Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

For all non-episode specific topics about the show, including MPI-related "tie-ins"

Moderator: Styles Bitchley

Message
Author
KENJI
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 2048
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 5:38 pm
Location: The Republic of Manana

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#16 Post by KENJI »

This threads tells us more about the origin of Al's Tigers cap....page four and five.

http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic ... p&start=30

This entry from Master Flub Spotter caught my eye...........

It turns out that the origin of Magnum's red & white Al's Automotive/TIGERS hat is not from MPI, but from "The Chinese Typewriter" starring Tom Selleck and James Whitmore, Jr. "The Chinese Typewriter" is on this morining on Sleuth. Tom Selleck is the coach of a little league baseball team and they are sponsored by none other than "AL's Automotive and Muffler King." He and his team are wearing the same red and white Al's (TIGERS) hat that we see on MPI. They also wear the complete uniform with a very large Al's/Tigers logo on the back of their jersey. In part of his dialogue with Jame Whitmore, Jr., TS even says "I take my Al's Automotive and Muffler King hat off to you." :)

Several locations are used in this film, and I thought I caught a glimpse of the Eve Anderson Estate (Robin's Nest). This is a Universal production and was written by Stephen J. Cannell, so it wouldn't surprise me if the estate was used. This movie was released (1980) right around the same time they were filming MPI first season. I wonder how close in time these two projects are to each other?

******
Even Tom Selleck or shall I say Tom Boston :magnum: gets hat and cap mixed up......sorry Magnum ILWU.... :wink:

I've never watched this pilot....I would like to see the Hawaiian footage of Pahonu and the Mark's Estate.
Getting a bit off subject, but here are a few other threads for the Chinese Typewriter...

http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic ... typewriter
http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic ... typewriter

User avatar
Pahonu
Robin's Nest Expert Extraordinaire
Posts: 2743
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:19 am
Location: Long Beach CA

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#17 Post by Pahonu »

I have a DVD copy of The Chinese Typewriter that I bought last summer, I think it was. So it's available. I have to say, however, I can see why it didn't catch on. It was pretty bad, I thought. The only thing I found interesting, is they use a location in the Hollywood Hills called the Hightower Apartments. It's a pretty unique location. You can see it well beginning at the 8:40 mark of the YouTube clip. Also here's a link. http://la.curbed.com/tags/hightower-apartments

User avatar
24coffee
Lieutenant
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:33 pm

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#18 Post by 24coffee »

I have often thought of buying the DVD. Those of you have that have watched it in entirely is it with the coin? I have gotten the impression from the clips I have seen if you like Magnum PI and or Tom Selleck you will like The Chinese Typewriter.

BWheelz54
Admiral
Posts: 189
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:24 am
Location: Hillsboro, Illinois

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#19 Post by BWheelz54 »

Hey all,

Thanks for pointing me to the threads with the info about the connection between the red Tigers cap and The Chinese Typewriter. So much good stuff on here that I overlook too much good stuff. Like seeing that TCT is available on DVD. I might go ahead and get it just to try it out. Sometimes, even bad tv is a lot of fun.

User avatar
Magnum T.
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:57 pm
Location: Robin's Nest

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#20 Post by Magnum T. »

I read "The Chinese Typewriter" is available on DVD but I searched for it unsuccessfully.
Are we talking about some "home-made" DVD?

(Hi 24coffee and welcome!)
"Zeus, Apollo, get out of my Ferrari!"
"Mr. Masters' Ferrari"

User avatar
24coffee
Lieutenant
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:33 pm

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#21 Post by 24coffee »

http://www.modcinema.com/categories/3-m ... old&page=1

I thought I had also seen on Ebay but must have been thinking of Concrete Cowboys since I can't find again....

User avatar
Magnum T.
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:57 pm
Location: Robin's Nest

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#22 Post by Magnum T. »

Thanks.

As I thought it's probably a VHS to DVD transfer.
Too bad there isn't a real DVD.

Edit: it's a TV to DVD transfer, the Sleuth logo is clearly visible.
"Zeus, Apollo, get out of my Ferrari!"
"Mr. Masters' Ferrari"

User avatar
24coffee
Lieutenant
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:33 pm

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#23 Post by 24coffee »

I really thought I had seen elsewhere with a different cover but could not find other than this one....

Might have to

A--find on a light night "random high channel" (as my daughter calls them) and DVR

B--buy a bad copy job until a good one comes around....

Now that it is hard to find... I am obsessed with having it...

User avatar
Magnum T.
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:57 pm
Location: Robin's Nest

Re: Purpose for cap Thomas Magnum wore?

#24 Post by Magnum T. »

24coffee wrote:Now that it is hard to find... I am obsessed with having it...
Ha ha, I know that feeling ;)
"Zeus, Apollo, get out of my Ferrari!"
"Mr. Masters' Ferrari"

User avatar
Reef monkey
Fleet Admiral
Posts: 224
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 3:30 pm
Location: Houston, Tx

Re: Purpose for hat Thomas Magnum wore?

#25 Post by Reef monkey »

MagnumILWU wrote:And remember! A hat has a continuous brim, all the way around. A cap does not! You don't call it a cowboy cap, and you don't call it a baseball hat! This is just one of those things that drives me crazy! It's a ball cap! Thank you, and goodnight!
While "cap" is the most specific term, a cap is a specific type of hat, and so technically not wrong, just less precise.
My essay "In Country: Place and Historical Connection in Magnum PI", about the importance of the Honolulu/Vietnam connection in the show:
http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic ... 850#p57850

Post Reply