"Burke's Law" (1963) TV series 1963-1966

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Creator:

Frank D. Gilroy

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

20 September 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama

Plot:

Amos Burke was a Los Angeles chief of detectives who was also a millionaire with a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce...

Plot Keywords:

Millionaire | Police | Rolls Royce | Police Officer | Murder

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Gene Barry	...	Capt. Amos Burke / ... (81 episodes, 1963-1966)
Gary Conway	...	Det. Tim Tilson (64 episodes, 1963-1965)
Regis Toomey	...	Det. Les Hart (64 episodes, 1963-1965)
Leon Lontoc	...	Henry (64 episodes, 1963-1965)
Eileen O'Neill	...	Sgt. Gloria Ames / ... (33 episodes, 1963-1965)

Also Known As:

Amos Burke, Secret Agent (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

USA:60 min (81 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Argentina:13

Company:

Barbety

Trivia:

This originated as the first installment of an anthology series, "The Dick Powell Show: Who Killed Julie Greer? (#1.1)" (1961). Dick Powell had played Inspector Burke on that show.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History (2001) (TV)

A Unique and Funny Cop Show

The 64 black and white hour-long episodes of "Burke's Law" were originally broadcast from 1963-65 on ABC. The show then morphed into "Amos Burke, Secret Agent" for another 17 episodes during the 1965-66 season. And one episode "Who Killed the Jackpot" served as the introduction of the "Honey West" characters played by Anne Francis and John Ericson. Gene Barry played police captain Amos Burke, who headed up homicide while maintaining a lavish lifestyle; not because he was on the take but because he was already extremely rich and was just working for whatever intrinsic value the job provided. This was the main hook or novelty of the show, which was a weekly showcase of his lavish lifestyle (chauffeured limo with fully stocked bar, mansion, and a host of gorgeous women clamoring for his affections).

Although technically a mystery-adventure series there was a significant comedy element generated by the reactions of his detectives and his superior to Burke's displays of wealth and indulgence.

Barry was perfectly cast as the suave and sophisticated working playboy. Unfortunately the supporting cast was quite marginal and the writers never developed these secondary characters beyond the most superficial level. But this did allow room to showcase a multitude of guest stars and like "The Wild Wild West" many of these were Hollywood's hottest starlets. Especially memorable was former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley whose unexpected chemistry with Barry led to multiple appearances during the course of the series.

Unlike "Columbo", the series withheld the identity of the killer from viewers until the end although it was not disclosed in the standard "Murder She Wrote" moment of revelation. The huge popularity of "James Bond" and "The Man From UNCLE" caused producer Aaron Spelling to introduce a secret agent formula into the final season. Unfortunately what had been a unique cop show became just another silly spy series and it expired after just half a season.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.