Season 2 • Episode 8
LatestA stage magician vanishes in the middle of his act, as he is about to be arrested on suspicion of a $1,750,000 securities fraud. Banacek is called in to try to recover the missing money and solve the mystery of the disappearing man.
Banacek is an American detective TV series starring George Peppard that aired on the NBC network from 1972 to 1974. The series was part of the rotating NBC Wednesday Mystery Movie anthology. It alternated in its time slot with several other shows but was the only one to last beyond its first season.
Acting
Peppard's smug charm makes arrogance weirdly lovable.
Production
Impossible heists staged with delicious 70s practical flair.
Writing
Ingenious locked-room puzzles that actually play fair.
Creator
Anthony Wilson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peppard demanded and got a convertible Rolls-Royce written into his contract as a perk. The man knew his brand.
Banacek's Polish heritage was radical for 1972 TV — a rare positive ethnic lead when most detectives were generic WASPs. The proverbs were real, researched from Polish-American communities.
US
