Hi Leonoe ...

Hi Leonoe,

Welcome! Nice to hear from you ...

Leonoe wrote:
I am new here so I hope I don't offend anyone with my opinions. I especially enjoyed the postings of interviews and pictures that Tatia has posted.

That's what a FORUM is for - to share different views and opinions. So glad you added yours. And I am glad that you are enjoying the postings I've added. It's very nice to hear. We really do try to keep the flame burning here!

As to Ms. Nuyen in "The Tiger" and in "Magic Mirror" - I take a bit of a different view. Yes, I agree with you that in "The Tiger" she had totally given up by the time that Kelly arrived to rescue her. Her character was defeated, her chances of survival dim, the enemy was overwhelming and overpowering. Perhaps part of her nature was one of a "defeatist," and perhaps she was feeling morose because her capture may have been due in part to her own fault and errors she had made. I believe all those facets were included in the way her character was written. And it's her association and relationship with Kelly that is what brings out the better, stronger side of her nature and her character.





Culp is quoted in some article, where he says he had read an interview with Ms. Nuyen many years before he ever met her. She said something like "I'm Chinese, I'm like a stone, I go wherever I am kicked." He was quite captivated by that comment, but she said she didn't remember saying that when they eventually met. (She is actually half French and Half Vietnamese.) That may provide a bit of insight into her character.



photo courtesy of Bulwer-Lytton



As to Culp's well-written but dark scripts .... I think what made I SPY such a spectacular show is that it was a collaboration of many talents and many different talents. IF only Sheldon Leonard's take on the stories were involved, I SPY would have been a lighter, less substantive show. He was a master at knowing what worked to make successful half-hour comedies, but I SPY was something else.

IF Culp had been the sole writer on I SPY, the stories would have been too dark, too close to the darkest parts of our psyches to be comfortable for viewing week after week. But the combination of both of them, plus the genius of David Friedkin and Mort Fine, the coolness of Bill Cosby, and the talents of the other writers and production staff, all thrown into the pot, produced the perfect mix. Not that this collaboration was always a smooth and happy one, but like any big dysfunctional family, they all came to the table in their best outfits when the holiday dinner was served.


And about our man Culp's cool clothes .... here's a quote from an article with Paul Mazursky, the writer/director of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice ...

"Robert Culp was in I Spy, "the big thing then," Mazursky said. "I liked him and thought he'd be perfect for the part. He was so perfect he used his own wardrobe. Moss Mabry, the costume [designer] went to his house and said, 'I don't have to buy anything for him. He's got more zippers than anyone.' "


For some photos of "Recycling Robert" and his clothes, check out ...

http://www.network54.com/Forum/172251/message/1175544272/


Robert also said in the DVD comments on "The Dead Zone," that he often wore his own clothes for his roles, because he didn't like to have to wait around to be fitted in wardrobe, when he could be getting started on the set.

... and why not?? He had an eclectic wardrobe, perfectly tailored to fit him, that covered everything he seemed to ever need for a role.

Hope to see you around the FORUM, Leonoe. And again, welcome!


All my best,

Tatia


~ ~