Warner Brothers producer and director William Conrad definitely followed the trek of Raymond Burr. For starters, they were both heavy set, deep voiced actors who began their careers playing bad, bad guys in noir movies. It was tv where they became heroes. Should you take the Warner Brothers tour, guides (and I was one of them!) always mention the iconic MALTESE FALCON, one of two that was awarded to Bill Conrad by his friend and boss Jack Warner for all his work at the studio. He kept that in his home (on a bookcase) for the rest of his life.
Producer Quinn Martin took a hint from IRONSIDE. Why not try a scowling detective WITHOUT a wheel chair? Thus Cannon was born, first directed by Canadian director George McCowan who was also working on THE MOD SQUAD at the time. Bill Conrad fit the job description to the letter and had a lot of fun with the role. In fact, it was an honor to appear on the show over the years as everybody had a super time and were treated royally. Conrad, a yachtsman, also had his boat(s) in several episodes.
Here (in the pilot episode) Cannon's swank Hollywood digs include a maid and a shooting gallery. He also drives a brand new sleek 4 door Lincoln (which gets smashed up) as he investigates a mysterious case involving lovely Vera Miles, who plays one of Cannon's many ex-girlfriends?? Note: There is no mention until the 5th season that Cannon's wife and son were murdered. This pilot episode was also way ahead of its time; Cannon deals with allegations of rape in one scene. Taboo stuff back in the day.
The series, next to MANNIX, was also violent for 70s television but climbed steadily to the top 10 in the Nielson ratings by the end of Season 2. At times, some episodes may have ranked as high as 5 or 6 in the Top 10, and in the days without cable, which meant about the half the country was watching this cop show. For awhile, it was an addiction, a fad.
Bill Conrad also did many of his own stunts in the early years of the show, keeping up with Mike Connors... to a degree. There's a dynamic cast in this two part episode, including Barry Sullivan (Bill Conrad's old Hollywood pal) Earl Holliman, JD Cannon (from McCloud), Keenan Wynn and Lynda Day George (in a terrific role) Also former teen 1940s movie star Jimmy Lydon (Henry Aldrich), who was a co-producer at WB with Conrad in the 60s. Pilot filmed either in late 1970 or early 1971 and released March 26, 1971
Beginning a trend of pictureque locations, this was partly filmed in the small town of Las Cruces, NM, also taking a hint from MANNIX. Although many episodes filmed in Hollywood, North Hollywood and Burbank.
This is how it all began and may have also inspired KOJAK's lollipops? Cannon liked candy canes. Super trivia question!
Usually broadcast in two parts, and the second half really takes off with Cannon nearly getting killed in a creepy, abandoned farm house, a prelude of what to expect in the story, if not the series.
SEASON 1 PILOT CBS remastered dvd box set 2008 release. And thanks to TV LAND back in the 90s for bringing the series back in steady reruns, with a lot of goofy promotions, and now ME TV.
Producer Quinn Martin took a hint from IRONSIDE. Why not try a scowling detective WITHOUT a wheel chair? Thus Cannon was born, first directed by Canadian director George McCowan who was also working on THE MOD SQUAD at the time. Bill Conrad fit the job description to the letter and had a lot of fun with the role. In fact, it was an honor to appear on the show over the years as everybody had a super time and were treated royally. Conrad, a yachtsman, also had his boat(s) in several episodes.
Here (in the pilot episode) Cannon's swank Hollywood digs include a maid and a shooting gallery. He also drives a brand new sleek 4 door Lincoln (which gets smashed up) as he investigates a mysterious case involving lovely Vera Miles, who plays one of Cannon's many ex-girlfriends?? Note: There is no mention until the 5th season that Cannon's wife and son were murdered. This pilot episode was also way ahead of its time; Cannon deals with allegations of rape in one scene. Taboo stuff back in the day.
The series, next to MANNIX, was also violent for 70s television but climbed steadily to the top 10 in the Nielson ratings by the end of Season 2. At times, some episodes may have ranked as high as 5 or 6 in the Top 10, and in the days without cable, which meant about the half the country was watching this cop show. For awhile, it was an addiction, a fad.
Bill Conrad also did many of his own stunts in the early years of the show, keeping up with Mike Connors... to a degree. There's a dynamic cast in this two part episode, including Barry Sullivan (Bill Conrad's old Hollywood pal) Earl Holliman, JD Cannon (from McCloud), Keenan Wynn and Lynda Day George (in a terrific role) Also former teen 1940s movie star Jimmy Lydon (Henry Aldrich), who was a co-producer at WB with Conrad in the 60s. Pilot filmed either in late 1970 or early 1971 and released March 26, 1971
Beginning a trend of pictureque locations, this was partly filmed in the small town of Las Cruces, NM, also taking a hint from MANNIX. Although many episodes filmed in Hollywood, North Hollywood and Burbank.
This is how it all began and may have also inspired KOJAK's lollipops? Cannon liked candy canes. Super trivia question!
Usually broadcast in two parts, and the second half really takes off with Cannon nearly getting killed in a creepy, abandoned farm house, a prelude of what to expect in the story, if not the series.
SEASON 1 PILOT CBS remastered dvd box set 2008 release. And thanks to TV LAND back in the 90s for bringing the series back in steady reruns, with a lot of goofy promotions, and now ME TV.