Mike Longstreet
Developed by Stirling Silliphant, from a character created by Baynard Kendricks

MIKE LONGSTREET lost his wife and his eyesight in a bomb blast meant to kill him. But Longstreet refuses to give in, or be less than what he was -- the best insurance investigator in New Orleans. Along with, and most often over the objections of, his secretary/assistant Nikki and his best friend Duke Paige (head of investigations for a major insurance company in the Gulf Coast), Longstreet perseveres in a business, and a world, meant only for sighted people.

The premise is pretty goofy -- a blind private investigator? But anyone familiar with Sterling Silliphant productions knows his style is aimed at showing viewers a slice of life they normally wouldn't see. This time, we "see" it through Longstreet's other senses. As a kid, I thought it was pretty cool.

Bruce Lee, still a relative unknown at the time, guest starred in the very first episode, "The Way of the Intercepting Fist," as a martial arts instructor, hired to teach Mike how to defend himself, and move past "accepting" his "condition." He evidently returned in the same role a few times. (And no, I don't know where you can buy these episodes. If you find out, tell me.)

The premise was liberally adapted from that of Baynard Kendrick's Captain Duncan Maclain.

TELEVISION

• LONGSTREET
  (1971, ABC)
  Pilot, originally aired February 23, 1971
  Based on characters created by Baynard Kendrick
  Written by Stirling Silliphant
  Directed by Joseph Sargeant
  Producer: Joseph Sargeant
  Executive Producer: Sterling Silliphant
  Starring James Franciscus as MIKE LONGSTREET
  with Bradford Dillmanas Duke Paige
  Martine Beswick as Nikki
  and Pax, The Seeing Eye Dog
  Guest stars: John McIntire, Jeanette Nolan, Barry Russo, Judy Jones, Barney Phillips, Martin Kosleck, Lisabeth Field, Lincoln Demyan, James DeCloss
  .
• LONGSTREET
  (1971-1972, ABC)
  Series, 23 60-minute episodes
  Produced by Stirling Silliphant
  Starring James Franciscus as MIKE LONGSTREET
  Peter Mark Richman as Duke Paige
  Marlyn Mason as Nikki
  Bruce Lee as Li Tsing
  and Pax, The Seeing Eye Dog
  Guest stars: Bruce Lee, Lou Gossett Jr., Murray Macleod, Tyne Daly, Barry Sullivan,Victor French, Victor Jory, Martha Scott, Michael Ontkean, Stacy Keach, Sr., Shelley Fabares, Marion Ross, Lee Meriwether, Leif Erickson, Neville Brand, John Colicos
  

• "The Way of the Intercepting Fist" (September 16, 1971)
• "A World of Perfect Complicity" September 23, 1971)
• "One in the Reality Column" (September 30, 1971)
• "So, Who's Fred Hornbeck" (October 7, 1971)
• "Elegy in Brass" (October 14, 1971)
• "Spell Legacy Like Death" (October 21, 1971)
• "The Shape of Nightmares" (October 28, 1971)
• "The Girl with the Broom" (November 4, 1971)
• "Wednesday's Child" (November 11, 1971)
• "I See, Said the Blind Man" (November 18, 1971)
• "This Little Piggy Went to Marquette" (December 2, 1971)
• "There Was a Crooked Man" (December 9, 1971)
• "The Old Team Spirit" (December 16, 1971)
• "The Long Way Home" (December 30, 1971)
• "Let the Memories Be Happy Ones" (January 6, 1971)
• "Survival Times Two" (January 13, 1972)
• "Eye of the Storm" (January 20, 1972)
• "Please Leave the Wreak for Others to Enjoy" (January 27, 1972)
• "Anatomy of a Murder" (February 3, 1972)
• "Sad Songs and Other Conversations" (February 10, 1972)
• "Field of Honor" (February 17, 1972)
• "Through Shattering Glass" (February 24, 1972)
• "The Sound of Money Talking" (March 2, 1972)

RELATED LINKS

• The Longstreet Fan Site
  A new web site for fans of the 1971-72 TV series, complete with information on cast, crew and guest stars. Also features articles, interviews, photos and sounds, an episode guide and collector info.
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• Bruce Lee Online
  No, I don't sell videos. But you fanboys looking for the Bruce Lee episodes of Longstreet on video who keep pestering me might find them here, according to Mark. You might even find some Green Hornet episodes -- the web slinger for the site is a "major collector. He even owns the Black Beauty, the car from the Green Hornet series."
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• Remembering Jimmy
  Brenda Gagnon's impressive James Franciscus tribute site. Who knew he had such devoted fans?