TV and Movies

[Oznell]

I discovered it partly because am a huge fan of Edmond O'Brien.  The film noir great O'Brien made at least two forays into series TV--   the interesting "Johnny Midnight",  and this one, the very impressive "Sam Benedict" in 1962.

Based on the career of dynamic lawyer Jake Ehrlich, "Sam" is set in San Francisco.  And, bonus, it's the charming San Francisco of old. But it's the early Sixties, and already there are signs of turbulence in the social order.

So, it has a more "modern", topical feel than "Perry Mason" (my favorite of all time.)   Sort of a combination of "Perry Mason" and "The Defenders",  another celebrated, well-written legal drama of the Sixties.

E. O'B. is predictably great as Sam.  He's brisk, no-nonsense, but brings that trademark earthy, underlying warmth.  His whiz of a secretary (Joan Tompkins) has seen it all, and keeps everything in his sometimes chaotic office under control.  Early in the series he acquires "Henry Taber", (Richard Rust),  who does "earnest young legal associate" very, very well.

The list of guest stars they were able to attract to this one year series is fabulous:   Claude Rains, Ruth Roman, Gary Merrill, Gloria Grahame, Howard Duff, Yvonne Craig, Vera Miles, Michael Parks, Katharine Ross, Zohra Lampert, Ed Nelson, Robert Lansing, Eddie Albert, Marsha Hunt, and on and on.

       

We haven't reached the end of the series yet, and hubby and I have both gotten increasingly drawn in-- it gets better and better as it goes on.  The only disappointment is that there are just 28 episodes--  the network clearly didn't give this intelligent, quirky, single-season show a chance to find its footing.  

Anyway, if you are looking for something off-beat, this might be a good choice for the new year.

Later, edited to add:   Available from a number of sources--  Amazon, Ebay, Oldies.com should all pop up in a search of Sam Benedict Dvds.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Was this a purchase? Where can we find it? Hubbs and I would really enjoy this.

[Group 5 minus 1]

Never mind. I found it on E-Bay. Thanks

[twinsister]

@Oznell - I vaguely remember this show.  Looks good.  It would be nice if one of the retro channels would air it.

Thanks for sharing!

[Oznell]

Oh, @Group 5 minus 1 ,  sorry--  I should have put that information.  For anyone interested, you just google Sam Benedict DVD and multiple outlets will pop up....Adding that to original post.  I think we got ours from Amazon.   I'd be very interested in what you think of it-- we love it, a nice alternative to what's offered today.

Right, @twinsister ,  I was wishing the retro channels would show it too, then finally broke down and bought it.  There's a whole list of things that I wish they'd air, like "Johnny Midnight",  "Honey West" (that gets aired, but seems to come and go so quickly), "The Defenders",  etc.

I was sad that it's only 28 episodes, (unlike our fave that has four years' worth!)   But then I thought, well, 28 episodes is about the equivalent of 14 full length movies.  And 14 films with Edmond O'Brien starring isn't too shabby!

[Oznell]

Oh-- and I forgot to mention, Ida Lupino and Richard Donner were both on hand as directors of various "Sam Benedict" episodes....;

[mousiegirl]

@Oznell   I hadn't heard of this series, but have bought The Defenders, Man with a Camera, The Decoy, The Naked City,and many other such series on DVD, and will look into this series, sounds intriguing.

[twinsister]

@Oznell - I looked on YouTube to see if there were any episodes available, but I couldn't find any.  I did see a clip of the theme and Nelson Riddle was the composer, who was responsible for that great Route 66 theme.  Also, if you have Me TV Plus, this week they began airing Route 66 from the first episode - Monday through Friday at 8 AM.  I've been enjoying it again.

[Oznell]

@mousiegirl,  you have "The Defenders" on DVD?   How great--  I think if we get one other series this coming year, it might be that terrific show.  And hubby has never seen any of it, so it would be brand new for him...  "Naked City" is another one I'd really, really like.  You've got a good library going.

@twinsister--  this is the first I've heard of METV plus!  Spill!  How do they differ from regular METV?  You are always up on the new channels.   I have a feeling we don't have it, but will check.  

[twinsister]

@Oznell - ME TV Plus is like a sister station to the regular ME TV.  It is not a streaming channel.  I had read about it a while ago when it was launched and they said it would only be available in certain areas.  I have Verizon and at first, we didn't have it in NY, then a few months ago I came across it while channel surfing. Lots of shows from the 60's and 70's including Police Woman, Hawaii Five 0, The Rookies, Mod Squad, Streets of San Francisco and Burke's Law.  I'm enjoying some of the old shows.

Happy New Year to you and your family!