Harrison Ford has portrayed the iconic character Indiana Jones in five feature films, including the original trilogy from the 1980s, “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” in 2008, and the recently premiered “Dial of Destiny” at the Cannes Film Festival. But what many fans may not remember is that Ford actually made one more appearance as Jones in the early 1990s. Although brief, this additional portrayal by Ford went unnoticed by most, but it was a moment of reprising his most recognizable character.
After George Lucas finished producing “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” in 1989, his attention turned towards a television project centered around the character. Inspired by the opening sequence in the film, where River Phoenix played a teenage Jones, Lucas decided to create a TV series depicting the character’s youth at the turn of the twentieth century. Thus, “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” was born. Airing on ABC for two seasons between 1992 and 1993, the series took a more educational approach, with each episode showcasing Indy’s encounters with historical figures and events. Throughout the series, the young protagonist crossed paths with the likes of Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Leo Tolstoy, and other notable figures. Interestingly, River Phoenix did not reprise his role as the young Indy, instead passing the torch to Corey Carrier for the first five episodes and then to Sean Patrick Flanery for the rest of the series.
Each episode of “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” followed a framed narrative structure, with the older Indiana Jones telling the story in the modern era. However, this older version of Jones was not portrayed by Harrison Ford himself. Instead, character actor George Hall took on the role as the ninety-three-year-old Indiana Jones. With an eye patch, horn-rimmed glasses, and a weathered face, Hall’s portrayal was more reminiscent of John Ford than Harrison Ford. His elderly interpretation of the character was whimsical, slightly eccentric, and quite talkative, hence his abundant storytelling. The series even revealed Jones to be a great-grandfather through his daughter’s lineage, with no mention of Mutt Williams, the character introduced in “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” George Hall’s elderly Jones bookended almost every episode, with a few exceptions, including Season 2, Episode 5, titled “Mystery of the Blues.”
In this episode, the framing narrative still began and ended with an older Jones recounting the story, but this time, Jones was portrayed by Harrison Ford himself, though not as old as George Hall’s version. The episode kicks off in the 1950s, with Ford’s Jones driving through snowy Wyoming alongside his Native American friend, Greycloud. They find themselves pursued by gun-wielding enemies and eventually seek refuge in an abandoned cabin, where Greycloud reveals that their pursuers are after his sacred peace pipe. The opening sequence resembles the familiar high-speed chases and treasure hunts characteristic of Ford’s Indiana Jones. With his trademark cool confidence, Ford carries the scene, complete with a beard he grew for his role in “The Fugitive.” However, this cinematic depiction of Jones lasts for less than five minutes.
Inside the cabin, Indy discovers an old soprano saxophone, which he starts to play with unexpected talent. He reminisces about his time as a nightclub waiter while studying at the University of Chicago, which launches the main story set in the 1920s. At this point, the episode transitions from resembling an Indiana Jones adventure to adopting the educational and campy style of “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.” The first half focuses on young Indy learning to play the saxophone and delving into the world of jazz and the blues, providing a platform to explore issues of racial division. The second half takes a sharp turn into a noir-style detective narrative, with Indy teaming up with young Eliot Ness and Earnest Hemingway to solve a murder case involving Al Capone’s bootlegging operation. The episode concludes with a return to the 1950s, where Indy and Greycloud fend off their pursuers, ultimately triumphing with the help of Jones’s saxophone skills.
It’s worth noting that Harrison Ford’s appearance in this episode was a favor to the producers, prompted by George Lucas’s involvement in Ford’s successful career. Lucas hoped Ford’s cameo would boost ratings and secure the longevity of the show. However, despite the star power, “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” was canceled by ABC at the end of the season. Lucas made several attempts to revive the series through made-for-TV movies, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
While the canonicity of “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” remains a matter of debate, “Mystery of the Blues” offers a unique and somewhat eccentric addition to the Indiana Jones universe. It may not be essential viewing, but it provides fans with a few extra minutes of Ford playing the beloved character in a distinct and unexpected context.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
