Pilot 1972 [ p/o NBC Mystery Movie ]
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"Banacek (re-titled Detour to Nowhere)" (120 min)
gs:
Don Dubbins [ Unknown ], Murray Matheson [ Unknown ], Russell Wiggins [ Unknown ], Charles Knox Robinson [ Unknown ], Ralph Manza [ Unknown ], George Murdock [ Unknown ], Ed Nelson [ Unknown ], Bill Vint [ Mackey ], Vic Mohica [ Indian Joe ], Lou Frizzell [ Denny ], J. Pat O'Malley [ Hank ], Gene Dynarski [ Loser Griffin ], Mario Machado [ 1st Newscaster ], Larry Burrell [ 2nd Newscaster ], Dee Gardner [ Sharon ]
Banacek travels to Texas where he races with Charlie to figure out how an armored car full of gold bullion could disappear on a deserted stretch of highway without a trace.
b: 20 Mar 72 pc: _________ w: Anthony Wilson d: Jack Smight
"Let's Hear it For a Living Legend"
gs:
Stefanie Powers [ Angie Ives ], Madlyn Rhue [ Holly Allencamp ], Robert Webber [ Jerry Brinkman ], John Brodie [ Ritchie Mulligan ], Ben Davidson [ Unknown ], Deacon Jones [ Joe Fabian ], Tom Mack [ Ed Wolinski ], Gene Washington [ Clay Mills ], Clancy Williams [ Unknown ], Conrad Janis [ Video Technician ], Michael Lerner [ Bartender ], Jock Mahoney [ Albert Bates ], Curt Gowdy [ Himself ], Charlie Jones [ Himself ], Marty Ingels [ Himself ], Chuck Morrell [ Hank Ives ], Anitra Ford [ Susan ], Colby Chester [ Corliss ], John Finnegan [ Lt. Hallohan ], Russell Arms [ Ambulance Attendant ], Peggy Walton [ Dr. Judy Forrest ], Byron Morrow [ Grant ], Bart Burns [ 1st Reporter ], Bud Furillo [ 2nd Reporter ], Chris Forbes [ Debbie ]
Banacek searches for a star football halfback who disappeared in front of a packed stadium.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"if you're not sure it's potato Borscht, there could be orphans working in the mine."
Felix Mulholland - "There is an old English proverb that says... the only thing worse than a devious Russian, is a sneaky Pole." To which Banacek replies "You mean the only thing better."
b: 13 Sep 72 pc: _________ w: Del Reisman d: Jack Smight
"Project Phoenix"
gs:
Joanna Pettet [ Christine Verdon ], William Windom [ Harry Wexler ], Herb Edelman [ Joe Taddenhurst ], Bert Convy [ Douglas Ruddermond ], Percy Rodrigues [ Faldor ], Peter Mark Richman [ Andy Cole ], John Fiedler [ Paddle ], Bruce Kirby [ Collier ], Stafford Repp [ Police Chief ], Warren Finnerty [ Whitey ], Issac Fields [ Fats ], Seamon Glass [ Deke ]
A $5,000,000 experimental racecar and the train car that it was being transported in both disappeared without a trace.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"read the whole library my son, but the cheese will still smell after four days."
b: 27 Sep 72 pc: _________ w: David Moessinger d: Richard T. Heffron
"No Sign of the Cross"
gs:
Broderick Crawford [ Gilbert Deretzo ], Louise Sorel [ Alicia Danato ], Gordon Pinsent [ John Weymouth ], Jack MacGowran [ Michele Lanier ], Victor Jory [ Paul Andros ], Ned Romero [ Chief Frank Mendoza ], Ahna Capri [ Mme. Pompadour ], Peter Donat [ Robert Morgan ], Kermit Murdock [ Archbishop ], Peter Brocco [ Cardinal ], Annette Cardona [ Cecelia Gomez ], Alan Fudge [ Father Cass ], Ruben Moreno [ Colonel Perez ], Julio Medina [ Padre Borda ], Alfonso Tafoya [ Anselmo Gomez ], Francisco Ortega [ Padre Guillermo ], Pedro Regas [ Old Mexican ], Adele Yoshioka [ Receptionist ], Erica Hagan [ Bikini Girl ], Paul Gleason [ Border Guard ], Olan Soule [ Unknown (uncredited) ]
A priceless gold cross disappears en route from Mexico to Los Angeles. It was guarded by an army officer and handcuffed to a priest.
