Peter Gunn (1961)

Over its three-year run, Peter Gunn's titular suave detective never failed to wrap up each week's mystery in 25 minutes, but some 57 years after it left the airwaves, it still isn't clear why the show was canceled. The Blake Edwards creation was a breakout hit in its debut season, ranking 16th in the Nielsen ratings for the 1958-59 season and garnering 8 Primetime Emmy nominations, one for the series itself, one for each of the four principal actors, two for Edwards' writing and direction of the pilot episode "The Kill," and one for Mancini's now iconic score. When it failed to make the top 30 in its sophomore season, the series was dropped by NBC but found new life when picked up by ABC for a third season in a later time slot, away from the formidable competition of The Danny Thomas Show. It rebounded nicely into 29th place in the ratings for 1960-61 and yet was not renewed for a fourth season, its spot on ABC's schedule filled by the debut of Ben Casey.

A search of 1961 issues of TV Guide reveals no news items about its cancellation. The February 11 cover story featured co-star Lola Albright, and even the September 16 Fall Preview issue failed to include Gunn in its list of programs "Going Off" in the new season. Even stranger, the final episode of the series, "Murder on the Line," aired on September 18 at the beginning of the fall season, nearly three months after the previous episode, with the cryptic description that the episode "is a departure from this series' summer rerun schedule" in its TV Guide listing. The description of the episode being a departure is accurate, as it is the only episode to feature extensive narration by Gunn in summarizing the action, and it features director Robert Gist and executive producer Gordon Oliver in starring roles. Herschel Bernardi is also notably absent, though he had not appeared in every previous episode, but Lola Albright is present in her usual long-suffering girlfriend role.

Certainly many of the principals were active with other projects at the time. Albright married jazz pianist William Chadney, who also played her on-screen accompanist Emmett Ward on Gunn, on May 20 in Las Vegas. Bernardi was active in the theater circuit, as an April 29 TV Guide news item reported that he was currently performing in a West Coast production of Only in America which he expected to take on the road during the summer and was being considered for the lead role in an upcoming Broadway production of Sizeman and Son. And Edwards was in the midst of opening Breakfast at Tiffany's on October 5 and had just been chosen by 20th Century Fox to direct Days of Wine and Roses, announced in the February 11 issue of TV Guide. However, if Edwards' exploding feature film career were going to interfere with his TV work, he would not have also been promoting a new series Boston Terrier mentioned several times in TV Guide throughout 1961 and whose pilot finally aired as an episode on Dick Powell Theatre April 10, 1962, though it was not picked up for a regular series. Edwards would also produce another unsuccessful TV pilot in adapting the radio program Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar in 1962, so it would seem that his schedule was not so crammed that he could not have continued Gunn had the network wanted to retain it. However, as the blog Television Obscurities has thoroughly documented about another Edwards series cancellation, in this case Mr. Lucky, sometimes all it takes is a bigger-name production company coveting your time slot to yank your show off the air. Or perhaps the network executives were clairvoyant enough to see that private detective series were in decline while doctor series were the next big thing.

But even before the final curtain fell, the series seemed on its last legs as the guest stars fell in stature and the plots seemed more rote. Instead of a Ken Lynch, Diahann Carroll, George Kennedy, or James Coburn guest starring, the 1961 episodes featured Al Ruscio, Tom Palmer, Bert Remsen, and Jane Morgan. Even Herschel Bernardi's brother Jack shows up as a janitor in "Death Is a Sore Loser" (January 30, 1961), which seemed to revive an acting career that had been dormant for a decade. The stories are more uneven as well, beginning with "The Royal Roust" (January 2, 1961) featuring a visiting king who thinks American criminal justice practices are barbaric, followed by "Bullet in Escrow" (January 9, 1961) in which a paroled convict immediately and single-mindedly sets out to kill Gunn for sending him to prison. Other plots are similarly simplistic, such as "Short a Motive" (April 10, 1961) about a diminutive but lethal military veteran who goes about knocking off anyone whoever made fun of his height during his years in the service, or "Voodoo" (June 19, 1961) about a sugar cane plantation owner in Haiti killing off small farmers whose land he covets by infecting them a disease he has also used to kill off their cattle. There are also plenty of faked deaths, such as in "The Murder Bond" (April 24, 1961) in which a mob boss about to face legal prosecution has his henchmen round up a wino that they dress like their boss and then lure him to drive the boss' bomb-laden car, or "Down the Drain" (June 26, 1961) in which a husband and wife kill the man who discovered their jewel heist scam and disfigure him so completely that the police have to rely on the wife's recognizance to identify the victim, allowing her to claim it was her husband who was killed. In the days before DNA testing, such hoaxes were apparently plausible.

