Classic second episode of the three part HAWAIIAN TRIP series, which kicked off Season 4. It is most definitely a trip, and as I have written earlier, perhaps the best episodes of the entire series. Wouldn't it have been cool had the Brady's relocated to Hawaii?
I am sure it was bantered about, but not in the budget.
This is just a lot of fun, written by Tam Spiva, who wrote nine episodes for the series, however also worked as script editor and oversaw 5l episodes, a Brady Bunch authority if there ever was one.
The gang's sunny vacation obviously takes a turn for the worse as Peter and Bobby bring home an ancient Hawaiian idol from a construction site where Mike is working on a new building. It spells doom and gloom to anyone who wears it. In one segment, Greg nearly drowns while surfing!
Best of the best is the classic scene where Peter goes to bed and has a giant, black tarantula(!) crawling up his body! I always thought this was the coolest scenes of 'em all, and one that got a lot of promotion back in the day. There are even publicity pictures still in circulation. I am sure, to this day, the first question anyone would ask Chris Knight if they happened to meet him is --how did you do that scene, man? No question the tarantula was "safe", but it was one ugly thang! In another campy scene, Mike puts the "stunned" bug in a paper bag, and Carol thinks it's a present for her???
One question all of us kids back in the day asked... How did the tarantula get into Carol's bag in the first place? Where did they go where there were tarantulas roaming about?
Things really change, and it gets creepy when Greg, Peter and Bobby venture out on their own and track to a remote cave. They bump into
Professor Whitehead, played to the absolute hilt by Vincent Price. Applause to producer Sherwood Schwartz for casting Price here as it's a total surprise and a hoot. Price plays a scowling, reclusive archaeologist who got shafted by his last partner on a big find. This time he thinks he's onto something even bigger and NO ONE is gonna' cheat him.
That spells trouble for Greg, Pete and Bobby.
Veteran Hawaiian actor Lippy Espinla plays old Mr. Hanalei who runs into the guys. Lippy was an island native and frequently in episodes of HAWAII FIVE O.
I vote for Peter, who wears the best threads.
Mike gets the "father clothing" look, though he wears one cool plaid blue and white shirt.
Alice and the girls totally disappear here.
Do NOT miss this, especially for the scenery. SEASON 4, EPISODE 3 remastered dvd box set.