MovieChat Forums > Ironside (1967) Discussion > Downhill from season five

Downhill from season five


I've been watching the series from the pilot film onwards. Doing this highlights a number of issues:

1) During the second season, Burr loses much of his character traits and becomes more or less the same as Burr's previous role.

2) Each year, the set for his "apartment" changes drastically, in particular the back portion to the right of the conference table.

3) In the fourth season, the supporting characters have a lot less to do for the most part.

4) Although the fifth season starts out strong with "Priest Killer," within a few episodes the quality of the stories takes a dive. I've read that Burr put his hand more deeply into the series as time went on. Big mistake.

5) The loss of Barbara Anderson is huge. Elizabeth Baur just wasn't in her league as an actress or even in the looks/deportment department. Also, it's obvious they were hoping to bring back Anderson as Baur is missing from about half a dozen early episodes.

6) Interestingly, the Don Galloway character improves during the fifth season. He wasn't a very expressive actor, but his role increases and he does get better as the series progresses.

Am hoping things get better during the sixth year...

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[deleted]

Raymond Burr said himself that people would have tired of the gruff Ironside after a while. He did keep some of his indearing traits as time goes on. You are an Eve fan, but I happen to think that Fran added a different dimension to the relationship with the Chief. She was more of a "daughter" and I think that Ironside showed more compassion to her than Eve.Overall, I was interested in the way Ironside handled the adversity he faced. While, he longed sometimes to walk again, he didn't let his paraplegia hold him back from doing his job.


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I couldn't disagree more...

1 his role as Ironside was nothing like his role is Perry Mason. He was far more versatile as an actor and Ironside then in his previous role as Perry Mason. The character was completely different.

2. yes, there were changes throughout Ironside in his living quarters. I don't see that as a criticism. I don't know anybody that doesn't change and their home from time to time.

3. As far as the actors having less to do in season 4, the name of the series was Ironside, not Brown,not Sanger, and not Anderson. NBC banked on the popularity of Raymond Burr. He had the title role and should have been featured the most.

4. There were many very good episodes in season 5 so I have to disagree with you completely.

Contract, kill Ironside
Gambling Game
Dear Fran
Gentle Oaks
Death by the Numbers
Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Murder
In the Line of Duty

The show is very versatile in the subject matter it covered. Unlike today's shows, which are nothing but car chases and shoot em ups. The rebooted Ironside lasted three episodes before it was cancelled. That is an example police shows, no drama and nothing of substance.

5. Elizabeth Bauer was an excellent replacement for Barbara Anderson. In my opinion, she was far more believable in a role of a police officer. Furthermore, I don't see what the looks of the two actresses have to do with anything? What difference does it make if one is more attractive than the other? And quite frankly, I thought Elizabeth Bauer was the better actress of the two. Also, I read that she wanted to come back but they had already hired Bauer. She was only missing from the Priest Killer and Contract Kille Ironside. She entered in the third episode Gambling Game.

6. There are a lot of people who would disagree with you regarding Galloway. However, I thought he was a decent actor, not a great one but decent.


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My only observation is that I just realized Ironside h ad so many seasons. I am the biggest Perry Mason fan alive, I watch probably 5 episodes every week for 30 yrs since I have been on disability.
Raymond Burr is incredible, but I have never been able to get through a few episodes and I wonder how the show survived. Ironside is more dated than The Mod Squad. I start laughing at what they thought were important messages. I am sure the progressive messages of today will be just as silly in 50yrs.

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Episode Best Laid Plans from 6 is on and maybe I was too quick to mock.
This is a great episode.

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