illusiondweller Reviews

Highway Patrol (1955–1959)

Crawford was believable and perfect for his part.

[27 December 2005]

There has been much fun made of the part played by Broderick Crawford---and much denigration accorded the show in general. I have a complete collection of the series. I watch them when I need a fix from the current workaday world of crime now overwhelming law-enforcement...and the courts allowing it to happen.

Crawford, whose mom and dad worked the Vaudeville circuit, was a very talented and forceful visage in "Highway Patrol". One didn't have to look like Clark Gable in order to portray a dedicated cop. No, he wasn't pretty. Yes, he looked like an unmade bed. But, that just added authenticity to the show in my 15-19 year old (at the time) eyes.

I would have hated being interrogated by him even if I hadn't done anything wrong. Think about how much more latitude the first line of law-enforcement had during that show's time. It started four years before the passage of the Miranda Act. Folks who got too chirpy with "the law" in those days, learned a pretty good lesson before they even got locked up. Wish it still held true. Buddy Buchanan

Ripcord (1961–1963)

Larry Pennell...an actor too easily dismissed

[18 September 2005]

The Ripcord series fit into a cunning and largely appreciated black and white 1960's TV niche. It was situated somewhere between the hybrid "Lassie" genre (which used formula after formula to keep the series going---with middling success, but without a comfortable continuity of characters and situations)...and Whirley Birds which recycled some of the stars and characters from the "Park Ranger Lassies". These Lassies became a real ordeal to watch even for kids.

Ripcord, proffering a welcomed outline--- bereft of non-western and non-private eye predictability--- mixed action, drama, mystery, humor and, well--- swagger to bring a fascinating weekly episode about the infant sport of skydiving to its dedicated viewer-ship of all age groups.

The adventures were of a compelling and happy-ending ilk. The dialog was cleverly written. It pretty much had to be. It was born of the necessity of familiarizing viewers with the intricacies and dangers attendant to a burgeoning sport...and, at the same time, putting forth a fresh plot which could be understood amid the defining of an interesting-if-unfamiliar activity.

The co-main character, Ken Curtis, who went on to play the ubiquitous and well-meaning bumpkin/buffoon on Gunsmoke did well in Ripcord---and, ultimately became an American "Prairie Trash" icon of the small screen---leaving small, grinding parts to follow for his counterpart, Larry Pennell. Pennell subsequently and interminably showed up in just about every type part that had to be auditioned for. See: Dash Riprock's character of The Beverly Hillbillies. A pity, as his talent and visage were quite worthy for their time.

How many within sight or hollering' distance of this piece know that in 1950, Larry "Bud" Pennell was the slick fielding and power hitting first baseman for the Jackson(MS)Senators. Well, he was. And, his exciting play filled-up the rickety green painted board seats of dilapidated League Park...at the fairgrounds...in my hometown. I was then a ten year old bat boy whose crew cut head Pennell rubbed for good luck prior to an at-bat. The Senators folded their tent upon completion of the season of 1950, by the way.

Pennell could hit a baseball farther than you could point. Would that his acting career had been such fodder for excitement. Bud Pennell could play, guys. Buddy Buchanan/Jackson,MS