These scenes were then used through the series and are especially shown in the opening scenes, including Banacek rowing on the Charles River and walking through Government Center. In preparation for both the pilot, first, and then the second seasons, the cast went to Boston and filmed a variety of background scenes.
Banacek season 2 driver#
In keeping with both the exotic car theme and the humor between Banacek and his driver Jay Drury, he was even chauffeured around in a Willys MB, Jeep CJ2A, and a CJ6, as well as a brand new Ford/ De Tomaso Pantera. Kirkland) and a 1973 Cadillac Fleetwood limousine ( mobile telephone number KL 17811). Other continuing cars in the series were a 1941 Packard 180 with a Victoria body designed by Howard "Dutch" Darrin (license plate number 178344), a 1973 Corvette (driven by Ms. The car became known as the AMX-400 and it is now owned by an automobile collector. "Ten Thousand Dollars a Page" was filmed at the Pasadena Art Museum, later known as the Pasadena Museum of Modern Art and now the Norton Simon Museum of Art.Ī customized 1969 American Motors AMX was built by George Barris for the second regular-season episode. The episode titled "If Max Is So Smart, Why Doesn't He Tell Us Where He Is?" was shot on location at the California Institute of the Arts around the time the school first opened. In general, the series was shot on the Universal Studios backlot, though location scenes were filmed around Los Angeles in areas that could pass for Boston, or rural areas near there.
For recreation he jogs, plays squash, engages in weekend touch football and sculling on the Charles River. He grew up in Scollay Square and a childhood acquaintance described him as the neighborhood jock who excelled in all sports. An unapologetic ladies' man who enjoys the company of beautiful women, he is also street-smart and can engage in hand-to-hand combat when the need arises in one episode he mentions having learned combat judo in the Marine Corps. Banacek is intelligent, well-educated, cultured, and suave. Both vehicles are equipped with mobile radio telephones at a time when such devices are uncommon and expensive. While he has a limousine and driver, he also owns and sometimes drives an antique 1941 Packard convertible. Recurring characters include insurance company executive Cavanaugh ( George Murdock), Banacek's rival and some-time love interest Carlie Kirkland ( Christine Belford), and another insurance investigator/rival Fennyman/Henry DeWitt ( Linden Chiles).īanacek lives on historic Beacon Hill in Boston. He is also the series' only character to ever call Banacek by his first name. Murray Matheson plays seller of rare books and information source Felix Mulholland, a character always ready with a droll remark and who exhibits a passion for chess and jigsaw puzzles. The name "Banaczek" (as pronounced in the show) is actually quite rare in Poland. Another recurring gag is for other characters-particularly his rivals- to mispronounce his name deliberately.
Drury is never at a loss for a potential solution that Banacek always manages to shoot down with his very next line. Part of the joke is that Ralph Manza, as Banacek's chauffeur Jay Drury, will often ask "What does it mean, Boss?" Banacek also has a running agreement with his chauffeur for a 10% share of Banacek's 10% if he solved the crime.
Peppard played Thomas Banacek, a Polish-American freelance, Boston-based private investigator who solves seemingly impossible thefts. It alternated in its time slot with several other shows, but was the only one of them to last beyond its first season.
Banacek season 2 movie#
The series was part of the rotating NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology.
Banacek season 2 tv#
NBCUniversal Television Distribution (2004-2011)īanacek is an American detective TV series starring George Peppard that aired on the NBC network from 1972 to 1974.