b: 11 Oct 72 pc: _________ w: Robert Presnell Jr. s: Howard Browne & Robert Presnell Jr. d: Daryl Duke
"A Million the Hard Way"
gs:
Margot Kidder [ Linda Carsini ], Don Porter [ Arnold Leeland ], Don Keefer [ Loomis ], J. Duke Russo [ Lester Sawyer ], Claire Brennen [ Betty Janus ], William Bryant [ Frank Burns ], Angela Greene [ Marcia Leeland ], Dolores Quinton [ Edna Beach ], Harvey Fisher [ Andrews ], Russ Marin [ Marvin Flanders ], Kathleen King [ 1st Girl ], Inga Neilsen [ 2nd Girl ], Stanley Ralph Ross [ Larry Fields ], Mark Harris [ Chauffeur ], Mary Ann Gibson [ Florence Loomis ]
When someone gets a jackpot in Las Vegas by making a million dollars disappear out of a tamperproof display case, Banacek must figure out whom.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"a twisting road will take you to Warsaw, but you wont be bored."
b: 1 Nov 72 pc: _________ w: Stanley Ralph Ross d: Bernard Kowalski
NOTE: The writer pulls double duty by also appearing in this episode as Larry Fields.
"To Steal a King"
gs:
Kevin McCarthy [ Allen Markham ], Janis Paige [ Lydia Markham ], Brenda Vaccaro [ Sharon Clark ], Pernell Roberts [ Matthew Donniger ], Roger C. Carmel [ Oliver Garson ], Logan Ramsey [ Roland Garson ], Tod Andrews [ Graves ], David Spielberg [ Wendell Church ], William Taylor [ Ballinger ], Hope Summers [ Mrs. Liddell ], Irene Tedrow [ Dr. Bancroft ], Will Hare [ Grayson ], John Finnegan [ Lt. Hallohan ], Anthony Eustrel [ Butler ]
Banacek is sent to discover how a coin collector's priceless collection suddenly disappears.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"a wolf that takes a pheasant to supper, probably won't need any breakfast."
b: 15 Nov 72 pc: _________ w: Stephen Kandel d: Louis Antonio
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"Ten Thousand Dollars a Page"
gs:
David Wayne [ Walter Tyson ], Stella Stevens [ Jill Hammond ], David Doyle [ Elliot ], Richard Schaal [ Glassman ], Joel Fabiani [ Art Woodward ], Ted Cassidy [ Jerry Crawford ], George Lindsey [ Lt. Bradshaw ], Michael Masters [ Steve Crawford ]
Banacek must solve a murder and the disappearance of a valuable book that was in a theft proof display case.
b: 10 Jan 73 pc: _________ w: Paul Playdon d: Richard T. Heffron
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"The Greatest Collection of Them All"
gs:
Penny Fuller [ Gloria Hamilton ], Mike Farrell [ Jason Trotter ], Lloyd Gough [ Larry Casey ], Arch Johnson [ Allan Trotter ], Barbara Stuart [ "Sailor" ], David Spielberg [ Wendell Church ], George Murdock [ Cavanaugh ], John Hoyt [ Dr. Shelby ], Eugene Troobnick [ Norman Katz ], Garry Walberg [ Lt. Warsaw ], Gene Dynarski [ Ben Wheeler ], Robert DoQui [ Sgt. Flynn ], Penny Marshall [ Receptionist ], John Gilgreen [ Jim ], George Brenlin [ Tom Davis ]
Banacek must figure out how $23 million worth of paintings have vanished from a sealed truck as it was carrying them from New York to Boston.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"a wise man never tries to warm himself in front of a painting of a fire."
b: 24 Jan 73 pc: _________ w: Theodore J. Flicker d: George McCowan
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"The Two Million Clams of Cap'n Jack"
gs:
Jessica Walter [ Erica Osburn ], Andrew Duggan [ Cap'n Jack Osburn ], Linden Chiles [ Unknown ], David White [ W. Crawford Morgan ], Jason Evers [ Roger Sloan ], William Schallert [ Leo Osburn ], Wally Taylor [ Ed Spencer ], Fredd Wayne [ Stein ], Gregory Sierra [ Norman Esposito ], Liam Dunn [ Howard Hanrahan ], Joan Pringle [ Ann Spencer ], Michael DeLand [ Simson ], Selette Cole [ Lucille Sloan ], Fredricka Myers [ Nora ]
It's up to Banacek to figure out what happened to a set of engraved stock certificate plates that disappeared.
