rosedawson-2

The novel, "That Darn Cat," was written by The Gordons and published a few years before the movie came out. I read the book and it's excellent. It's set in Los Angeles and clearly has an adult slant, although people of all ages who like mysteries would enjoy the novel. There was both humor and suspense in the book---but the movie was written like a sitcom and everyone acted too silly and zany. The movie should have been filmed on the streets of Los Angeles rather than the fake-looking backlot of Disney Studios! Obviously The Gordons (husband & wife mystery writers) knew that in order to turn their excellent novel into a Disney film (circa 1965) they had to write a screenplay that was bland and silly. The movie is okay but the novel is much better!

I remember this show! I was in college at the time and loved it. It gave me the inspiration to move to Los Angeles shortly after and I've been here ever since. The art deco furniture and cars, the old streets and vintage neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the 1930's-style clothing and architecture---all contributed to a very enjoyable TV series. Wayne Rogers was fantastic as the renegade detective who questioned authority. It was entertaining and classy. I'd love to see every episode again. I hope it comes out on DVD. The clever opening scene of every episode compared Los Angeles of the 1930's to the city as it was in 1976. Wayne described the corruption, the vice, the scandal and the crime of L.A. and humorously let us know that he was talking about the 1930's, NOT the 1970's!