Efrem Zimbalist Jr., shooting the miniseries "Great Escapes," has pleasant memories of late FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, even though Hoover never went to the set of Zimbalist's series, "The FBI," which aired from 1956 to 1974.

"A charming man - extremely Virginia formal, with beautiful Virginia speech and an extraordinary command of the language," Zimbalist told Parade magazine."After our first meeting, I was astonished a week later to receive a short note signed, `Sincerely, Edgar.' "

Zimbalist said he does not know whether the bureau had any control over the show's production, but agents were helpful opening files and offering expertise on accuracy and details.

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