"Magnum, P.I." (1980) TV series 1980-1988

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creators:

Donald P. Bellisario
Glen A. Larson

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

11 December 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot:

The adventures of a Hawaii based private investigator.

Plot Keywords:

Estate | Hawaii | Ferrari | Private Investigator | Helicopter

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 7 wins & 31 nominations

Cast

Tom Selleck	...	Magnum (162 episodes, 1980-1988)
John Hillerman	...	Higgins / ... (162 episodes, 1980-1988)
Roger E. Mosley	...	TC / ... (161 episodes, 1980-1988)
Larry Manetti	...	Rick / ... (161 episodes, 1980-1988)

Runtime:

60 min (164 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG (some episodes) | USA:Not Rated (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Anderson Estate, 41-505 Kalanianaole Highway, Waimanalo, O'ahu, Hawaii, USA

Company:

Belisarius Productions

Trivia:

The episode "Echoes of the Mind" (which guest-starred Sharon Stone) opens with the New American Orchestra's version of the Blade Runner (1982) theme on the soundtrack. At the time, this was the only version of the "Blade Runner" theme legally available.

Quotes:

Orville 'Rick' Wright: [Rick is trying to pay Higgins] Here, for your inconvenience.
Jonathan Quayle Higgins III: [Refusing it] I don't accept tips.
Theodore 'TC' Calvin: I'll bet you don't give 'em either.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Indiana Jones: Making the Trilogy (2003) (V)

The Heir to Rockford

Magnum to me is pretty much the logical heir to Jim Rockford in the fact that many of the same themes that were so prevalent on Rockford were on this show. Magnum to me was an ordinary guy who got caught up in extraordinary situations just like Rockford, but unlike Rockford Magnum still had many of the trappings of glamor that were associated with other detective series (ironically, Tom Selleck made several guest appearances on "The Rockford Files" playing the too good to be true Lance White). The other thing that I think made him endearing is the fact that he pretty much had a regular guy persona even though he was living in the lap of luxury and even though I wasn't as big a fan of this show as I was "Rockford" I can still see why this show was a classic.

And another thing, it wasn't just Selleck. This show could also be seen as an ensemble with Roger Moseley as T.C., Larry Manetti as Rick and, of course, John Hillerman as the stuffy Higgins all giving wonderful supporting performances.