Caribe (1975)
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Debuting February 17, 1975. ABC, 10/9pm Central
Caribe was a Quinn Martin cop drama that followed Lieutenant Ben Logan (a moustacheless Stacey Keach), who is based in the Caribbean. Logan is part of the (fictional) ‘Caribe Force,’ described as a highly mobile arm of the Miami Police Department. The ‘Caribe Force’ fights crime not only in Miami but also operates wherever American interests are involved in the Caribbean. Described by some as Quinn Martin’s take on Hawaii Five-O.
In their operations, the ‘Caribe Force’ thwarted drug traffickers, protected heads of foreign governments, solved a murder case involving a US Senator, and infiltrated a plastic surgery ring which alters the features of wanted crime bosses. Carl Franklin co-starred as Sergeant Mark Walters, who made up the other half of the island-hopping investigative team, and both answered to Deputy Commissioner Ed Rawlings (Robert Mandan). The series was filmed on location in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Florida Keys, and Miami.
The excellent book Quinn Martin, Producer detailed a chaotic production plagued by conflicting visions, budgetary issues, and logistical nightmares related to filming in the Caribbean. ABC’s Michael Eisner reportedly insisted on the casting of Keach, and Martin cast Carl Franklin; while writer/producer Anthony Spinner had written the roles for Robert Wagner and Hari Rhodes, the original intended actors. EPM Howard Alston had gone to Miami and built a police HQ set, unknown to Spinner, who had already written nine scripts…none of which were set at a police HQ. Unable to film in the Caribbean due to lack of logistical lead time, they attempted to recreate Caribbean islands mainly in Miami, which had further challenges.
A half-season of 13 episodes was produced. The series does not appear to have ever been rerun. Since this aired in the pre-VCR 70s, original home recordings are practically non-existent, although a partial episode is up on YouTube channel Obsolete Video, possibly from a U-Matic recording.
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