September 8 (1966-09-08) – December 29, 1966 (1966-12-29)
Hawk is a crime drama series starring Burt Reynolds, which aired on ABC from September 8, 1966 to December 29, 1966. The Screen Gems series was Reynolds' first starring role in a television series since leaving Gunsmoke the previous year.
Synopsis
Reynolds stars as police lieutenant John Hawk, a full-blooded Iroquois working the streets of New York City as a special detective for the city's District Attorney's office. Hawk is assisted by his African American[1] partner, Dan Carter (played by Wayne Grice). Hawk and Carter deal with various common cases such as murder, organized crime and arson. While facing the brutal daily life of being a detective, Hawk's native heritage and ancestry also cause him to be subjected to discrimination and racism, both on the streets and in the office.
Many of the scenes were filmed on location in New York City, with some interior scenes filmed at the Filmways Studios in East Harlem.
The series co-stars Bruce Glover as Assistant D.A. Murray Slaken, and Leon Janney as Assistant D.A. Ed Gorton.
His character is a full-blooded Native American, but Reynolds had some Cherokee blood from his father's side.[2]
Production
The show was announced in June 1966. ABC made a commitment for 17 episodes. The lead role was given to Reynolds who had some Native American ancestry himself and played Native Americans in Gunsmoke and in Navajo Joe.[3][4]
"I wanted the Indian thing to come naturally", said Reynolds.[4]
"The emphasis will be on how cops function at night", said producer Paul Bogart. "The people who come out at night would astonish you. They're the weirdos of all time."[5]
A representative of ABC said "it won't be another Naked City where they want to know why the killer pulled the trigger. Hawk won't answer that question."[5]
"We're not going for the psychological approach", said Reynolds. "We're an action adventure show. It's fast paced the music is all brass there's a lot of cutting."[6]
"Hawk is quite a character", said Reynolds. "He's very hostile. I'm hostile too. I don't know why."[5]
Reynolds says his performance was inspired by Kirk Douglas in Detective Story and John Garfield. "Tough and hard... I play Hawk as a catalyst. And how things affect me."[4]
"We're placing no special emphasis on the fact that Hawk is an Indian", said Reynolds. "I'm not running around in moccasins or anything like that."[6]
Reynolds added,"Having been in two TV series... where I hold the horse for someone else this feels great. But I'm not going to fall into the trap of thinking this is my one big chance and if I blow it I’m finished. I've had so many disappointments over the years that I've made up my mind: if it doesn't go it's the audience's fault, not mine."[5]
Reynolds says Hawk was originally meant to wear knives on his sleeves but he got that changed feeling it was too gimmicky.[5]
"I do all the stunts because I can do them better than anyone else", said Reynolds.[4]
Repeat broadcasts
Despite being a short-lived series, repeats of Hawk have resurfaced at least three times, as a way to present Reynolds' early work before he became a successful movie celebrity:
Repeats of Hawk aired on NBC in the Spring of 1976, to capitalize on Reynolds' success in the same manner as CBS did with his later series, Dan August, in 1973 and 1975.[8]
Hawk looks for answers when an artist is framed for murder.
16
"Wall of Silence"
Robert Crean
December 22, 1966 (1966-12-22)
Hawk reaches out to a mentally disabled girl (Emily Prager), who was an only witness to a murder. Guest stars include Kim Hunter.
17
"Blind Man's Bluff"
Edward Adler
December 29, 1966 (1966-12-29)
Hawk is on a hunt for a murderer with an unusual motive -- all his victims were cab drivers with 7-year-old daughters. Guests include James Best.
Reception
Critical
Reviewing the pilot the New York Times said it was "too shrill and intense to be entirely winning but it did have enough virtues to suggest the series may find a niche for itself."[10]
Ratings
Ratings were poor and ABC announced the show's cancellation in October, when 12 episodes had been filmed.[11]
Reynolds later called it "a good show but it went off quickly."[12]
^JACK GOULD (September 9, 1966). "TV: N.B.C. Tarzan, He Urbane and Sophisticated: Ron Ely Takes to Vine for New Series A.B.C.'s 'Hawk' Among Shows in Debut". The New York Times. p. 91.
^VAL ADAMS (October 21, 1966). "2 TV PROGRAMS DROPPED BY A.B.C.: 'Shane' and 'Hawk' Going Off at End of December". The New York Times. p. 68.
^BURT PRELUTSKY (December 24, 1972). "Two Centerfolds". Los Angeles Times. p. K14.
