30 replies to this topic

[Brian Flagg]

I also posted this in the "Book Him, Danno!" thread, but felt this deserved its own topic.

Actor James MacArthur--Danno from the original Hawaii Five-O--has died, age 72.

http://movies.yahoo....i-five0-dies-ap

Actor James MacArthur from `Hawaii Five-0' Dies

LOS ANGELES - Stage and screen actor James MacArthur, who played "Danno" in the original version of television's "Hawaii Five-0," died Thursday at age 72.

MacArthur's agent, Richard Lewis, said the actor died in Florida of "natural causes," but no direct cause was specified.

In a career that spanned more than four decades, MacArthur was most recognized for his role as Detective Danny "Danno" Williams on "Hawaii Five-0," which aired from 1968 to 1980. Episodes often ended with detective Steve McGarrett, the lead character, uttering what became a pop culture catch phrase: "Book 'em, Danno."

Jack Lord, who starred as McGarrett, died in 1998.

MacArthur quit the role of McGarrett's sidekick a year before the program's final season.

"Quite frankly, I grew bored," he explained on his website. "The stories became more bland and predictable and presented less and less challenge to me as an actor."

"Hawaii Five-O," one of the longest running crime shows in TV history with 278 episodes, was shot on location in the Hawaiian islands. It was the first Hawaii-based national TV series.

The drama has been remade by CBS with a new cast this season.

MacArthur, born Dec. 8, 1937, seemed destined to become an actor. He was the adopted son of playwright Charles MacArthur and Helen Hayes, an award-winning actress often referred to as "First Lady of the American Theatre." Silent film star Lillian Gish was his godmother.

"They did teach me a lot about the theatre just through my life with them," he said of his parents in a 1957 interview in Teen Life magazine. "They never pushed me in any direction. Any major decision has always been my own to make."

James MacArthur made his stage debut at age 8 in a summer stock production of "The Corn is Green."

His breakout role was in the 1957 "Climax!" television series production of "The Young Stranger," in which he starred as the 17-year-old son of a movie executive who has a run-in with the law.

He entered Harvard that same year, but dropped out in his sophomore year to pursue an acting career.

As a young actor, MacArthur appeared in the Walt Disney movies "Kidnapped," "Third Man on the Mountain," "Swiss Family Robinson" and "The Light in the Forest."

He also had roles in "The Interns, "Spencer's Mountain," "Battle of the Bulge" and "Hang 'Em High," as well as many guest roles on TV series such as "Gunsmoke."

He performed in many stage plays, including the lead role of Hildy Johnson in a 1981 production of "The Front Page," which was co-written by his father in the late 1920s, at the Stanford Community Theatre in Palo Alto, Calif.

His live acting career won him the 1961 Theatre World Award for best new actor for his performance in "Invitation to a March."

MacArthur said that one of his favorite "Hawaii Five-O" episodes was a 1975 segment called "Retire in Sunny Hawaii Forever" because it marked one of the rare times that he worked on screen with his mother. Hayes played Danno's Aunt Clara, who visits Hawaii and helps the detectives solve a murder.

Asked by the Hawaii Star Bulletin newspaper in 2003 about his fondest memories about working on "Hawaii Five-O," MacArthur replied: "Living in Hawaii."

[DR76]

I'm in shock! I heard rumors that they wanted him for a guest appearance on the new "HAWAII FIVE-O". He turned it down, due to some plans for a new business. I guess it'll never happen.

[Napoleon Solo]

I'm in shock! I heard rumors that they wanted him for a guest appearance on the new "HAWAII FIVE-O". He turned it down, due to some plans for a new business. I guess it'll never happen.

Same here. 72 isn't that old these days.

[terminus]

Sad to hear

[Napoleon Solo]

Sad to hear

Clip from the unsold 1997 Five-O pilot where Danno 1.0 was the governor:

[Bryce (003)]

You booked 'em Danno. RIP.

[jaguar007]

RIP Danno.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

RIP, Danno. Was Mr. MacArthur the last surviving member of the original H 5-0 cast?

[Syndicate]

This might or might not be for another topic, but does it look like this year a lot of big name stars just have passed away. Not just that, but also other area like authors, movie makers, singers and fashion designers Just that maybe an are is way more then others. I don't remember all the ones that have passed away. But just that it looking like that. Hate to say it, but this look like this year is the year for stars or the very famous to die.

