04x20 - Fright Knight

[bunniefuu]

Don't you think someone's trying to destroy your movie?

Such as the Phantom of Stage 28?

Action! The Phantom of Stage 28?

Let's just call him a guy in a monk suit, okay?

Now, I saw that guy, Mr.

Knight, and he was real.

Michael, I've detected some movement directly behind you.

He's all yours.

You've had two cracks at him, and you've blown them both.

I'll make the next one count.

Knight Rider, a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a man who does not exist.

Michael Knight, a young Ioner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent the helpless, the powerless in a world of criminals who operate above the law.

I'd sure like to get this sh*t before lunch.

I'm ready to make one.

I just heard Travis is doing the stunt himself?

Karen, please, it's all worked out.

I just did a walkthrough with Travis.

I am ready to roll.

Relax.

Okay?

Look, after what I've been through on this picture I'm not going to relax until the last sh*t is in the can.

Well, we won't get this one if you keep interfering.

Gavin you're producing a picture that's $20 million over budget.

If your star gets hurt, we're not gonna make a penny of it back.

Well, you never will anyway.

You know, whoever said, ''Don't throw good money after bad'' was talking about this turkey.

People, people I turned down the beach picture to do this ''turkey.

'' I could be on Maui surrounded by squealing beach bunnies in bikinis.

So, let's make up our minds, please.

Come on, Tobey, I can handle it.

You know, if we shut down, we'll be another $80,000 in the hole, Karen.

Cliff, you feel confident about this?

Yeah, I'm ready to go.

You're head of production.

You decide.

We have little choice.

Let's do it.

Works for me.

Okay, listen up, we're gonna make one.

All right, take your places.

Effects, are you ready?

All right, everybody listen up, please.

This is a very important sh*t.

Travis, are you ready?

With lots of energy and keep it pumping.

And action! All right, you wanna tell me what happened back there, Tobey?

What are you asking me for?

Clifford's in charge of special effects.

I set four charges, Mr.

Gavin.

Five went off.

I don't know where the fifth one came from but it wasn't mine.

Well, whose was it?

I mean, does anybody else have access to that equipment?

Oh, no, I'm the only one.

Now, wait a minute.

There was a guy out by the truck before.

What guy, who?

I don't know.

He had on a hood and a mask.

Oh, come on, you're not gonna start that Phantom of Stage 28 nonsense.

Yeah, they stopped blaming accidents on him 20 years ago.

Well, someone is to blame, and it's time to find out who.

This is the fourth accident in three weeks and the most serious.

You've heard of Raging Sky?

Who hasn't?

Battles on the set, battles off the set.

They've got a runaway budget of what?

$25 million, and no end in sight.

Man, what I could do with that.

What a small country could do with that.

But you know movie people.

''lt's only money.

'' Not McKee Studios, Bonnie.

For years, they've donated time and money to our educational film program.

Why, when Jack McKee was alive he was an ardent supporter of the Foundation.

No, they have too much integrity to be this irresponsible.

So we're talking serious bad luck or sabotage.

Well, whichever it is they've asked for our help and they deserve it.

Your contact is Karen Bennett Vice President in charge of production.

Devon, I think you've left something out.

It's rather silly, really but there has been some talk at the studio that the legendary Phantom may have something to do with it all.

Bonnie, you don't really think there's a phantom.

Do you?

No.

You want me to investigate a phantom?

Certainly.

Why not?

Why not?

As you were saying, Michael.

Don't rub it in, pal.

I don't see a phantom in the bunch.

Do you?

No, but around here, no one would think twice about it if they did.

I agree.

He'd simply get lost in the crowd.

You look just like Ms.

Bennett's 10:15.

Let's see, Michael Knight?

Foundation for Law and Government?

You got it.

She's expecting me.

Very quick, Mr.

Knight.

We're all expecting you.

I'm Edward Kent, Ms.

Bennett's executive secretary.

I encode 90 words a minute.

I take shorthand at 120.

I do not, however, make coffee nor have I ever been chased around a desk.

I'm afraid you'll have to wait.

The negotiations are at a delicate stage.

Well, when you two decide what to sh**t, I'll sh**t it! I could be on Maui.

