Dan Augustis an American drama series that aired onABCfrom September 23, 1970, to April 8, 1971.Burt Reynoldsplayed the title character. Reruns of the series aired in prime time on CBS from May to October 1973 and from April to June 1975.
| Dan August | |
|---|---|
 Reynolds as Dan August | |
| Starring | Burt Reynolds Norman Fell Ned Romero Richard Anderson Ena Hartman |
| Opening theme | "Dan August Theme" byDave Grusin |
| Composers | Dave Grusin Dave Vincent(pilot only) Richard Markowitz Tom Scott Patrick Williams Duane Tatro |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No.of seasons | 1 |
| No.of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Quinn Martin |
| Camera setup | Single-camera |
| Running time | 45 mins. |
| Production company | QM Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC |
| Release | September 23, 1970– April 8, 1971 |
Premise
editPolice lieutenant Dan August investigates homicide cases in his (fictional) hometown of Santa Luisa, California. The town is supposedly based on Santa Barbara, California, but was filmed in Oxnard in Ventura County.
Cast
edit- Burt Reynoldsas police lieutenant Dan August
- Norman FellasSergeantCharles Wilentz, August's partner
- Richard AndersonasPolice ChiefUntermeyer
- Ned Romeroas Sergeant Joe Rivera
- Ena Hartman as Katie Grant
Barney Phillipshad a recurring role as Mike Golden, the medical examiner.John Lasellalso had a recurring role as Benjamin Wedlock.
Guest stars
editGuest stars includingDiana Muldaurin the pilot episode "Murder by Proxy";Martin Sheenin "Dead Witness to a Killing";Dabney Colemanin "The King Is Dead";Larry Hagmanin "The Law";John Ritterin "Quadrangle of Death"; andHarrison Ford,Billy Dee Williams,Mickey Rooney,David SoulandGary Buseyin "The Manufactured Man".Ahna Capriplayed Linda Perry in "Death Chain" and "Prognosis: Homicide".
Other guest actors to appear on the show includeMichael Ontkean,Joan Hackett,Vera Miles,Annette O'Toole,Gary Collins,Ricardo Montalbán,Ford Rainey,Carolyn Jones,Fritz Weaver,John Marley,Janice Rule,Alexandra Hay,Norman Alden,Joan Van Ark,Bradford Dillman,Geraldine Brooks,Donna Mills,Victor French,Richard Basehart,Sherry Lansing,Monte Markham,Jan-Michael Vincent,Stephen Collins,Laurence Luckinbill,Lee Meriwether,Sal Mineo,Anna Navarro,Richard O'Brien,Fernando Lamas,Ellen Corby,Susan Oliver,John Beck,Michael Pataki,Diana HylandandSimon Scott.
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Murder by Proxy" | George Mc Cowan | Robert C. Dennis | September 23, 1970 | |
|
With guest starsDiana Muldaur. Burr DeBenning. Roger Perry. and special guest starAnne Francis. Co-StarringMilton Selzeras Dr. Albert Ziegler,Ford Raineyas David Lyle,Mark Robertsas Spence. WithBurke Byrnesas Officer Halsey,John Hudsonas Dr. Cooper, James Devine as Peterson,Judy Strangisas Susie,Robert Woldersas Redfern. A well-known race car driver is driving recklessly, and at a very high speed. When a police car gives chase, Gabe Redfern loses control and drives into the lake. The first officer on the scene finds that the driver is naked, and that he has been shot. Dan August knew the race car driver personally. He suspects that the killer is someone close to Gabe, but everyone has an alibi. | |||||
| 2 | "The Murder of a Small Town" | Harvey Hart | Robert Dozier | September 30, 1970 | |
|
With guest starRicardo Montalbán. and special guest starJohn Marley. Co-StarringAnna Navarroas Consuela, Cal Bellini as Jose, Corinne Comacho as Carlotta,Mark Robertsas Spence. WithVal Avery,Bart La Rue,Joaquin Martinez,Ray Martel,Peter Hobbs,Stan Barrett,Dort Clark, Michele Salerno. A sabotaged school bus is involved in an accident that kills Sgt. Joe Rivera's niece. Dan wonders if a migrant worker's strike is connected and races to find the killer before violence breaks out. | |||||
