Harry O

In 1973 I failed to watch this private eye show. It would take many years of maturity until I rediscovered how great David Janssen's The Fugitive was. It has become one of my all-time favorites. It was excellent on many levels and taking to it's full potential was David Janssen. Given the chance in 2018 to see episodes of Janssen's post fugitive show Harry O was a no-brainer, I was in.

This is a show that fits with the natural on-screen persona of Janssen, not the other way around. Harry O is a retired cop on an early disability. He now spends his days working the occasional private case and living on the beach in San Diego. We don't, at least in the early episodes, know much about Harry's back story because what's important is where he's headed. He's somewhat of a loner, rather cool, but definitely a thinker. He doesn't drive a flashy car, in fact he rarely drives as his is a beater most often in for repairs. There's good elements here to make an interesting character and Janssen is adept at playing one that is layered yet not at all flashy.

Harry is a thinker, not a head knocker. Still he does get in some spots where his thinking put him in a bit of a precarious situation. Janssen, again, is perfect in this persona. Combine this with some fair writing (it's not as sharp or deep as that of The Fugitive) and Harry O is a very watchable and entertaining show. While it doesn't have the deep hook of his previous work, David Janssen gives this show legs. I like location filmed shows and San Diego is a nice backdrop in addition. At the point of the first episode I don't see a story arc like The Fugitive and I must say I think the previous show's episodes building to an arc will be missed. That said, I do recommend Harry O to fans of Janssen and those who like crime shows that don't condescend in bombast.

This was one of the best shows on television. The writing and the photography was outstanding. David Janssen was one of my very favorite actors and I really miss him. He had "mumbling" down to an art form and his understated style of acting was second to none. Harry-O made me feel good every time I would sit down and watch. Harry Orwell was an everyman's type of guy. You could relate to him. I think it was because you could sense his vulnerability. Episodes did not always end on a happy note and that added some credibility to the character and his profession. Warner Brothers needs to hurry up and release this series to DVD. I would buy the entire series in a heart beat. A classic!!

Only 2 comments so far? That can't be right!

I can't believe how rarely shown this show is, I've only ever caught 2 episodes! But even just 2 episodes were enough to tell that this was a series of quality, in all departments. David Jansen brought something special to every role he played and definitely gives extra depth and believability to the character of Harry O, compared with most other shows of this type. I've always had a soft spot for The Rockford Files and Harry O reminds me of it in some ways, but there seems much more to Harry O that would keep me watching over and over, if only the TV companies would actually show it! All 44 episodes on DVD would be even better of course. Soon Please, come on.

This series was that rare thing in the 1970s - an original and intelligently constructed mainstream US TV series.

This was due to two factors, the personality and performance of David Janssen (the word unique is grossly over-used, but it truly applied to him), and the way that the character of Harry Orwell was constructed around Janssen's screen persona. The idea of an ex cop taking up private detection was not new, even then, but the details were what made this one special. For example, Harry often travelled by bus, being unable to drive because his car was always hosed. Imagine, Kojak or Jim Rockford doing that? No, neither can I. Harry also had a family history (ex-partner, money problems etc)that we actually saw him dealing with. Very little gloss on Harry's life.

So, an intelligently constructed premise, a great central performer, superb performances from the recurring characters - notably Anthony Zerbe as the acerbic Lt. Trench (replacing Lt. Manny Quinlan half-way through series 1, when the series' location moved from San Diego to LA at the behest of the studio suits). And then, we had some interesting and well written scripts - but yes, there were some clunkers too. Harry O was well directed, very well cut in the styles of the time and oh! - those Foley sounds, loud footsteps in longshots - I love it! The sound on just one of the series one episodes is appalling, but for all the rest, they look and sound great.

Perhaps because it came in at the middle or latter end of the US boom in detective series, Harry O ran for only two seasons. A great shame, it had a lot more potential to realise - and without Janssen it can never be recreated.

2013 UPDATE: The first series is available now as a box set from the Warners online shop!

2014 UPDATE: No longer a rare series! Warners have put out box set of both series now. You can buy on Amazon or direct from WBshop.

Excellent! Just ordered mine!

My wife and I watched the show when it first went into syndication. 78-79? We both enjoyed it. I particularly liked the way David Jansen portrayed this character. Smooth and cool. David's smirk really worked portraying Harry. Very low key approach that works. Farrah Fawcett was very low key and actually funny in her roll. Another gem in the show was Anthony Zerbe. The verbal barbs and sparring with 'Harry' were excellent. The original fugitive series was pretty good but over time the plots grew weak and the show seemed to crawl along. I check every now and then to see if 'Harry O' is available anywhere EVEN on VHS! great show!