Baretta
Encyclopedia
Baretta is an American detective
television series which ran on ABC
from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante
as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey
police officer
David Toma. While popular, Toma received intense criticism at the time for its realistic and frequent depiction of police and criminal violence. When Musante left the series after a single season, the concept was retooled as Baretta, with Robert Blake
in the title role.
, in apartment 2C at the run-down King Edward Hotel in an unnamed Eastern city (presumably Newark, New Jersey
). The actual location was obviously Los Angeles.
Supporting characters include:
Like his model David Toma, Tony Baretta wore many disguises on the job. When not in disguise, Baretta wore a T-shirt, jeans and a soft cap. He often carried an unlit cigarette in his lips or behind his ear. His catchphrases included "You can take dat to da bank" and "And dat‘s the name of dat tune." When exasperated he would occasionally speak in asides to his late father, Louie Baretta.
Tony drove a rusted-out 1966 Chevy Impala
four-door sedan nicknamed "The Blue Ghost" (license plate 532 BEN). He hung out at Ross’s Billiard Academy and referred to his numerous girlfriends as his "cousins".
The theme song, "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow", was written by Dave Grusin
and Morgan Ames; initially an instrumental, lyrics were added in later seasons that were sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.
Every episode of Baretta began with the song, which contained the motto, "Don't do the crime
if you can't do the time
." The song was released as a single in Europe in 1976, reaching number one in the Dutch Top 40 as "Baretta's Theme".
released the first season of Baretta on Region 1 DVD in the United States. It is unknown if the remaining three seasons will be released.
Detective fiction
Detective fiction is a sub-genre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator , either professional or amateur, investigates a crime, often murder.-In ancient literature:...
television series which ran on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante
Tony Musante
Anthony Peter Musante is an American actor.Musante was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Natalie Anne , a school teacher, and Anthony Peter Musante, an accountant. He attended Oberlin College and Northwestern University.Musante has acted in numerous feature films, in the United States...
as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
David Toma. While popular, Toma received intense criticism at the time for its realistic and frequent depiction of police and criminal violence. When Musante left the series after a single season, the concept was retooled as Baretta, with Robert Blake
Robert Blake (actor)
Robert Blake is an American actor who starred in the film In Cold Blood and the U.S. television series Baretta. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted for the 2001 murder of his wife, but on November 18, 2005, Blake was found liable in a California civil court for her wrongful death.-Early...
in the title role.
Synopsis
Detective Anthony Vincenzo "Tony" Baretta is an unorthodox plainclothes cop (badge #609) with the 53rd precinct, who lives with Fred, his Triton Sulphur-crested CockatooSulphur-crested Cockatoo
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua galerita, is a relatively large white cockatoo found in wooded habitats in Australia and New Guinea. They can be locally very numerous, leading to them sometimes being considered pests...
, in apartment 2C at the run-down King Edward Hotel in an unnamed Eastern city (presumably Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
). The actual location was obviously Los Angeles.
Supporting characters include:
- Billy Truman (Tom EwellTom EwellTom Ewell was an American actor.-Early life and career:Born Samuel Yewell Tompkins in Owensboro, Kentucky, where his family expected him to follow in their footsteps as lawyers or whiskey and tobacco dealers....
), the elderly hotel manager/house detective, who used to work with Tony’s father Louie at the 53rd Precinct. - Rooster (Michael D. RobertsMichael D. RobertsMichael D. Roberts is an American actor.-Career:Roberts played the role of "Roosters" in the 1970s television series Baretta. Roberts starred in the short-lived 1980s television series Manimal, appearing in five of the eight episodes which aired, as Tyrone C. Earl...
), a streetwise pimpPimpA pimp is an agent for prostitutes who collects part of their earnings. The pimp may receive this money in return for advertising services, physical protection, or for providing a location where she may engage clients...
and Tony's favorite informantInformantAn informant is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as confidential or criminal informants , and can often refer pejoratively to the supply of information...
. - Tony's supervisors Inspector Shiller (Dana ElcarDana ElcarDana Elcar was an American television and movie character actor. Although he appeared in about 40 films, his most memorable role was on the 1980s and 1990s television series MacGyver as Peter Thornton, an administrator working for the Phoenix Foundation...
) and Lieutenant Hal Brubaker (Edward Grover). - Detective Foley (John WardJohn WardJohn Ward may refer to:*John Ward , English composer*John Ward , English Gresham Professor of Rhetoric*John Ward , Lord Mayor of London...
), an irritating stick-in-the-mud. - "Fats" (Chino 'Fats' Williams), a gravelly-voiced black detective who goes on stakeouts with Tony.
- Detective Nopke (Ron ThompsonRon Thompson (actor)Ron Thompson is an American film, television and theater actor.Born in Louisville, Kentucky Thompson is perhaps best known for his dual lead roles in Ralph Bakshi's critically acclaimed rotoscope film American Pop and the 1970s TV series Baretta in the role of Detective Nopke.Thompson originated...
), a rookie who admires Baretta‘s street smarts. - Little Moe (Angelo RossittoAngelo RossittoAngelo Rossitto was an American actor. He had dwarfism and was 2'11" tall.Rossitto was discovered by John Barrymore and made his screen debut opposite Barrymore in The Beloved Rogue . He appeared in the then controversial 1932 film Freaks directed by Tod Browning. He appeared in another...
), a shoeshine man and informant. - Mr. Nicholas (Titos Vandis), a mob boss.
- Mr. Muncie (Paul Lichtman), the owner of a liquor store at 52nd and Main.
Like his model David Toma, Tony Baretta wore many disguises on the job. When not in disguise, Baretta wore a T-shirt, jeans and a soft cap. He often carried an unlit cigarette in his lips or behind his ear. His catchphrases included "You can take dat to da bank" and "And dat‘s the name of dat tune." When exasperated he would occasionally speak in asides to his late father, Louie Baretta.
Tony drove a rusted-out 1966 Chevy Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
four-door sedan nicknamed "The Blue Ghost" (license plate 532 BEN). He hung out at Ross’s Billiard Academy and referred to his numerous girlfriends as his "cousins".
The theme song, "Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow", was written by Dave Grusin
Dave Grusin
David Grusin is an American composer, arranger and pianist. Grusin has composed many scores for feature films and television, and has won numerous awards for his soundtrack and record work, including an Academy award and 12 Grammys...
and Morgan Ames; initially an instrumental, lyrics were added in later seasons that were sung by Sammy Davis, Jr.
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Samuel George "Sammy" Davis Jr. was an American entertainer and was also known for his impersonations of actors and other celebrities....
Every episode of Baretta began with the song, which contained the motto, "Don't do the crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
if you can't do the time
Imprisonment
Imprisonment is a legal term.The book Termes de la Ley contains the following definition:This passage was approved by Atkin and Duke LJJ in Meering v Grahame White Aviation Co....
." The song was released as a single in Europe in 1976, reaching number one in the Dutch Top 40 as "Baretta's Theme".
DVD release
On October 29, 2002, Universal Studios Home EntertainmentUniversal Studios Home Entertainment
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is the home video division of Universal Pictures...
released the first season of Baretta on Region 1 DVD in the United States. It is unknown if the remaining three seasons will be released.
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 12 | October 29, 2002 |