‘Mr. Lucky’ show misfired but its music won awards

Q: There was an old show called “Mr. Lucky” with John Vivyan and Ross Martin. Is it streaming on any platform?

A: Based on a Cary Grant movie, “Mr. Lucky” starred Vivyan as the title character, a gambler operating a floating casino. Ross Martin, later famous for “The Wild Wild West,” played Lucky’s best friend, Andamo. While the series aired on CBS for a single season in 1959-60, its music was more successful. Henry Mancini’s theme was a “statement of elegance,” says TV music historian Jon Burlingame in his book “Music for Prime Time.” The show’s soundtrack generated a Grammy-winning Mancini album and a follow-up record.

The 34 episodes of the series are streaming on Tubi and the Roku Channel.

Q: While watching the original “Dexter” recently, I spotted Jason Gedrick in a key part. I would swear he had a recurring role in “The X-Files,” but neither IMDb nor Wikipedia reflect this. What am I missing?

A: As far as I know, Gedrick was never on “The X-Files.” We figured out that you remembered Nicholas Lea, an actor who resembled Gedrick. Lea played Alex Krycek in a couple of dozen “X-Files” episodes over the series’ run.

Q: I would like to see the original “Incredible Journey” from the 1960s — not the remake from about 20 years ago. It is the story of a dog and a cat. Real animals, not cartoons. I remember it as a beautiful adventure story, far superior to the remake. Is it available anywhere?

A: Disney+ has the 1963 movie about two dogs and a cat crossing Canada to get home. (The streamer also has two other two-dogs-and-a-cat adventures, “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” from 1993, and “Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco,” from 1996.) The 1963 “Incredible Journey” also has been released on DVD.

Q: I cannot remember the name of an older black-and-white movie which is usually shown around the holidays — although I never saw it listed anywhere this year. It is about some homeless guys that come across a mansion that has been closed for the winter while its residents spend time in a warmer climate. They find a way into the mansion and spend time there keeping warm.

A: While some of the details are different, you are remembering “It Happened on Fifth Avenue,” a 1947 movie with a cast that included Don DeFore, Ann Harding, Charlie Ruggles and Gale Storm.

Q: “Nothing Sacred” (1997-98 on ABC) was that rare TV show that treated religious themes with both humor and seriousness. It was excellently written and acted. Unfortunately, I cannot find it either on disc or streaming. Do you know if there are any plans to bring it out in any format?

A: The series starring Kevin Anderson as a priest at an urban church has not, as far as I can find, appeared in any authorized format. That being said, episodes are on YouTube.

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