Toma (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Toma was a short-lived television series that ran on ABC
in 1973 and 1974.
and Susan Strasberg
and was based on the real-life story and published biography of police detective David Toma. Toma had compiled an amazing arrest record during his years on the force, particularly in arresting drug dealers. Toma was known as a master of disguise and undercover work, and achieved his success while never firing his gun. After retiring from the force, Toma became one of America's most sought after speakers, lecturing students all over the country about the dangers of drugs. Toma himself usually made a cameo appearance in episodes as a minor character (bartender, police officer, etc.). His boss, Inspector Spooner, was played by character actor Simon Oakland
.
starring Robert Blake
, with violent scenes toned down. Baretta debuted as a mid-season replacement on ABC
in early 1975. Blake's Baretta character was notably less intense than Musante's Toma, even introducing a comedic element in an attempt to placate critics.
DVD set, a writers strike during the shooting of Toma is what indirectly led to The Rockford Files
. Writer Stephen J. Cannell
and his mentor Roy Huggins
created the character of Jim Rockford as a way to get around an impossible schedule created by the strike.
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
in 1973 and 1974.
Overview
The series starred Tony MusanteTony Musante
Anthony Peter Musante is an American actor.Musante was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Natalie Anne , a school teacher, and Anthony Peter Musante, an accountant. He attended Oberlin College and Northwestern University.Musante has acted in numerous feature films, in the United States...
and Susan Strasberg
Susan Strasberg
Susan Elizabeth Strasberg was an American film and stage actress.-Background and career:Strasberg was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of theatre director and drama coach Lee Strasberg of the Actors Studio and former actress Paula Strasberg...
and was based on the real-life story and published biography of police detective David Toma. Toma had compiled an amazing arrest record during his years on the force, particularly in arresting drug dealers. Toma was known as a master of disguise and undercover work, and achieved his success while never firing his gun. After retiring from the force, Toma became one of America's most sought after speakers, lecturing students all over the country about the dangers of drugs. Toma himself usually made a cameo appearance in episodes as a minor character (bartender, police officer, etc.). His boss, Inspector Spooner, was played by character actor Simon Oakland
Simon Oakland
Simon Oakland was an American actor of stage, screen, and television.-Early life and career:Oakland was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He began his performing arts career as a musician . He began his acting career in the late 1940s...
.
Episode list
- Toma (TV-movie, 90 min) / 1973-03-21
- The Oberon Contract / 1973-10-04
- Ambush on 7th Avenue / 1973-10-11
- Crime Without Victim / 1973-10-11
- Stakeout / 1973-10-25
- The Cain Connection / 1973-11-01
- Blockhouse Breakdown / 1973-11-08
- Frame-Up / 1973-11-15
- The Bambara Bust / 1973-12-06
- 50 Percent Normal / 1974-01-18
- Rock-a-Bye / 1974-01-25
- Time and Place Unknown (Part 1) / 1974-02-08
- Time and Place Unknown (Part 2) / 1974-02-15
- A Funeral for Max Fabian / 1974-02-22
- The Big Dealers / 1974-03-01
- The Contract on Alex Cordeen / 1974-03-08
- Joey the Weep / 1974-03-22
- Friends of Danny Beecher / 1974-03-29
- The Madam / 1974-04-12
- Pound of Flesh / 1974-04-19
- Indictment / 1974-04-26
- The Street / 1974-05-03
- The Accused / 1974-05-10
Reviews
The series received favorable reviews as well as blistering criticism for its depictions of criminal and police violence. Although Toma was achieving relatively good ratings, the show was cancelled after just one season. A second season was planned but Tony Musante refused to continue with the show. Musante had told the producers at the outset that he only wanted to do one season, but they mistakenly believed he would return if the series was renewed.Baretta
The show was retooled as BarettaBaretta
Baretta is an American detective television series which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1978. The show was a milder version of a successful 1973–74 ABC series, Toma, starring Tony Musante as chameleon-like, real-life New Jersey police officer David Toma...
starring Robert Blake
Robert Blake (actor)
Robert Blake is an American actor who starred in the film In Cold Blood and the U.S. television series Baretta. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted for the 2001 murder of his wife, but on November 18, 2005, Blake was found liable in a California civil court for her wrongful death.-Early...
, with violent scenes toned down. Baretta debuted as a mid-season replacement on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
in early 1975. Blake's Baretta character was notably less intense than Musante's Toma, even introducing a comedic element in an attempt to placate critics.
The Rockford Files
According to interviews on The Greatest American HeroThe Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero is an American comedy-drama television series that aired for three seasons from 1981 to 1983 on ABC. Created by producer Stephen J. Cannell, it premiered as a two-hour movie pilot on March 18, 1981...
DVD set, a writers strike during the shooting of Toma is what indirectly led to The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files is an American television drama series which aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974 and January 10, 1980. It has remained in regular syndication to the present day. The show stars James Garner as Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford and features Noah...
. Writer Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen Joseph Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist and occasional actor, and the founder of Stephen J. Cannell Productions.-Early life:...
and his mentor Roy Huggins
Roy Huggins
Roy Huggins was an American novelist and an influential writer/creator and producer of character-driven television series, including Maverick, The Fugitive, and The Rockford Files....
created the character of Jim Rockford as a way to get around an impossible schedule created by the strike.