Matt Helm (TV series)

Matt Helm is an American mystery television series which aired on ABC from September 20, 1975 to January 3, 1976. The title character was played by Anthony Franciosa.

Matt Helm
Franciosa as Matt Helm and Laraine Stephens as Claire Kronski.
Based onDeath of a Citizen by Donald Hamilton
Developed bySam Rolfe
StarringAnthony Franciosa
Composer(s)Jerry Fielding (pilot)
Morton Stevens ("Dead Men Talk" and series' theme)
Jerrold Immel
Richard Shores
Richard Hazard
John Parker
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production company(s)Meadway Productions
Columbia Pictures Television
DistributorSony Pictures Television
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseSeptember 20, 1975 –
January 3, 1976

Overview

The series was loosely based upon the literary character Matt Helm, who had been created and introduced by Donald Hamilton in his 1960 novel, Death of a Citizen; he had also been played by Dean Martin in a series of spy comedy films in the late 1960s. This series resembled neither the books—in which Helm was a terse assassin for a secret government agency—nor the films—in which Helm was a womanizing, wisecracking secret agent.

The series sees Matt Helm, a retired spy, opening a private detective business. Thus, most of the plot lines were standard detective stories of the day, such as one episode in which Helm investigates the disappearance of a race horse. Laraine Stephens co-starred as Claire Kronski, Helm's assistant.

A pilot TV movie aired on May 7, 1975 and was popular enough for ABC to commission a series, which debuted on September 20 of the same year. Ratings were not strong enough for the series to continue past its initial 13 episodes, and the final episode aired on January 3, 1976.

Many notable guest stars appeared on the series during its short run, including Lynda Carter, who appeared in the penultimate episode, "Panic", playing a singer. Her appearance coincided with her rise to fame as Wonder Woman.

Other guests included: Jack Cassidy, Gretchen Corbett, Bert Convy, Pat Crowley, Susan Dey, Howard Duff, Shelley Fabares, Farley Granger, Sherry Jackson, L.Q. Jones, Patrick Macnee, Juliet Mills, Ian McShane, Ann Turkel and John Vernon.

To date, the Matt Helm TV series marks the most recent attempt to adapt Donald Hamilton's creation, although there were reports in 2006 that a film studio had optioned the rights to the character.

Cast
  • Anthony Franciosa.....Matt Helm
  • Laraine Stephens.....Claire Kronski
  • Jeff Donnell .... Ethel
  • Gene Evans .... Sgt. Fred Hanrahan
  • Peter Brown .... Cassidy (2 episodes)
  • Eileen Chesis .... Joan (2 episodes)

Episodes
Nº Title Directed by: Written by: Original air date
1"Matt Helm"Buzz KulikSam RolfeMay 7, 1975 (1975-05-07)
TV-movie pilot: A former secret agent for the Machine, the G.I.A. and I.C.E., now a private investigator, is hired to protect a beautiful film star and gets involved with gun runners. Ann Turkel, Catherine Bach, Patrick Macnee; Gene Evans as Sgt. Fred Hanrahan.
2"Dead Men Talk"Richard BenedictMichael FisherSeptember 20, 1975 (1975-09-20)
Helm sets out to find an air freight company executive who disappeared after deciding to terminate his involvement with a drug-smuggling ring. Peter Brown (as Cassidy); Richard Egan, Richard Mulligan, Katherine Justice.
3"Now I Lay Me Down to Die"Earl BellamyGerry Day,
Bethel Leslie		27 September 1975 (1975-09-27)
Helm is hired by a charming socialite with a dual personality to investigate a murder that she may have been committed while acting as her other self. Shelley Fabares, Ian McShane.
4"Scavenger's Paradise"Alex MarchGerry Day & Bethel LeslieOctober 11, 1975 (1975-10-11)
After the lawyer who was helping her find her natural parents is murdered, an adopted woman turns to Helm for help. Pamela Bellwood, Jason Evers.
5"The Game of the Century"Reza S. Badiyi*18 October 1975 (1975-10-18)
Helm investigates the death of a tycoon who was going to be a player in the high-stakes poker game of all time. Patricia Crowley, Ray Danton, Betty Ann Carr.
6"Murder on Ice"Alex MarchDon BalluckOctober 25, 1975 (1975-10-25)
Helm agrees to help an old friend find his business partners, unaware that they had been involved in diamond smuggling. Peter Brown (as Cassidy); Alex Cord, Richard Kelton.
7"Squeeze Play"Robert ScheererMann Rubin & James SchmererNovember 1, 1975 (1975-11-01)
An ex-G.I.A. agent and friend of Helm's becomes a hit man's target. Maylyn Mason, Ahni Capri.
8"Deadly Breed"Bruce Bilson*8 November 1975 (1975-11-08)
Helm investigates the kidnapping of a prized stud horse and the murders of the three men who had been watching the horse. Eileen Chesis (as Joan); Beth Brickell, L.Q. Jones, Gary Walberg.
9"Death Rods"Richard BenedictCarey Wilber15 November 1975 (1975-11-15)
Helm discovers a seriously wounded woman on the beach, only to find her gone when he returns with help. Juliet Mills, Joseph Campanella, Cesare Danova, Bert Convy.
10"Double Jeopardy"Lawrence DobkinMichael Fisher & Stanley Roberts22 November 1975 (1975-11-22)
After clearing a businessman of murder charges, Helm discovers some new evidence that points to the man's guilt. Pippa Scott, Sherry Jackson, Don Gordon.
11"Think Murder"John NewlandLarry Alexander6 December 1975 (1975-12-06)
Matt investigates the death of a research scientist who was found frozen to death after an apparent skiing accident. Carl, Betz, Joanna Barnes, Diana Ewing, Whit Bissel.
12"Murder on the Run"Seymour RobbieJames Schmerer13 December 1975 (1975-12-13)
While searching for a woman who was involved with a $250,000 robbery, Helm finds himself being trailed by her cohorts who are hoping he will lead them to the loot. Gretchen Corbett, Tim O'Connor.
13"Panic"Don WeisMartin Roth27 December 1975 (1975-12-27)
Record pirates murder a detective friend of Helm's who had been hired to investigate possible piracy by a suspicious musician. Lynda Carter, Eric Braeden, Dane Clark, Roger Perry. Lynda Carter sings "Sunday Sunrise".
14"Die Once, Die Twice"John NewlandKen Pettus & James SchmererJanuary 3, 1976 (1976-01-03)
The Director calls Helm out of the country for a G.I.A. mission. Kronski must uncover evidence to prove that her client did not murder her husband. She gets help from a private eye named Dan Mallory. Susan Dey, Hunt Hall, Howard Duff; Eileen Chesis (as Joan).

* Unknown

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