Batman's Debt to The Spider

It is well-known that the comic book character Batman was inspired by the pulp character The Shadow. The very first Batman story, "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," published in Detective Comics no. 27 (May 1939) was taken from The Shadow novel Partners of Peril by Theodore Tinsley (using the Street & Smith pen name Maxwell Grant) from The Shadow no. 113 (November 1936). While Batman owes an obvious debt to The Shadow, it seems to me that the superhero was also inspired largely by another pulp character, The Spider.

For those unfamiliar with The Spider, he was  a character published in the pulp magazine The Spider, published by Popular Publications. He first appeared in The Spider no.1 (October 1933). The first two issues of The Spider were written by R. T. M. Scott, most famous for having created "Secret Service Smith." In those first two issues "The Spider" was little more than a pseudonym for millionaire Richard Wentworth as he operated as an amateur criminologist. Popular Publications decided the first two Spider novels were too slow-paced, so writer Novell Page was brought into replace him. Norvell Page totally revamped The Spider. He was still millionaire Richard Wentworth, but now as The Spider he fought crime in a sallow fright mask complete with fangs, a black felt hat, and a black cape. What  is more, he had no compunctions about outright killing criminals,  although he scrupulously avoided killing law enforcement or ordinary civilians. As written by Norvell Page and such writers as Donald C. Cormack, Wayne Rogers, Emile Tepperman, and Prentice Wnchell, he proved to be success.

As stated above, The Spider's alter ego Richard Wentworth was a millionaire. From his first appearance in Detective Comics no. 27, Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne is also described as a socialite and a millionaire. This is in sharp contrast to The Shadow, at least in the pulp magazine (the radio show is a different matter). The alter ego of Lamont Cranston, "wealthy man about town," is not The Shadow's real identity. In fact, the real Lamont Cranston  had a deal with The Shadow so that The Shadow could masquerade as him as he travels the world. The two men looked so much alike that the masquerade was successful. That Bruce Wayne is a millionaire may then owe a good deal to The Spider. Of course, both The Spider and Batman owe a good deal to Zorro, whose secret identity was that of Don Diego de la Vega, son of the wealthiest landowner in California.

The similarities between Batman and The Spider do not end with the fact that both are rich. Richard Wentworth's best friend is New York City Police Commissioner Stanley "Kirk" Kirkpatrick. Commissioner Kirkpatrick was certain that Richard Wentworth is The Spider, but was never able to prove it. He was certain to let Wentworth know that he ever learned the truth, he would arrest him. Like many pulp vigilantes, The Spider was wanted by the police (little wonder given his tendency to kill criminals). As to Batman, it is the very first panel of the very first Batman story that we are introduced to both Bruce Wayne and his friend Commissioner Gordon. Unlike Kirk in the Spider novels, Commissioner Gordon never suspects Bruce Wayne is Batman.

Of course, this brings us to another similarity between The Spider and Batman. As mentioned above, The Spider was wanted by the police. This was also true to a degree of Batman in his first year of appearance. In multiple issues of Detective Comics he finds himself falsely accused of a crime and must clear himself. Eventually, the Gotham City Police Department would become allies of Batman, so much so that Commissioner Gordon would summon him via the Batsignal.

One final similarity between Batman and The Spider is that both use gadgets. The Spider had a small array of gadgets, the best known of which was a gold ring with which he could imprint his symbol on the heads of criminals he killed so others would not be blamed for the crime. He also carried what he called his "web," a silken line that could hold a good deal of weight. He also had a powerful air pistol so that he could kill silently when the need arose. Of course, Batman's many gadgets are well-known. The Batarang first appeared in Detective Comics no. 31 (September 1931). Batarangs would be followed by a number of other gadgets, everything from tear gas pellets to torches. Of course, in using gadgets both The Spider and Batman owe a good deal to Doc Savage, who kept such gadgets as anesthetic gas grenades, a lock picking kit, a hypodermic kit with vials of truth serum, and other gadgets in his vest.

