Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Robert Forster & Joan Blondell in Banyon (1972)

Set in the 1930's, this detective series that takes its cue from film noir features Robert Forster as Miles Banyon, an LA gumshoe with a nose for trouble. He's a loner - never letting himself get tied down to one dame. His girl friday is just that - they never stick around long enough to become a trap. He gets 'em from the secretarial school down the hall, run by Peggy Revere (Blondell). He'll take your case for a couple of sawbucks a day ($20) and expenses. He has a skirt who wants to clip his wings. Her name is Abby and she's a night club singer, but he's not about to let that happen. When the flatfoots come lookin' for him, they usually send Lieutenant McNiel (Richard Jaeckel). Each week Banyon has to wear out shoe leather looking into a matter for someone. Guest stars included Jose Ferrar, Hermione Gingold, Pat O'Brien and Teri Garr.

This series lasted only 16 episodes, and has never made it to commercial DVD. It's also hard to find online. Above are the opening credits uploaded to YouTube by bretmaverick2004.

Obscurity factor: 10 (not on DVD, hard to find online, largely forgotten)

1 comment:

  1. This was a very good show. Forster as Banyon was enjoyable to watch and Joan Blondell was great, too. I'd love to see those old shows again.
    -Fred

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