Name: Banyon
Genre: Drama
Released: 1972-09-15
Rating: 7
Cast: Robert Forster, Joan Blondell, Richard Jaeckel, Julie Gregg

Robert Forster serves hardboiled noir with a side of 70s TV charm—period costumes, pulp mysteries, the whole shebang.

Mini Series

Retro PulpDusty GlamourForgotten Gem

Latest Episode

Season 1 • Episode 15

Latest

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Jan 12, 1973

Banyon exposes a phony gang slaying and frees a double-crossing beauty from an ivory tower.

Overview

Drama

The adventures of 1930's Los Angeles private eye Miles Banyon.

Content warning

1930s los angeles, california period drama private investigator

Moral decay beneath golden-age HollywoodMasculine loneliness in a corrupt cityNostalgia as both comfort and trap

Standout Aspects

Acting

Robert Forster's pre-Jackie Brown star turn, all weary charisma

Production

Lavish period sets that 1972 NBC somehow bankrolled

Best for:Solo·Background

First AiredSep 15, 1972

StatusEnded

Vibe

Pacesteady

Intensitymedium

Tonemixed

Feelmedium

Seasons1·Episodes15

Top Cast

Robert Forster

Miles C. Banyon

Joan Blondell

Peggy Revere

Richard Jaeckel

Lt. Pete McNeil

Julie Gregg

Abby Graham

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

This was Robert Forster's first starring TV role after breaking through in Medium Cool; he fought hard for the part because he loved Chandler and Hammett.

Cultural

Banyon aired during a brief 1970s wave of neo-noir TV including Banacek and City of Angels, all trying to make the private eye relevant again.

Gallery

Banyon (1972)