It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series)

Last updated
It Takes a Thief
It Takes a Thief season 2 and 3 intertitle.png
Opening title for seasons two and three
GenreDrama/Adventure
Created by Roland Kibbee
Starring
Theme music composer Dave Grusin
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes66 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers Jack Arnold
Gordon Oliver
Frank Price
Producers
Running time60 minutes [1]
Production company Universal Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseJanuary 9, 1968 (1968-01-09) –
March 24, 1970 (1970-03-24)

It Takes a Thief is an American action-adventure television series that aired on ABC for three seasons between 1968 and 1970. It stars Robert Wagner in his television debut as sophisticated thief Alexander Mundy, who works for the U.S. government in return for his release from prison. For most of the series, Malachi Throne played Noah Bain, Mundy's boss.

Contents

It was among the last of the series in the 1960s spy television genre, although Mission: Impossible continued for several more years. It Takes a Thief was inspired by, though not based upon, the 1955 motion picture To Catch a Thief , directed by Alfred Hitchcock; both of their titles stem from the English proverb "Set a thief to catch a thief" (or as it is more often phrased, "It takes a thief to catch a thief"). According to Wagner's autobiography, Pieces of My Heart (2008) Wagner consulted with Cary Grant, who starred in To Catch a Thief , on how to play Alexander Mundy.

Premise

Malachi Throne with Robert Wagner in It Takes a Thief, 1968 Malachi Throne Robert Wagner It Takes a Thief 1968.jpg
Malachi Throne with Robert Wagner in It Takes a Thief, 1968
Fred Astaire and Robert Wagner, 1969 It takes a thief astaire wagner 1969.JPG
Fred Astaire and Robert Wagner, 1969

It Takes a Thief, which was created by television writer Roland Kibbee, featured the adventures of cat burglar, pickpocket, and thief Alexander Mundy, who steals to finance his life as a polished playboy and sophisticate. He is serving time in San Jobel prison when the U.S. government's SIA (the fictional Secret Intelligence Agency) proposes a deal to Mundy: steal for the government in exchange for his freedom. Mundy is puzzled and asks, "Let me get this straight. You want me to steal?" In the main opening titles, his new SIA boss, Noah Bain, uses the catch phrase, "Oh, look, Al, I'm not asking you to spy. I'm just asking you to steal." In pre-production, the title for a while was Once a Crook. [2]

The series opened with its pilot episode, a ninety-minute (with commercials) special premiere titled "A Thief is a Thief is a Thief", written by Kibbee and directed by Leslie Stevens. When the series was released in syndication in the 1970s, the pilot episode was withheld from the package and was expanded into a 99-minute feature film for overseas release; this was eventually released in a separate domestic syndication package, under the title Magnificent Thief. The pilot feature film version was released on home video in the 1990s.

In the series' third season, Throne was replaced by Edward Binns as Mundy's SIA boss, Wally Powers in some episodes. As Throne explained: "They had this idea of shooting the whole season in Italy, but they wanted me to stay behind and give Wagner’s character...orders over the phone. I told them if I didn't go I'd quit, and I did. The show didn't last another half a season." [3] Throne's version of events was incorrect, as the third season was not shortened. In the end, portions of season three were filmed in Europe and Binns, Throne's replacement, filmed some scenes there.

Also during the third season, Fred Astaire played Alistair Mundy, Alexander's father, in five episodes (four on screen, one voice over that's not credited). Alistair is also a master gentleman-thief, who says bemusedly, at the start of each episode in which he appears, "I've heard of stealing from the government, but for the government?" Alistair was the lead character in most episodes in which he appeared, rather than Wagner's character of Alexander, who was relegated to supporting or even cameo roles in these episodes. This is somewhat reminiscent of the way the 1950s TV series Maverick would introduce a relative of the previously established main character, and then alternate the two characters the leading series role from week to week. It was creator Roland Kibbee's idea to have a semiregular on the show who was related to Wagner's character, Alexander Mundy. The idea of Fred Astaire playing Alister Mundy came from Wagner's wardrobe man Hugie McFarland who also handled wardrobe for Astaire as well as for John Forsythe. Astaire was paid $25,000 per episode he appeared in, a tidy sum for 1970.

