Spenser: For Hire

For the made for TV movies starring Joe Mantegna, see Spenser (TV movies).

Spenser: For Hire

Created by	John Wilder / Robert B. Parker
Starring	Robert Urich Avery Brooks Barbara Stock (1985–86, 1987–88) Ron McLarty Carolyn McCormick (1986–87) Richard Jaeckel (1985–87)
Country of origin	United States
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	66, and 4 TV movies (List of Episodes)
Production
Running time	approx. 48 minutes per episode
Production company(s)	Jadda Productions (season 2) Warner Bros. Television
Distributor	Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	September 20, 1985 – May 7, 1988
Chronology
Followed by	A Man Called Hawk

Spenser: For Hire is a mystery television series based on Robert B. Parker's Spenser novels. The series, developed for TV by John Wilder, differs from the novels, mostly in its lesser degree of detail.

Like many TV detective series, the show is voiced over in first person, just as the novels are written.

Production

The series ran on ABC from 1985 to 1988. The show garnered decent ratings, despite frequent time slot changes and occasional preemptions. In the end, all of the location shooting contributed to the show's demise, with cost being cited as one of the reasons why ABC canceled it. The location shooting, mostly Boston, was one of the show's strong points, showing all around town, even showing the harsh winters there (notably in the pilot). Music was by Steve Dorff and Larry Herbstritt.

Characters

Just the name Spenser is used. There is no indication whether this is a first or last name, though in the novels, it's clear that this is the character's last name. In "An Eye For An Eye", Spenser quotes something from Edmund Spenser, a famous 16th century poet, so that may be where the name originated as the spelling is the same. When introducing himself, he often said "Spenser with a 'S', like the poet." Spenser was surprisingly sophisticated for a private eye and former boxer. In "The Choice", we find that he did badly 12 years ago in a professional fight, which probably contributed to his leaving the profession. However, he still works out, boxing and such at Henry Cimoli's Gym (which Hawk also uses). He is well-read, often quoting poetry in everyday conversation. He is also an excellent cook, often cooking recipes as he watched Julia Child on his kitchen counter television.

Spenser lived in Boston and, like many detectives on TV, drove distinctive cars; at first a mildly-worn ivy green '66 Ford Mustang (possibly a nod to Steve McQueen's Mustang in Bullitt) which gets destroyed a few episodes into the second season, then a brand new 1987 Mustang 5.0 GT, then after 5 or so episodes trades it for a beautifully restored 1966 Mustang GT. Spenser carried a Beretta 9mm in the show; in the books it was actually a Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol as his weapon of choice along with a 38 cal. snub nose revolver for casual carry. Spenser used to be on the police force and occasionally goes to them for help, as they sometimes rely on him for help. Hardnose Lt. Quirk seems to view him as a necessary evil while Sgt. Belson (portrayed as a bit of a slob) takes Spenser as he comes. Ms. Silverman reveals she is pregnant with Spenser's child in "Children of the Tempest Storm". The word abortion comes up when talking with her doctor, and is discussed throughout the episode, though often not using the word. Susan and Spenser discuss the issue, and are at odds over the moral dilemma before them. Spenser, a Catholic, doesn't know if he can stay with Susan, though he loves her deeply, if she aborts. He believes it's only for her convenience that she would choose abortion. In the end, she has the abortion, and he brings her flowers. They silently affirm that the relationship will continue. After Susan leaves the show, ADA Rita Fiore becomes Spenser's love interest during the second season, but they do not seem to develop the personal bond that was apparent with Silverman.

After his first place of business goes up in flames, Spenser moves into a "firehouse", given him by grateful local firefighters for saving the life of a firefighter (at his first place of business). It is situated on the corner of River Street, near Mt. Vernon Square and Beacon Hill. In the second season, we find that the Fire Department took the station back as they needed it and Spenser finds himself in a small top floor apartment in Charlestown, near the old Boston Navy Yard which he now uses as his office.

Hawk is the street-wise black kid who grew up to become a smartly dressed enforcer. Though he is for hire, he has a code of ethics and generally works on the side of good. In the pilot show ("Promised Land"), he and Spenser obviously have respect for each other, and he switches over from King Powers' (Chuck Connors) side to Spenser's side when he doesn't like the way Powers is doing things. Hawk carries a nickel plated .357 Magnum Colt Python 8" barrel revolver as his weapon of choice.

