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KNIGHT RIDER: THE TOPAZ CONNECTION

January 28, 1983
SEASON 1, EPISODE 16
Production #57321
Filmed: January 5-13, 1983 (15)
Reruns: May 20 & August 12, 1983

Writer: .................... Stephen Katz
Director: .................. Alan Myerson

SYNOPSIS:

Michael and K.I.T.T. are called in when the publisher of a men's magazine is murdered to protect the contents of an expose he was writing. Entitled "Topaz," nobody is able to access it due to a complex computer code.

CAST LIST:

Paul DeBrett: .............. Michael Durrell
Lauren Royce: .............. Jeanna Michaels
Hagen: ..................... Jack Starrett
Bob Kroiger: ............... Michael Alldredge
Philip Royce: .............. John Ericson
Ann Tyler: ................. Tina Louise
George Olin: ............... George Caldwell
Photographer: .............. Pendleton Brown
Doctor: .................... Richardson Morse
Girl on Phone: ............. Joy Hyler
Model: ..................... Natalie Carroll
Pilot: ..................... Charles Walker
Butler: .................... Herb L. Mitchell
Slot Granny: ............... Eve McVeagh

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TRIVIA:

This episode is the first in which we see K.I.T.T. jump the ravine. It was the series' most reused Turbo Boost in stock footage and can also be seen in Nobody Does It Better, Lost Knight, Knight Flight To Freedom and as a flashback in Junk Yard Dog.

We learn here that Bonnie's birthday is November 24th, just days from Patricia McPherson's own birthday. McPherson celebrates her birthday on November 27th.

This episode's Master Stunt - Michael dangles from a moving airplane, trying to jam its rudder - was originally featured in a 1981 episode of Larson's The Fall Guy entitled The Rich Get Richer. The show featured Knight Rider guest stars Judith Chapman, Michael MacRae, Richard Fullerton and Terry Kiser.

Actor Jack Starrett also appeared in the episodes K.I.T.T. The Cat and Sky Knight.

SCRIPT TO SCREEN:

An early scene in which Michael recognizes Ann Tyler as one of the first Escape centerfolds was later edited out. He recognizes the picture later as he pieces the code together.

Other cuts include Michael and K.I.T.T. tracing Olin's call to Lauren, an excitable K.I.T.T. enjoying his photoshoot with the Escape models (he tells Michael they were "comparing bodywork"), and Michael using K.I.T.T.'s computers to learn Ann's measurements from the first issue.

Hagen originally had an accomplice named Franks. The part was extensively reduced, but he still appears in the episode as the pilot who helps to kidnap Lauren.

Earlier drafts of the script had Bob Kroiger named Bob Kruger, and Paul DeBrett was named Paul DeWitt.

SCRIPT - 2ND DRAFT - REV. 1/ 3/83
SCRIPT - 4TH DRAFT - REV. 1/ 5/83
SCRIPT - 5TH DRAFT - REV. 1/11/83

NITPICKS:

* Nitpicks contain spoilers

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FILMING LOCATIONS:

Royce Estate:
1288 S Oakland Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106

Airfield:
Van Nuys Airport, 16461 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Hotel/Casino:
Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles, 6101 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045

RELATED LINKS:

FAN RATING:

stars
Current Rating: 4/5 stars

4 stars: stars 14 people

5 stars: stars 40 people

1 star: stars 2 people

3 stars: stars 5 people


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TEASER:

Teaser

BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS:

SOUNDTRACK:

Hold Me
- Fleetwood Mac
Down Under
- Men At Work
Love's Been a Little Bit Hard on Me
- Juice Newton

VEHICLES:

1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1973 Chevrolet Blazer

K.I.T.T.'S FUNCTIONS:

Auto Cruise
Auto Door Left
Auto Phone
Auto Roof Left
Computer Printout
Graphic Translator
Pursuit Mode
Surveillance Mode
Turbo Boost (x2)

DISCUSSION: