Bravo Milton, great post! I agree with you, Gillis is a wonderful character and I have always been a sucker for take offs on those hard bitten PI's of the 1930 and 40's.Milton Collins wrote:Sinjin wrote:Luther Gillis had me rolling in this funny episode revolving around an awards banquet, a murder, and the investigation of an international drug smuggling ring. Eugene Roche had some great lines and he delivered them to perfection with his over-the-top character Luther. "Everytime I came to Bananaland on a case..." "Speaking of the word 'cracked,' it reminds me of the time my little brother thought he was a chicken..." "Oh gee, he croaked!" "illegal peanut butter" "the banana train stops here" "Lemon?" He chewed up every scene he was in. quote]
I agree, and how about "Sorry for breaking in on you, but some wimp shot me." and then he passes out on the floor. I don't really understand the mass hatred for Luther Gillis that i've seen on this site. I actually find him to be a good character. Of course he's foolish and a bit annoying but to me he's pretty damn funny at the same time. I'd take him ANYDAY over Shelly Faraday (Kiss of the Sabre) Rodney Radcliff (Old aquaintance) Tran Quac Jones (Tran Quac Jones) Basketball Willie (Basket Case) or a number of other absolutely stupid characters. I just love the whole concept of this episode, bringing back all the old characters? BRILLIANT! It was great to see John Wayne, Luther, Tracy etc. again along with Doc I, Tanaka, Carol etc. Total fun murder mystery type of episode all on location at a fantastic hotel. I think this is one of the funnier and more light hearted ones that I consider a solid "go to" episode when I just want to get a good laugh.
Many shows, from the Bowery Boys to Jack Benny to Star Trek TNG have done take offs on the genre. Luther is one of the best, he is at once a satire yet he is as capable as Magnum, sometimes a step ahead and thats why his character works.
I recall reading that that the actor who portrayed Santa in the original Miracle on 34th Street, when asked on his deathbed how he felt, said "dying is easy, comedy is hard".
Eugene Roche played it just right as Luther,I think most other actors would have hammed it up too much and mugged for the camera.
I have always wondered - even at the time - if Luther Gillis might have also been a nod to another CBS show that aired during the Magnum years, 'Mickey Spillanes Mike Hammer'. Starring a tongue in cheek Stacy Keach, it shared some of the same up and coming starlets as were on Magnum, with the leading man in both a Vietnam vet with a great mustache, stylish hat and a way with the babes.
It ran for 2 seasons, then another in the 1990's, which must be some sort of record.