Complete series cast summary: | |||
Robert Wagner | ... | Pete T. Ryan 71 episodes, 1975-1978 | |
Eddie Albert | ... | Frank MacBride 71 episodes, 1975-1978 | |
Charlie Callas | ... | Malcolm Argos 71 episodes, 1975-1978 | |
Sharon Gless | ... | Maggie Philbin 71 episodes, 1975-1978 | |
Former bunco Detective Frank MacBride (Eddie Albert) joins forces with a con artist he once sent to jail, Pete Ryan (Robert Wagner), to operate their own private detective agency. Most of their cases involve running cons on the bad guys in order to trick them into surrendering or revealing the whereabouts of the stolen loot, jewels, et cetera. Maggie Philbin (Sharon Gless) was their cute receptionist, and wacky restaurateur Malcolm Argos (Charlie Callas), whose mastery of disguise often came in handy in helping MacBride and Ryan on their cases, provided the comic relief. Written by Marty McKee <mmckee@soltec.net>
I only ever saw this series the first (and only) time it was broadcast in Ireland (remember the 'Spinning Coin' at the start ?). Anyway - I agree - it was an excellent 'Sting-in-the-Tail' type show - the 'mark' usually deserved what (s)he got - so in essence we were rooting for the 'bad guys', in the mold of Newman/Redford in the extremely excellent 'The Sting' - a film which NEVER grows stale.
And yes - this is indeed a show which appears to have 'fallen out of Television History' - others being 'Cool Million' and 'It Takes a Thief' - these made Saturday evening viewing (while growing up) a delight.
More please ( but DON'T remake them as movies ! ).
Enjoy !