''The D.A.'s Man'' is an American television crime drama, produced by

Jack Webb John Randolph Webb (April 2, 1920 – December 23, 1982) was an American actor, television producer, Television director, director, and screenwriter, most famous for his role as Joe Friday in the Dragnet (franchise), ''Dragnet'' franchise ...

, that aired on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

from January 3, 1959, to August 29, 1959.

Premise

The central character, who went by the single name Shannon, was a private detective who worked for the Manhattan district attorney. Topics that Shannon investigated included hijacking rings, narcotics, prostitution, and other illegal activities that provided money to the underworld. His investigations led him to use "a variety of guises to ferret out criminals". Shannon was not allowed to carry a gun or identification of any kind, and police were not aware of his position.

Cast

John Compton Sir John George Melvin Compton, (29 April 1925 – 7 September 2007) was a Saint Lucian politician who became the first prime minister upon independence in February 1979. Having led Saint Lucia under British rule from 1964 to 1979, Compton ser ...

as Shannon *

Ralph Manza Ralph Manza (December 1, 1921 – January 31, 2000) was an American character actor who made over 160 appearances in American film and television shows. Early years Manza was born in San Francisco on December 1, 1921. His Italian parents wanted ...

as Al Bonacorsi *

Herb Ellis Mitchell Herbert Ellis (August 4, 1921 – March 28, 2010) was an American jazz guitarist. During the 1950s, he was in a trio with pianist Oscar Peterson. Biography Born in Farmersville, Texas, Ellis grew up on a farm. He was first exposed ...

as Frank LaValle

Episode list

Production

The program was based on the book ''The D.A.'s Man'' by Harold Danforth and James B. Horan, which was "a nonfiction novel based on Danforth's real-life experiences as a special investigator for the NYC Special Rackets Prosecutor and the Manhattan DA's office." It was produced by

Mark VII Limited Mark VII Limited (formerly Mark VII Productions, pronounced "Mark 7") was the production company of actor and filmmaker Jack Webb, and was active from 1951 until his death in 1982. Many of its series were produced in association with Universal Tel ...

. It replaced ''

The Ed Wynn Show ''The Ed Wynn Show'' is an American variety show originally broadcast from September 22, 1949 to July 4, 1950, on the CBS Television Network. Comedian and former vaudevillian Ed Wynn was the star of the program's 39 episodes, which were the firs ...

'' at 10:30 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturdays. Webb was the executive producer, and Frank LaTourette was the producer. Danforth was the technical advisor. Webb and Ben Alexander were among the directors. Writers included

Charles Beaumont Charles Beaumont (born Charles Leroy Nutt; January 2, 1929 – February 21, 1967) was an American author of speculative fiction, including short stories in the horror and science fiction subgenres.Stefan R. Dziemianowicz, "Beaumont, Charles" ...

and

Richard Matheson Richard Burton Matheson (February 20, 1926 – June 23, 2013) was an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. He is best known as the author of '' I Am Legend'', a 1954 science ficti ...

Liggett & Myers Liggett Group ( ), now JTI Ligget, formerly known as Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, is the fourth largest tobacco company in the United States. As of 2014, Liggett Group was the fourth largest American tobacco company by gross revenue, though ...

, for Chesterfield King and L&M cigarettes, sponsored the program.

George Stevens Jr. George Cooper Stevens Jr. (born April 3, 1932) is an American writer, playwright, director, and producer. He is the founder of the American Film Institute, creator of the AFI Life Achievement Award, and co-creator of the Kennedy Center Honors. H ...

and Webb were among the directors.

References

External links

* NBC crime dramas 1959 American television series debuts 1959 American television series endings 1950s American crime drama television series Television shows set in New York City Black-and-white American television shows Television series by Mark VII Limited Television series about prosecutors {{US-drama-tv-prog-stub