Captain David Grief :"A Son of the Sun" 1957
"Captain David Grief" was a syndicated adventure series set in the Solomon Islands in the early 1900's. The series was based on a collection of short stories by Jack London. The series starred Maxwell Reed as the title character. The show was filmed in Mexico and has a good outdoors look to it. The series ran for a total of 39 episodes between 1957 and 1960. Reed and his crew run a three mast schooner trading copra, pearls and the like throughout the Solomon Islands. This is the first episode of the production run.
In this episode, Captain Grief (Maxwell Reed) and his schooner stop at an island to do a bit of trading. The natives however are not in a trading mood and greet the ship with plenty of weapons at the ready. It seems that another ship had called several days earlier to trade. That ship's Captain, Robert Wilke, took the native's shells and pearls and took off without paying. The natives are shall we say a bit on the restless side.
Reed, wanting to stay on the good side of the group, offers to pay Wilke's debt. This soon has everyone happy and the natives agree to continue trading with Reed. Reed then sets off for a port where he believes Wilke will sell his ill-gotten booty. It turns out that Wilke has just left port for an island further down the island chain. Wilke intends to stock up on supplies and then head to Australia.
Reed, having a bigger and faster ship manages to catch Wilke at the next port of call. When Reed confronts Wilke and asks for redress for the money he has paid to the natives, Wilke pulls a gun. Reed just barely escapes with his life and dives over the side. By the time Reed reaches his own ship, Wilke has sailed and Reed can only guess where.
And as it so happens, Reed guesses correctly as to where Wilke is heading. Reed's ship speeds ahead and intercepts Wilke. This time, Wilke is outnumbered and out gunned. He curses Reed but coughs up the cash.
There is plenty of action and some nice scenery in the episode.
Maxwell Reed was on screen from 1946 to 1968. His most famous film was probably the 1956 film, HELEN OF TROY. He was also the first husband of actress, Joan Collins.
Robert Wilke had a long career with over 400 screen and television roles between 1936 and 1981. Few could play a villain as good as Wilke. While his name might not ring any bells, one look at his face sure will. His film work include bits in, THE CRIMSON GHOST, HIGH NOON, POWDER RIVER, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, THE FAR COUNTRY, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, BACKLASH, SPARTACUS and THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.
The director here is former big screen helmsman, Stuart Heisler. Heisler made the move to television in the mid 1950's as film assignments dried up. Heisler's films include several top notch film-noir such as, AMONG THE LIVING, THE GLASS KEY, STORM WARNING and I DIED A THOUSAND TIMES.
"Captain David Grief" was a syndicated adventure series set in the Solomon Islands in the early 1900's. The series was based on a collection of short stories by Jack London. The series starred Maxwell Reed as the title character. The show was filmed in Mexico and has a good outdoors look to it. The series ran for a total of 39 episodes between 1957 and 1960. Reed and his crew run a three mast schooner trading copra, pearls and the like throughout the Solomon Islands. This is the first episode of the production run.
In this episode, Captain Grief (Maxwell Reed) and his schooner stop at an island to do a bit of trading. The natives however are not in a trading mood and greet the ship with plenty of weapons at the ready. It seems that another ship had called several days earlier to trade. That ship's Captain, Robert Wilke, took the native's shells and pearls and took off without paying. The natives are shall we say a bit on the restless side.
Reed, wanting to stay on the good side of the group, offers to pay Wilke's debt. This soon has everyone happy and the natives agree to continue trading with Reed. Reed then sets off for a port where he believes Wilke will sell his ill-gotten booty. It turns out that Wilke has just left port for an island further down the island chain. Wilke intends to stock up on supplies and then head to Australia.
Reed, having a bigger and faster ship manages to catch Wilke at the next port of call. When Reed confronts Wilke and asks for redress for the money he has paid to the natives, Wilke pulls a gun. Reed just barely escapes with his life and dives over the side. By the time Reed reaches his own ship, Wilke has sailed and Reed can only guess where.
And as it so happens, Reed guesses correctly as to where Wilke is heading. Reed's ship speeds ahead and intercepts Wilke. This time, Wilke is outnumbered and out gunned. He curses Reed but coughs up the cash.
There is plenty of action and some nice scenery in the episode.
Maxwell Reed was on screen from 1946 to 1968. His most famous film was probably the 1956 film, HELEN OF TROY. He was also the first husband of actress, Joan Collins.
Robert Wilke had a long career with over 400 screen and television roles between 1936 and 1981. Few could play a villain as good as Wilke. While his name might not ring any bells, one look at his face sure will. His film work include bits in, THE CRIMSON GHOST, HIGH NOON, POWDER RIVER, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, THE FAR COUNTRY, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, BACKLASH, SPARTACUS and THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.
The director here is former big screen helmsman, Stuart Heisler. Heisler made the move to television in the mid 1950's as film assignments dried up. Heisler's films include several top notch film-noir such as, AMONG THE LIVING, THE GLASS KEY, STORM WARNING and I DIED A THOUSAND TIMES.