I’ve been re-reading the Travis McGee books of late, and it came to my attention that a movie version (probably made for tv) of The Empty Copper Sea starring Sam Elliot as Mcgee was released in 1983. Can anyone tell me if a copy of this movie is, in any way, gettable? Many thanks.
It wasn’t released–it escaped.
Seriously, it was made for TV (ABC, to be specific) as a pilot for a series.
Among the changes, the setting was transfered to Southern California and the Busted Flush was a sailboat instead of a houseboat.
Also, Elliott insisted on playing McGee with a big moustache.
It doesn’t seem to be available on video at this time.
For more–but not many–details, go here:
http://us.imdb.com/Details?0086473
Ack!
That movie is horrible!
It shows up on cable quite a bit actually. Ebay is also another reliable source. But if you love the novels you will not like the movie. Actually, if you like movies, you still will not like the movie.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I have the idea that Rod Taylor once did a movie or something playing Travis McGee. But I did a search on IMdb and it turned up nothing. Did I just get it into my head that I thought he would have done a good job or might they have cast him in a film or series and it hit the toilet before it made the screen?
Probably just my imagination.
TV time, you just trust your memory.
Darker Than Amber was released in 1970, with Rod Taylor as our hero and Theodore Bikel as Meyer. I thought Taylor and Bikel were well-matched and there’s a hell of a fight scene. Not at all bad.
You can pick up a momento here.
Travis McGee in California with a moustache and the Busted Flush is a sailboat? God, I’m glad I missed that bit of lunacy! Several years ago there was a TV network production of John D’s The Solid Gold Trap that wasn’t too bad.
Thoughtless of John D. MacDonald to up and die on us without leaving 40 or so finished “McGee” manuscripts, wasn’t it?
Thanks jcgmoi. I do appreciate it. And John Carter, yeah it was, but he would eventually have run out of colors anyway.
With the success that Nero and Archie are having, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone tries to do McGee and Meyer on the tube.
Thanks all. Mostly wanted to see it as a curiosity, but you guys have about talked me out of it. Some of the casting seemed inspired, especially Richard Farnsworth, but having Southern California play the role of Florida tells me pretty much all I need to know. Again, thanks.
jcmoi, I think I saw that one on TV. The Flush most definitely was not a sailboat and McGee was not sporting a moustache. I was hoping for series spinoff, even though I don’t have TV access at home (there’s always the folks and their trusty VCR) but it was stand-alone.
I’m vacillating between hoping someone will do the entire series and fearing that someone will do the entire series.
TV time, you’re very welcome.
AHunter3 , Darker was set in FL too. Pretty close to McD’s original.
It took TV a while to get Archie and Nero right. Remember William Conrad and Lee Horsley? Unfortunately, I do.
As far as running out of colors, here’s a story I heard:
With 1 book to go on his current contract, McD’s publishers were playing hardball on a new pact. McD told them if that continued to be their attitude, his next book would have black in the title and would end with the death of McGee. End of hardball.
Arguably The Lonely Silver Rain was intended to end the series. Much of the tone and the events of the novel look that way to me. Oh course, John D.'s health while writing the book may have contributed to that.
Sigh, I worry about Dick Francis too. How much longer can he go. . .