5/25/1956 Stuart Bailey shows up, but not on Sunset Strip

May 25, 1956.  The issue of Saturday Evening Post with this cover date featured a short story by Roy Huggins called "Now You See It."  Why is that important?

It was one of three stories to feature a character named Stuart Bailey.  Huggins later based a TV show on Bailey and 77 Sunset Strip was one of the most influential series in the history of TV private eyes.

Huggins went on to have a hand in the creation of The Fugitive, Maverick, and The Rockford Files.

10/10/1958 77 Sunset Strip drives in

October 10, 1958.  77 Sunset Strip premiered on this date on ABC.  The stylish private eye series was inspired by some crime fiction written by producer Roy Huggins.  It starred Efrem Zimbalist, Jr, Roger Smith, and (to everyone's surprise) Edd Byrnes.  I say, surprise because Byrnes was orignally cast as a bad guy in the first episode, but he was so popular that he was brought back as "Kookie" the valet parker at the nightclub next door to the private eyes office.  Anyone remember the hit song "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb?"  No, I am not making that up.

I was a little young for that show, but I do remember an entire episode done without dialog, just music.  That was ahead of its time.

9/13/1974 This is Jim Rockford...

September 13, 1974.  Today saw the premiere of what many people consider the greatest private eye show to ever grace TV.  James Garner starred as luckless ex-convict Jim Rockford, living in a mobile home in Malibu and struggling with occasional clients and a group of friends who were more trouble than the bad guys.

The show was created and produced by Roy Huggins (Maverick and The Fugitive) Stephen J Cannell (The A-Team and Wiseguy).  One beloved feature was the opening, with a different message being left on the hero's answering machine each week:

"Say, I'm the one who hit your car at Fork City, I've got no insurance, I'm broke. But, I really wanted you to know how sorry I am. If it makes you feel any better I hurt my arm."

8/29/1967 The Fugitive finds justice

August 29, 1967.  In the 1960s it was almost unheard of for a TV series to have an actual ending.  When it got cancelled the characters just faded off the screen.  Each episode was generally self-contained anyway, so there weren't any outstanding issues to resolve.

The Fugitive was an exception.  After 120 episodes of running from the death penalty for a crime he didn't commit, the public wanted to see Dr. Richard Kimble exonerated.  And in a special two-part episode, ending tonight, he was.

Roy Huggins created the series.  David Janssen starred.  Quinn Martin produced.  Plenty of credit (and Emmys) to go around.