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That is, indeed, Glenn Corbett in the photo with Marty Milner. Corbett was a decent actor who had some degree of success both during , as well as after "Route 66." His characterization of Lincoln Case, an emotionally scarred Vietnam vet, was moderately effective. He was sincere in his portrayal, but sadly ineffectual in comparison to George Maharis whose persona in the earlier episodes of the series seemed shot out of a cannon. Maharis literally exploded onto the network landscape with a dynamic intensity rivaling early Brando or Montgomery Clift. Corbett went on to appear as a deeply sympathetic, pioneer astronaut, quite literally lost in space, during an early episode of the original "Star Trek" television series, while Maharis starred in a terrific little adventure thriller called "The Satan Bug." Sadly, however, Maharis never achieved the success that seemed almost pre-destined when he first took to the highways of America traveling "Route 66."
Steve
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I truly want to thank you for your appreciation of my work in "Mad About Movies" Magazine regarding "Route 66" and "The Thin White Line." That particular episode of the television series has haunted me for more than half a century. The series, its characters, and that segment of the long running program contributed significantly to the course of my life and chosen career as a writer. The show began when I was a mere lad of fourteen years, and my personal interaction with the cast and crew in Philadelphia during the filming of "The Thin White Line" when I was fifteen years old continues to follow me to this day. I watched the episode again as recently as this afternoon, and it brought memories flooding back to me. I'm pushing seventy, and so that's really saying quite a lot. We filmed a sequence not long ago for the forthcoming feature length documentary about my own life and writing career in which a steadicam camera crew followed me up the ramp once more to the Ben Franklin Bridge, and the exact spot where my brother Erwin and I had witnessed the original filming of the climactic sequence for that episode nearly fifty five years ago. It gave me chills and goose bumps to take that walk for the first time in all those years for the filming of our own documentary motion picture, Both the series and that pivotal episode will forever remain a significant inspiration in my own personal evolution and history. Thank you most sincerely for finding value and meaning in my work.
Steve
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And yes, Howard, there was indeed a palpable touch of melancholy in my remembrance...not only in the yearning for the recollection of innocence lost but also for the scars of life and living that so often replace the hope filled dreams of youth...a realization that one is, perhaps, nearer the end now than the beginning. I'm delighted that you found meaning in my work.
Steve
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I am deeply saddened by the passing today of Martin Milner. The actor, together with his screen partner/brother George Maharis, journeyed through life on "Route 66" for several years in the early 1960's and forever changed the direction of my own impressionable life. As Tod Stiles and Buz Murdoch, Milner and Maharis were the most important influences my brother Erwin and I would know in the formulative months of ... our young adult growth. I was just fifteen years old when Erwin and I cut school to meet Tod and Buz in the Fall of 1962 when they filmed "The Thin White Line" episode of the iconic "buddy" series here in Philadelphia. The series and its pivotal Philadelphia based episode became, and remain, the most culturally impactful hour of television in my life and experience. I shall never forget "Route 66" and its two young stars...Nor shall I ever erase the impact and influence that both Marty Milner and George Maharis have had on my life and career. Rest in peace, Tod. I owe you both everything.
Steve
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Check that, it's Glenn Corbett not Maharis. Must be in the 1963-64 range. And they filmed a bunch of eps in Tampa Bay area (the finale, e.g.) and surrounding parts, besides Punta Gorda to the south. Great offbeat episode filmed at Weeki Wachee.
And Corbett and Milner are now reunited in death.
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I love that episode, as well. It's simply a part of my most cherished memories of these warmly remembered stories. The series had a realistic pulse that accurately measured the mood and nuance of the country during this period of often painful growth and self discovery. The on location filming each and every week lent the episodes a dramatic realism and near documentary significance that has never been duplicated by any other weekly television series either before or since. That, coupled with the superb ensemble performances by both George and Marty and their traveling guest stars, as well as the brilliant topical writing inherent in the series, made "Route 66" a strictly one of a kind, often revelatory program. You might like to know that I tried to get together with George Maharis during my annual Summer travels to Los Angeles some ninths ago and, while we weren't able to coordinate our schedules, George was kind enough to leave several deeply appreciated messages on my answer machine. George turned eighty nine years young in September. That's a remarkable concept to consider.
Steve
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In Fly Away Home "Christine" was supposed to have some years on Buz but Ms. Malone had only 3+ over George. Still, you'd think it was more based on camera appearance.