On Maui, surrounded by beach bunnies in bikinis.

Excusez

-moi.

If I don't get this distributed, McKee is in deep kimchi.

Ciao.

The insurance company is wrong! Now, look, I'm the producer and I'm telling you there's no way I can finish this picture without Travis! And I am head of this studio.

It is my job that's on the line and I think you can.

You're not the one who has to figure out how to do it! But I already have.

All we have to do

- Yeah, they're casting the beach picture down the hall, 316.

My name is Michael Knight.

Oh, oh, oh, from the Foundation.

Boy, am I glad to see you.

You and I need to talk.

Would you just hold it?

Look, I've got $20 million of my own money in this picture.

We finish our talk first.

That's fine by me, but your people are the ones who are getting hurt and I'm here to try and find out who or what's behind this.

Behind what?

Well, for openers, don't you think someone's trying to destroy your movie?

I mean, you've had four accidents in the last five weeks.

That's a pretty suspicious pattern.

A pattern that leads right to the Special Effects Department.

Yeah, well, that's the one thing that Karen and I do agree on.

You talk to Sam Clifford.

Of course, he'll probably blame it on this legend that he's dredged up to cover his butt.

The legend of the so

-called ''Phantom'' that haunts the studio.

The one and the same.

Yeah, the Phantom of Stage 28.

It started with the original Raging Sky.

It was a nightmare.

One accident after another.

Do you think there could be a connection?

Oh, no.

No, no way.

No, the person behind them was Dennis Darrow.

He was an actor who was originally turned down for the starring role in the film.

He vowed it would never get made.

I mean, the man's been dead for years.

Of course, his body's never been found.

Who knows, maybe his corpse sprouted a cape and he went wherever phantoms go.

The bottom line is, he still could be alive.

Really, Mr.

Knight.

His car went off a cliff and exploded.

There was nothing left but ashes and smoke.

And a lot of unfinished business.

Michael, I detect someone bearing down on you.

KITT, he's all yours.

KITT, scan his vitals.

Michael, it has no vitals.

What have we here?

A 1200 cc, four

-cylinder direct

-drive motorcycle and state

-of

-the

-art robot, hard

-wired to the frame.

Then it's gotta be remote

-controlled from somewhere.

It still is.

I'm picking up a signal.

Trace it back to its source.

I'm locked on.

Michael, I'm also picking up Get away from that thing! Now! Thanks, pal.

Nice little fail

-safe mode, huh?

Yes, Michael.

Guaranteed a m*rder without a suspect.

Hi.

Can you tell me where I could find Sam Clifford?

Cameras reloading.

From the sound of that, you must be Sam Clifford.

Yeah.

Hey, you'd better stand back here.

These are very unstable.

I've got to set them off before I pick up my pink slip and check out of here.

You know, for a guy who was just fired for negligence, you seem pretty safety

-conscious to me.

Well, you tell that to the insurance company.

Twenty pictures without an accident.

Didn't mean a thing to them.

Are you the guy that's investigating these accidents?

Yeah, yeah, my name is Michael Knight.

And from what I hear you claim you got more explosions than you bargained for.

Claim?

Four buttons.

Five explosions.

Now, how's the fifth one mine?

KITT, scan the circuits in this unit for any sign of tampering.

Right away, Michael.

What's that all about?

That's a little special effect of my own.

The fourth circuit has been rewired, Michael.

It transmits two signals, one delayed when the detonator button is depressed.

Yeah.

Yeah, that guy by the truck.

Now, it had to be him.

Nobody was near my equipment until

- You're talking about a guy in a monk's robe.

Yeah, the Phantom of Stage 28.

I saw that guy, Mr.

Knight, and he was real.

Look, let's not call him the Phantom of Stage 28.

Let's just call him a man in a monk's robe, okay?

You call him what you want.

But the bottom line is, the original Raging Sky was sh*t on 28.

Now, people that have seen him say that's where he hangs out.

Well, whoever he is Karen Bennett says he's gonna have another cr*ck at making some trouble today.

That's right.

They're sh**ting a big sequence with Liz Preston over on Stage 1 right after lunch.

Gives me a couple of hours.

Where's Stage 28?

It's on the other side of the lot.

