Dan August
Dan August is an American crime drama television series that aired on ABC from September 23, 1970, to April 8, 1971, starring Burt Reynolds as Lieutenant Dan August, a homicide detective investigating cases in the fictional coastal town of Santa Luisa, California.[1] The show, produced by Quinn Martin Productions, follows August as he navigates complex crimes while contending with personal ties to the community where he grew up, often working alongside his partner, Sergeant Charles Wilentz.[2] Featuring 26 episodes across a single season, it emphasized procedural storytelling with elements of small-town drama and character-driven conflicts.[3] The series originated from the 1970 television pilot film House on Greenapple Road, directed by Robert Day and initially starring Christopher George as Dan August, which introduced the character in a story about a missing housewife whose disappearance uncovers deeper secrets.[4] Reynolds replaced George for the weekly series, bringing his emerging star power and physicality to the role, performing many of his own stunts and contributing to the show's energetic tone.[2] Quinn Martin, renowned for procedural hits like The Fugitive and Barnaby Jones, structured episodes with a signature format including a prologue, multiple acts, and an epilogue, filmed in color and set against Santa Luisa's backdrop inspired by Santa Barbara.[1] Key supporting cast members included Norman Fell as the streetwise Sergeant Wilentz, Richard Anderson as Police Chief George Untermeyer, Ena Hartman as Katy Grant, the Chief's secretary and police dispatcher, and Ned Romero as Sergeant Joe Rivera.[2] The series featured guest appearances by prominent actors such as Vera Miles, Mickey Rooney, and a pre-fame Harrison Ford, adding variety to its case-of-the-week narratives.[2] Notable episodes explored themes like political corruption and personal vendettas, with the pilot-integrated storyline setting the tone for August's blend of professional duty and hometown loyalties.[1] Despite Reynolds' charismatic performance and the Quinn Martin polish, Dan August received mixed reception for its formulaic plots and lack of deep character development, struggling to compete with contemporaries like Hawaii Five-0.[2] It was cancelled after one season due to low ratings but found a cult audience through CBS reruns in the 1970s, including prime-time slots from May to October 1973 and April to June 1975, and late-night on the CBS Late Movie starting in 1978. Notable cast member Ena Hartman died on April 16, 2025. The show holds historical significance as an early showcase for Reynolds' transition to leading man status, predating his blockbuster successes in films like Deliverance (1972).[1] Today, it is available in complete collections, preserving its place in 1970s television history.[3]Origins and premise
Pilot television film
"The House on Greenapple Road" is a made-for-television film that aired on ABC on January 11, 1970, as part of the network's Movie of the Week anthology series.[5] Directed by Robert Day, the 135-minute production was adapted from the 1966 novel of the same name by Harold R. Daniels and marked the first TV movie produced by Quinn Martin Productions.[5][6] It introduced the character of Lieutenant Dan August, a homicide detective with the Santa Luisa Police Department, and established the core concept for the ensuing television series.[5][7] In the story, set in the small California town of Santa Luisa, young Eve Plumb discovers signs of violence—bloodstains and broken dishes—upon returning home from school to find her mother, Marian Ord (Janet Leigh), missing.[5] Suspicion quickly falls on Marian's timid salesman husband, George Ord (Tim O'Connor), despite the absence of a body, prompting Lt. Dan August (Christopher George) to lead the investigation.[5][4] Through a series of flashbacks, the film reveals Marian's extramarital affairs and personal dissatisfaction, implicating multiple suspects including her lover (Don Stroud) and sister (Julie Harris), while showcasing August's tough, intuitive approach to unraveling the kidnapping and murder.[5] The rural setting contrasts with August's urban detective persona, highlighting his determination in piecing together the evidence.[5] Christopher George made his debut as the titular detective Dan August, portraying him as a no-nonsense investigator who relies on instinct and persistence.