BOSTON BLACKIE – The Deep Six – 1952
BOSTON BLACKIE was a 1951 to 1953 television series based on the popular Columbia Pictures series of B-films starring Chester Morris. The television series ran for 58 episodes with Kent Taylor playing the role of BLACKIE.
In this one, Taylor and his girl, Lois Collier, are at the wedding of a sailor buddy. The man, Hugh Sanders has snagged a pretty showgirl. The much younger blushing bride, Tracey Roberts has been around the block a few times. She was engaged to Sanders' shipmate, Clark Howat.
Howat tries to warn Sanders that Roberts is just a tart and after Sanders' cash. Sanders has 50 large saved from all his years at sea. Also at the party is Pete Mamakos the ship's purser, and William Bakewell. Bakewell is the owner of the club where Miss Roberts works. A fight breaks out between Sanders and Howat over Robert's virtue (or lack of) which is broken up by Taylor. The wedding party finishes for the night and all leave.
The next morning, the Police fish the corpse of Sanders out of the harbour. There is a rather large pig-sticker protruding from the man's back. The Detectives are summoned and Inspector Frank Orth is soon on the job. Taylor and Collier also put in an appearance.
After interviewing several of the crew, who had attended the wedding, Orth decides that Howat is his man. Taylor is not so sure and roots around the man's cabin. A bank book is discovered of Sanders that shows a 25 large withdrawal the day before. Where is the cash? Taylor sends off Collier to have a word with the now groom-less bride, Roberts.
Between the two, Taylor and Collier, they discover that it was all a scam job. Mamakos, Bakewell and Roberts had hatched a plan to fleece Sanders. Roberts was to marry him, clean him out and then dump him. Mamkos, however jumped the gun and knifed Sanders to get at the $25,000. He figured that half the 50 large was better than a third. Taylor tumbles to the plot and quickly corrals Bakewell. Collier does the same with Miss Roberts. Mamakos is a tougher go, and a chase over the dockside ending in a rousing bout of flying fists is needed before he is under lock and key.
Also in the cast is Lee Van Cleef in just his 5th billed part. Kent Taylor, a regular B-feature leading man starred in several decent low budget noir and crime films. These include, SMOOTH AS SILK, THE CRIMSON KEY, FEDERAL AGENT AT LARGE, WESTERN PACIFIC AGENT and TANGIER.
Being a ZIV production, it was shot in a hurry on a rented Hollywood back lot. Having said that, the series still supplied a decent bit of entertainment. The stories move right along with decent writing etc. Surprisingly, 32 of the episodes were made in colour, years before colour sets would become regular household items.
BOSTON BLACKIE was a 1951 to 1953 television series based on the popular Columbia Pictures series of B-films starring Chester Morris. The television series ran for 58 episodes with Kent Taylor playing the role of BLACKIE.
In this one, Taylor and his girl, Lois Collier, are at the wedding of a sailor buddy. The man, Hugh Sanders has snagged a pretty showgirl. The much younger blushing bride, Tracey Roberts has been around the block a few times. She was engaged to Sanders' shipmate, Clark Howat.
Howat tries to warn Sanders that Roberts is just a tart and after Sanders' cash. Sanders has 50 large saved from all his years at sea. Also at the party is Pete Mamakos the ship's purser, and William Bakewell. Bakewell is the owner of the club where Miss Roberts works. A fight breaks out between Sanders and Howat over Robert's virtue (or lack of) which is broken up by Taylor. The wedding party finishes for the night and all leave.
The next morning, the Police fish the corpse of Sanders out of the harbour. There is a rather large pig-sticker protruding from the man's back. The Detectives are summoned and Inspector Frank Orth is soon on the job. Taylor and Collier also put in an appearance.
After interviewing several of the crew, who had attended the wedding, Orth decides that Howat is his man. Taylor is not so sure and roots around the man's cabin. A bank book is discovered of Sanders that shows a 25 large withdrawal the day before. Where is the cash? Taylor sends off Collier to have a word with the now groom-less bride, Roberts.
Between the two, Taylor and Collier, they discover that it was all a scam job. Mamakos, Bakewell and Roberts had hatched a plan to fleece Sanders. Roberts was to marry him, clean him out and then dump him. Mamkos, however jumped the gun and knifed Sanders to get at the $25,000. He figured that half the 50 large was better than a third. Taylor tumbles to the plot and quickly corrals Bakewell. Collier does the same with Miss Roberts. Mamakos is a tougher go, and a chase over the dockside ending in a rousing bout of flying fists is needed before he is under lock and key.
Also in the cast is Lee Van Cleef in just his 5th billed part. Kent Taylor, a regular B-feature leading man starred in several decent low budget noir and crime films. These include, SMOOTH AS SILK, THE CRIMSON KEY, FEDERAL AGENT AT LARGE, WESTERN PACIFIC AGENT and TANGIER.
Being a ZIV production, it was shot in a hurry on a rented Hollywood back lot. Having said that, the series still supplied a decent bit of entertainment. The stories move right along with decent writing etc. Surprisingly, 32 of the episodes were made in colour, years before colour sets would become regular household items.
