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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 1, 2023 18:53:26 GMT -5
This is a show about paramedics in Los Angeles and all their rescues within their station 51, and Rampart Hospital. In the USA it aired from 1972 until 1979. In Germany I got to see it first in 1993. Wow, over 20 years later!!! Main Cast: Randolph Mantooth - Firefighter/Paramedic John Gage Kevin Tighe - Firefighter/Paramedic Roy DeSoto Julie London - Dixie McCall, R.N. (RIP) Bobby Troup - Dr. Joe Early (RIP) Robert Fuller - Dr. Kelly Brackett Additional Cast: Marco Lopez - Fireman Marco Lopez Mike Stoker - Fireman Mike Stoker Tim Donnelly - Fireman Chet Kelly (RIP) Michael Norell - Captain Hank Stanley (with S2 following) Ron Pinkard - Dr. Mike Morton Some interesting facts about the show (highlights only)- Station 51 is in reality LA County Fire Station 127 - Julie London and Bobby Troup were a married couple during the show - all doctors learned their medical terms by a dictionary and visiting real ERs - Kevin and Randolph went through the paramedic training and if they had taken (and passed) the certification, they could have been what they played - the badges the cast wore were real ones and always collected after filming - Mike Stoker, along with Capt. Hammer (S1), were real firefighter as well as Captain to the LA County - in Germany we always lost around five minutes of the show which were restored starting with the DVD release - not all episodes were shown here as well. Got 4 seasons and 12 episodes of S5 - all actors remained friends after the show had ended, even until today - there's Fire Museum in L.A. for the show, displaying cars and pictures of the show - there was some misunderstanding at first but it could be solved, obviously - Gage had the same background like his actor Mantooth, being half Indian Some general pics: I'll stop here with the pics which will then go along the episodes, if possible. As said, I'm going to start then this weekend.
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Post by Tim on Feb 2, 2023 0:18:52 GMT -5
I watched this when it was originally on.
Don't remember much about it though (it's been nearly fifty years now).
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 4, 2023 17:36:07 GMT -5
So, here I am with the pilot. In German re-translated back "The Way to Success" or originally S0E0 The Wedsworth-Townsend Act Summary: The Wedworth-Townsend Act (Assembly Bill PM 11307) passed on July 14, 1970. This 2-part pilot episode is set in early to mid-1970 during the 7.5 months before passage. Mark VII Productions/ Jack Webb passes the torch and segues "Dragnet" with "Emergency!" using the protagonists of "Adam-12" in cameo roles and Art Balinger, alumnus of both shows, as 14th Battalion Chief Conrad. Fireman Johnny Gage works the Rescue Squad out of huge Station 10. He encounters the doctors and staff at the Emergency Center at Rampart General Hospital: Dr. Kelly Brackett, Chief of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Joe Early, eminent neurosurgeon and generous volunteer of time to Rampart and Dixie McCall, R.N., Head Nurse and decorated Korean War veteran. Johnny meets Roy DeSoto, who completed the first 12-week training program and is gung-ho to see the bill pass and the new program start. Roy retakes the training with Johnny at Rampart as Dixie finagled for Kel and Joe to teach the course; Kel is not happy. They all meet the son of a retired fireman, CA State Assemblyman Michael Wolski, who is the main political proponent of the bill. The Chief assigns Roy and Johnny to the new Station 51. Wolski wants Brackett to testify in favor of the bill but Kel thinks more like a damned lawyer, obsessing over malpractice and he is derisive of amateur "hose jockeys." But Dixie, Joe, Roy and Johnny are all excited about the bill and the program. Dixie tries to influence Brackett as a nurse; Dixie also works on Kel as a woman and as his lover. Early talks to him as his colleague and his friend. Some of the FM who completed training are becoming discouraged. In order to save lives, Johnny and Roy must pick up Dixie to accompany them on any rescues as they are not legally allowed to use their training or equipment. Kel begins to feel cornered, as if his colleagues and friends morphed into a collective enemy. Continued work and exposure to one another creates conflict, problem solving and a growing respect. Brackett comes to understand the true nature of the "enemy" and it is not a person. Kel, Joe, Dixie and the guys at 51 do share a common enemy: the finite nature of time. —LA-Lawyer (from IMDB taken) Thoughts: By rewatching it now, I certainly forgot some things. Johnny Gage started out at Firestation 10 and turned later, after passing the paramedic programme, to 51 like DeSoto. To my surprise, Marco Lopez was also a part of the programme but never mentioned again. Never mind, I forgot certainly the struggle to get the paramedics running but still, nice to see that Roy and Johnny worked well together right from the start whereas Dr. Brackett needs some convincing. Twice. But he is convinced to let paramedics/firefighters do their work front whereas the doctors are told the basics via phone. For me it was a switch between German and English all the time where it was never aired, yet as you know I have no problem with that (which goes for every episode following). We didn't get to know all guys of 51 yet but they will be. Oh man, I certainly remember why I watched the show back then. The humor and the struggle - and John Gage was certainly my favorite back then. Oh, by the way, Adam 12 helps to promote the series. Some pics: I'll leave it here but it's clear that the series is based on that bill in California from 1969. Thanks for this. On Monday I'll then start the regular show with S1 and its 11 episodes.
