The Lawless Years (1961)

As America's interest in the Roaring '20's continued with the unbridled success of ABC's The Untouchables, NBC resurrected its own Prohibition-era crime drama The Lawless Years in the spring of 1961 as a sort of extended summer replacement program, with 20 new programs airing between May 12 and September 22. The March 25 edition of TV Guide noted that the show was returning as part of NBC's shakeup of its Friday evening lineup, replacing the first half of The Bell Telephone Hour. The program had initially launched in April 1959, the same month The Untouchables first aired as a two-part TV movie on Desilu Playhouse, and ran for 18 episodes until the end of August of that year. Its second season was then tried as a prime-time series in October 1959 but was canceled after only 9 episodes, the last airing in January 1960.

Like the man whose exploits inspired The Untouchables, New York detective Barney Ruditsky, whose unpublished memoirs were the source for The Lawless Years, had a checkered career after his glory years. He retired from the New York police force after 20 years in 1941, served in the U.S. Army in Africa during World War II, and then settled in Los Angeles, where he owned a nightclub called Sherry's, a liquor store, and a private detective agency. He also served as a technical advisor and occasionally had bit parts in feature films for 20th Century Fox: Margin for Error, Behind Green Lights, and Nocturne. However, his reputation as a scion of law and order came under attack by the Los Angeles Police Department, who suggested that his detective agency was also in the business of collecting bad gambling debts for mobsters like Bugsy Siegel and Mickey Cohen, though Ruditsky denied the accusations when called to testify before the Kefauver hearings on organized crime. However, even in his New York salad days Ruditsky was on a few occasions accused of taking bribes in underworld-backed labor disputes, though no charges were ever brought against him.

But his Hollywood detective agency was dealt a severe blow when he was at the center of the infamous Wrong Door Raid after being hired by Joe Dimaggio to spy on Marilyn Monroe, whom he suspected of having an affair. When one of Ruditsky's agents saw Monroe's car parked outside a friend's apartment which Dimaggio believed was being used for trysts with Monroe's voice coach, Ruditsky called Dimaggio, who brought along Frank Sinatra and a few other friends, and the group broke down the apartment door only to find a secretary who lived alone and had no connection to Monroe. The fallout from the incident seriously damaged Ruditsky's reputation, but not enough to keep NBC from hiring him as a technical advisor for the series based on his memoirs about his days in New York.

With Ruditsky directly involved in the series, it's no wonder that James Gregory's portrayal of him is bolt upright. Gregory's Ruditsky can't be bought, though in the episode "Ginny" (July 14, 1961) he goes undercover and pretends to take money from Dutch Schultz in order to shut down his operation of paying off dirty cops. He seems to have a somewhat cordial relationship with some of his adversaries, particularly Lepke Buchalter in "Ike, the Novelty King" (September 22, 1961), and seems to have grown up with many more, most notably Louis Kassoff in the five-part serial "Louy K" (May 26 - June 23, 1961). But he takes great pleasure in telling off the dangerous criminals he is trying to nab--calling them punks, scum, and telling them how much they stink. Remarkably, no one ever takes a shot at him or lands a punch. 

While the depiction of Ruditsky might be one dimensional, many of the stories of noted New York gangsters stick fairly close to the actual facts of their lives. "The Kid Dropper Story" (July 7, 1961) is based on the death of Nathan Kaplan, though in the TV episode he is named Jacob Koster. Dropper has a running feud with gangster Little Augie Orgen, who vows to get even and has a young upstart shoot Dropper when he is seated in a police car after being released from prison, just as he was in real life. "Little Augie" (July 21, 1961) shows Jacob "Little Augie" Orgen being gunned down by Lepke Buchalter and Gurrah Shapiro (who in the TV series is named Charlie Gurrah). And at the end of the episode "Romeo and Rose" (September 15, 1961), Ruditsky mentions that Murder, Inc. enforcer Abe Reles was eventually arrested and sang his guts out to the authorities before either jumping or being pushed out of a 10th story window to his death, just as happened to the real Abe "Kid Twist" Reles.

Since Ruditsky's memoirs were never published, it is difficult to fact-check the other stories presented on The Lawless Years. The death of the title character in "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" (May 12, 1961) is depicted as having been ordered by rival gangster Dutch Schultz, which was one of the prevailing theories at the time. But later testimony suggests that it was more likely the work of the Albany, New York police force. And the five-part "Louy K" serial is believed to have been loosely based on the life of underworld mastermind Meyer Lansky, who was still alive and doing business when The Lawless Years aired. Though he was a Russian immigrant and a key organizer and brain trust of New York gangster activities, eventually setting up gambling operations in Las Vegas and running a successful hotel in pre-revolutionary Havana, he was not driven to a life of crime by the rape of his sister and he was not gunned down by Buchalter's men after leaving the organization after his sister's death. The Louy K serial is one of the least successful of the stories on The Lawless Years because there isn't enough action to warrant devoting five full episodes to it, and it has the smell of melodrama with Kassoff's shouting denunciation of his rabbinical studies after he is powerless to stop his sister's rape. Though the shorter 30-minute treatment of other stories can at times seem procedural and formulaic, at least the pacing doesn't drag as it does in the Louy K series.

Since it had failed in its lone attempt as a fall prime-time series and was brought back as an extended summer stop-gap, it's no surprise that The Lawless Years was not given another shot at NBC's regular seasonal schedule. Ruditsky himself would die the next year from a heart attack shortly after being diagnosed with a colon tumor. The Roaring 20's fad in 1960s American television wouldn't last much longer--The Roaring 20's was canceled in 1962, and The Untouchables in 1963. But the genre has a certain timeless appeal, as shown with the more recent Boardwalk Empire series, which ran from 2010 until 2014. It's just unfortunate that Ruditsky didn't chronicle his days in Los Angeles.

Though no on-screen credit is given for the theme music or individual scores for The Lawless Years, musical supervision was handled by Raoul Kraushaar (he is credited with composing the theme on imdb.com), who was born in Paris, France the son of an orchestral musician. After his mother died, he went to live with an aunt and then stowed away on an ocean liner headed for New York. He studied musical arrangement at Columbia University before moving to Los Angeles in the 1930s. There he worked arranging for big bands and later secured a job with Republic Pictures, which resulted in working on Gene Autry feature films beginning with Rovin' Tumbleweeds in 1939. After the war he began hiring out to a number of other studios and worked on science fiction classics such as Preshistoric Women, Invaders From Mars, and The Unknown Terror as well as the noir classic The Blue Gardenia and a number of B-grade westerns. In 1952 his work on Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd led to his being hired to write the theme and material for individual episodes of The Abbott and Costello Show. While continuing prolific work on feature westerns, he also found work on more TV series such as Hopalong Cassidy and Lassie, for which he was at one time credited with writing the theme, but this was later proved to have been written by William Lava. The issue of uncertain attribution, common for the era, makes it hard to know exactly how much of the music Kraushaar composed on the series he supervised, he is credited with composing for 24 episodes of Mister Ed in 1961, as well as 2 episodes each of Assignment Underwater and Outlaws. His credited compositional work for the remainder of his career, which ran through the 1970s, consisted of more B grade features, most notably the 1966 camp classics Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter and Billy the Kid Versus Dracula. His last credit was for the 1980 TV movie Children of Divorce, after which he retired to Pompano Beach, Florida. He died there at the age of 93 on October 13, 2001.

