"The Man and the City" (1971) TV series 1971-1972

Director:

Paul Henreid

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 September 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win

Cast

Mike Farrell	...	Andy Hays (15 episodes, 1971-1972)
Anthony Quinn	...	Thomas Jefferson Alcala (15 episodes, 1971-1972)

Runtime:

60 min (15 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Company:

Universal TV

A good series in a bad time slot

This was a dramatic series which was a part of the ABC-TV network offering, during the 1971 season.

Anthony Quinn portrayed fictional Mayor Jefferson Alcala in a city whose name wasn't mentioned, somewhere in the southwestern part of the USA. Exterior shots were of Albuquerque, New Mexico, implying that it may have been the city in question. The Mayor's deputy mayor was named Andy Hays and was played by future "doctor" Mike Farrell. His character was a kind of "conscience" for the Mayor, attempting, sometimes unsuccessfully, to keep His Honor focused and on an even keel, because certain (guest-star) constituents caused him to get frequently distracted from his primary duties and personally involved in their problems with city government.

It really was a well-written series with superb acting and direction (in many ways reminding me of the George C. Scott series, "East Side West Side"), but it died in the ratings because it was on against "Mannix" and "Rod Serling's Night Gallery," so it never really had a good shot at becoming a continuing viewing habit among potential viewers, but it might have been, had home VCRs been available back in those days.