The Magic of the Era of Quinn Martin Television. Are you old enough to remember American television from the mid-60s through the 70s?
Then you will remember the words: “A Quinn Martin (or QM) production!” uttered during the opening credits of many great action shows. These credits were always accompanied by some of the catchiest tunes. Such was the brilliance of Quinn Martin and his style of television production. Who was Quinn Martin, and his big shows?
Quinn Martin – The Early Years
He was born Irwin Cohn on 22nd May 1922 in New York City, and moved to Los Angeles as child with his parents where he completed his schooling.
After high school, Irwin served in the US Army, during Word War II. After the war, he attended University of California at Berkley, but quit before graduating to follow in his father’s footsteps, at MGM television, as a film editor. During this period, due to frequent mispronouncement of his surname Cohn, he changed his name to “Quinn Martin.”
His career path took him through MGM, Universal in the early 1950s. By the late 50’s he had joined the relatively new Desilu Studios founded by Lucille, and Desi Arnaz.
It was at Desilu, that Quinn Martin honed his talents further, becoming Executive Producer on some interesting projects.
Quinn Martin’s Rise
After successes at Desilu, where honed his skills and also met his first wife, Quinn Martin branched out on his own. And in 1960, he formed QM Productions.
QM Productions went on to become one of the success stories of American television. His keen insight, in grabbing the audience, helped develop memorable trend setting styles of TV production. These included:
- Intros narrated by an impressive sounding voice actor including cast names and episode title
- Stylish intro shots to dramatize, and pull the viewer in
- Episodes divided into “Acts” with the last one being the “Epilog” to bring the story to a close
- In some intros, the narrator gave a quick summary of what the show is about to update a new viewer
These effects, along with well written story lines, impressive cinematography caught on well and Quinn Martin dominated American TV for the next two decades.
Famous Quinn Martin Shows
Most of Quinn Martin shows were crime dramas, with a sci-fi, horror, and war time series. Although many of his shows were short-lived, they were definitely entertaining, and trendsetting for their time. Living outside the US at the time, I didn’t get to see all his show back then, but definitely saw the biggest of his hits. And his became a familiar name at home. Many of his shows were family friendly, so the family enjoyed them without fear of disturbing content.
Here’s a list of my favorite QM’s shows. Rather, these were the ones they aired where I lived at the time, and are likely among the best of his offerings.
The Fugitive (1963-67)
“The Fugitive” is likely one of the best known QM productions. Starring respected actor David Janssen, The Fugitive tells the story of a Dr Kimble, wrongfully convicted of his wife’s murder. With luck, he escapes, and hides from the authorities, especially one Lieutenant Gerrard (Barry Morse) who’s obsessed with his capture. The series involves a cat mouse game between with Dr. Kimble running across America under various alias’s both avoiding capture, and hunting for the real killer: a one-armed man he saw leaving the scene of the crime. Loosely based on a true story, it also inspired a 1992 movie.
The show employed all the QM effects mentioned above with William Conrad‘s narration. Conrad would play Cannon, in another QM production later. In fact, there are two narrators, and the series transitions to color later.
YouTube / Brad Carlton’s Logo Archive
The Invaders (1967-68)
As a fan of the UFO genre, this is one my favorite shows. We have the protagonist as the lone witness to a UFO and awareness of an alien conspiracy to take over the Earth. This witness, architect David Vincent (Roy Thinnes) then embarks on a countrywide campaign to warn that authorities, and thwart the aliens’ plans wherever possible. But he has his work cut out for him, and like in “The Fugitive,” David also has to stay a step ahead of people out to eliminate him.
I remember the series running ever briefly before going off the air to – much to my dismay. Unfortunately, this series was only two seasons long. Many allegories have been made regarding The Invaders. But for me it was basically a fun show with a uniquely and scary closing credits tune by Dominic Frontiere of “The Outer Limits” fame.
YouTube / santa holbrook
Dan August (1970-71)
I didn’t get to watch “Dan August” much, as it came on later in the night. I used to joke that Dan jumps over the letter T in the credits. It was the first time I saw Burt Reynolds, who played the title character, a lieutenant who solved crimes in a California town.
It had some big name guest stars, plenty of action scenes, and a cool intro. Would love to watch the series when I get the time.
A short-lived show that lasted just one season. Not well received initially, it has likely garnered more respect after Burt Reynold’s popularity in the movies.
YouTube / 70’s TV Detectives
Cannon (1971-76)
One of the longer running Quinn Martin’s shows, Cannon starred William Conrad as the lead. Frank Cannon was private detective who people approached when in trouble or had a crime to solve. Although heavy set, William Conrad was pretty quick on his feet and a tough guy you didn’t want to cross.