The "complete series" has been released on DVD by Timeless Media Group. However, this 45-episode collection is missing the two-part "Mad Dog Coll Story," which aired on July 28 and August 4, 1961.

The Actors

For the biography for James Gregory, see the post for The Lawless Years 1960.

Robert Karnes

Robert Anthony Karnes was born in Paducah, Kentucky, though he was living in Arizona by the time he received his Social Security card. Little is known about his early years, but he broke into film roles in the mid-1940s, beginning with an uncredited appearance in The Leopard Man in 1943. Though most of his early work was similarly without credits, he appeared in some major motion pictures during this era--The Best Years of Our Lives, Miracle on 34th Street, Gentlemen's Agreement, All the King's Men, Call Northside 777, and From Here to Eternity. His television debut came in 1951, appearing on three different programs but all in likewise unnamed character parts. His career throughout the 1950s was prolific but consisted largely of minor roles or supporting roles in B-movie material, such as Project Moon Base and Half Human. His role as Barney Ruditsky's sidekick Max Fields was his first recurring TV role, appearing 21 times on the series between 1959-61. This role seemingly led to more regular TV work: he appeared four times as Deputy D.A. Victor Chamberlin on Perry Mason in 1960-61, as well as multiple appearances on The Real McCoys, Have Gun -- Will Travel, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents during the same period. He remained very busy throughout the rest of his career, making 11 appearances on Gunsmoke, 6 on Ironside, and 5 on Bonanza in addition to dozens of other programs, though his only other recurring role was playing Sheriff King in 4 episodes of The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in 1977. Married to actress Doris Karnes for 38 years, he died from heart failure on December 4, 1979 at the age of 62.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 3, Episode 1, "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story": Robert Ellenstein (shown on the left, appeared in 3:10 to Yuma, Too Much Too Soon, and North by Northwest) plays mobster Jack "Legs" Diamond. Joseph Mell (appeared in When World Collide, The Lost Planet, Magnificent Obsession, and I Was a Teenage Werewolf and played Bill Pence on Gunsmoke) plays Hotsy Totsy Club co-owner Charlie Entra. Dick Wilson (Dino Barone on McHale's Navy and George Whipple in Charmin toilet paper commercials) plays club manager Hymie Cee. Peggy Maley (starred in The Lady Says No, The Wild One, Human Desire, and The Guns of Fort Petticoat) plays Diamond's wife Alice. Norman Alden (Johnny Ringo on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Captain Horton on Rango, Grundy on Not for Hire, Tom Williams on My Three Sons, and Coach Leroy Fedders on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) plays Dutch Schultz hitman Lulu.

Season 3, Episode 2, "The Sonny Rosen Story II": John Gabriel (shown on the right, played Andy Rivers on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Mr. Van Huyten on A Kind of Loving, Dr. Seneca Beaulac on Ryan's Hope, and Pete LeGrand on Days of Our Lives) plays spoiled rich kid Sonny Rosen. Peter Brocco (Peter the waiter on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show) plays his father Meyer. Dorothy Adams (appeared in Laura, The Best Years of Our Lives, The Winning Team, and The Killing) plays his mother Sarah. Bernard Fein (Pvt Gomez on The Phil Silvers Show) plays thug Bo Scalsi. Charles Wagenheim (Halligan on Gunsmoke) plays informant Louie the Gimp.

Season 3, Episode 3, "Louy K: Part 1": Paul Richards (appeared in Playgirl and Beneath the Planet of the Apes) plays gangster kingpin Louis Kassoff. Naomi Stevens (Juanita on The Doris Day Show, Mama Rossini on My Three Sons, Rose Montefusco on The Montefuscos, and Sgt. Bella Archer on Vega$) plays his Aunt Rose.  Baruch Lumet (renowned Yiddish theater actor who appeared in The Killer Shrews, The Interns, and The Pawnbroker) plays a street vendor.

Season 3, Episode 4, "Louy K: Part 2--Sing Sing": Paul Richards (shown on the left, see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as Louis Kassoff. Naomi Stevens (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as his Aunt Rose. John Vivyan (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Mr. Lucky) plays gangster Lepke Buchalter.  Robert Ellenstein (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) returns as Legs Diamond. Henry Corden (Carlo on The Count of Monte Cristo, and Babbitt on The Monkees and did voicework on The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, The Atom Ant Show, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and Return to the Planet of the Apes) plays gangster Waxey Gordon. Stanley Adams (Lt. Morse on Not for Hire) plays gangster Charlie Gurrah. Ken Mayer (Major Robbie Robertson on Space Patrol) plays prison guard Stagg. Joseph Mell (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) plays a fish peddler.

Season 3, Episode 5, "Louy K: Part 3--Birth of the Organization": Paul Richards (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as Louis Kassoff. Jack Weston (Wilbur "Wormsey" Wormser on Red Brown of the Rocket Rangers, Chick Adams on My Sister Eileen, Walter Hathaway on The Hathaways, and Danny Zimmer on The Four Seasons) plays mob financier A.J. Naomi Stevens (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as his Aunt Rose. John Vivyan (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Lepke Buchalter.  Robert Ellenstein (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) returns as Legs Diamond. Henry Corden (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Waxey Gordon. Stanley Adams (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Charlie Gurrah. Norman Alden (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) plays gangster Lucky Luciano. Dick Wilson (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) plays gangster Little Augie Orgen.

Season 3, Episode 6, "Louy K: Part 4--Heydays of the Organization": Paul Richards (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as Louis Kassoff. Naomi Stevens (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as his Aunt Rose. John Vivyan (shown on the right, see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Lepke Buchalter.  Robert Ellenstein (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) returns as Legs Diamond. Joan Staley (Playboy Playmate who appeared in Cape Fear, Roustabout, Valley of the Dragons, Johnny Cool, and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken and played Hannah on 77 Sunset Strip and Roberta Love on Broadside) plays Diamond's mistress Kiki Roberts. Henry Corden (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Waxey Gordon. Stanley Adams (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Charlie Gurrah. Norman Alden (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) plays gangster Lucky Luciano. Milton Frome (starred in Pardners, The Delicate Delinquent, and The Swinger and played Lawrence Chapman on The Beverly Hillbillies) plays Ruditsky's superior Capt. McCloskey.

Season 3, Episode 7, "Louy K: Part 5--The Disintegration": Paul Richards (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as Louis Kassoff. Naomi Stevens (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) returns as his Aunt Rose. John Vivyan (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Lepke Buchalter.  Henry Corden (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Waxey Gordon. Stanley Adams (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Charlie Gurrah. Joseph Mell (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) returns as a fish peddler.

Season 3, Episode 8, "The Miles Miller Story": Walter Burke (shown on the left, starred in All the King's Men, Jack the Giant Killer, and Support Your Local Sheriff! and played Tim Potter on Black Saddle) plays underworld attorney and mastermind Miles Miller. Richard Reeves (Mr. Murphy on Date With the Angels) plays one of his thugs Red Morin. Joan Staley (see "Louy K: Part 4--Heydays of the Organization" above) plays Miller's girlfriend Daphne Marco. Meg Wyllie (Mrs. Kissell on The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters and Aunt Lolly Stemple on Mad About You) plays an insurance company agent's wife Mrs. Banks.

