Buy "Danny Was A Million Laughs" and all the other episodes from
I Spy Season 1
Martin Landau as
Danny Preston
Jeanette Nolan as
Helen Robinson
Keye Luke as
Lt. How), Linda Ho
Linda Ho
as Nancy
Aki Aleong
as Kim
Ronald Starr
as Sam
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Season 1 - originally broadcast
October 27, 1965
French: "Méfie-toi de leur sourire" (Don't Trust Their Smile)
German: "Wie Danny Preston das Lachen verlernte" (How Danny Preston Forgot How To Laugh)
Writer: Arthur Dales
Director: Mark Rydell
They do their best to keep their moving target, Danny, from getting killed, but they cannot move fast enough to save Danny's henchmen Sam and Genius.
Cast:
Martin Landau (Danny Preston), Jeanette Nolan (Helen Robinson), Keye Luke (Lt. How), Linda Ho (Nancy), Aki Aleong (Kim), Ronald Starr (Sam), Nick Colasanto (Genius), Larry Duran (Wong), John Barclay (Dr. Moran), David Chow (Sargeant), Willie Soo Hoo (Maitre d'), H.W. Gim (bus boy), Alan Chee (bus boy #2)
FROM THE NOTEBOOKS
Synopsis: They must guard a gangster awaiting extradition.
Highlights/Comments: Kelly's suggestion “Tell your mother I like my bacon crisp.” ... When Kelly suggests harming Danny, Scotty responds "work before pleasure"
I SPY REVISITED - Revised rating 
This was always the first episode I'd think of when remembering I Spy at its worst. Exemplary of when script and chemistry were all wrong. Not being a devotee of insult comedians, like many, I'd found Danny's Ugly American patter distasteful. But viewing it again in 2008, my attitude was completely changed. While the tongue-in-cheek episodes were never a favorite, and the series was at its best when the main plot was dead serious, I now found the coarse character of Danny much more amusing.
My objections were of a minor nature. It was, of course, preposterous that an agent would brief Kelly and Scotty with the door of their suite open, as Aunt Helen demanded. For that matter, to discuss the assignment in most of the places she did. Comment was made on the I Spy Forum about the abbreviated credits sequence, probably due to the episode running long. The music at the end of Part 2was also cut off.
What was particularly special in this episode was the way each character, no matter how minor, stood out. Nancy comes across so warm and pleasant, and the change to a vicious murderer is beautifully portrayed when she says how little money she was pleased to take to kill Danny. The deadpan police lieutenant was such a refreshing and amusing contrast to Danny's ranting. Even the busboy who found the bomb stood out as did the maitre d' horrified at the brawl. Sam's bland characterization of a hood was mild-mannered and helped to soften the edges of the episode. Also adding flair and charm was the fast-talking tour guide, Aki Aleong stealing the show each time he was on screen. “Aunt Helen” was also meant to stand out, but her strident character was just a little much added to 50 minutes of Martin Landau hamming it up as Danny.
Lots of highlights noted.
As Kelly raves about the succulent fare at the restaurant, Scotty, more concerned about the assignment, shouts, “stop eating!” ….. As the bodyguard tells the waiter, “him Danny Preston, very important,” Scotty pulls the waiter aside and says “him nothin'.” …. When “aunt Helen” calls Scotty “Scott Alexander,” and then says he's as irresponsible as Kelly, Scotty responds, “I know my own name.” Kelly says, “that's my Aunt Helen,” and Scotty asks, “is she from the objectionable side of your family?” …..Scotty's nonsense chat with the sick child ….. Kelly, disgusted with the idea of protecting Danny Preston, threatens to resign, but can't find any paper for the purpose because Scotty's used it up writing to his mother. Kelly harangues that Scotty can write and tell his mother that he's fed up with the “whole Nathan Hale bit,” adding, “they don't want you to just give the one life you regret you've only got one of, they want you to give your self respect too.” He says that they also have a duty to humanity, and that “keeping that creep alive would be a direct sell out of the entire human race.” Kelly goes on about the fact that Congress doesn't give medals to their servants who get ulcers, and when the call comes that Danny has arrived, Scotty warns, “there is no writing paper, so let's go to work.” ….. When Danny throws a coin at Scotty, and says “here you are boy. I'll leave my shoes out for you tonight” Kelly suggests, “well, we could
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