On September 19, 1984, a new television series came out starring actors, Michael Landon and Victor French. Coincidentally, this date was the seventh wedding anniversary for my wife and I. For trivia sake, that particular September 19 was also Wednesday, or “hump day” as it’s called by Caleb the camel in Geico commercials.
The show that Landon and French starred in was titled, “Highway To Heaven.” I never saw it nor tuned in to any television shows during the 80s. Life was much too busy during that time trying to raise two children, working for a living, along with taking college classes at night. My mother watched it religiously including a similar themed one, “Touched By An Angel.”
Just recently, I found both archived shows are available for free on YouTube, as long as you don’t mind the massive amount of commercials attached to each episode. There were five seasons of “Highway To Heaven” with 111 episodes. We just finished viewing the last one.
I can understand why folks thought highly of it. The close friendship between Michael Landon and Victor French comes through in their acting. Of course, they were each together on “Little House on the Prairie,” with Landon appearing in “Bonanza” during the 1970s and French making guest appearances. Sadly, they both died from different forms of cancer within a few years of each other.
Arizona had a part in this “Highway To Heaven” show, as the opening scene shows Jonathan Smith (Michael Landon) walking along Dawn Road in Tucson, with several episodes shot in and around the area as well. I believe had they filmed this on the way in to Lake Havasu City, it would’ve been more spectacular where scenery is concerned.
There’s no better picturesque country than the route coming down Highway 95 from the north into town right before the lake comes into view. A short segment of the western movie, “Hard Ground” starring Burt Reynolds was made in this area.
I’m surprised Landon, being director, didn’t choose Havasu for any of the Arizona episodes as he’d obviously been here. Vintage photographs prove this. In one of them, he’s shown playing tennis in a 1971 celebrity tennis tournament. Iconic actor, Charleston Heston, was one of the tournament winners.
There are supposedly many Hollywood connected people having second homes in town, or at least I’ve been told that much. I suppose they like coming this direction so as not to be attacked by autograph seekers or paparazzi. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt would undoubtedly blend right in with the rest of us senior men, although I doubt women would fail to recognize them.
To veer off the road for a second, yet not crash, I’m told there’ll be streets of gold in Heaven, although some theologians argue that only one road up there is paved with the precious commodity. Revelation 21:21 in the Bible mentions just one street having this yellow metal.
Lake Havasu City has something in common with Heaven, in that the main road coming into town, Highway 95, along with others, is paved with gold of the black variety. I’m talking oil here, Texas crude, and without this black gooey substance, none of our asphalt streets would exist.
I believe a new television show should be made using “Highway To Havasu” as the title. A tribute to the former, each episode would follow the exploits of two lonely widowers, both older men driving ‘cross country searching for adventure, including new wives.
The starting point for these guys is Spooner, Wisconsin—with their ultimate destination being Lake Havasu City, where mature, available gals are said to outnumber guys four to one—at least that’s the rumor back in Spooner.
Unlike the 1977 Ford LTD II that Jonathan Smith (Michael Landon) or Mark Gordon (Victor French) of “Highway to Heaven” fame used, a 1972 Ford Condor II motorhome is the preferred transportation for these aged adventurers.
Main characters, Dub Calkins and Tony Espinoza, even in their 70s, still have a zest for life, choosing to eat only at places ‘not’ offering senior discounts.
The perfect actors to play Dub and Tony are of course, Jay Leno and Tim Allen. I read where they’re good friends like the late Michael Landon and Victor French. A plus being, these guys are now the right age to accurately play each role.
Episodes will have them rolling all across the United States ending up in various locales, yet Highway 95 to Havasu will constantly beckon them—with their cantankerous old vehicle leaving behind a trail of blue smoke along the way.
The hardest part it seems in putting this show together, is coming across a 1972 Ford Condor II RV that still runs. There’s a few of them out there but they’re rare as hen’s teeth. A fellow by the name of Cousin Eddie might let go of his, that is, for the right amount of cash. Jay Leno’s known as a wheeler dealer where vehicles are concerned, so he should be able to snag one.
When Michael Landon first pitched “Highway To Heaven” to NBC executives in 1983, they were dubious at first and turned him down. Not giving up, Landon ultimately was able to sell the series to the delight of wholesome television fans.
There’d definitely be skeptics to “Highway To Havasu”— believing it wouldn’t fly. They’d be wrong of course.
Judging by the significant amount of cars, trucks, and RV’s heading this direction each year, “Highway To Havasu” is already an unrecorded reality show!
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