Season 3, Episode 9, "The Kid Dropper Story": Jack Weston (see " Louy K: Part 3--Birth of the Organization" above) plays gangster Jacob "Kid Dropper" Koster. Al Ruscio (Paul Locatelli on Shannon, Sal Giordano on Life Goes On, and Frank Ruscio on Joe's Life) plays his brother Benjamin.  Bartlett Robinson (Frank Caldwell on Mona McCluskey) plays the New York District Attorney.  Milton Frome (see "Louy K: Part 4--Heydays of the Organization" above) plays Ruditsky's superior Capt. Coombs. Ron Soble (Dirty Jim on The Monroes) plays Little Augie henchman Big Smiley.

Season 3, Episode 10, "Ginny": Barbara Stuart (shown on the right, played Bessie on The Great Gildersleeve, Alice on Pete and Gladys, Bunny on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Peggy Ferguson on The McLean Stevenson Show, Marianne Danzig on Our Family Honor, and Alice on Huff) plays Dutch Schultz's girlfriend Ginny. Milton Frome (see "Louy K: Part 4--Heydays of the Organization" above) returns as Capt. McCloskey. Hal Hamilton (Dr. Sidney Fell on Days of Our Lives) plays dirty cop Det. Rand. Bobs Watson (Sidney on The Jim Backus Show) plays a popcorn vendor.

Season 3, Episode 11, "Little Augie": Vic Morrow (shown on the left, starred in Tribute to a Bad Man, God's Little Acre, and Portrait of a Mobster and played Sgt. Saunders on Combat! and Capt. Eugene Nathan on B.A.D. Cats) plays gangster Jacob "Little Augie" Orgen. Stanley Adams (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Charlie Gurrah. Sid Tomack (Jim Gillis on The Life of Riley) plays garment factory owner Henry James. Orville Sherman (Mr. Feeney on Buckskin, Wib Smith on Gunsmoke, and Tupper on Daniel Boone) plays one of his striking workers Samuel Landman. Terence de Marney (Case Thomas on Johnny Ringo and Counsellor Doone on Lorna Doone) plays underworld financier A.J. Tyler McVey (Gen. Maj. Norgath on Men Into Space) plays a judge. Hugh Sanders (starred in That's My Boy, The Pride of St. Louis, The Winning Team, and The Wild One) plays the New York District Attorney.

Season 3, Episode 14, "Blood Brothers": Harry Dean Stanton (shown on the right, appeared in Kelly's Heroes, Dillinger, Cool Hand Luke, Repo Man, Pretty in Pink, Alien, Paris, Texas and played Jake Walters on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) plays small-time punk Tommy Ryan. Joe Corey (Humphrey Humpsteader on Dear Phoebe) plays his best friend Vince Matteo.

 

Season 3, Episode 15, "The Victor Gorido Story": Henry Corden (shown on the left, see "Louy K: Part 2" above) plays hitman Victor Gorido. Dick Miller (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) plays his partner Happy Mione. Charles Wagenheim (see "The Sonny Rosen Story II" above) returns as Louie the Gimp.

Season 3, Episode 16, "Artie Moon": George Brenlin (Benny on General Hospital and Deke Dukowski on Adam-12) plays small-time racketeer Artie Moon. Mary Webster (Rachel Verinder on The Moonstone, Jill Reed on Emergency-Ward 10, Anna on Circus, and Sarah Onedin on The Onedin Line) plays his wife Goldie. Warren Oates (starred in In the Heat of the Night, The Wild Bunch, and Stripes and who played Ves Painter on Stoney Burke) plays his partner Charlie Brown.

Season 3, Episode 17, "Triple Cross": Stephen Roberts (Mr. Stan Peeples on Mr. Novak) plays thug Olaf Jurgeson. Nita Talbot (shown on the right, played Dora Miles on The Jim Backus Show, Marya on Hogan's Heroes, Judy Evans on Here We Go Again, Delfina on General Hospital, and Rose on Starting From Scratch) plays his girlfriend Mildred Greyson. John Gabriel (see "The Sonny Rosen Story II" above) plays his getaway driver Eddie Maschio. David Fresco (Albert Wysong on Murder One) plays Charlie Lucky operative Crawford. Peter Brocco (see "The Sonny Rosen Story II" above) plays Mildred's father Isaac Gross.

Season 3, Episode 18, "The Jonathan Wills Story": Tommy Cook (played Little Beaver in the Red Ryder radio serial and in feature film The Adventures of Red Ryder and appeared in Jungle Girl, Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, Humoresque, and Teenage Crime Wave) plays low-level criminal Joey Valenti.

Season 3, Episode 19, "Romeo and Rose": Paul Richards (see "Louy K: Part 1" above) plays hitman Manny "Romeo" Farkas.

Season 3, Episode 20, "Ike, the Novelty King": Joseph Mell (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) plays novelty shop owner Ike, the Novely King. John Vivyan (see "Louy K: Part 2" above) returns as Lepke Buchalter. James Lanphier (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Peter Gunn) plays Lepke's lieutenant Pittsburgh Phil. Orville Sherman (see "Little Augie" above) plays furrier Sam. Norman Alden (see "The Jack 'Legs' Diamond Story" above) returns as Dutch Schultz hitman Lulu.

Peter Gunn (1960)

Known more for its iconic Henry Mancini-penned theme song than the actual show itself, Peter Gunn was undoubtedly one of the best crime dramas of its era. Not only did it feature the stellar composing and arranging of one of the soundtrack kings, it was created, produced, and at times written by Blake Edwards and had a style that inspired imitators (e.g., JohnnyStaccato) and countless parodies. In its debut season (1958-59), it shot to #17 in the ratings, but the show lasted only three seasons--the first two on NBC, the last on ABC--as Edwards moved on to an even more successful career as the director of hit movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's, Days of Wine and Roses, and, of course, the Pink Panther series, all of which also featured music by Mancini.

But it wasn't just the music that made Peter Gunn a success, though it was a major component. Not only did Mancini's soundtrack superbly support the action, Gunn's home base was set in jazz club Mother's, whose proprietress was played by Hope Emerson in Season 1 and Minerva Urecal in Season 2. And the star performer at Mother's was Gunn's main squeeze, jazz singer Edie Hart, played by Lola Albright. In Season 3, Mother disappears without explanation, and Edie opens her own eponymous supper club in the season's third episode, "The Maitre D'" (October 17, 1960), an episode that also introduces the character of Leslie, a mobster/gourmet restaurateur whose own restaurant is blown up by a rival, at which point he accepts an offer to serve as Edie's maitre d'. The cast is rounded out by the dyspeptic and deadpan police Lieutenant Jacoby, played brilliantly by Herschel Bernardi.

