Tales Of The Gold Monkey

[Steve Long]

One or two people have recommended to me an early 80s TV series set in 1938, Tales Of The Gold Monkey. Unfortunately it only seems to be available in bootleg DVD form from www.goldmonkey.com as far as I can tell from a simple search. Before I search harder I thought I'd ask for further input on whether (a) it's fun to watch, and (b) it's good Pulp stuff.

[Doc Democracy]

One or two people have recommended to me an early 80s TV series set in 1938, Tales Of The Gold Monkey. Unfortunately it only seems to be available in bootleg DVD form from www.goldmonkey.com as far as I can tell from a simple search. Before I search harder I thought I'd ask for further input on whether (a) it's fun to watch, and (b) it's good Pulp stuff.

I have only vague recollections of content but I know that I enjoyed it - for what that is worth.

I don't think it would be essential viewing but it would probably be good core stuff.

[tkdguy]

I loved that show! It would definitely be a great pulp campaign.

[Yesman]

Yes! and Yes! very good show.

[Lord Liaden]

My own memories of the series are hazy - never really got into it - but IIRC it revolved around the adventures of a somewhat seedy private pilot with a seaplane (Stephen Collins) in South Asia, playing "reluctant hero" at the prompting of a female British government agent. IMO it was trying to capitalize on the success of the Indiana Jones franchise with a similar formula: action, exotic locales, period villains (pirates, Nazis etc.) and love/hate tensions between the two leads.

[MisterBaldy]

Yes...It was a good show. A little bit "toungue-in-cheek", but good all the same!

[Wolfjack]

Call me Mr. Grumpy. As I recall, the show is to Raiders of The Lost Ark as Baa Baa Black Sheep was to The Longest Day. I don't mind corniness, but I've never been a big camp fan. Never got into it much, I think you'd be better off listening to old radio broadcasts of the Shadow for real pulpy goodness.

[Sketchpad]

One or two people have recommended to me an early 80s TV series set in 1938, Tales Of The Gold Monkey. Unfortunately it only seems to be available in bootleg DVD form from www.goldmonkey.com as far as I can tell from a simple search. Before I search harder I thought I'd ask for further input on whether (a) it's fun to watch, and (b) it's good Pulp stuff.

It was a fun show .. a bit campy at times ... but a lot of fun. IMHO, it almost seems to be some of the inspiration to the Disney cartoon Tailspin As far as pulpy, it does jump on the Indy franchise wagon a bit, as the local is very Pulpy I highly recommend this show ... in fact, I'm thinking of getting the bootlegs eventually myself

[Dr. Anomaly]

I have fond memories of that show, but since it's been so many years since I've seen it I can't swear how much of that fond memory might be the rosy glow of nostalgia.

I seem to remember the pilot had a small dog (named "Jack"?) who often seemed smarter than he was, and was used as a plot device or maguffin.

[st barbara]

Yes and Yes ! I have a copy (got from the site that you mentioned I think). Quality is not perfect but still watchable !

[AlHazred]

Reading through the website, I wonder if this is on the docket for a reunion movie or "reimagining". It's from the right time period.

[Greatwyrm]

I seem to remember the pilot had a small dog (named "Jack"?) who often seemed smarter than he was, and was used as a plot device or maguffin.

Yep, One Eye'd Jack. Little dog that (usually) wore an eyepatch. Apparently he had a false eye, but it was valuable -- an opal or something. It was always getting lost or stolen.

[tkdguy]

Jack could also respond by barking once for "no" and twice for "yes."

[FenrisUlf]

I remember it being fun, especially some of the long-term bad guys, like the Nazi spy pretending to be a priest (who kept screwing around with the local island women) and the half-Japanese/half-Irish Imperial princess who defined the phrase 'Dragon Lady'. (Is it just me, or did she spend half her time onscreen in hot tubs?) Her samurai bodyguard was a lot of fun too, especially when he gave the needle to the German agent.

Not a great show, but good.

[st barbara]

To "Greatwyrm" The "opal eye" was used as a stake in a game of poker at least once !