But there are a few noteworthy episodes as well, usually easily identified by a superior supporting cast, such as "I Know It's Murder" (February 13, 1961) in which a teenage son who claims to have extrasensory perception is convinced that his mother's new husband is out to kill her for her fortune. "Last Resort" (May 15, 1961) details an overlooked associate film producer resorting to kidnapping to try to get enough money to live in the manner he thinks he deserves instead of always being an afterthought. And "A Bullet for the Boy" (May 29, 1961) tells the story of the black sheep son of an American diplomat who someone seems intent on murdering, only it turns out he is the one who wants to see himself killed.

These last two episodes are part of a four-episode sequence all set in Acapulco, Mexico, another tactic of a flagging series hoping to spur some interest by relocating to an exotic locale. While these episodes do feature an additional recurring character, police Lt. Vasquez as played by Peter Mamakos, and feature tangential links between them to explain Gunn's extended stay south of the border, they don't really constitute a continuing story arc, as each caper Gunn gets involved with is unrelated to its predecessor. However, a more mundane explanation for this mini-series is that these episodes provide a reason to leave Edie behind at the exact time that Lola Albright was getting married and presumably taking a honeymoon. Other than at the beginning of the first of the Acapulco series, "Till Death Do Us Part" (May 8, 1961), Edie does not appear in any of the Mexico-based episodes, but when Gunn returns stateside in "Death Is a Four Letter Word" (June 5, 1961), Edie tells him that the difference between a man and a woman is that he can just run off to someplace like Acapulco without anyone giving it a second thought, whereas if she were to take off for Mexico City, tongues would wag (it would be interesting to find out where Albright and Chadney honeymooned--Mexico City?).

It's a shame that such a stylish and smart series fizzled out without more fanfare. Edwards, obviously was bound for higher heights in his feature film career, but he always had a special fondness for Gunn, as he tried to resurrect the character in the 1967 feature film Gunn with Stevens in the title role but none of the rest of the original cast. And in 1989 he made a TV movie with Peter Strauss in the title role, but it failed to spur enough network interest to warrant a revival series like Perry Mason. While Bernardi would go on to win two Tony Awards on Broadway and eventually land his own series in the 1970s, the careers of Stevens and Albright would never shine as brightly. Still, judging from the reviews of the 2012 DVD release of Gunn, their best work has stood the test of time and is winning new fans half a century later.

The Actors

For the biographies of Craig Stevens, Lola Albright, Herschel Bernardi, and James Lanphier, see the 1960 post for Peter Gunn.

Billy Barty

Born William John Bertanzetti in Millsboro, Pennsylvania, his family moved to California when Barty was a child after his father found work as a machinist at Columbia Studios. Barty's entry into show business came when director Jules White was shooting a scene near the Barty household in Hollywood, and 3-year-old Barty walked up to White, tugged on his pants leg, and performed a trick his father had taught him to spin on his head. Soon thereafter he was playing Mickey Rooney's younger brother in a series of Mickey McGuire shorts for the next 7 years. However, Barty's growth was stunted by cartilage-hair hypoplasia dwarfism, and he reached a maximum height of less than four feet when full grown. He was cast as children and babies in feature films such as Gold Diggers of 1933, Alice in Wonderland, and Bride of Frankenstein. In the 1930s he also performed in his own vaudeville act called Billy Barty and His Sisters in which he played drums and did impressions. In the 1940s he tried to leave show business, attending college at what is now Cal State L.A. where he majored in journalism and was sports editor for the college newspaper. But in the 1950s he was lured back to television, first with one-off appearances on shows such as Your Pet Parade, The Dennis Day Show, and Mr. and Mrs. North before becoming a regular member of Spike Jones' troupe and appearing regularly on The Spike Jones Show in 1954. After three appearances as Little Tom on Circus Boy and occasional spots on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Colgate Comedy Hour (on which he did a parody of Liberace), and General Electric Theater, he landed a semi-recurring role as hustler Babby on Peter Gunn with a total of 8 appearances over the program's three seasons.

In 1957 he founded Little People of America to advocate on behalf of those with dwarfism. In the mid-1960s he appeared in two Elvis Presley features--Roustabout and Harum Scarum--and hosted his own children's program in the Los Angeles area Billy Barty's Big Show. He also continued getting TV guest spots on shows such as My Three Sons, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, and Get Smart. In the 1970s he found regular work on children's programs playing Googy Gopher and Orville Pelican on Pufnstuf, Sparky the Firefly on The Bugaloos, Sigmund Ooze on Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, and Hugo on Dr. Shrinker. In 1981 he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, though it hardly signaled the end of his career as he remained active on television and in feature films for another two decades. After being hospitalized for heart problems and a lung infection in December 2000, he passed away from heart failure on December 23 at the age of 76.

