"Double Jeopardy", Double Image :)

Howdy!

Jack Kelly appeared as private eye "Fred Piper" in three episodes of Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre: "White Snow, Red Ice" "One Embezzlement and Two Margaritas" and "Double Jeopardy".

I've looked at all three episodes before in TDS, but I'm doing a double-take on Double Jeopardy because of this fantastic photo which recently came into the Kellection:

Of course, that's JK with his lovely co-star, Lauren Bacall. And, there's another side to this photo--literally. On the back is a newspaper clipping with the same image (complete with editing marks) which explains the premise of Double Jeopardy:

The caption reads "'DOUBLE JEOPARDY' is the title of the show, and what Jack Kelly is in as he gets involved with Lauren Bacall playing the dual role of twin sisters on Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre. The romantic mystery, co-starring Zsa Zsa Gabor and Tom Poston, airs Friday, 7:30 p.m. [January 15, 1965] on Ch. 3, 2."

I also found a nice article in which Ms. Bacall shares what it was like playing twins:

"All their lives they competed for men. Amanda was the athletic trophier...her sister, Barbara, nabbed the fraternity pins. Noted actress Lauren Bacall captures both on Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre in a dual-role portrayal calling for dramatic characterizations of twin sisters, poles apart in personality but in love with the same missing man.

"...'The biggest problem in playing a dual role,' notes the husky-voiced beauty, 'is in keeping the characters separated. It's very easy to slip into the mannerisms and speech of the other twin--you have to concentrate on keeping them apart every minute. I've developed a full-blown schizophrenia for the role, but both halves have loved it.'"

Earth Day was first observed on April 22, 1970, and perhaps in the spirit of the times, NBC recycled some episodes of The Chrysler Theatre under the title NBC Adventure Theatre in 1971. The six year-old Double Jeopardy aired on Adventure Theatre on July 31, 1971:

Adventure Theatre returned in 1972 and Double Jeopardy was repeated on August 17 of that year. 

Incidentally, Adventure Theatre was hosted by Art Fleming, who was the emcee of another NBC series at the time: just plain Jeopardy (which is still running in its current syndicated version). And, as noted previously in TDS, Jack Kelly hosted NBC Comedy Theatre (a.k.a. NBC Comedy Playhouse) which showcased lighter episodes of The Chrysler Theatre.

Whew! Doing all that research on Double Jeopardy made me double-tired, so I'm going to turn in now. But, I'll be back with more about JK, so please stay tuned! :)