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The Brothers Brannagan

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The Brothers Brannagan
GenreDetective fiction
Created byWilbur Stark
Jerry Layton
StarringStephen Dunne
Mark Roberts
Theme music composerAlexander Courage
ComposerLeon Klatzkin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes39
Production
ProducersWilbur Stark
Jerry Layton
CinematographyFrank Carson
EditorJohn M. Woodcock
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyBrad-Jacey Productions for CBS Films
Original release
NetworkSyndication
ReleaseSeptember 14, 1960 (1960-09-14) –
October 2, 1965 (1965-10-02)

The Brothers Brannagan is an American detective television series that aired in syndication from September 14, 1960,[1] to October 2, 1965.[2]

Premise

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Mike Brannagan (Steve Dunne) and Bob Brannagan (Mark Roberts) are brothers from San Francisco, who now run a private detective agency out of the Mountain Shadows Resort[fn 1] in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Mike is a smooth-talker, who carries a little notebook filled with erudite quotes for any situation involving women. Bob is more serious, an action guy prone to taking risks in tight situations. They are the only two series regulars; character actors Barney Phillips and Paul Bryar had occasional recurring roles as police lieutenants. Each episode had a unique opening that began with a long shot of the brothers walking side by side away from the viewer while the theme song plays. A male voice shouts "Hey Brannagan!", at which the brothers pause to face the viewer and say "Which one?".

Producer Wilbur Stark told columnist Steven H. Scheuer the show was "romantic adventure" and emulated the escapism of then current hits Adventures in Paradise and Hawaiian Eye.[3] Stark also mentioned the show's writers followed an outline made up by actors Roberts and Dunne, giving the characters' backstory including their San Francisco origin.[3]

Production

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Wilbur Stark and Jerry Layton had previously co-produced the Colonel Humphrey Flack television series before creating The Brothers Brannagan.[3] They formed the Brad-Jacey production company for this venture, with funding from CBS Films which would hold the copyright. The Arizona Republic reported in July 1959 that filming for a pilot episode of The Brothers Brannagan would start August 11, 1959.[4] The detective show would be the first national television program made and set in the Phoenix area.[4] Columnist Jack Curtis confirmed shooting began as scheduled.[5] He also reported filming that week centered on the Mountain Shadows Resort and the Squaw Peak Inn,[5] while The Arizona Republic ran a photo of stars Roberts and Dunne at location shooting outside the First National Bank on Central Avenue in Phoenix.[6]

After filming the pilot episode, the production company left Arizona and didn't return until late November 1959, when the producers put out an open casting call for extras.[7] Casting director Ruth Scott said 375 people applied for extra jobs during the single day call, with at least one hired for a speaking role as well.[8] A local couple, hired to do location makeup and hairstyling, reported they worked in trailers and other vehicles leased from MGM.[9] After location work wrapped up in February 1960, the production company returned to Southern California where interior shooting was done at the MGM studios.[3]

By April 1960 columnist Eve Starr reported that CBS Films had 16 completed episodes on hand, but The Brothers Brannagan might appear as a syndicated show in the fall since it didn't yet have a network sponsor.[10] The producers, instead of creating 13 shows and waiting for a buyer as was typical, had made a full season of 39 episodes.[3]

Reception

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Harry Harris, writing in The Philadelphia Inquirer, said the first episode was full of action and "also contained some almost incredibly inept writing".[11] Harris opined that "Steve Dunne and Mark Roberts, between them, add up to Mike Hammer".[11]

Viewing history

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Broadcast

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The first episode broadcast was on Wednesday, September 14, 1960, at 10:30 pm, by WRCV-TV Channel 3 in Philadelphia.[1] It aired in Syracuse, New York the following day at 7:00 pm on WHEN-TV Channel 8.[12] The broadcasts by these first two stations were sponsored by Acme Markets.[12]

WRCV-TV completed its first run showing of all thirty-nine episodes on June 21, 1961.[13] KMOX-TV in St. Louis broadcast the syndicated series through October 2, 1965.[2]

At least one episode of the series was shown in September 1975 on KGUN-TV in Tucson, Arizona.[14]

Cable

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The Brothers Brannagan had a long run starting in May 1976 on a cable channel in Surfside Beach, South Carolina,[15] that went through August 1977.[16]

Episodes

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For consistency, the sequence of episodes and Original Air Date are based on the first station to broadcast the series, WRCV-TV in Philadelphia. There was no continuity between episodes and so no imperative to air them in any particular sequence.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Tune In For Murder"Anton LeaderAl C. WardSeptember 14, 1960 (1960-09-14)[1]
Plums found after heist point to fruit stand owned by a Native American. Cast: Vic Morrow, Paul Bryar, Rebecca Welles, Nora Hayden, James Hurley, Edith Porter
22"Delayed Payment"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		September 21, 1960 (1960-09-21)[17]
A sniper is targeting brother Bob. Cast: Hal Baylor, Whit Bissell, Barney Phillips
33"Duet"Anton LeaderStory by :
Teleplay by :		September 28, 1960 (1960-09-28)[18]
Cast: Elinor Donahue, Marion Ross
44"Model Murder"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		October 5, 1960 (1960-10-05)[19]
Cast:
55"An Hour to Kill"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		October 12, 1960 (1960-10-12)[20]
Cast:
66"Damaged Dolls"Anton LeaderStephen KandelOctober 19, 1960 (1960-10-19)[21]
Mike goes solo in Las Vegas to stop an extortionist who uses dolls to threaten victims. Cast: Jackie Coogan, Joan Evans, Joseph Ruskin, Pamela Duncan, Jon Shepodd
77"Tough Guy"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		October 26, 1960 (1960-10-26)[22]
Young woman is endangered by her brother's fight with dope gang. Cast:
88"Wheel of Fortune"Eddie DavisStory by : Malcolm Stuart Boylan
Teleplay by : John Dana		November 2, 1960 (1960-11-02)[23]
The brothers are hired to recover a relic stolen from Mexico. Cast: Chana Eden, H. M. Wynant, K. T. Stevens, Ed Hashim, Lynn Cartwright
99"Advantage: Death"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		November 9, 1960 (1960-11-09)[24]
Pro athlete kills wife and pins blame on another man. Cast:
1010"Sunday's Jewels"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		November 16, 1960 (1960-11-16)[25]
Jewel-obsessed respectable man is trapped by handgun ballistics tests. Cast:
1111"Mistaken Identity"Anton LeaderStory by : Levinson & Link
Teleplay by : Sam Ross		November 23, 1960 (1960-11-23)[26]
The brothers' friend is snatched by gangsters mistaking her for a crime witness. Cast: Kasey Rogers, Lewis Charles, Barney Phillips, Joann Manley, Bailey Harper, Tom Cain
1212"A View of Murder"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		November 30, 1960 (1960-11-30)[27]
Elderly lady hires the brothers to catch a murderer whose crime she saw. Cast:
1313"Annabelle Case"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		December 7, 1960 (1960-12-07)[28]
Groom hires hitman to kidnap his bride before the wedding. Cast:
1414"Bordertown"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		December 14, 1960 (1960-12-14)[29]
Cast:
1515"Three"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		December 28, 1960 (1960-12-28)[fn 2][30]
Cast:
1616"Key of Jade"Jean YarboroughHarold Jack BloomJanuary 4, 1961 (1961-01-04)[31]
Bob Brannagan works solo to find an old friend's missing son in San Francisco's Chinatown. Cast: Philip Ahn, Lisa Lu, Kam Tong, Aki Aleong, Sol Gorss, Greta Chi
1717"A Very Special Woman"Paul LandresHarold Jack BloomJanuary 11, 1961 (1961-01-11)[32]
Woman hires the brothers to protect her from ex-boyfriend. Cast: Dorothy Green, Leo Gordon, Barney Phillips, Keith Richards, Tom Middleton, Edit Angold, Kathy Marlow
1818"The Baby Sitters"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		January 18, 1961 (1961-01-18)[33]
Cast:
1919"Twisted Root"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		January 25, 1961 (1961-01-25)[34]
The brothers work against each other over a fugitive. Cast:
2020"Love Me, Love My Dog"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		February 1, 1961 (1961-02-01)[35]
The brothers foil a drug gang with help from a french poodle. Cast:
2121"Overexposed"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		February 8, 1961 (1961-02-08)[36]
Cast:
2222"A Shot in the Dark"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		February 15, 1961 (1961-02-15)[37]
Cast:
2323"Mantrap"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		February 22, 1961 (1961-02-22)[38]
Bob is carjacked by teenage couple who have stolen a mining company payroll. Cast: Judy Nugent
2424"A Friend to Man"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		March 1, 1961 (1961-03-01)[39]
Cast:
2525"A Frame for Mike"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		March 8, 1961 (1961-03-08)[40]
Cast:
2626"A Deadly Love"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		March 15, 1961 (1961-03-15)[41]
Cast:
2727"Heart of Steel"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		March 22, 1961 (1961-03-22)[42]
Cast:
2828"Grapefruit King"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		March 29, 1961 (1961-03-29)[43]
Cast:
2929"Thunderbird"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		April 5, 1961 (1961-04-05)[44]
Cast:
3030"Her Brother's Keeper"Eddie DavisJoel M. RappApril 12, 1961 (1961-04-12)[45]
The brothers help a friend accused of killing his sister's fiance. Cast: Bek Nelson, Theodore Marcuse, Barney Phillips, Britt Lomond, Kent Taylor, Maureen Leeds
3131"The Green Gamblers"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		April 19, 1961 (1961-04-19)[46]
Cast:
3232"A Matter of a Million[fn 3]"Jean YarboroughArthur DalesApril 26, 1961 (1961-04-26)[47]
Southern blonde entices Mike into a bodyguard job despite Bob's warning. Cast: Joanna Moore, Narda Onyx, Paul Bryar, Robin Hughes, Jack Perkins
3333"The Hunter and the Hunted"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		May 3, 1961 (1961-05-03)[48]
Cast:
3434"Death Insurance"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		May 10, 1961 (1961-05-10)[49]
Cast:
3535"Terror in the Afternoon"Jean YarboroughAl C. WardMay 17, 1961 (1961-05-17)[50]
Brothers are hired to investigate death of woman's fiance at dam construction site. Cast: Gloria Talbot, Robert Harland, James Flavin, Mark Houston
3636"Equinox"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		May 24, 1961 (1961-05-24)[51]
Cast:
3737"Death Is Not Deductible"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		May 31, 1961 (1961-05-31)[52]
Cast:
3838"Treasure Hunt"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		June 14, 1961 (1961-06-14)[fn 4][53]
Cast:
3939"Murder Fits the Frame"UnknownStory by :
Teleplay by :		June 21, 1961 (1961-06-21)[54]
Cast:

