1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 24

Kevin Tighe as Roy DeSoto, Randolph Mantooth as John Gage (L-R)

    My wife's birthday is today. So I thought I would devote today's A Madman Turns 40 to her favorite TV show as a kid and all-time: Emergency!
   
 The show ran from 1972 until May of '77 on NBC. The series starred Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe as paramedics John Cage and Roy DeSoto. Roy is and was my bride's favorite.

The only appearance of Roy's wife, Michelle (center),
taken from the 2-hour pilot.

      At the time of this show, 911, emergency medicine and the paramedic program was in it's infancy. Most episodes revolved around the perils Roy and John would face answering emergencies throughout Los Angeles County. From injured hang gliders to over turned RVs, Roy and John would save the day. Many of these places are remote and without the paramedic program, the victims traditionally would have died from their injuries.

The show's theme was crafted by Nelson Riddle.

Riddle also created the 1966 Batman theme.

    Roy and John were more often than not assisted by their firefighting brothers at Station 51. Mike drove the truck, Engine 51 with wiseacres Chet and Marco assisting with rescues and manning the hoses. Together, the crew put out fires, saved people from power lines, and even had to tackle a sniper once.The man in charge was Captain Stanley (there was another Chef for the show's first season and as a rule in our household, we don't talk of him.)

Squad 51 and Engine 51 leaving the firehouse on call.
Hopefully, they are going to put out a brush fire.
Those episodes are my wife's favorite.

    Roy and John drove the Squad car. In those days, ambulance companies were all privately owned and you had to wait for their arrival. Usually Roy rode in the back of the ambulance with Johnny following them to the nearest hospital which always managed to be Rampart Hospital. (They could be in San Diego and the nearest hospital would still be Rampart in LA...)

    The staff at Rampart consisted of 3 doctors, Kelley Brackett, who despite initially being hesitant of the paramedic program, became Roy and John's biggest advocate. Young M.D. Mike Morton started off as brash and trying to throw his weight around but eventually became a skilled doctor. Bobby Troup rounded out the trio as Dr. Early, an elder statesman with a healthy sense of humor. His in-real life wife, singer Julie London played nurse Dixie McCall, a Korean War nurse who ran Rampart's nursing staff like clockwork.

     Not only was Troup and London married in reality, London was the ex-wife of series creator and producer Jack Webb. Yes- that Jack Webb of Dragnet Fame. Talk about a way to avoid paying alimony- you get not only your ex a steady gig but her hubby too! 

An early photo of husband and wife duo,
Bobby Troup and Julie London.
Pun NOT intended!

   Jack Webb's production company Mark VII Limited crafted a total of 129 episodes. Along with the live action series, an animated version aired from 1973-76 called Emergency+4. There was also action figures, toy emergency kits, comic books, board games, and a couple of lunch boxes marketed during the shows run.

During Emergency's first season, characters from Adam-12,
another Mark VII show, made cross-over appearances.
But in a season 4 episode, Johnny is upset that a
call keeps him from watching Adam-12 on TV.
Cue Wa-waaaah music...

    As mentioned earlier, Emergency! ran until 1977. But the show wasn't over then. Over the next 2 years, a total of 6 movies of the week continued the adventures of Roy and John. At this point in their careers, the guys had become captains and went to various cities to educate and observe in their paramedic programs. My wife has mixed emotions about these films as Roy and John play some really diminished roles in them.

     Though Emergency! has technically been off the air for 40 years, the show's legacy lives on. Hundreds of young boys and girls were inspired by the show to pursue a career as a fireman, EMT, or doctor thanks to this show. For a couple of brief years, Emergency! aired in rerun on TV Land and inspired another generation to the point that another favorite show of my wife's, Chicago Fire, have an Engine #51 and at least twice had characters mention how the show impact them to serve others. 

First Season Promo for my wife's new favorite show.

      Before I go to celebrate my wife's special day, I want to share with you her present. It's an episode from a short-lived 1974 TV show called Sierra. In this episode, Roy and John from Emergency! crossover to help the rangers at the Sierra National Park establish their own paramedic program. Even though Roy and John have a very limited role, this is something my girl has never seen before, so it's like finding her a lost episode. (Sorry it's in 6 parts and not in the best quality...)

   Enjoy...

   Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6