Hawaii Five-0
1 9 6 8 - 1 9 8 0 (USA)
278 x 60 minute episodes
Hawaii Five-O was the longest continuous-running police
series in television history, airing from September 1968 to April
1980.
Although the men of Hawaii Five-O were based in the
Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu, they were not members of the
Honolulu Police Department. They worked as part of the Hawaiian
State Police and were accountable directly to Governor Philip
Grey.
Jack Lord played Steve McGarrett, head of the elite four-man
police unit investigating "organised crime, murder,
assassination attempts, foreign agents, felonies of every
type." James MacArthur played his 2IC Danny "Danno"
Williams, with local actors Kam Fong, Zulu, Al Harrington, and
Herman Wedemeyer playing members of the Five-O team.
McGarrett worked with his own men and the local police in
solving crimes and fighting the organised groups of the Hawaiian
underworld.
The most hated man on any of the islands was the criminal
genius Wo Fat (a Red Chinese agent in charge of the entire Pacific
Asiatic theatre). He would pop up every now-and-then to make life
difficult for McGarrett, who was determined to put him in prison.
Although he did manage to interfere with Wo Fat's illegal
activities, he could never get enough evidence to put him away for
good.
There was very little turnover among the lead characters. Steve
had several secretaries - May was replaced by Jenny, and Luana
took her place. One of his assistants, Kono, left the show after
four seasons. After ten seasons, Kam Fong tired of his role as
Chin Ho Kelly and was written out by having his character killed
in the final episode of the 1977-78 season. But for most of the
cast, the working conditions in Hawaii were too nice to give up!
 At the end of the 1978-79 season, James MacArthur decided he
had enough of playing McGarrett's top assistant, Danny Williams
(pictured at left).
That fall, three new members were added to the cast, including
former policewoman Lori Wilson. The ratings were falling and the
new cast members didn't help - this would be Hawaii Five-O's
last season.
Near the end of it's run, on April 5, 1980, McGarrett's
toughest rival was finally brought to justice. Disguised as a
scientist, McGarrett sprung a trap that sent Wo Fat - seen for the
first time in five years - to jail.
Hawaii Five-O was filmed entirely on location and it was
the action and the beautiful scenery of Hawaii that made it so
popular.
The series was also famous for the guest actors who
appeared in episodes, including Ricardo Montalban, Leslie Nielsen,
Herbert Lom and many more. The icing on the H50 cake was
the extremely famous and wonderful title theme.
Jack Lord died in Hawaii on January 21st, 1998 of congestive
heart failure, aged 77.
|
