The Immortal (1970 TV series)

Last updated
The Immortal
Immortal television show.JPG
Christopher George, Ross Martin and Mitch Vogel, 1970.
Genre Science fiction
Drama
Created by Robert Specht
Based onThe Immortals
by James Gunn
Starring
Music by Dominic Frontiere
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes15 + pilot
Production
Executive producerAnthony Wilson
Producer Howie Horwitz
Running time60 minutes (including commercials)
Production company Paramount Television
Original release
Network ABC
ReleaseSeptember 24, 1970 (1970-09-24) 
January 14, 1971 (1971-01-14)

The Immortal is an American television series, starring Christopher George as a man whose blood chemistry and resistance to almost all diseases (including old age) makes him both almost immortal and a target of several wealthy men who would use him as a personal blood bank, aired on ABC from September 24, 1970, to January 14, 1971. The series is based on a pilot film of the same name, which aired on September 30, 1969, as an ABC Movie of the Week. The plot is based on the 1964 science fiction novel The Immortals, by James Gunn.

Contents

The series music was composed by Dominic Frontiere, who is primarily known for scoring the sci-fi anthology series The Outer Limits . Although The Immortal was canceled at midseason, episodes were rerun by ABC in the summer of 1971. It was later rerun on the American Forces Network in Europe in the 1980s and on the Sci Fi Channel in the 1990s.

Series overview

Ben Richards is a test car driver for a large corporation owned by billionaire Jordan Braddock. He is 43 years old, but looks young enough to pass for 30—and he has never been sick a day in his life. Ben's life changes when he donates a pint of blood. When Braddock, who is dying, is given a blood transfusion of his donated blood, and is brought back from the brink of death, Ben's physician, Dr. Matthew Pearce, determines that his O-negative blood contains all known antibodies and immunities. This gives Ben immunity to every known disease and an estimated lifespan five to ten times that of other humans, making him, in the doctor's words, "virtually immortal". The billionaire decides that he has to control Richards' life so he can access his life-saving blood.

When Richards rejects all of Braddock's offers to remain with him, the billionaire has him imprisoned, but he ultimately escapes. Richards tells his fiancée Sylvia Cartwright that they can never marry because she would also be imprisoned by Braddock (in the episode "Sylvia" Richards puts himself in danger to visit Cartwright at her wedding to another man). Richards is now on the run because when Braddock dies (shown in the flashback episode "To The Gods Alone" which resolved plot points between the pilot and the series), one of his former employees, Fletcher (who did not appear in the pilot), is hired by another billionaire, Arthur Maitland, who also wants access to Richards' blood.

The series' dramatic tension is based on the idea that Richards would probably never lose his life if he were to live quietly, since he would never succumb to any known diseases. But his flight from Fletcher puts his life at great risk, constantly engaging in dangerous efforts to avoid capture, and his "immortal" blood did not make him immune to losing his life from injury.

The series primarily focuses on Richards' journeys and the people he meets while trying to avoid Fletcher. A secondary plot involved Richards' search for a brother he has never known, with the implication that that brother may share his gift and thus be at risk from unscrupulous billionaires as well. Ben Richards is imprisoned by a young billionaire, Simon Brent, in an episode titled "The Queen's Gambit." In the episode "Man On A Punched Card" Maitland hires computer programmer Terry Kerwin to track and predict Richards' movements using a mainframe computer. Kerwin was played by Christopher George's real-life wife Lynda Day George, who would co-star on another Paramount TV series Mission: Impossible from 1971 to 1973.

The plotline of The Immortal is quite different from that of the book on which it is based (the protagonist of the book was a vagrant, not a test driver, who discovers his immortality when he sells his blood). Instead, The Immortal bears more than a superficial resemblance to the then-recent, very popular TV series, The Fugitive , which still aired in syndicated reruns. That series had ended its four-season run three years before The Immortal began. It is also the mirror of the series Run for Your Life about a man suffering from a terminal disease who wants to experience everything because he is going to die soon, while Richards has to run because he will live virtually forever. The Immortal was cancelled before a proper finale episode could be filmed.

