Run Buddy Run

1 9 6 6 – 1 9 6 7 (USA)
16 x 30 minute episodes

After overhearing the sinister murder plans of some gangsters while relaxing at a Turkish bath, quiet American accountant Buddy Overstreet (Jack Sheldon) was forced to flee for his life.

They realised that he had heard their code phrase – “chicken little” – and spent the rest of the series trying to capture him because he knew too much.

Buddy initially contacted his brother, Albert (Bernie Kopell) – who lived at 122 Mapleton Road on Long Island with his wife, Ruth – but that proved to be a poor decision because Albert unwittingly led the hoods directly to Buddy.

So Buddy took to the streets with each episode placing him in a different situation, using a different alias to take on jobs as a gas station attendant, horse groomer and jockey, soda jerk, health spa worker, nightclub waiter, hotel porter and boxer.

Inevitably,  the leader of the gang, Devere (Bruce Gordon) – alias ”Mr D” – always showed up.

The front for their organisation was Devere Enterprises, where Devere’s son, Junior (Jim Connell), proved to be inept at running either the legitimate or criminal side of the business.

Mr D – who frequently stated that Buddy Overstreet was “wanted dead or dead” – had a couple of henchmen called Wendell Krimm (Nick Georgiade) and Harry (Gregg Palmer), who were huge disappointments and kept fouling everything up.

Bullets flew, cars careened and, in one of many wild chase scenes, Buddy went barrelling through a supermarket on a motorcycle.

Created by Leonard Stern, Run Buddy Run aired on Monday nights at 8.00 pm on CBS. Sponsors included Procter and Gamble, Menley and James, and Ralston Purina.

Buddy Overstreet 
Jack Sheldon
Devere 
Bruce Gordon
Junior 
Jim Connell
Wendell Krimm
Nick Georgiade
Harry 
Gregg Palmer
Albert Overstreet
Bernie Kopell

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