Perceived Parallels

Diamond Tightrope

Not exactly twins, except for show confusion arising during 1959 with David Janssen's Richard Diamond and Mike Conners' Tightrope. It was the first detective series for both actors and both were on CBS. Myth has it that some figured Janssen starred in both series.

Miserly Duo
Character actors Charles Lane (1905-2007), at left, and Will Wright (1894-1962) might be confused because of similar casting. Though eleven years separated them, they started careers about the same time. Known as curmudgeons, short-tempered or miserly businessmen, both had prolific film careers. Lane's indelible claim to fame was as the mean-spirited Homer Bedloe on the television series, Petticoat Junction, a spin-off of The Beverly Hillbillies, where he crossed over as Bedloe at least once. 

Wise Counsel

Over the years there has been some television role confusion between Raymond Bailey (1904-80), at left, and Frank Wilcox (1904-74). Both of these actors had recurring roles on The Beverly Hillbillies and both were the same age. Each was often cast as a businessman, a judge, or another career professional in film westerns, and television dramas or comedies. 

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

A former patient returns home after a nervous breakdown to discover her father has remarried. Her stepmother wants to force her back into a sanitarium. Kimble discovers what is going on.

The Homecoming, 1964
Guest stars: Shirley Knight, Richard Carlson, Gloria Grahame

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

Kimble medical training saves the life of a young boy with a serious medical condition unknown to the kidnappers.

Never Stop Running, 1964
Guest stars: Claude Akins, Joanna Moore, Wright King

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

A terminally ill man tries to help Kimble elude Gerard but his wife's suspicions come into play.

Somebody to Remember, 1964

Guest stars: Gilbert Roland, Madlyn Rhue

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

Kimble reunites with the man who saved his life in the Korean War but his heroism left him physically and psychologically scarred.

Taps for A Dead War, 1964
Guest stars: Tim O'Connor, Lee Grant

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Kimble helps a wounded man (a bank robber) who then takes the doctor hostage. The wounded criminal's sister later recognizes Kimble from a wanted poster. The police descend.

Rat In A Corner, 1964
Guest stars: Warren Oates, Malachi Throne

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Kimble is drawn into a domestic storm between father and daughter in Reno. Aside from his wise counsel, the doctor is able to use his medical skills while posing as a lifeguard. 

   
Where The Action Is, 1964
Guest star Telly Savalas

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

For the first time since trial, Kimble returns home to a father with a serious health concern and a younger brother believing he is guilty.

Note: This episode is notable for Jacqueline Scott's first appearance as Kimble's sister. Her phone conversation with her brother "out of the blue" is a series highlight. Scott's acting was genuine and quite believable. Robert Keith was in failing health in real life, dying in 1966.

Home Is The Hunted, 1964
Guest stars: Jacqueline Scott, Andrew Prine, Robert Keith

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Kimble is nearly killed by a car driven by a young stewardess. She was otherwise mentally occupied with the devastating realization that her "sweetheart" is a married man with two children. While recuperating in a hospital, Kimble's delirium audibly recalls the night of his wife's murder.

The Girl From Little Egypt, 1963
Guest stars: Pamela Tiffin, Ed Nelson

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Hired by a construction crew boss, Jack Klugman, Janssen recognizes a falsely accused young man needs defending for the assault on Klugman's wife, Elizabeth Allen. 

Terror at Highpoint, 1963
Guest stars: Jack Klugman, Elizabeth Allen, James Best

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

This an old fashioned murder mystery episode that has Kimble aboard a freighter, Alaskan Star, a few hours out of Seattle. There are many familiar television faces in this episode and most seem to have their own secrets. Among the eleven intertwining passengers, and a crew of fourteen, is an FBI agent in search of a Korean War criminal and traitor. The viewer logically narrows this down to a male passenger. The agent does not live to pin the crime on the killer, however, and Kimble must use his medical degree to diagnose who committed the murder. 

Ticket to Alaska, 1963
Main guest stars Geraldine Brooks, Tim O'Connor, June Dayton

A Noted Television Theme

 

Beside the intelligent scripts and David Janssen's iconic portrayal of Dr. Richard Kimball, The Fugitive is memorable for its distinctive theme and music cues written by Pete Rugolo. The fast-paced "running" music of the theme perfectly matched the title character. He wrote cues for Barry Morse's character, a contemplative cue for Kimball, as well as numerous cues ranging from sad to exciting chase moments. Being good friends and a Rugolo fan, it was Janssen's hope to have Rugolo work for his first series, Richard Diamond. The series put him at the forefront of television composers. Combined with Maurice Binder's opening graphic sequence, it set the jazzy tone of the series in the beginning. His theme and music cues for Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, was his next milepost. Roy Huggins, creator of The Fugitive concept, would twist the idea around for his next series, Run For Your Life. Having a second title character "running for his life" simultaneously was not as successful, however.

Note: Pietro "Pete" Rugolo (1915-2011) was a Sicilian-born jazz composer who settled in the US in 1921. He wrote music for many series in television's early days which were as diverse as Leave It To Beaver or Felony Squad. Maurice Binder would gain international fame for his creative opening titles for the early James Bond films.

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Eight months a fugitive, Kimble encounters Sandy Dennis, guest-starring as a young woman who wants a future outside her West Virginia roots. The doctor is fortunate she knows the region well enough to help him escape a sheriff's posse and the single-minded Lt. Gerard through a mine tunnel that exits on the other side of a mountain. But Dennis must remain "trapped" in her depressing world.

The Other Side of The Mountain, 1963
Frank Sutton, R.G. Armstrong, and Bruce Dern also guest star

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Spying on her teacher, played by Patricia Crowley, one of her young students, a pathological liar played by Gina Gillespie, accuses her of inappropriate behavior with Kimble. Her myopic mom finds it difficult to accept the truth. The townsfolk want Crowley out of town. Kimble's pediatric brat counseling comes into play, saving him from a lynching. 

The Witch, 1963

Madeleine Sherwood, Arch Johnson, and Crahan Denton guest star

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Brian Keith's character puts the fear in Tucson to begin the series. His volatile nature is threatening to his wife, played by Vera Miles and their son. Keith is first-rate as a wealthy businessman with a disturbing level of jealousy and an ego the size of Arizona. Once again, Keith is always on the verge of exploding. He calls the police about Kimble who quickly buys a bus ticket. Miles and her son plan to escape with him. She should know it is not possible since this is the very first episode, Fear In A Desert City, 1963. This has all the elements needed to establish the series and probably the best episode to launch the series.

Richard Kimble's Brief Encounters

 

Dr. Kimble nearly settles down with Susan Oliver, as Karen Christian, except the series just started. Besides, with the one-armed man said to be in the area, it throws a wrench into their plans in this first two-part episode of the series, Never Wave Goodbye (1963).