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
Film"The Immortal" Joseph Sargent Robert SpechtSeptember 30, 1969 (1969-09-30)

Ben Richards is a race driver with unique blood, which makes him immune to all known diseases, even old age. When a dying billionaire discovers Ben's secret, he is determined to keep himself alive.

Note: 90-minute television film.
1"Sylvia"Don McDougallRobert Malcolm YoungSeptember 24, 1970 (1970-09-24)
Fletcher hopes the recent engagement of Ben's one-time fiancée will lead to his capture.
2"White Elephants Don't Grow on Trees"Michael Caffey Shimon Wincelberg October 1, 1970 (1970-10-01)
Ben aids a down-on-his-luck salvage dealer delivering toxic gas canisters.
3"Reflections on a Lost Tomorrow" Leslie H. Martinson Robert HamnerOctober 8, 1970 (1970-10-08)
In a bid to help himself, Ben gets a job with a doctor studying blood and longevity.
4"The Legacy"Robert DouglasBob & Wanda DuncanOctober 15, 1970 (1970-10-15)
Ben helps a group of Mexican Americans working in an illegal mining camp, many of whom are suffering from typhoid fever.
5"The Rainbow Butcher"Nicholas WebsterJack TurleyOctober 22, 1970 (1970-10-22)
Ben finds himself arrested on a trumped-up traffic charge by a crooked sheriff.
6"Man on a Punched Card"Don WeisShimon WincelbergOctober 29, 1970 (1970-10-29)
Fletcher hires computer programmers to track Ben's moves and ultimately capture him.
7"White Horse, Steel Horse"Leslie H. MartinsonStory by: Gene L. Coon
Teleplay by: Gene L. Coon and Stephen Kandel
November 5, 1970 (1970-11-05)
Ben is charged with the murder of a rancher who refuses to pay his hired hands fair wages.
8"The Queen's Gambit"Robert DouglasStephen KandelNovember 12, 1970 (1970-11-12)
Tricked by a woman feigning car trouble, Ben finds himself captured by a ruthless young billionaire.
9"By Gift of Chance"Irving J. MooreKen TreveyNovember 19, 1970 (1970-11-19)
A foreman on a farm deliberately poisons his workers with pesticide, one of them Ben's friend.
10"Dead Man, Dead Man"Allen BaronWilliam WoodDecember 3, 1970 (1970-12-03)
Ben assumes a dead man's identity, but must still jump through many hoops to avoid Fletcher's clutches.
11"Paradise Bay"Don WeisStory by: Ben Masselink and Dan Ullman
Teleplay by: Ben Masselink and Stephen Kandel
December 10, 1970 (1970-12-10)
Ben searches for his brother in an old, decaying beach town that is slated for corporate development.
12"The Return"Michael CaffeyRobert SpechtDecember 17, 1970 (1970-12-17)
Ben tries to help a childhood friend who will face murder charges if an injured man dies.
13"To the Gods Alone"Leslie H. MartinsonKen TreveyDecember 31, 1970 (1970-12-31)
With Ben trapped by Fletcher, the two recall a mutual acquaintance.
14"Sanctuary"Michael CaffeyWilliam EastlakeJanuary 7, 1971 (1971-01-07)
After escaping from Fletcher, Ben seeks cover on an Indian reservation.
15"My Brother's Keeper"Charles RondeauStory by: Bob & Wanda Duncan
Teleplay by: Stephen Kandel and Bob & Wanda Duncan
January 14, 1971 (1971-01-14)

Ben thinks he may have found his brother.

Note: Final episode of series.

