The Highwayman (TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = The Highwayman


caption =
format = Action-adventure
camera =
runtime = 60 min.
creator = Glen A. Larson and Douglas Heyes
developer =
producer =
executive_producer =
starring = Sam Jones “Jacko” Jane Badler Tim Russ
narrated = William Conrad (uncredited)
country = USA
language = English
network = NBC
first_aired = 1987-09-20
last_aired = 1988-05-06
num_episodes = 10
website =
imdb_id = 0094479
tv_com_id = 7096

"The Highwayman" is an action-adventure themed television series starring Sam Jones, set in "the near future." It was created by Glen A. Larson and Douglas Heyes. The pilot aired in September 1987, and was followed by a short-lived series of nine episodes, with significant changes to the cast and format, that ran from March until May 1988. It was summed up by many reviewers as a cross between "Mad Max" and "Knight Rider" (the latter being Larson's previous hi-tech hit).

Synopsis

The movie and subsequent series follow the adventures of "The Highwayman", one of a mysterious group of U.S. Marshals conducting crime-fighting missions and solving bizarre mysteries. Each Highwayman is equipped with a hi-tech, multi-functioned truck.

Opening narration (as used on the nine episodes):: "There is a world, just beyond now, where reality runs a razor thin seam between fact and possibility; where the laws of the present collide with the crimes of tomorrow. Patrolling these vast outlands is a new breed of lawman, guarding the fringes of society’s frontiers, they are known simply as "Highwaymen"... and this is their story..."

The 1987 pilot movie stars Sam Jones, best known for playing the title role of "Flash Gordon" in the 1980 movie (in which he was blond haired). Playing the lead, only known simply as "The Highwayman" (or "Highway"), he drives a large black computerized truck with a bullet-shaped cabin, which actually belongs to a concealed helicopter (an Aérospatiale Gazelle) which can detach from the rest of the truck. The truck could also operate in "stealth mode" where it became invisible, and also featured a futuristic sports car which came out of the truck's rear.

Jones was joined in the pilot by Claudia Christian (who would later go on to star in "Babylon 5") as Highway's liaison Dawn, and Stanford Egi as technical wizard Mr. Toto. The pilot was later titled "Terror on the Blacktop" when shown as a stand-alone TV movie.

After the 1987 pilot film, only Sam Jones (and his truck, minus the ability to become invisible) returned for the revamped weekly series. He was joined by a new side-kick, Australian outback survival expert "Jetto", played by Mark "Jacko" Jackson (best known in America for a series of Energizer battery advertisements); Jane Badler (from the sci-fi series "V") as Highway's "boss", Ms. Tania Winthrop, and Tim Russ (who would later star in "") as D.C. Montana (a play on writer D.C. Fontana), who was responsible for the maintenance and modifications to the vehicles. Perhaps as an indication of the lawless future they were trying to police, Highway and Jetto were armed with sawed-off shotguns in holsters instead of regular sidearms.

After Jetto's truck (identical to Highway's) is destroyed in the first regular episode, "Road Ranger", he is given his own, unique truck, the front half of which can separate into a futuristic car.

The exact organization that Highway and Jetto work for is never revealed in any great depth. Working under it, the highwaymen seem to have powers beyond - but occasionally conflicting with - the ordinary police. Although the organization shares elements with that of "F.L.A.G." (the "Foundation for Law and Government") from Larson's previous series "Knight Rider", it shares more with the mysterious "Firm" from the original three seasons of "Airwolf".

Despite its short run, the series was broadcast in various other countries including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom (where most regions broadcast it in a late-night Friday or Saturday slot). It is thought that the series was cancelled after low viewing figures in comparison to high production costs (including futuristic vehicles and devices, and a lot of explosive scenes). It also somewhat marked the end of an era, as television moved from the comic book-like stories of the 1980s into the generally more serious and politically correct 1990s.

Cast

* Sam Jones as The Highwayman (aka "Highway")
* Claudia Christian as Dawn (pilot only)
* Stanford Egi as Mister Toto (pilot only)
* Mark "Jacko" Jackson as "Jetto"
* Jane Badler as Ms. Tania Winthrop
* Tim Russ as D.C. Montana
* William Conrad as the Narrator (uncredited)

Episodes

Note, two episodes were shown out of their intended order. They are listed here in the intended order with explanatory notes.

Production number order, reflecting the order that the episodes began filming, do not match either the actual nor the intended airing order.

Date

The series is at first vague on the exact year that it takes place. Other than Highway and Jetto's trucks, Highway's occasionally seen sports car (a silver Lotus Esprit) and Ms. Badler's car, the other vehicles are generally that of the era in which the series was filmed. It is generally indicated that the series takes place a couple of years after that in which it was made. A coin in the episode "Summer of 45" is said to be dated 1992. It is not until "Warzone" that the date is given on-screen as 1992 (October for that episode).

Trivia

* Some of the futuristic dashboard design of Highway’s truck is re-used from Larson’s previous hi-tech hit "Knight Rider".
* The Highwayman was filmed entirely on location in the American Southwest.
* Some automobiles were provided by Ford Motor Co.
* Jetto's truck was seen in the first episode of "Power Rangers Time Force". It was used to transport the prisoner Ransik until it was ambushed by Ransik's forces.

See also

* Airwolf
* Blue Thunder
* Knight Rider
* Street Hawk
* Viper

External links

*imdb title|0093189|The Highwayman (pilot)
*imdb title|0094479|The Highwayman (series)
* [http://www.artworks-unlimited.com/Highway_man_truck.htm What "The Highwayman" truck looks like now]
* [http://www.os1.ru/article/history/2002_07_A_2005_01_11-15_12_18/ The Steinwinter truck] – The basis for Jetto’s truck (in Russian)
** [http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.os1.ru%2Farticle%2Fhistory%2F2002_07_A_2005_01_11-15_12_18%2F&langpair=ru%7Cen&hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools Google translation to English]
* [http://www.scifi2k.com/highwayman.html SciFi2K synopsis] (includes screenshots)
* [http://www.streamdump.com/videos/display.php?h=2c782a Opening credits] (video)
* [http://www.famouscars.de/images/highwayman/highwayman.htm Pictures of the vehicles (German)]
*http://thehighwayman88.proboards50.com/index.cgi The only Highwayman discussion board on the internet