Miami Vice Facts and Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

Vehicles and Weapons

Miscellaneous

Episode Trivia

Music Trivia

Where Are They Now?

Michael Mann

Notable Personalities

 

 

Vehicles and Weapons

 

What cars did Sonny drive?

    A Ferrari 365/GTB/4 Daytona Spyder, model year 1968-1974. The real car used in the episodes was a Corvette made up with a Daytona kit. Starting in the third season, the Daytona was replaced with a real Ferrari Testarossa. The original replacement car was also to be black. However when it didn't show up well in night scenes, they later painted it white.

What car did Rico drive?

    1963 Cadillac DeViille convertible

What did Zito and Switek drive?

    The Bug Van was a 1960's Ford Van

What kind of yacht did Crockett live on?

    An Endeavour 42 sailboat. Base price $134,950. It featured a spacious aft sleeping cabin and vee-berth forward, with galley and living space in the area of maximum beam. There were two private heads aboard the 42, each with separate shower stalls, stainless-steel sinks and vanities. Auxiliary power came from a 62-hp Perkins disel engine.

What was the name of Crockett's yacht?

    St. Vitus' Dance

What kind of speedboat did Crockett have?

    A Wellcraft 38 Scarab KV. Base price $105,000. It featured twin 440's sturning specially cupped and balanced stainless-steel props which launched the boat on a 60 mph+ sleigh ride. It also featured a long snout, flush deck, venturi windshield and radar arch. It also received a $3500 "Miami Vice" paint job.

What weapons did Crockett use?

    In the pilot episode, Sonny used a Sig-Sauer P220 in .45 caliber. During the first two seasons, he used a Bren Ten which was a stainless steel 10mm. It was manufactured by Dornhaus and Dixon, but it was prone to parts breakage and magazines were hard to get and cost over $100 a piece. The company went out of business after about a year. Starting with the third season, Sonny used a Smith & Wesson 645 in .45 caliber. Smith & Wesson had just introduced this new model. It was also made of stainless steel. He carried it in a Galco Miami Vice Holster. Smith & Wesson discontinued that model and replaced it with the model 4506. It was this gun that he used for the last season. If you want a good view of the Bren 10, watch the "Glades" episode and also the "One Way Ticket" episode. Sonny also carried a backup gun which was a Detonics CombatMaster in .45 caliber. It can be seen in the bar scene shootout in the "Prodigal Son" episodes. He carried it in an ankle holster on his left leg.

What weapons did Tubbs use?

    A Model 37 Ithaca Shotgun cut down, and Model 38 Smith & Wesson Chief's Special.

 

 

Miscellaneous Info

 

What was the name of Sonny's pet alligator?

    Elvis. Sonny had him because he was a retired University of Florida mascot (retired because he took a bite out of a University of Georgia free safety). He also has a clock inside of him because of a "Captin Hook" frat prank.

How many bosses did Crockett and Tubbs Have?

    Two, Lt. Lou Rodriguez played the vice lieutenant for the first five episodes. He dies in "The Return of Calderon" by taking a bullett meant for Crockett. Lt. Martin Castillio then took over the position.

What and how do we know about Lt. Castillio's past?

    Lt. Castillio was a DEA agent during the Vietnam War. He was double crossed and ambushed by CIA agents on one of his missions. After surviving the ambush he became the Vice Lieutenant for Metro Dade. The episodes "Golden Triangle", "Bushido", and " Borrasca" all tell of Castillio's dealings in south east Asia and his involvement with the DEA.

Was Lt. Castillo Married?

    Yes, while in south east Asia he was married to a Thai woman named May-Yin. She appears in "Golden Triangle" where we learn that she thought Castillo dead. She shows up with her new husband Ma-Sek. In "Heart of Night" we learn that Ma-Sek is a Thai criminal; at the end Ma-Sek goes to jail an May-Yin leaves both Castillo and Ma-Sek.

