"Mission: Impossible" (1966) TV series 1966-1973

Creator:

Bruce Geller

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Release Date:

17 September 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Failure impossible.

Plot:

An elite covert operations unit carries out highly sensitive missions subject to official denial in the event of failure, death or capture.

Plot Keywords:

Mission | Deception | Superspy | Self Destructing Message | Sweaty Face

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Greg Morris	...	Barney Collier (168 episodes, 1966-1973)
Peter Lupus	...	Willy Armitage (158 episodes, 1966-1973)
Bob Johnson	...	Voice on Tape (158 episodes, 1966-1973)
Peter Graves	...	James Phelps (143 episodes, 1967-1973)
Barbara Bain	...	Cinnamon Carter (77 episodes, 1966-1969)
Martin Landau	...	Rollin Hand / ... (76 episodes, 1966-1969)

Runtime:

50 min (168 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:PG | UK:U (some episodes) | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Desilu Productions

Trivia:

Nearly every non-lead actor or actress that worked on "Star Trek" also appears in "Mission:Impossible". This is probably due to both shows filming at the Desilu Studios. Lead "Star Trek" performers, also guest appearing, include George Takei, William Shatner, and eventual series regular Leonard Nimoy.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Multiple episodes set in European countries have Barney working on electrical wiring to achieve the team's aim, yet the switchgear, outlets, and other equipment depicted is North American.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Voice on Tape: As always, should you or any of your IM force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. Good luck, Jim. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Homer the Heretic (#4.3)" (1992)

The Benchmark for all other series

M:I is probably my favorite tv show; at least the only one I will consistantly watch reruns of. I never play the Hill versus Graves game as each actor brought unique characteristics to the show. The same with Martin Landau as Rollin Hand and Leonard Nimoy as Paris. I will say that though Linda Day George and Lesley Anne Warren are good actresses, they never measured up to Barbara Bain for talent and sheer class. I think my favorite episodes are "A Cube of Sugar", "The Seal" (with the cat as an integral part of the plan, "The Heir Apparent" and "The Mind of Stefan Miklos". It's very hard to pick favorites though, because each episode has its' own quirks and charms.

What made M:I stand out is that it depended not on gimmicks and special effects but on the talent and believability of the actors. The props and makeup were also believable. I think that's why the movies don't measure up to the original series. Add in the ridiculous plot line that Jim Phelps could ever be the bad guy and they've completely lost it. The second movie would have been alright if it hadn't been a Mission: Impossible knock-off. The writers and producers forgot that there was an M:I team, not a single player.

All in all, Mission: Impossible set the standard for all other series of this sort, and few have come close to the bar, and none have surpassed it.