A Masterpiece 50 years in the making

[Bobbi]

50 years ago tonight, CBS aired S07E09 – “How To Steal A Masterpiece”

This is an excellent episode that begins with an art theft. The thieves are clever as they circumvent a complicated security system and fight two guards.

At the heart of the show is an art collector Charles Ogden (Luther Alder, who was seen in the Vashon Trilogy as the patriarch, Dominick). Here, Alder portrays a far nicer character, but he still has that edge. His grandson, Jeff Koestler, is played by Michael Anderson, Jr. Jeff is dealing with some things of his own, such as bad memories of Vietnam. Ogden’s assistant, Melissa Forbes is played by Gail Strickland. When Five-O arrives on scene, she’s the one who gives them the most information right away.

There is another pair to deal with – Jacob Durkin (George Voskovec) and his assistant, Sills Anderson (George Herman). Durkin is an art appraiser on the premises to evaluate Ogden’s collection that he is giving to the University of Hawaii. However, the art is to remain with Ogden until he passes.

There’s a whole lot of cat and mouse tomfoolery that goes on including a money drop where Five-O literally goes into multiple directions only to wind up at Iolani Palace. Durkin is a narcissistic scumbag that will do anything to pull of his plans, including murder. Poor Jeff gets the short end of that specific plan.

In the end, Durkin claims one of the paintings is a forgery but it turns out, he forged it! A strange confrontation at a hotel room reveals the truth and Five-O nails Durkin and Anderson. Ogden is grateful to McGarrett and his team but would trade it all if it meant Jeff would still be alive.

Mr. Mike does a fantastic job in his review. It’s here: https://www.fiveohomepage.com/5-0log7.htm#153

I enjoyed this episode a lot. Everyone played their characters perfectly. I especially enjoyed seeing Alder in this role. I also like watching Michael Anderson, Jr. He brought a reality into the episode – good, bad and indifferent.

Of note, I believe – at least in production order – this is the first episode where we see the 1974 Mercury Marquis. McGarrett arrives at Ogden’s estate in it.

I’m sure there’s more that I’m missing.

Regardless, Happy 50th, “How To Steal A Masterpiece”!!

[Todd]

I enjoy these 50th anniversary posts of yours.

Inspired me to watch this episode for the first time in almost 30 years.

At the end of the credits, it mentions that the stolen painting is "Fatata Te Miti" by Paul Gauguin, and is in the National Gallery in Washington DC. The Wikipedia article states that it was given to the National Gallery in 1962, upon the last owner's death. It was painted in 1892.

Clearly the "original" painting depicted on Five-O was a "skilled copy"!

Mike's review brings up a great point that Durkin and his assistant seem too old to pull off the physically demanding heist, and this is never explained. Perhaps they hired people to do it? Maybe this was explained in the original production, and edited out.

It also isn't clear why Durkin modifies the forgery right in view of the cameras. He pulled off the heist by knowing the security system extremely well. Why would he be so foolish? This was what allowed Jeff to catch him.

Speaking of the security system, it was said to cost "a quarter million dollars", which is nonsense. That would be $1.7 million today! The system we saw probably could have been put together for under $20,000.

It is not explained why Forbes (Gail Strickland) is listening in so suspiciously at the beginning of the Five-O investigation, as if she has something to hide. If she suspects Durkin, she definitely doesn't voice it! Even by the end, this is never fleshed out, and it's clear that Forbes was one of the good guys (well, girls). Strickland bears some resemblance and has a similar demeanor to Gretchen Corbett, who did appear in one Five-O episode. Both are still alive.

Michael Anderson Jr, who played Jeff, outlived his character by over 50 years, as he is also still alive, at age 81.

Overall, it's a very good episode. I give it 3.5 stars.