THE DEVLIN CONNECTION (1982) FOR FATHER’S DAY

THE DEVLIN CONNECTION (1982) – HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! Balladeer’s Blog marks the occasion with a look at this short-lived detective series starring Rock Hudson and Jack Scalia as father and son investigators.   

Hudson played Brian Devlin, a retired private investigator (but see below) who is now the director of the Los Angeles Arts Center. One day he is reunited with the son he never knew he had with an old flame. That son is Nick Corsello (Jack Scalia), a private investigator who works out of a bar (4 episodes) or a health club (9 episodes).

Before I cover the schizophrenic nature of this 13-episode series I’ll describe the father-son relationship. Brian and Nick try to form a bond, but Brian often puts a strain on their relationship by unofficially helping his son with the cases he’s working on despite his son wanting to accomplish things on his own.

Viewers get some laughs from Hudson’s character trying to hide his parallel investigations from Scalia and from the bickering between the pair when the son inevitably gets wise to Dad’s meddling.

The original setup was short-lived, because Rock Hudson suffered a heart attack after 4 episodes were completed. Months later, when Hudson and Scalia resumed filming changes were made to the background of both characters and the series changed from gritty and hard-boiled to having the father-son combo solving crimes among the wealthy.

Comically, the 9 newer episodes were aired before the original 4 were, meaning the original episode in which Brian and Nick first meet wasn’t broadcast until the show’s 10th week, and featured Nick seeking out Brian, rather than the other way around. Adding to viewers’ confusion, those remaining 4 episodes featured different supporting cast members AND changes to Brian and Nick’s character lore.

The opening 9 programs presented Nick as a professional racquetball player who merely dabbles in being a P.I. on the side, rather than a streetwise full-time shamus who works out of his friend’s bar. The health club frequented by Nick provided an excuse for Scalia to get flirty with a female exercise instructor and ogle women working out.

As for Brian, he now ran a large investigative agency and for the first 9 episodes he had the glamorous Leigh Taylor-Young as his assistant instead of the much older Irene Tedrow. Brian also lived like a tycoon in the opening episodes, then for the final 4 was in a modest apartment and smaller office. 

THE EPISODES:

BRIAN AND NICK – Former government agent Brian Devlin learns he has a son from an affair 28 years earlier. He tracks down that son, Nick Corsello, and the pair work together solving mysteries. Nick gets injected with a deadly virus and Brian must track down the antidote. Jack Kruschen and Stephanie Blackmore guest star.  

THE LADY ON THE BILLBOARD – Nick is dating a fashion model who disappears. He and his father investigate and learn that her drug-dealing ex may be responsible. Tracy Scroggins, John Considine and Joanna Cassidy guest star.  

LOVE, SIN AND DEATH AT POINT DUME – Two women are murdered after hanging out at a singles bar. Brian and Nick try to track down the killer. Tina Chen guest stars.  

THE CORPSE IN THE CORNICHE – When a dead body is found in Brian’s trunk he gets charged with murder. Nick works against time to prove his father’s innocence. Faye Grant and Renee Jones guest star.

THE ABSOLUTE MONARCH OF WARD C – Investigation by Brian and Nick leads them to believe an inmate at a mental institution is really the long-lost heir to a fortune. Guest starring Leslie Easterbrook and Herbert Jefferson, Jr.

THE FRENCH DETECTIVE – A conman from France suckers Brian into his latest scam involving wine and vintage wine bottles. Brioni Farrell and Laura Johnson are among the guest stars.

OF NUNS AND OTHER BLACK BIRDS – A woman claiming to be the daughter of a recently deceased millionaire hires Nick to prove her claim. Meanwhile, the millionaire’s widow hires Brian to prove that the other woman is a phony. Marj Dusay and Melinda Culea guest star.

RING OF KINGS, RING OF THIEVES – Our heroes investigate a centuries-old ring and become targeted by a long line of people who want to buy it, steal it or kill them for it. Stepfanie Kramer and Kopi Sotiropulos guest star.

ARSENIC AND OLD CAVIAR – One of the chefs competing in an international cooking contest is killing off the others. Nick goes undercover as a chef while Brian investigates from the outside. Guest starring Dixie Carter, Clive Revill, Camilla Sparv, Alejandro Rey and Andrew Bloch.

CLAUDINE – This is what was originally the very first episode. Nick confronts Brian and reveals he is the long-lost son from a long-ago affair. Brian butts in on Nick’s ongoing investigation into a theft ring. Juliet Prowse and Lew Ayres guest star.

ALLISON – Nick’s latest case leads him to organized crime influence in the construction industry. He is hammered by thugs, prompting the infuriated Brian to take over the case to get revenge. Guest starring Robert Hooks.

ERICA – A mysterious woman from Europe has killed two of Brian’s old intelligence agency colleagues. Her next target is Brian and she romances the unsuspecting Nick to get close to him. Anna Bjorn and Frank Campanella guest star.  

JENNIFER – A writer hires Nick and Brian to find out why his wife engages in mysterious behavior once a year on the anniversary of her first husband’s death. Julie Sommars and Dick Sargent guest star. (I’d have preferred Dick York myself.)

FATHER’S DAY WITH THE FEATHER AND FATHER GANG HERE.

FATHER’S DAY WITH BLACKE’S MAGIC HERE.

FOR THE EXTREME HORROR FILM FATHER’S DAY CLICK HERE.