The Night of the Eccentrics

Victor Buono and Richard Pryor portend their incredible talent

When MeTV decided to air "The Wild Wild West" on Saturday nights, I decided to watch it. It had been, overall, close to 50 years since I saw the show.

It did not disappoint.

I never saw the series when it aired in 1966-67, because I was watching "The Green Hornet." And yes, this show was taking cues from "Batman," both from the colorful costuming and from the appearance of Victor Buono. From a casting episode, it also stands out from the appearance of Richard Pryor, as well as from an appearance by Anthony Eisley, who used to star with Robert Conrad in "Hawaiian Eye."

I can see why I was disappointed when this series was canceled in 1969. It was well done, and could have gone on for at least two more years.

In this episode (the first of the second season), Victor Buono (perhaps most famous as BATMAN villain King Tut) plays a villain who's everything Aleister Crowley wanted to be: a magician with genuine ability who glories in being evil. He also heads a gang of assassins of varied talents (including Richard Pryor as a ventriloquist, although he has about one line and I think someone else voiced the dummy, who did most of their speaking) aptly known as the Eccentric. Their target is President Juarez, who got mentioned a lot in the series. Manzeppi was also one of the few villains who got away, and even came back in a later episode. Unfortunately, he didn't come back again, unlike Dr. Miguelito Loveless (who admittedly was a greater villain, perhaps the best I've seen on TV).

With the coming of color broadcast, it seems this episode sacrificed plot and characterization for production values. While it was not the first episode filmed, it was chosen to the first broadcast. It was fast paced but had little story other than Victor Bruno and team showing up when it was time to move the story along

Ross Martain's Artie strangely included. Appearing, getting injured, stuck in hospital and then showing up in disguise toward the end or no reason. Then filmed from behind and forced to end the show in a chair. All very odd.

To me it seemed he producers where trying to out Batman Batman.

This is a fantastic episode.

I started watching the whole series The Wild Wild West about a year ago and most of them twice or more but I somehow missed this one. And what a tragedy thinking I may never have seen this episode. Yes it is eccentric but not as much as some, this one is actually a perfect combo of fantasy and real Wild West drama. Above all it has the fantastic Victor Bueno in the kind of role he did through out the 60s with great flare. Including, as I believe, a character who appeared a few times in Wild Wild West including this character. To top that off it has a very young Richard Prior (who I didn't even recognise) as a ventriloquist. Don't believe other low reviews on here. This season opener is one of the best!