But they haven't sh*t anything over there in years.

I know, I know.

Everybody thinks the legend is a big joke.

But this is a very superstitious business, Mr.

Knight.

Superstition or not, it's all I got.

Thank you very much.

Michael, Devon's calling.

Hello, Michael, how are things in Hollywood this morning?

A little rocky.

Hitchcock would have loved it.

We've got a saboteur on our hands.

Well, I'm glad you didn't say ''psycho.

'' Might be that, too.

Devon, right now I need everything Bonnie can find on an actor named Dennis Darrow.

Also, run down the insurance policies on Raging Sky.

I wanna know who benefits if it shuts down.

Right away, Michael.

Oh, and be careful.

I don't want two phantoms haunting McKee Studios.

Over and out.

Michael, have you found anything?

Yeah, KITT, this place is incredible.

There's enough stuff in here to make Conan III, IV and V.

Enough bad guys, too.

KITT, monitor all exits! I'm scanning them now.

Which one?

Where is he?

I don't know.

I'm absolutely positive no one has come out.

And no one is in the building, except you.

Devon, those were not rumors about a phantom on Stage 28.

Yes, I understand, Michael.

And that's one of the reasons you're on this investigation.

By the way, Michael Bonnie found very little data on your Mr.

Darrow.

It seems he d*ed over 20 years ago.

And nothing's turned up since?

I mean, she's positive?

Not even his remains, as I understand it.

I have something more substantial on your insurance inquiry.

Gavin and the studio are fully covered.

That means they both get their investments back if the picture can't be completed.

It gives us nothing.

Well, I've also discovered that the studio has just taken out an additional $4 million policy on their star, Liz Preston.

No kidding.

That's uncanny timing.

She's doing a major stunt today, Devon.

I'm on my way to the back lot now.

Good luck, Michael.

What's with the darkened windows, pal?

This is Hollywood, Michael.

I'm wearing my sunglasses.

Effects, are you ready?

Hey, you guys actors?

Heck no, stuntmen.

Oh I'm looking for Liz Preston.

You and about 100 other cowboys.

Better start twirling your lariat, son here she comes.

Excuse me.

Don't tell me.

Michael Knight, the investigator I've heard so much about?

I was wondering when you'd get around to looking me up.

Well, I'm sorry it took so long.

Can we talk for a few minutes?

It's the cars.

That's all that matters nowadays.

Yeah, all this picture needs is one more jackrabbit

-mobile.

And what's wrong with fast cars, may I ask?

Everything.

Raging Sky was a western.

How do you remake a western with cars playing horses?

I've cleaned up a couple of western towns in my day.

Hogwash.

Well, Michael, I'll tell ya, the last man who said he liked all my movies had a thing for desperate, vulnerable women on the run.

Five minutes, Liz.

Thanks.

Bet you're beginning to feel like one of your characters lately.

Wardrobe to the set.

Liz, tell me the truth.

You want out of this picture?

No, I'm very grateful to have this job.

I think I'd be crazy not to admit I'm a little bit frightened.

Some people are.

You don't know?

Liz, the studio took out an extra $4 million insurance policy on you.

Really?

I'm impressed.

Well, I'm not.

Now, I understand you're doing a twist on a runaway buggy scene.

You wanna run that stunt by me?

Yeah, sure.

Let's see.

I'm driving a pick

-up truck down a hill and a tire blows out so, I lose control of the vehicle then the truck crashes into a bridge, the bridge almost collapses and the truck screeches to a halt just before I plunge into the water.

That's all?

Well, actually, the stunt double does all the hard stuff.

I just sit in that 4X4 truck over there and scream a lot.

Look, just so you know, I'm gonna run through every aspect of the stunt before you do the sh*t.

Well, thank you.

I appreciate the interest.

I'm interested.

Excuse me.

I'm sick of people getting hurt.

Look, there aren't gonna be any more accidents.

We got rid of them when we got rid of Clifford.

You are using this Mr.

Knight, just the man I wanted to see.

Have you checked out Clifford's story?

Yeah.

I think he's telling the truth.

What?

You mean it wasn't his incompetence that was causing the accidents?

We really have a maniac on our hands?

Looks that way.

Well, that's it.