Lt. Quirk and Spenser had an uneasy relationship but often did work together. In the episode "Heart of the Matter", Quirk suffers an angina attack and reluctantly accepts the fact that he must retire after 35 years on the force. Belson, having passed the lieutenant's exam 3 years previously, had expected to move up, especially after being recommended by Quirk for the job. But it was said there was no money for a promotion so they drafted in a Lieutenant from Lincoln Heights.

Lt. Nick Webster is a hard nose from day one and the first thing he does is order Spenser out of the station.

Robert Urich (right) as Spenser, Avery Brooks as Hawk

Episodes

Main article: List of Spenser: For Hire Episodes

The series had three seasons (1985–1988) with a total of 66 episodes, and was followed by four made-for-TV movies (1993–1995).

DVD releases

On June 28, 2005, Rykodisc released the four TV movies on DVD that were made following the cancellation of the weekly series.^[1] In 2007, Rykodisc re-released each of the four TV movies in separate collections.^[2]

DVD Name	Ep #	Additional Information
Spenser: The Movie Collection	4	Spenser: Ceremony Spenser: Pale Kings And Princes Spenser: The Judas Goat Spenser: A Savage Place

On August 26, 2014, Warner Bros. released the first season on DVD via their Warner Archive Collection. This is a manufacture-on-demand (MOD) release, available through Warner's online store and Amazon.com. Warner's website explains that the initial disc run was pressed traditionally "to meet expected high consumer demand."^[3] The second season was released on May 12, 2015.^[4] The third and last season was released on September 1, 2015.^[5]

DVD Name	Ep #	Release Date
The Complete First Season	22	August 26, 2014
The Complete Second Season	22	May 12, 2015
The Complete Third Season	21	September 1, 2015

Spin-offs and remakes

In 1989, after the show ended, Brooks received his own spin-off series, A Man Called Hawk.

In an April 23, 2009, entry of his blog, Robert Parker stated he was in talks with TNT to produce a remake of the series. However, Parker died in 2010 before these plans could take place.

External links

Spenser: For Hire at the Internet Movie Database

References

Novels by Robert B. Parker

Spenser novels

Novels	The Godwulf Manuscript (1973) God Save the Child (1974) Mortal Stakes (1975) Promised Land (1976) The Judas Goat (1978) Looking for Rachel Wallace (1980) Early Autumn (1981) A Savage Place (1981) Ceremony (1982) The Widening Gyre (1983) Valediction (1984) A Catskill Eagle (1985) Taming a Sea-Horse (1986) Pale Kings and Princes (1987) Crimson Joy (1988) Playmates (1989) Stardust (1990) Pastime (1991) Double Deuce (1992) Paper Doll (1993) Walking Shadow (1994) Thin Air (1995) Chance (1996) Small Vices (1997) Sudden Mischief (1998) Hush Money (1999) Hugger Mugger (2000) Potshot (2001) Widow's Walk (2002) Back Story (2003) Bad Business (2004) Cold Service (2005) School Days (2005) Hundred-Dollar Baby (2006) Now and Then (2006) Rough Weather (2008) Chasing the Bear: A Young Spenser Novel (2009) The Professional (2009) Painted Ladies (2010) Sixkill (2011)

Adaptations	Spenser: For Hire A Man Called Hawk TV Movies

Other

Wilderness (1979)
Love and Glory (1983)
Poodle Springs (1989)
Stardust (1990)
Perchance to Dream (1991)
All Our Yesterdays (1994)
Night Passage (1997)
Trouble in Paradise (1998)
Hush Money (1999)
Family Honor (1999)
Perish Twice (2000)
Gunman's Rhapsody (2001)
Death in Paradise (2001)
Shrink Rap (2002)
Stone Cold (2003)
Melancholy Baby (2004)
Double Play (2004)
Appaloosa (2005)
Blue Screen (2006)
Sea Change (2006)
Spare Change (2007)
Now and Then (2007)
Edenville Owls (2007)
High Profile (2007)
Stranger in Paradise (2008)
The Boxer and the Spy (2008)
Resolution (2008)
Brimstone (2009)
Night and Day (2009)
Split Image (2010)
Blue-Eyed Devil (2010)

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