Pan Am

Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie in "Pan Am." Shot in NY by Jack Orman Prods., Without warning Entertainment and Shoe Money Prods. in association The new sony Pictures Television. Executive producers, Jack Orman, Thomas Schlamme, Nancy Hult Ganis co-executive producer, Sid Ganis producer, Paul Kurta director, Schlamme author, Orman.Maggie - Christina Ricci Laura - Margot Robbie Ted - Michael Mosley Colette - Karine Vanasse Dean - Mike Vogel Kate - Kelli GarnerLike "The Playboy Club," "Pan Am" selects a potentially sexy setting by which to see the first sixties -- when worldwide travel was both rare and exotic -- because the glamorous backdrop for any cleaning soap. Both shows get their problems, but despite some appealing elements, ABC's is just all around the map -- a strange mixture of espionage thriller, sudser and coming-of-age drama. The look of stewardesses walking in synchronized step creates an arresting promo, but this bird is really a hollow spend whose pilot, anyway, never will get off the floor. Christina Ricci may be the greatest title around the manifest, but she blends (indeed, nearly vanishes) into an ensemble of youthful flight family and friends wanting to travel the planet -- for some time, that's. "Having a face like this, you will find a husband in a few several weeks!" one of these gushes to Laura (Margot Robbie), whose Sophistication Kelly face sophistication the coverage of Existence magazine. You will find, to be certain, some interesting elements concerning the era's sexual politics, in the stews having to weigh in like cattle to some tryst between one, in france they beauty Colette (Karine Vanasse), along with a businessman who works out to become married. Ah, the traditional "Coffee, tea or me?" days. Still, series creator Jack Orman ("ER") appear to become attempting to pilot this ship in most directions at the same time, and among the stews (the appealing Kelli Garner) using her job as cover spy work with respect to the CIA. There can be an entertaining show just for the reason that -- an update of "I Spy," or "Alias 1960" -- however it needs to share screen time with the relaxation, with what creates an ungainly hour. This is an attractive cast, certainly, and director Thomas Schlamme -- working from Orman's script -- understands how to but provide the material a swingin', kinetic vibe. It is also tough to fail with period tunes like "Mack the Knife" and "All over the world (in 80 Days)" filling the soundtrack. Nevertheless, the disjointed, uneven approach leaves this thoroughly fitted production searching overdressed for that occasion, even though you will find enough moving parts to potentially arrive something interesting, turbulent takeoffs rarely bode well for that relaxation from the trip. In ways, "Pan Am" and "Playboy Club" have given off one another promotionally, being lumped together included in the bigger "What 'Mad Men' hath wrought" analysis. And also the ABC show does have a more logical lead-in, potentially obtaining a lift from "Desperate Housewives'" farewell year. Eventually, though, a set needs to fly solo, with its engines whirling so anxiously, about all "Pan Am" can perform initially is spin around in circles. Camera, John Lindley production designer, Bob Shaw editor, Take advantage of Seidenglanz music, Blake Neely casting, Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas. 60 MIN. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com