SEAPLANE TALES OF THE GOLD MONKEY
Tales of the Gold Monkey was a rip-roaring TV series that had it all - fantastic islands, beautiful ladies, heroes, villains and the seaplane of your dreams a Grumman Goose emblazoned with the name "Cutter's Goose." Set in the good old days in '38 just before the war, Tales of the Gold Monkey follows the adventures of a ex-fighter pilot turned cargo runner in the South Sea island of Boragora.
Step into the Monkey Bar, have a drink or simply enjoy the music. But keep your eyes open, because in this bar anyone from the sexy chanteuse to the minister just may be a spy. It is 1938 and this lush tropical island locale is also a stepping-off point for exciting intrigue and adventure. Somewhere in a backwater corner of the South Pacific, Jake Cutter (STEPHEN COLLINS) is an expatriate American adventurer who often finds himself in the thick of high sea adventure. As the pilot of a well-worn Grumman Goose, Jake transports cargo which runs the gamut from bibles to contraband, from vintage wines to hidden weapons. He also transports people, from American tourists to Nazi spies, from Oriental mercenaries to French magistrates. Unfortunately, these flights are catalysts for murder, robbery, blackmail, and subterfuge. Fortunately, Jake and his ragtag group of friends love every minute of it. What should be routine jobs transporting passengers and cargo always end up with Jake battling assorted rouges and villians. Helping Jake out are his mechanic/co-pilot, Corky, an absent-minded alcoholic with an almost child-like quality, and Jack, Jake's one-eyed (left), talking (one bark means no, two barks mean yes) terrier with a definite attitude.
At his "home base" on the lush, tropical island of Boragora, Jake lives above the Monkey Bar, the central gathering place on the islands. Its proprietor is Bon Chance Louie (RODDY MCDOWALL), the mysterious Frenchman is also the questionable Magistrate of Justice and medical officer. Louie's partner is Gushie, who can be seen wheeling around the bar, serving drinks and cleaning up. Sarah White (CAITLIN O'HEANEY) is the bar's singer, a job that Jake got for her, but her real occupation is that of agent for the U.S. State department, a fact that only Jake knows. However, she's not the only spy on the island. The Rev. Willie Tenboom, a Dutch priest who enjoys "blessing" his lovely female parishioners, is really a German Army officer. Jake's friend Corky (JEFF MACKAY) is forgetful and drinks a bit too much, but he's the best mechanic around. And then there's Jack (LEO), a one-eyed dog with a mind of his own, who has been with Jake through good times and bad -- often proving more sensible than his master.
On the island of Matuka in the Japanese mandate of the Marivella island chain reigns Princess Koji, a beautiful Dragon Lady. Her nefarious activities usually pit her opposite Jake; however, she would rather have him on her side and in her bed. Todo, a proud samurai, is the commander of Koji's army.
Think of Han Solo in the Pacific with a seaplane instead of his Millennium Falcon and Corky as Chewbacca getting mixed in Indiana Jones adventures and you can begin to see how cool the series was. For some of you younger seaplane pilots out there my darling wife has stayed up late for a few too many nights organizing the comic pages for you to enjoy below. Click on each picture to open up a new saga in the life of 'Cutter's Goose.'
Now its both throttles full forward to let the adventures begin in the classic comic Seaplane Tales of the Gold Monkey . . !