Author Topic: Pagoda Homicide  (Read 1911 times)

neelyrc

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, AL, Birmingham
  • Posts: 1212
Pagoda Homicide
« on: July 18, 2023, 10:49:30 »
I switched on the Italian TV this morning to check the latest news headlines.  A pagoda appeared on the screen so before switching channels I let it run for a few minutes.  It was the start of credits for a Kojak (Telly Savalas) mystery series from the 1970s. The gangsters followed the pagoda into the owners garage, pulled a pistol on the driver, tied him up, sealed him in the car and asphyxiated him with fumes from the pagoda exhaust.

I am sure that Kojak solved the case as usual.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

kampala

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Hermosa Beach
  • Posts: 1210
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2023, 13:58:16 »
Ralph,

Nice catch.   Since this was shot in the 70's - and you got a shot of the exhaust tips - I will ask the question for Jonny B.  - does it have the squared edge on the exhaust tips or the replacement rolled edge?


I switched on the Italian TV
I do miss the European summers! 
250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Aslam

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4413
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #2 on: July 18, 2023, 14:08:59 »
Looks rolled to me, but not easy to tell.

Must have been filmed during the fuel 70's crisis as I've never seen "Vehicle uses SUPER gasoline" sticker before.  Anyone remember those??
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL

RAY

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • United Kingdom, England, Bromley
  • Posts: 467
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #3 on: July 18, 2023, 16:58:03 »
Did Clint Eastwood ever have a cameo roll in Kojak, sure looks like him to me.

neelyrc

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, AL, Birmingham
  • Posts: 1212
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #4 on: July 18, 2023, 17:20:18 »
For the record, the episode was entitled “Judge Mackie, the Best Judge Money Can Buy.”  Mediaset listed it as season 2, episode 9.  If their numbering matches original USA numbering this would date it about 1974.

Rodd, I have seen similar fuel quality stickers but usually somewhat hidden. No place to hide it on the Pagoda.  In this era Pagodas were nice cars but not considered collector cars.  An ugly decal occasionally would not have been unusual. 

Oz, the exhaust tips look rounded to me.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

rwmastel

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, OH, Canal Winchester
  • Posts: 4413
  • Pagoda SL Group: 20+ years and going strong!
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2023, 18:12:23 »
Ray, That would be period correct, but Clint was too big a movie star by 1974 to be doing TV cameos.  To me he looks more like Bryan Cranston, the guy from Breaking Bad and Malcom in the Middle, but he's too young to be a character driving a Pagoda in a 1974.
« Last Edit: July 18, 2023, 18:17:13 by rwmastel »
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL

Jonny B

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, San Marcos
  • Posts: 4119
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2023, 21:44:49 »
Episode was aired 3 Nov 1974
Judge Mackie Jr was William Stockton

The tips look like they are rolled to me.

Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

mmizesko

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, OH, New Albany
  • Posts: 960
Re: Pagoda Homicide
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2023, 18:46:31 »
At least they blocked the right exhaust.  Looks like it's running a little rich though. Valves and rings look fine though.

Mike
1970 280SL 291H Dark Olive