77 SUNSET STRIP [1958-74] TV photo archive

ABC Television. No binding. Near Fine. [New York]: ABC-TV, [1958-1974]. Set of 33 vintage original black-and-white photos, of which twenty are 7 x 9" (18 x 23 cm) and thirteen are 8 x 10" (20 x 25 cm). Fourteen have affixed text, four have either date stamps or Dell Publishing Company stamps with MS dates in pencil. Photo agency stickers on verso, overall near fine or better.

77 Sunset Strip was a private detective crime drama television series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Each episode was one hour long when aired with commercials. The series aired on ABC from October 10, 1958, to February 7, 1964.

The character of detective Stuart Bailey was first used by writer Huggins in his 1946 novel The Double Take, later adapted into the 1948 film I Love Trouble. Huggins intended the show to be a hard-edged drama, but beginning with the 23rd episode, "The Pasadena Caper," the tone started to become much lighter, with a strong element of self-deprecating humor and the word "caper" frequently used in episode titles. The catchy theme song, written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston, typified the show's breezy, jazzed atmosphere.

The show's breakout character, who had not been included in the pilot film, was Gerald Lloyd "Kookie" Kookson III (Edd Byrnes), the rock and roll-loving, wisecracking, hair-combing hipster and aspiring PI who initially works as the valet parking attendant at Dino's, the club next to the detectives' office. Kookie often becomes involved in the firm's cases and is eventually made a full partner in the firm, with his own office. (Wikipedia)