The Chinese Typewriter (1979 TV Movie) User Reviews

Typical TV Pilot Film

[Kreizog · 7/10 · 16 May 2003]

This is the movie version of a 1979 pilot written by Stephen Cannell for Tom Selleck and James Whitmore Jr. It's an average story about two opposites (one's a genius, the other's a weapons expert) who team up for "impossible cases". It is more interesting as a period piece for the time and for the locations that were used. Parts were filmed in Hawaii, apparently at the estate that would later be used for "Magnum PI". Tom Selleck is a work in progress in this vehicle, playing a one note character and providing the eye candy. James Whitmore Jr. gets to play a more interesting set of characters throughout the story. They are a good team. Too bad they didn't do more together. This movie, paired with all the other pilots that Selleck did in the 70's prior to "Magnum", might make for a fun evening of mindless entertainment. Of course, you will have to beg Universal Studios to release the Tom Selleck collection to DVD or VHS first! This film is currently only available in Europe.

A specimen of its time

[heathentart · 4/10 · 20 March 2008]

Watch it for seeing a very young Tom Selleck, albeit with the same old moustache. His acting chops haven't improved much over the years, but he is certainly cute to watch. James Whitemore, Jr. more or less carries the movie.

Interestingly, only 4 of the total cast had a varied and successful career, the rest are unmemorable.

The funniest part of this unfunny "adventure" story is Mr. Whitmore passing himself off as an Arab Sheikh. Without makeup, he makes an extremely pale Arab. Somewhat successful accent, I thought.

The story is typical Stephen J. Cannell fare; with its concomitant mild flirtations (Cannell men don't get too involved with women), car chases, spraying bullets, etc. Don't look for anything deep or meaningful. Lots of bootlegger turns, though.