b: 7 Feb 73 pc: _________ w: Stanley Ralph Ross s: Shirl Hendryx and Pat Fielder & Richard Bluel d: Richard T. Heffron
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"No Stone Unturned"
gs:
Gary Lockwood [ Owen Russell ], Don Stroud [ Vince O'Hara ], Scott Brady [ Davey Collier ], Candace Clark [ Gretel ], Joe Maross [ Unknown ], Linden Chiles [ DeWitt ], Larry Pennell [ Pete Biesecker ], Peggy Walton [ Jennifer Nesburn ]
rc:
Carlie
Banacek gets to locate a 3 ton, 3 meter tall statue that somehow disappeared before its unveiling.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"only a centipede can hear all the hundred footsteps of his uncle."
b: 3 Oct 73 pc: _________ w: George Sheldon Smith & Lee Santley & Robert Van Scoyk s: Stephen Lord d: Richard T. Heffron
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"If Max is So Smart, Why Doesn't He Tell Us Where He Is?"
gs:
Anne Baxter [ Leslie Lyle ], Richard Jordan [ Chris Bailey ], Jim Davis [ Ed McKay ], Paul Richards [ Dr. Richard Ketner ], Sabrina Scharf [ Wyn Reever ], Alan Fudge [ Logan Howard ], George Murdock [ Cavanaugh ], Julie Rogers [ Lois ], William Sylvester [ Dr. Stahl ], Poupee Bocar [ Wanda ], John Zaremba [ Dr. Wickham ], Nancy Bonniwell [ Girl ], St. William's Boston CYO Band [ Themselves ? ]
rc:
Carlie
A highly prized medical computer disappears from a lab fortified with electric fences and sensitive alarms.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"no matter how warm the smile on the face of the sun, the cat still has her kittens under the porch."
b: 7 Nov 73 pc: _________ w: Robert Van Scoyk d: Bernard Kowalski
"The Three Million Dollar Piracy"
gs:
Linden Chiles [ Henry DeWitt ], Don Knight [ Isaac Porter ], Dick Gautier [ Mario Fratelli ], Arlene Martell [ Diana Maitland ], Titos Vandis [ Capt. Larkos ], Martin Kosleck [ Bruno Altrahidy ], Susan Damante [ Leona Sanborn ], Rudy Challenger [ Lt. Trask ], Lada Edmund, Jr. [ Lila Porter ], Jean Manson [ Wilda Porter ], Byron Morrow [ Max Benson ], Hal Baylor [ Foreman ], Hal Buckley [ Doug Sanborn ]
rc:
Carlie
A precious jewel encrusted coach is missing from the hold of a steamer that was taking it to an Eastern Shah's wedding.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"even though a man anoint himself with fragrant oil, he can still wind up with a broken face."
b: 21 Nov 73 pc: _________ w: Stanley Ralph Ross & Robert Van Scoyk s: Jack Turley d: Andrew V. McLaglen
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"The Vanishing Chalice"
gs:
Cesar Romero [ Marius Avantalu ], Eric Braeden [ Bolitho ], Sue Ane Langdon [ Sybil Payson ], John Saxon [ Harry Harland ], Robert Wolders [ Tommy Forrest ], Don Collier [ Jimmy Scarne ], Lester Rawlins [ John Sharmon ], George Murdock [ Cavanaugh ], Paul Picerni [ Det. Ed Winslow ], Nedra Deen [ Cee Cee ], Ruth Prince [ Bonnie Gray ], Carle Bensen [ Captain ], Little Egypt [ Belly Dancer ], Elizabeth Talbot-Martin [ Mrs. Glynn ], Dorrie Thomson [ Young Woman ]
rc:
Carlie
It's another race between Banacek and Carlie to see who can figure out how a one of a kind Greek treasure disappeared in a museum gallery in front of startled onlookers.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"though the hippopotamus has no stinger on his tail, the wise man would rather be sat on by a bee."
