Matt Helm (1975)
A slick 1970s detective series starring Anthony Franciosa as the resourceful and charismatic Matt Helm, navigating crime on ABC.
Matt Helm - Series Information
- Original Title: Matt Helm
- First Air Year: 1975
- Last Air Year: 1976
- Created by: Donald Hamilton, Sam Rolfe
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Action, Adventure, Crime
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, French
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Meadway Productions, Columbia Pictures Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
Matt Helm - Plot
Matt Helm is an American mystery television series which aired on the ABC Network during the 1975-1976 season. The title character was played by Anthony Franciosa.
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Matt Helm - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Donald Hamilton
- Sam Rolfe
Main Cast
- Anthony Franciosa
- Gene Evans
- Laraine Stephens
- Jeff Donnell
- Eileen Chesis
- Peter Brown
- Danny Wells
- Fred Lerner
- Beth Brickell
- Diana Ewing
Writers
- James Schmerer
- Gerry Day
- Bethel Leslie
- Martin Roth
- Don Balluck
Matt Helm - FAQs
Who played the title character in Matt Helm?
Anthony Franciosa took on the role of Matt Helm in the 1975 ABC series. Known for his charismatic screen presence, Franciosa brought a suave, street-smart energy to the character, supported by a cast that included Gene Evans, Laraine Stephens, Jeff Donnell, and Peter Brown.
Is Matt Helm based on a book series?
The character originates from a long-running series of spy novels written by Donald Hamilton, who is credited as a creator of the TV adaptation. Hamilton's Matt Helm appeared in over two dozen books beginning in 1960, establishing the character as a seasoned government agent and detective.
How many episodes does Matt Helm have?
The series ran for one season comprising 13 episodes, which aired on ABC during the 1975–1976 television season. There is also one special episode listed under Season 0, bringing the total episode count to 14 across all available entries.
What genre is the Matt Helm TV series?
Matt Helm blends drama, action, adventure, and crime into a classic 1970s detective format. The show carries a mystery-driven tone, following its protagonist through cases that mix investigative intrigue with the kind of fast-paced, stylish action typical of the era's television output.
Who created the Matt Helm TV series?
The series was developed by Donald Hamilton, the novelist who originally created the Matt Helm character, alongside television writer and producer Sam Rolfe. Rolfe had prior experience crafting spy and adventure television, making him a natural fit for adapting Hamilton's material for the small screen.
Is Matt Helm connected to the Dean Martin films?
Both the TV series and the Dean Martin films from the 1960s draw from Donald Hamilton's original novels, but they are separate adaptations with distinct tones. The Martin films leaned into comedy and parody, while the 1975 ABC series took a more grounded, procedural approach to the character.
What network aired Matt Helm and when?
Matt Helm aired on ABC during the 1975–1976 broadcast season. The network was home to a variety of action and detective dramas during that era, and the series fit comfortably within ABC's programming lineup alongside other crime and adventure shows of the mid-1970s.
What are some shows similar to Matt Helm?
Fans of Matt Helm may enjoy The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) and La Femme Nikita (1997) for their spy and action sensibilities. For more contemporary picks, Citadel (2023), Cross (2024), and The Day of the Jackal (2024) offer similarly stylish crime and espionage-driven storytelling.
More About Matt Helm
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