Notable Guest Stars

Season 3, Episode 14, "The Royal Roust": Leonard Strong (appeared in Blood on the Sun, Back to Bataan, The Atomic City, Shane, and The Naked Jungle and played The Claw on Get Smart) plays visiting dignitary King Felix. Warren J. Kemmerling (Judge Rense on How the West Was Won) plays captured robber Bennett. 

Season 3, Episode 15, "Bullet in Escrow": Leonard Stone (shown on the left, appeared in The Mugger, The Big Mouth, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and Soylent Green and played Doc Joslyn on Camp Runamuck, Packy Moore on General Hospital, and Judge Paul Hansen on L.A. Law) plays vengeful ex-con Ed Stone. Bob Hoy (Joe Butler on The High Chaparral and Cliff on Our House) plays his partner Ernie Daggett. Clegg Hoyt (Mac on Dr. Kildare) plays florist Aesop. Richard Collier (appeared in Hello, Dolly!, Blazing Saddles, and Carrie and played Harry Price on Many Happy Returns) plays athletic club clerk Specs. 

Season 3, Episode 16, "Jacoby's Vacation": Tom Palmer (Doc Stewart on Lawman) plays tropical gun runner Louis Frober. Oscar Beregi, Jr. (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Untouchables) plays his unnamed business partner. George Ives (Doc on Mister Roberts) plays brother of missing man Arthur Holland. 

Season 3, Episode 17, "Blind Item": Irene Hervey (shown on the right, appeared in Destry Rides Again, Cactus Flower, and Play Misty for Me and played Aunt Meg on Honey West) plays novelist's widow Madelon Ridgely. Richard Ney (appeared in Mrs. Miniver, Joan of Arc, Ivy, and Midnight Lace) plays gossip columnist Forest Graham. Mark Allen (Matt Kissel on The Travels of Jamie McPheeters and Sam Evans on Dark Shadows) plays private investigator Edward Bellasco. Lloyd Lindroth (harpist billed as "The Liberace of the Harp") plays harpist Keith Tucker.

Season 3, Episode 18, "Death Is a Sore Loser": Jack Bernardi (Herschel Bernardi's brother) plays apartment janitor Moishe Kalugian. Joe di Reda (Angel Moran on General Hospital) plays janitor Eddie Riley.

Season 3, Episode 19, "I Know It's Murder": Hayden Rorke (starred in Father's Little Dividend, When Worlds Collide, and Pillow Talk and played Steve on Mr. Adams and Eve, Col. Farnsworth on No Time for Sergeants, Dr. Alfred Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie and Bishop on Dr. Kildare) plays rug importer Mark Eustis. Jean Engstrom (mother of Jena Engstrom) plays his wealthy new bride Helene Daniels. Tommy Rettig (shown on the left, played Jeff Miller on Lassie and JoJo on Never Too Young) plays her teenage son Kevin. Roy Gordon (Andrew V. McMahon on The Millionaire) plays their butler John. Ken Drake (Bragan on Not for Hire) plays bogus psychologist Dr. Jody.

Season 3, Episode 20, "A Kill and a Half": Bruce Gordon (see the biography section for the 1961 post on The Untouchables) plays mobster Vic Kimbro. Norman Fell (shown on the right, see the biography section for the 1961 post on 87thPrecinct) plays carnival owner Danny Carmichael. Virginia Vincent (Betty on The Joey Bishop Show, Dottie Clark on The Super, and Daisy Maxwell on Eight Is Enough) plays his wife Dora.

Season 3, Episode 21, "Than a Serpent's Tooth": Pamela Britton (shown on the left, starred in A Letter for Evie, D.O.A., and If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium and played Blondie Bumstead on Blondie and Mrs. Lorelei Brown on My Favorite Martian) plays nightclub singer Vicki Landell. Anne Whitfield (Barbara Harris on Days of Our Lives) plays her step-daughter Carol. Jean Paul King (NBC network radio announcer in the 1930s) plays psychiatrist Dr. Lawrence Herzog. Joseph Julian (Vic Kirby on Somerset) plays ex-con Arkie.

