"Cannon" (1971) TV series 1971-1976

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Directors:

E. Arthur Kean
Jimmy Sangster

Writer:

George McCowan (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

14 September 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Mystery | Drama

Plot:

The cases of a fat private detective.

Plot Keywords:

Detective | Private Detective | Private Eye | Fat Man | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

William Conrad

...

Frank Cannon (120 episodes, 1971-1976)

Runtime:

60 min (120 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Quinn Martin Productions (QM)

Trivia:

The license plate for Frank Cannon's "Cannonmobile" was "963-XUJ"

Movie Connections:

Spin off "Barnaby Jones" (1973)

Fun Viewing

"Cannon" was probably the least pompous of the original entries in television's anti- establishment police/private-eye subgenre; setting the stage for "Harry-O" and "The Rockford Files". Rotund actor William Conrad played the title character; dubbed "Cannonball" in Mad Magazine's satire of the series. After years as the voice-over narrator of "The Fugitive" and "Rocky and Bullwinkle", Conrad finally was allowed to be on-screen and is said to have incorporated a lot of his own quirky characteristics into the Frank Cannon character.

Frank is a detective who only takes a case when he feels like it or his pressed for cash to maintain his expensive epicurean lifestyle (i.e. adventures in eating). Most of the action in the series is in the form of car chases; there is some fighting but almost no running. Lacking a handsome co-star "Cannon's" producers were obviously ceding most potential female viewers to the other networks during this time slot; which is generally a good thing for those in the target demographic as there are no compromises to expand the audience.

"Cannon" was a quality Quinn Martin production with logical situations, good suspense, and fast pacing.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Episode 1 (14 Sept 71) "Salinas Jackpot" - Tom Skeritt, Sharon Acker; Episode 2 (21 Sept 71) "Death Chain" Episode 3 (28 Sept 71) "Call Unicorn" - Wayne Rogers; Episode 4 (5 Oct 71) "Country Blues - Clu Gulager, David Huddleston, Joan Van Ark; Episode 5 (12 Oct 71) "Scream of Silence"; Episode 6 (19 Oct 71) "Fool's Gold," L.Q. Jones; Episode 7 26 Oct 71) "Girl In the Electric Coffin" Kim Hunter; Episode 8 (9 Nov 71) "Dead Pigeon"; Episode 9 16 Nov 71) "Lonely Place to Die"; Episode 10 (23 Nov 71) "No Pockets in the Shroud," Roy Scheider, Linda Marsh; Episode 11 (30 Jan 72) "Stone, Cold Dead," Richard Anderson; Episode 12 (7 Dec 71) "Death is a Double Cross"