Producer Glen Larson came up with the idea of how to introduce Alistair Mundy according to Wagner's autobiography, Pieces of My Heart. Astaire's character makes his first appearance in the third season, episode four titled "The Great Casino Caper". This episode was shot in Venice. The story line was that Alistair had become estranged from Al because earlier in his career Al had been caught and was serving time in prison. This greatly disappointed Alistair. In the episode all is forgiven and they team up to rob a casino. This formula where father and son team up to pull off a heist was often repeated when Alistair Mundy appeared.

Susan Saint James appeared in five episodes. Charlene Holt appeared in three episodes. Ricardo Montalbán appeared in two episodes. Stefanie Powers (Robert Wagner's future costar in the later series Hart to Hart) appeared in one (third season) episode. Other guest stars included prominent veteran Hollywood movie stars such as Bette Davis, Gale Sondergaard, Joseph Cotten, Elsa Lanchester, Hermione Gingold, Paul Henreid, Fernando Lamas, and Ida Lupino.

Cast

Recurring

Episodes

Home media

On November 15, 2011, Entertainment One released It Takes a Thief: The Complete Series on DVD in Region 1. The 18-disc set features all 66 episodes of the series, several bonus features, an interview with Robert Wagner, and a special feature-length cut of the pilot episode. [4] The DVD set was promoted in commercials broadcast on Antenna TV, which featured Wagner publicizing the DVD set. Entertainment One would later release the complete first season as a standalone DVD set on October 2, 2012; this set also had the feature-length pilot episode.

In Region 2, March 2017 saw the complete series released under its German title Ihr Auftritt Al Mundy, with both German and English soundtracks included.

In Region 4, Madman Entertainment has released the entire series on DVD in Australia and New Zealand as three season box sets. [5] [6] [7]

Syndication

As of early May 2012, It Takes a Thief could be seen in syndication on the Antenna TV network. [8]

Unproduced film

In 2013, Universal Pictures announced they were developing a film version of the series with John Davis producing through Davis Entertainment, along with Joseph Singer. Derek Dauchy would supervise the project for Davis and Scott Bernstein for Universal. Greg Russo would write the script. [9] There have been no developments since that time.

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?</i> American animated television series

Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? is an American live action/animated television series based on the series of computer games. The show was produced by DIC Productions L.P. and originally aired from 1994 to 1999, on Saturday mornings during FOX's Fox Kids Network block. Reruns aired on the Qubo television network from June 9, 2012 to May 26, 2018.

<i>Courage the Cowardly Dog</i> American animated comedy horror television series

Courage the Cowardly Dog is an American animated comedy horror television series created by John R. Dilworth for Cartoon Network. It was produced by Dilworth's animation studio, Stretch Films. The titular character is a dog who lives with an elderly couple in a farmhouse in the middle of Nowhere, a fictional town in Kansas. In each episode, the trio is thrown into bizarre, frequently disturbing, and often paranormal or supernatural adventures. The series is known for its dark, surreal humor and atmosphere.

<i>McCloud</i> (TV series) American television series (1970–1977)

McCloud is an American police drama television series created by Herman Miller, that aired on NBC from September 16, 1970, to April 17, 1977. The series starred Dennis Weaver, and for six of its seven years as part of the NBC Mystery Movie rotating wheel series that was produced for the network by Universal Television. The show was centered on Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud of the small western town of Taos, New Mexico, who was on loan to the metropolitan New York City Police Department (NYPD) as a special investigator.

