A Matter Of Wife And Death (1975)

After seeing his former associate (Tom Drake) being blown up in his car, a part time private eye and pool hustler (Rod Taylor) is determined to find out who is responsible for his death. His investigation leads him right into the middle of a major gambling ring. Directed by Marvin Chomsky (EVEL KNIEVEL). In the 1970s, it was fairly common for networks to air telefilms intended as a pilot for a prospective television series. This telefilm was a sequel to the 1973 movie SHAMUS with Burt Reynolds with Taylor in Reynolds' role. SHAMUS was only a modest success as a movie and this telefilm wasn't picked up by NBC. It's a pretty pedestrian and generic tough guy private eye caper, indistinguishable from a dozen other TV detective shows though the "twist" ending caught me by surprise. With Anne Archer, Anita Gillette, Cesare Danova, John Colicos, Lynda Carter, Joe Santos and a scene stealing cat called Freddy.