They Call Me Mister Tibbs Archives

MISSION: EMBARRASSING by Tony Piazza

One fine summer day, A.T.A. (during the Age of Television Antennas) I decided to go visit my father on location for an episode of “Mission Impossible” (The original T.V. series, C.B.S.). Actually the company was shooting the prologue for a number of episodes where Phelps gets his instructions via the most advanced technology of that day (1970) – a reel to reel tape recorder! These were hidden in various locations around the city -San Francisco Zoo, Golden Gate Park…a telephone booth?* and later they would dub in the voice giving the instructions… “Good morning, Mr. Phelps,” etc. (you know the routine). This day they were at Civic Center at the library building across from City Hall. I had met and talked with one of the I.M.F. members, Rollin Hand (MARTIN LANDAU) on the set of “They Call Me Mister Tibbs” (He was married then to another “Mission” member Cinnamon Carter (BARBARA BAIN), but now I was going to meet the big boss himself…Mr. Phelps (PETER GRAVES). I made two mistakes that day however; one was that I brought a high school friend with me, and the other was that I brought this high school friend with me. Yes, it was that bad! No sooner had we arrived and started walking towards the location when Peter Graves stepped out of a building in front of us and my friend shouted to my extreme dismay, “Hey, look…there’s James Arness’s** younger brother!”

IMF Team (Landau, Graves, and Bain)

“Good morning, Mister Phelps…your assignment if you wish to accept it, is to kick this smart mouth kid in the…”

Well I guess that summed up my attitude at that moment. Graves was a good sport about it, but I’ve never forgot it!

Martin Landau and myself (1970)

THIS MESSAGE WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN….

As an aside, I first met the director of photography, MICHEL HUGO on that show. Subsequently he would become my boss on “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Bert D’ Angelo, Superstar”, and two TV movies. He and his wife, Gloria also became good friends. Sadly he passed away a couple of years ago.

Cinematographer Michel Hugo, lobby of QM Studios 1970s

* What writer with a massive salary came up with that gem!

** For my younger readers- James Arness was Matt Dillion, Marshall of the long running TV show “Gunsmoke.”

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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 next novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was released early 2012 and is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. 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 where fine books are sold, or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Tony Piazza is member of three prestigious writer’s groups: Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writer’s of America, and SLO NightWriters.

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

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.

Thanksgiving on the Set with Sidney Poitier by Tony Piazza

This movie memory goes back 45 years to 1969, when I was 15 years old! Where has the time gone?

My Father was assigned to a SIDNEY POITIER movie, “They Call Me Mister Tibbs!” during the winter of 1969. It was a sequel to the highly successful “In the Heat of the Night” where he again portrayed the detective Virgil Tibbs. “In the Heat of the Night” won five Academy Awards including Best Picture. It was based on a book by John Ball.

The company had a tight shooting schedule which required my Dad to work on the Thanksgiving holiday. This was a big disappointment to my family- doubly for me, since it was also my birthday. However, as it turned out, we (my Mother and I) were invited down onto the set to share a Thanksgiving meal with the crew. This was served up by the motion pictures’ caterer- I believe the Paso Robles Inn- it has been many years now, so I can’t remember exactly-but I do recall the excellent turkey and all the delicious trimmings!

The location was the San Francisco Hall of Justice, specifically, the communications room. Earlier I had met Sidney Poitier and took a picture with him. I was really impressed with how friendly he was. He really went out of his way to make us feel special. I’ve met many actors, some very personable, others not. Poitier was the former. He made us feel important and more than welcome on the set. I believe I also got a happy birthday wish from him. He was thoughtful that way. We also had a chance to visit with MARTIN LANDAU at another San Francisco location- a church on Potrero Hill . He was a great guy, down to earth, and interesting to talk with. We had another picture taken, which he readily posed for. I particularly remember my mother commenting to him about how beautiful his then wife BARBARA BAIN was, which he acknowledged proudly. If you recall, they were both regulars on the “Mission Impossible” television show at the time.

It was a cold, rainy Thanksgiving that November in San Francisco, but the warmth of that experience still lingers with me today- especially because I do not have either of my parents to share the holiday with me as we once had. They were wonderful times, and I miss them both.

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Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

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 published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. 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 Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.

NEW!

The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

NEW!

The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND NOW audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

Also:

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

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.