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Post by Tim on Feb 5, 2023 0:18:55 GMT -5
Nice pics.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 5, 2023 17:56:57 GMT -5
You're welcome. I forgot to mention that Johnny and Kelly Brackett didn't get along at first, obviously but it'll be solved. Another difference between airing in the USA and Germany. You watched it weekly, me daily and I remember to have to run after school to watch it. Oh, and the German voice of the Captains, may it be Hammer or Stanley, it remains the same. Checked this out and it confirmed my suspicion.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 6, 2023 16:52:42 GMT -5
Thought so but you obviously pay attention to those things when you re-watch it. The very first episode. S01E01 - Mascot or Helpful (German) Story: A lady who was injured in her car accident is worried about her dog, yet John makes an agreement with Dixie, to take care of the dog, which complicates his life. At the hospital, Doctors treat a girl who has breathing problems and a man who shows up drunk. Dixie tells both the orderly and security to find a young lady, who's a close friend. Once found, she also talks to the close friend, whose man is a diabetic. At a party, when a man is experiencing chest pains, his guests thinks he's kidding. The paramedics rescue an injured hunter. (taken from IMDB) When Paula Slayton wrecks her car on the way to a dog show, Johnny has made an agreement with Dixie and Roy, to take care of her dog "Bonnie" without realizing the animal will cause problems. A woman brings in her daughter, who cannot breathe, and Dr. Brackett treats her with a... paper bag! Apparently drunk Peter Ballard wanders into the hospital - but his real problem is quite different. Dixie helps both the orderly and security to find Susan, a young lady, and talks to her, whose man suffers from diabetes. At a party, Roy and Johnny must deal with rowdy party guests who believe their host Lee is pulling a prank, not having a heart attack. A hunter suffers a serious fall in a place from which the paramedics cannot reach Rampart, so they must employ a "radio relay." (taken from here) Thoughts: Well, the very first episode and the Gage charm swings full in, yet not knowing how Johnny has to suffer. Taking care of a dog who is a champion brings Gage into trouble with his station and he sleeps elsewhere, yet not his bunk. The rescues are also hard but they do their best. At a party where a man has a heart attack, the guests find it funny and tease the man and intervene with the paramedics' contact to the hospital, making Brackett angry as well. Bonnie the dog still manages to find a way into his heart and doesn't want to leave him but he's promised to get a puppy. And Chet complains about Johnny's luck with women. Some pics: Decided to use some pics also from Tumblr. The fandom there is big, and I just started again. Never mind, stay tuned for the next episode.
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Post by Tim on Feb 6, 2023 19:05:21 GMT -5
Cute dog.
I think I remember this one.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 7, 2023 17:00:15 GMT -5
That's great to hear. Still weird to see Marco and Chet without a beard. S01E02 Botulism or Matter of Trust (German) Summary: Johnny is upset because he is the butt of a series of practical jokes. The guys climb up and rappel down to rescue a man with a broken back. Roy explains they cannot give him relief for his excruciating pain as the pain is their only guide to rescue and diagnose him. Roy and Johnny feel rotten they could not ease his pain sooner; Nurse Jacobs (Virginia Gregg) reassures them they did the right thing. The grumbling Gilmores are the next stop; Martha fakes a heart attack whenever Myron upsets her. Brackett and McCall are having a fight; Kel wants to keep Rampart business separate from their romance but Dixie is not one to pull her punches. Joe Early has a minor injury. Johnny sets up his own prank. A cameraman at Mammoth Studios, Century City inexplicably falls. The good doctors are stumped; Brackett quizzes the wife for her husband's dietary details. Kel makes a bold, risky call which will damage his reputation if he is wrong. Another similar case bolsters but does not confirm his hypothesis. The 5th estate buzzes around Rampart like vultures. An abandoned old building collapses; young orphan Tommy is trapped. Other hospitals report cases like the ones at Rampart. A pretty young woman and a dish soon remove doubt regarding the call made by the Chief of Emergency Medicine at Rampart. Young Tommy is hysterical as the building falls around him; Johnny repeatedly tells him to take it easy. Soon, an 11 year old plans to be a fireman when he grows up. Back at the station, a hungry Johnny hoists himself by his own petard.—LA-Lawyer (from IMDB again) Thoughts: So, at first with Johnny listing all jokes on him, I've got the feeling of an early sign of 'The Phantom and his Pigeon', meaning Chet and Johnny but it isn't solved. Johnny is plotting his revenge but in the end .... More than later. The rescues are tough: a man hanging down a tower, some fake illness from a wife who can't let go of her husband this early, Dr. Early gets himself as a patient - more for Dr. Brackett then and the strange fall of botulism. Yet the hunch Dr. Brackett has seems to be true. At the end, they save a young boy from a collapsed building and the boy wants to become a fireman then. Still, eager to return to the station, Johnny reaches for the pralines which he himself prepared and falls into his own prank. lol Some pics: As said yesterday, as a last resort I use some pics from Tumblr. There are masses! Jesus! But first the officials. See you tomorrow!
