1 9 8 7 – 1 9 8 8Β (USA)
16 x 60 minute episodes
The character of private investigator Harry McGraw appeared several times in the television series, Murder, She Wrote, and here starred in his own series as theΒ owner-operator of Harry McGraw Private InvestigationsΒ in Boston.
Harry (Jerry Orbach) is tough, disorganised and irritable. He isΒ reluctant to tell the whole truth, or “the straightΒ skinny” as he calls it and believes he attracts theΒ worst clients – missions of mercyΒ clients.
In the fine tradition of Jim Rockford heΒ rarely uses a gun and relies on his fists, andΒ once on a case, his seedy andΒ abrasive side appears. He becomes relentless and a determinedΒ fact finder despite the dangerous obstaclesΒ he might encounter.
He is also a master of disguiseΒ and uses deception to trick suspects into revealingΒ information.
HeΒ has a police record (he was once arrested by the Boston PoliceΒ for suspicion of murder and burglary) and had hisΒ private investigatorβs license suspended four timesΒ in three years.
Harry has a gambling problem and especially likes to play the horses. He lives in an untidy apartment on Melrose. He uses the resources of the local paper, theΒ Morning Bulletin, and hangs out at a bar calledΒ Gilhooley’s.
Ellie Maginnis (BarbaraΒ Babcock), a widowed criminal attorney withΒ the firm of Maginnis and Maginnis, has the officeΒ opposite Harryβs agency.Β Helping him out is his niece, who is the receptionist in his office, and also lending a hand is Maginnis’ nephew, who is an associate in her office.
Harry McGraw
Jerry Orbach
Ellie Maginnis
BarbaraΒ Babcock