Burke's Law

1 9 6 3 - 1 9 6 5 (USA)
94 x 50 minute episodes

This black & white police drama series from ABC starred Gene Barry (ex-Bat Masterson) as LA Police Chief, Captain Amos Burke, who investigated murder after murder in episodes which all began with the words "Who Killed . . . ?".

Burke was ultra-slick, lived in a palatial estate and was driven around in a Rolls Royce by his chauffeur, Henry.  His crime fighting partners were Detective Tim Tilson (a smart, young college graduate), Detective Les Hart (a seasoned veteran of the force),  and Sergeant Ames, a pretty policewoman.

Towards the end of the series in 1965, Burke quit the Police Department and entered the world of espionage. With Burke now a debonair, globe-trotting secret agent  under the instructions of his contact  at the Agency, simply called 'The Man'. the series was renamed Amos Burke - Secret Agent.

In 1994 (almost three decades after the original series left the air) a revived series of Burke's Law appeared on television with Gene Barry reprising his role as the suave, debonair cop, now chief of homicide for the LAPD. The new series had corny dialogue, and every episode was inundated with celebrity guests long past their prime, such as Connie Stevens, Eva Gabor, Milton Berle and Roddy McDowall.