Much has been made about Gunn being a new kind of private detective--upscale and unflappably cool. Edwards certainly mined the rich vault of film noir cinema in setting the tone for Peter Gunn, often featuring night-time scenes awash in stark contrasts and striking camera angles that included extreme close-ups (see the Notable Guest Stars section below) or unusual juxtapositions between foreground and background that give scenes a surreal sense of depth. But this wasn't Edwards' first foray into the private eye genre: he had created and produced the radio series Richard Diamond, Private Detective, which starred Dick Powell in its radio incarnation and then moved to TV in 1957 starring a pre-Fugitive David Janssen. What separates Gunn from the Sam Spade ilk of private detectives is that he's not some run-down, half-alcoholic loser who may be great at solving crimes but is pretty much a disaster at everything else. Gunn has a swank apartment, a stunning girl-friend, a fee of $1,000 per case (though he seems to frequently work for less), and a top-of-the-line Plymouth Fury convertible with a phone in it--the type of setup James Bond could boast a few years later. Even when his life's in danger, Gunn never seems to get too excited, though he isn't above roughing somebody up when the mood strikes him. In fact, it's the criminals who are the excitable type in Gunn, usually driven by some insane dementia or insatiable greed. By contrast Gunn maintains an almost Buddha-like calm, allowing him to see clearly and unravel each case.

He is often aided, sometimes unwillingly, by Jacoby, who finds Gunn nothing but trouble and yet comes to his rescue again and again. The plots on the show may be sometimes predictable or contrived, but it's the interplay between Gunn and Jacoby that makes the series great. Other shows (in particular, Lock Up) have tried to match their give and take, but none really matched their off-hand comedic repartee. For example, in the episode "Sepi" (December 19, 1960) Jacoby tells Gunn that young Sepi's benefactor, Mrs. Lisa Nye, is not only very wealthy but a very good sculptor as well, perhaps not as good as Rodin, but then who is? Gunn says he is surprised and impressed by Jacoby's erudition and cultural development. Jacoby retorts that the library is free; comic books cost money. This scene, and others like it, are expertly acted by Stevens and Bernardi, tossing off the lines with a nonchalant delivery that underplays the punchline so that it sometimes doesn't sink in until a few seconds later. That Edwards and his writers recognized that these exchanges were the gold of the series is evidenced by the occasional reference that Gunn and Jacoby make to each other along the lines of, "I guess now we'll engage in some witty repartee." Of course, the sardonic private eye has been a crime fiction staple dating back to Raymond Chandler, but Gunn and Jacoby's banter isn't dripping with sarcasm so much as it evinces a playful teasing between two colleagues who really like each other but keep up the pretense of sarcasm to avoid explicitly expressing their affection.

Like other detective shows, Gunn's working relationship with Jacoby in the solving of crimes or dealing with threats is at times strained. Much as Hamilton Burger and Lt. Tragg believe Perry Mason's snooping on behalf of his clients often interferes with their official investigations, Jacoby finds Gunn's parallel efforts on cases being handled by the police to be a nuisance, though just as often it's because Gunn has access to resources and methods that Jacoby is prevented from using. Gunn's abnormal success is due in large part to his ring of informants, "sleazy ex-cons" Jacoby might call them, who, for the right price, can point him to who might have pulled a recent heist or be motivated to blackmail a particular client. While Gunn always maintains an upscale appearance and demeanor, his associates are not so refined.

Like his relationship with Jacoby, Gunn's relationship with Edie follows a similar indirect pattern. He is forever showing up at the club promising to spend the evening with her or offering to take her out to dinner only to be interrupted by a phone call or a prospective client showing up unannounced, thereby inevitably drawing him away on business. Edie knows that these interruptions come with the territory but playfully feigns anger or resignation, threatening to exact some sort of punishment on Gunn later, though rarely following through. One exception is in "Witness in the Window" (May 2, 1960) when she pours a planter of water over his head.  In another episode she kicks him in the shin before storming off, but usually she takes his departures more in stride. However, the couple also has a pattern of pretended miscommunication in Edie's subtle suggestions that they should get married. Gunn's usual response is to not even acknowledge the topic but immediately change the conversation or, in most cases, dash off on business. However, he is forced into a more domestic arrangement in "Baby Shoes" (June 27, 1960) when an acquaintance who plans to testify against a mobster unexpectedly and anonymously drops his baby on Gunn's doorstep after his wife has been murdered. Gunn has no clue of how to take care of a baby and immediately calls Edie and persuades her to leave her work responsibilities at Mother's to come bail him out. By the end of the episode with the mobster dispatched and Gunn's friend having made arrangements for a relative to take care of the baby, Edie says that she is going to miss having a baby to care for. Gunn deftly avoids picking up the bait, but as the camera pans out we see his swinging bachelor pad strung with a clothesline drying baby diapers.

Besides Gunn's car phone, the series was also ahead of its time in some of the themes it handled. The previously mentioned episode "Sepi" dealt with illegal immigration, as the title character, a young boy from Central America, and his father were brought to the U.S. illegally by a wealthy childless benefactress who fell in love with the boy and could not bear to be parted from him. However, her husband uses the situation to secretly extort money from her but is eventually caught in the act. Afterwards, the boy and his father are forced to return to their home country but are promised a chance to enter the country legally once they have been home for six months. In "Take Five for Murder" (December 5, 1960) music promoter Mitch Borden elevates a talentless but good-looking singer to stardom through technical gimmickry--in this case, a tape recorder with sound effects strapped to the inside of the singer's guitar, not so different in concept from the studio tools such as auto-tune and lip-syncing to pre-recorded music used by today's music stars. Other episodes include a tea-party-like candidate who runs on a platform of no taxes ("The Candidate," October 24, 1960) and a car-bombing terrorist ("Slight Touch of Homicide," April 11, 1960). Peter Gunn was also ahead of its time in its depiction of African-Americans who appear in a wide variety of roles--from nightclub singer to taxi driver to police sergeant. The show was also one of the few to have a semi-regular little person: actor Billy Barty appeared in 8 episodes as pool hustler and Gunn informant Babby, and the episode "The Dummy" (April 4, 1960) features a little person impersonating a ventriloquist dummy who eventually kills his abusive employer. Demographically, then, the series broke out of the world of white normality treated exclusively in other shows--yet another reason why Peter Gunn holds up better today than most of its contemporaries.

Enrico Nicola "Henry" Mancini may be the best-known American soundtrack composer of all time. Certainly the Peter Gunn and Pink Panther themes are among the most recognizable instrumental compositions of the 20th Century. Mancini's list of accomplishments is too lengthy for this modest blog but included 20 Grammy wins out of 72 nominations and 4 Academy Awards out of 18 nominations. His father taught him to play the flute at the age of 8, and four years later he took up the piano. He attended the prestigious Julliard School of Music. After serving in World War II, he joined the Glenn Miller-Tex Beneke Orchestra, where he met his wife Ginny who was singing with Mel Torme's Mel-Tones. In 1952 he joined Universal Pictures' music department where he scored several films, most notably the noir classic Touch of Evil. He left Universal in 1958, the same year he teamed up with Edwards on Peter Gunn, and the rest, as they say, is history. He passed away in 1994 at the age of 70.

The complete series has been released on DVD by TimelessMedia Group.

