THE TIME EXPRESS (1979)

 

The Time Express was like a modern ghost train, filled with 100 dead souls reincarnated to operate the service after their own train, The New Guinea Flyer, crashed into a river in 1886. Like eccentric millionaire John Beresford Tipton on The Millionaire (CBS, 1955-1960) who chose people at random to receive a million tax-free dollars, there was also a mysterious benefactor on board The Time Express. This unseen Head of the Line would choose people who have the greatest need to relive a particular moment from their past. The passengers, once back in the past, see that people will change, as well as themselves ≠ making them all better people. Based at the Los Angeles Union Station, the Time Express departed from gate Y Track 13. On board, host and hostess Jason and Margaret Winters supervised each passenger's trip as they moved through the misty corridors of time.

 

THE CAST

Vincent Price (Jason Winters)

Coral Browne (Margaret Winters)

James Reynold (Robert Jefferson RJ Walker, The Conductor)

William Edward Phipps (E Patrick Callahan, The Engineer)

Woodrow Parfey (Ticket Clerk)

 

THE SERIES

The 1979 CBS series had only four episodes. In the US, they were broadcast 26 April to 17 May. In the UK, they were shown from 27 November to 18 December. In Australia, they were shown in 1980 - the same time Vincent was touring the country in Diversions & Delights.

 

 

THE JOURNEYS

 

1. Garbage Man/Doctorπs Wife

Telecast: 26 April 1979 (US)

Guest Stars: James McArthur as Dr Mark Tolen

Jerry Stiller as Edward Chernoff

Pamela Toll as Olivia Tolen

John de Lancie as John Clayton

Anne Meare as Gloria

Writer: Gerald Sanford

Director: Arnold Laven

A garbage man goes back to the day he found $2million and did not report it. A doctor goes back in time to find out what happened to his wife's brother, the only possible bone marrow donor for an operation she needs.

 

 

2. The Copy-Writer/The Figure Skater

Telecast: 3 May 1979 (US)

Guest Stars: Richard Masur as Sam Loring

Lyle Waggoner as David Blaine

Lee Meriwether as Vanessa

Francois-Marie Bernard as Paul Venard

Terri Nunn as Jill Martin

Morgan Fairchild as Michelle Bradford Fleming

Writer: Stephen Kandel, Richard Bluebell, Pat Fielder

Director: Michael Caffey

A bashful copywriter is given a second chance at romance. A woman is given the chance to remake a choice between romance and a career. (This was shown last when it aired in Australia).

 

2a) Copywriter. Sam Lori. (April 17, 1978, Paris)

At Union Station, Sam Lori eagerly accepts his ticket. Onboard, Jason and Maggie discuss why he must take the journey. Back in 1978, Sam is in Paris doing script research when he catches sight of a beautiful woman, Michelle Fleming. But he embarrasses himself by spilling coffee over her. Later, when she approaches him, he apologises and asks her out. Michelle accepts and they plan to meet at her favourite restaurant. On his way to the date, he forgets the address and travels around Paris for hours, frustrating a taxi driver. By the time he reaches the restaurant, he is to late. It is shut.

Sam now goes back to that night in 1978 where he succeeds in meeting Michelle at the little cafÈ she likes.  He then takes decides to take her on to a flashy, expensive place. But the evening is ended abruptly when they are both drenched in wine inside the taxi. The following day, in an attempt to make up for the spoilt evening they take a stroll. But the couple fall into the river and Sam looses Michelle all over again.

 

2b) Ice-Skater. Jill Martin (St Valentineπs Day, 1977, Montreal)

During the 1977 Winter Games, Jill Martin falls in love with French ice-skater, Paul Venard - much to the annoyance of his coach, Vanessa. After winning the her event, Jill and Paul decide to compete together, but Vanessa puts the skates on their relationship when she tells Jill she caught him stealing.

Returning to her midnight engagement in 1977, Jill discovers that Vanessa lied because she was in love with Paul. The next day, on their way to the airport, Paul is run over before he has time to give Jill an engagement ring. In the hospital, Vanessa informs Jill of Paulπs death. Back on the Time Express, an upset Maggie pleads to the Head of the Line to fix Jillπs and Samπs predicaments. And he does. Jill learns that Paul is not dead, but paralysed and decides to stay with him; meanwhile Michelle and Sam finally meet without mishap.

