MovieChat Forums > Adam-12 (1968) Discussion > Adam 12 casting

Adam 12 casting

posted 10 years ago by charcas67
10 replies | jump to latest

I looked in trivia to find an answer but no luck. I'm curious to know if Webb and RA Cinadar considered anyone else besides Martin Milner and Kent McCord for the roles of Malloy and Reed? They certainly picked the right guys and I understand they became as tight off camera as their characters became on the show. Webb and Cinadar were able to repeat their casting saavy when they paired Randy Mantooth and Kevin Tighe on Emergency. I guess they (or their casting staff) knew what they were doing.

[–] badge7213 10 years ago

If there were other contenders it seems like the number of folks 'in the know' are dwindling - these days who could really provide a definitive answer besides the two leads and producer Tom Williams? Based on reading two Jack Webb bios and four 'Adam-12'-related TV Guide articles it seemed like Milner and McCord were the first and/or top choices for the roles.

1.) Milner had previously worked with Webb on radio, TV, and film and had the on-camera driving experience with 'Route 66.' Milner's 1973 TVG article stated that Webb was "waiting" to cast Milner again and that he [Webb] said to him "Kid, you're gonna be . . . in a little something I and a feller name of Bob Cinader dreamed up. We're gonna call it 'Adam-12'."

2.) In McCord's 1969 TVG article it mentioned that he was already under contract to Universal and, after performing in an acclaimed early episode of the 'Dragnet' revival, that (quoting Bob Cinader) "When it came to casting 'Adam-12', it took us 10 seconds to make our decision. Webb had a real thing about Kent." Lastly, Webb added "He's perfect. He's the right age, the right physical type -- he's a composite of the younger police officer . . . and, like Milner, he's a professional."

[–] slackersmom 10 years ago

I read an interview w/ McCord from back in the day, and apparently he wasn't too eager to do Adam-12 at first. Believe it or not, he wasn't a fan of the police. (Just like many people at that time.) But he spent some time riding along w/ LAPD and saw how they operated, what they put up with, etc., and then agreed to do it. Who'd'a thunk it, right?

[–] charcas67 10 years ago

Thanks for your answer badge7213. I didn't know Milner had a previous Jack Webb connection. I figure he was hired because of Route 66 and having a TV star name as McCord was relatively unknown. NOt shocked that McCord was first choice given his appearances on Dragnet, especially in that episode where he played a cop under investigation by Friday and Gannon. That's the episode where Friday delivered that great monologue about a cop's life--probably the best piece of a writing in a Dragnet episode.

[–] slackersmom 10 years ago

Slightly off-topic, but I've heard from interviews that Webb didn't want Mantooth for Emergency; he may have had someone else in mind for the role (not sure), but Cinader hired Randy and Webb wasn't all that pleased. As for Kevin Tighe, the deadline for filming was nearing and they needed someone so they brought Kevin since he was under contract. I had the feeling his casting was sort of last-minute. (Wish I could find that interview again.)

[–] misterbfd 10 years ago

I've heard from interviews that Webb didn't want Mantooth for Emergency; he may have had someone else in mind for the role

According to Webb's IMDB bio page:

When he approached young and unknown actor Randolph Mantooth to play the role of Johnny Gage in Emergency! (1972), Mantooth--like his future co-star Robert Fuller--also politely turned down the role. Webb also wouldn't take no for an answer, and told Mantooth what he told Fuller: "Sit down and shut up!".

[–] slackersmom 10 years ago

I'm just going from what Randy has said in interviews. He said that Bob Cinader is the one who cast him as Gage, after seeing him in something else. When Randy's agent told him about the show, he wasn't interested, but ironically she's the one who told him to "sit down & shut up," and also told him that he would take the role. Randy surmised that Webb might not have been happy that Cinader cast Randy in the part without his input.

[–] shredder187 10 years ago

keep in mind that Mantooth had played a part in an Adam 12 episode in 1971 (log 88 reason to run) and also played John Gage in another Adam 12 episode (lost and found in 1972). So he and Jack Webb would have already been familiar with each other.

be wary of strong drink. it can make you shoot at tax collectors...and miss.

[–] slackersmom 10 years ago

Actually when "John Gage" appeared on Adam-12's episode Lost and Found, it was during Emergency's first season, sort of a mini-crossover. And aside from being an executive producer, Webb might not have had too much involvement with day-to-day operations of Adam-12's episodes. (He could have, but I honestly don't know.... from what I've heard, Cinader & Saunders pretty much ran the show.)

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