The Actors

Craig Stevens

Gail Shikles, Jr. was the son of a school teacher born in Liberty, MO who studied dentistry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He received a Bachelor's Degree from the institution in 1936 at the age of 18, then decided to pursue a career in acting, first under the name Michael Gale. From an uncredited appearance in 1939's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Stevens spent nearly 20 years in second- and third-tier movie roles before landing the lead in Peter Gunn. He began landing supporting roles in television in 1950, starting with The Lone Ranger, including multiple appearances on The Loretta Young Show and State Trooper.

Two seasons after Gunn ended, he played the lead role of world-traveling photographer and journalist Michael Strait in the British series Man of the World, which lasted only 20 episodes. A year after that he had the lead role of press agent Mike Bell in Mr. Broadway, which suffered a similar short-lived span of only 13 episodes. He reprised his role as Peter Gunn in Edwards' 1967 feature-length film Gunn, which went nowhere, then settled into a string of occasional supporting TV roles before finding another regular gig behind David McCallum in the 13-episode run of The Invisible Man in 1975-76. From there until his retirement in 1988, he appeared in a string of TV guest appearances and a supporting role in yet another Edwards' production, the Hollywood send-up S.O.B. He died from cancer at the age of 81 in 2000.

Lola Albright

Born in Akron, Ohio, Albright worked as a model and in radio before moving to Hollywood in the mid-1940s. After a few uncredited roles, she landed a major part in the Kirk Douglas boxing feature Champion in 1949. From there she appeared in supporting roles in a number of B-westerns but also scored roles in films like The Tender Trap and appeared as a guest vocalist 8 times on All Star Revue in 1951-52. She had an occasional recurring role as Kay Michaels on The Bob Cummings Show from 1955-57 before being cast as Edie Hart on Peter Gunn in 1958. She perhaps helped her chances for a role on Gunn when she released a vocal record, Lola Wants You, with arrangements by Dean Elliott in 1957. She sings one of the standards from that album, "Candy," in Gunn episode "The Murder Clause" (March 28, 1960). During the show's run, she released another album, Dreamsville, this time with the backing of Mancini and a set list comprised solely of his compositions, an obvious tie-in with the show. She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Emmy in 1959.

After Gunn ended in 1961, she had a consistent string of TV appearances, including five turns on Burke's Law and a single episode of Stevens' short-lived Mr. Broadway. She took over the role of Constance McKenzie Carson on Peyton Place in 1965 when Dorothy Malone became ill. The following year she won a Silver Bear award for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival for her performance in the Roddy McDowell feature Lord Love a Duck. In the late 60s her movie appearances continued in bigger budget numbers like The Way West, The Money Jungle, Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?, and The Impossible Years. The TV appearances stretched into the 1980s on shows like The Incredible Hulk, Quincy, M.E., and Airwolf, her last appearance in 1984, though imdb.com lists her as appearing in a 2013 episode of the independently produced show The 3 Bits. She was married to actor Jack Carson from 1952-58 and actor Bill Chadney, who played the pianist at Mother's on Peter Gunn, from 1961-75. She lives alone now in California.

Herschel Bernardi

Born the son of Yiddish theatre performers Berel and Helen Bernardi, Herschel Bernardi took to the stage before he could talk and appeared in uncredited roles in the Yiddish films of Edward G. Ulmer in the 1930s. He then disappeared from movies and TVs in the 1950s as a result of being blacklisted as a leftist communist sympathizer, an accusation he could only overcome with a payoff that allowed his career to resume in 1958 with appearances on Harbor Command, Mike Hammer, and State Trooper before landing the role of Lt. Jacoby on Peter Gunn, for which he, like Albright, received an Emmy nomination in 1959.

He appeared with Albright in the 1961 feature film A Cold Wind in August and had occasional TV guest spots on shows like Naked City and The Untouchables as well as voicework on animated shows like The Flintstones and Top Cat. His most memorable voicework, however, was in TV commercials, most notably as the voice of Starkist's Charlie the Tuna and as the Jolly Green Giant. He had major roles as Inspector Lefevre in Billy Wilder's Irma la Douce and as Dominick Rossini in the Steve McQueen-Natalie Wood melodrama Love With the Proper Stranger. He also made his mark on the stage, receiving a Tony nomination for playing the lead in Zorba and taking over for Zero Mostel in the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. He also recorded several vocal albums (one containing the songs from Fiddler on the Roof), though his vocal abilities were not quite in the same league as Albright's. In 1970 he was cast in the title role of the comedy Arnie about a dock worker suddenly promoted into a managerial position. The series ran for two years and garnered two Golden Globe nominations for Bernardi. He appeared in Woody Allen's feature film about the blacklist era The Front in 1976 and remained active on the stage and in film until his death of a heart attack at the age of 62 on May 9, 1986.

Minerva Urecal

Born Minerva Holzer, Urecal took her odd stage last name as a kind of twisted version of her hometown of Eureka, CA, where she was born in 1894. Her dramatic career began on the stage and in radio, though at age 40 she began appearing on film, usually in bit, uncredited parts that called for a stern and annoyed female figure, given her withering appearance. On TV she had recurring roles as Dean Bradey on Ray Milland's Meet Mr. McNulty in 1953-54 and as Jim Bowie's mother on The Adventures of Jim Bowie in 1956-57. She was given the lead role in the syndicated show The Adventures of Tugboat Annie, which ran for a single season in 1957, playing the widow of a sea captain who inherits his tugboat and has many misadventures trying to keep it afloat. She took over the role of Mother from Hope Emerson for Season 2 of Peter Gunn, but was then eased out of the show by the time Season 3 rolled around.

She had occasional TV appearances on shows such as Perry Mason, The Real McCoys, and Petticoat Junction, as well as movie parts in Jimmy Stewart's Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation and Tony Randall's The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao before passing away from a heart attack at age 71 on February 26, 1966.

James Lanphier

Not much has been published online about James Lanphier, who was introduced in the role of Leslie, the former mobster and gourmet, in Season 3 of Peter Gunn as a kind of replacement for the character of Mother. He was born August 31, 1920 on Long Island. His TV career began in 1949 and his sparse film career included uncredited appearances in The Deadly Mantis and Bell, Book, and Candle in the late 50s. He first worked with Blake Edwards in an uncredited role as a maitre d' in the 1960 feature High Time, presaging his appearance on Gunn in the episode "The Maitre D'." He again played a maitre d' in another Edwards film, Darling Lili, released after his death in 1970. In between, he also appeared in the Edwards films Breakfast at Tiffany's, Experiment in Terror, Days of Wine and Roses, The Pink Panther, and The Party. He also served as dialogue supervisor on Days of Wine and Roses and as dialogue coach on The Pink Panther. Sprinkled in amongst the film roles were occasional TV appearances on shows such as Mission: Impossible!, Get Smart, The Time Tunnel, and The Green Hornet. He died from a stroke at age 48 on February 11, 1969.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 2, Episode 15, "Hot Money": Ken Lynch (shown on the right, appeared in I Married a Monster From Outer Space, Anatomy of a Murder, and Dead Ringer and played Lt. Thomas Brand on Checkmate, Det. Lt. Tom Handley on Arrest and Trial, Lt. Barney Keller on Honey West, and Police Sgt. Grover on McCloud) plays mobster Shoes Shoemaker. Francis De Sales (Lt. Bill Weigand on Mr. & Mrs. North, Ralph Dobson on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, Sheriff Maddox on Two Faces West, and Rusty Lincoln on Days of Our Lives) plays the district attorney. Olan Soule (played Aristotle "Tut" Jones on Captain Midnight, Ray Pinker on Dragnet (1952-59), and Fred Springer on Arnie) plays the assistant D.A. Dan Barton (Det. Sgt. Burke on Dan Raven) plays laundromat owner Louis Anza. 