[Inspector Mathis]

RIP, Danno. Was Mr. MacArthur the last surviving member of the original H 5-0 cast?

Sadly he was the last surviving member of the original series, Jack Lord died in 1998, Kam Fong Chun (Chin Ho) died in 2002, and Gilbert Kauhi (Kono) died in 2004.

[Forward Look]

Sadly he was the last surviving member of the original series, Jack Lord died in 1998, Kam Fong Chun (Chin Ho) died in 2002, and Gilbert Kauhi (Kono) died in 2004.
[/quote]

That remake of the old series now being produced by CBS will never be as good as the original. RIP, Danno.


http://tv.yahoo.com/..._obit_macarthur

[Napoleon Solo]

Here's his mother, Helen Hayes, on What's My Line? While James MacArthur isn't seen, he is referenced. Check out the 4:20 mark (though the entire clip is worth watching):

[Brian Flagg]

Here are some more tributes to James MacArthur from the Hawaii Five-O "family":

Al Harrington mourns death of co-star

Al Harrington, who starred as Detective Ben Kokua in 64 episodes of the original 'Hawaii Five-0' series, issued this statement today about the death of James MacArthur:

"James MacArthur was a real team player. He wasn't caught up in his fame. He wanted to make the 'HI 5-0' team as good as it could be. He had a great sense of what the 'Aloha Spirit' was all about, which a lot of people don't understand even after being here so many years.

"He had a great sense of humor and always kept things light on the heavy moments of shooting. He would challenge each of us on the team to know our lines. He was the ultimate professional when it came to his craft.

"Reading the message from James MacArthur at the 'Hawaii Five-0' premiere in September was one of the greatest moments of my acting career. Looking back now, I realize how very special and how much more meaningful that moment was. Those were his last words to all of us — unbeknowst to us. He thanked Hawaii and the many fans for giving him the best years of his life.

"I love and respected him as a man. He taught me a great deal about the acting profession without making a big thing of it. "I send my condolences and best wishes to his wife, family and loved ones."

———

At the Sept. 13 Sunset on the Beach premiere of CBS' new version of the police drama, Harrington read a letter from James MacArthur.

http://www.staradver...of_co-star.html


"Hawaii Five-0" producer's widow gets goodbye phone call

When the phone rang yesterday afternoon in her Santa Monica home, Rose Freeman wasn't expecting the powerful farewell that came next. The widow of Leonard Freeman, the genius behind the original "Hawaii Five-0," found herself on the line with James MacArthur just hours before his death.

The actor's wife, former golf pro H.B. MacArthur, had wanted to prepare Freeman. She put the two friends together.

"She put the phone to Jim's ear," Freeman said. "He heard me say goodbye. I am so blessed to have been given that gift."

James MacArthur and Leonard Freeman will always be linked in TV history. After Freeman shot the pilot of the series, which premiered in 1968, he decided he needed another actor to play the part of Detective Danny "Danno" Williams. So he went to an actor he had met while working on the film "Hang 'em High" — the 30-year-old MacArthur — and cast him for his boyish looks and tough, but sincere delivery.

"Len absolutely adored him and I grew to adore him," Rose Freeman said.

Whenever Freeman's three daughters came to visit their father and the set of "Five-0" MacArthur was the first to greet them.

Leonard Freeman died in 1974, several years before the show ended its run in 1980. But MacArthur remained a close friend of the Freeman family. He was always a warm, special friend, Rose Freeman said.

MacArthur's wife understood that yesterday.

"She knew Jim and I had a bond that was very special after Len died," Rose Freeman said. "He was just one of the most special people in our lives. I am so grateful to be able to say goodbye."


http://www.staradver...ay_goodbye.html

[Brian Flagg]

This might or might not be for another topic, but does it look like this year a lot of big name stars just have passed away. Not just that, but also other area like authors, movie makers, singers and fashion designers Just that maybe an are is way more then others. I don't remember all the ones that have passed away. But just that it looking like that. Hate to say it, but this look like this year is the year for stars or the very famous to die.

You're right. Just in the realm of television, we've lost Pernell Roberts, Peter Graves, Robert Culp, and now James MacArthur. Silly as it sounds, these guys were heroes of mine.

