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Sunday News from Lancaster, Pennsylvania • 144

Publication:
Sunday Newsi
Location:
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Issue Date:
Page:
144
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

Chase-Jack Webbs Newest Dramatic Series MITCHELL RYAN, Michael Richardion, Reid Smith and Brian Feng, a special undercover police unit that operates out of uniform, on "Chaso," new dramatic series on NBC and WGAL TV. Misbegotten when he eventually arrived in Los Angeles. This coincidence of time and Lee Marvins pronouncement that Ryan was the man brought him his opening role in Monte Walsh. Mitch, who prefers movies and TV to the stage, served in the Navy from 1951 to 1954 during the Korean conflict. Chase is Jack Webbs newest dramatic series about a special undercover police unit that operates out of uniform to solve major crimes which other police units cannot.

The squad, which divorces itself from the official uniform and regulations, and dresses in comfortable attire, sporting long hair and leather jackets, follows the pace set by its leader, Chase Rettick (portrayed by Mitchell Ryan), whose record as a creative, unorthodox investigator has led him to this new position and assignment. His team includes a top-notch helicopter pilot, played by Reid Smith, a former motorcycle cop (Brian Fong), and the departments best wheel man (Michael Richardson.) Albert Reed appears as Inspector Frank Dawson, the squads chief and only contact with the police department. MITCHELL RYAN Mitchell Ryan rode into his first movie, Monte Walsh, flanked by Oscar winner Lee Marvin and Emmy winner Jack Palance. A number of actors had been auditioned for the role of Shorty, a hot-tempered pal of Marvin and Palance. When Marvin went to a theater to watch Ryan work, he left within 15 minutes, saying Well, thats that.

Weve found Shorty. And so they had. Ryan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Louisville, Ky. He tried doing a few plays in Louisville and, at the urging of his sister, headed for New York to try acting. He landed parts in many off-Broadway plays but nothing to write home about.

His big break came as a result of a very important role in the feature, A Man Called Horse, in 1969. I took a hard look at the script and what the producer had called a very important role and I said to heck with it, Ryan said. Turning down such an opportunity would have been difficult for many actors, but this is somewhat indicative of Mitchell Ryan, the man. He was touring in Eugene ONiells Moon For the 62 attended Notre Dame High School and went on to UCLA where he did plays. His first movie was Blood Mania.

He has done several TV guest spots including Jig Saw (which brought him to Jack Webbs attention), Bonanza, Colum-bo and To Rome With Love. Reid likes the mountains for skiing and loves the southern California beaches. Hes now busy with his two horses, Traveler and Chase. Both are jumpers and he hopes to ride them in competition. BRIAN FONG Brian Fong, son of actress Francis Fong, was born on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands and grew up in that picturesque setting.

In his trips from Hawaii to the mainland, Fong had attended 18 different schools. He was graduated from Van Nuys High School and took up art at Valley College in California. A few years ago, he co-starred in a TV pilot, The Hardy Boys. His other TV credits include My Three Sons, Ironside ana REID SMITH Reid Smith read just one line to Jack Webb for the helicopter pilots role in Chase when Webb interrupted with, Youve got it. Smith, who worked his way through college, bought and restored old Mercedes-Benz cars and sold them at a profit.

He recently received his B.A. Degree in Cinema at UCLA. Reid doesnt quite remember when he first became interested in show business, but he thinks he always might have been. He did his first TV commercial at age six, telling people to drink milk. His father, Vern Smith, also was in show business.

He was the announcer on the Ozzie Harriet Show for 14 years and did some acting. Reid was born in Burbank, Page 15-Channel 8 Story SUNDAY NEWS.

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