Season 2, Episode 16, "Spell of Murder": Malcolm Atterbury (starred in I Was a Teenage Werewolf, The Birds, and The Learning Tree and played John Bixby on Wagon Train and Grandfather Aldon on Apple's Way) plays wealthy estate owner Arnold Simpson. Stephen Joyce (Bubba Wadsworth on Texas and Admiral Walter Strichen on Wiseguy) plays his nephew Ralph Logan. Ben Hammer (Judge Herman Mooney on Law & Order) plays family psychologist Professor John Wyler. Mary Gregory (appeared in Sleeper and Coming Home and played Dr. Stanwhich on Knots Landing and Judge Pendleton on L.A. Law) plays Mrs. Victor, wife of alleged Simpson stalker Ralph Victor. Larry J. Blake (the unnamed jailer on Yancy Derringer and Tom Parnell on Saints and Sinners) plays the owner of the Blue Pheasant. 

Season 2, Episode 17, "The Grudge": Sam Gist (appeared in The Stratton Story, Angel Face, Strangers on a Train, and Operation Petticoat and directed episodes of Peter Gunn, Naked City, and The Richard Boone Show) plays mental patient Miles Spence. Alexander Lockwood (Judge Baker on Sam Benedict) plays psychiatrist Dr. Albert Crawford. 

Season 2, Episode 18, "Fill the Cup": John McIntire (shown on the left, starred in Call Northside 777, The Street With No Name, Winchester '73, Psycho, and Elmer Gantry and played Lt. Dan Muldoon on Naked City, Christopher Hale on Wagon Train, Clay Grainger on The Virginian, and Dutch McHenry on Shirley) plays desperate alcoholic Wilson Getty. Holly McIntire (daughter of John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan) plays his daughter Barbara. Bill Quinn (Frank Sweeney on The Rifleman, Judge Tesman on Arrest and Trial, and Mr. Van Ranseleer on All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place) plays Getty's friend Harry. Henry Corden (Carlo on The Count of Monte Cristo, Waxey Gordon on The Lawless Years, and Babbitt on The Monkees and did voicework on The Flintstones, Jonny Quest, The Atom Ant Show, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour and Return to the Planet of the Apes) plays a bartender. John Indrisano (John the Chauffeur on O.K. Crackerby!) plays a skid row bartender.

Season 2, Episode 19, "See No Evil": Walter Burke (starred in All the King's Men, Jack the Giant Killer, and Support Your Local Sheriff! and played Tim Potter on Black Saddle) plays blind newspaper seller Cliffie Thomas. Jon Lormer (Harry Tate on Lawman, various autopsy surgeons and medical examiners in 12 episodes of Perry Mason, and Judge Irwin A. Chester on Peyton Place) plays a judge. Benny Rubin (the voice of Joe Jitsu and Pruneface on The Dick Tracy Show) plays wrestling promoter Igor. Tor Johnson (shown on the right, professional wrestler, starred in Bride of the Monster, Night of the Ghouls, and Plan 9 From Outer Space) plays mental patient Bruno.

 Season 2, Episode 20, "Sentenced": Robert Ellenstein (appeared in 3:10 to Yuma, Too Much Too Soon, and North by Northwest and played Legs Diamond on The Lawless Years) plays bank president John Pauley. Ned Glass (MSgt. Andy Pendleton on The Phil Silvers Show, Sol Cooper on Julia, and Uncle Moe Plotnick on Bridget Loves Bernie) plays locksmith Sylvester. Dick Geary (played various scuba divers and law enforcement officers in 13 episodes of Perry Mason) plays an unnamed hoodlum.

Season 2, Episode 21, "The Hunt": Gordon Oliver (who was executive producer for Peter Gunn and Mr. Lucky) plays a hired assassin. Charles Wagenheim (Halligan on Gunsmoke) plays an unnamed drifter. Ralph Moody (Doc Burrage on The Rifleman) plays a gas station proprietor.

Season 2, Episode 22, "Hollywood Calling": Harry Lauter (Ranger Clay Morgan on Tales of the Texas Rangers, Atlasande on Rocky Jones, Space Ranger, and Jim Herrick on Waterfront) plays Hollywood movie producer Nonamaker. Terry Frost (Sgt. Moore/Morse/Morris on Highway Patrol) plays a movie director. Sid Melton (Ichabod Mudd on Captain Midnight, Uncle Charley Halper on The Danny Thomas Show and Make Room for Granddaddy, Alf Monroe on Green Acres, Friendly Freddy on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., and Salvadore Petrillo on The Golden Girls) plays tobacco shop owner Jerry.

Season 2, Episode 23, "Sing a Song of Murder": Diahann Carroll (shown on the left, recording artist who starred in Porgy and Bess, Paris Blues, Hurry Sundown, and Claudine and played Julia Baker on Julia, Dominique Deveraux on Dynasty and The Colbys, Marion Gilbert on A Different World, Ida Grayson on Lonseome Dove: The Series, Jane Burke on Grey's Anatomy, and June Ellington on White Collar) plays night-club singer Dina Wright. James Edwards (starred in The Joe Louis Story, Seven Angry Men, The Manchurian Candidate, and The Sandpiper) plays her husband Arnie Kelton. Jan Arvan (Nacho Torres on Zorro and Paw Kadiddlehopper on The Red Skelton Hour) plays night-club owner Monty.

 

Season 2, Episode 24, "The Long, Long Ride": Robert J. Wilke (Capt. Mendoza on Zorro) plays former mob boss Joe Webber. Claudia Barnett (starred in Robot Monster) plays his daughter Carole. Elisha Cook, Jr. (starred in The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, The Great Gatsby (1949), and The Killing and who played Francis "Ice Pick" Hofstetler on Magnum P.I.) plays informant Snooker. Gregory Morton (Mr. Wainwright on Peyton Place and Walter Williams on Ben Casey) plays mobster Al Sandville. Larry Darr (makeup artist on The Love Boat) plays his henchman. 

Season 2, Episode 25, "The Deadly Proposition": David White (shown on the right, played Larry Tate on Bewitched) plays wealthy businessman Amoury Kinett. Frank Maxwell (Duncan MacRoberts on Our Man Higgins and Col. Garraway on The Second Hundred Years) plays his victim Arthur Cole.

Season 2, Episode 26, "The Murder Clause": James Coburn (shown on the left, starred in The Magnificent Seven, Charade, Our Man Flint, and In Like Flint and who played Jeff Durain on Klondike and Gregg Miles on Acapulco) plays famous trumpeter Bud Bailey. Sam Edwards (starred in Captain Midnight, Twelve O'Clock High, and The Beatniks and played Hank the hotel clerk on The Virginian and Mr. Bill Anderson on Little House on the Prairie) plays his drummer Andy. Charles Wagenheim (see "The Hunt" above) plays insurance salesman George Markle. 