Maybe as a pun on his appearance, he seemed to love cooking, and episodes often ended with his discussing good food, or restaurants, with the guest star – after solving the crime. Cannon was one of the favorites in our family. I loved his car, a Lincoln with the oval window and his car phone. Incidentally, William Conrad was the main narrator on “The Fugitive.”
YouTube / spudtv
Barnaby Jones (1973-80)
Another family favorite, Barnaby Jones starred legendary actor Buddy Ebsen. Barnaby Jones was private detective who solve crimes with the help of his daughter-in-law, Betty (Lee Merriweather). Now, Barnaby had actually retired, but lost his son, also a detective. His son’s death, and Barnaby’s quest to find his killer brings him out of retirement.
One of Barnaby’s trade marks was to drinking milk – likely a nod to the health of the character in the show. Barnaby and Betty were later joined by an assistant in nephew J. R. Jones (Mark Shera). Great stuff and, like Cannon, it holds great memories for me.
YouTube / 11db11
Other TV Shows by Quinn Martin
The New Breed (1961-62)
This was Quinn Martin’s first independent production, and starred Leslie Neilsen, in the lead, among a team of LA police.
12 O’Clock High (1964-67)
Quinn Martin’s first major hit show as an independent producer, “12 O’Clock High” was a military drama that followed the exploits of a fictitious American bomber crew during World War II. I got to see some episodes of this in the 80s in the US, but my interest in WW II shows had dwindled.
YouTube / RetroAlexander
The FBI (1965-74)
One of the longest running Quinn Martin shows, “The FBI” was actually inspired from the 1959 movie “The FBI Story”
YouTube / The Rap Sheet
The Streets of San Francisco (1972-77)
Another highly successful QM show, it starred legendary Karl Malden and young Michael Douglas. As per the title, it deals with crime stories in San Francisco.
YouTube / 11db11
Banyon (1972-73)
A short-lived series set in 1930s LA, with a private detective Miles C. Banyon (Robert Forster).
YouTube / The Rap Sheet
Other lesser know series included:
“The Manhunter” (1974-75)
Another show set in the 1930s starring Ken Howard as in the lead, where he plays a PI solving crimes while operating out of his family farm in Idaho.
YouTube / The Rap Sheet
“Caribe” (1975)
I feel this show was a trendsetter of sorts of shows to come later. It involved fighting crime in the Caribbean by a law enforcement agency with permission to operate in that area.
YouTube / Lee Goldberg
“Bert D’Angelo Superstar” (1976)
Another short-lived crime series starring Paul Sorvino. This was a spinoff from The Streets of San Franscisco.
YouTube / Television Obscurities
Most Wanted (1976-77)
Robert Stack, who played the lead on this show was no stranger to Quinn Martin. Quinn Martin was involved in the original “The Untouchables” production at Desilu where Robert Stack played Elliot Ness. It’s interesting how the styles used here set the trend for cop shows in the 80s and beyond.
YouTube / Lee Goldberg
Quinn Martin’s Tales of the Unexpected (1977)
Not to be confused with the British series “Tales of the Unexpected,” although theme is somewhat similar. This show was QM’s foray into the world of horror and supernatural. It was an anthology series with a new cast each week. It used William Conrad (“Cannon”) for the intro and narration. Apparently, it was criticized for borrowing too much material from other productions.
YouTube / Vincent Dawn
The Runaways (1978-79)
A team led by a psychologist helps search for runaway teens. An interesting theme for sure.
YouTube / robatsee2009
A Man Called Sloane (1979)
This was Quinn Martin’s final TV series starring Robert Conrad as an intelligence agent on top secret missions. Apparently, the audience figures were too low, so it was cancelled after three months, including 12 episodes. It is among one of the three QM shows that did not have a narrator in the opening credits. All good things finally come to an end, and Quinn Martin was likely considering moving on from television.
YouTube / David Gideon
End of the Quinn Martin Era
So, by the late 70s, Quinn Martin seemed to bow out of television production leaving an interesting legacy of TV productions. His library was acquired by TAFT Broadcasting, now apparently part of iHeart Media.
He also made some TV movies, and one non-TV movie for 20th Century Studios: “The Mephisto Waltz” in 1971. It was a horror offering, starring Alan Alda and Jaqueline Bissett, but failed to make an impact for Quinn Martin as a movie producer.
After his TV years, Martin taught his craft in San Diego. He also established a scholarship for theater and communications at Santa Clara University.
Quinn Martin died in September 1987, in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where he had retired, leaving wonderful memories for fans of his shows.
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