Madigan (TV series)

Summary

Madigan is an American crime drama television series based on the 1968 film of the same title, starring Richard Widmark as Sgt. Dan Madigan. The show aired on NBC in 1972-73 as part of the NBC Mystery Movie umbrella series.

Madigan
GenreCrime drama
StarringRichard Widmark
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes6
Production
Executive producerDean Hargrove
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time90 mins.
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 20, 1972 (1972-09-20) –
February 28, 1973 (1973-02-28)
Related
NBC Mystery Movie
Madigan (1968)

Synopsis edit

Dan Madigan is a pipe-smoking veteran police officer in New York, now dedicated to investigating cases in Europe. He is incorruptible and organized crime is the target. Despite the fact that the character in the 1968 film version died he was resurrected for this 'Mystery Movie' version which depicted the seedier side of New York for the initial home based episode, the short run series duly moved the central character to various overseas locations for episodes such as; 'The Lisbon Beat', 'The London Beat' etc. The show was initially grouped alongside; Banacek (George Peppard) and Cool Million (James Farentino) as part of a rotating wheel of 'Mystery Movies' but never returned for a second season (along with 'Cool Million') while 'Banacek' was later grouped with Faraday & Company, Tenafly and The Snoop Sisters for its second season. The character was based on a much less admirable policeman in Richard Dougherty's 1962 novel "The Commissioner."

Episodes edit

Title Directed by: Written by: Air date
1"The Manhattan Beat"Alex MarchRoland Wolpert20 September 1972 (20 September 1972)
Madigan's new partner has a background in sociology and wants to try to reason with criminals. Ronny Cox, Tony Lo Bianco and Murray Hamilton guest star.
2"The Midtown Beat"Jack SmightWilliam P. McGivern4 October 1972 (4 October 1972)
Madigan's latest case brings him to Harlem, where he uncovers a case of revenge motivated by bigotry. Cab Calloway, Nathan George, Charles Durning and Madge Sinclair guest star.
3"The London Beat"Jack SmightWilliam P. McGivern8 November 1972 (8 November 1972)
To catch a group of American gangsters hiding out across the pond, Madigan teams up with Scotland Yard. George Cole, Garfield Morgan, Bernard Archard and Fiona Lewis guest star.
4"The Lisbon Beat"Boris SagalBernard C. Schoenfeld3 January 1973 (3 January 1973)
Madigan is in pursuit of a prisoner who is freed in a hijacking. Tom Adams, Bruce Boa, Damien Thomas and Peter Vaughan guest star.
5"The Naples Beat"Boris SagalStephen Lord31 January 1973 (31 January 1973)
In an effort to shut down a heroin smuggling operation, Madigan offers protection to a deported gangster in exchange for information, but Madigan's informer has been marked for death by a rival gangster. Rossano Brazzi, Arnoldo Foà and Raf Vallone guest star.
6"The Park Avenue Beat"Alex MarchPeter Allan Fields28 February 1973 (28 February 1973)
Madigan has his work cut out for him when he pursues an ex-cop who is now working as a hit man. Val Avery, Rae Allen, John Larch and Charles Cioffi guest star.

References edit

  • Late Show - Writings on Film, by Brian W. Fairbanks
  • television by Douglas Snauffer

External links edit

  • Madigan at IMDb  
  • Madigan at The Classic TV Archive