While Batman obviously owe a good deal to such characters as Zorro, The Shadow, and Doc Savage, it would seem he also owes a good deal to The Spider. Both are millionaires. In their secret identities, both have friends who are police commissioners. Both were wanted by the police at one time or another. And both use gadgets. Anyone familiar with both characters would probably notice the similarities.

Stop Showing Police Bodycam Videos on the Evening News

Earlier this month the bodycam video of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey in her own home was released. For those who have not heard about the case, Ms. Massey had called 911 to report a possible prowler. Two deputies responded and, ultimately, Sean Grayson shot her in the head. Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County, Illinois Sheriff's Department two weeks after he killed Sonya Massey. Grayson has since been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and one count each of aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. Sadly, the NBC Nightly News chose to air the bodycam video of Sonya Massey's murder upon its release, and I have to think the other networks did the same. I know that many news sites embedded the video in stories and set it to autoplay. To me, this is totally unacceptable.

The simple fact is that for many of us, police bodycam videos of the killings of individuals serve as nothing more or less than triggers for post-traumatic stress. From speaking to other survivors of victims of police violence I know I am not alone in this. Actress Vanessa Marquez, who was shot in the back and killed by officers of the South Pasadena Police Department, was my dearest friend. Ever since then I have been unable to watch any police bodycam video without serious trauma to my psyche. When the bodycam video of Vanessa's killing was released, it was aired by many news outlets. I watching one of our local television stations one Sunday night when Inside Edition came on. Unfortunately, they had a preview of a story on the shooting of Vanessa at the start of the show. It was bad enough that they claimed she was "mentally disturbed," but they also included a portion of the bodycam video. It was only someone calling Vanessa's name in a shrill voice (I am guessing it was one of her killers), but it was enough to give me nightmares for the next two weeks. I have since forced myself to watch portions of the bodycam video, but always with the same result. Here I want to state I have never watched the footage of her death, as I suspect I could never recover from that. What makes all of this sadder still is that I know mine is not an isolated case.

Here I have to emphasize that police bodycam videos of killings by law enforcement officers not only cause stress in survivors of victims of police shootings, but African Americans in general. A study published in the Fall issue of Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology and conducted by Glenna L. Read of the University of Georgia Grady College; Harry Y. Yan of Texas A&M; and Rachel L. Bailey of Florida State University revealed that viewing violent police bodycam videos by African Americans can result in difficulty sleeping, feelings of being on guard, and even symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. A 2018 study published in The Lancet about police killings showed that Black people continued to be affected by the killing of an unarmed Black person months after they first heard about it. I have not read any studies on the effects of police bodycam videos on Latinos or Native Americans, but I have to suspect they would be similar to the effects they have upon Black people. After all, Latinos and Native Americans are also disproportionately shot and killed by law enforcement.

Here I want to state that I do not oppose the release of police bodycam videos. They can and often do reveal police misconduct and unprofessional behaviour. Indeed, I have to wonder if Sean Grayson would have been charged with Sonya Massey's murder if the video had not been released. That having been said, I do wish the media would show some discretion with regard to police bodycam videos so that we survivors of victims of police violence do not see them by accident and as a result experience post-traumatic stress. To me, the best solution would be for media outlets to embed them on a webpage with a robots.txt restricting search engines from spidering the page so that the video does not appear in search results. This would give those curious about any given bodycam video a chance to see it while keeping survivors of victims of police violence from seeing it and experiencing post-traumatic stress. As to the evening newscasts, they could simply direct people to the web page.

The sad fact is that many Black people, Latinos, and Native Americans have been killed over the years. The George Floyd Protests of 2020 do not seem to have decreased them in the slightest. That means that as time goes by there are more and more survivors of victims of police violence. None of us should be subjected to police bodycam video of another killing by police that could result in post-traumatic stress.

