Classic TV: The 70s : Banacek (1972)

Does anyone else remember this series? I'm getting started on it now, and I'm enjoying it. I love those impossible crimes.fictional, of course.

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JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen

Sure. It was part of three or four rotating mystery series that ran each week.

I thought Banacek presented sme really intriguing mysteries, but George Peppard's character was so arrogant that I never liked the show as much as some of the other NBC mysteries (like Columbo or MacMillian and Wife).

I'm okay with Peppard's character. A bit arrogant, but it doesn't bother me. I'm more interested in how these impossible crimes were committed. I just finished an interesting episode about a football player who vanishes off the field.

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JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen

I remember that. It had a bunch of NFL players in it and John Brodie (the 49ers quarterback) had a pretty big role.

It's been a few years since I've seen Banacek in re-runs, but the ones I remember liking best were when the giant computer was stolen or the railroad car in the middle of a train disappeared.

Did you ever see The Kennel Murder Case (1933)? A bit dry, but I loved the mystery.

The Perry Mason TV series had some decent mysteries. An episode I liked was The Case of the Bouncing Boomerang, where first a con man working a land swindle is murdered, then the wife of the guy being swindeled is killed.

Oh yes, I saw the one about the train, but not the one with the giant computer being stolen.

I haven't seen the Perry Mason TV series, but I did see the 1930s adaptations of his work, six in total.

I have seen The Kennel Murder Case. It's the best of all the Philo Vance films IMHO.

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JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen

I thought it was pretty good. It's been a while since I've seen it, though.

Hmmmmperhaps it's time for a rewatch?

Those episodes really are quite interesting.

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JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen

I remember this and liked it-NBC had some great stuff here. I made love to Susan Saint James many times but Banacek had some great plots and promos and this role by George Peppard led to his A-Team though I liked him better here carrying the show. He led the A-Team but his role as leader was shallower. Have you ever seen the Sci-Fi Film Damnation Alley? George Peppard is good in this movie as I recall.

A Smile is priceless

Nope, I haven't seen that film. I don't watch much sci-fi.

I know George Peppard from Breakfast at Tiffany's, mostly.

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JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen

Check this sci-fi out, Peppard is excellent in it and it is a good film.

A Smile is priceless

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I made love to Susan Saint James many times

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Oh, really? How was she?

Relax in the safety of your own delusions.- J.R. Bob Dobbs

Yes ! Love the "Banacek" series ! Probably one of the best ever TV programs. { Next would be "Jeopardy!" } Saw it when it first was on the airwaves. It was part of the NBC Mystery Movie rotation. [ Back when NBC TV bosses had brains ] .

"O'Hara , U.S. Treasury" , ( Which was where they got the flashlight shining/sweeping across the desert & abandoned hanger with a dark orange sunset ) ; "Madigan" ; "McMillan & Wife" ;

"Columbo" - ugh! (( That little mutant could never have got on to the L.A.P.D. except as a janitor.)) and - unlike "Banacek" they showed you at the beginning "Who did it" and how they did it There was no challenge. The next best NBC Mystery Movie was "McCloud".

Great stories / mysteries / plots. I only got close one time solving a "Banacek" mystery. That was the one about a really "smart" medical answers computer behind a chain-link/barbed-wire electric fence.

"Banacek" drove a Packard , and smoked long thin custom-made cigars. I could not afford the Packard , but I did get "A & C Sabres" and smoke them in my GMC Pick-up Loved the way he operated always smarter than the woman from the Insurance company.

Really? I love Columbo! Peter Falk was a sweetie, and so talented.

I haven't seen some of the shows you mentioned, but I have seen the Ellery Queen episodes many times

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JimHutton (1934-79) and ElleryQueen

That insurance lady was Carlie Kirkland, Christine Belford, and I am going to start a fan site just for her as soon as I get Internet.

Ephemeron.

Here I was going through the "obscure 70s TV shows" thread and the name Banacek popped into my head. After looking it up on IMDB, I scrolled up the page and, lo and behold, came across this thread.

I recall watching the series back then but don't remember a lot (only 11-12 at the time), other than the opening credits showing Peppard rowing across a lake or river. Peppard's character did seem pretty much the same as the one in the A-Team, other than the cigar.

The show is definitely worth another look, if you can find it.

I love impossible crimes. That's why I checked out this show.

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen =

I only watched it for the crimes. I would only viewed the first part and the last part and skipped the middle which was just filler.

I thought P.E.T.A. meant People Eating Tasty Animals

Eventually I started to do the same thing, when I watched this series. Also, after a certain point, it seemed like the stories were all alike.

The two episodes which stayed with me are the one with the vanishing football player and the one with the vanishing computer. Brilliant, both stories.

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Jim Hutton (1934-79) & Ellery Queen =