<i>McMillan & Wife</i> American police procedural television series

McMillan & Wife is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, the series premiered in episodes as part of Universal Television's wheel series NBC Mystery Movie, in rotation with Columbo and McCloud. Initially airing on Wednesday night, the original lineup was shifted to Sundays in the second season, where it aired for the rest of its run. For the final season, known as McMillan, numerous changes were made that included killing off St. James' character of Sally McMillan.

<i>21 Jump Street</i> American crime drama television series (1987–1991)

21 Jump Street is an American police procedural television series that aired on the Fox network and in first-run syndication from April 12, 1987 to April 27, 1991, running for 103 episodes. The series focuses on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in schools, gangs, and other teenage venues. It was originally going to be titled Jump Street Chapel, after the deconsecrated church building in which the unit has its headquarters, but was changed at Fox's request so as not to mislead viewers into thinking it was a religious program.

<i>That Girl</i> American sitcom

That Girl is an American TV series sitcom that ran on ABC from September 8, 1966, to March 19, 1971. It starred Marlo Thomas as the title character, Ann Marie, an aspiring actress who moves from her hometown of Brewster, New York, to try to make it big in New York City. Ann has to take a number of offbeat temp jobs to support herself in between her various auditions and bit parts. It was one of the first sitcoms to focus on an unmarried woman who was not a domestic or living with her parents, a forerunner of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Saint James</span> American actress and activist

Susan Saint James is an American actress and activist, most widely known for her work in television during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, especially the detective series McMillan & Wife (1971–1976) and the sitcom Kate & Allie (1984–1989).

<i>Love, American Style</i> American television series 1969-1974

Love, American Style is an anthology comedy television series that aired on ABC from 1969 to 1974. The series was produced by Paramount Television. During the 1971–72 and 1972–73 seasons, it was a part of ABC's Friday primetime lineup that included The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Room 222, and The Odd Couple. It featured some of the earliest work of future stars Diane Keaton, Sally Struthers, Albert Brooks, and Harrison Ford. Room 222 star Karen Valentine appeared in four episodes. Brady Bunch star Ann B. Davis and The Partridge Family star Dave Madden each appeared in two episodes.

<i>Hart to Hart</i> American mystery TV series

Hart to Hart is an American mystery television series that premiered on August 25, 1979, on ABC. The show stars Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers as Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, respectively, a wealthy couple who lead a glamorous jetset lifestyle and regularly find themselves working as unpaid detectives in order to solve crimes in which they become embroiled. The series was created by novelist and television writer Sidney Sheldon. The series ended after five seasons on May 22, 1984, but was followed by eight made-for-television movies, from 1993 to 1996.

<i>Crime Story</i> (American TV series) American crime drama television series

Crime Story is an American crime drama television series, created by Chuck Adamson and Gustave Reininger and produced by Michael Mann, that aired on NBC, where it ran for two seasons from September 18, 1986, to May 10, 1988.

<i>Diagnosis: Murder</i> American mystery-comedy-medical crime drama television series (1993–2001)

Diagnosis: Murder is an American comedy-mystery-medical crime drama television series starring Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with the help of his son Steve, a homicide detective played by Van Dyke's real-life son Barry. The series began as a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman, became a series of three television films, and then a weekly television series that debuted on CBS on October 29, 1993. Joyce Burditt wrote the episode in Jake and the Fatman and is listed here as the creator of the spin off series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Binns</span> American actor (1916–1990)

Edward Binns was an American actor. He had a wide-spanning career in film and television, often portraying competent, hard working and purposeful characters in his various roles. He is best known for his work in such acclaimed films as 12 Angry Men (1957), North by Northwest (1959), Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), Fail Safe (1964), The Americanization of Emily (1964), Patton (1970) and The Verdict (1982).

