The Law and Harry McGraw

In the fine tradition of Jim Rockford, Harry McGraw was a real human being doing the work of a private investigator. When he got hit or otherwise attacked, he got hurt. He was a flawed but good-hearted guy with a strong streak of self-interest who nonetheless couldn't resist helping someone in a jam. Lovable Harry was introduced on "Murder, She Wrote", at first as a tough P. I. investigating his partner's homicide in the episode Tough Guys Don't Die. He reappeared in From The Horses' Mouth, Death Takes A Dive, One Good Bid Deserves A Murder, Double Exposure, and The Skinny According To Nick Culhane. The character was so appealing, the network tried to spin him off into his own series. Unfortunately, without the interplay between calm spinster Jessica Fletcher and the rougher-edged Harry McGraw, the character lost some of his appeal. The supporting cast for his show was competent but not as good as Jessica. Jerry Orbach was as usual brilliant as Harry; with his soulful large eyes, wide grin and lanky loose-jointed body, he breathed life into the flawed yet charming character and made him real. Alas, Harry died a premature death in the ratings and the show was yanked after too short a time. Curse network greed!

In this short-lived but delightful show, Jerry Orbach reprised his role as Detective Harry McGraw, as seen on "Murder, She Wrote" (1984). This character first appeared in the first-season episode "Tough Guys Don't Die," where he teamed up with Jessica Fletcher to solve the murder of his partner. Barbara Babcock also guest-starred in that episode, as "Priscilla Daniels," publisher and editor of Femininity Magazine (not "Ellie Maginnis"). Harry McGraw reappeared in the second-season episode "One Good Bid Deserves a Murder" (ep. #2.17).

This short-lived but delightful show was a spin-off of "Murder, She Wrote" (1984). Jerry Orbach first appeared as Detective Harry McGraw in the first-season episode, "Tough Guys Don't Die," in which he teamed up with Jessica Fletcher to solve the murder of his partner, Archie Miles (played by Floyd Levine). Barbara Babcock also guest-starred in that episode, but as "Priscilla Daniels," Publisher and Editor of Femininity Magazine, not as "Ellie Maginnis." Jerry Orbach reprised the role of Harry McGraw in "Murder, She Wrote," in the episode "One Good Bet Deserves a Murder " (ep. #2.17).

McGraw another bright spot in life's work of Jerry Orbach. He is sorely missed. I have followed his career through the years and have always been impressed with his portrayals and have believed in the performance. He became "McGraw", he became "Brisco", etc. I did not see and hear Orbach. In reading through IMDb listing of credits I'm even more impressed at the scope of his works. Uncredited cameos, voice overs in "toons", whatever. He was a busy man. I seem to have missed quite a bit. I'll have to seek out those missing bits and view them. L&O will survive and prosper, but Lennie will always be on the set and in the minds of his many, many fans. God bless you Jerry.