Season 2, Episode 27, "The Dummy": Dick Beals (did voicework on The Funny Company, Davey and Goliath, The Famous Adventures of Mister Magoo, The Biskitts, and The Addams Family (1992-93)) plays little person and ventriloquist dummy Rinaldo. Wally Brown (Jed Frame on Cimarron City and Chauncey Kowalski on The Roaring '20's) plays comedian Artie. 

Season 2, Episode 28, "Slight Touch of Homicide": Howard McNear (shown on the right, played Floyd Lawson on The Andy Griffith Show and Jansen the Plumber on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show) eccentric chemist Mr. Barnaby. Meg Wyllie (Mrs. Kissell on The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters and Aunt Lolly Stemple on Mad About You) plays his maid. Terence de Marney (Case Thomas on Johnny Ringo and Counsellor Doone on Lorna Doone) plays tombstone maker Sean. Marcel Hillaire (appeared in Sabrina, Seven Thieves, and Murderer's Row and played Inspector Bouchard on Adventures in Paradise) plays baker Anatole.

Season 2, Episode 29, "Wings of an Angel": Sandy Kenyon (Des Smith on Crunch and Des, Shep Baggott on The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, and Reverend Kathrun on Knots Landing) plays former bank robber Charlie Barnes. Carol Byron (Kitty Mathews on Oh, Those Bells) plays his daughter Ellen. Robert Karnes (Jed Max Fields on The Lawless Years and Deputy D.A. Victor Chamberlin on Perry Mason) plays prison warden Rogers. Lennie Weinrib (the voice of H.R. Pufinstuf, Seymour Spider, and Ludicrous Lion on H.R. Pufinstuf, voice of Sam Curvy on Doctor Doolittle, and voice of Moonrock on The Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show) plays gangster Vince Canell.

Season 2, Episode 30, "Death Watch": Christopher Dark (Sgt. Al Zavala on Code 3) plays history teacher Paul Conlan. Frank Ferguson (shown on the left, played Gus Broeberg on My Friend Flicka, Eli Carson on Peyton Place, and Dr. Barton Stuart on Petticoat Junction) plays the school janitor. Henry Corden (see "Fill the Cup" above) plays sculptor Vladimir. Herbert Rudley (Sam Brennan on The Californians, Lt. Will Gentry on Michael Shayne, General Crone on Mona McCluskey, and Herb Hubbard on The Mothers-in-Law) plays District Attorney Vaughn.

Season 2, Episode 31, "Witness in the Window": Charles Aidman (narrator on the 1985-87 version of The Twilight Zone) plays blackmail victim Anthony Scott. Eleanor Audley (Mother Eunice Douglas on Green Acres and Mrs. Vincent on My Three Sons) plays his invalid wife Laura. Bruno VeSota (bartender in 20 episodes of Bonanza) plays a hotel clerk. 

Season 2, Episode 32, "The Best Laid Plans": Peter Whitney (shown on the right, played Sergeant Buck Sinclair on The Rough Riders and Lafe Crick on The Beverly Hillbillies) plays informant Josiah. Herbert Ellis (Officer Frank Smith on Dragnet (1952-53), Frank LaValle on The D.A.'s Man, and Dr. Dan Wagner on Hennesey) plays coffee house owner Wilbur. Sterling Holloway (starred in The Merry Widow, Career Woman, and A Walk in the Sun, did voice work for many Walt Disney films like Dumbo , Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, The Jungle Book and the voice of Winnie the Pooh in various titles, and who played Waldo Binney on The Life of Riley and Buck Singleton on The Baileys of Balboa) plays former safecracker Felony. Forrest Lewis (Mr. Peavey on The Great Gildersleeve) plays bank head cashier Don Grover. James Lanphier (see biography above) plays heist leader Sloane.

Season 2, Episode 33, "Send a Thief": Phyllis Avery (Peggy McNulty on The Ray Milland Show: Meet Mr. McNulty) plays robber's wife Doris Reese Stewart. Billy Barty (Sparky the Firefly on The Bugaloos, Sigmund Ooze on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Inch on Ace Crawford, Private Eye, and the voice of Dweedle on Wildfire) plays pool hustler Babby. 

Season 2, Episode 34, "The Semi-Private Eye": Billy Gray (shown on the left, appeared in The Day the Earth Stood Still and played Bud Anderson on Father Knows Best) plays private eye wannabe Eric Thorwald. Edward Platt (appeared in Rebel Without a Cause, Written on the Wind, Designing Woman, and North by Northwest and played the Chief on Get Smart) plays investment counselor Edward Cranfield. Richard Reeves (Mr. Murphy on Date With the Angels) plays one of Cranfield's henchmen. 

Season 2, Episode 35, "Letter of the Law": Frank Overton (shown on the right, starred in Desire Under the Elms, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Fail-Safe and played Major Harvey Stovall on 12 O'Clock High) plays D.A. Henry Lockwood. Andrew Prine (starred in The Miracle Worker, The Devil's Brigade, Bandolero!, and Chisum and played Andy Guthrie on The Wide Country, Dr. Roger Helvick on Dr. Kildare, Timothy Pride on The Road West, Dan Costello on W.E.B., and Wayne/Wyatt Donnelly on Weird Science) plays his son Neil. Stanley Adams (Lt. Morse on Not for Hire) plays fashion designer Sidney. Lewis Charles (Lou on The Feather and Father Gang) plays gangster Eddie DeSantis.

Season 2, Episode 36, "The Crossbow": Henry Daniell (appeared in The Philadelphia Story, Jane Eyre, Song of Love, Lust for Life, and Witness for the Prosecution) plays private club manager Arthur Copeland. Theodore Marcuse (starred in Hitler, The Cincinnati Kid, and Harum Scarum and who played Von Bloheim on Batman) plays antique weapons expert The Baron. Burt Douglas (Jim Fisk on Days of Our Lives) plays judge's son Ralph Martin. George Kennedy (shown on the left, starred in Charade, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Dirty Dozen, Cool Hand Luke, and The Naked Gun and played MP Sgt. Kennedy on The Phil Silvers Show, Father Samuel Cavanuagh on Sarge, Bumper Morgan on The Blue Knight, and Carter McKay on Dallas) plays the judge's groundskeeper Karl.

Season 2, Episode 37, "The Heiress": Gage Clarke (Mr. Botkin on Gunsmoke) plays wealthy estate owner Walter C. Girard. 

Season 2, Episode 38, "Baby Shoes": Don "Red" Barry (played Red Ryder in the movie serial The Adventures of Red Ryder, and played Lt. Snedigar on Surfside 6, The Grand Vizier and Tarantula on Batman, Capt. Red Barnes on Police Woman, and Jud Larabee on Little House on the Prairie) plays hunted witness Ernie Graves. Billy Barty (see "The Best Laid Plans" above) returns as pool hustler Babby.

