Darn near forgotten today, but quite popular for a short while was debonaire John Vivyan, who played the lead in a delightful adventure show that appeared in 1959 and 1960. The show was "Mr. Lucky," and the series was based on the role of the same name played in 1943 by Cary Grant. Vivyan's appearance was pretty much that of a latter-day Cary Grant, cleft chin, tailored formal wear and all.
This show had one of the best theme songs in the history of TV, "Peter Gunn," written and performed by Henry Mancini.It may be heard in the video clip below.
The show's action took place aboard a large yacht that been fitted out as a seagoing casino, presided over by Vivyan as the yacht's "Mr. Lucky."
Mr. Lukcy's sidekick was a character called Adamo, ably played by Ross Martin, who later made a longer-lasting splash in "The Wild Wild West," in which he co-starred with Robert Conrad.
In an ear of one western after another, this show offered sophistication and glamor. Notables who had one-time parts were beautiful, blonde Yvette Mimieux, Richard Chamberlain, and a very young Jack Nicholson.
Early roles for Vivyan were on "Studio One" and "The Millionaire." At one time or another, he also appeared on "77 Sunset Strip," "Rawhide," "Bat Masterson," "The Lucy Show," and somewhat more recently on "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Simon and Simon."
The suave actor died at age 68 in 1983.
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