I'm pulling the plug.

Hold it.

Hold it.

There's no way I'm doing that sh*t.

Have you had a chance to check the set?

I'm gonna check on it now.

Then I'm going to Stage 28 to see if I can pick up the Phantom's trail.

Excuse me.

Look.

Karen, I don't care if God himself came down and checked out that set.

There's no way

- Okay, Liz?

Ready?

You got three minutes.

Thanks second team.

Bring in the reelies.

Thank you, second team.

Michael, I'm detecting unusual movement and electrical activity above Liz's makeup table.

Liz.

Liz! Liz! You all right?

I think I will be.

Easy.

Am I getting older, or is this job getting tougher?

Liz, thank God you're okay.

I'm sorry, I don't know how this could have happened.

From now on, I check out every location before anyone is allowed on the set.

I don't have time for you, Mr.

Knight, I have a budget and a deadline.

All right, Karen, that does it.

I've tried it your way, I've tried it his, now we'll do it mine.

This production is over.

It's finished.

It's a wrap.

You can notify the insurance company to pay off.

Not again.

Listen, may I remind you that I have a pay

-or

-play contract?

Make up your minds, or you'll be delivering my checks to Maui.

Aloha.

I broke a nail.

Karen, if this is the end of the film, I'm sorry but I promise you it is not the end of the investigation.

No, it's not the end of the film.

That's my decision, not Gavin's.

He was just letting off some steam.

Have you ever thought about going along with him?

Of course.

But if I shut this film down without making up the cost over

-runs we're out of business.

Why?

The studio will collect on the insurance.

I mean, obviously, you're gonna come out with something.

Michael, I am not in this business to collect insurance.

I'm in this business to make movies.

Women in positions of power are still considered a novelty.

I have to finish what I started.

Karen, you know your stuff.

You wouldn't have made it up the ladder if you didn't.

There are those who said I wasn't always on my feet.

You're saying that they think it's just a matter of time before you mess up?

They thought I had when Travis landed in the hospital.

But as I was saying to Gavin if we increased the expl*sives to mask the use of a stunt double we could sh**t that last scene and make it work.

That stunt double was going to be me.

Michael, I appreciate that but you'd be putting yourself in an extremely dangerous situation.

I knew that going in.

Like someone once said, ''I've gotta finish what I started.

'' Karen?

Karen, I just heard.

I stopped by the set l

- Well, get back down there and find out everything you can.

I'm going to have a mob of reporters in this office and I need something to tell them.

Michael, thanks.

Piece of cake.

I do hope she isn't expecting the truth.

When a movie goes down the tube, there are a thousand versions of why.

Really?

Well, I would be interested in yours.

You mean, who might be sabotaging this film?

Well, no more than half the producers in Hollywood.

This is Tinseltown, Mr.

Knight.

The place where massive egos collide.

Where people get a kick out of watching their friends fail.

Where 10,000 mourners go to a producer's funeral just to make sure the jerk is really dead.

Take it from me, Mr.

Knight, you have waded into a pool of sharks.

Could I tell you stories.

Yeah, but you didn't tell me the story I need.

Well, I'm sorry, I I did my best to tell you how the game was played.

Whoever tried to k*ll Liz Preston isn't playing a game.

Neither am I.

Just how long have you been at this, anyway?

About 30 years.

Ever since we made the original Raging Sky.

I'd hold that one if I were you.

You sure?

I'll play these.

You wouldn't happen to know what Buck is holding.

You have to take some chances, Slim.

After all, this is a game of risk.

But I wouldn't hedge my bet if I were you.

I see you got tired of wearing your shades, pal.

No, I only wear them when I'm playing poker, Michael.

Wait a minute, you weren't kibitzing in that game, were you?

Michael, I was merely helping Slim sample random possibilities and arrive at a computation using

- Enough, enough.

I'm sorry I asked.

Patch me into the semi, will you?

Yes, Michael.

Bonnie, put RC on, will ya?

I'm gonna need him out here on this one.

RC.

What about me, Michael?

You know how much I love westerns.

Well, I know, pilgrim.

Maybe I can get you one of those gutsy Maureen O'Hara roles.

Yo, Michael, you do a great Jimmy Stewart.

