Comments from The I Spy Forum continued
Phyllis is the weak link in the program. She is an irritating character, another goofy woman, this one with a hint of psychological trouble. Why did the writers always write rich women as dingbats? Kelly seems to have no real respect for her, in fact he doesn't even seem to feel bad about using her. Stealing from innocent people in the line of duty. I wasn't impressed with Julie London's acting job, either, but then she wasn`t given much to work with. And I agree that with Scotty's life hanging in the balance, perhaps the scene in her apartment was played a bit too much for laughs. But taken in themselves, some of the lines were quite funny, and I do love that line "Why don't you get a haircut some day?"
But the final fight scene was one of the best, I especially love that flying karate chop Kelly makes on the heavy who is about to shoot Scotty. The tagline is humorous, but marred again by poor acting from Ms. London.
So I would give this one high marks, marred only by the Phyllis character, which would have worked had it been written a lit more thoughtfully. B+
Author: SAM
Date: 8/27/01 2:40:03 PM
Hi Colonel-
I cannot disagree with any of your comments - but perhaps we look for different things? LOTS of very funny lines in this one - I also loved the line "Get your gruntles over with . ." but still perhaps as a female I disliked his use of HER and her being, as you say, a `dingbat.`
I don't know why I loved No Exchange and found this one not that great- DESPITE the wonderful music and scenery. Maybe because the Louise character had such sweetness and sincerity? I also was very touched by Kelly's ongoing gentleness with her, AND that same gentleness when lifting Scotty out of the barrels - his cradling of her face . . . Maybe I like to see him more vulnerable, more desperate, more kind? He had a very warm response to Scotty when he was about to run out searching for the $50,000 but I forget what it was. However it was very touching. I wish the whole show would have been up to that line.
To each their own!
SAM
P.S - this is what I find so ENJOYABLE about these discussions!
Author Tatia Loring
Date: 8/30/01 5:07:37 AM
This is one of those episodes that has really grown on me ... I, too, didn't care for it much when I first saw it ... The story is not stellar - Kelly steals jewelry from his girlfriend to promote his meet with Sorgi and then tries to steal more to save Scotty ... and he doesn't seem to have much remorse about using Julie London ... Kelly, Kelly, Kelly!!! Not one of your finer moments ....
But after seeing this one a few times, everything "else" about the episode shines (if you overlook the story itself) - and pay attention to all the other details, Mr. Hagen's great music - with all the Asian overtones adding their flavor, the banter between the "boys," the guest stars (Leonard and London), and the exquisite scenery. Lots of pluses here!!!
Leonard as Sorgi - what a class act - the sophisticated, cultured gangster - with style and viciousness all rolled into one - he was perfect!!!
The Colonel made a very good point about Kelly's persona as a "tennis bum" .... he certainly was invited into the best of homes on the tennis circuit, but when it came down to it, as shown with his visit to James Shigeta, he really wasn't accepted - not really part of their world ... and as is often mentioned in John Tiger's "I SPY" books - the trust and reliance and closeness of Scotty and Kelly on one another was paramount to their existence and their survival - they truly were the only ones who they could depend on - who were always there for the other.
I liked Julie London's Phyllis (I like Julie London) - she was the epitome of intriguing, sultry, and smoky - but always warm and charming at the same time .... I wouldn't label her Phyllis a dingbat - she played her role as it should be - a bored, rich girl (who had something more to her) - but just had too much time and money on her hands - and not a whole lot of purpose and direction in her life ... this wasn't the typical "guest" female role -
.... and as both SAM and the Colonel mentioned, Kelly didn't seem to have any problems about "using" Phyllis - perhaps that's what they were trying to compensate for with his most deeply-hurt, heartfelt "gruntled" grievances at the end of the story, brought about because he surmises that Phyllis didn't truly trust him .... (duh ???) ... we are supposed to believe that Phyllis instinctively knew all along that Kelly was really good and true and had the heart of a boy scout .... well, anyway, it was a cute ending ...
The banter between Kelly and Scotty was really in place by this episode .... they were working off each other with great style and perfection ....
SCOTTY: If you are so good at getting ransom and everything, what took you so long?
KELLY: What took me so long? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get $50,000 in Tokyo on a Sunday night, even if you're only asking a dollar a person?
SCOTTY: You look disgruntled.
KELLY: I've never felt so wonderfully gruntled in all my days ...
And one other scene to mention - when Kelly goes to the Embassy (or wherever) to ask for the money to save Scotty .... Culp's slow, cold, teeth-clenching delivery as he demands "and" pleads at the same time was really something!! .... Not a swift move on Mr. Starrett`s part - telling Kelly he can't get the folks in Washington because it is 4 AM .... and Kelly's chillingly controlled response that Mr. Starrett should "wake them up from their soft beds" at 4 in the morning - because without Scotty (and men like him) who sacrifice their lives all the time, these people wouldn't be able to be sleeping so comfortably in their soft beds in the first place. (A quick aside - Culp and Simon Scott - Mr. Starrett - have worked together several times ... the best was in a sci-fi pilot called "Now Is Tomorrow" from 1958. Simon plays Culp's superior officer - they are assigned to an isolated military base (which later turns out to be in outer space??) where they monitor incoming "blips" to determine if they must turn the "key" that will launch the retaliatory bombs that will end the world ... Bob doesn't do so well under this pressure and goes totally bonkers. This one was bizarre and outlandish ... and naturally I loved it!!! )
"3 Hours on A Sunday Night" - I`ll go with the Colonel on this one ... B+
As ever, Tatia
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