Bourbon Street Beat is a private detective television series that aired on the ABC network from October 5, 1959, to July 4, 1960, starring Richard Long as Rex Randolph and Andrew Duggan as Cal Calhoun, with Arlene Howell as detective agency secretary Melody Lee Mercer and Van Williams as Kenny Madison.[1] Reruns continued until September 26, 1960.[2]
Randolph and Calhoun — Special Services was based in the Absinthe House, a nightclub on the title street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The firm's telephone number was EXpress 7123. The show's theme, "Bourbon Street Beat", was composed by Mack David and Jerry Livingston.[3]
Characters
Calhoun and Randolph were co-owners of the detective agency Randolph and Calhoun, Special Services. Melody Lee Mercer was their receptionist, and Kenny Madison was an assistant to the owners. The Baron played piano in the city.[4]
Rex Randolph discovers his partner has died, the police dismiss the case as a simple suicide, but Randolph is convinced far more is at stake. Working his way through the social elite of Pelican Bay he does uncover a truth no one expected and picks up a new partner for his business along the way.
Rex gets a strange note care of his office assistance requesting he come out to an old run down plantation house. It becomes obvious very quickly something is very wrong at the house especially when former employees turn up dead.
3
"Torch Song for Trumpet"
Leslie H. Martinson
Jim Barnett & Leo Townsend
October 19, 1959 (1959-10-19)
Cal is asked by a young lady, Cindy Roberts to investigate how her previous lover Kip Kiley had been released early from jail and refuses to have anything to do with her. What Cal discovers is far more complex and involves the whole existence of the club scene on Bourbon Street.
Cal sets out to prove an old friend is innocent of murder and becomes convinced that the killing is somehow gangland related. With Russ Conway (actor).
Story by : Whitman Chambers, Teleplay by : W. Hermanos
July 4, 1960 (1960-07-04)
Production
Bourbon Street Beat was broadcast on Mondays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Eastern Time.[2] Most of the show was filmed in California, but ABC purchased a half-interest in the Absinthe House in New Orleans to provide a local angle.[8]William T. Orr was the executive producer, and Charles Hoffman was the producer. William Hole was the director.[9]
Cars used in episodes
Cal Calhun's 1951 Chevrolet 'Styleline DeLuxe' Convertible
Kenny Madison's 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible with optional removable hardtop (certain episodes)
^McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 113. ISBN0-14-02-4916-8.