Godspeed Duke Fakir, Last of the Original Four Tops

Abdul "Duke" Fakir, founding member, first tenor, and last original Four Tops, died on July 22 2024 at the age of 88. The cause was heart failure.

Duke Fakir was born on December 26 1935 in Detroit. He attended Pershing High School in Detroit. Growing up he wanted to be a professional athlete, and he played basketball and football, and took part in track and field events. He sang in his church's choir where his talent first became obvious. As a teen he became friends with fellow singer Levi Stubbs. They first sang with Lawrence Payton and Renaldo "Obie" Benson at a local party.

Initially, Messrs. Fakir, Stubbs, Payton, and Benson called themselves "The Four Aims." As The Four Aims they released a single on Grady Records, "If Only I Had Known," in 1956. It failed to chart. That same year they recorded the single "Kiss Me Baby" for Chess Records. It was at their first recording session at Chess Records that it was brought up that the name "The Four Aims" might be confused with popular singing group The Ames Brothers. They then took the name 'The Four Tops." They later recorded singles for Columbia Records and Riverside Records, none of which charted.

While The Four Tops saw little success with singles in those early years, they continued to tour extensively. This brought them to the attention of Barry Gordy, who convinced them to sign to Motown Records in 1964. Their first single on Motown Records, "Baby, I Need Your Loving," was also their first hit. It went to no. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was in 1965 that they had their first no. 1 hit, "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)." Throughout the Sixties, The Four Tops would have several more hits, including "It's the Same Old Song," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," and "Bernadette." Over the years The Four Tops also released several albums, the first being their self-titled debut album in 1965 and the last being Christmas Here With You in 1995.

The Four Tops continued to release singles throughout the Seventies and into the Eighties, although with less success than they had in the Sixties. They continued to tour extensively. One thing that set The Four Tops apart from other groups is that their membership remained stable. Levi Stubbs did not leave the group until 2000, and then only because he had a stroke. He died in 2004. Lawerence Payton and Obie Benson remained with The Four Tops nearly until their deaths. As to Duke Fakir, the continued to tour with The Four Tops until less than a month before his death.

Like the rest of The Four Tops, Duke Fakir was an incredible performer. As first tenor his voice was always and smooth. Like the other Four Tops his voice was also versatile. He could perform pop standards, rock 'n' roll and even country songs. The Four Tops were great showmen, and few vocal groups ever matched their talent.

The 100th Anniversary of Don Knotts's Birth

Don Knotts is best remembered for his role as Deputy Barney Fife on the classic television series The Andy Griffith Show. He is also remembered as landlord Ralph Furley on the classic Three's Company and a slough of comedy movies released by Universal in the Sixties. To this day Don Knotts remains not only one of the best remembered performers of the 20th Century, but one of the most beloved as well. Don Knotts was born 100 years ago on this date, July 21 1924.

Don Knotts had an interest in entertainment from when he was very young. He performed as a ventriloquist at school and church events before he even entered high school. While in the United States Army, he performed as a comedian and ventriloquist for the troops. He eventually abandoned ventriloquism and threw his dummy (named Danny) overboard according to Al Checco (who was a friend and classmate of Mr. Knotts).

After his stint in the Army, Don Knotts began performing at clubs as a stand-up comic. He eventually found his way to radio, appearing on various shows. He was a regular on the Western-themed children's radio show Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders. There he played a know-it-all handyman named Windy Wales, who was in a way the forerunner of Barney Fife and many of Don Knotts's other characters. As hard as it is to believe given he is best known for comedy, Don Knotts's television debut was as a regular on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. He appeared on the show from 1953 to 1955. It was in 1955 that he began a stint in the Broadway production of No Time for Sergeants. He continued to appear in No Time For Sergeants until 1957.

Of course, it would be television that would be Don Knotts's greatest claim to fame. His big break would be as part of one of the regulars on The Steve Allen Show. He played in a variety of sketches but was best known for playing the high-strung, nervous Mr. Morrison in the "Man on the Street" interviews. With The Steve Allen Show, Don Knotts became a household name. He appeared on it from 1956 to 1960.