[5] The ensemble cast featured notable supporting performances, including John McLiam as a local figure, Julie Harris as Marian's sister Leona Miller, Keenan Wynn as August's partner, Barry Sullivan as the police chief, and Ed Asner as the sheriff, alongside Julie Adams and William Windom.[5][8] The teleplay by George Eckstein emphasized psychological tension and character-driven suspense, drawing from the novel's taut narrative structure.[5] Produced as a standalone mystery with series potential, the film functioned as a backdoor pilot for "Dan August," launching the concept under Quinn Martin's oversight.[6] Although specific Nielsen ratings for the broadcast are not widely documented, its strong viewership as an early ABC Movie of the Week entry—bolstered by the star power of its cast—directly led to ABC greenlighting the full series later in 1970, with George initially considered for the lead before scheduling conflicts resulted in Burt Reynolds assuming the role.[5][9]Premise and setting
Lieutenant Dan August serves as the central protagonist of the series, a homicide detective assigned to the Santa Luisa Police Department who investigates murders in his hometown while contending with longstanding personal connections and underlying corruption among local residents.[1] As a returning figure to the community, August frequently collaborates or conflicts with individuals from his past, adding layers of interpersonal tension to his professional duties.[10] Portrayed as charismatic and diligent, August embodies a street-smart toughness guided by a personal code of honor, which often leads him to challenge authority figures and navigate moral ambiguities in pursuit of justice.[2] His intensity and relatability drive the narrative, emphasizing his commitment to uncovering truth despite the complications arising from his deep-rooted ties to Santa Luisa.[1] The series unfolds in the fictional coastal city of Santa Luisa, California, a mid-sized community modeled after Santa Barbara that captures the blend of urban development and rural influences typical of Southern California in the 1970s.[1] This setting underscores dynamics within the local police department, including bureaucratic hurdles and interdepartmental rivalries, while reflecting era-specific social challenges such as rising crime rates, drug proliferation, racial tensions, and institutional corruption.[2] Episodes adhere to a procedural structure, resolving a self-contained homicide investigation per installment, yet incorporate recurring personal arcs for August that explore his evolving relationships and unresolved conflicts with the town's inhabitants.[2] This format balances immediate case resolutions with subtle progression in the protagonist's backstory, highlighting the interplay between professional obligations and private loyalties.[10]Cast and characters
Main cast
Burt Reynolds starred as Lieutenant Dan August, the titular homicide detective navigating complex cases in his hometown of Santa Luisa, California, often clashing with departmental bureaucracy while relying on personal connections from his upbringing. Reynolds infused the character with his signature rugged physicality and boyish charm, delivering a performance marked by wry, self-deprecating humor that balanced intense investigations with lighthearted moments, allowing for charismatic interplay in ensemble scenes. This role represented a pivotal career transition for Reynolds, marking his first leading television part since the short-lived Hawk (1966), and it revitalized his momentum, paving the way for his breakthrough in feature films like Deliverance (1972).[1][11][12][13] Norman Fell played Sergeant Charles Wilentz, August's loyal partner and steadfast sidekick who provided both comic relief through his exasperated reactions and sharp investigative skills during casework. Wilentz served as the grounded counterpart to August's impulsive style, contributing to the duo's dynamic in pursuing leads across the small-town setting.[14][11] Ned Romero portrayed Sergeant Joe Rivera, August's fellow sergeant and colleague in the department who assisted on operations and helped mediate conflicts within the precinct. Rivera's role emphasized the internal tensions of police hierarchy, adding layers to the show's exploration of authority and teamwork.[14][11] Richard Anderson appeared as Chief George Untermeyer, the police chief tasked with managing political pressures from city hall and balancing the demands of high-profile investigations with resource constraints. Untermeyer's character highlighted the administrative challenges of law enforcement, frequently positioning him at odds with August's frontline decisions.