Product Description
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BURKES LAW was a hit, prime-time TV series that aired on ABC in
1963 and ran until 1966. Gene Barry starred in the title role as
Amos Burke the suave millionaire Chief of Detectives for Los
Angeles, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Silver
Cloud II Rolls-Royce. The detective series featured unusual plot
twists, glamorous settings and a fabulous list of legendary guest
stars. So good, BURKES LAW was brought back for a brief run in
1994. Each episode had the title Who Killed followed by the
victims name. The opening of the show revealed the murder, but
not the murderer (that was left for Captain Burke to discover.)
VCI will be releasing season one in two separate collectors sets
of 16 episodes each. Digitally remastered from the original 35mm
fine grains masters, each collection includes bonus original
commercials and previews.
.com
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Watching the smart, sexy, sophisticated, and more than a bit
naughty Burkes Law is like entering Hefs swinging pad for a
little Playboy After Dark action. Gene Barry, in his Golden
Globe-winning role, stars as Amos Burke, a millionaire playboy.
He is described as "a bon vivant, elegant, an attractive man." He
also happens to be a captain in charge of homicide. "Its
what he does best," his partner explains. Well, not quite. Hes
better at juggling a bevy of beautiful ladies. "We have a nodding
acquaintance," he smooth-talks one. "You say nodding about
marriage and thats the way I like it." Inevitably, his trysts
are interrupted by word that a murder has been committed and a
body found. Then, its off to the crime scene in his chauffeur
driven Rolls Royce (piloted by the trusty Henry, portrayed by
scene-stealer Leon Lontoc). Fun enough, but what further
distinguishes Burkes Law is its dazzling array of stellar
suspects; former Hollywood greats, contemporary stars, comedians,
indelible character actors, and fresh-faced up-and-comers. Just
dig this line-up for the episode, "Who Killed Billy Jo?": Cesar
Romero, Phil Harris, Tina "Ginger" Louise, Ida Lupino, Ken Berry
as a swinging partygoer, and in a surprising cameo, David Niven
as a bumbling juggler. Gary Collins provides some potent youth
appeal as Tim, a go-getting new detective and fount of arcane
information related to each case. But hes no match for "the old
captain," who dispenses his own brand of wisdom, such as, "Never
drink martinis with a beautiful suspect," and "Never grow up;
youll grow old," punctuating each aphorism with, "Burkes law."
A cop show like no other, Burkes Laws pleasures are anything
but guilty, from the seductive voice that purrs, "Its Burkes
Law" during the opening credits to guessing which star is the
culprit. Wally Cox? Carl Reiner? Frankie Avalon? Carolyn Jones
was nominated for a Golden Globe for her virtuoso quadruple role
as sisters in "Who Killed Sweet Betsy?" and Barry himself has a
high time with his dual role as a lookalike murder victim in "Who
Killed Snookie Martinelli?" Almost worth the price of this set is
the prologue in which Barrys Snookie regales his exhausted
all-night party guests with an energetic rendition of "Cest Si
Bon." How 60s can you get? As a welcome bonus for classic TV
buffs, each disc contains vintage 1963 commercials (Arnold Palmer
for L&M s--"Hes been smoking them for years"). Youre
still deciding whether to order this? "Dont think about it, just
do it." Thats Burkes law! --Donald Liebenson