TV in the 1970s was awash with crime dramas, but few stood out quite like Cannon, a Quinn Martin Production that aired on CBS. Running from 1971 to 1976, the series starred the imposing William Conrad as Frank Cannon, a former Los Angeles Police Department detective turned private investigator. Unlike the typical hard-boiled, fast-talking PIs of the era, Cannon was a portly, intellectual, and decidedly less action-oriented figure. He preferred to use his sharp mind and deductive reasoning to solve cases, rather than resorting to violence. This unique approach helped Cannon find a dedicated audience and made it a memorable entry in the annals of TV crime dramas.
The premise of Cannon was simple but effective. After leaving the police force, Cannon established his own private investigation business, taking on a range of cases, from murder to fraud, from missing persons to corporate espionage. Conrad’s portrayal of Cannon was pivotal to the success of the program. He brought a gravitas and world-weariness to the character that was both compelling and relatable. Cannon wasn’t a superhero, he was a middle-aged man with a keen eye for detail, a fondness for gourmet food, and a calm demeanor even in tense situations. Each episode usually followed a familiar structure with Cannon receiving a case, conducting his own investigation, and piecing together the clues to identify the culprit. The procedural nature of the series made it easy for viewers to tune in and follow along, and the consistent focus on Cannon’s character ensured that the audience always had a central figure to root for.
Beyond Conrad, the series benefited from a strong supporting cast and many notable guest actors. Gerald S. O’Loughlin appeared in multiple episodes as Lt. John T. “Jack” Riley, Cannon’s former colleague in the LAPD, who often assisted him in his investigations. Riley acted as a bridge between Cannon’s world and the established law enforcement, helping to move plots along and giving Cannon an ‘in’ when needed.
The show also featured a rotating roster of familiar faces like David Soul, Lynda Day George, and William Windom. The scripts, while not always pushing the boundaries of the genre, were solid and well-constructed, typically emphasizing the human side of crime, not just the physical elements. A lot of the focus was on Cannon’s thought processes and his interactions with the various people he encountered during his investigations. This made Cannon not just a detective show, but also a character study of an interesting and very watchable protagonist.
While the series maintained a generally consistent tone, it did experiment with different types of cases, from straightforward whodunnits to more convoluted mysteries involving conspiracies and political machinations. This helped keep the program fresh and prevented it from becoming stale or predictable.
One of the program’s strengths was its ability to put Cannon in different locations. While Los Angeles was his base of operations, the show’s producers often sent him out of town, and across the country to investigate cases. This allowed the series to display a variety of settings and introduce new groups of people and situations.
Cannon also became well known for its distinctive theme music by composer John Parker, adding to the program’s unique identity and vibe.
Name of Show aired on CBS.
Years ran: 1971-1976
Number of Episodes: 122
Creators: Quinn Martin
Cast: William Conrad, Gerald S. O’Loughlin, David Soul, Lynda Day George, William Windom.
