MovieChat Forums > Charlie's Angels (1976) Discussion > September 22, 1976 - Charlie's Angels pr...

September 22, 1976 - Charlie's Angels premiere episode

posted 8 years ago by TheXmanCometh
10 replies | jump to latest

Happy 40th birthday to the show! Episode 1 (Hellride) appeared tonight back in 1976. What a great way to start the series with the action packed episode: The angels solve a murder and foil a robbery all in one episode!

I was hoping to see a Blu-ray release for the anniversary but the only new thing recently was a re-release of the entire series via Mill Creek Entertainment.

I'll play the episode later tonight to celebrate. Thanks for the memories cast and crew.

[–] eveningstarz 8 years ago

I remember when the Charlie's Angels pilot movie came out too. I just kept on thinking how can I be as beautiful and smart as they were. I knew it was going to be a hit, especially with Farrah's great big smile.

[–] trainyourdog 8 years ago

You mean this smile?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95301854@N08/8686376494/in/dateposted-public/

[–] trainyourdog 8 years ago

The scene with Jill at the poker table is an all-time Charlie's Angels classic.

[–] sherm456 8 years ago

Hellride is one of my favorite episodes. Great way to start off the series!

[–] horizonbeach 8 years ago

One of the things that I really love about "Hellride" is that it is a perfect example of an episode where each Angel was given something equally interesting to do and they each got a share of the action. Sabrina got to drive the race car, Kelly got to seduce the guy and get him picked up for drunk driving (one of Jaclyn Smith's funniest moments on the show, IMHO) and Jill got to be the preacher's daughter and break into the bad guys' motel room.

This episode really set the stage for the camaraderie and "one for all and all for one" spirit of season one. These girls not only worked together, but they worked together like a well oiled machine and actually liked each other to boot. I think episodes like this one helped lay the groundwork for the show's success.

[–] TheXmanCometh 8 years ago

Well said horizonbeach! They did have a great delegation of duties across the angels in this episode and I too wish they had done than more in later seasons.

I think the network censor had a hand in one odd edit. Jill plays poker and starts to leave but turns back to comment to the men at the table. Her shot is suddenly a sort of grainy close up. I think it was filmed with a wider shot but I bet her shirt had popped open a bit and she was showing a little too much cleavage for network television in 1976. It stands out every time I watch the episode.

[–] trainyourdog 8 years ago

Here's one that the censors missed: Jill's nipple slip in ANGELS IN CHAINS.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/95301854@N08/29870545332/in/dateposted-public/

[–] seldon913 8 years ago

In 1976, even the people with VCRs couldn't get a good quality still frame.

[–] english3101972 8 years ago

I get that they consider this the 'Premiere' episode but the pilot aired months before in March of 1976 and was not a bad episode at all so I am just curious why they are making a big production of this being the 40th anniversary date. I love Charlie's Angels and have the complete dvd box set but that is just my opinion.

[–] sdtcats 8 years ago

Hellride is also one of my favorites! All 3 Angels are gorgeous in this episode. Like horizonbeach said, this is one of Kelly's funniest moments. I just love her in this episode. Horizonbeach is also right about how each Angel had an equal amount of screen time and they had chemistry off the charts! I will always have a soft spot for Season One. They had the best scripts and the Angels were excellent together.