[14][11] Ena Hartman (died May 28, 2024) was cast as Katy Grant, the department clerk and August's romantic interest, whose administrative support and personal rapport with the detective wove emotional subplots into the procedural narrative. Grant's presence offered glimpses of vulnerability for August, contrasting the series' focus on crime-solving.[14][11][15] In recurring roles, Barney Phillips appeared as Mike Golden, the medical examiner who assisted the team with forensic analysis and autopsies, providing crucial evidence in multiple investigations across the season. John Lasell recurred as Benjamin Wedlock, a figure connected to legal proceedings in Santa Luisa, appearing in key episodes involving district attorney ties and courtroom implications.[14][11][16]Guest stars
The guest star roster for Dan August featured several prominent actors who appeared in single episodes, enhancing the procedural drama with their performances as suspects, victims, or key witnesses. Martin Sheen portrayed Norman Sayles, a witness entangled in a murder investigation, in the episode "Dead Witness to a Killing" (season 1, episode 16, aired January 28, 1971).[17] Harrison Ford played Hewett, a man wrongly accused in a political murder case, in "The Manufactured Man" (season 1, episode 22, aired March 11, 1971).[18] Vic Morrow appeared as Steve Harrison, a union figure central to an assassination plot, in "The Union Forever" (season 1, episode 8, aired November 11, 1970).[19] Other notable guests included Larry Hagman as Art Lewis, a shady character, in "The Law" (season 1, episode 17, aired February 4, 1971), and John Ritter as Coley Smith, a young informant, in "Quadrangle for Death" (season 1, episode 12, aired December 16, 1970).[14] These performers often embodied antagonists or conflicted allies, injecting tension and moral ambiguity into Dan August's investigations alongside the main cast. The series' casting patterns highlighted up-and-coming talent from the early 1970s, such as Ford and Ritter in pre-stardom roles, mirroring broader television trends of featuring emerging stars to boost viewer interest in anthology-style procedurals.[20] Guests like these added diversity to the episodic cases, from labor disputes to political intrigue, while leveraging Hollywood's pool of versatile character actors to maintain the show's gritty, urban appeal.[21]Production
Development and crew
Quinn Martin Productions spearheaded the development of Dan August as a spin-off from the successful pilot telefilm House on Greenapple Road, which introduced the character and aired on ABC on January 11, 1970.[4] Martin, serving as executive producer, applied his hallmark approach to crime dramas, characterized by formal opening narrations, teaser sequences, and on-screen act counters that built suspense across episodes.[22] This style, refined in earlier hits like The Untouchables and The Fugitive, emphasized procedural storytelling and moral ambiguity in law enforcement narratives.[23] Following the pilot's positive reception, ABC greenlit the series during the summer of 1970 for a full-season run, with Burt Reynolds cast in the lead role after original pilot star Christopher George recommended him based on Reynolds' performance in the short-lived series Hawk.[6] Reynolds actively pursued the part, leveraging his rising profile to secure the detective lead and infusing the show with his charismatic, rugged persona.[1] The adaptation expanded the pilot's premise into an ongoing procedural, with George Eckstein's teleplay from Harold R. Daniels' novel serving as the foundational blueprint.[8] The writing team, coordinated under producers John Conwell and associate producer Robert Lewin, included key contributors like Robert C. Dennis, who penned multiple episodes, alongside Mel Goldberg, Robert Dozier, and Stephen Kandel, focusing on self-contained mysteries while weaving in character-driven subplots.[14] ABC ordered 26 one-hour episodes to anchor the 1970-1971 schedule, aligning with the network's strategy to counterprogram competitors with character-focused crime fare amid shifting viewer tastes.[24] Creative decisions emphasized a balance of gritty action sequences, interpersonal drama, and Reynolds' star appeal to broaden audience draw, positioning Dan August as a vehicle for the actor's transition from supporting roles to leading man status.[23] Filming in Oxnard, California, was selected for its coastal authenticity and logistical efficiency in simulating the fictional Santa Luisa setting.[25]Filming locations