Was Crockett in Vietnam, who was his friend there; and was G. Gordon Liddy on Miami Vice?

    Yes, Ira Stone was Crockett's friend from Vietnam a reporter with a smell for trouble. He appeared in two episodes: 1. Back in the World and 2. Stone's War. In both episodes they are up against a Colonel Maynard (Liddy) A.K.A. Captain Real Estate who was known to Crockett and Stone in Vietnam. Maynard is really a CIA spook who had a heroin operation in Vietnam. In "Stone's War" a rerun of Vietnam is being attempted in Latin America. In both episodes Maynard gets away clean.

Who was Calderone?

    He was the drug kingpin who Crockett and Tubbs are pursuing independently. He was responsible for the murder of Tubb's brother and Crockett's partner. It is during this pursuit that Crockett and Tubbs are reluctantly united. Calderone appeared in three episodes. 1. Brothers Keeper pt. 1 and 2. Calderone's Return Pt. 2 in which he is shot and killed by Crockett. Calderone's son, daughter (Angelina), and grandson fathered by Tubbs appears in "Sons and Lovers. Tubb's son is never mentioned again and Calderone's son who tried to kill Tubbs is sti ll alive as he sent Tubbs a card stating "I'll Be Back".

Wasn't there a detective who took care of the gadgets before Switek and Zito?

    Yes, Lester Kosko the bearded detective who play the survillance/electronic, specialist appears in seven episodes, five of which were speaking parts.

     

     

  • In 1997 Don Johnson dated his co-star from Nash Bridges - she played the part of his daughter!
  • Robert Wagner was Don Johnson's best man at his wedding to Kelly Phletcher.
  • Elvis the Alligator has a clock inside of him due to a University fraternity prank based on Peter Pan
  • The working title for Miami Vice was 'Dade County Fast Lane'
  • Before the age of 22 Don Johnson was married twice and had both marriages annulled.
  • Don Johnson has had a second TV career as a Award Show Host - he's hosted the Oscars, People's Choice and Disney awards.
  • Don Johnson received an acting scholarship after being spotted in a High School production of Westside Story.
  • Saundra Santiago is a classically trained singer and dancer who worked as a waitress while studying to act.
  • Don Johnson was cast in his first professional play - Fortune and Mens Eyes by Sal Minno, star of Rebel Without A Cause.
  • In preparation for their roles Saundra Santiago and Olivia Brown trained for months with the Miami Police Department.
  • Phillip Michael Thomas spends only 2-4 hours per night sleeping, claiming his hours awake are spent devoted to creativity.
  • Don Johnson received a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in 1985 for his role in Miami Vice
  • Don Johnson's album "Heartbeat" sold over 1 million copies.
  • The Miami Vice Theme Music stayed at number 1 in America for over 12 weeks.
  • Each of the comedy double act "Penn and Teller" has appeared in Miami Vice.
  • Miami Vice writer Frank Military Jnr appeared in the first season episode Nobody Lives Forever.
  • Don Johnson and Kurt Russell have been team mates in Power Boat Racing.
  • Part of the reason Miami Vice came to an end in 1989 was due to the cost of the show - it reportedly cost up to $1.2 million per episode.
  • During the fight sequence in the film 'The Big Wednesday', actor Michael Talbott had his nose broken by actor Gary Busey.
  • Don Johnson's film 'A Boy and his Dog' is the second most rented cult film in America.
  • Miami Vice was almost a non starter as the producer, Michael Mann wanted to set the series in New York.
  • Edward James Olmos previously read for the part of Tubbs.
  • Saundra Santiago was the first actor signed to a main role in Miami Vice.
  • Saundra Santiago received most of her fan mail from prison inmates when the series first started.
  • Edward James Olmos first met Don Johnson in 1968 and three years later met Phillip Michael Thomas.
  • 9 years before appearing as Rico Tubbs in Miami Vice, Phillip Micheal Thomas stared opposite Dean Martin in the film 'Mister Rico'
  • Before starring in Miami Vice Don Johnson and Phillip Micheal Thomas appeared in 'The Streets of San Fransisco' and 'Starsky and Hutch'.

