This Peter Gunn adventure features the greatest voice Chevy Trucks ever had: James Coburn. A young James Coburn (with DARK hair!). This was a few years before "Our Man Flint" - but even this early in his career, if a director needed intensity from Coburn, he GOT it! Unfortunately, Coburn's character, Bud Bailey, reputed to be one of the world's best jazz TRUMPET men (NOT trombone, as mentioned in the previous review) turns up as a corpse early on. Or does he? In an even earlier scene when Pete meets Bud at his home, Gunn finds Bud alone, playing his own recordings (most likely Pete Candoli did the actual KILLER trumpet playing). The reason? Well, ya won't hear it from me. It's not my place to spoil it for you. You'll just have to catch the episode if you can. I CAN tell you one thing: It's a good one!
3 Reviews
The Murder Clause
Prismark108 November 2023
Cool cat James Coburn turns up as a jazz trumpet player Bud Bailey who is missing in action.
His wife Helen goes to see Peter Gunn. She is not worried about her husband's whereabouts. She is bothered that Bud is trying to kill her. He has taken out insurance against her life.
When Peter Gunn tracks down Bud, He is despondent and distraught. Rather it is his wife that is planning to kill him, she has even taken out insurance against his life.
Later a body part is found, it is thought to be Bud and Helen seems to be in hiding.
With some moody jazz, this is an episode that takes a while to get going. Once it does, there are several layers and twists to the story.
His wife Helen goes to see Peter Gunn. She is not worried about her husband's whereabouts. She is bothered that Bud is trying to kill her. He has taken out insurance against her life.
When Peter Gunn tracks down Bud, He is despondent and distraught. Rather it is his wife that is planning to kill him, she has even taken out insurance against his life.
Later a body part is found, it is thought to be Bud and Helen seems to be in hiding.
With some moody jazz, this is an episode that takes a while to get going. Once it does, there are several layers and twists to the story.
James Coburn in a Solid Episode
dougdoepke23 July 2014
Solid episode. Helen Bailey thinks her jazz trombonist husband Bud is trying to kill her, so Pete goes to talk to him. But Bud is really distraught with his life; plus Helen isn't with her brother as she was supposed to be. Later, a body turns up. So what's going on.
It's an early James Coburn. As Bud, he's is more expressive than I've ever seen him. After all, his stardom was built on being cool and contained. Also good is Cece Whitney as the nervous wife. Then too, the banter between Pete and Lt. Jacoby is particularly clever. Look for some cutting-edge camera angles for TV of the time. That plus the hip jazz background creates the typical series mood. All in all, a highly entertaining 30-minutes with an early look at a 60's icon.
It's an early James Coburn. As Bud, he's is more expressive than I've ever seen him. After all, his stardom was built on being cool and contained. Also good is Cece Whitney as the nervous wife. Then too, the banter between Pete and Lt. Jacoby is particularly clever. Look for some cutting-edge camera angles for TV of the time. That plus the hip jazz background creates the typical series mood. All in all, a highly entertaining 30-minutes with an early look at a 60's icon.
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