Bourbon Street Beat


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Bourbon Street Beat is a private detective television series that aired on the ABC network from October 5, 1959, to July 4, 1960, starring Richard Long as Rex Randolph and Andrew Duggan as Cal Calhoun, with Arlene Howell as detective agency secretary Melody Lee Mercer and Van Williams as Kenny Madison.[1] Reruns continued until September 26, 1960.[2]

Bourbon Street Beat
Created byCharles Hoffman
StarringRichard Long
Andrew Duggan
Arlene Howell
Van Williams
Theme music composerMack David and
Jerry Livingston
ComposersJack Halloran, arranger
Michael Heindorf
Howard Jackson
Frank Perkins
Paul Sawtell
Bert Shefter
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerWilliam T. Orr
ProducersCharles Hoffman
Harry Tatelman
Jerry Davis
Oren W. Haglund (Production manager)
Gordon Bau (make-up)
Production locationCalifornia
EditorJames C. Moore
Running time60 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Television Division
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseOctober 5, 1959 –
July 4, 1960
Related

Randolph and Calhoun — Special Services was based in the Absinthe House, a nightclub on the title street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The firm's telephone number was EXpress 7123. The show's theme, "Bourbon Street Beat", was composed by Mack David and Jerry Livingston.[3]

Calhoun and Randolph were co-owners of the detective agency Randolph and Calhoun, Special Services. Melody Lee Mercer was their receptionist, and Kenny Madison was an assistant to the owners. The Baron played piano in the city.[4]

 
Main Cast: Andrew Duggan, Arlene Howell, Van Williams and Richard Long in Bourbon Street Beat

Richard Long as Rex Randolph[2]
Andrew Duggan as Cal Calhoun[2]
Arlene Howell as Melody Lee Mercer[2]
Van Williams as Kenny Madison[2]
Eddie Cole as The Baron (twelve episodes)
Tommy Farrell as Jay O'Hanlon (seven episodes)
Nita Talbot as Lusti Weather (four episodes)

The following are among the many guest stars on the single season of Bourbon Street Beat:

Bourbon Street Beat was broadcast on Mondays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[2] Most of the show was filmed in California, but ABC purchased a half-interest in the Absinthe House in New Orleans to provide a local angle.[8] William T. Orr was the executive producer, and Charles Hoffman was the producer. William Hole was the director.[9]

Cars used in episodes

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  • Cal Calhun's 1951 Chevrolet 'Styleline DeLuxe' Convertible
  • Kenny Madison's 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible with optional removable hardtop (certain episodes)
  • Rex Randolph's 1959 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible
  1. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (2015). Short-Lived Television Series, 1948-1978: Thirty Years of More Than 1,000 Flops. McFarland. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-1-4766-0515-9. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present (9th ed.). New York: The Ballantine Publishing Group. pp. 172–173. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
  3. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2015). The Television Crime Fighters Factbook: Over 9,800 Details from 301 Programs, 1937-2003. McFarland. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-1-4766-1143-3. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  4. ^ McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 113. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  5. ^ Lisanti, Tom (May 7, 2015). Drive-in Dream Girls: A Galaxy of B-Movie Starlets of the Sixties. McFarland. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-7864-9342-5. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  6. ^ Lisanti, Tom (May 20, 2015). Fantasy Femmes of Sixties Cinema: Interviews with 20 Actresses from Biker, Beach, and Elvis Movies. McFarland. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-4766-0116-8. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  7. ^ Vagg, Stephen (14 November 2021). "Forgotten Australian TV Screenwriters: Michael Plant". Filmink.
  8. ^ Campanella, Richard (March 5, 2014). Bourbon Street: A History. LSU Press. ISBN 978-0-8071-5507-3. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  9. ^ "This Week — Network Debuts & Highlights". Ross Reports. October 5, 1959. p. 105. Retrieved November 8, 2023.