[Napoleon Solo]

This might or might not be for another topic, but does it look like this year a lot of big name stars just have passed away. Not just that, but also other area like authors, movie makers, singers and fashion designers Just that maybe an are is way more then others. I don't remember all the ones that have passed away. But just that it looking like that. Hate to say it, but this look like this year is the year for stars or the very famous to die.

You're right. Just in the realm of television, we've lost Pernell Roberts, Peter Graves, Robert Culp, and now James MacArthur. Silly as it sounds, these guys were heroes of mine.

Not to mention writer-producer Stephen J. Cannell, who died this year at age 69.

[Syndicate]

These stars also died this year, Barbara Billingsley, Tom Bosley, Tony Curtis, Dennis Hopper, Lynn Redgrave and Dixie Carter(had a pair of legs in her 40s and 50s and knew what are call sexy high heel shoes).

This a good site that listes who passed away this year and not just stars. But I don't think it a complete list, because Stephen J. Cannell for one is not listed. The might be other good sites that has a better list of who passed way.

Here goes the link to it.
http://www.whosdated...ries.asp?FD=yod

[Napoleon Solo]

MacArthur had the lead obit in the "In Memorium" segment on ABC's This Week show. The elements: Five-O theme and logo from main titles; MacArthur's credit from the season 5-11 main titles (originally show in The Ninety-Second War Part I); audio of Jack Lord saying, "Book 'em Danno, murder one!"; and a more recent photo of MacArthur holding a photograph of his adoptive parents.

[Brian Flagg]

A common sentiment I've read in many online tributes is how many people can't think of Mac as being 72 years old. They remember his Disney movies and of course, his eleven years on Five-O. That's due to him pretty much leaving acting to pursue other interests by the time he was forty. And unlike others who claim to do the same, MacArthur probably had the money and the disposition to actually pursue other endeavors.

[Brian Flagg]

The new Five-O paid tribute to James MacArthur with a picture of him and "In Memoriam: James MacArthur, 1937-2010. The original "Danno."

Nice.

[DR76]

By the way, for those of you who have the "HAWAII FIVE-O" Season One box set, I suggest you check out the episode called "Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born". It's a good showcase for James MacArthur in an episode about Danny leading the search for the man who had critically wounded McGarrett. I realize that I have mentioned this episode before on another thread. But I was surprised to discover how good this episode was.

[Napoleon Solo]

By the way, for those of you who have the "HAWAII FIVE-O" Season One box set, I suggest you check out the episode called "Yesterday Died and Tomorrow Won't Be Born". It's a good showcase for James MacArthur in an episode about Danny leading the search for the man who had critically wounded McGarrett. I realize that I have mentioned this episode before on another thread. But I was surprised to discover how good this episode was.

It's one of the best episodes of the series. It was written by John D.F. Black, who also wrote the first-season episode "And They Painted Daisies on His Coffin," which is the first time Danno kills somebody in the line of duty. ("First time for him, Steve?" "Yeah, first time.")

In "Yesterday," one of the nicer bits of Danno characterization is one of the most subtle. It's late, May, the first-season secretary, is running down the tasks that yet to be done. McGarrett had been scheduled to brief a state senator about Five-O's views of pending gun legislation.

Danno initially tries to beg off but catches himself. He tells May that he'll talk to the senator. It's a very quiet moment but it shows how Danny knows the responsibilities he now carries.

[Brian Flagg]

I'd also recommend "Pig in a Blanket", from season five. A similar story but MacArthur-as-Danno shows a quiet intensity and maturity. There's a fine moment at the end when Danny thanks Steve for "not giving up on me." A powerful and touching ending and one that demonstrates the professional and personal respect the two characters have for one another.

[Brian Flagg]

As I mentioned previously, before this past Monday's episode began, CBS put up this brief tribute to James MacArthur:

[Napoleon Solo]

As I mentioned previously, before this past Monday's episode began, CBS put up this brief tribute to James MacArthur:

I saw the very start of the episode. I'm glad the new Five-0 recognized Jimmy Mac.

[Brian Flagg]

I saw the very start of the episode. I'm glad the new Five-0 recognized Jimmy Mac.

I guess *technically* Tim O'Kelley was the "original" Danno, but no one outside of a few crazed "Cocoon" fans acknowledge that.

