If ever you want to laugh out loud at the thoroughly complete charm of Bruce Campbell I heartily recommend Jack of All Trades, a two-season show of a mere twenty-two episodes made by the same folks that gifted the world with Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. Campbell is utterly astonishing as he cracks wise with a barrage of double entendres that give you belly laughs. The premise of the show is set up each episode in the Emmy-nominated theme song. Check out the lyrics below. (To hear the rousing song go to this link.)
In Eighteen-Hundred-One
The Revolution had been won
And Uncle Sam’s favourite son
Had a job he needed done
Which brought Jack to a lady
Both beautiful and smart
Who found his mix intriguing
A scoundrel with a heart!
[Chorus]
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
There was never a leatherneck braver
A Daring Dragoon is he
He’ll halt the whole advance
Of Napoleon’s attack
There ain’t a French or Pirate rogue
Who don’t know Jack
[Chorus]
From the halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
Sailing around the bloody world
To defend democracy
And when you need a fightin' man
You trust to watch your back
Just ask the bloke right next toya. (Dang right)
It's Jack!
With British spy Lady Emila Rosthchild (the fetching Angela Dotchin), Jack Stiles weekly attempted to (almost) always succeed in outwitting and outfighting the knuckle-headed French forces led by Lord Croque (Stuart Devanie), the wimpy brother of Napoleon (Verne Troyer) and his henchman Captain Brogard (Stephen Papps). The is set on a mythical island dubbed Palau-Palau and populated by indistinct natives who seem to come from across the globe when the demand arises.
In addition to his role as Jack Stiles, an American representative/spy working in concert with the British we get Campbell in a Zorro-like role of the "Daring Dragoon". The Dragoon is a masked devil-may-care and utterly indestructible warrior who comes to represent the very idea of liberty for the put-upon folks of Palau-Palau, and has wild fun doing it.
There is little or no attempt aside from stage dressing to truly evoke the era, but rather to bring modern-era zingers and references to a wacky this never-never land of mild intrigue, dashing heroics and utter outrageous comedy. The only show that I can think of that was as wildly abusive to its historical setting is the vintage comedy F-Troop.
But this is a show that you come for to see Campbell and despite all the hard work of the others without him and his knowing winks, the show would crash. It only lasted two brief seasons, but shows like this have a short lifespan anyway and those twenty-two episodes are gems.
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