I write about this more fully at the main "Peter Gunn" IMDb site but the point of the matter is this is the single best PETER GUNN episode of them all which contains, in the performance of Shelly Berman as night-cub comic, Danny Arnold, one of the great dramatic tour-de-force experiences in network television history. Through the loving scrutiny of what is basically a monologue show, I don't believe Edwards ever got closer to the edgy wit and madness at the periphery which inspired his best work. These twenty-four minutes might very well be the best moments of an entire career. Of course fans of the show do not have to be convinced of how seminal the PETER GUNN program was in the career of Blake Edwards, but for those not familiar with the series, you are in for an extraordinary awakening. This and THE ROCKFORD FILES get my votes for the two best private detective programs of all time, but whereas "Rockford" is closer to us in terms of narrative pace and construction, the earlier 1/2 hour dramatic format (like PETER GUNN) popular in the 50s and early 60s television supplies one with a cryptic pungency nowhere else to be found today.
3 Reviews
The Comic
Prismark105 March 2022
What a strange and weird episode of Peter Gunn.
The plot is Peter Gunn has been hired by edgy comedian Danny Holland (Shelley Berman.) He thinks that his wife might be trying to kill him.
Danny has attacked and killed a tramp who has followed him.
The episode features a lot of Danny's edgy stand up rather than develop the mystery.
Watching this I was wondering if this was an experiment by Blake Edwards. That he wanted to imitate something that had been written and directed by Lenny Bruce.
The plot is Peter Gunn has been hired by edgy comedian Danny Holland (Shelley Berman.) He thinks that his wife might be trying to kill him.
Danny has attacked and killed a tramp who has followed him.
The episode features a lot of Danny's edgy stand up rather than develop the mystery.
Watching this I was wondering if this was an experiment by Blake Edwards. That he wanted to imitate something that had been written and directed by Lenny Bruce.
Berman Showcase
dougdoepke5 September 2017
The 30-minutes is really a Shelley Berman showcase. The real life comedian gets to play a real life comedian, except his Danny Holland is on the ragged edge of sanity and may crash at any moment. Largely forgotten today, Berman was a leading member of the New Wave comics of the early '60's that included such better knowns as Bill Cosby and Bob Newhart. The premise here is a good one and I'm sorry it didn't get more development. Namely, which is the homicidal nutcase-- is it Berman or his wife. We know both are on the edge, but which has gone over by killing an old tramp. However, instead of developing the puzzler, Danny's weirdly disturbing standup gets the screen time. Still, Berman brings it off in fascinating fashion. Don't look for Edie or Mother, but do look for the doctor played by Tony Barrett one of the show's chief writers getting a thespic turn. Also, be prepared to jump out of your seat as director Edwards hits us with a couple of stunning jump-cuts. Anyhow, it's a different kind of Gunn episode, starring a comedian rather than Pete.
(In passing--- I note that Berman passed away in mid-2017 after a long and interesting life.)
(In passing--- I note that Berman passed away in mid-2017 after a long and interesting life.)
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