Magnum, P.I. (TV Series) Luther Gillis: File #521 (1983) User Reviews

Lots of fun!

[safenoe · 8/10 · 2 November 2023]

Eugene Roche makes his debut in Magnum, P. I. as Luther Gillis, and I love the humorous tone of this episode. This is the first of five appearances, and it's a shame there wasn't a spin-off series. Maybe there was supposed to be one or something, but anyway it was a shame. Luther Gillis makes a great foil to Thomas Magnum, and their banter and rapport is worth the price of admission.

Anyway, I'm enjoying watching the early episodes of Magnum, P. I., along with Father Brown and Law and Order. I haven't been inclined to watch the Magnum reboot and I have no interest at all in doing so with due respect.

Luther Gills Works alone!!

[alligatorbrew · 10/10 · 24 May 2021]

Classic Luther episode, flat foot from St. Louis joins magnum for a wild ride. Conflicting investigation style and hilarity ensues must watch for hardcore magnum fans.

Old school P I vs modern.

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 7 September 2021]

Luther Gillis is a P I who is right out of the Mike Hammer series. Luther fights, talks though, and hardedge with everything. Luther says I work alone as Magnum's crosses Gillis path. There is fights, surveillances, and comic banter between the two protagonists, which is very old school P I formula. Of course there is a plot twists. Luther Gillis File is a must see for Sam Spade and Mike Hammer fans. Watchable. 6 stars. Myself I thought Luther was a jerk.

Luther Gillis, P.I.

[mail-07821 · 28 July 2016]

Possible Mild Spoilers:

Luther Gillis, an aging 'tough guy' detective from St. Louis who's 'been through the mill' but who still 'has a few tricks up his sleeve' shows up on the 'mean streets' of Honolulu, looking for sixteen year old 'little' Nancy Perkins, and of course Magnum also happens to be looking for her. Gillis and Magnum both want to work alone, but naturally they become entangled. Their arguments, both in and out of jail, add interest.

According to Melora Hardin's bio, she actually was sixteen when this was filmed. Although there's nothing to preclude a PG rating, I have a feeling that today her role would be played by an eighteen year old, 'just to be on the safe side'.

I enjoyed the references to 'tough guy' thirties detective novels, and the voice-over narration is amusing. Gillis with his slovenly ways and wise mouth makes an interesting contrast to Magnum, and they play off each other fairly well. I actually went to the trouble of attempting to 'reverse engineer' the screen play, typing out the dialog (from subtitles) and trying to fit camera views and character reactions to it. Such concentration made the weakness of some of the plot points more obvious, but it's still a fun ride.