| 3 | "Love Is a Nickel Bag" | George Mc Cowan | Arthur Weingarten | October 7, 1970 | |
|
With guest starsBrad David. Annette O'Toole. June Dayton. Co-StarringDon Dubbinsas Arnold Cane,Morgan Paullas Gibbs, Morgan Sterne as Mr. Corman,Eldon Quickas Dr. Joelson. WithJoyce Ames as Tara Mayson,Florence MacMichaelas Mrs. Goodson, Paul Camen as Connors,Darrell Larsonas Bernie Kahn,Bill Ewingas Joe Goodson. A teenage boy fatally overdoses at a wild party. In order to find the drug supplier, Dan 'sweats out' the heroin-addicted host of the party in an attempt to gain information. | |||||
| 4 | "The King Is Dead" | Gene Nelson | Jack Turley | October 14, 1970 | |
|
With guest starsDabney Coleman. Fred Beir. Jane Elliot. and special guest starJanice Rule. Co-StarringRichard Van Vleet as Robert Gage,Mark Robertsas Spence. WithWalter Coyas Alex Venable,Rose Hobartas Servant,Bill Erwinas Coroner, Warren Parker as Doctor, Douglas Mitchell as Patrolman. The philanthropist Alex Venable, who put Dan through college, is found shot to death and he doesn't buy the 'scared burglar' theory. Dan soon discovers that Venable wasn't the man he thought he was and finding the guilty party among the growing group of the old man's enemies will take all his detecting skills. | |||||
| 5 | "In the Eyes of God" | Harvey Hart | Barry Trivers | October 21, 1970 | |
|
With guest starsBradford Dillman. James Best. Donna Mills. Co-StarringThomas Gomezas Hector Costa,Russell Thorsonas Bishop MacAlister,Mark Robertsas Spence. WithJoshua Bryant,Queenie Smith,Claudia Bryar,Robert Cleaves, Pat O'Hara, Iris Korn, Don Phelps,Irene Gilbert,Matthew Knox, Bob Pickett, Martin Priest, Steve Benson, Bernadette Brookes. | |||||
| 6 | "The Color of Fury" | Harvey Hart | William Wood | October 28, 1970 | |
| 7 | "Invitation to Murder" | Robert Douglas | Mel Goldberg | November 4, 1970 | |
|
The spoiled brat of a daughter of a famous newspaper columnist is found dead on the beach. Dan's investigation is complicated by the columnist, who uses his forum to virtually convict the girl's hippie boyfriend. | |||||
| 8 | "The Union Forever" | George McCowan | Chester Krumholz | November 11, 1970 | |
|
With guest starsVic Morrow, Andrew Prine. A corrupt union official is murdered and Dan's main suspect is his opponent in an upcoming election. Despite the man's claims of innocence, the evidence continues to mount that he hired hit men to kill the only person standing in his way. | |||||
| 9 | "Epitaph for a Swinger" | Lewis Allen | Nicholas E. Baehr | November 18, 1970 | |
| 10 | "When the Shouting Dies" | Robert Totten | Robert Dozier (t), Robert L. Goodwin (s) | November 25, 1970 | |
| 11 | "The Soldier" | Lewis Allen | Stephen Kandel | December 2, 1970 | |
|
With guest starsMichael Ontkean,Lynne Marta,Larry Ward,Jack Ging. Dan's attempt to clear an AWOL soldier of an MP's murder is hampered by the suspect's uncooperative friends and the victim's wife, whose motivations are murky. | |||||
| 12 | "Quadrangle for Death" | Nicholas Webster | Norman Katkov (s/t), Stephen Kandel (t), Roland Wolpert (s) | December 16, 1970 | |
| 13 | "Passing Fair" | Arnold Laven | Warren Duff | December 30, 1970 | |
| 14 | "The Titan" | George McCowan | Richard Carr (s/t), Robert C. Dennis (t) | January 7, 1971 | |
| 15 | "Death Chain" | Ralph Senensky | Robert C. Dennis | January 21, 1971 | |
| 16 | "Dead Witness to a Killing" | Ralph Senensky | Arthur Weingarten | January 28, 1971 | |
| 17 | "The Law" | Ralph Senensky | Mel Goldberg | February 4, 1971 | |
| 18 | "The Worst Crime" | Gerald Mayer | Richard Landau | February 11, 1971 | |
| 19 | "Circle of Lies" | Richard Benedict | Harry Kronman | February 18, 1971 | |
| 20 | "Trackdown" | Jerry Jameson | Rick Husky | February 25, 1971 | |
