This was an entertaining if innocuous series along the lines of "The Thin Man" without the booze. Pam and Jerry North (played with enthusiasm by Barbara Britton and Richard Denning) were New Yorkers who lived in a tidy little apartment. Jerry owned a mystery magazine company. So even though the North's were not filthy rich the way Nora Charles' family was, they still had plenty of spare time to investigate murder and mayhem. Pam usually solved the murder mystery but gave the credit to her husband, Jerry, and to police Lt. Bill Weigand (Francis De Sales). At times the series got a bit racy for early television. In one episode, Bill Weigand is speaking to Jerry over the telephone. Jerry has just reported another murder. Weigand jokes with a glint in his eyes, "How do you and Pam do it?" The audience doesn't hear the answer over the phone, but Weigand begins to chuckle with an impish look on his face.
The series began with a creepy introduction. The door bell rings in the dead of night. Pam and Jerry North awake and with flashlight in hand pick up a note that was just pushed under the door in a mysterious manner. The note is unfolded: It reads, "And now...Mr. and Mrs. North." This series also had a cute closing following the credits. Pam plants a kiss on Jerry's face. He shows how much he enjoys it by giving a special look towards the camera. This is followed by a cartoon of Pam and Jerry putting the cat out to the tune of "Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me" so they can get down to business.
The episode I watched recently on DVD was called, "Million Dollar Coffin." The story was well written involving a bank robbery with the robbers hiding the money in the coffin of a recently deceased friend. The gang plains to stay in hiding for three years, then return and dig up the cold cash. Enter Pam and Jerry who are seeking to exhume one of Jerry's ancestors who played an important role in the Revolutionary War. There were important historical documents buried with the body. You guessed it. The coffin they wish to dig up is next to the one containing the stolen money. Adding to the fun and games, one of the robbers can't wait. He is determined to get all the money first. This all leads to one of the best episodes ever. There is a stellar cast of character actors including Edward Brophy, who is actually funny this go around, Olin Howland, who overacts outrageously, and Guy Wilkerson, Panhandle Perkins of B western fame.
