Comments from the I Spy Forum continued
Author: SAM
Date: 7/23/01 5:53:03 PM
Colonel! - Congratulations on posting first! I always liked some parts of this episode but other parts made me wince. To begin with- I can forgive a LOT when I see Culp in that tux complete with ruffled shirt (sorry fellows, can't help myself!)
But when they enter the party I really noted how DATED the series seemed because of what the women wore - beehive hairstyles etc; while the tuxes were exactly right.
Kelly was particularly interesting in his brooding mode but I had trouble believing he was pining for Joanne Linville- she never struck me as a stunner either (little girl bright? PLEASE!) But as an actress she had to be capable of pulling it off.
So many of the important women in Kelly's life seemed not overly pretty except for Tatia and Sam - sorry again guys- Laura Devon and France Nuyen but the `smaller fry` actresses were gorgeous - i.e. the lovely girl from Cup of Kindness or Anabel Garth. ALSO had a large problem with George - to compare him and KELLY- NO CONTEST! I know I am not objective but he was NOT beautiful. I agree the storyline seemed reminiscent of the 40`s but it had annoying bits - the East Indian girl at the herbologists- the silly blind alleys the two encountered - and why at the end did no one help Kelly and Scotty but Tia?
I DID enjoy Culp's face when Linville implores him in the last scene- he had given her all those pleading looks throughout the story. Then it was HER turn and he disdained her in 30 seconds- very nicely done. I also enjoyed Scotty's disposal of his socks.
A mediocre episode with some fine moments.
SAM
Joanne Linville
Author: Tatia Loring
Date: 7/25/01 1:27:07 AM
Well this happens to rank up there as one I do like - not quite in the top tier - but up there ... I agree with SAM - one can overlook a LOT when we get to see Scotty and Kelly strolling into a party - tuxs gleaming - looking as if they owned the world!! This scene was used at the beginning of "I SPY Returns" also - definitely our guys at the height of their "coolness" days!!!
like Joanne Linville - and remember her from "Star Trek" as the Romulan commander who tries to seduce Spock. She usually plays very strong female roles ... and I loved that super gigantic hat that she wears to meet Kelly and Scotty, after George has been killed ... that was some hat!!! Though the storyline had lots of flaws running all over it - you truly didn`t suspect Alicia's part in the nefarious activities going on - so the ending scene where her "head of the board" status is revealed was quite a surprise! I thought she did a credible job pulling us in ...
I really liked the conference scene at the end - as the Colonel mentioned - sort of an Agatha Christie "everyone gathering together in the drawing room" denouement ... and since they didn't use this again in other episodes, I thought it worked well. We have said that many of "I Spy's" stories were "odes" to past movies ... and I agree with SAM and the Colonel that "Dragon`s Teeth" fits this pattern well ... yes a little Sidney Greenstreet, a little Terry and the Pirates, a little Maltese Falcon flavor ...
I guess Tatia also likes to see Kelly getting shot down - when someone of the female persuasion chooses someone other than him - Culp's reactions were always so wonderful in handling those situations!!
Tai Chiang
I especially liked Culp in the closing scenes - with his primetime speech ... "Madame President, members of the board ..." and his disdainful, withering stare appraising Alicia at the end - (next to "pain," Bob does "disdain" and disgust verry well!!!) Then there's Scotty's adorable line about not being able to drink the poison, because he doesn't drink! ... even though it was quite far fetched and a bit forced - having the guys do themselves in with a poisoned drink - certainly had a lot more flair than the usual gunshot or bomb explosion ...
And the tag scene for "Dragon's Teeth" was probably one of their very best ...... Did Kelly lift that extremely "red" velvet dinner jacket straight from Hef`s closet?? The dirty socks in the vases were a great touch - but stuffing a fortune cookie with your "own" fortune - now that was one "COOL" move, gentlemen - that one highly impressed Tatia!!!
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