The gritty streets of 1970s television were vividly brought to life with Baretta, a police drama that aired on ABC from 1975 to 1978. This wasn’t your typical cop procedural; it had a unique style and a certain raw edge, largely due to the performance of its lead, Robert Blake. Blake played Detective Tony Baretta, an unconventional undercover cop with a pet cockatoo named Fred and a penchant for disguises. The series distinguished itself from the polished law enforcement narratives of the era, choosing instead to focus on the more mundane and dangerous aspects of police work.
Baretta wasn’t a superhero, or an invincible crime fighter. He was a man who got the job done using his street smarts, wit and a network of informants. One of his most frequent informants was “Rooster”, played with a particular charm by Michael D. Roberts, his character was a well-connected pimp who provided Baretta with vital information about criminal activity. Dana Elcar portrayed Baretta’s boss, Lt. Barney Miller, who frequently tried to keep Baretta’s unorthodox methods in check, often to no avail. Tom Ewell appeared as Billy Truman, an elderly building resident where Baretta lived, who provided a sense of stability and community in the detective’s otherwise chaotic life.
The cases often involved petty criminals and street level crime, these stories gave the show a very different vibe to the more polished crime shows of the period. Edward Grover played Detective Nopke, a fellow detective at the precinct. The show was noted for its use of realism and it was often filmed in real locations which really heightened the authenticity of the program.
The success of Baretta wasn’t just down to its innovative approach but also due to its character development. The program presented a nuanced portrait of police work, showing its frustrations, disappointments, and the moral ambiguities faced by law enforcement. Baretta himself was a contradiction. He was tough, but he also had a vulnerability and a strong sense of justice. His relationships with those around him, especially his interactions with Fred the cockatoo, gave the program its heart.
The theme tune “Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow” by Sammy Davis Jr. became an instant classic, cementing the show’s place in popular culture. The show did not make it through its fourth season, getting the ax early, some believed that it was due to the decline in the quality of the program during the final season, others believed it was down to the increasing erratic behavior of the star Robert Blake who was reported to be becoming difficult to work with. Blake would go find himself on the other side of the fence when he stood trial (and was acquitted) for the murder of his wife Bonny Lee Bakley in the early 2000’s. Whatever the reasons for the shows demise it still remains a notable program that had an impact on the development of the crime drama genre.
Baretta aired on ABC.
Years ran: 1975-1978
Number of Episodes: 82
Creators: Stephen J. Cannell, Tony Barrett
Cast: Robert Blake, Michael D. Roberts, Dana Elcar, Tom Ewell, Edward Grover
