Dick Van Patten Archives - Author Tony Piazza

Karl Malden dons make-up for Clown of Death episode

While filming an episode for season four on “The Streets of San Francisco” we got to go behind the scenes of a circus. The title of the show was “Clown of Death” and aside from the series stars, KARL MALDEN and MICHAEL DOUGLAS, the television police drama also featured DAVID BIRNEY, MADLYN RHUE, LYNNE MARTA, and DICK VAN PATTEN.

Dick Van Patten publicity shot

The backdrop we used for the story was an actual circus performing at the Cow Palace auditorium in San Francisco- specifically, the Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) circus. It was interesting watching what went on behind the scenes of a performance…seeing the performers prepare and the exotic animals cared for in-between shows. Unfortunately, one of our “extras”- dressed as an acrobat in leotards was not as thrilled about circus animals as I, when a chimp took a bite out of her calf as she was stepping into a trailer.

Myself with “Streets” jacket, outside Karl Malden’s Winnebago dressing room

We filmed a good portion of that week around the real circus – and I found the experience informative and strangely exciting. I guess you have to be a stage performer to totally understand the emotions I was feeling back then working behind the scenes of a “live” event.

My dad and Michael Douglas on location

It was a special thrill to witness from between the curtains the excitement of the audience, when (as an unexpected bonus) they got to see our star, Karl Malden riding on the back of a SFPD three-wheel motorcycle, red lights blazing and siren screaming, as my dad drove him around the center ring in the parade which opened the circus. As part of the episode, Karl goes undercover, disguised as a clown to try and flush out a killer. I could tell that Karl enjoyed the experience, as he wandered about the real audience replete in clown make-up, displaying his talent as a magician- sleight of hand- to an unsuspecting audience.

My personalized photo of Karl Malden

I had a role in the show too…one that really suited my personality…at least; I think that was what the first assistant had in mind, when they put me into a gorilla suit!

That gorilla (far right), was me…type casting?

Memories are a gift, reminding us during those quiet moments of special people that are no longer with us. For me, it’s my dad, the wonderful Karl Malden, and our good friend, Director Virgil Vogel- all who’d played a part in making “The Streets of San Francisco” such a success…and, provided me with this precious reminiscence today.

My parents and myself on location for “The Streets of San Francisco” during happier days.

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Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was next released early 2012, and in July of 2013, his latest Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels” was published and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. A new Tom Logan novel has been completed and is scheduled to be released in 2015. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden. His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.

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Also:

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Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels is discounted for e-book.

Find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

The Streets of San Francisco: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Lunch by Tony Piazza

During the fourth season of “The Streets of San Francisco” we did a two parter which was going to write MICHAEL DOUGLAS’S character, Steve Keller, out of the show and introduce RICHARD HATCH as detective Dan Robbins. This episode had a stellar cast which included, JOSEPH WISEMAN, BARRY SULLIVAN, PATTY DUKE, SUSAN DEY, DICK VAN PATTEN, DORIS ROBERTS, NORMAN FELL, and was directed by VIRGIL VOGEL. This two-part episode was clearly inspired by the Patty Hearst kidnapping, and the “family” of the story (comprised in part by Duke and Dey) was a fictionalized version of the S.L.A. In the screenplay a busload of jurors are kidnapped by these revolutionaries, who demand the release of their imprisoned cohorts. It is then up to Stone, Keller, and Robbins to foil their plot.

Tony Piazza and Patty Duke

My little contribution to this episode (aside from my stand-in duties for Douglas and Hatch) was to act as one of the members of a S.W.A.T. team that was called in to keep an eye on the “family.” They had a boat out on the bay, and we were set up at various locations along the dockside. I was a sharpshooter atop of one of the warehouses, rifle in hand waiting for a signal to act. I never got that signal, and that is the basis for this story. To explain…I sat up there looking vigilant, gun at the ready, and waited, and watched…and waited…and watched…for a very long time. Meanwhile back at the main unit, the first assistant suddenly looks around and asks, “Where is Tony?” In response, the trainee assistant director jumps up in obvious panic to exclaim, “I forgot to tell him that we have broken for lunch!”

Susan Dey and Tony Piazza

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Tony Piazza is a member of three prestigious writer’s organizations: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the SLO NightWriters.

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels .

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

Karl Malden- Clowning Around

The Streets of San Francisco: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Lunch by Tony Piazza