Hong Kong

That was a time of great TV series, such as Route 66, The Invaders, and The Fugitive. Hong Kong was a very well done, elaborate and intelligent film, with the great charm of Black & White photography... I was anxious waiting for the 9 o'clock pm show at the Brazilian TV at that time, to appreciate the adventures and "embroglios" in which Mr. Glenn Evans, a reporter, plunged in old and exotic Hong Kong. Evans was interpreted by Rod Taylor, an Australian actor, catapulted to the movie world after playing under the direction of Hitchcock, in "The Birds". Although I remember it quite well, I was never able to find the beautiful music-theme composed by Lionel Newman for the series, nor I was ever able to find a DVD version for this marvelous TV series.

Even viewing Hong Kong today, it has not lost any of it's charm and character! It certainly belongs to the Film Noir category The scripts were great, and the whole atmosphere reminded me of such movie greats as Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon. Every character in the series enhanced the series, and took it quite a lot of steps beyond what was on television at the time. Rod Taylor of course provided the perfect center piece!! No wonder the Brocelli Brothers wanted him to screen test for James Bond! Rod projected a suave sophistication, and had a rare combination of masculinity and tenderness that one is hard pressed to find in a lot of actors today. He was like Spencer Tracey, Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant, all wrapped up in one parcel! As one reviewer pointed out, if this series had been made in color, I'm sure we would be watching re-runs now! Occasionly, a few episodes crop up on EBay. Do yourself a favor, and make a purchase, and see why this series is great!

The only reason I can figure that "Hong Kong" seems never to have been rerun is that it was shot in black & white.

I was a junior in High School when it aired on ABC (1960-61)and I've never seen it since. But "Hong Kong" left a lasting impression and I would love to see it again.

I'd been vaguely aware of Rod Taylor from some earlier TV appearances and had liked him in "The Time Machine", but it was "Hong Kong" that made me a fan (for life). The show had a wonderful look and feel to it, a real sense of place (despite the fact most of it was shot on the FOX lot).

To me, at seventeen, the show seemed wonderfully sophisticated and exotic. Rod Taylor (half the time in a white dinner jacket) made for an elegant and intelligent yet muscular hero - a variation on James Bond two years before "Dr. No".

I especially remember the music. Lionel Newman's work on "Hong Kong" was superb, as were all facets of the production for its day. The supporting cast, including Lloyd Bochner and Jack Kruschen, was uniformly excellent.

They thought back then at ABC and 20th-TV that it might be a blockbuster, their "Wagon Train" (NBC). Perhaps on another network it might have (ABC just didn't have the station lineup to compete). And if they'd shot it in color, it might now be considered a rerun classic.

rvc

The 'Hong Kong' series, starring Rod Taylor remains one of the all-time best ever to appear on TV, even though it was made back in 1960/61, it still stands up as a great show. This series was the one that catapulted handsome, rugged Aussie Rod Taylor to top movie stardom. The worst thing about this series is that it only went for 26 episodes! But what a shame 20th. Century Fox haven't put them out on DVD. I know many fans around the world would love to own this series, and I'm sure many 'new generation' fans would cotton on to it also. Every 'reality' show and junky series made today seems to automatically be released on DVD, whilst a true classic series like 'Hong Kong' languishes in the Fox vaults! But, we live in hopes!!

I have memories of this show being one of the best series. Outstanding look and feel. I watched faithfully every episode. The music and casting was fantastic. I was amazed that it did not last longer. Assumed that it was too expensive to produce. Very surprised to find out that the fantastic scenes of Hong Kong streets were filmed on back lots. This series made me a Rod Taylor fan for life. I still watch "The Time Machine" every time it is on TV. Hong Kong was great and I wish I could find the series on DVD. Just finished watching Gathering of Eagles and had to come to IMDb for more information on Rod Taylor. I still wonder why we don't see more of him in movies and on TV.