Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: Throughout the first two seasons, both McGarrett and Danno often referred to "Chief Dann of HPD." This was a thank-you to CBS programming chief Mike Dann, who helped first persuade the network to put Hawaii Five-0 on the air, and also got it a better time slot later on.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: Though he somehow remained in office for all 12 years of Hawaii Five-0's run, the Governor never had a name until episode 208, when he was referred to as "Governor Paul Jameson." Most TV trivia sources wrongly insist that his name is Philip Grey - but this was another character played by the same actor (Richard Denning) in episode 6, "The 24-Karat Kill," before he was permanently cast as the Governor.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Season 1 generally

Trivia: Five-0's film crew once helped the real HPD with a real-life arrest. Ten genuine cops, working crowd control during the filming of an episode, took a break from their guard duties and went into a nearby warehouse. They emerged with several gambling-ring suspects in handcuffs. The police lieutenant explained to the bewildered film crew, "Until today, we couldn't get near this place without tipping these guys off. Thanks for the great front!" The crooks had assumed that all the cops were actors, so hadn't given them a second thought.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: Sunburned actors were a frequent problem for Hawaii Five-0's make-up crew. So many guest stars arrived in Hawaii early and sunbathed before reporting to work, the make-up team had to devise a special formula to neutralize red skin for the camera. Dubbed "mellow yellow," it remained a Five-0 make-up staple for all 12 seasons.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: For years, much of the world was convinced that Five-0 was a real police unit. The studio once received a telex from a foreign government requesting assistance in locating a fugitive believed to be in Honolulu. Producers had to respond with the apology, "We're sorry, but Five-0 is just a television show."

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Season 1 generally

Trivia: Hawaii Five-0's first season interiors were shot in a WWII-era Navy warehouse above Pearl City. The creaky building was infested with both rats and mongooses that were so noisy, one director routinely fired a starter pistol at the ceiling to scare them away before filming. Lacking air conditioning, the makeshift soundstage also reached over 120 degrees F when the studio lights were turned on. Fortunately, CBS increased the budget enough for producers to build a new, air-conditioned soundstage for succeeding seasons.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

The Face of the Dragon - S1-E17

Trivia: Colonel Tyler receives an emergency call from "General Freeman." This was an in-joke homage to Five-0 creator and executive producer Leonard Freeman.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

The Box - S1-E18

Trivia: This story was shot on location inside Oahu Prison, a dilapidated facility built in 1918 but still in use. Activists lobbying for prison reforms used footage from this episode to illustrate the need for long-overdue building upgrades.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: Actor Robert Brown (Jason of Here Come the Brides and Lazarus in the ST:TOS episode "The Alternative Factor") was originally slated to play McGarrett. A week before filming was to begin on the pilot, CBS asked producer Leonard Freeman to change the lead, giving no explanation. Freeman had to scramble for another leading man, and asked Jack Lord, whom he'd worked with on a previous (failed) pilot. Lord moved to Hawaii on a week's notice, and remained there throughout the series' run and for the rest of his life.

Jean G

Friends and Partners - S3-E16

Continuity mistake: Victoria is cleaning a lamp and has removed the globe and placed it on the table. After Buck and Mano enter, her blue cleaning rag jumps from hanging on the lamp to being in her hands and back several times between takes. And the lamp globe mysteriously replaces itself by the end of the scene, even though she hasn't touched it again. (00:44:00 - 00:46:30)

Jean G

Lady Fair - S3-E9

Continuity mistake: Charly steps forward several feet before pointing her gun and shooting the hats off two cowboys on the boardwalk. But in the very next shot, she's suddenly standing back beside Buck, without time to get there. (00:08:00)

Jean G

Jelks - S3-E17

Continuity mistake: When John confronts Joe about firing Jelks, Joe's hands change positions, from down at his sides to up at chest level adjusting his gloves, every time the camera angle changes. (00:22:50)

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: Danno was played by Tim O'Kelley in the 5-0 pilot. But a NY test audience told CBS they didn't buy him as a serious cop because he was too much of a "smart-cracking, Jimmy-Olsen-type gee-whiz kid." Leonard Freeman took the criticism to heart, and recast the part with James MacArthur for the series.

Jean G

13th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Trivia: Kam Fong, who played Chin Ho, was a real Honolulu police officer for 17 years before changing careers to become an actor. He originally auditioned for the part of villain Wo Fat.

Jean G

10th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

10th Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

One for the Money - S1-E19

Plot hole: The first murder victim is so dim-witted that it strains the viewer's credulity. Her creepy blind date, who plans to kill her, is wearing surgical gloves already - but somehow she never notices.

Jean G

Stinky Flanagan - S2-E21

Deliberate mistake: At the end, the U.S. Cavalry "brand" Blue finds on the mule isn't a brand at all: it's obviously been applied with white paint to make it more visible to the camera. It's also unlikely that it would be so large, or that it would be located on the animal's neck instead of on its rump. (00:46:50)

Jean G

To Stand for Something More - S3-E6

Continuity mistake: After pulling the calf out of the mud, Pedro rides off on Blue's cream-colored horse, Soapy. They go off in opposite directions (Blue on Pedro's horse), yet minutes later, Blue arrives at the ranch - riding Soapy. (00:15:30)

Jean G

The Lion Sleeps - S2-E25

Continuity mistake: When Manolito wakes her up, Anita instantly changes positions on the bed between takes. She's lying on her side, but in the very next shot, she is suddenly on her back looking up at him. (00:20:00)

Jean G

Shadow of the Wind - S2-E15

Continuity mistake: When he's escorting Victoria back to the ranch, Manolito's shirt collar is completely outside his jacket in all the full shots, but is tucked inside the jacket in close-ups. (00:24:00)

Jean G

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