| 21 | "Bullet for a Hero" | Ralph Senensky | Nicholas E. Baehr | March 4, 1971 | |
| 22 | "The Manufactured Man" | Richard Benedict | Arthur Dales (s), Robert C. Dennis (t) | March 11, 1971 | |
|
A young woman returns to town after having been away for a year, and she's murdered just a few minutes after getting off the bus. Suspects include a popular candidate for governor, members of his campaign staff, and his son. | |||||
| 23 | "The Meal Ticket" | Seymour Robbie | Robert Collins | March 18, 1971 | |
| 24 | "Days of Rage" | Ralph Senensky | Stephen Kandel (s), Richard Landau (s/t) | March 25, 1971 | |
| 25 | "Prognosis: Homicide" | Virgil W. Vogel | Robert C. Dennis | April 1, 1971 | |
| 26 | "The Assassin" | Gene Nelson | Mel Goldberg | April 8, 1971 | |
Production
editReynolds later recalled "I swore I'd never play a cop on TV because you can't make jokes or have a broad. You wind up loving your car a lot. I was halfway out the door when Quinn said the magic words – $15,000 a week."[1]
The series was based on Quinn Martin's 1970 TV movieHouse on Greenapple Road,starringJanet Leigh,which was based on Harold R. Daniels' 1966 mystery novel of the same name. It was directed byRobert Dayfrom a script byGeorge Eckstein.Christopher Georgeplayed Dan August, withKeenan Wynnas Sergeant Wilentz andBarry Sullivanas Chief Untermeyer. Ned Romero was the only actor in the film who reprised his role in the series.[2]
Reception and legacy
editWhile not initially popular enough to be renewed for a second season,Dan Augustbecame a fan favorite in reruns, particularly after Reynolds' popularity surged in the mid-1970s with his escalating movie career. CBS re-aired the series both onThe CBS Late Movieand in prime time during summer "rerun seasons" of both 1973 and 1975 to larger audiences.[3]
Television films
editIn 1980, a television movie titledDan August: Once Is Never Enoughaired on ABC on January 4. The film consisted of footage from episode 15, "Death Chain" and episode 25, "Prognosis: Homicide," cut together to television film length. At the time, ABC and Quinn Martin productions were looking to capitalize on the popularity of star Burt Reynolds, who was in the public eye due toSmokey and the Bandit.
Four further television films were produced, all of which comprised edits of existing episodes into film-length narratives. The Diana Muldaur and Dabney Coleman episodes ( "Murder by Proxy" and "The King Is Dead" ) were edited into the second filmDan August: The Jealousy Factor,which aired later the same year on February 4, and was followed by three more compilations, of selected episodesDan August: The Trouble with Women( "Epitaph for a Swinger" and "The Titan" ), which aired on June 1, thenDan August: The Lady Killers( "When the Shouting Dies" and "The Worst Crime" ) andDan August: Murder, My Friend( "Trackdown" and "Bullet for a Hero" ), both which aired in November, 1980, between November 10th and 30th, respectively, at the end of the 1980 television season.[4]
Home media
editOn December 7, 2018,Visual Entertainmentreleased the complete series on DVD inRegion 1.The set includes "House on Greenapple Road" withChristopher Georgeas August.[5]
References
edit- ^Burt Prelutsky: Two Centerfolds.Los Angeles TimesDecember 24, 1972, p. K14.
- ^Marill, Alvin H.Movies Made for Television: The Telefeature and the Mini-Series 1964-1986.Page 190.
- ^Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle.The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946-Present (4th edition).New York, Ballantine Books, 1988. pp. 181-182.
- ^"EpixHD - Dan August: The Jealousy Factor".Archived fromthe originalon May 30, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
- ^"Dan August - The Complete Collection".RetrievedOctober 12,2018.