Season 3, Episode 22, "The Deep End": William Bryant (McCall on Combat!, President Ulysses S. Grant on Branded, Col. Crook on Hondo, Lt. Shilton on Switch, and the Director on The Fall Guy) plays swimming instructor Phil Matterson. John Fiedler (shown on the right, appeared in 12 Angry Men, That Touch of Mink, The World of Henry Orient, Kiss Me, Stupid, Girl Happy, The Odd Couple, True Grit and played Emil Peterson on The Bob Newhart Show and Woody on Buffalo Bill) plays aspiring composer Oliver Neilson. 

Season 3, Episode 23, "Portrait in Leather": Tom Brown (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Mr. Lucky) plays boxing manager Charlie Toomey. Ann Robinson (starred in The War of the Worlds, Dragnet, and Midnight Movie Massacre and played Queen Juliandra on Rocky Jones, Space Ranger and Helen Watkins on Fury) plays former boxing champion's ex-wife Joanna Cochrane. Roy Glenn (Roy on The Jack Benny Program) plays trainer Otis Calder. William Fawcett (Clayton on Duffy's Tavern, Marshal George Higgins on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, and Pete Wilkey on Fury) plays pickpocket Sobey Webb.

Season 3, Episode 24, "Come Dance With Me and Die": 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 dance hostess Candy Lane. Larry J. Blake (the unnamed jailer on Yancy Derringer and Tom Parnell on Saints and Sinners) plays the dance club manager. Harry Swoger (Harry the bartender on The Big Valley) plays taxi driver Eddie Webb. Robert P.Lieb (Harry Thompson on Hazel) plays mobster Frank Benedict. Jack Hogan (starred in The Bonnie Parker Story, Paratroop Command, and The Cat Burglar and played Kirby on Combat!, Sgt. Jerry Miller on Adam-12, Chief Ranger Jack Moore on Sierra, and Judge Smithwood on Jake and the Fatman) plays private investigator William Lundy.

Season 3, Episode 25, "Cry Love, Cry Murder": Margarita Cordova (Rosa Andrade on Santa Barbara and Carmen Torres on Sunset Beach) plays cantina singer Maria Galvin. Joe Besser (shown on the left, replaced Shemp Howard as the third of The Three Stooges and played Stinky Davis on The Abbott and Costello Show, Mr. Jillson on The Joey Bishop Show, and voiced Babu on Jeannie and Scare Bear on Yogi's Space Race) plays theatrical agent Chubby Stone. Dale van Sickel (Clancy on Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe) plays drug dealer Frankie Cole. Mickey Simpson (Boley on Captain David Grief) plays hired muscle Max Willard.

Season 3, Episode 26, "A Penny Saved": Joyce Vanderveen (shown on the right, played Marie de Gravien on The Adventures of Jim Bowie) plays ballet dancer Lisa North. Lillian Adams (appeared in The Jerk, Private Benjamin, and Bruce Almighty and played Mrs. Pepperman on The Suite Life on Deck) plays her mother Mrs. North. Abraham Sofaer (starred in Christopher Columbus, Quo Vadis, and Elephant Walk) plays producer Boris Petrov. Paul Dubov (Michel on The Ann Sothern Show) plays mobster Frank Wallace. Marcel Hillaire (appeared in Sabrina, Seven Thieves, and Murderer's Row and played Inspector Bouchard on Adventures in Paradise) plays former ballet director Jacque. Joe Scott (see the biography section for the 1960 post on Mr. Lucky) plays a sanitarium attendant.

Season 3, Episode 27, "Short a Motive": Jo Helton (Nurse Conant on Dr. Kildare) plays restaurant owner Ellen Clary. Paul Brinegar (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on Rawhide) plays film projectionist Chigger. Frank Gerstle (Dirk Gird on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and voiced Raseem on The Banana Splits Adventure Hour) plays racketeer Frank Clanton.

Season 3, Episode 28, "The Murder Bond": Russell Collins (shown on the right, appeared in Niagara, Bad Day at Black Rock, and Fail-Safe and played Owen Sharp on Many Happy Returns) plays bail bondsman Ned Grant. Jean Willes (appeared in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Ocean's 11, and Gypsy) plays racketeer's wife Mrs. Cully. Owen Bush (Ben on Shane, John Belson on Sirota's Court, and Crimshaw on Our House) plays former Cully stooge Nibs. Howard Caine (Schaab on The Californians and Maj. Wolfgang Hochstetter on Hogan's Heroes) plays investigator Al Landers.

Season 3, Episode 29, "The Most Deadly Angel": Harold J. Stone (John Kennedy on The Grand Jury, Hamilton Greeley on My World and Welcome to It, and Sam Steinberg on Bridget Loves Bernie) plays crime patriarch Joseph Yabocci. Mary Sinclair (Sylvia Rockwell on Woman With a Past) plays avenging angel Caroline Haskins. 

