Remembering Jimmy || Special Features || Longstreet

What is it about this show, (which lasted for just 1 season), that makes it stick to the hearts and minds of people everywhere? Was it the writing, the directing, or the actors? I feel it was a combination of all of these but especially, it was due to the man who played the main character. . For when we think of Mike Longstreet, we can't help to think of the man who breathe life, and believability into him. Jim Franciscus was offered the script, read it and liked it immediately. "What grabbed me about Longstreet," he said, "is that it is the only TV Series in which the hero is the most interesting character. It is not about Longstreet's cases, it is about Mike Longstreet, how he functions, what he must do in order to function." But before he signed, he had a special clause put in his contract. A close friend once said, "He wanted to do the show from the very start, but they had to take him on his terms. There's no back and forth with him. Once he says something, he doesn't budge." The contract specified that Jim was to work only a 10-1/2 day. A term that is VERY unique in this business. His work day was from 8 am to 6:30 pm and that was it! "I have two kids at home and a family life I wanted to maintain. I worked all kinds of hours doing 'Novak' and by the time the second season ended I felt like I was 80 years old. I insisted on the 10-1/2 work day before I took the role."

Once the contract was signed, Jim set out to learn how to play a blind man, and for the two months that followed, he read books, visited schools for the blind, and guide dogs, followed blind people around, while they learned to use their guide dogs. "I wore a blindfold for 24 hours at a time. I often rehearsed with my eyes closed to see what I would do with no vision whatsoever. At first, it was like opening too many doors and not knowing which way to go, but I soon started to adjust. I had to learn more than just un-focusing my eyes, you have to have everything come into your ears. If that doesn't come across, you're lost."

Through Jim's research and tenacity, sensitivity and perception, the character of Mike Longstreet was very real, very believable, and very natural. You felt like you knew him all your life, yet were learning new things about him in each episode. He showed us ongoing growth and development of the character. Showed us that Mike possesses wisdom, and insight by "seeing" what most sighted people cannot. Showed us that Mike has a sense of humor and can be sweet at one time and bottom-line at another. And yes, even let us peek at his vulnerable side now and then. "Playing a blind man is the most difficult thing I've ever attempted in my life." Said James Franciscus. "An actor's chief asset is his eyes. Playing an unsighted person does make it more difficult for an actor. While moving with a dog or a cane you must remember your speaking lines. While keeping your eyes out-of-focus you must register expression or emotion in other ways." Good writing, good acting and a man that did his homework, made this series the most memorable in Jim's career.

If you love Longstreet, then you MUST goto the Longstreet Fan web. A great site full of photos and articles depicting Jim and the other characters as well as an episode guide!

Peter Mark Richman as Duke Paige

Marlyn Mason as Nikki Bell

Martial Arts expert Bruce Lee guest starred in the episode called "The way of the Intercepting Fist"

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