MovieChat Forums > Kojak (1973) Discussion > Pilot 'The Marcus Nelson Murders'

Pilot 'The Marcus Nelson Murders'

posted 9 years ago by ThomasMuf
4 replies | jump to latest

The pilot to Kojak is not only *very* different in style and tone from the show that followed (a gritty urban thriller full of social context) but also vastly superior! It's closer in tone to its director Joseh Sargent's masterpiece The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 with Walter Matthau (who would have been great for Kojak BTW).

[–] mawsis 9 years ago

Agree!

[–] soffee83 9 years ago

"Hey kid ... you wanna say anything to me?"

That really was good. I need to watch it again, but last I remember, my Chinese DVD copy wouldn't play past a certain point (frustrating).

[–] svengali64 9 years ago

Just watching the pilot now, haven't see it for about 35 years and it's as great as I remembered. A superior cast, Telly is on top form and I forgot Bruno Kirby was in this as well, although he played a different character in the series. I loved watching Kojak growing up and the early seasons were magical. It's hard to imagine anyone else in the role and would recommend this to anyone as the pilot is a hidden gem that doesn't get aired very often.

[–] soffee83 9 years ago

Bruno Kirby was in this as well, although he played a different character in the series

There's a few in there like that. Kojak's brother is in it (maybe with that crowd of reporters) and Gil Weaver is Teddy's drug buddy. I thought I might have seen Mark Russell too, but I may be getting it mixed up with an appearance on something else.

BTW- That Marjoe Gortner's got a pretty wild history. I watched a documentary movie on him long ago ("Marjoe"). Try to see it if you haven't.

Take Care