Season 3, Episode 30, "Till Death Do Us Part": William Phipps (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays Acapulco crime boss Johnny Burnett. Anne Bellamy (Aunt Polly on The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) plays supposedly murdered wife Leona Candell. Peter Mamakos (Jean Lafitte on The Adventures of Jim Bowie) plays Acapulco police Lt. Vasquez. 

Season 3, Episode 31, "Last Resort": Ross Elliott (Freddie the director on The Jack Benny Program and Sheriff Abbott on The Virginian) plays talent agent Ned Koenig. Francis X. Bushman (shown on the right, starred in Romeo and Juliet (1916), Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, Dick Tracy (1937), Sabrina, and The Phantom Planet) plays former film star Clinton Hobart. Randy Stuart (see the biography section for the 1960 post on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays his wife Doris. Sherwood Price (Gen. Jeb Stuart on The Gray Ghost) plays hot-shot young director Les Murdock. Milton Selzer (Parker on Get Smart, Jake Winkelman on The Harvey Korman Show, Abe Werkfinder on The Famous Teddy Z, and Manny Henry on Valley of the Dolls) plays associate producer Lou Warren. Peter Mamakos (see "Till Death Do Us Part" above) returns as Lt. Vasquez.

Season 3, Episode 32, "A Matter of Policy": Bert Remsen (shown on the left, played Detective Lawrence on Peyton Place, Mr. Pell on Gibbsville, Mario on It's a Living, and Jack Crager on Dynasty) plays wanted killer Fred Dineen. Natividad Vacio (Fronk on Father Knows Best) plays bomb-maker Maldonado. Peter Mamakos (see "Till Death Do Us Part" above) returns as Lt. Vasquez.

Season 3, Episode 33, "A Bullet for the Boy": John Eldredge (starred in The Woman in Red, The Murder of Dr. Harrigan, and The Black Cat and played Harry Archer on Meet Corliss Archer) plays American diplomat Victor Mitchell. Linda Watkins (shown on the right, played Robin Crosley on One Life to Live) plays his wife Laura. Michael Pate (starred in Face to Face, Julius Caesar, Hondo, and Tower of London and played Chief Vittoro on Hondo and Det. Sgt. Vic Maddern on Matlock) plays fisherman Juan Mendoza. Peter Mamakos (see "Till Death Do Us Part" above) returns as Lt. Vasquez.

Season 3, Episode 34, "Death Is a Four Letter Word": J. Pat O'Malley (shown on the left, see the biography section for the 1961 post on Frontier Circus) plays Gunn's drinking friend Luther. Virginia Grey (appeared in Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Women, Another Thin Man, Mr. and Mrs. North, and Stage Door Canteen and played Clara Appleby on The Red Skelton Hour) plays former model Lisa Randolph. Patric Knowles (starred in The Adventures of Robin Hood, How Green Was My Valley, and The Wolf Man) plays financier Virgil Considine. Ned Glass (MSgt. Andy Pendleton on The Phil Silvers Show, Sol Cooper on Julia, and Uncle Moe Plotnick on Bridget Loves Bernie) plays hot-dog stand owner Natie. Edwin Mills (voice of Dr. Cornelius on Return to the Planet of the Apes) plays a police doctor.

Season 3, Episode 35, "Deadly Intrusion": Britt Lomond (Captain Monastario on Zorro and Johnny Ringo on The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp) plays golf pro Gil Manson. Francis de Sales (shown on the right, played 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 gambler Johnny Wade. Joseph Mell (Bill Pence on Gunsmoke) plays garage owner Janos Majeski. Norma Michaels (Grandmother on Mind of Mencia and Josephine on The King of Queens) plays a waitress.

Season 3, Episode 36, "Voodoo": Al Ruscio (Paul Locatelli on Shannon, Sal Giordano on Life Goes On, Frank Ruscio on Joe's Life, and Kosta Kanelos on Port Charles) plays Haitian police Inspector Georges. 

Season 3, Episode 37, "Down the Drain": Jane Morgan (shown on the left, popular singer married to producer Jerry Weintraub) plays supposed widow Lois Lee. Dale van Sickel (see "Cry Love, Cry Murder" above) plays her supposedly dead husband William. Burt Mustin (see the biography section for the 1961 post on Leave It to Beaver) plays a boatyard watchman.

Season 3, Episode 38, "Murder on the Line": Robert Gist (director for Peter Gunn) plays eccentric millionaire Cesar Carlyle. Gordon Oliver (executive producer for Mr. Lucky and Peter Gunn) plays his assistant Arthur McCutchen.

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.