Don Knotts went from The Steve Allen Show to his most famous role of all. Don Knotts and Andy Griffith had become friends when they both appeared on Broadway in No Time for Sergeants. They later worked in the movie adaptation of the play. When Andy Griffith told Don Knotts about his upcoming show, Don Knotts suggested that Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) should have a deputy. In the end, Don Knotts was cast as Deputy Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show. Don Knotts drew upon the nervous Mr. Morrison from The Steve Allen Show for part of the inspiration for Barney Fife, who was also high-strung. To this, he added a streak of self-importance which covered up his many insecurities. Barney tended to be a know-it-all, claiming expertise in fields where he actually had very little (everything from firearms to martial arts). As a law enforcement officer, Deputy Fife tended to be a bit too much "by-the-book." Barney proved to be the breakout character on The Andy Griffith Show, becoming the show's most popular character on the series. Don Knotts's performance as Barney Fife was so admired that he won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy five years in a row.

The character of Barney Fife was lightning in a bottle, and Don Knotts would never again have a character as phenomenally popular. Regardless, he would continue to have a good deal of success in television. While his variety show, The Don Knotts Show, would only last one season, throughout the Seventies he guest starred on such shows as Here's Lucy, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, The Muppet Show, and even The New Scooby-Doo Movies. In 1979 he joined the cast of Three's Company as landlord Ralph Furley, who replaced the previous landlords Stanley and Helen Roper who had received their own spin-off. Ralph Furley thought he was a ladies' man, despite rarely having any dates. He also thought of himself as a manly man, despite that he lived in fear of his mean, heartless brother Bart. While Mr. Furley would not become as popular as Barney Fife, the character did prove to be popular. He remains one of Don Knotts's best-remembered characters.

Don Knotts would continue to appear on television following Three's Company. For the last fifteen episodes of the syndicated sitcom What a Country!, he played  Principal F.J. "Bud" McPherson, replacing Gail Strickland who played Principal Joan Courtney. He later became a semi-regular on Andy Griffith's show Matlock, playing lawyer Ben Matlock's neighbour Les Calhoun. He also continued to make guest appearances on such shows as The Love Boat, Newhart, Burke's Law, 8 Simple Rules, and Las Vegas. He reprised his role as Barney Fife for one last time in the television reunion movie Return to Mayberry.

While Don Knotts may have been best known for his television work, he was also a movie star. He made his movie debut in No Time for Sergeants in 1958, in which he played Corporal John C. Brown, who has the unfortunate duty of giving Air Force recruit Will Stockdale (Andy Griffith) a dexterity test. He appeared in such films as Wake Me When It's Over (1960) and The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961) before making notable cameos in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) and Move Over Darling (1963). With The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964) he received his first starring role. the Henry Limpet of the title, A bookkeeper who longs to be a fish. While it received mixed reviews, it proved to be a hit at the box office.

Don Knotts thought The Andy Griffith Show would end after five years, so with the show's fifth season he began seeking other roles. He signed a contract with Universal to make a series of comedy movies. The first, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), did well at the box office and has since developed a cult following. His following movies, The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), The Love God? (1969), and How to Frame a Figg (1971), did not do nearly as well but have remained popular on television. The Love God? was significant in that it had themes that were slightly more mature than Don Knotts's other films. He played the owner of a failing birdwatching magazine whose new partner turns the magazine, The Peacock, into a girlie magazine.

Don Knotts would continue to appear in movies after his contract with Universal ended. In the Seventies he appeared in a number of Disney films, including No Deposit, No Return (1976), Gus (1976), Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977), and Hot Lead and Cold Feet (1978). His most successful film with Disney may well have been The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975), in which he was paired with Tim Conway as a pair of inept outlaws. Don Knotts and Tim Conway reprised their roles in The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979). Tim Conway and Don Knotts followed their work with Disney with the independent comedies The Prize Fighter (1979) and Private Eyes (1980). 

