BURKE'S LAW: WHO KILLED CABLE ROBERTS

Paul Lynde

BURKE'S LAW: WHO KILLED CABLE ROBERTS (1963). Director: Jeffrey Hayden. 

Cable Roberts, a big-game hunter who may have been a complete phony, is found dead in his trophy room, propped over a screen that nearly falls on top of the screaming maid (Zsa Zsa Gabor of Country Music Holiday). His personal secretary Arthur Clark (Paul Lynde) -- who is keeping his own secrets -- seems quite distraught over the death, but Roberts' wife Mona (Lizabeth Scott) not only can't be bothered to shed a tear but seems to have no real human reaction other than to blatantly flirt with Homicide Captain Amos Burke (Gene Barry) as if this lass with a pronounced overbite were the most beautiful woman on earth. Burke and his associates -- Detective Tim Tillson (Gary Conway) and Sgt. Les Hart (Regis Toomey of Three for Jamie Dawn) -- talk to numerous suspects, including Roberts' ex-wife Florence (Mary Astor), son Bud (John Saxon), business partner Harry Riggs (Chill Wills of Heartaches), and others. Who done it?

Gerry Conway and Gene Barry

"Who Killed Cable Roberts?" is one of the better episodes of this entertaining, amusing, and often very silly series that ran for two seasons in the sixties before being transformed into Amos Burke, Secret Agent. The acting of the assorted guest-stars in this story is especially notable, with Mary Astor -- no surprise there -- taking top honors along with a terrific Chill Wills. A big surprise is the excellent performance given by Paul Lynde. Although others have called him "campy" in this -- and no one would have blamed him if he had acted that way on this program -- he actually gives an essentially serious dramatic performance and is all the better because of it -- it is really good work. Barry, handsome Conway and Toomey are all at the top of their game as well. 

Verdict: Extra-special episode of this fun series with some fine performances. ***1/4.  

BURKE'S LAW (1994 )

Gene Barry and Peter Barton

BURKE'S LAW (1994 CBS TV series). 

In this revival of the fun 1960's mystery series, Gene Barry is back as the wealthy Amos Burke, who drives around in a limo with a chauffeur, aide and cook named  Henry (now played by Danny Kamekona), and is now Chief of Police of Los Angeles. Widower Burke still goes to crime scenes with his detective son, Peter (Peter Barton), who never solves the crime the way his father does. Another cast member is Bever-Leigh [!] Banfield as all-in-one pathologist and crime scene investigator, Lily. At first Banfield didn't seem to have a clue as to how to play Lily, but eventually she settled in and became an asset to the series. A "guest star" on every episode was Dom DeLuise as the Burkes' friend, Vinnie, a restaurateur and jack of all trades who serves as comedy relief and is often quite amusing. 

Bever-Leigh Banfield

The tone of the revival is very similar to the original show, light-hearted in its approach but only occasionally veering into outright silliness. Barry and Barton are excellent in their roles and are quite good at exploring the loving father-son dynamics between the two men. Most of the episodes of the show were B+, but there were a few "A's" as well. "Who Killed the Host at the Roast" has a comedian electrocuted at his own comedy roast and features Milton Berle and an excellent Gavin McLeod. Amos turns down a proposal from Shirley Jones in "Who Killed the Gadget Man?" in which an infomercial specialist is murdered, and features an especially good guest-star turn from Vicki Lawrence. Robert Vaughn is great fun as an actor who plays vampires in "Who Killed the Movie Mogul?" and a handsome, womanizing lifeguard is murdered in his pool in "Who Killed the Lifeguard?" In "Who Killed Nick Hazard?" a private eye is murdered at a convention, and Anne Francis, who first appeared as Honey West on the original Burke's Law, essays the role of P.I. "Honey Best."

The revival lasted for two seasons for a total of 27 episodes, and was produced by Aaron Spelling. It is not a classic, but nevertheless it's a clever, well-acted and entertaining program that is recommended to fans of the original series. The new theme music seems pretty insipid at first, but it grows on you. The original show eventually metamorphosed into Amos Burke, Secret Agent, which lasted one interesting season. 

Verdict: No classic, perhaps, but a fun and smoothly scripted show. **3/4.