Archer (1975 TV series)

Last updated
Archer
Archer75.jpg
Based onthe character Lew Archer by Ross Macdonald
Developed by David Karp
Starring
Theme music composer Jerry Goldsmith
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerDavid Karp
Running time60 minutes
Production company Paramount Television
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseJanuary 30 (1975-01-30) 
March 13, 1975 (1975-03-13)

Archer is an American TV drama series that aired on NBC from January 30, 1975, to March 13, 1975. The show was based on the titular private-eye featured in the series of novels by Ross Macdonald. [1]

Contents

Due to low ratings, NBC announced it would cancel the show after only two episodes had aired. [2] [3] The show aired 9pm–10pm Eastern Time on Thursday nights, with the show continuing to air until March 13, 1975. [1]

Premise

Lew Archer was a detective and former cop who often worked with the police but sometimes bent the law if necessary. He used his basic skills of deduction to solve his cases, rather than force, and the show portrayed him as a regular guy without any gimmicks. [1]

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"The Turkish Connection" Gary Nelson David P. Harmon January 30, 1975 (1975-01-30)
An underground newspaper editor (Marjoe Gortner) does a favor for Archer by going undercover to break up an extortion ring.
2"The Arsonist" Paul Stanley Jim ByrnesFebruary 6, 1975 (1975-02-06)
Archer aids the owner of a delicatessen who accuses the county tax collector of cheating him out his land.
3"The Body Beautiful" Edward M. Abroms Leigh Brackett February 13, 1975 (1975-02-13)
Archer is hired to retrieve pornographic photos of a man's fiancee that are being used to embarrass her ex-husband. At first , he refuses, but a subsequent beating gets him back on the case.
4"Shades of Blue" John Llewellyn Moxey David Karp February 20, 1975 (1975-02-20)
While investigating a claim that a building fire was actually arson, Archer becomes the prime suspect in a murder case.
5"The Vanished Man" Arnold Laven Harold Livingston March 6, 1975 (1975-03-06)
Archer is hired by a wealthy businessman to find a missing body.
6"Blood Money" Jack Arnold Anthony Lawrence & Wallace Ware March 13, 1975 (1975-03-13)
Bitter memories are stirred up for two women when Archer is hired as a courier.

Soundtrack

On February 19, 2019, La-La Land Records released a limited edition soundtrack containing the one episode famous film composer Jerry Goldsmith scored (paired with a reissue of the score to the film Warning Shot , from newly discovered better elements).

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9 ed.). New York: Random House Publishing. p. 75. ISBN   978-0-345-49773-4 . Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  2. (13 February 1975). Week's new show gets low ratings, Greeley Daily Tribune
  3. (12 February 1975). 'Archer' canceled; two new series set, The New York Times