Don Knotts's movie appearances would be sporadic following the Seventies. He had a cameo as a CHiPs officer in Cannonball Run II (1984) and a small role as a school principal in Big Bully (1996). In Pleasantville (1998) he had a small, but significant role as a mysterious television repairman. Don Knotts also did voice work in such animated films as Cats Don't Dance (1997) and Chicken Little (2005).

Don Knotts died on February 24 2006 at the age of 81 due to lung cancer. There were many, many tributes to him. There should be little wonder that there would be. Quite simply, he was one of the funniest comedians and actors of all time. He had a knack for creating hilarious, yet well-rounded and sympathetic characters. It is with good reason that Barney Fife remains one of the most popular characters of all time and Ralph Furley is still loved by many. Regardless of how well the comedies he made at Universal did initially at the box office, they became popular on television and remain so to this day. It was with good reason that Don Knotts had such a successful career. He was just so very talented.

The Late Great Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart has been part of the entertainment landscape nearly as long as I can remember. The Bob Newhart Show debuted when I was only eight years old. As I got older I learned of his comedy albums. When I was in my twenties I was a faithful viewer of his sitcom Newhart. Bob Newhart was one of those people who seemed to have always been around and it seemed as if he always would be. Sadly, he died yesterday morning, Thursday, July 18, at the age of 94.

Bob Newhart was born George Robert Newhart on September 5 1929 in Oak Park, Illinois. His father was also named "George," so he went by the diminutive of his middle name, "Bob," to avoid confusion with him. Growing up he was a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs, and in 1945 he even took part in the Cubs' victory parade when they won the National League pennant in 1945. He attended St. Catherine of Siena Grammar School in Oak Park, and then St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago. He graduated from Loyola University with a degree in business management. Following his graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served as a clerk stateside. He attended Loyola University Chicago School of Law, but did not graduate. During this whole time he never thought about a career in entertainment.

Afterwards he worked as an accountant at U.S. Gypsum and later the Glidden Co. Bob Newhart decided he was not suited to being an accountant, and he later worked as a copywriter for Fred A. Niles, a Chicago based film and television producer. To pass the time he and a coworker would make prank calls, which would evolve into one-sided phone conversations on sometimes absurd topics. Bob Newhart and his friend eventually recorded some of these comedy routines and sold them to radio stations for $7.50 a week. In 1959 another friend in Chicago, Dan Sorkin, who was a disc jockey, introduced Bob Newhart to a Warner Bros. Records executive. He wound up signing a contract with Warner Bros. Records.

The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart proved to a success. It became the first comedy album to reach no. 1 on the Billboard album chart and the first to win the Grammy for Album of the Year. It would be followed six months later by The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back, which also proved to be a hit. In the Sixties Bob Newhart would record several more albums, including Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, The Button-Down Mind on TV, Bob Newhart Faces Bob Newhart, The Windmills Are Weakening, and This is It!. He recorded one last comedy album, Button-Down Concert, which was released in 1997.

Bob Newhart's success with comedy records would lead to television appearances. In 1960 alone he appeared on Tonight Starring Jack Paar, The Ed Sullivan Show, Teh Garry Moore Show, and Playhouse Penthouse. He had his own variety show, The Bob Newhart Show, during the 1961-1962. With Carol Burnett and Caterina Valente, he was one of the stars of the variety show The Entertainers, which ran during the 1964-1965 season. During the Sixties he appeared on such variety shows, talk shows, and game shows as The Dinah Shore Show, Dateline, Here's Hollywood, What's My Line?, House Party, The Judy Garland Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Fractured Flickers, Password, The Jack Paar Program, The Celebrity Game, The Andy Williams Show, The Perry Como Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, Personality, The Jackie Gleason Show, Laugh-In, The Jackie Gleason Show, George Jessel's Here Come the Stars, Playboy After Dark, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, It's Your Bet, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, and The Jim Nabors Show. He guest starred on the shows The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, and Captain Nice. He appeared in the movies Hell is for Heroes (1962), Hot Millions (1968), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970), and Catch-22 (1970).

