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Wednesday 7 November 2018

The Inspector Zucker Files

The Inspector Zucker Files is one of those TV shows that could be classed as 'missing believed wiped'. It was commissioned as a pilot episode at some point in the mid 1970's, but it is not believed that any further episodes were made. All that remains of the single episode are the opening credits. This was salvaged from an off air VHS recording from the collection of the notorious self proclaimed archivist Klaus Burgermeister. The rest of the episode appears to have to have been taped over with an episode of popular US sitcom 'That's What I'm Talkin' 'bout!'.
Little is known about the only known episode 'Return of the She-Apes!'. It does seem to offer the curious premise that there are two actors playing the title character of Inspector Zucker, although only one is credited in the title sequence.
The creator of the show, Floyd Karno (father of reclusive schlock film producer Fred Karno) died in a mysterious fire at his studio in Helsinki. All of his archives burnt with him.

As for the rest of the cast, they are either dead or refuse to talk about the show. Or they simply might have forgotten all about it.

Robert Oatman retired from acting and became a successful US Congressman. He died peacefully at the age of 87.

Roger Hinkelman was at one time a successful Broadway actor. He ended his career grinding out appearances in second rate soap opera's and B movies. At the end of his life he became embroiled in a series of sexual and financial scandals and died aged 60 in a lap dancing club, after apparently having drunk 8 carafes of house wine.

Randy McQueen claimed he was the younger brother of actor Steve McQueen, no evidence has ever surfaced to prove this though. After this show Randy drifted in and out of prison on minor charges and doesn't seem to have acted again. It is rumoured that he became a 'survivalist' and ended his life in a shootout with the US Police.

Marianne Peters and Gloria Sprinkle had a tumultuous and well documented affair for much of the 1980's, that ended in violence, prison and destitution. They recently resurfaced amid the #metoo movement and have made historical allegations against Floyd Karno and Roger Hinkleman.

Adrian Cockburn became a major figure in the Flat Earth Society and can often be seen wandering around New York City in a tin foil hat shouting conspiracy theories at passers-by.




The credit sequence promise an exciting action adventure series that, alas, we will probably never be able to enjoy.



UPDATE!
In an exciting new development, the end credit sequence has now been found in the remains of a massive house fire at the home of Klaus Burgermeister. It has been restored as music as possible and is presented to you here: