Just Who In The Name Of Aaron Spelling Was Shelly Colbert?

Solving A Major Steve Canyon TV Mystery

On-screen writing credits on the first aired Steve Canyon episode, a reworking of the pilot film (to fit the final broadcast format for the series). With 2 minutes removed and other changes, it aired on Saturday September 13, 1958 at 9:00 pm on NBC.

 

As you might remember, the script for the Steve Canyon TV series pilot is credited to two writers:

Joseph Landon, who besides the pilot script, also wrote the episodes "Fear Of Flying", and "Pilot Error", as well as the movies "Von Ryan's Express" (1965), and "Stagecoach" (1966), and 24 other screenplays, and according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), also was a producer of such films as "Finian's Rainbow" (1968). Relatively well known in Hollywood at least, wouldn't you say?

So Joe Landon was the last-minute cleanup writer before they shot the pilot in January 1958.

But the other writer, Shelly Colbert, only has ONE credit, that of the Steve Canyon TV pilot episode, one the IMDB and nothing else. Which is weird. The plot thickens!

Official script version of the televised episode, crediting "Shelley Colbert"

. Note different spelling of the name Shelly, with two "e's"! Isn't this a Writer's Guild issue?

Slightly different end credits from the original pilot version.

Script cover for the pilot episode, which was shot at Hal Roach Studios for $38,184.00 in Culver City, California on January 30-31 and February 3-4 1958

Pilot script at Hal Roach Studios, as well as MANY other associated documents there, reveals that they just didn't get the memo concerning the writing credits

Yep, it's AARON SPELLING!

Aaron Spelling is known as the most prolific producer in Hollywood, producing such hit TV series as Burke's Law, Honey West, Family, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, Dynasty, Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, 7th Heaven, and Charmed. He also served as producer of The Mod Squad (1968–1973), The Rookies (1972–1976), and Sunset Beach (1997–1999).

He also worked as an actor and screenwriter, and although he is sometimes listed as writing his first pilot episode script in 1957, has been unclear what that show was...until now. It was for Steve Canyon, in early August 1957!

AND if you don't yet believe me, how about this:

First page (of 5) of Aaron Spelling's contract for the Steve Canyon pilot script!

.

Detail from Page 1

Page 5.

Note that pages 2, 3 and 4 (not shown here) are standard "boilerplate" and nothing that relates specifically to Aaron Spelling in particular

Spelling (and Canyon Producer David Haft) ignatures from Page 5

 

THIS next scan explains the mystery of "Shelly Colbert":

IMPORTANT detail from page 5 - where the production is to credit him as ..."Shelly Colbert".

David Haft and Milton Caniff were both represented by The William Morris agency, who put them together in May 1957, in an effort to make a Steve Canyon TV series. Aaron Spelling was also represented by the same talent agency, and was very early in his career as a screenwriter, but he had an advantage: he had served in the Army Air Corps during WWII!

Steve Canyon TV producer David Haft (left) and creator Milton Caniff

So why the pseudonym? We don't know for certain, but I sus[rct he was under exclusive contract to another sxeries, and didn't want them to know he was freelancing...but your guess is as good as mine.

Aaron Spelling and first wife Carolyn Jones in Hollywood in 1957.

So there you have it: with likely Spelling's first pilot script, he is the man that designed the Steve Canyon TV series...well, at least the first half of the series before the format was changed. He wrote MANY pilots, and designed MANY successful series afterward, so it's no surprise how beloved the Steve Canyon series was.

So when you watch the pilot, "Operation Towline", remember that it was Spelling that designed the format with that first story!

You can watch Steve Canyon for FREE on the following Streaming Networks:

Note also that 32 of the 34 Steve Canyon episodes have expert audio commentary tracks, only available on our Complete Steve Canyon DVD sets.

John Ellis

Hollywood, California

-30-

Steve Canyon Returns Home To NBC!

 

Steve Canyon Streaming Update

Steve Canyon has now returned to where it all began in 1958, on NBC. The entire run of 34 series episodes is now streaming on NBC Peacock (with selectable English subtitles)! We're very excited about this and hope you will be too!

NBC press release for the pilot in 1958

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/asset/tv/steve-canyon/8320330631146075112

Steve Canyon is also now streaming for free on plex TV (english subtitles available):

https://watch.plex.tv/show/steve-canyon

Peacock and plex joins streaming services Amazon Prime, Roku and Tubi TV (free) that offer Steve Canyon (some with advertising).

Note that things the streaming services DON'T offer are the commentary tracks for nearly every episode (32 of the 34 episodes), AND the original pilot version of the episode Operation Towline, which has about 2 minutes of additional footage. These are ONLY available on the 3 DVD Volumes which are still available from us on eBay, Amazon and our website store.

For a taste of the episodes with commentary tracks, here is one of the most popular episodes, OPERATION INTERCEPT (with the director Arthur Marks!) :

That's series regular Ingrid Goude, "Miss Sweden" 1956

Steve Canyon (1958) NBC episode #28 (03-31-1959) "Operation Intercept" Commentary track featuring director Arthur Marks, television historian Peter Greenwood and producer John Ellis 

Directed by Arthur Marks Teleplay by David Haft Story by Frank Benedict

A freak accident kills the pilot and co-pilot of a B-47 bomber while the plane is in flight, and the plane heads for the USSR on automatic pilot. Canyon tries to intercept the plane and determine whether the third crew member is alive or not.

Cast: Dean Fredericks, Jerry Paris, Nelson Leigh, Harlan Warde, Harry Landers, Ingrid Goude, Don Richards, Gil Frye, Jeanne Tatum. ©2015 John R. Ellis. All rights Reserved. 

The 1959 Steve Canyon NBC TV series episode "Operation Intercept". 

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Considered a lost series for nearly 50 years, made with the cooperation of the US Air Force and based on Milton Caniff's famous newspaper adventure comic strip of the same name that ran nonstop from 1947 to 1988. The Milton Caniff Estate's John Ellis has fully restored and released all 34 episodes on DVD, broadcast television and now streaming. To purchase the 3 volume complete DVD set, visit the official blog at: http://stevecanyondvd.blogspot.com 

Steve Canyon ® is the Registered Trademark of the Milton Caniff Estate. Contents Copyright ©2015 by John R. Ellis. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

Steve Canyon NOW Streaming on Amazon Prime & Tubi!

We're NOW STREAMING domestically on Amazon Prime & Tubi TV!

(And with selectable closed captioning!)

Of course Prime is essentially a pay site: 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0SYKXL9HETJ7DRI6MYX36UJ9OY/

We're also now streaming on Tubi TV! With selectable closed captioning!

Tubi is FREE, although you have to watch a few commercials.

https://tubitv.com/movies/708426

It takes awhile to pass their QC (Quality Control) with all of these streaming services, but they are finally beginning to show up!

So will also be streaming soon on other popular domestic services, and will also start showing on some International platforms (such as Amazon UK)!

Thanks and a tip o' the flight helmet to Dan Ross for spotting it on Tubi!

Note that all of the episodes have the end credits on them, though you may have to click an arrow on Tubi.

Also the shows are in original "production order", the order they were made, as they were intended to be seen.

Of course fans should know that in order to get the commentaries and other extras, you still will have to buy the 3 Volume DVD set.

More info soon!

John Ellis Hollywood, CA

https://stevecanyondvd.blogspot.com/2007/08/ye-olde-caniffcanyon-shoppe.html

Steve Canyon Is Flying To International Streaming!

STEVE CANYON IS COMING TO DOMESTIC
& INTERNATIONAL STREAMING!!!

Coming to major streaming services AND with closed-captioning!
Details coming VERY soon... watch this space!!!
Happy Holidays to everyone!

Memorial Day 2022

UPDATED from Memorial Day post May 26, 2019

In light of recent events and upheaval in Myanmar, Burma, we are offering this post concerning the loss of the brother of Steve Canyon star Dean Fredericks during WWII

"Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. We spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and why we have the luxury and freedom that we enjoy today. We might consider how we can support and safeguard their grieving families and loved ones who are left behind." - The Farmer's Almanac

Newspaper clipping from the Antelope Valley Ledger Gazette, Thursday May 10, 1945

Sgt. Fred J. Foote was serving in action against the Japanese in New Guinea when he got the word that his brother "Bud" had been killed in a Japanese ambush on July 20, 1944. Fred's unit was preparing for the invasion of the Philippines in October. He would miss his fallen brother for the rest of his life, and visited his grave in Hawaii whenever he could over the years.

Airman Edward "Bud" Foote

Edward "Bud" Foote enlisted in Los Angeles in March of 1942...just 7 months before his younger brother. While Fred had later joined the famed 1st Cavalry Division, Bud wanted to be a pilot and joined the Army Air Corps as a Private...he eventually attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant with the 5307th Composite Unit, more popularly known as MERRILL'S MARAUDERS as a C-47 pilot.

"Merrill's Marauder" Edward "Bud" Foote

Though they were only operational for 6 months, their exploits in Burma under impossible odds and horrible conditions are legendary. Their battles against the enemy's superior forces as well as struggles against constant torrential downpours, hunger and disease (which took more of their lives than the Japanese did) were noted when the unit was awarded a Distinguished Service Citation in recognition of their heroism. Bud Foote (and each soldier in the unit) also received The Bronze Star...though his was posthumous, and was accompanied by a Purple Heart.

Bronze Star and Purple Heart service medals

I'm certain those reading this until now have never heard of Lt. Edward G. Foote, but he gave his life in the service of our country back in July of 1944, and was a hero in the very true sense of the word.

Remember him the next time you watch an episode of Steve Canyon, for his brother, who also was a hero during WWII...

Corporal Frederick J. Foote at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas 1943

(aka Dean Fredericks, star and namesake of STEVE CANYON)

Happier times: Teenaged brothers Bud and Fred Foote before the war.

The following is an excerpt from the book, “We Remember” by Dayle L. DeBry (courtesy of the author):

EDWARD G. “BUD” FOOTE, JR.

Bud's Junior High School yearbook picture.

     Edward G. Foote, Jr., was born about 1922 in Illinois, the son of Edward G. and Margaret Foote, Sr., from New York and Illinois, respectively.  By 1930 the family was living in the South Gate area of Los Angeles Co., California where Edward, Sr. was employed as a salesman for an oil refining company.  The family included Edward’s wife, Margaret, and sons Edward, Jr. and Fred Foote.

     While attending AVJUHS, Edward was involved in many activities including three years of Varsity football, and two years of basketball.  In his junior year he was elected the Jr. Class yell leader and was also a member of the Letterman’s Club.  Edward graduated from AVJUHS with the class of 1941.

     On March 20, 1942, Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the U.S. Army Air Forces before attending Officer Candidate School.   In 1943, Edward was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army after the successful completion of the Officer Candidate course at the Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He held the rank of corporal before being commissioned.

     As part of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), Edward was sent to Myitkyina, Burma.  The group later became known as “Merrill’s Marauders” named after its leader, Brigadier General Frank Merrill.  The jungles of Burma were thick with vegetation – no room for the jeeps and trucks needed to carry supplies.  The men had to carry all their equipment and supplies over 800 miles, marching over jungle and mountain roads.  All the equipment was carried by the soldiers, on their back, or on the backs of pack mules.  They were re-supplied by air drops after clearing the thick jungles areas below.  Landing strips were hacked out to allow small planes in to evacuate the sick and wounded.  At the end of the Burma Campaign, all remaining soldiers were evacuated to hospitals suffering from tropical diseases, exhaustion and malnutrition. 

     On July 2, 1944, Edward was killed in action.  He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star.  For their accomplishments in Burma, the Marauders were awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation in July 1944.  The Marauders also have the rare distinction of having every member of the unit receive a Bronze Star, duly awarded for their “heroism and outstanding achievement in a combat theater.”

     2nd Lieutenant Edward G. Foote, Jr. was buried at the Honolulu Memorial, in Honolulu, Hawaii, where his name is joined with thousands of other soldiers who died in World War II.

Battle of Myitkyina – Author unknown

At Myitkyina today they lie at rest

There were soldiers all and gave their best

They fought and died in days of rain

And prayed for sun that never came.

Through mud they crawled to find their foe

They cursed and swore but on they go

As days went by and night fell

They all slept on the walls of hell.

Artillery shells with their melody of death

Whizzed by with each and every breath

As dawn came to light the earth

Amid sniper fire through dirt

In falling rain they fought on

Hope to live by those had gone.

Myitkyina has fallen at last

They would be glad to know of the finished task              

          

But the trails are filled with Yankee blood

Of gallant men who fought, died in Burma mud

Courageous men these, they fought and fell;  Bless them all, God; treat them well.

---

Remembering our Veterans and fallen service men and women on Memorial Day 2022.

John Ellis

Hollywood, CA