998]

Also the whole movie itself and even the performers, have done a good work.I enjoyed all features.The classic atmosphere of Magnum p.i. series can be viewed.Filming location is also a must see.

I eat the snow

[montag-1 · 19 November 2001]

Dont Eat the Snow is as good as it gets. Where have all the good ideas for television gone? Instead of watching next week's Friends episode try to track down a copy of this movie. If you see it you will end up taping Magnum every day from the A&E channel.

Magnum PI as a series was not as good as it could have been but when all totaled up, it served up about 40 or 50 great episodes that were as dramatic and moving as anything yet done on the subject of the Vietnam war vets and the American life lived once at home. This is the story of aging warriors dealing with a life out of the war setting. A bit timid and unprepared for real civilian life, these four guys settle in Hawaii to be surrounded by jungle fauna and short black-haired Asian people, the war not yet fully out of the rear view mirror.

So when I say that the series was not as good as it could have been I mean to say that this 2-hour pilot movie was so good, set such a high standard that the series had no other chance but to let down. The 2-hour pace, the big budget look and sound of "Snow..." is quite out of the ordinary for any of the three decades I have been taking in TV-movies.

High Art Baby....

OK - not as good as the series that followed

[bob the moo · 11 December 2001]

Thomas drives to pick up a old friend from an military airbase. However he finds his friend has supposed OD'd on drugs that he was attempting to smuggle. Not believing this story Magnum investigates the suspected murder and uncovers a conspiracy that goes back decades and involves officers in the military, stolen gold and hit men.

This is essentially the pilot for the TV show and as such it's hard to watch it looking back. The TV show had a real sense of fun and Selleck quite often had his tongue in his cheek but that was something that developed over a bit of time. Here there isn't any time to develop that sort of familiarity and it is all a bit serious. The plot plays like a straight crime drama, but it's way too far fetched to be convincing - some of the plot twists are just ridiculous! These would have been better if it had been played like they knew it wasn't serious, but because it's played pretty straight it's hard to go along with it.

With the performances it's the same - Selleck has the same charisma that he displayed through the TV series, but again he's hampered by the need to play it mostly straight. Hillerman, Mosley and Manetti all play their roles well - TC is the most relaxed but Higgins and Rick are still to be filled out in the series. Also some small roles going for Judge Reinhold, Fritz Weaver and Robert Loggia. But mostly the performances are introductions rather than characters that are developed over the course of the movie.

The film is hampered by the need for the plot to all tie nicely around the 'Nam flashbacks of Magnum and his buddies and it loses quite a lot because of it. But looking back it's hard not to see the improvements that were made in the series - the lack of the famous theme music in the pilot is one, I love that tune and it did take away from the effect to not have it!

Overall the potential is there, and indeed was realised for the series, but this is a poor film by itself.