The principal exterior filming for Dan August took place in Oxnard, California, which doubled as the fictional coastal city of Santa Luisa. Local sites included streets, oceanfront areas, and landmarks such as the steps of the Carnegie Art Museum—where lead actor Burt Reynolds ran in the series' opening sequence—as well as 2929 Ocean Drive and Santa Clara Church at 323 S E Street.[26][27] Interior shots were primarily captured at Samuel Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood, California, the main facility for Quinn Martin Productions during the series' run.[27] Location work in Oxnard generally spanned one day per episode, involving travel from Los Angeles studios, though episodes like "Bullet for a Hero" extended to three days to accommodate sequences at the Oxnard Airport and a local boatyard. These schedules underscored the logistical demands of 1970s on-location television production, including coordination of cast, crew, and equipment across a 60-mile distance.[28] Directors including Gene Nelson utilized Oxnard's diverse settings to achieve a grounded visual style, capturing the everyday grit of small-town investigations through natural lighting and authentic environments.[14]Episodes and broadcast
Airing history
Dan August premiered on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) on September 23, 1970, occupying the Wednesday 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time slot as part of the network's fall lineup.[24] This positioning followed The Johnny Cash Show and preceded local news programming, aligning with ABC's aggressive expansion of new series for the 1970-71 season.[29] The series represented ABC's broader push into urban, fast-paced action dramas during the early 1970s, aimed at capturing younger audiences and challenging the dominance of NBC and CBS in prime time.[30] With 12 new programs launched that season—more than the other two networks combined—ABC sought to innovate and gain ground through high-energy crime and detective formats.[29] The show moved to Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. ET starting January 7, 1971. A total of 26 episodes aired weekly through April 8, 1971, after which ABC canceled the show following its single season, citing mediocre viewership performance.[1] No second season was produced, though the full run later found new life in syndication. Reruns aired on CBS in prime time and late night from May to October 1973 and again from April to June 1975, capitalizing on lead actor Burt Reynolds' surging popularity after his breakout role in the 1972 film Deliverance.[31] These broadcasts drew strong audiences, marking a successful revival for the Quinn Martin production.[32]Episode list
The first season of Dan August comprised 26 one-hour episodes, broadcast on ABC from September 23, 1970, to April 8, 1971, in an order that generally followed production but with some variations in archival records.[24][33] Some episodes were later rearranged and edited into two-part TV movies for syndication reruns, such as "Once Is Never Enough" (combining "Prognosis: Homicide" and "Death Chain") and "The Trouble with Women."[34] Brief synopses focus on the central investigative cases, often involving homicide tied to local corruption, personal relationships, or social issues in the fictional Santa Luisa, California. The list below uses the aired order per primary sources like IMDb, with noted variations.| Ep. | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murder by Proxy | Sep 23, 1970 | Lieutenant Dan August investigates the shooting of a race car driver who crashes into a lake, suspecting involvement by someone close to the victim amid a web of personal betrayals.[33] |
| 2 | The Murder of a Small Town | Sep 30, 1970 | August probes a sabotaged school bus crash that kills Sergeant Rivera's niece, linking the incident to tensions from a migrant worker strike and pursuing the perpetrator through community divisions.[33] |
| 3 | Love Is a Nickel Bag | Oct 7, 1970 | A teenager dies from a drug overdose at a party; August pressures the host and attendees to identify the supplier, exposing a local narcotics ring preying on youth.[33] |
