1974 David Janssen is Harry O
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Harry O is an American detective series that aired on ABC for two seasons from 1974 to 1976. The series is widely regarded for its "downbeat" and "noir" tone, following the life of a weary, introspective private investigator.
Protagonist: David Janssen starred as Harry Orwell, a former San Diego police officer forced into retirement after taking a bullet to the back.
Lifestyle: Harry lives in a beach house and works as a private detective to supplement his disability pension.
Transportation: In a departure from typical TV detectives, Harry’s car is frequently broken down, forcing him to take the bus or work on his own boat, the The Answer, while contemplating cases.
Harry Orwell: Played by David Janssen.
Lt. Manuel "Manny" Quinlan: Played by Henry Darrow (Season 1); a friend of Harry's on the San Diego force.
Lt. K.C. Trench: Played by Anthony Zerbe (Season 2); an acerbic Los Angeles police lieutenant. Zerbe won an Emmy Award in 1976 for this role.
Lester Hodges: Played by Les Lannom; a quirky, recurring client who eventually became Harry's unofficial protégé.
Sue Ingham: Played by Farrah Fawcett-Majors; Harry's neighbor and an airline stewardess who occasionally assisted him.
Pilot Films: The series was preceded by two pilot movies: Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On (1973) and Smile Jenny, You're Dead (1974).
Locations: The first half of Season 1 was set in San Diego, but the show moved its setting to Los Angeles mid-season to satisfy network preferences.
Cancellation: Despite critical acclaim and a loyal following, the show was cancelled in 1976, reportedly to make room for Charlie's Angels.
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1974 David Janssen is Harry O S01E03 Guardian at the Gates
MemoryCryptofCastleHillsIn the American detective series Harry O (1974–1976), David Janssen starred as Harry Orwell, a former San Diego police officer forced into early retirement after being shot in the back. Living in a beach house on Coronado Island, Orwell supports himself as a private investigator, often taking the bus because his car—a temperamental Austin-Healey—is frequently in the shop. Premise: Unlike the typical high-action detectives of the 1970s, Harry Orwell was a cynical, world-weary investigator with a physical disability (a bullet lodged near his spine) that often prevented him from engaging in standard "heroic" tropes like foot chases. Network & Duration: The show aired for two seasons on ABC, comprising 45 episodes between September 1974 and April 1976. Supporting Cast: Lt. Manny Quinlan (Henry Darrow): Harry's police contact during the first half of season one. Lt. K.C. Trench (Anthony Zerbe): The acerbic officer who became Harry's primary foil when the series moved its location to Los Angeles. Zerbe won an Emmy for this role in 1976. Sue Ingham (Farrah Fawcett): Harry's flight attendant neighbor and occasional girlfriend. The show was known for its "character-driven" approach and Janssen's trademark raspy-voiced narration. Despite its critical acclaim, it was canceled in 1976 to make room for Charlie's Angels. Janssen later expressed frustration over the cancellation, noting that network executives preferred flashy action over the human stories he wanted to tell. The character debuted in two television pilots: Such Dust as Dreams Are Made On (1973) and Smile Jenny, You're Dead (1974). S1.E3 Guardian at the Gates Episode aired Sep 26, 1974 Linda Evans and David Janssen in Guardian at the Gates (1974) Harry is hired by his beautiful neighbor to find out who is trying to kill her curmudgeon father. Paul Sawyer is an eccentric, arrogant architect, considered to be a genius, but the list of his enemies is quite long. Director: Jerry Thorpe Writers: Stephen Kandel, Robert Dozier Stars: David Janssen, Linda Evans, Henry Darrow, Barry Sullivan David Janssen (as Harry Orwell) and Linda Evans appeared together in the Harry O episode "Guardian at the Gates" (Season 1, Episode 3), where Evans played Marian Sawyer, the daughter of an arrogant architect (Barry Sullivan) who hires Harry to protect him from assassins, exploring complex relationships and obsession. This 1974 episode showcased Evans' guest role in the detective series, noted for its rich character development.29 views -
1974 David Janssen is Harry O TV Series S01E02 The Admiral's Lady
MemoryCryptofCastleHillsHarry O TV Series 1973–1976 Harry O (1973) After being shot in the line of duty, Harry Orwell was forced to retire from the San Diego Police Department. To supplement his police pension, Harry runs a private detective agency out of his beach house. Creator: Howard Rodman; Stars: David Janssen, Anthony Zerbe, Paul Tulley S01.E02 The Admiral's Lady Episode aired Sep 19, 1974 David Janssen in Harry O (1973) Harry's search for a missing woman leads him to death, infidelity, and a woman in danger. Director: Paul Wendkos Writers: Howard Rodman, Del Reisman, Robert Dozier Stars: David Janssen, Henry Darrow, Leif Erickson76 views -
1974 David Janssen is Harry O TV Series S01E01 Gertrude
MemoryCryptofCastleHillsIn 1974 I was 10 years old and one of my favorite actors was David Janssen in Harry O. After two successful "pilot" movies, Harry got his own weekly TV series. Here is the first episode of the series: S1.E1 Gertrude Episode aired Sep 12, 1974 David Janssen and Julie Sommars in Harry O (1973) Harry is hired by a beautiful but wacky woman. She wants him to find her brother, who went AWOL from the navy and sent her his left shoe. Orwell's investigation uncovers a gang of smugglers. Director: Jerry Thorpe Writers: Howard Rodman, Robert Dozier Stars: David Janssen, Henry Darrow, Julie Sommars70 views -
1974 David Janssen is Harry O in Smile Jenny, You're Dead
MemoryCryptofCastleHillsIn 1974 I was 10 years old and one of my favorite TV shows was David Janssen starring in Harry O. It is unusual for TV shows to get a "2nd Pilot" made for TV movie but, here it is. The second Harry O movie, "Smile Jenny, You're Dead." An ex-cop protects his ex-partner's supermodel daughter when she becomes the target of an obsessed psychopath who kills the men intimately involved with her. Director: Jerry Thorpe Writer: Howard Rodman Stars: David Janssen, Jodie Foster, John Anderson95 views -
1973 Harry O TV Movie David Janssen
MemoryCryptofCastleHills1973 Harry O, Such Dust as Dreams are Made On. Before the official episodes of the great TV series called "Harry O", starring David Janssen started in Sept 1974, there were two pilots released. This first one, from March 1973, was a short film length pilot, which actually became known as episode zero for the first season. Almost a full year passed, and another pilot dropped - this one a full film length episode. I presume there were some doubts as to whether the series would get released after this first pilot episode, but the second one seemed to do the trick, as only another five months passed until the first official episode was aired. And what a totally fantastic series it was - lasting for two seasons, and 44 more episodes - with David Janssen becoming a legend in the process as private eye Harry Orwell - or just Harry O. After of course first becoming a legend in the sixties in "The Fugitive" This first pilot episode has a strong cast, including Martin Sheen, Margot Kidder and Sal Mineo.111 views