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. Continue reading
THE SWAMP FOX (1959-1961) – With the 4th of July fast approaching, it’s past time for a seasonal post. The Swamp Fox is a piece of Forgotten Television that ran sporadically on Walt Disney’s programs. Eight episodes were produced over two years with Leslie Nielsen in the lead role and each one filled a 1-hour time slot. 
Marion and his men knew the South Carolina swamplands like the proverbial backs of their hands and could strike the British then disappear deep into the swamps, foiling any pursuit. Obviously, as a television production The Swamp Fox featured a very romanticized version of Marion and his escapades.
DARK INTRUDER (1965) – This thoroughly enjoyable piece of Forgotten Television was a failed pilot for a series. Supposedly the network passed on it because they thought it was too scary and gruesome for tv viewers of the time. Instead they released this 59-minute black & white gem to theaters as the second title for double features. 
Brett Kingsford maintains a quasi-secret identity. On the surface he’s known in San Francisco as a bon vivant and ladies’ man and when the police want to consult him over something supernatural he dons various disguises to rendezvous with them. That way nobody in his usual social circles is made aware of his connections with the cops. 