In the Seventies Bob Newhart starred as Chicago psychologist Dr. Bob Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show. The show proved to be a hit and would persist in syndication for years. He guest starred on The Don Rickles Show and Insight. He appeared on such variety shows, talk shows, and game shows as The Don Knotts Show, The David Frost Show, The Carol Burnett Show, The Dick Cavett Show, The Vin Scully Show, The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Merv Griffith Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and Tattletales. He appeared in the movies Cold Turkey (1971), Little Miss Marker (1980), and First Family (1980),. He ws the voice of Bernard in the Disney animated movie The Rescuers (1977).

Throughout the Eighties Bob Newhart played innkeeper Dick Loudon on the hit TV show Newhart. He guest starred on It's Gary Shandling's Show. He reprised the voice of Bernard in The Rescuers Down Under (1990). In the Nineties he starred as comic book artist  Bob McKay on the sitcom Bob. Later in the decade he starred on the short-lived sitcom George & Leo with Judd Hirsch. He reprised his role as Dr. Bob Hartley in an episode of Murphy Brown and played himself on an episode of The Simpsons. He appeared in the movie In & Out (1997).

In the Naughts he appeared in the movies Legally Blonde 2: Red White & Blonde (2003) and Elf  (2003). He guest starred on the shows ER, Committed, and Desperate Housewives. He appeared as Judson in TNT's series of The Librarian television movies. In the Teens he guest starred on the shows NCIS, Svengoolie, Hot in Cleveland, The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon. He reprised his role as Judson on the TV series The Librarians.

With his low-key humour I always thought Bob Newhart was one of the funniest comedians of all time. What is more, his humour translated well to television. Both the sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart were hits. It was perhaps because he never aspired to working in show business when he was growing up that in both his comedy routines and on his sitcoms he always came off as an ordinary, everyday guy. In Catch-22 he played the overly mediocre Major Major.  As great as Bob Newhart was at comedy, he could play other sorts of roles as well. He guest starred on three episodes of ER as a doctor developing macular degeneration. In Hell is for Heroes  he played a green combat solider. On NCIS he played Dr. Walter Magnus, the former Chief Medical Examiner before Dr. Donald Mallard took over. Bob Newhart was one of the greatest comics of all time and a fine actor. He will never be forgotten.

I Write Books

As many of my readers already know, I have written a few books. Of course, as many of you may also know, I am also not particularly good at promoting them. Here then are the books I have available. All of them are available in paperback and Kindle. Two of them are also available on audiobooks. With any luck, I will have another book out later this year, this one on Christmas in movies and television.

Television Rare and Well Done: Essays on the Medium: This is the oldest of my books. I will confess it requires some revision. I will also say upfront that it is essentially a collection of posts from this blog. Still, it should be of interest to those who love classic television.

That Was Halloween: This is my favourite of my books. It is a short volume that covers the history of Halloween, and then addresses some of its customs as well as Halloween in the media. It is not only available on Kindle but as an audiobook as well.

Country Comedies: The Rural Comedies of the Sixties: This is a short book on the rural sitcoms that aired on American television from the late Fifties to the late Sixties. It covers the beginning of the cycle of rural sitcoms and its end with the Rural Purge. It also has an appendix that covers rural-oriented variety shows. It is also available on Kindle and in audiobook.

Anyway, if you buy any of these I hope you enjoy them! And look for my Christmas book later this year.

Godspeed James Sikking

James Sikking, who played Lt. Howard Hunter on the classic television show Hill Street Blues, died on July 13 2024 at the age of 90. The cause was complications from dementia.