DVD release

On October 16, 2017, it was announced that Visual Entertainment Inc. had acquired the rights to the series. They subsequently released The Immortal - 'The Complete Collection' on DVD in Region 1 on November 9, 2017. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Growing Pains</i> American sitcom

Growing Pains is an American television sitcom created by Neal Marlens that aired on ABC from September 24, 1985, to April 25, 1992. The show ran for seven seasons, consisting of 166 episodes. The series followed the misadventures of the Seaver family, which included psychiatrist and father Jason, journalist and mother Maggie, and their children Mike, Carol, Ben, and Chrissy.

<i>Boy Meets World</i> American television sitcom (1993–2000)

Boy Meets World is an American coming-of-age sitcom created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly that aired on ABC for seven seasons between September 1993 and May 2000. The series centers on Cory Matthews and his friends and family, as he progresses from childhood to adulthood. Episodes chronicle the everyday events of Cory's home and school life; his teacher and neighbor George Feeny delivers life lessons as Cory learns to cope with social and personal issues of adolescence. Cory has strong relationships with his older brother Eric, younger sister Morgan, and parents, Amy and Alan. Cory's friendship with Shawn Hunter and romantic interest in Topanga Lawrence serve as central focuses of episodes. Overarching themes include a focus on family and friendships as well as discovering one's identity. Further characters were introduced in later seasons; Jonathan Turner, Eli Williams, Jack Hunter, Angela Moore and Rachel McGuire.

<i>The Gong Show</i> American television series

The Gong Show is an American amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976, through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976 to 1980 and 1988 to 1989, and was revived in 2017 for broadcast on ABC. The show was created and originally produced by Chuck Barris, who also served as host for the NBC run and from 1977 to 1980 in syndication. Its most recent version was executive-produced by Will Arnett and hosted by Tommy Maitland, a fictional character performed by Mike Myers. The Gong Show is known for its absurdist humor and style, with the actual competition secondary to the often outlandish acts presented; a small cash prize has typically been awarded to each show's winner.

<i>Bonanza</i> American western television series

Bonanza is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, Bonanza is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on U.S. network television, and one of the longest-running, live-action American series. The show continues to air in syndication. The show is set in the 1860s and centers on the wealthy Cartwright family, who live in the vicinity of Virginia City, Nevada, bordering Lake Tahoe. The series initially starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon and later featured Guy Williams, David Canary, Mitch Vogel and Tim Matheson. The show is known for presenting pressing moral dilemmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lorne Greene</span> Canadian actor (1915–1987)

Lorne Hyman Greene was a Canadian actor, musician, singer and radio personality. His notable television roles include Ben Cartwright on the Western Bonanza and Commander Adama in the original science-fiction television series Battlestar Galactica and Galactica 1980. He also worked on the Canadian television nature documentary series Lorne Greene's New Wilderness and in television commercials.

<i>The Danny Thomas Show</i> American sitcom

The Danny Thomas Show is an American sitcom that ran from 1953 to 1957 on ABC and from 1957 to 1964 on CBS. Starring Danny Thomas as a successful night club entertainer, the show focused on his relationship with his family, yet went through a number of significant changes in cast and characters during the course of its run. Episodes regularly featured music by Thomas, guest stars and occasionally other cast members as part of the plot.

<i>Mr. Belvedere</i> American television sitcom (1985–1990)

Mr. Belvedere is an American sitcom that originally aired on ABC from March 15, 1985 to July 8, 1990. The series is based on the Lynn Aloysius Belvedere character created by Gwen Davenport for her 1947 novel Belvedere, which was later adapted into the 1948 film Sitting Pretty. The show stars Christopher Hewett as the title character, a butler for an American family headed by George Owens, played by Bob Uecker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Blocker</span> American actor (1928–1972)

Bobby Dan Davis Blocker was an American television actor and Korean War veteran, who played Hoss Cartwright in the NBC Western television series Bonanza.

<i>Father Knows Best</i> American television program (1954–1960)

Father Knows Best is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons and 203 episodes. Created by Ed James, Father Knows Best follows the lives of the Andersons, a middle-class family living in the town of Springfield. The state in which Springfield is located is never specified, but it is generally accepted to be located in the Midwestern United States.