| 4 | The King Is Dead | Oct 14, 1970 | The philanthropist who funded August's college education is murdered; rejecting an initial burglary theory, August uncovers motives rooted in the victim's charitable dealings and hidden enemies.[33] |
| 5 | In the Eyes of God | Oct 21, 1970 | A murder occurs at a local church, implicating a former priest who withholds key information; August navigates religious and community pressures to reveal the killer's identity.[33] |
| 6 | The Color of Fury | Oct 28, 1970 | August aids a Black activist accused of killing a city councilman's sister, doubting the charges and investigating racial tensions and political corruption in Santa Luisa.[33] |
| 7 | Invitation to Murder | Nov 4, 1970 | The daughter of a powerful newspaper columnist is found dead; August contends with the father's interference as he targets her boyfriend, unraveling a plot of jealousy and deception.[33] |
| 8 | Union Forever | Nov 11, 1970 | A union leader is assassinated; August suspects a rival with a criminal record, delving into labor disputes and internal betrayals within the organization's ranks.[33] |
| 9 | Epitaph for a Swinger | Nov 18, 1970 | August examines the death of a playboy whose lifestyle leads to suspects among his romantic entanglements, highlighting themes of infidelity and hidden grudges in high society.[34] |
| 10 | When the Shouting Dies | Nov 25, 1970 | A blackmailer falls to his death from a balcony; with August's friend Heap Canfield as a suspect, the investigation exposes personal stakes and extortion schemes in the community.[33] |
| 11 | The Soldier | Dec 2, 1970 | August works to clear an AWOL soldier accused of murdering an MP, facing resistance from the suspect's uncooperative circle and military-related conflicts.[33] |
| 12 | The Trouble with Women | Dec 9, 1970 | August investigates a case involving romantic rivalries and a suspicious death among women connected to a central figure, revealing layers of jealousy and manipulation.[34] |
| 13 | Quadrangle for Death | Dec 16, 1970 | The president of a local college is killed shortly after dismissing a professor; August confronts resistance from the academic staff while piecing together a quadrangle of motives.[33] |
| 14 | The Jealousy Factor | Dec 23, 1970 | An assistant district attorney suspected of murdering his wife enlists August's help, leading to an inquiry into marital discord and potential frame-ups.[34] |
| 15 | Passing Fair | Dec 30, 1970 | A murdered psychiatrist's missing file points to a blackmail operation; August traces the documents to expose a network of coerced victims in the town.[33] |
| 16 | The Titan | Jan 7, 1971 | August probes the murder of a drug pusher tied to a wealthy millionaire, his wife, and an aide, uncovering scandals in elite social circles.[33] |
| 17 | Death Chain | Jan 21, 1971 | Following the rape and murder of a socialite, a sniper eliminates suspects; August pursues both killers amid a chain of escalating violence.[33] |
| 18 | Dead Witness to a Killing | Jan 28, 1971 | An assistant DA hires August to probe his wife's murder, revealing witnesses who become victims and deepening the conspiracy.[34] |
| 19 | The Law | Feb 4, 1971 | A judge suffering from Alzheimer's kills a pedestrian in what he claims is self-defense; after the judge's death, August uncovers an underlying murder plot.[33] |
| 20 | The Worst Crime | Feb 11, 1971 | A waitress is raped and murdered, with a second body indicating she witnessed a critical event; August connects the crimes to local predators.[33] |
| 21 | Circle of Lies | Feb 18, 1971 | A recently fired auto designer stands accused of his boss's murder; August navigates a circle of professional deceit and personal vendettas.[33] |
| 22 | Trackdown | Feb 25, 1971 | After a patrolman friend is killed during a racetrack robbery, August relentlessly tracks the perpetrators through the criminal underworld.[33] |
| 23 | Bullet for a Hero | Mar 4, 1971 | August investigates the murder of a Medal of Honor recipient, potentially linked to his Vietnamese wife and war-related resentments.[33] |
| 24 | The Manufactured Man | Mar 11, 1971 | The killing of a political campaign worker implicates the candidate, his son, a reporter, and aides in a manufactured scandal.[33] |
| 25 | Prognosis: Homicide | Apr 1, 1971 | Winos die from poisoned whiskey targeting a surgeon; August investigates the plot behind the attempted murder.[33] |
| 26 | The Assassin | Apr 8, 1971 | A sniper attacks the police chief and his friend; August pursues multiple suspects in the assassination attempt.[33] |