Very funny.

What are we gonna be doing?

They're sh**ting the climax of Raging Sky tomorrow.

It's the Phantom's last chance to try and sabotage the picture.

You and I are going to stop him.

All right.

Just call us Phantom

-busters! Not so fast, RC.

It so happens I have some information which may narrow the possibilities as to the Phantom's identity.

What do you got, Devon?

When I was looking into the insurance I checked out the backers of Raging Sky as well.

Victor Gavin's corporation isn't his corporation any longer.

Then the $20 million he put up for the picture really isn't his money.

Exactly.

It was provided by his new partners whose capital comes from tainted sources.

You mean the sort of people who collect one way or another.

I'm afraid so.

Evidently, they stand to gain more if the picture isn't completed than if it is.

What next?

Stage 28.

Whoever tried to k*ll me got past both of us.

I'm gonna find out how.

Well, Hollywood, here I come.

You bum.

I have to stay here.

Hey, well, men have got to do what men have got to do.

All right, don't be a wise guy.

You know what?

This picture should be shut down and we should be filling the insurance claims by now.

You still haven't pulled it off.

Don't push me, Gavin.

This turkey's neck was on the block until Michael Knight showed up.

You've had two cracks at him and you've blown them both.

I'll make the next one count.

You do that.

Silent mode, KITT.

All right.

Give me a schematic on the stage, will you?

See if there's a way out besides the exits.

I detect a maze of catwalks high above the floor, but no other exits.

Thank you.

Keep your scanners peeled.

KITT, I think I've found something.

Get me a fix on the north side of the stage.

Right away, Michael.

My scan indicates a concealed exit, Michael.

Thanks, buddy.

You shouldn't involve yourself in affairs that don't concern you.

Good bye, Mr.

Knight.

KITT, KITT, talk to me, buddy.

Yes, Michael?

Listen, pal, I need a favor.

I'm a little hung up here.

You wanna get in here real fast?

On my way.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine.

You know, you're my favorite air bag.

I'm not quite sure how to take that, Michael.

As a compliment, until further notice.

Okay, next item.

We're doing that big stunt sequence tomorrow morning.

Notify studio security.

I want every available guard in the back lot.

Done.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Yes, well, don't forget my little friend here.

Well, I caught up with the Phantom, but he got away.

You have any idea who it was?

It's either Friar Tuck or Mr.

Gavin.

It turns out that the $20 million he put into Raging Sky wasn't his own.

As a matter of fact, he's in some serious debt to some heavy hitters.

Well, let's not be so surprised, Mr.

Knight.

No producer worth his car phone would use his own money in a movie.

Have you notified the police?

What am I gonna do?

Tell them a guy who's produced 26 pictures is running around the back lot in a phantom suit?

We gotta catch Mr.

Gavin in the act.

What are you doing here?

I have some bad news for you.

All right, cut the act, just lay it on me.

Knight found out that the organization is backing you.

And that makes them nervous.

You got a job to do.

It's none of your concern.

Of course it is.

That's why I'm here.

To protect their interests.

That's why they insisted you get me a job on this lot.

It was part of the deal.

What about our deal?

I've paid you a lot of money.

You work for me, too.

It's come down to you or them.

And the bottom line is I'm working for them.

Didn't you learn anything from all those B movies you've produced?

What are you No.

Michael, I'm not happy about this.

I don't like leaving you alone.

We don't have any choice.

You gotta cover the outside, I'll be on the set.

Yeah, that's where all the trouble's gonna be.

I still don't like it.

You got a better idea?

Well, I do now.

Yeah.

Just make sure you're in position when the camera's rolling.

All right, I'll be there.

Hi, out of gas?

It's electric.

You don't look it, but maybe you're out of juice.

Thanks, but the car's been charging all night.

Do you know anything about these things?

Just about everything there is to know.

Pop the hood.

The motor's in the back.

I've only been here a couple of days.

I have got a great idea.

I'll bet you do.

How about turning the key to ''on?

'' Hey, it's running.

And headed right for some coffee and conversation?

What's your name?

Ellie, and yours?

Reginald Cornelius III only, you can call me RC.

Yeah, right, RC, I've seen you.