<i>Father Dowling Mysteries</i> American TV series or program

Father Dowling Mysteries, known as Father Dowling Investigates in the United Kingdom, is an American mystery television series first aired from January 20, 1989, to May 2, 1991. The series was preceded by the 1987 television movie Fatal Confession. NBC aired the first season, while ABC broadcast two additional seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malachi Throne</span> American actor (1928–2013)

Malachi Throne was an American actor best known as Noah Bain on It Takes a Thief. He also had guest-starring roles on multiple television series, including Star Trek and Batman, and appeared in films and theater.

<i>The Ellen Show</i> American television sitcom

The Ellen Show is an American television sitcom created by and starring Ellen DeGeneres that was broadcast during the 2001–02 season on CBS, airing from September 24, 2001, to January 11, 2002. It also starred Cloris Leachman, Martin Mull, Kerri Kenney, Jim Gaffigan, and Emily Rutherfurd, with Diane Delano recurring.

<i>Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea</i> (TV series) 1964-1968 American science fiction television series

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea is a 1964–1968 American science fiction television series based on the 1961 film of the same name. Both were created by Irwin Allen, which enabled the film's sets, costumes, props, special effects models, and sometimes footage, to be used in the production of the television series. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea was the first of Irwin Allen's four science fiction television series, and the longest-running. The show's theme was underwater adventure.

<i>The Invisible Man</i> (1975 TV series) American TV series or program

The Invisible Man, the second television series with this title, debuted in the US in 1975 on NBC and starred David McCallum as the scientist Daniel Westin and Melinda Fee as his wife, Dr. Kate Westin. The series was created by Harve Bennett. A pilot TV movie initially aired in May 1975 and was followed by a 12-episode series later that year. A TV tie-in novel based on the script of the pilot episode was written by Michael Jahn and published by Fawcett Gold Medal in 1975.

<i>Dr. Kildare</i> (TV series) American medical drama television series (1961–1966)

Dr. Kildare is an NBC medical drama television series which originally ran from September 28, 1961, until August 30, 1966, for a total of 191 episodes over five seasons. Produced by MGM Television, it was based on fictional doctor characters originally created by author Max Brand in the 1930s and previously used by MGM in a popular film series and radio drama. The TV series quickly achieved success and made a star of Richard Chamberlain, who played the title role. Dr. Kildare inspired or influenced many later TV shows dealing with the medical field. Dr. Kildare aired on NBC affiliate stations on Thursday nights at 8:30–9:30 p.m. until September 1965, when the timeslot was changed to Monday and Tuesday nights at 8:30–9:00 p.m. through the end of the show's run.

<i>Lupin the 3rd Part I</i> Japanese anime television series

Lupin the 3rd Part I is a Japanese anime television series produced by Tokyo Movie. Part of the Lupin III franchise, it is the first anime television adaptation of the Lupin III manga series created by Monkey Punch. The series was originally broadcast as simply Lupin III on Yomiuri TV between October 24, 1971 and March 26, 1972. Among English-speaking fans, this series was commonly known as the "Green Jacket" series in reference to Lupin's outfit, but more recently it is now known as "the first Green Jacket" series because of the outfit's return in Part 6.

References

  1. ↑ It Takes a Thief at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg [ unreliable source? ]
  2. ↑ Weiner, Ed; Editors of TV Guide (1992). The TV Guide TV Book: 40 Years of the All-Time Greatest Television Facts, Fads, Hits, and History. New York: Harper Collins. p.  174. ISBN   0-06-096914-8.{{cite book}}: |author2= has generic name (help)
  3. ↑ "It Takes A Thief Now Playing On A Computer Near You". Cinemaretro.com. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  4. ↑ "It Takes a Thief DVD news: Date Change for It Takes a Thief—The Complete Series". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  5. ↑ "It Takes a Thief: The Complete First Season". Madman.com.au. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  6. ↑ "It Takes a Thief: The Complete Second Season". Madman.com.au. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  7. ↑ "It Takes a Thief: The Complete Third Season". Madman.com.au. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  8. ↑ "Program Schedule" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 30, 2013). "Universal Turning 1970s Series 'It Takes a Thief' into Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.