Sat 4 Feb 2023
A PI TV Episode Review: RICHARD DIAMOND “The Sport” (1959).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , TV mysteries[5] Comments
RICHARD DIAMOND. “The Sport.” CBS. 15 February 1959 (Season 3, Episode 1). David Janssen (Richard Diamond), Barbara Bain (Karen Wells), Mary Tyler Moore (Sam; uncredited). Guest Cast: Ross Martin, Ed Kemmer, Irene Hervey, Mort Sahl. Written by Richard Carr, based on the character created by Blake Edwards. Directed by Alvin Ganzer. Currently available on YouTube.
After two years of PI Richard Diamond being based in New York, this first episode of the third season has him relocated to L.A., in all likelihood hoping to pick up some of the glamour if not (hopefully) the success of another TV show taking place there, namely 77 Sunset Strip, as a prime example. He also has a luxurious place on the beach, and a telephone messaging service, that service provided by the seductive voice of Sam, never quite seen, but what is seen hints at something quite special. And so is the byplay on the phone.
Also introduced is a girl friend for Mr. Diamond, a lovely beauty in her own right by the name of Kitty Wells (Barbara Bain). As one of several players in the episode,, we the viewer do not know that she will turn up again, but she did, making five appearances in this third season in all. (And all to the good, I’d say.)
Adding to the special flavor of this episode are guest appearances by Ross Martin (always welcome) and Mort Sahl (even though the portion of his night club act that we are allowed to see is rather lame). And of course, David Janssen’s portrayal of a wonderfully laconic PI is, as always, spot on perfect.
As for the story itself, I have to say it isn’t much, having to do with a missing race car driver, later found dead it what is at first assumed to be a terribly unfortunate automobile accident. Oh, well. In a PI show only thirty minutes long, you can’t have everything.
February 4th, 2023 at 7:37 pm
Previously reviewed by me on this blog:
RICHARD DIAMOND, PRIVATE DETECTIVE “The Mickey Farmer Case.” CBS, 30m, 01 July 1957 (Season 1, Episode 1.)
https://mysteryfile.com/blog/?p=70633
February 4th, 2023 at 8:32 pm
Budget probably had a lot to do with filming in LA too. Recreating New York and sticking to interiors had to be less appealing than shooting in LA and not having to hide you are in LA not to mention opening up the whole Hollywood thing.
I was always a little disappointed that they didn’t at least have Diamond whistle once in a while considering Powell’s radio crooning.
Of course, it was an hour-long show, but HAWAIIAN EYE would soon have Connie Stevens doing a number in virtually every episode and Lola Albright sang fairly often on the half hour PETER GUNN.
Not that I wanted Jansen singing mind you.
The series was decent tough P.I. stuff, but the main draw was Jansen since the television version was never as tough minded or hard boiled as the radio version that got pretty rough between Powell’s numbers. It’s about 90% Jansen as Diamond for me on this one, and far less the stories.
A surprising number of young faces vyed to appear on these series. I’ve been watching episodes of BOURBON STREET BEAT and HAWAIIAN EYE recently and among the familiar older actors and the series stars you get numerous appearances by Mary Tyler Moore (once in season one and four and twice in season two and three of HE), Richard Chambelain (BBB), James Coburn (BBB with Chamberlain and John Marley as assassins), Chad Everett, Robert Colbert, Jack Nicholson, Troy Donahue (twice in season one of HE before joining the cast late in season three), Ruta Lee, Paul Burke, Mike Road, George Takei Peter Breck, Peter Brown, and many more (some of those not surprisingly Warners regulars or soon to be stars in WB series).
Between YouTube and Internet Archive there are numerous episodes of these series available to watch, and in the case of DIAMOND, quite a good run of the radio program.
February 4th, 2023 at 9:03 pm
I have never seen Bourbon Street Beat or Hawaiian Eye, or any WB shows other t hanMaverick, always, the same thing with 77 Sunset Strip, at least when Efrem was front and center. As for Richard Diamond, no Dick Powell, despite David’s strength and Mary’s legs. About Janssen:
Most of his televison work, O’Hara excepted, provided charm and excitement, at least then. I have just seen several dozen Fugitives and all the Harry O’s, both of which I went for in a big way. No more.
February 4th, 2023 at 9:46 pm
In the guest cast, Irene Hervey, was talented, beautiful, and the mother of Jack Jones.
February 7th, 2023 at 11:51 pm
Blake Edwards: multi-talented. Always think he deserves more credit.
Helluva radio writer. Either comedy, comedy-detective, or straight crime. Very light, deft touch with a script.
Started out as an actor (discovered this factoid right here on MysteryFile).
An Edwards movie? Always a hoot.
Jansen: ‘The Fugitive’ remains my favorite TV series. Of all time. Notwithstanding all the other competition which TV-Land has brought us. “Fugitive” never pales, never dims. No one except maybe poverty-row’s John Payne, has a more ‘wounded+hunted’ look than Jansen.
Barbara Bain: vavavoom.
Ross Martin: one of the most affable co-stars in any episode of anything ever. Always picture him puffing on a cigar; with that toothsome grin of his.
Mort Sahl: forgotten comedic pioneer. Nice to see him referenced. He was hero to Nichols & May; whom I still listen to. Nichols & May can bring a laugh to the gloomiest day.