Season 3, Episode 1, "The Passenger": Forrest Lewis (see "The Best Laid Plans" above) plays murder witness Edward Hines. Ted de Corsia (Police Chief Hagedorn on Steve Canyon) plays murderer Curtis Brandt. Hal Smith (shown on the right, played Charlie Henderson on I Married Joan, Hickey on Jefferson Drum, Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffith Show, Engineer Taurus on Space Angel, and did voicework on The Flintstones, Scooby Doo, Where Are You?, The Fantastic Four, The Dukes, and The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh) plays a hotel clerk. Ollie O'Toole (Harvey the telegrapher on Gunsmoke) plays a grocer. Rhys Williams (Doc Burrage on The Rifleman) plays hobo leader Elmo Barnes.

Season 3, Episode 2, "Mask of Murder": Robert Brubaker (Deputy Ed Blake on U.S. Marshal and Floyd on Gunsmoke) plays murder victim Norman Hartley. Dianne Foster (starred in Night Passage, The Last Hurrah, and The Deep Six) plays his wife Katherine. Morgan Jones (Sgt. Corey on Highway Patrol, Cmdr. Donovan on The Blue Angels, Sgt. Charlie Phillips on Arrest and Trial, and Howard Pender on Mannix) plays Hartley associate Glenn Ellsworth. Natividad Vacio (Fronk on Father Knows Best) plays black market visa provider Miguel. Carlos Romero (Rico Rodriguez on Wichita Town, Romero Serrano on Zorro, and Carlo Agretti on Falcon Crest) plays Brazilian fixer Sol Escobar. Margarita Cordova (Rosa Andrade on Santa Barbara and Carmen Torres on Sunset Beach) plays flamenco dancer Elena. Clark Allen (Cordova's real-life husband and co-owner with her of a flamenco club) plays her guitarist.

Season 3, Episode 3, "The Maitre D'": James Lanphier (see biography above) first appears as gourmet Leslie. Luis van Rooten (appeared in The Hitler Gang, Champion, and Operation Eichmann and played Knobby Walsh on The Joe Palooka Story) plays high-end grocer Riviera. Alan Reed (voice of Fred Flintstone on The Flintstones and played Finnegan on Duffy's Tavern) plays gluttonous gangster Garson. 

Season 3, Episode 4, "The Candidate": Lloyd Corrigan (shown on the left, starred in A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob, Hitler's Children, Captive Wild Woman, The Bandit of Sherwood Forest, and Son of Paleface and played Papa Dodger on Willy, Wally Dipple on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Uncle Charlie on Happy, and Professor McKillup on Hank) plays gubernatorial candidate Adrian Grimmett. Alexander Lockwood (Judge Baker on Sam Benedict) plays his campaign manager Harold Canfield. Ken Mayer (Maj. Robbie Robertson on Space Patrol) plays thug Jim Oakland. Bernard Fein (Pvt Gomez on The Phil Silvers Show) plays his unnamed accomplice. 

Season 3, Episode 5, "The Judgement": Joe E. Tata (Nat Bussichio on Beverly Hills 90210) plays duped prisoner Arthur Curtis. Cyril Delevanti (Lucious Coin on Jefferson Drum) plays stool pigeon Charlemagne. 

Season 3, Episode 6, "The Death Frame": Wesley Lau (Lt. Andy Anderson on Perry Mason and Master Sgt. Jiggs on The Time Tunnel) plays fearful thug Eddie Cason. Robert Bice (Capt. Jim Johnson on The Untouchables) plays gangster Cal Ward. 

Season 3, Episode 7, "Murder Across the Board": Jack LaLanne (shown on the right, world famous exercise guru) plays himself. George Selk (Moss Grimmick on Gunsmoke) plays horse trainer Wally Keel. Robert Warwick (starred in Alias Jimmy Valentine, The Supreme Sacrifice, The Heart of a Hero, and Against All Flags) plays his employer Harley Bernard. Ned Glass (see "Sentenced" above) plays bookie Scooter.

Season 3, Episode 8, "Tramp Steamer": Bert Freed (appeared in The Atomic City, The Cobweb, and Paths of Glory and played Rufe Ryker on Shane) plays deported criminal Matt Poliska. Henry Corden (see "Fill the Cup" above) plays his accomplice Marco. Louise Glenn (Gladys on The Roaring 20's and Selma Yossarian on Don't Call Me Charlie) plays apartment dweller Adelaide Jones. 

Season 3, Episode 9, "The Long Green Kill": Paul Lambert (Tom Dalessio on Executive Suite) plays robber Vic Bell. Susan Cummings (shown on the left, played Georgia on Union Pacific) plays escaped convict's wife Paula Garrett. Tudor Owen (Joe Ainsley on Mayor of the Town and First Mate Elihu Snow on Captain David Grief) plays inventor Chips. 

Season 3, Episode 10, "Take Five for Murder": Gavin MacLeod (shown on the right, starred in Operation Petticoat, The Sand Pebbles, and Kelly's Heroes and played Joseph Haines on McHale's Navy, Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda, and Capt. Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat) plays entertainment promoter Mitch Borden. David Howe (Colin Lovelace on Please Sir!) plays his star singer Bobby Jeter. Herb Vigran (Judge Brooker on Gunsmoke) plays nightclub owner Ben Keller. Roy Glenn (Roy on The Jack Benny Program) plays cab driver Murdo.

Season 3, Episode 11, "Dream Big, Dream Deadly": Regis Toomey (starred in Alibi, Other Men's Women, The Finger Points, His Girl Friday, and The Big Sleep and who played Joe Mulligan on The Mickey Rooney Show, Lt. Manny Waldo on Four Star Playhouse, Lt. McGough on Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Det. Les Hart on Burke's Law, and Dr. Barton Stuart on Petticoat Junction and Green Acres) plays down-and-out detective Cal Sellers. Harvey Parry (Harrigan on Baretta) plays his brother Eddie. Chuck Hicks (stuntman who boxed under the name Chuck Daley and played semi-pro football) plays an unnamed attacker. James Fairfax (Charlie on Ramar of the Jungle and Cedric, the Steward on The Gale Storm Show) plays tattoo artist Needles.

Season 3, Episode 12, "The Sepi": Eugene Mazzola (Joey Drum on Jefferson Drum) plays child illegal immigrant Sepi Toreno. June Vincent (starred in Here Come the Co-Eds, The Creeper, and The WAC From Walla Walla) plays his benefactor Lisa Nye. Kent Taylor (Carlos Murietta on Zorro and Capt. Jim Flagg on The Rough Riders) plays her husband George. 

Season 3, Episode 13, "A Tender Touch": Howard McNear (see "Slight Touch of Homicide" above) plays bank assistant cashier Horatio Smeddler. Howard Petrie (shown on the left, played Hugh Blaine on Bat Masterson) plays bank president Mr. Lockland. Lawrence Tierney (starred in Dillinger, Kill or Be Killed, Born to Kill, Back to Bataan, and Reservoir Dogs and played Sergeant Jenkins on Hill Street Blues) plays gangster Carl Braden. Joey Faye (Myer on Mack and Myer for Hire) plays heist expert Booster. Victor Rodman (Dr. Sam Rinehart on Noah's Ark) plays a judge.