blee1940 Reviews

The High Chaparral: Sea of Enemies (1969) Season 2, Episode 14

Story written by a Tucsonan.

[10/10 · 14 May 2021]

This episode was written by Christopher Helms, news director at KVOA-TV, the NBC TV affiliate in Tucson. It was originally titled "Grady Graham Don't Lie." As Tucson production of season one was wrapping up, show creator David Dortort was in town for the wrap party. Helms had written the story as he watched the first season air. He approached Dortort at the party and discussed the script. Dortort invited Helms to meet him at his hotel room the next day. The two talked more about the story, and Dortort said he was definitely interested. Not long after, Helms was contacted and offered $3,000 for rights to the story. It was turned over to screenwriter Walter Black who "tweaked" it slightly, including the title change and the main character's name. Buck Cannon's role in the story was allso modified slightly, (no spoiler here) and in conversing with Cameron Mitchell about it during the shooting of the episode, he told me it "made him a little uncomfortable." The screenplay was generally true to Helms' story, which was quite contemporary for that time. It was Helms only succesful script sale. -- Bob Lee, KVOA-TV Operations Manager, 1965-1973. (The High Chaparral set was always "open" to KVOA-TV people).

Rocket Hunter (2020)

What IS this?

[1/10 · 18 February 2020]

A dreadful production. I've seen better work from middle school students.

Perils of Nyoka (1942)

Stuntman David Sharpe should have received top billing.

[6/10 · 2 July 2019]

Typical Republic action serial. Stuntman Dave Sharpe is clearly visible in fight scenes involving Clayton Moore. There is a slight facial resemblance from a distance, but Sharpe was smaller in build than Moore. William Whitney, the director, was a master at staging fights, chases and "cliffhangers."

Mr. Mom (1983)

Richard Pryor??

[31 December 2006]

The actor portraying the "Assistant Cameraman" is identified as "Larry Flash Gordon." I am positive this was Richard Pryor, especially since there is no information available on "Larry Flash Gordon." (Larry was "Buster" Crabbe's sort of first name. Short for "Clarence.") Larry "Buster" Crabbe played "Flash Gordon" in movie serials. This movie was made three years after Pryor's near death by fire. With Pryor's twisted sense of humor, it would seem there might be a joke in the name "Larry Flash Gordon" somewhere. The question is: How or why did Richard Pryor get this apparently unnoticed "cameo?" Someone connected with the shooting of that particular scene (the production of a TV commercial, featuring Graham Jarvis and Teri Garr) might have the answer. Perhaps Teri Garr, herself now battling MS, could shed some light on this.