The Highwayman (TV series)

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The Highwayman
Genre action-adventure
Creator(s) Glen A. Larson and
Douglas Heyes
Starring Sam Jones
“Jacko”
Jane Badler
Tim Russ
Narrated by William Conrad (uncredited)
Country of origin Flag of United States United States
Language(s) English
No. of episodes 10
Production
Running time one-hour (two-hour pilot)
Broadcast
Original channel NBC
Original run 1987-09-20
– 1988-05-06
Links
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

The Highwayman is an action-adventure themed television series starring Sam J. Jones, set in "the near future," created by Glen A. Larson and Douglas Heyes. Its pilot aired in September 1987, and was followed by a short-lived series of nine episodes, with significant changes to the cast and format, that ran from March until May 1988. It was summed up by many reviewers as a cross between Mad Max and Knight Rider (the latter being Larson's previous hi-tech hit).

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The movie and subsequent series follow the adventures of "The Highwayman", one of a mysterious group of U.S. Marshals conducting crime-fighting missions and solving bizarre mysteries. Each Highwayman is equipped with a hi-tech, multi-functioned truck.

Opening narration:

"There is a world, just beyond now, where reality runs a razor thin seam between fact and possibility; where the laws of the present collide with the crimes of tomorrow. Patrolling these vast outlands is a new breed of lawman, guarding the fringes of society’s frontiers, they are known simply as "Highwaymen"... and this is their story..."

The 1987 Pilot movie stars Sam Jones, best known—blonde haired—for playing the title role of Flash Gordon in the 1980 movie, and who had appeared in guest roles in series such as The A-Team and Riptide. Playing the lead, only known simply as "The Highwayman" (or "Highway"), he drives a large black computerized truck with a bullet-shaped cabin, which actually belongs to a concealed helicopter (an Aérospatiale Gazelle) which can detach from the rest of the truck. (Also seen in a couple of subsequent episodes, a futuristic sports car also came out of the rear of the truck).

Highway’s truck
Highway’s truck

Jones was joined by Claudia Christian, a regular guest star in many popular television shows (including T.J. Hooker, Riptide, The A-Team, Quantum Leap and Babylon 5) as Highway's liaison lady "Dawn in the middle of the night", and Stanford Egi as Oriental technical wizard Mr. Toto. The film also featured the truck going into "stealth mod", turning it invisible — This idea was also dropped for the series. This pilot film was later titled "Terror on the Blacktop" to be shown as a stand-alone movie.

After the 1987 pilot film, only Sam Jones (and his truck) returned for the series. He was joined by side-kick, Australian outback survival expert "Jetto", played by Mark "Jacko" Jackson (best known in America for a seris of Energizer battery advertisements, with the catchphrase "Oi!"); Jane Badler (from the sci-fi series V) as Highway's "boss", Ms. Tania Winthrop, and Tim Russ (best known for playing Vulcan Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager) as D.C. Montana (a play on writer D.C. Fontana), who was responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles.

After Jetto's truck (identical to Highway's) is destroyed in the first regular episode, "Road Ranger", he is given his own, unique truck, the front half of which can separate into a futuristic car.

The exact organization that Highway and Jetto work for is never really revealed in any great depth. Working under it, the highwaymen seem to have powers beyond - but occasionally conflicting with - the ordinary Police. Although the organization shares elements with that of F.L.A.G. (the Foundation for Law and Government) from Larson's Knight Rider, it shares more with the mysterious Firm from the original three seasons of Airwolf.

Despite its short run, the series was popular overseas, in countries including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, where most regions broadcast it in a late-night Saturday slot.

The Highwayman finished its run after the Pilot film and nine episodes. It is believed that it was not renewed for a number of reasons. Whilst it achieved reasonable ratings, they were not high enough to justify the high cost of producing the episodes, with their many stunts and hi-tech props. It also rather marked the end of an era, as television moved from the comic-book adventures of the 1980s, into the more politically correct programs of the 1990s. The Highwayman is not an overly well-known series, but those that saw it generally remember it fondly.

