Tales of the Gold Monkey

Edward · May 21, 2013

According to the Wikipedia entry for this series, the lead pilot character, Jake, was a former Flying Tiger, yet (as Wikipedia's own page on "Flying Tigers", linked to in the same sentence as the claim is made, shows) the AVG came later than the events of this series are supposed to have taken place (it opens in 1938). As I type, memory reminds me that Sky Captain was also referred to as having previously flown with "the American Volunteers", in a plot also set in 1938. The latter I've always written off as being an alternate timeline (makes sense in the context of a Diselpunk sci-fi affair), but what's the excuse for the former show? Is it just a plot mistake, or was there some prior organisation to which the term has been retrospectively applied (as it was by many to the entire USAAF 14th, following the disbandment of the AVG when the US officially entered the war against Japan)?

As a by the by, I remember watching this series, and the similar Bring 'em back alive! when they were originally broadcast in the Eighties. Are they worth catching again, or am I better to just remember them as good fun?

djd · May 21, 2013

I had Golden Monkey on dvd and it hasn't aged well in my opinion. I sold the dvd set on.....

Edward · May 21, 2013

djd said:
I had Golden Monkey on dvd and it hasn't aged well in my opinion. I sold the dvd set on.....

Thanks, yeah.... I was eight when I watched it. I'd like to see it again, and at a fiver I'd jump on it, but the box set is about thirty quid. I'm reluctant even to spend a fiver on a DVD I might not enjoy these days.

djd · May 21, 2013

Kind of on a par with the early 80s Buck Rogers series in terms of scripts and acting....
HMV I think sold it as an exclusive a few years back

Doctor Strange · May 21, 2013

I was already an adult when it aired, so I don't have nostalgia for it like many folks who first saw it as impressionable kids. It was an okay, kinda fun series, but no great classic. I have no desire to revisit it.

Dixon Cannon · May 22, 2013

I a TOTGM fan! Geez, it was worth watching for Jake's outfit alone, never mind that beautiful "Cutter's Goose"! Again, I'm not critical of "fantasy" scripts that get the dates wrong - heck, even Boragora in the Marivellas was just made up out of whole cloth! I too believe that the DVD set is too pricey, but I'd watch reruns on TV if it came back! -dixon cannon

Blackthorn · May 22, 2013

I was disappointed in the DVD set. I remembered it being better.

Stearmen · May 22, 2013

There was an earlier volunteer group under Chennault's command consisting of four French, three American, one Dutch, one German, and six Chinese fighter pilots called the 14th Volunteer Squadron or the International Squadron. They did attack the Japanese in I believe 1938, with some successes, but they were best known for their parties! All their planes were soon destroyed and the group disbanded. Incidently, Chennault wanted nothing to do with any more mercenary pilots, only after Madame Chiang Kai-shek intervened did he reluctantly form the AVG! I was an adult also when the series came out, only watched it for the Grumman Goose. I bought the DVD set for the same reason. I do have to say, the last episode was pretty good, they finally got their act together, then canceled it.

Atomic Age · Jun 11, 2013

I found the show a little disappointing when it first aired, because it wasn't as action packed as I was expecting from what I thought was a Raiders ripoff. I did enjoy the show, but it was not the slam bang action I was hoping for at the age of 17. Going back and looking at it now, I find the early episodes of the show somewhat disappointing, but for the reason that they were trying too hard to Raiders. The later episodes I found were MUCH better than I remember, because they start focusing on the characters and the relationships.

The whole show can be had for about $28 on Amazon. I think thats pretty good when compared to a half season of Perry Mason for over $30.

As to the time line, thats what we call creative license.

Doug

InLikeFlynn · Jun 11, 2013

Atomic Age said:
I found the show a little disappointing when it first aired, because it wasn't as action packed as I was expecting from what I thought was a Raiders ripoff. I did enjoy the show, but it was not the slam bang action I was hoping for at the age of 17. Going back and looking at it now, I find the early episodes of the show somewhat disappointing, but for the reason that they were trying too hard to Raiders. The later episodes I found were MUCH better than I remember, because they start focusing on the characters and the relationships.

Doug

From what I understand the idea for the show came from the movie "Only Angels Have Wings" not Raiders, and actually Bellisario tried to get the show going with ABC in 1979 but was turned down at that time. After Raiders came out ABC changed their mind pretty quickly.

Atomic Age · Jun 12, 2013

InLikeFlynn said:
From what I understand the idea for the show came from the movie "Only Angels Have Wings" not Raiders, and actually Bellisario tried to get the show going with ABC in 1979 but was turned down at that time. After Raiders came out ABC changed their mind pretty quickly.

Yeah thats true, he pitched the show before Raiders was even in production. I think Casablanca was also a major influence on the show as well.

Doug

Edward · Jun 12, 2013

Stearmen said:
There was an earlier volunteer group under Chennault's command consisting of four French, three American, one Dutch, one German, and six Chinese fighter pilots called the 14th Volunteer Squadron or the International Squadron. They did attack the Japanese in I believe 1938, with some successes, but they were best known for their parties! All their planes were soon destroyed and the group disbanded. Incidently, Chennault wanted nothing to do with any more mercenary pilots, only after Madame Chiang Kai-shek intervened did he reluctantly form the AVG! I was an adult also when the series came out, only watched it for the Grumman Goose. I bought the DVD set for the same reason. I do have to say, the last episode was pretty good, they finally got their act together, then canceled it.

Sounds like the same "American Volunteers" with whom Sky Captain flew in early 38...

Atomic Age said:
As to the time line, thats what we call creative license.

Or poor research.

The Mad Hatter · Jun 14, 2013

I got the DVD.

Watched the first show: A 1930's era pilot wearing a crush cap and an A-2. Something weird about a dog. Cartoon characters. Bad acting.

Have not watched any further shows and do not intend to.

Matt Crunk · Jun 14, 2013

I'd forgotten all about this series. I remember now watching it with my father when I was a teenager. Just looked up a few clips on youtube and, boy, talk about dated TV. Obviously Raiders inspired. I like the way in the 70s and early 80s how producers made no attempt at period-correct hairstyles. Still I think this would be a better choice to remake than a lot of the other stuff they are reviving nowadays.

Stearmen · Jun 14, 2013

The Mad Hatter said:
I got the DVD.

Watched the first show: A 1930's era pilot wearing a crush cap and an A-2. Something weird about a dog. Cartoon characters. Bad acting.

Have not watched any further shows and do not intend to.

Watch the last episode, a two part. It's still a little campy, but much better then the rest. This is what the series should have been!

InLikeFlynn · Jun 14, 2013

The Mad Hatter said:
Cartoon characters. Bad acting.

Sounds like about 90% of what I see on mainstream television today.

InLikeFlynn · Jun 14, 2013

Matt Crunk said:
Obviously Raiders inspired.

Hmmm, read three posts above.

InLikeFlynn · Jun 14, 2013

Matt Crunk said:
Still I think this would be a better choice to remake than a lot of the other stuff they are reviving nowadays.

I completely agree with you here.

Tales of the Gold Monkey

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