LONI ANDERSON R.I.P. – PARTNERS IN CRIME (1984)

PARTNERS IN CRIME (1984) – To note the passing of Loni Anderson here’s a Forgotten Television look at the detective series in which she co-starred with Lynda Carter. Both ladies had been married at one time to a private detective named Raymond Dashiell Caulfield.

When Caulfield was murdered the ladies learned he had left them his mansion and his detective agency. This being a television series they joined forces to find Raymond’s killer, then decided to stay in business together running their late husband’s detective agency.

Loni played Sydney Kovack, a streetwise woman who grew up in San Francisco pulling minor hustles here and there with her con-man father. Ultimately, she went straight and became a professional cellist and bass player. 

Lynda portrayed Carole Stanwyck, who was born into wealth and practiced professional photography as her passion. The stage was set for odd couple personality clashes and minor bickering as the ladies learned to work together despite their differing temperaments.

Partners in Crime was light but not an all-out comedy. Johnny Carson’s production company spawned this program which seems like it should have been a hit but instead lasted just 13 hour-long episodes before getting canceled.

Other recurring characters on the show included Raymond Caulfield’s personal assistant Harmon Shain (Walter Olkewicz), Raymond’s bookstore owner mother Jeanine (Eileen Heckart) and San Francisco police Lieutenant Ed Vronsky (Leo Rossi).   

THE EPISODES:

PILOT – This 2-hour introduction to Partners in Crime establishes the premise and sees Sydney and Carole solve their late husband’s murder in his own office. Guest stars include John Beck, Julie Sommars, John Schuck and Kim Miyori.   

CELEBRITY – The one and only Vanessa Williams plays a famous singer named Roselle Robins who hires Sydney and Carole to find the mysterious Man in White (Billy Drago) who has been stalking her. The stalker has already shot and wounded an innocent bystander while seemingly targeting Roselle.

THE HOTTEST GUY IN TOWN – Our heroines are hired to find out which hairstylist is blackmailing their client and wind up in a complex situation involving competing beauty salons and organized crime. David Soul, Allan Miller, Michael V. Gazzo (Godfather, Part II), and Wendy Phillips are in the guest cast.

MURDER IN THE MUSEUM – The ladies look into the murder of Carole’s friend, the curator of a museum. They believe the young man arrested for the crime is innocent and set out to find the true culprit. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. – Inspector Erskine himself – guest stars along with Leigh McCloskey.

DUKE – Sydney’s roguish con-man father Duke (Cameron Mitchell) gets framed for the theft of a bronze statue and a murder. Naturally, he’s innocent but it’s not easy to prove. Nancy Kwan and James Sloyan are in the guest cast.

PADDLES UP – Sydney and Carole attend an auction so Carole can bid on a gem she wants. A mysterious man tries to dissuade her from bidding on it and a third party who has the winning bid gets murdered. David Carradine and Keene Curtis guest star.

IS SHE OR ISN’T HE? – A man hires the ladies to find his son, who has been kidnapped by people trying to destroy his business. The only eyewitness to the crime turns out to be a female impersonator (Christopher Morley). 

FANTASYLAND – A childhood friend from Sydney’s old neighborhood is murdered and the teen streetwalker he was protecting may be the next target. In the best “Pepper, you’re going undercover” spirit, Carole goes undercover in a strip joint. A young Donna Wilkes, already typecast as a teen hooker, plays Sandy and David Hedison is also in the guest cast.

THE SET-UP – Sydney and Carole’s friend Lieutenant Vronsky is framed for murder and misappropriation of funds. The ladies investigate and learn the frame was mounted to block one of Vronsky’s ongoing investigations. Guest stars include Otis Young, Michael Shannon and the forgotten Maverick Brother, Robert Colbert. 

FASHIONED FOR MURDER – Our heroines go undercover as runway models to solve a murder and the theft of fashion designs. Rod McCary, Patty McCormack and Jonathan Goldsmith, the future Most Interesting Man in the World, are all among the guest cast.   

THE STRANGLER – Sydney and Carole set out to solve a series of strangulation murders committed by a killer who always uses red handkerchiefs. John Vernon, Bibi Besch and Kitty Wynn are along for the ride.

GETTING IN SHAPE – The ladies are hired by health spa owners to find out who is blackmailing them but the investigation grows into a dangerous hostage situation. Guest starring Anne Francis and Vincent Baggetta.

DOUBLE JEOPARDY – Two escaped convicts hold Carole hostage to force Sydney to help them recover their hidden stash of stolen loot. Kevin Brophy, Richard Lynch and James Luisi guest star. This was the final episode.

*** Partners in Crime ran from September 22nd to December 29th, 1984. 

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