James Sikking was born on March 5 1934 in Los Angeles. He attended El Segundo High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He attended UCLA, where he earned a degree in theatre. He made his movie debut in an uncredited bit part in the movie Five Guns West in 1955.

In the Sixties he guest starred on the shows Assignment: Underwater; Perry Mason; General Hospital; Combat; Rawhide; The Outer Limits; The Loner; The F.B.I.; O.K. Crackerby!; The Long, Hot Summer; The Virginian; Honey West; My Favorite Martian; My Mother the Car; The Fugitive; 12 O' Clock High; Run for Your Life; The Invaders; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.; Bonanza; Adam-12; The Survivors; Here Come the Brides; The Young Lawyers; Love, American Style; and Hogan's Heroes. The Strangler (1964), The Carpetbaggers (1964), Von Ryan's Express (1965), In Like Flint (1967), Point Blank (1967), Charro! (1969), and Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969).

In the Seventies James Sikking had a recurring role on the short-lived sitcom Turnabout. He guest starred on the shows The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; The Immortal; The Name of the Game; Night Gallery; Cade's County; Ironside; Longstreet; Mission: Impossible; The Bob Newhart Show; Banyon; The Doris Day Show; M*A*S*H; The Streets of San Francisco; The Mod Squad; Search; The Rookies; Mannix; Room 222; The F.B.I.; Cannon; Ellery Queen; Rich Man, Poor Man-Book II; Police Story; Little House on the Prairie; Delvecchio; Eight is Enough; The Feather and Father Gang; Man From Atlantis; Rafferty; Starsky & Hutch; The Bionic Woman; The Incredible Hulk; Operation  Petticoat; The Rockford Files; Lucan; Hawaii Five-O; Charlie's Angels; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; and Paris. He appeared in the movies Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), The Night God Screamed (1971), The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972), The New Centurions (1972), Scorpio (1973), Brother on the Run (1973), Capricorn One (1977), The Electric Horseman (1979), Ordinary People (1980),  and The Competition (1980).

In 1981 James Sikking began his stint as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues. He began his stint as Dr. David Howser, the father of the title character, on Doogie Howser M.D.In the Eighties he guest starred on L.A. Law, Who's the Boss?, CBS Summer Playhouse, Hunter, and Cop Rock.  Mr. Sikking appeared in the mini-series Dress Gray, Brotherhood of the Rose, and Around the World in 80 Days.  He appeared in the movies Outland (1981), The Star Chamber (1983), Up the Creek (1984), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Morons from Outer Space (1985), Soul Man (1986), and Narrow Magin (1990).

In the Nineties James Sikking continued to appear on Doogie Houser, M.D. He was a regular on Brooklyn South. He was the voice of General Gordon in the show Invasion America. He was a guest voice on the animated shows Duckman: Private Dick, Aaahh!!!  Real Monsters, Batman Beyond, and Rocket Power He appeared in the movies Final Approach (1991), The Pelican Brief (1993), and Dead Badge (1995).

In the Naughts he guest starred on the show Curb Your Enthusiasm. He appeared in the movies Fever Pitch (2004), Made of Honor (2008), and American Primitive (2009). In the Teens he guest starred on The Closer. He appeared in the movie Just an American (2012).

Chances are good that James Sikking will always be best remembered as Lt. Howard Hunter (who started the show as a sergeant), the at times politically incorrect police officer who thought civilization was in decline and tends to favour militaristic solutions, but none the less has a strong streak of compassion. He will also probably be remembered well as Dr. David Howser, Doogie Howser's level-headed, compassionate father. During his career James Sikking played a wide variety of characters. In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock he played the stuffy, arrogant commander of the Excelsior, Captain Styles. In Point Blank he played a mocking hired gun. In The Pelican Brief he payed F.B.I. director F. Denton Voyles, who investigates the Pelican Brief because it could possibly hurt the President. Throughout his career, James Sikking played many different roles and played all of them well.