Hong Kong

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 couldn't wait for Wednesday nights when Hong Kong was on. My younger brother and I would fight(he for Wagon Train), so I didn't see all the episodes. I still have Lionel Newmans' soundtrack of the show on LP. I don't know who played the trumpet in the orchestra, but, the horn sounded very haunting.

In my opinion, it was a great show, and it died too soon. I still wish I had the auto Glenn drove. The Sunbeam Alpine has always been my elusive dream. The color of it seemed to be white.

Lloyd Bochner played the police inspector, and worked well with Glenn. Whenever "Glenn" had some romantic scenes, I was very upset. It should have been me. Of course, I was 13 at the time.

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!

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.

Rod Taylor as Glenn Evans was "the man". Very charming and sophisticated. Could really handle himself in a good fight! This series was initially on when I was about 6 years old but remember seeing it in reruns years later and I was hooked. The look and feel of the show is outstanding. Managed to get my hands on 4 episodes and really am in awe of the location shooting that was done. Beautiful!! The story lines and guest stars were first-rate. Don't understand why this only ran for one season. I guess the audience at the time was way too into westerns to give this show a chance. What a gem!!