"Peter Gunn" (1958) TV series 1958-1961

Creator:

Blake Edwards

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

22 September 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Mystery | Crime | Drama

Plot:

The cases of a stylishly cool private detective.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Private Detective | Neo Noir | Jazz | Maitre D'

Awards:

Nominated for 8 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Craig Stevens	...	Peter Gunn (109 episodes, 1958-1961)
Herschel Bernardi	...	Lt. Jacoby / ... (94 episodes, 1958-1961)
Lola Albright	...	Edie Hart (78 episodes, 1958-1961)

Also Known As:

Gunn for Hire (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min (114 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Spartan Productions

Trivia:

This was one of the first television shows to have its own original score and it was the first to feature modern jazz for a soundtrack. Previously, producers used generic music scores that were used in many television productions. RCA released an album of music from "Peter Gunn" featuring the title song and other pieces. It reached #1 on Billboard's chart, stayed there ten weeks, and stayed on the list for the next two years. It was so successful that RCA put together a sequel. Henry Mancini received an Emmy nomination for the theme and won two Grammys for the album.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Jeopardy!: (#1.1)" (1984)

Peter Gunn depicted the l940's and l950's era very well and with the same atmosphere of the night clubs.

I take exception to the present commentary in that the movies were large and more impressive due to the sound and filming. However, the television characters that had a good, strong, character or persona were definitely their own and I respectfully do not see the comparison.

Gable, Brando and Grant can never be duplicated in any way. Each man had a distinctive personality and body language that expresses their individual persona which comes through the camera. Jones and Davis have nothing in common. Jones can be compared to Lola Albrights character somewhat from her movies, being in the same era. Her performance in comedy (the Adams Family) is a good reference of her acting abilities.

William Shatner is what I call a very lucky actor being at the right time and place all during his career. Not an impressive nor commanding actor.

Edward G. Robinson is another actor with extreme body language that meets his verbal lines. However, Craig Stevens has some romance in his persona and combining this with being a detective brings a new and fresh character. I have seen him in a movie with Lucille Ball and he did not have as much presence as he did in Peter Gunn.

Ephram Zimbalist, Jr., played the same persona type actor in his movies as he did in television. A very personable, attractive male but not the leader. He is a well poised and groomed actor but lacks a certain strength.

John Vivyan was great. I loved his facial expressions, his voice and body language. The all matched the character.

Comparing Grant to Barry is somewhat close, however, we have a definite individual persona behind the characters that is strong and distinct. Grant is Grant after so many pictures and Barry did an outstanding job at his character.

Looking back at the program and the comparison commentary, brings the thought to mind that being a female, of that era, makes me think the commentary was written by a male. I hope I am right.