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Post by Tim on Feb 7, 2023 18:51:58 GMT -5
Perhaps I should try to track this show down myself. I do remember enjoying it when I was little.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 8, 2023 17:00:18 GMT -5
While you were a kid, Tim, I was a teen when I watched it first. S01E03 Cook's Tour or For Goodness Sake! (German) Summary: John delivers a cyanotic baby to Rampart, and Dixie congratulates him on his behalf. The firemen give Roy a bad time about his cooking. A boy gets his hand stuck in a vase; John rescues a kid in handcuffs. A man repairing a washer gets an electric shock. The paramedics rescue a man trapped on a crane. While trying to find an ice pack to give to Dr. Early, for the boy's hand, Dixie cautions a klutzy student nurse, Sharon Walters, not to run around in the hospital.—Gary Richard Collins II (from IMDB again) It's Roy's turn as company cook, and that has everyone else worried, especially when they learn he's going to make a French dish! Johnny delivers a cyanotic baby while at Rampart, and Dixie congratulates him on his behalf. Dr. Early helps a boy whose hand is stuck inside an expensive Ming vase, who asks a klutzy student nurse, Sharon Walters, to find a pack of ice for the boy, when Dixie cautions Sharon not to run around in the hospital. A man trying to repair a washing machine accidentally electrocutes himself, and a sixteen year old may face permanent disability from a drug overdose. Finally, the whole company responds to a man who climbed a construction crane's boom intending to suicide, and then changed his mind. (from here again) Thoughts: Well, we start with the boys having a discussion of who would deliver the baby - and Johnny is the winner. Arriving at the house, they help the mother as best as they can, yet her husband doesn't understand the seriosity. The cop there helps. Since it's Roy's turn to cook and wants to cook something French, well, the whole station fears the worst. And the cases go on: Dr. Early saves a boy with a hand in an expensive Ming vase and he resorts to ice (lol), Johnny saves a boy in handcuffs by using pliers, then they move to a brother pair with a heart attack and the older brother feels guilty, then to a man who electroluted himself while repairing his washer and finally a man on a crane who wanted to suicide but changed his mind. The man nearly falls off, yet Johnny catches him on time, even though he's himself afraid of heights. Strangely, though it may change later on. Never mind, at the station during the last rescue, all men have eaten Roy's dish, making all happy. Some pics: So, I'll leave it here. There's enough covered. See you tomorrow! P.S. Tim Hope you can find a site where to stream it. If not, I can help. At least, I hope so.