 

 

Episode Trivia

 

Where there any real criminals on Miami Vice?

    Yes, the character Calderone was played by Miguel Pinero. He is an ex-con turned playwright whose off Broadway "Short Eyes" won an Obie and a New York Drama Critics Circle award.

What was that epsidode where Sonny's walking down the beach by himself to arrest that woman, and what was the name of that song that was playing?

    The episode was Definitely Miami, and the song playing was Cry; by Godley and Creme.

Why is "Too Much, Too Late" called 'the missing episode'?

    It's called the 'missing episode' because it was never aired by NBC during Vice's original primetime run. It was first aired 7 months after the season finale, while it was still in its syndicated run on USA Network. It was originally filmed during the normal production run, but it was decided that it would be shelved.

Why does the episode guide have several titles that are different from what I saw when I used to watch the syndication reruns all the time?

    The USA Network altered several episode titles during their run, and f/X seems to be using the altered titles in their current run as well. The episodes that were changed were:

     

    Hit List (changed to Calderone's Demise Part I)

    Calderon's Demise (changed to Calderone's Demise, Part II)

    Score (changed to Golden Triangle, Part I)

    Golden Triangle (changed to Golden Triangle, Part II)

    The Savage (changed to Duty and Honor)

     

    There was one other episode that had a real "alternate" title during it's original broadcast run. The episode No Exit had an alternate title of "Three-Eyed Turtle". This comes from the original NBC broadcast, as well as a "behind-the-scenes" book done on the series in between the second and third seasons.

    Did you know that the storylines regarding any of Calderon's people wanting revenge on Rico Tubbs was quite possibly a mistake? Remember, it was Sonny who shot Calderon (multiple times), to save Rico.

 

 

Music Trivia

 

"Cold Wind Blows" by Karla Bonoff was exclusively recorded for the episode Bought & Paid For, and has never been released in any form

 

 

Where Are They Now?

 

Don Johnson

Currently starring in and producing "Nash Bridges" on CBS

Phillip Michael Thomas

Other than recent sightings on a "Psychic Network" infomercial, no one knows...do you?

Edward James Olmos

Has appeared in a few Latino movies: American Me, Stand and Deliver,

Olivia Brown

Has made some appearances in children's sitcoms.

Saundra Santiago

Has appeared in at least the first season of The Soprano's

Michael Talbott

John Diehl

Appeared in the movie Star Gate and Pearl Harbour

 

 

Michael Mann

 

Studio Movies

The Insider (1999) (Producter/Writer/Director)

HEAT (1995) (Director/Writer)

Last of the Mohicans (1992) (Producer/Writer/Director)

Manhunter (1986) (Director/Writer)

Band of the Hand (1986) (Exec Producer)

The Keep (1983) (Director/Writer)

Thief (1981) (Exec Producer/Director/Writer)

 

Television

The Jericho Mile (1979) (Director/Writer)

Miami Vice (1984) (Exec Producer)

Crime Story (1986) (Exec Producer)

Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (1990) (Exec Producer)

 

 

Notable Personalities

 

Boxers

Carlos Palomino

Mark Breland

Roberto Duran

Randall (Tex) Cobb

.

.

Basketball Players

Bernard King

Bill Russell

.

Musicians

Gene Simmons

Glenn Frey

Eartha Kitt

Power Station

Little Richard

David Johansen

Franki Valli

Miles Davis

El DeBarge

Phil Collins

Ted Nugent

Jan Hammer

Fiona

Leonard Cohen

Frank Zappa

Willie Nelson

Vanity

Isaac Hayes

James Brown

Sheena Easton

Michael DesBarres

Other Cameos

Bruce Willis

Julia Roberts

Iman

Tommy Chong

Larry Fishburne

Lou Diamond Phillips

 


 

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