Comments from The I Spy Forum continued
I missed the difference in colors between scenes and the balloon vender exclamation completely. My question is did anyone pick up on that Tom Keith (Gene Lyons) was shot in the studio and not actually at Chichen Itza for the scene at the top of the pyramid?
I'll agree with Sam's 7 out of 10 on this one.
Author: Bill W
Date: 11/12/01 6:44:30 AM
loved this episode, too. My favorite line comes in the tag, as the boys run into Sheldon Leonard, and Kelly is going on about how much he loves his television shows. He hands it off to Scotty, who grumbles that Leonard programs have too much gratuitous violence.
For those who may be interested, Howard Duff portrayed the legendary Sam Spade for many many years in radio.
Author: Tatia Loring
Date: 11/13/01 12:59:22 AM
Antoinette Bower
"Crusade to Limbo" was an episode that started out with great promise - but didn't hit its potential ... and like "Maude" its saving grace was some really terrific "side" scenes - though the ending was rather weak, the tag scene with Sheldon Leonard playing himself - just about made up for everything ...
I adored the tag scene with Leonard ... everything about it - from Kelly's reaction to spotting a "big star," to Scotty's remarks about not caring for the violence in Leonard's gangster movies, to the whole "so that's not your wife?" routine, to Leonard's inimitable voice, to decking Kelly, and Cosby's follow-up about Kelly seeing "stars," to that sweet little girl holding the flower ... it was one of those wonderful scenes that made "I SPY" ... well, "I SPY!!"
I also really enjoyed the opening art fair segment with the deep-thinking artist (Victor Eberg) whose painting Kelly and Scotty stop to "admire/analyze" ... (he was also in "The Spy Business" as one of the bad guys - listed in the credits as "Tall Man" - in case you are into "I SPY" minutiae :-) ... he truly was a creative genius being able to "concentrate" a bomb "into" his painting ... boy, what a true artist has to do to put up with those "Americano gringo" art critics ...
Howard Duff played his role well - the "star" who wanted to be more - more intense, more caring, more socially conscious, more intellectual ... but he was not as astute as he thought he was - a bit too full of himself - the perfect "dupe" ... (as were all the others there - perhaps a commentary on famous people who believe their own publicity - or - people with their hearts in the right places who are led astray by charismatic political figures/causes??)
Then there was the scene where Kelly shoots "Duff" - very, very well-done by Culp - his discomfort, the high stakes, the building tension - beautifully played ... and the scene just before it where Scotty's "convinces" Kelly that he must shoot Shawn because of their professed (and shared) political beliefs ... Mr. Cosby really delivered in that scene (and Kelly - trained assassin that he was - probably would have gone for a head-shot - of course, that would have altered the story-line a tad ...)
... and the scene in their hotel room - waiting to see if Shawn took the bait - there is Scotty ironing his shirt and Kelly reading comic books - leaning on his suitcase ... perfect touches that made our guys so much more real ... (never saw Napoleon Solo or Ilya doing that ... or Mr. Steed or Mrs. Peel)
But my all time favorite scene in "Crusade" is Shelby and Kelly at the restaurant ... where he's thinks this is it! - finally his big chance with Shelby ... she's invited him to go out!! ... but in reality it turns out that poor Kelly's "date" is actually "business, " so he can be introduced to his contact. While Kelly is pouring out the wine and pouring on the charm - he says something to Shelby like he always knew that there was more to her behind that hard enamel exterior she always displayed at work - but he quickly concludes that the enamel exterior is the real her!
... SO ... it was great watching Kelly's reaction - completely dumb-founded - when Shelby goes off to meet her real date at the bar, after Kelly's contact arrives. Shelby very warmly kisses her date and is enchanting and animated. Kelly does the perfect "how could she possibly resist my charms” routine and milks it for everything its worth. Culp performance was perfect! All through his briefing, Kelly keeps looking back at Shelby and her date in total disbelief that she really preferred some other man to him. Of course, at the end of the scene, he glances over at Shelby and then at a great-looking lady who just happened to give him the once over as she passed by, and with a "What the hey?" look goes after his new found quarry. (The whole scene was totally adorable and very well played.)
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