Rocky King, Inside Detective
Encyclopedia
Rocky King, Inside Detective was an American television series broadcast on the now-defunct DuMont Television Network
from 1950 to 1954. It was one of DuMont's most popular programs. It was a live crime series set in New York City
.
It not only kept Roscoe Karns
from retirement, but cast him opposite his son, Todd Karns
. The DuMont offices and corridors were used as sets. At the end of each program, Rocky King would exchange telephone small talk with his unseen wife Mabel and, after hanging up, say to no one in particular, "Great girl, that Mabel".
. Four episodes of the series were released to DVD
on November 21, 2006. Since its DVD release, the show has gained something of a cult following among fans of early TV.
The kinescope
s for the four episodes originate courtesy of Satellite Media Production. These episodes have been screened at the non-profit Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention held annually in Aberdeen, Maryland
.
DuMont Television Network
The DuMont Television Network, also known as the DuMont Network, DuMont, Du Mont, or Dumont was one of the world's pioneer commercial television networks, rivalling NBC for the distinction of being first overall. It began operation in the United States in 1946. It was owned by DuMont...
from 1950 to 1954. It was one of DuMont's most popular programs. It was a live crime series set in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
It not only kept Roscoe Karns
Roscoe Karns
Roscoe Karns was an American actor. He appeared in nearly 150 films between 1915 and 1964.He played the title role in the popular DuMont Television Network series Rocky King, Inside Detective from 1950 to 1954...
from retirement, but cast him opposite his son, Todd Karns
Todd Karns
Todd Karns was an American actor perhaps best remembered for playing Harry Bailey, the younger brother of George Bailey in the Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life....
. The DuMont offices and corridors were used as sets. At the end of each program, Rocky King would exchange telephone small talk with his unseen wife Mabel and, after hanging up, say to no one in particular, "Great girl, that Mabel".
Episode status
Although most episodes were destroyed, some episodes still exist, including 37 at the UCLA Film and Television ArchiveUCLA Film and Television Archive
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is an internationally renowned visual arts organization focused on the preservation, study, and appreciation of film and television, based at the University of California, Los Angeles. It holds more than 220,000 film and television titles and 27 million feet of...
. Four episodes of the series were released to DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
on November 21, 2006. Since its DVD release, the show has gained something of a cult following among fans of early TV.
The kinescope
Kinescope
Kinescope , shortened to kine , also known as telerecording in Britain, is a recording of a television program made by filming the picture from a video monitor...
s for the four episodes originate courtesy of Satellite Media Production. These episodes have been screened at the non-profit Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention held annually in Aberdeen, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
.
See also
- List of programs broadcast by the DuMont Television Network
- List of surviving DuMont Television Network broadcasts
External links
- DuMont historical website
- Article on Rocky King, Inside Detective
- Oldies — Rocky King, Inside Detective
- Rocky King episode "Murder Scores a Knockout" (1952) legal download at the Internet Archive
- Rocky King episode "Murder PhD" (1953) at Internet Archive
- Rocky King episode "The Hermit's Cat" (1952) at TV4U.com