"a duck with three wings and a loaf of bread, is brother to the turkey."
b: 15 Jan 74 pc: _________ w: Mort Fine d: Bernard Kowalski
"Horse of a Slightly Different Color"
gs:
Anne Francis [ Katherine Wells ], Tim O'Connor [ Howard James ], Lane Bradbury [ Sally James ], Ramon Bieri [ John Hargroves ], John Crawford [ Owen Summers ], Linden Chiles [ DeWitt ], Harry Carey Jr. [ Dean Barrett ], Allen Ludden [ Interviewer (Himself?) ], Willard Sage [ Anthony Mitchell ], William Harmatz [ Tim Diamond ], Terry Wilson [ Chuck Smith ], Robert Swan [ Track Official ], Rocky Frier [ Tommy ], Pamela Hensley [ Mandy ]
Banacek tries to figure out how a $5 million racehorse was switched for another during its morning workout.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"the chicken that clucks the loudest, is the one most likely to go to the steamfitters picnic."
"only someone with nothing to be sorry about, smiles at the rear of an elephant."
b: 22 Jan 74 pc: _________ w: Jimmy Sangster s: Harold Livingston d: Herschel Daugherty
"Rocket to Oblivion"
gs:
Linda Evans [ Cherry Saint-Saens ], Andrew Prine [ Tom Wardlow ], Don Gordon [ Buck Powell ], Tom Drake [ Roger Fanshion ], Philip Carey [ Art Gallagher ], Roy Poole [ Lieutenant Garrett ], George Murdock [ Cavanaugh ], Dick Van Patten [ Donald Morgan ], Polly Middleton [ Beautiful Girl ], Robert Rothwell [ Officer Lonigan ], Jayne Kennedy [ Jayne ], Jimmy Joyce [ Eddie ]
rc:
Carlie
An experimental rocket engine that is sought after by both the government and private industry disappears.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"if the butterfly had teeth like the tiger, he would never make it out of the hanger."
"it is harder for the spider to catch the fly, that it is for the fly to catch a horse."
b: 12 Feb 74 pc: _________ w: Robert Van Scoyk d: Andrew V. McLaglen
"Fly Me- If You Can Find Me"
gs:
Sterling Hayden [ Tony Fowler ], Victoria Principal [ Brooke Collins ], Jack Kelly [ Lou Wayne ], Patricia Quinn [ Charlotte Malloy ], James Daris [ Roy Gilbert ], Charles H. Gray [ Capt. Dave Roberts ], Carlos Romero [ Sheriff Ortega ], Richard Roat [ Stan Price ], Paul Cavonis [ Andy Hall ], Beverly Gill [ Gina ], Laurence Haddon [ Joe Daley ], Larry Ward [ Len Malloy ], Don Hanmer [ Charlie Tyson ], Byron Mabe [ Walt Kinsdale ]
A crippled airplane makes an emergency landing on a tiny desert airstrip only to vanish the next morning.
There is an old Polish proverb that says...
"when the wolf is chasing your sleigh, throw him a cookie but don't stop to bake a cake."
"a truly wise man never plays leap frog with an unicorn."
b: 19 Feb 74 pc: _________ w: Harold Livingston d: Bernard Kowalski
"Now You See Me, Now You Don't"
gs:
Nancy Olson [ Louise Merrick ], Gretchen Corbett [ Vickie Merrick ], Jay Robinson [ Bradley Merrick / Kurt Steiner ], Pat HarringtonJr [ Phil Ross ], Peter Marshall [ Hal Parker ], Lynnette Mettey [ Emily Parker ], Bruce Gordon [ Maxwell Barker ], Phillip Pine [ Ed Harvey ], Kathrine Baumann [ Gloria Barker ], Frank Maxwell [ Higgins ], Walter Brooke [ Walter Peterson ], Kathie Browne [ Shirley Cole ], Gene Dynarsky [ Leo ], Lew Brown [ Wilson ], Kai Hernandez [ Sandra ], Gerald S. Peters [ Davis ], Sharyn Wynters [ Lorraine ]
Banacek assists the daughter of a stage magician, suspected of grand larceny, who disappeared during his act- for real.
b: 12 Mar 74 pc: _________ w: Stanley Roberts d: Bernard McEveety
Thanks to Bruce Werner for helping fill in a lot of the missing information.
Also thanks to Bryan Olson. Thanks to Gilles Letang for filling in more missing information and most of the Polish proverbs.
