Like Serpico, this series followed the adventures of an undercover detective based on the maverick exploits of a real cop – in this case, Dave Toma of the Newark, New Jersey PD.
Toma (Tony Musante) was a maverick who preferred to work alone, enjoyed taking big risks and bucking the system, and didn’t like to use his gun.
These habits did not endear him to his vice squad boss, Inspector Spooner (Simon Oakland), who was constantly hoping that Toma would follow his orders occasionally.
But Dave Toma was also a master of disguises, and his quick-wittedness and unorthodox methods won him national fame.
His undercover work brought him up against crime syndicates, racketeers and the like.
Meanwhile, his wife, Patty (Susan Strasberg) wanted her husband to spend more time with her and their young children, Jimmy (Sean Manning) and Donna (Michelle Livingston).
The real Dave Toma served as a consultant and guested in bit-parts in every episode.
Although a ratings success, the show was canned after one season when leading man Musante left because he found the production schedule a grinding chore.
ABC imported a new star, Robert Blake, tweaked the format and issued Barettain its place.
Detective Dave Toma
Tony Musante Inspector Spooner
Simon Oakland Patty Toma
Susan Strasberg Jimmy Toma
Sean Manning Donna Toma
Michelle Livingston
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Toma (Tony Musante) was a maverick who preferred to work alone, enjoyed taking big risks and bucking the system, and didn’t like to use his gun.
The real Dave Toma served as a consultant and guested in bit-parts in every episode.
