A chess-playing criminology prof hunts killers with 1980 computers. Yes, it's as gloriously janky as it sounds.
A criminology professor uses scientific methods, advanced computer technology, his expertise in chess, and the leg work of several of his students to track down a crazed killer in San Francisco.
Acting
William Conrad commits fully to chess metaphors nobody asked for.
Production
Glorious period computers that beep meaningfully at crime scenes.
Director
Bernard L. Kowalski
William Conrad
Thaddeus Smith
Belinda Montgomery
Kelly
Hilly Hicks
Eddie
James Darren
Georgie Green
Michael Parks
Lt. Brophy
Cameron Mitchell
Col. Simmons
Tracy Reed
Anini
Nehemiah Persoff
Ashmed Amad
Richard Dimitri
Sharif
Nita Talbot
Sgt. McCallister
Sondra Blake
Victoria Simmons
Ben Wright
Franz Gerhardt
Brianne Leary
Girl on Slab in Lab
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was a failed pilot for a potential series—NBC passed, possibly because 'chess computer detective' tested poorly with audiences who wanted car chases.
Turnover Smith arrived right when TV was flirting with 'scientific' detectives post-Quincy, but predating CSI by two decades. The bulky computer equipment was cutting-edge prop rental from Silicon Valley startups.
US