You're the guy that runs through the airport and jumps over the luggage.

Do you like doing TV commercials?

Yeah.

Yeah, you know Beats the heck out of being chased by linebackers.

Why, I remember one game big game, Super Bowl.

I was dodging tackles to the right.

I was dodging tackles to the left.

And then you know what happened?

No, what?

I scored.

Thanks, Barry.

Okay, listen up.

We're gonna make one.

Got it.

Places, please, for a run

-through.

Okay, KITT, we're getting real close to showtime.

Just scan all the amm*nit*on we're using.

Right away, Michael.

The wardrobe's at the set.

Michael you know, it's not too late to change your mind.

Yeah, I know.

It's the last chance for Gavin to play his hand.

Just be careful, all right?

Thanks.

Michael, my scan indicates every round is a blank.

Thanks, pal.

Looks like Gavin's got something else in mind, huh?

We're ready, Mr.

Knight.

Yeah, come on, Michael.

Every desperate, vulnerable girl on the run needs a big, strong guy on her side.

Michael, security just found Gavin in his car.

Dead.

Oh, my God.

That means whoever's been doing this to us is still around.

Yeah.

Back to square one.

Maybe.

Mr.

Knight Let's do it, huh?

Keep an eye on us, will you?

Hey, you got it.

Place the background.

Settle, people.

Let's settle.

Makeup.

Makeup! Check them.

Now, remember Mike and Liz are running toward the barn.

The car blasts through the fence after after they take out the bad guys.

Everybody got it?

Okay, people, this is a take.

Lots of energy.

Have fun with it.

All right, let's go for one.

Marker.

And action.

KITT, get over here.

I didn't cue a black car.

Jump in.

Michael, we can take him out right here.

No, pal, we don't wanna endanger any people.

Let's wait for a clear sh*t.

Look out! Thank goodness that was a movie prop.

This place is full of surprises.

How is he doing that?

I don't know.

He's gotta have some kind of remote hookup.

KITT, you gotta get me through this.

Leave that to me, Michael.

Get out of the way! Michael, he's activated another obstruction for us.

No problem with this one, pal.

Michael, shall we bring this legend to an end?

Yeah, right now.

Come on, quick.

Right here.

Set it here.

sh**t it right there.

Lots of energy.

No sound.

Keep it going, looking good.

KITT, I need a little distraction, buddy.

Coming right up.

Cut.

Michael, are you okay?

Well, I'm not.

I broke another fingernail.

She broke another fingernail.

But I'm fine.

I'm telling ya, I have a new respect for seafood.

It really does help you live longer.

Yeah, I'd have been here, but he got the drop on me.

Oh, Michael, you were wonderful.

You took a mediocre ending and you gave it new life.

Have you ever considered a career in this?

I have a career.

I caught the Phantom, didn't I?

Phantom schmantom, I'm talking about my picture in Maui.

How would you like to be the lead?

Are you serious?

Of course, I am.

Hey, now hold on, Tobey.

I represent Mr.

Knight.

Now, dollars aside will he get a motor home and script approval?

Michael, don't forget a parking place in the shade.

You won't need a car, you'll have a chauffeur

-driven limo.

A chauffeur

-driven limousine! Fantastic! I'll take it.

No deal, he already has a contract.

How did that car get here?

Special effects.

Here you go.

Michael, when I said I wanted to treat the guy who saved the studio millions to lunch I meant champagne and caviar not cola and hotdogs.

Karen, after all the trouble I've had trying to figure out what is real and what isn't real around here I need something I can finally sink my teeth into.

I wish there was something else I could do to thank you and KITT.

There is one thing, Ms.

Bennett.

When you see Buck and Slim remind them it was a car that helped run the gunslinger out of town this time.

Gunslingers, KITT, gunslingers.

Kent agreed to testify against the people he was working for.

So you can sit back, relax and congratulate yourself on a job well done.

Relax?

This picture still has to be edited, scored, marketed, distributed

- Hey, dude, come on, sit down.

Have some chow, Karen's buying.

Thanks, but they had a little bash on the set celebrating Sam Clifford's return.

Champagne, caviar I think it's gone to my head.

You don't think?

I think that is a man in a monk's robe riding a bicycle.