<i>An Early Frost</i> 1985 American TV series or program

An Early Frost is a 1985 American made-for-television drama film. It was the first major film with major motion picture stars, Aidan Quinn, Gena Rowlands, Ben Gazzara, and Sylvia Sidney, broadcast on a major television network, NBC, to deal with the topic of AIDS. It was viewed by 34 million households in its initial airing, the highest rated show of the night, even beating Monday Night Football. It received 14 Emmy nominations, winning 3 including Best Original Teleplay, a Peabody Award, as well as multiple Golden Globe nominations, including one for Sylvia Sidney who won for Best Supporting Actress. It was a major breakthrough into mass culture, as it was the first time an American audience of that size saw a film about a gay man who had AIDS, which up until then was considered a gay disease.

<i>Webster</i> (TV series) American television sitcom (1983–1989)

Webster is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from September 16, 1983 to May 8, 1987 and in first-run syndication from September 21, 1987 to March 10, 1989. The series was created by Stu Silver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Richards</span> British writer (born 1961)

Justin Richards is a British writer. He has written science fiction and fantasy novels, including series set in Victorian or early-20th-century London, and also adventure stories set in the present day. He has written many spin-off novels, reference books and audio plays based on the long-running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, and he is Creative Consultant for the BBC Books range of Doctor Who novels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher George</span> American actor (1931–1983)

Christopher John George was an American television and film actor who starred in the 1960s television series The Rat Patrol. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1967 as Best TV Star for his performance in the series. He was also the recipient of a New York Film Festival award as the Best Actor in a Television Commercial. George was married to actress Lynda Day George.

<i>Wire in the Blood</i> British television crime drama series (2002–2008)

Wire in the Blood is a British crime drama television series, created and produced by Coastal Productions with Tyne Tees Television and broadcast on ITV from 14 November 2002 to 31 October 2008. The series is based on the Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series by Val McDermid, including a university clinical psychologist, Dr Anthony "Tony" Valentine Hill, who is able to tap into his own dark side to get inside the heads of serial killers. Working with detectives, Hill takes on tough and seemingly impenetrable cases in an attempt to track down the killers before they strike again.

<i>Men in Trees</i> American romantic dramedy series for ABC

Men in Trees is an American romantic comedy-drama television series starring Anne Heche as relationship coach Marin Frist, which premiered on September 12, 2006, on ABC. The series is set in the fictional town of Elmo, Alaska, and concerns Marin Frist's misadventures in relationships. The premise showed at least superficial similarities to the HBO television series Sex and the City, which also featured a romantically oriented female writer. The protagonist's apparent "fish-out-of-water" feeling in a remote, small Alaskan town can be likened to CBS's Northern Exposure. The protagonists in both series were New Yorkers thrust into small town Alaskan societies. Filming for the series was based in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada.

Brian Kerwin is an American actor who has starred in feature films, Broadway shows, and television series and movies.

<i>The Night Strangler</i> (film) 1973 American TV series or program

The Night Strangler is an American made for television horror film which first aired on ABC on January 16, 1973, as a sequel to The Night Stalker. In the film, an investigative reporter assigned to series of killings comes to suspect the murderer is an immortal with superhuman strength.

<i>Off the Map</i> (TV series) American TV series or program

Off the Map is an American medical drama television series created by Jenna Bans, who also served as an executive producer together with Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. The series ran on ABC from January 12, 2011 to April 6, 2011. The series was filmed in Puerto Rico and on Oahu, Hawaii, using many of the production facilities remaining from the ABC series Lost (2004–10).

"Failed Experiments" is the nineteenth episode of the third season of the American television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Based on the Marvel Comics organization S.H.I.E.L.D., it follows Phil Coulson and his team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they attempt to defeat Hive. It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and acknowledges the franchise's films. The episode was written by Brent Fletcher, and directed by Wendey Stanzler.

References