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Michael Norell as Captain Hank Stanley (1973-1978)
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Cheers! Mike
Norell "Cap" 51 Charismatic Captain Hank Stanley had the ideal combination of intelligence, charm, wit, and wisdom that made him the perfect leader for Station 51. (His clam chowder wasn't so bad, either!) We all remember the rather serious side of Captain Stanley, but he has a lighthearted side, too, as you'll see in Michael Norell's very entertaining look back at "Emergency!" |
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Via Email January 14, 2002 What is your message to the fans on the 30th Anniversary of Emergency? Without you, we'd all be carrion. I mean it. And don't forget, in another thirty years, you'll all be as old as I am now! What would you like to say to Randy and the "Emergency!" cast and crew? I have only fond memories of our association back in the last century. Good Lord, has it been that long ago? What are your fondest memories of working on "Emergency?" I have to mention the friendships, the many laughs we all had, and the Michelsons' locations sandwiches, which I've never been able to duplicate, try as I might. Any funny anecdotes you'd like to share about a fan encounter? In about 1981, I was producing a series called "Aloha Paradise." At the wrap party, I was approached by a short, extremely stout woman of maybe 50 with a single eybrow all the way across her forehead. She was wearing the uniform of a Burns Guard (Universal had them all over the place; security guards from the Burnes Detective Agency). She asked me what the hell I was doing there. I said I was the producer of the series having the wrap party. She thought that was wonderful, since she remembered me (fondly, she said) from "Emergency!" Then she turned and hollered, "Claudia! Get over here!" Now another female Burns Guard approached. She, too, was short and extremely stout, about 30, and also with one single bush eyebrow. She was introduced as the first woman's daugter, and also a great fan of mine. The older one said, "It sure is nice to meet you, and could we interest you in a free two-girl massage?" I politely declined and reflected that only I could have met the world's only single-eyebrow mother-and-daughter Burns Guard/Masseuse team! Are there any particular episodes or guest stars that you remember in particular?
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A
special
thanks to Michael
Norell for making an effort to get
his response to us in time. When we let him know that the original
response and
autographed photo he mailed
had not arrived, he offered to re-write his memories and email them to
us on the night of January 14th, so we'd have them in time for the
anniversary celebration. That kind of thoughtfulness is what makes his
characterization of Hank Stanley so endearing as a strong captain with a
heart of gold.
One
night, we were shooting a rescue involving horses in a burning barn. A
young actress identified generally around the set as Randy Mantooth's
girlfriend was playing the girl whose horses were in danger. I had a
scene with her (typical captain type sc