Notes

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  1. ^ This is a real resort, which opened in January 1959, and according to its website still retains some of the original buildings from when the television series was made.
  2. ^ According to a column in The Philadelphia Inquirer, WRCV-TV's new sponsor American Stores pre-empted the December 21, 1960 episode in favor of holiday programming. See The Philadelphia Inquirer for December 21, 1960, page 16.
  3. ^ Also known as One in a Million.
  4. ^ The gap is due to WRCV-TV rerunning the first episode on June 7, 1961.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Wednesday Tops". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 14, 1960. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "TV Programs". The Edwardsville Intelligencer. Edwardsville, Illinois. October 2, 1965. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e Scheuer, Steven H. (August 9, 1960). "'Brothers Brannagan' Follows Sure Formula". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "2 Network Programs To Be Shot In Valley". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. July 31, 1959. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Curtis, Jack (August 12, 1959). "New TV Film Series Starts Shooting In Valley". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "On Location (photo caption)". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. August 18, 1959. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "TV Auditions On Today". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. November 28, 1959. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Curtis, Jack (December 3, 1959). "Morgan, Penton May Reopen KoKo". The Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. 66 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "TV Topics Mailbox". Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. December 26, 1959. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Starr, Eve (April 17, 1960). "Fine Drama Performer". The Paducah Sun. Paducah, Kentucky. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "'Sea Hunt' Producer Corners Market With 'Aquanaut' Thriller". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 15, 1960. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b "The Brothers Brannagan (ad)". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. September 15, 1960. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Complete Television Programs on the Airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. June 21, 1961. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Today's Viewing". Arizona Daily Star. Tucson, Arizona. September 8, 1975. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Television Listing Saturday May 29, 1976". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. May 29, 1976. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Television Listings Saturday August 20, 1977". Sun-News. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. August 20, 1977. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Recommended". The Bristol Daily Courier. Bristol, Pennsylvania. September 21, 1960. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Today's TV Program". The Record American. Mahanoy, Pennsylvania. September 28, 1960. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Complete Television Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 5, 1960. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Complete Television Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. October 12, 1960. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. October 19, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. October 26, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. November 2, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. November 9, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. November 16, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Complete Television Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 23, 1960. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. November 30, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. December 7, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. December 14, 1960. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. December 28, 1960. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. January 4, 1961. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. January 11, 1961. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. January 18, 1961. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "The Brothers Brannagan (ad)". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. January 25, 1961. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "The Brothers Brannagan (ad)". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February 1, 1961. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. February 8, 1961. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. February 15, 1961. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ "TV's Best Bets for Tonight". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. February 22, 1961. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ "Today's TV Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 1, 1961. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ "Complete TV Listings". Delaware County Daily Times. Chester, Pennsylvania. March 8, 1961. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "Today's TV Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 15, 1961. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ "Today's TV Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 22, 1961. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ "Complete Television Programs on the Airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 29, 1961. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "TV's Best Bets for Tonight". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. April 5, 1961. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ^ "Complete Television Programs on the Airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. April 12, 1961. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Complete Television Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. April 19, 1961. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ^ "Complete Television Programs on the Airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. April 26, 1961. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ^ "Complete Television Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May 3, 1961. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ^ "Complete Television Programs on the Airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May 10, 1961. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "TV's Best Bets for Tonight". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. May 17, 1961. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Complete Television Programs". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May 24, 1961. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "Complete Television Programs on the Airwaves". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. May 31, 1961. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ "TV's Best Bets for Tonight". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. June 14, 1961. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ^ "TV's Best Bets for Tonight". The Times-Tribune. Scranton, Pennsylvania. June 21, 1961. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
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