"Toma" (1973)TV series 1973-1974

Creator:

Edward Hume

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

4 October 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Tony Musante

...

Det. David Toma (22 episodes, 1973-1974)

Runtime:

60 min (24 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

RMS Queen Mary - 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Roy Huggins-Public Arts Productions

Trivia:

Stephen J. Cannell created a character named Rockford for a script he wrote for this series. That script was based on a story idea by his boss, Roy Huggins. That script was rejected by ABC, so it was rewritten and eventually became the pilot for the classic NBC series, The Rockford Files (1974) (TV).

Movie Connections:

Follows Toma (1973) (TV)

Brilliant but cancelled

"Toma" was based on the real-life exploits of Newark, NJ narcotics detective Dave Toma, who in the late 1960's and early 70's, made a name for himself by using unorthodox techniques to get the goods on criminals. He would often dress up as a nun, rabbi, homeless person or any other average citizen in order to blend in and get the drop on pushers.

This TV series started off with good intentions and was a hard-hitting, realistic urban police drama. But star Tony Musante was worried it was going to go the route of every other cop show and just become formulaic. When he pushed for creative changes, producers pushed back and the show ended after just one season. The concept re-emerged the following year as "Beretta" starring Robert Blake and turned into just the kind of light-weight formulaic show Musante wanted no part of.