Staccato was a rip off of Peter Gunn, but I liked it better than Gunn. It was more film noire, and featured confrontational subjects, like McCarthyism.
Besides, Mrs. Plant (v.3.0) who doesn’t share my interest in film noire or old TV series, speaking of John Cassavetes, said, “At least that guy was cute.”
It is a shame that Cassavetes quit the series so that he could direct.
I think the best-written episodes of Johnny Staccato are more intense and real-seeming than most of Peter Gunn. Unfortunately Staccato had a lot of dud episodes, and if I’m not mistaken suffered from restricted budgets as it went on. I like how Cassavetes actually seems like a guy who might hang out in a subterranean jazz club, or at least would be familiar with habitués of that milieu. His distinctive, vernacular-style of acting works well and often elevates the acting of the rest of the cast. Whereas with Peter Gunn, Craig Stevens, by his own admission, was basically doing a Cary Grant impersonation. Both shows are highly entertaining, but I concur that, all things considered, I’d rather watch Staccato given a choice.
There’s no doubt that Cassavetes was a better actor than Stevens, but let’s get down to what really counts.
Plus, Peter Gunn had Lola Albright. Score 2-1.
I am surprised that he admitted that.
The Johnny Staccato theme is OK, I guess. But Peter Gunn is iconic.
I can’t remember where I read that to be honest, but in this little write-up about the show it’s asserted that Blake Edwards had Cary Grant in mind for the character:
Thanks, Ellis.
Upon watching Peter Gunn for the first time, I wondered, “Why the hell is he acting like Cary Grant?”
Yeah, I watched The Frog tonight. She is really cute when she pouts.
Spoiler for a sixty year old TV show:
Loretta the Cat Lady didn’t screw around. Double taps bad guys with a big ass revolver. Edit got a kitten.