I found this interesting too Mr. Beardface. At the time that “I Spy Returns” was broadcast I was aware that Robert Culp had been trying to get an I Spy movie produced from his own script, I think from something I read in TV Guide. After watching “I Spy Returns” I figured, at best, he had mild contempt for that script, but guessed that he was in a “take it or leave it” position. This was confirmed in the Cushman & LaRosa book, and now by you.
What I don’t understand is how he had even the faintest hope that a script containing the scenes you described could have been produced. Was there any way to make an I Spy film without Sheldon Leonard’s involvement? Would Sheldon have ever approved of a Culp script, particularly one with those scenes? Or were these scripts just artistic exercises?