As for the tribute, it's a good thing I tuned in to the new Five-O during the "live" broadcast because the MacArthur tribute was not included with the "On Demand" replay available the next day. I didn't watch the episode. I watched the first six episodes and that was enough.

[Napoleon Solo]

I saw the very start of the episode. I'm glad the new Five-0 recognized Jimmy Mac.

I guess *technically* Tim O'Kelley was the "original" Danno, but no one outside of a few crazed "Cocoon" fans acknowledge that.

As for the tribute, it's a good thing I tuned in to the new Five-O during the "live" broadcast because the MacArthur tribute was not included with the "On Demand" replay available the next day. I didn't watch the episode. I watched the first six episodes and that was enough.

I suppose you could liden the Tim O'kelley/James MacArthur Danno thing to Barry Nelson/Sean Connery for Bond (imperfect comparison, admittedly).

[Brian Flagg]

I suppose you could liden the Tim O'kelley/James MacArthur Danno thing to Barry Nelson/Sean Connery for Bond (imperfect comparison, admittedly).

Is "Cocoon" even considered part of the first season? It's included with the DVDs, but Mike Quigley's site states that it's referred to as "Episode 0" and debuted as a stand-alone TV movie. But yes, James MacArthur is the original Danno, no doubt about it.

[Napoleon Solo]

I suppose you could liden the Tim O'kelley/James MacArthur Danno thing to Barry Nelson/Sean Connery for Bond (imperfect comparison, admittedly).

Is "Cocoon" even considered part of the first season? It's included with the DVDs, but Mike Quigley's site states that it's referred to as "Episode 0" and debuted as a stand-alone TV movie. But yes, James MacArthur is the original Danno, no doubt about it.

I'd consider it part of the first season, but your mileage may vary.

The two-hour TV version of the pilot (90-second main titles, with accompanying 90-second original version of the theme) aired on Sept. 20, 1968, with the first one-hour episode airing the following week. The pilot *really* wasn't called Cocoon; it was just Hawaii Five-O.

The pilot was re-edited as a two-part series story that aired sometime in 1969. The one-minute main title was edited to take out the "With James MacArthur as Danny" credit. Ironically, as edited, we see: "Starring Jack Lord....Zulu as Kono...Kam Fong as Chin Ho." I say ironic because JL was always a stickler how there was NO co-star of Five-O because of that "With" that preceded James MacArthur's name. In this re-edited version we have, "Co-Starring Tim O'Kelley as Danny" in the end titles. In this re-edited version, there are both "Written and Produced by Leonard Freeman" and "Executive Producer Leonard Freeman" credits. In the two-hour TV version of the pilot, there is no "Executive Producer Leonard Freeman" credit. The re-edited, two part version was called "Cocoon."

In the re-edited version, at the start of act I of Part I, we just see McGarrett rush out of the Palace to his car. This scene was filmed *after* the pilot because McGarrett is rushing to his *four-door* Mercury while in the pilot he drove a *two-door* Mercury. During several episodes of season 1, they drop in shots from the pilot. In "By the Numbers," McG rushes out to his two-door car (shot from pilot) while arriving at the crime scene in his four-door car.

[Brian Flagg]

I'll have to take another look at my recording at Cocoon, which splits the movie into two parts. Haven't seen it in years, at least that version.

[Napoleon Solo]

I'll have to take another look at my recording at Cocoon, which splits the movie into two parts. Haven't seen it in years, at least that version.

This is the main titles of the pilot as seen on the DVDs. It originally aired Sept. 20, 1968, as an installment of The CBS Friday Night Movies. It was also shown in this format a couple of times in the 1970s on The CBS Late Movies. This version has no "wave" before commercial breaks (This was uploaded to YouTube by CBS so there are no copyright issues):



The first video coming up is from Cocoon Part II, it's the very end of the episode and the end titles. You don't see a Leslie Nielsen credit because his character only appeared in Part I. The two-part Coccoon version also edits in "Waves" before commercial breaks. The end titles takes the standard season one graphics and theme music arrangement.

The second is an end titles The Family Channel did. It would show multi-part episodes in one evening. The Family Channel end titles has a shot or two of James MacArthur/Danno even though he doesn't appear in the pilot. The Family Channel end titles also misspell the name of actor Noah Keen (as Moah), who played Jonathan Kaye's medical expert. It sounds to me as if the Family Channel version uses the end title arrangement from seasons 2 and 3.