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Post by Tim on Feb 8, 2023 18:53:29 GMT -5
The only site it was on was Hulu, which stops at the U.S. border.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 9, 2023 9:00:58 GMT -5
I'll test something later on. Let you know when I post here again.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 9, 2023 16:46:57 GMT -5
So I tested it out and it worked, as I thought. Try this link with streaming or maybe even downloading. You can find all seasons there if you scroll down. S01E04 Brushfire or The Fire Storm (German) Summary: This episode focuses on a brush fire that apparently was accidentally started by some kids playing. Roy and Johnny find themselves in the midst of it saving various people. An old woman fell while her neighbor, her sister, cries no tears for her state of health. A woman has her baby in the middle of the forest fire while the firemen wonder if they'll get out in time. A fireman is rescued after a tree falls on him and wonders if he will lose his leg. And a man (Tony Dow from Leave it to Beaver) is injured while riding his bike. But there's more to that particular story! Meanwhile, there's a very upset little boy at the hospital who broke his arm. His only worry - to find his dog in the midst of the fire - an impossible task? - by mitchrmp on IMDB An out of control brushfire threatens a large area in the valley; Station 51 is one of many called to respond. They meet 79 year old Winifred Lenover and her 80 year old sister, who hate each other. Winifred needs medical help but won't leave the house in her sister's care. A boy named Andy, whose arm is broken in three places, finds his way to the hospital but wants to leave to go find his missing dog Grover. Dixie takes care of that boy, before Dr. Brackett reprimands both her and Roy, in begging them to leave, realizing firemen are taking the wildfires pretty seriously. Five runs in six hours and the paramedics still aren't done: they treat a fireman named Conway whose leg is pinned under a tree, a pregnant woman who cannot be moved until she gives birth, and whose house will shortly be engulfed, the victim of a stampede, and a motorcyclist who ran off the road while looting evacuated homes. (taken from here again) Thoughts: Well, the station is called out to help with a brush fire. The squad first gets called away to help a fallen woman - and as it turns out there are two sisters who don't like each other. Emma and Winifred, and Johnny and Roy try to smooth things down with both women. Well, they only have minor success. At Rampart, a boy comes in with a broken arm but he only worries about his dog, Grover and so Dixie asks the two firefighters when they come in if they could look for the dog. She convinces them, naturally. Then they deal with an injured colleague who wonders if he will lose his leg, then a baby wanting to come out in the middle of the fire and in the end with a man who is stealing from abonded houses but manages to make an accident. Ready to eat at their base, Johnny and Roy notice the collected dogs and find their intended target which they bring to the hospital and to the young boy who is happy to have him back. Some pics: That's about it. Let me know if it works for you, Tim! See you tomorrow!
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Post by Tim on Feb 10, 2023 0:16:24 GMT -5
Okay, I'll give it a try.
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Post by Squad 51 on Feb 10, 2023 16:38:45 GMT -5
That was my source for downloading the original version of the show. S01E05 Dealer's Wild or Out of Control (German) Summary: ...in a classic expose of this cliche...Gage & DeSoto; as well as Drs. Brackett/Early/Mortimer and Nurse McCall give their all to save the bizarre assortment of cases thrown their way... ...DeSoto overcomes a rules-bound airport employee who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag to talk down a brave young man whose dad has suffered a serious heart attack in their private plane...only to finally lose him... ...again, DeSoto is confronted with unhelpful onlookers and a prostitute mother as he searches for clues to a young woman's drug overdose... ...and the ultimate irony is a destitute man surviving his triple suicide attemp (slashed wrists/rat poison/gas poisoning) only to berate Dixie for the Rampart medical staff for saving his life; threatening to sue for "his being poked and prodded"... ...not only do our paramedics face intense medical challenges; but they must deal with lazy, self-absorbed, purposely uncooperative individuals whose actions throw up unnecessary obstacles...or who utterly fail in expressing anything approaching gratitude for their efforts... ...for these reasons...we owe a double debt of gratitude for their selfless dedication, compassion and tender loving care...just as true today as when this episode aired 50 years ago... - by gclarkbloom on IMDB Roy tries to talk a boy down in a plane in which his father, the pilot, suffered an apparent heart attack while in flight. A man tries to commit suicide by drinking poison, slashing his wrists, and turning on the gas in his apartment. Station 51 responds to an overturned gasoline tanker truck. Roy and Johnny deal with disinterested bystanders while a teenager overdoses on LSD. At the hospital, Drs. Brackett and Early puzzle over what could have caused the tank truck driver to pass out behind the wheel - they know there's a problem in his brain, but not where. Dr. Brackett and Dixie meditate on people who want to die, but live, and people who want to live, but die. At the station, Johnny keeps losing card games which leaves him with washing the dishes each night. Now he is determined to create his own card game. (taken from here again) Thoughts: Poor Johnny and his bad luck with playing cards. Always losing and therefore stuck with washing the dishes all the time. He tries to find a solution but they are kept calling out. First to an airfield where they need to overrule an employee to get a plane down with a boy and his downed father. Roy manages this good. Then the whole station is called to an overtuned gasoline truck, then to a man who tries to kill himself with three different ways and a young girl with an OD whose mother is more interested in her own money than her kids. The irony here: the guy with killing himself survives but some other die or have to suffer. And Johnny. Well, he creates his own game and ... still loses and wants to hire a dish washer for their station. lol Some pics: I'll leave it here again. Still, not the same like in later seasons but we're getting there. See you tomorrow! P.S. Still thankful that this Internet Archive exists!
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