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

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

2nd Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

The Bomber and Mrs. Moroney - S3-E22

Continuity mistake: The HPD snipers watch McGarrett's office window, trying to get a clear shot at Collins. In camera views from inside the office, there's a coat rack with a hanger on it standing in front of the window. But in all the shots from the snipers' POV, the coat rack isn't there. (00:40:00)

Jean G

2nd Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

F.O.B. Honolulu (1) - S3-E18

Trivia: Roger C. Carmel, best known as Star Trek's Harry Mudd, played KGB agent Misha Toptegan in this episode. But his end credit lists the character as "Misha the Bear." This was a joking reference to Carmel's years as the voice of Smokey the Bear in hundreds of public service announcements throughout the 1960s.

Jean G

2nd Jun 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

F.O.B. Honolulu (1) - S3-E18

Trivia: CBS had to reschedule this episode twice after pre-emptions for speeches by President Nixon. When Secretary of State Henry Kissinger visited Hawaii and asked to tour the Five-O studio, producer Leonard Freeman asked him for a favor in return. Could he talk to the president about that speech schedule? Within a week, Nixon's speeches were moved to a different night.

Jean G

15th May 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

15th May 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

24th Mar 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Paniolo - S3-E15

Revealing mistake: When McGarrett and the modern-day posse find Frank's euthanized horse, the "dead" animal is quite visibly (and vigorously) breathing. (00:45:20)

Jean G

23rd Mar 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Paniolo - S3-E15

Continuity mistake: When McGarrett and Danno question Frank's daughter, she has her hands clasped in front of her. When the shot cuts, her arms are suddenly extended down at her sides instead. (00:29:50)

Jean G

10th Mar 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

6th Mar 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

16th Feb 2008

Hawaii Five-O (1968)

Beautiful Screamer - S3-E12

Revealing mistake: When Sally is driving the blue station wagon full of singing kids, several light reflections on the side of the car never move at all, revealing that it's really a stationary mock-up sitting on a soundstage. (00:42:30)

Jean G