...that's how writer Brett Halliday (who wrote under many pseudonyms) described his creation who he conjured up from a craggy featured loner he saw at a bar when he was a young seaman. Michael Shayne was a fictional detective based in Miami and bought to life by the under rated Lloyd Nolan in a series by 20th Century Fox in the 1940s, later Hugh Beaumont took over the role when the series was resurrected by PRC. In the 1960s the character was again given life on a TV show by Four Star Films who went on to produce "Burke's Law" and "The Big Valley". Shayne was played by a craggy Richard Denning, an actor who had made a splash as the weakling son in "Adam Had Four Sons" but just really drifted along until the early 1950s when he hit TV big time in "Mr. and Mrs North".
The first two shows in the DVD compendium "Best of TV Detectives", were taken from original novels by Halliday and some were scripted by Link and Levinson who went on to such success with "Columbo". All three were directed by Paul Stewart, a terrific character actor who was the sinister neighbour after little Bobby Driscoll in "The Window".
1. "Shoot the Works" - One of Lucy's friends, Helen Wheeler gets home to find her husband has been murdered and the scene has been made to look as though he was running away with another woman but Helen doesn't believe it. Kent Smith guest starred as the concerned partner who vows to clear Wheeler's name.
2. "Murder and the Wanton Bride" - has the beautiful Beverly Garland as a guest star. The victim is a part owner of a health farm where the "wealthy get healthy" according to Shayne. Garland is Elaine who is desperate to keep her low life husband. Somehow tough Beverly doesn't convince as the wide eyed wife - but that's the whole point!! Probably the best episode.
3. "Murder in Wonderland" - concerns a murdered man, Allerton, who was to have delivered a list of vice king pins to the police all concealed in a battered copy of "Alice in Wonderland". Secretary Lucy is kidnapped and it is all tied in with the murder in the phone booth.
Enjoyable viewing.
The first two shows in the DVD compendium "Best of TV Detectives", were taken from original novels by Halliday and some were scripted by Link and Levinson who went on to such success with "Columbo". All three were directed by Paul Stewart, a terrific character actor who was the sinister neighbour after little Bobby Driscoll in "The Window".
1. "Shoot the Works" - One of Lucy's friends, Helen Wheeler gets home to find her husband has been murdered and the scene has been made to look as though he was running away with another woman but Helen doesn't believe it. Kent Smith guest starred as the concerned partner who vows to clear Wheeler's name.
2. "Murder and the Wanton Bride" - has the beautiful Beverly Garland as a guest star. The victim is a part owner of a health farm where the "wealthy get healthy" according to Shayne. Garland is Elaine who is desperate to keep her low life husband. Somehow tough Beverly doesn't convince as the wide eyed wife - but that's the whole point!! Probably the best episode.
3. "Murder in Wonderland" - concerns a murdered man, Allerton, who was to have delivered a list of vice king pins to the police all concealed in a battered copy of "Alice in Wonderland". Secretary Lucy is kidnapped and it is all tied in with the murder in the phone booth.
Enjoyable viewing.