[edit] Cast

The Highwayman (right) and Jetto
The Highwayman (right) and Jetto

[edit] Episodes

(production numbers, reflecting the order that the episodes were filmed in, are given in brackets)

  • Pilot: "The Highwayman" (a.k.a. "Terror on the Blacktop") [5L79] (1987-09-20)
Special Guest Star: Jimmy Smits (Bo Ziker). Guest Stars: Wings Hauser (Sheriff Wyatt), Jennifer Runyon (Amanda Merrick), Lyle Alzado (Iron Butt), Rowdy Roddy Piper (Preacher), Ken Morrison (Travis Ziker), Theresa Saldana (Angela Brown), Bill McKinney, Jon Menick and G. Gordon Liddy (Ed Merrick). Co-starring: John Quade (Bartender), Paul Drake (Deputy Bricker), Tommy Lamey (Deputy Dogget), Branscombe Richmond (Geronimo), Michael Berryman (Chromedome), Mickey Jones (Pepper Hansen), Michael Carr (Deputy Turley), Keith Barbour (Entertainer #1), Micael McGinnis (Entertainer #2), Mindi Iden (Hot Tub Girl #1), Joanne Wolf (Hot Tub Girl #2), Carmen Kotta (Woman Controller), Ed Hooks (Guard), James Griffith (Old Duffer #1), Patrick Cranshaw (Old Duffer #2), Marion Wright (Woman), Maura Soden (Reporter), Jack Ging (head of Stealth, uncredited)
The mysterious Highwayman becomes involved when a biker gang called ‘The Bullets’ rob a small-town bank, with their leader, Bo Ziker, ending up in jail. But it emerges that The Bullets were set up to take the fall for a huge fraud instigated by a local bigwig and the town sheriff...
Written by Glen A. Larson and Douglas Heyes. Directed by Douglas Heyes.
  • Note: This Pilot film was later re-titled "Terror on the Blacktop" and shown as a stand-alone movie.
  • Note: A two-part syndicated version also exists.

1. "Road Ranger" (a.k.a. "Road Lord") [8803] (1988-03-04)

Guest Starring: Clarence Williams III (Jessie), Anne Lockhart (Battlestar: Galactica) (Shelly North), Clyde Kusatsu, George McDaniel, George Mudock (Doc North), Darby Hinton, Jesse Dizon. Special Guest Star: Kent McCord (Battlestar: Galactica 1980) (Steve North, a.k.a. "Road Ranger"). Featuring Len Carli (Auctioneer), Andy Schwiebert (Davey North), Mark DeMichele (Driver Deputy), Steve Easterling (Shotgun Deputy), Mark Jones (Nebbish)
When Steve, a fellow Highwayman, is murdered, his friend Highway investigates, and uncovers some sinister goings on at a local, secretive production complex. But Highway is shocked to find Steve there seemingly alive; and now, something is very different about him...
Written by Glen A. Lason & Mark Jones. Directed by Dan Haller.
  • Note: The title of this episode does not appear on screen, the only episode of the series not to do so. The title is given as "Road Lord" and "Road Ranger" in different sources. "Road Ranger" is most likely the 'proper' title, as it is Steve's nickname. "Road Lord" most probably originates from an earlier version of the script.
  • Note: Writer Mark Jones has a small part in this episode.

2. "The Hitchhiker" [8802] (1988-03-11)

Guest Starring: Joe Regalbuto (Street Hawk) (Major Fury), James Staley, Robert DoQui, Wendy Malick, and Arlen Dean Snyder (General Nordhoff). Special Guest Star: Christina Raines-Crowe (Pepper McKenzie). Featuring: Stuart Grant (Dr. Long), Will Hannah (M.P.), Toby Noakes (Brig M.P.), Robin Wayne (Gate M.P.), Ron Brott (General’s Pilot)
The Highwayman is assigned to transport a supposedly dead alien body from a U.F.O. crash site to a research lab. But a reporter is determined to find out what is going on - and the alien is far from dead...
Written by Glen A. Lason. Directed by Larry Shaw

3. "'Til Death Duel Us Part" [8805] (1988-03-18)

