THE D.A.'S MAN

John Compton

THE D.A.'S MAN (1959). One season and 26 half-hour episodes.

Shannon (John Compton) is a former private eye who is now working with the district attorney's office in Manhattan as an undercover investigator. He reports to assistant D.A. Al Bonacorsi (Ralph Manza), and often works with another ADA named Ed Carney (Alfred Shelly). Although Compton was almost illegally good-looking, the stories rarely make references to his appearance, -- "a face like a Greek God," a woman says in "The Duke" --  although there are indications that he's a bit of a ladies man. 

"Iron Mike Benedict:" Wm Fawcett; Compton

Among the more memorable episodes: "The Actress" features an excellent Whitney Blake as a junkie waiting for her fix to arrive as an undercover Shannon waits with her and tries to help her. "Manhattan Gigolo" has Shannon "dating" an old woman as part of an investigation into a murderous Park Avenue safecracker (Paul Burke). William Fawcett gives a fine performance as "Iron Mike Benedict," one of the alcoholic victims of Stafford Repp, a bar owner who poisons customers for their insurance money. In the touching conclusion, Mike comes to see Shannon, in disguise as a bowery bum, as the son he never had. 

Alfred Shelly with Compton

Robert Ellenstein grooms young ladies for prostitution in "Mr. Santa Claus." Shannon goes undercover as a boxer to trap men who murder fighters who refuse to take a dive in "Club Fighter." In "Shakedown," in which phony cops and a pretty gal scam lonely out-of-town businessmen, Compton puts on a very convincing hayseed impersonation. In "The Duke" John Hudson heads a gang of fur thieves at a bar-hangout which Shannon infiltrates. Shannon investigates a murder in a small town in "Girls Best Friend."

The D.A.'s Man was an interesting series that was too short-lived to make much of an impression or help Compton's career. Compton's performances were a little uneven, as well, sometimes quite perfunctory, and other times -- especially when he was in character as part of his cover -- much more impressive. All but a couple of the episodes are available on youtube. 

Verdict: Some good stories and a handsome lead actor never hurt. **3/4.