Charlie Cobb: Nice Night for a Hanging (1977) Online

This was made in 1977 but this is the first time I have seen this movie. I was married at that time, working two jobs, going to college, and there were only three networks to choose from so my choices and time were pretty limited.

I have always liked the work of Clu Gulager and this certainly exceeded my expectations. He was well suited for this part being a sophisticated, slick talking private eye in the old west. He likes living the good life and since he was shanghaied into working for his boss, J. J. Gideon, he has no reservations about padding his expense accounts which makes him a charming scoundrel. The characters were well developed with more than enough red herrings and twists and turns so you are not going to get me to give anything away. I will say the show was ahead of its time to have clever women who were more than just window dressing. That has always been my opinion that in the old west most women has to stand with the men and had to be ready to slap leather and shoot when necessary.

This has pilot written all over it and IMHO it would have been a pretty good show in that Gulager would have had the ability to carry it. It also looks like Tricia O'Neil as Angelica Adams would have been his partner professionally and otherwise. The networks missed out on what could have been a successful series unless Clu Gulager was not interested in doing a series. It may have changed the course of Ms. O'Neil since after a fairly successful career that she may have retired since she has not done anything since 2010. This is certainly worth a look see if you are channel surfing with some time on your hands.

According to the writer Peter S Fischer, this was the pilot for a TV series which the studio decided against making, so this is all there is of Charlie Cobb, private detective.

Charlie is a dapper and lovable rogue, whose vices have had a hand in him losing control of his agency to a rival, so he has no qualms about fiddling his expenses when working. Gulager is terrific in the role. His talent for being quirkily amusing was evident in his performance as Sheriff Ryker in The Virginian - watch him doff his hat at the kitten that wanders into his path at the beginning of 'Ring of Silence', and listen to the exchange with Randy in the saloon at the beginning of 'Morgan Starr' - so It's good to see that comedy potential more fully utilised at last. He's given sterling support by Blair Brown as the long-lost daughter Cobb is delivering to her father, and by Tricia O'Neil as their mysterious travelling companion.

Charlie Cobb makes for a very entertaining hour and a half if you are lucky enough to find it on a television schedule. I just wish it was available on DVD.