Guest Starring: Joseph Bottoms (Cody Teague). Special Guest Star: Chad Everett (Ron Bonham). Featuring: Jim Maniaci (Tattoo), Melissa Grier (Turbo), George Salazar (Prison Doctor), Corelio Hernandez (Guard #1), Albert Ruiz (Guard #2), Marcus Wright (Derek Sutton), Rusty Lee (Old Timer), Thom Khaler (FBI Agent), Steve R. Burns (Agent #2)
Highway breaks Cody Teague, his friend and mentor from Vietnam, out of prison for stealing an armored car, of which Highway is certain he is innocent. Now both of them are fugitives, and a number of parties - including Jetto - are after them as they search for the evidence to prove Cody's innocence...
Written by Jonathan Day and Steven L. Sears & Burt Pearl. Directed by Larry Shaw

4. "Summer of 45" (a.k.a. "1945") [8806] (1988-04-01)

Guest Starring: Bill Hudson (Donald Travers), Greg Mullavey (Edward Travers), Liz Keifer (Leslie), Patrick St. Esprit, Les Brown Jr.. Special Guest Star: Lloyd Bochner. Featuring: Richard Kelley (Guard at Gate), Peppi Sanders (Helen), Gary Clarke (Sheriff), Donald Hall (Deputy), Paul Mancuso (Larry), Nick Young (M.P.), Dan Mara (M.P. #1), Richard Ryan (Private), Thom Khaler (FBI Agent), Steven R. Burns (FBI Agent),
Highway and Jetto travel back in time to 1945, to rescue Ms. Winthrop, who has not returned after pursuing a twisted genius who is intent on ending the atomic age before it has even begun...
Teleplay By Mark Jones and Steven L. Sears & Burt Pearl. Story by Glen A. Larson & Mark Jones. Directed by Rob Bowman
  • Note: Tim Russ (D.C. Montana) does not appear in this episode.
  • This is the only episode not to feature Highway's truck; Jetto's truck is used throughout.

5. "Send in the Clones" [8811] (1988-04-08)

Guest Starring: J.D. Cannon (Chief Clifton), Terry Carter (Lt. Broadside), Pamela Shoop (Dr. Chadway), Gary Lockwood (Colonel Westcourt), Greta Blackburn (prostitute), Michael Pataki (Detective), and Howie Long as Mac). Featuring: Tony Acierto (Hood), Perry D'Marco (Hood), Mel Young (Reporter #1), Margie Girgo (Girl's Mom), Nicole Frierson (Little Girl), John L. Wade (Clone #1), Michael Morris (Clone #2), Shawn Patterson (Clone #3), Warner McKay (Bum), William Forsythe (Mounted Cop), Phil Allen (TV Announcer), Jan Sandwich (Wendy), Henry M. Kendrick (Mayor), Thom Khaler (FBI Agent), Steven R. Burns (FBI Agent)
Highway befriends a strange but friendly man called Mac, who is promptly snatched away by the Army. Investigating just what is going on, Highway and Jetto discover that Mac is a clone, programmed with a deadly assignment...
Written by Glen A. Larson and David Garber & Bruce E. Kalish. Directed by Allan Holzman

6. "Billionaire Body Club" [8801] (1988-04-15)

Special Appearance: Christopher McDonald (Joshua Towler). Guest Starring: Cindy Morgan (Mary "Mink" Mincowitz), Kim Ulrich (Melissa Mincowitz), Ken Swofford (Mayor), Mark Lonow, Ed Hooks and Nicholas Guest (Mason). Co-Starring: Blackie Dammett (Jazz), Kim Milford (Cotton): Featuring: Blueberry (Lead Girl), JoAnne Wolf (Model), Thom Khaler (FBI Agent), Steven R. Burns (Agent #2)
When a dead body drained of blood and missing organs is uncovered, Highway and Jetto are sent in to investigate, and are soon on the trail of a blood-thirsty doctor trading in spare body parts for the rich and the powerful...
Written by Glen A. Larson. Directed by Ivan Nagy

7. "Frightmare" [8812] (1988-04-22)