 

 

3. Rodeo/Cop

Telecast: 10 May 1979 (US)

Guest stars: John Beck as Roy Culper

Marcia Strassman as Sara Mason

Robert Hooks as John Slocum

Vic Tayback as Charlie Enright

Anne-Marie Martin

Writer: A. Hayes

Director: Alan J Levy

A rodeo rider returns to the day his life was ruined when he was badly injured after being thrown from a horse. A police officer goes back to the day he was shot by a fleeing suspect.

 

3a) Rodeo. Roy Culper. (Bitterfork,  Montana,  May 17, 1977)

After his release from hospital following a bad fall, Roy finds his trailer home has been sold to pay off his debts and his daughter Billy-Jane has been handed over to child welfare. Roy meets a Sara Mason who tells him where Billy-Jane has been sent to live. Roy then attempt to ride a wild horse called Dynamite in a bid to raise some money, but he is thrown and lands back in hospital.

Roy now travels back to 1977 to have another crack at Dynamite and win back his daughter. This time, he succeeds in winning his $25,000. He puts a down payment on a trailer, but decides not to take Billy-Jane away from her new family. Instead, he decides to give up the rodeo and find a steady job.

 

3b) Cop. John Slocombe (June 6, 1973)

John Slocombe, a detective of 15 years, is investigating a case involving the robbery of a $1million diamond when he gets a tip-off that Danny White committed it.

John and his partner Lt Charlie Enright search Dannyπs premises where they locate the stolen diamond. Dannyπs partner Maureen Cole protests his innocence when he suddenly bursts in and shoots John in the leg. With nagging doubts about Dannyπs role in the crime, John now goes back to clear his conscience. He finds out that Maureen has run off with an elderly man. Then, after getting new information from his tip off, Willie Kay, he finds out that it was Charlie who committed the crime. his tip off the diamonds thinking it was Hilling and Maureen he and Charlie set up something with Al Jacklin. At the meeting spot John finds out it was Charlie who was guilty. At the station, he confronts his partner, who then turns himself in. Back on board the Time Express, Jason and Maggie recall a past New Yearπs party.

 

 

4. The Boxer/Death

Telecast: 17 May 1979 (US)

Guest stars: Steve Kanaly as Michael Bennett

Paul Sylvan as Tony Marcello

Jaime Lyn Bauer as Elizabeth Stone

Linda Scruggs Bogart as Lisa Marcello

Writer: Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts

Director: Alan J Levy

A boxer gets a second chance at a championship fight that he threw. A man returns back to the day a former girlfriend was killed in a plane crash. (Although this was the last in the series, this was the first to be screened in Australia).

 

4a) The Boxer. Tony Marcello. (New York. May 19, 1969)

While Lisa goes into labour with their first child, Tim, Tony is told by his coach to let his opponent win the fifth round otherwise his familyπs lives would be put in danger, so he does. Now Tony and Lisa go back to 1969 and in the fifth round Tony gets up and fights another seven rounds, ending up Champ. Late that night, an attempt is made on Tonyπs life, but the Champ wins.

 

4b) Death: Michael Bennett. San Francisco. July 11, 1976.

Michael falls for a mysterious woman called Elizabeth Stone who believes her husband is having her followed. When she dies in a plane crash, Michael goes back in time to prevent her death. Michael discovers that Lizπ husband, Eric Mayliss, is a freedom fighter who is being sought by a communist state. When Liz encounters Dr Val, she learns that Erich has a mental illness. Liz then leaves, so that he can be free. At the end of the trip, Michael meets Liz outside Gate Y. She tells him that Erich was put in a hospital, and when his country was freed he died. Liz was then given a plane ticket from Zurich to LA to be at the station by 2pm.

 

 

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID

This train runs in reverse. Like a blend of Fantasy Island and Supertrain is STW9πs new program Time Express. Passengers on the Time Express get the chance to go back and change one incident in their past. The wish becomes reality for the lucky few that receive ticket invitations to ride the Time Express as it travels through another dimension. From the moment they arrive at the station, an otherworldly crew puts passengers at their ease. A droll crew reassures the sceptics, while the debonair champagne-sipping host and hostess answer questions and lend their moral support. As the train moves backwards into their past, the travellers have the opportunity to learn more, try harder and make up for past errors. (The West Australian)

 

 

CREDITS

Executive Producersä..Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts

Producerä..Leonard Kaufman

Created byä..Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts

Written byä..Steven Cander, Richard Boell, Pat Fielder

Director ä..Michael Caffey

Musicä..Richard Hazard

Castingä..Tom Stockingfish

Make-Upä..Fred Williams

Set Directorä..Ed Bauer

 

 

 

And so, the Time Express swishes off into time eternal - never to be seen again.