1. As a kid I watched I Spy, but I do not remember the show well. Today I was reading some trivia about gorgeous actress Carol Wayne, including how she died under mysterious circumstances during a vacation in Mexico. Looking at her filmography I saw that she appeared in this episode of I Spy and I had to watch it right away.
2. I was impressed with Ms Wayne's acting and I loved the sweetness and innocence of her character Temple. I also liked the the on-screen interaction between her and Robert Culp's character Kelly. Kelly made Temple feel important by listening closely to what she had to say and by telling her that she could accomplish her goals in life. Kelly is a good example of how a man should treat a woman.
3. The "spy story" plot within this episode was not so interesting to me. Even though I watched this episode mainly because of the presence of the late and beautiful Carol Wayne, I am now tempted to see some more episodes of this series.
2 Reviews
The Trouble with Typecasting
jivers0131 August 2016
The variety of stories in this series is quite amazing, ranging from grim drama to romance to comedy and all points in between. Here is a carefully paced, poignant romantic tale shot in Spain that concentrates on character and emotion. The espionage plot is only a framing device that holds everything together.
Because of her bombshell looks, Carol Wayne was usually typecast as a sexy, dumb blonde ("The Man/Girl from UNCLE", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Bewitched", etc.). She was treated like the Jayne Mansfield of television. As Temple Jones, she gets to act like a real person, not a fantasy stereotype, for a change. She's charming, vulnerable, and reveals layers of hidden depth. Most of the story consists of sensitive scenes between her and Culp's Kelley Robinson. Both actors do a fine job with this slowly developing romance filmed in beautiful locations in and around Toledo.
Temple is the reluctant mistress of traitorous cad Nick Fleming (Jack Cassidy at his most smarmy). A dark subplot involves Scotty being abducted and doped up on an experimental truth serum drug by a shady doctor. Kurt Kaszner ("Land of the Giaints") makes the most of a small role as the doctor and steals every scene he's in. Cosby manages to name-drop "Fat Albert" while the delusional Scott is under the influence of the powerful mind-control drug.
This is one of several personal stories that transcends the spy genre and stands on its own, much like the romance-based "Tatia", "The War Lord", "Laya", etc. Not the usual action-adventure romp the series is known for, but well worth seeing for some very nice performances by Wayne and Culp. This was Wayne's most fully developed role. Too bad she didn't get more substantial parts as a result.
Because of her bombshell looks, Carol Wayne was usually typecast as a sexy, dumb blonde ("The Man/Girl from UNCLE", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Bewitched", etc.). She was treated like the Jayne Mansfield of television. As Temple Jones, she gets to act like a real person, not a fantasy stereotype, for a change. She's charming, vulnerable, and reveals layers of hidden depth. Most of the story consists of sensitive scenes between her and Culp's Kelley Robinson. Both actors do a fine job with this slowly developing romance filmed in beautiful locations in and around Toledo.
Temple is the reluctant mistress of traitorous cad Nick Fleming (Jack Cassidy at his most smarmy). A dark subplot involves Scotty being abducted and doped up on an experimental truth serum drug by a shady doctor. Kurt Kaszner ("Land of the Giaints") makes the most of a small role as the doctor and steals every scene he's in. Cosby manages to name-drop "Fat Albert" while the delusional Scott is under the influence of the powerful mind-control drug.
This is one of several personal stories that transcends the spy genre and stands on its own, much like the romance-based "Tatia", "The War Lord", "Laya", etc. Not the usual action-adventure romp the series is known for, but well worth seeing for some very nice performances by Wayne and Culp. This was Wayne's most fully developed role. Too bad she didn't get more substantial parts as a result.
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