SALTY (1974-1975) FORGOTTEN TELEVISION

SALTY (1974-1975) – From some of the team behind Flipper came this short-lived series about a trained seal named Salty. The program was based on the 1973 film Salty, which featured Clint Howard in the role now played by Johnny Doran. 

After the parents of Taylor Reed (Mark Slade) and his brother Tim (Doran) are killed in a hurricane in the Bahamas, they move to Nassau where Taylor has found work in a marine life facility called Cove Marina. Among the attractions is a colorful seal named Salty, who bonds with the Reeds.

African American actor Julius Harris ran the marine establishment as Clancy Ames in both the movie and the television series. Twenty 30-minute episodes were produced.   

THE EPISODES:

AUNT CLEO – Tim and Taylor’s Aunt Cleo (Lynne Gorman) comes for a visit to see how they’re getting along without their parents. She samples their exciting new lives and grows fond of Salty during a picnic at sea. (He was delicious! I’m kidding!)

BLEAK MANSION – Tim and his friend Rod (Vincent Dale) explore an abandoned mansion and become trapped in its large freezer room. It’s up to Salty to fetch help before they suffocate. 

CHESS SET – At a nearby lighthouse, Taylor, Tim and Salty meet a seemingly friendly old man (Leo Leyden) who asks that they keep his presence there a secret.

CLANCY’S BIG DECISION – A shady tycoon (Murray Westgate) starts pressuring Clancy Ames to sell him the Cove Marina so he can destroy it and put up new buildings. Taylor and Tim try to convince him not to give in.

FOR THE LOVE OF CLANCY – In a variation of the previous episode, Clancy’s old flame (Ketty Lester), an attorney from New York City, shows up to tell Clancy she still loves him and wants him to move to New York to be with her.

FORGET ME NOT – A conscienceless college instructor (Guy Stockwell) wants to perform inhumane experiments on Salty as part of his bid to gain tenure and our heroes must rescue the seal from his clutches. Wow! That got dark in a hurry!

GIRL ON AN ISLAND – A man (Alex March) brings his ailing daughter (Karen Pierson) to Nassau, convinced the sea air will do her good. Taylor, Tim and Salty must convince him his daughter needs all-out medical treatment.

GOLD DUST AND JEWEL FISH – Taylor, Tim and Salty meet a marine biologist named Linda when she runs afoul of jewel smugglers who try to keep her away from where they are scuba diving to retrieve precious gems they dumped overboard when being boarded by the authorities.

HOSTAGE – Tim’s friend Rod is kidnapped by criminals who use him as a hostage to force his father to participate in a bank robbery. Salty leads the way to rescuing the boy and nabbing the crooks. Hell, just deputize the damn seal at this point. Luke Halpin from Flipper guest stars.

JUST A QUICK SNACK – Tim accidentally eats spoiled food and is laid low with food poisoning. Taylor tries to find him and Salty before Tim’s condition worsens. 

LOST IN TRANSIT – Tim and Salty’s boat runs out of gas while they are on their way to deliver insulin to a diabetic patient. Ilene Kristen guest stars.

MISS BETSY – While Clancy’s sister (Minnie Gentry) is visiting, Salty winds up having to find Taylor’s minisub which became trapped in an undersea cavern during a guided tour.

A NEW FRIEND – A flashback episode in which Taylor and Tim recall to new arrival Stanley how they came to live with Clancy and Salty after their parents died.

FOR THE PRICE OF FREEDOM – Salty gets netted by a fisherman (John Colicos) who claims the seal as his own. Taylor, Tim and Clancy work to get Salty back.

REACH FOR A DREAM – Tim finds an old amulet which he is convinced will lead him to a treasure. He and Salty set out to find it.

SCAPE GOAT – Chuck (Arte Johnson) and his business partner are amazed at how well trained Salty is. They abduct the seal, planning to sell him to a circus.

A SENSE OF WORTH – When Clancy is suffering a cash flow problem, Taylor, Tim and Salty work to earn some money to help him out. Guest starring David Mann.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE – Some children of tourists steal a plaque which has sentimental value to the old man they stole it from. Tim and his friend Rod endeavor to get it back for him.

TO TAYLOR FROM SALTY WITH LOVE – Tim and Salty must prove Taylor’s innocence when smugglers plant contraband on the young man’s vessel. Michael Murphy guest stars.

THE VIGIL – Salty feels unappreciated when a new sea lion in town temporarily monopolizes the attention of our main characters. Last episode of the series. 

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