Guest Starring: Stanley Kamel (Cisco), Jack Ging (Riptide, The A-Team) (Admiral Conti), Alex Courtney (Dr. Sebring), Otto Felix, Janet Curtis, Judd Omen (Bronson), Zitto Kaxann, Special Guest Star Vince Edwards (Manetti). Featuring: Michael Waltman ((Dan) Wheeler), Doug Cotner (Doctor #3), Ed Gabel (Agent #1), Stephen Hastings (Lieutenant), Thom Khaler (FBI Agent), Steven R. Burns (Agent #2), Fred Neslon (Plain Clothes Agent), Harold Dixon (Morgue Doctor #1)
Mafia crime-lord Manetti's men use a high-tech machine that can read agents minds, to try and find the one man that is set to testify against him. When their first victim dies, Manetti's men capture Ms. Winthrop, and Highway and Jetto are in a race against time to save her before Manetti discovers the witness' true location...
Teleplay by Glen A. Larson and David Garber & Bruce E. Kalish. Story by Burt Pearl. Directed by Rob Bowman.
  • Note: This episode, the last to be filmed, was originally designed to be the last broadcast episode, and in some ways bookends the series, making references to and via the memory machine, re-working scenes from "Road Ranger", "Billionaire Body Club", "'Till Death Duel Us Part" and "Haunted Highway" (which had not yet aired). However, "Haunted Highway" had been postponed on March 25, 1988, and ended up being broadcast as the final episode.

8. "Warzone" [8807] (1988-04-29)

Special Guest Star: Roger Davis (Chief Jim Townsend), Guest Starring Ted Lange (Mayor John Fletcher), Terry Kiser (Colonel Halsted), Lara Parker (Dr. Terwishe), Mark Thomas Miller. Special Appearance: Wayne Newton (Bartlett). Featuring: Joe Faust (Police Captain), Heather McNair (Virginia), J.B. Warren (Private; uncredited)
After an accident, Jetto's mind reverts back to five years previously, when he was double-crossed by comrades in battle, who turned out ot be dealing in illegal drugs and weapons, and tried to murder him. In a dazed and confused state, he hunts down the two men, who are now in high positions, as Highway and Montana try to stop him before the Army take him out, but uncover a vein of corruption...
Written by Tom Blomquist. Directed by: Rob Bowman

9. "Haunted Highway" [8804] (1988-05-06)

Guest Starring: Marla Heasley (The A-Team) (Liz Redstone), Paul Koslo, Rodger Gibson (Jake Redstone), Michael Horse (Sheriff Jerry New Eagle), Dehl Berti, Gary Grubbs (Harrison), Tim Rossovich, Andy Romano, Jean-Pierre Dorleac, And as Snyder, Steven Keats. Featuring Larry Soller (Prosecutor), Don Champlin (Judge), Steven Carry (Burcher), Frank Sprague (Bernie), Donna Brown (Reporter #1), Joe Corocoran (Reporter #2), Steven R. Burns (Henchman), Ana Auther (Model), Jacky Christian (Model), Carol Gossler (Model), Chon Linesch (Model), Tess Swain (Model)
When an American Indian is accused of murder, Highway and Jetto investigate and stumble onto a long-forgotten gold mine, and an ancient curse "of fire and ice", which will kill anybody who tries to mine there...
Teleplay by William Rabkin & Lee Goldberg and Burt Pearl & Steven L. Sears. Story by William Rabkin & Lee Goldberg. Directed by Don Weis
  • Note: This episode was originally scheduled for 1988-03-25 but was postponed, and was eventually shown as the final episode in the show's run.

[edit] Date

The series is at first vague on the exact year that it takes place. Other than Highway and Jetto's trucks, Highway's occasionally seen sports car(A silver Lotus Esprit) and Ms. Badler's car, the other vehicles are generally that of the era in which the series was filmed. It is generally indicated that the series takes place a couple of years after that in which it was made. A coin in the episode "Summer of 45" is said to be dated 1992. It is not until "Warzone" that the date is given on-screen as 1992 (October for that episode).

[edit] Trivia

  • Some of the futuristic dashboard design of Highway’s truck is re-used from Larson’s previous hi-tech hit Knight Rider.
  • The opening of the episodes runs: opening credits, commerical break, opening narration, then into the story. In the U.K., most of the episodes ran: opening narration, opening credits, and then into the story.
  • The Highwayman was filmed entirely on location in the Great South West.
  • Some automobiles were provided by Ford Motor co.

[edit] External links

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