To clarify, The Law Enforcers was one of the rotating shows featured on The Bold Ones. The Law Enforcers was also known as The Protectors, but I’m using the former title to keep it distinct from the spy show The Protectors.
THE LAW ENFORCERS (1969-1970) – Leslie Nielsen starred as Deputy Chief of Police Sam Danforth, a hard-nosed law enforcement veteran brought to a California city to help shape up the police department. Hari Rhodes co-starred as the much younger District Attorney William Washburn.
PILOT MOVIE: DEADLOCK (Feb 22nd, 1969) – This telefilm filled a 2-hour timeslot with commercials. Back when this was made, television cop shows didn’t bother trying to realistically depict the way law enforcement worked, unlike the countless police procedural programs of today. Think of McMillan and Wife, for instance. NO Police Commissioner (Rock Hudson’s role) personally investigates individual crimes, but the show’s gimmick had McMillan doing that with his wife (Susan St. James).
Similarly, Deadlock features the District Attorney character getting involved far too early in the investigative process just to spotlight the proposed series’ gimmick – the tension between Nielsen and Rhodes.
The story involves racial tensions in the unnamed city when the killing of a young black man is followed by the murder of a white newspaper man in a black neighborhood. Both killers are sought after as the city teeters on the edge of riots. The turbo-charged personalities of Danforth and Washburn (who plans to run for the Senate) are the best part of this production.
The guest cast included THE Ruby Dee, Aldo Ray, Beverly Todd, Dana Elcar, Max Julien, James McEachin and the legendary FRED WILLIAMSON.
THE EPISODES:
A CASE OF GOOD WHISKEY AT CHRISTMAS TIME (Sep 28th) – Danforth and Washburn clash over the handling of the murder of a City Commissioner who may have been accepting bribes regarding an urban renewal project. Also starring Fred Williamson as a different character, Edward Andrews and Lorraine Gary.
IF I SHOULD WAKE BEFORE I DIE (Oct 26th) – The title is an intentional inversion. A convicted white murderer and rapist (Robert Drivas) has been granted a new trial based on the public uproar over his best-selling book about how he was supposedly railroaded. Danforth and Washburn re-examine all of the evidence in preparation for the new trial. Also with Edmond O’Brien, Regis Cordic and Gene Evans.
DRAW A STRAIGHT MAN (Dec 14th) – Washburn and Danforth wind up on opposite sides when the witness to a burglary unknowingly implicates one of the city’s cops in the crime ring. Guest starring Celeste Yarnall, Janine Gray and Tom Reese.
THE CARRIER (Jan 11th, 1970) – A prisoner escapes from the penitentiary and begins spreading a deadly plague. He must be found for reasons of public safety and because he might be helpful to the DA’s case against a human trafficking ring. Louise Sorel, Barbara Babcock and Carmen Zapata guest star.
A THING NOT OF GOD (Feb 1st) – When an army deserter seeks sanctuary in a church, his pursuers barge in and abduct him, beating up a priest in the process. The case leaves Danforth and Washburn dealing with explosive options. Also with John Rubinstein, Garry Walberg and James Broderick.
MEMO FROM THE CLASS OF SEVENTY-SIX (Mar 8th) – Final episode of the series. Many students at a high school for well to do students get arrested for possession of drugs. Their dealer is responsible for distributing badly mixed drugs which are killing people who use them. With Billy Gray, Fredricka Meyers, Peter Hooten and Norma Crane.
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