Shamus (film)

Plot summary

New York private detective Shamus McCoy is called to the house of Hume, an eccentric diamond dealer, and is given the task of recovering some stolen diamonds. His investigation is thwarted at every turn and it is only when he is beaten by a gang of thugs to warn him off the job that he realizes that he's onto something really big. Using his friend Springy as well as Alexis Montaigne, the sister of a nightclub owner, McCoy digs for the truth about the robbery. The trail leads to an Army colonel called Hardcore who is in cahoots with Alexis's brother, then full circle to Hume, who is behind the plot all along.

Cast

Filming locations

Filmed in New York City, military scenes filmed at Headquarters 1/101 Cavalry NYARNG (New York Army National Guard) located at 321 Manor Road, Staten Island, NY. End credits mention special thanks to The 42nd Division (Rainbow Division) 1/101 Cavalry

Military vehicles

The "combat ready" (not props) vehicles featured in these scenes - Medium Tank M48A1, Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) M113, Command Track M577 and Truck Cargo 5 ton 6X6 M54. Other vehicles in the background Truck,Utility 4X4 M106 Recoilless Rifle, Truck, Wrecker 6X6 5 ton M62, Truck Cargo 2 1/2 ton 6x6 M211, Truck Cargo 2/12 ton 6X6 M35A2

Reception

Variety wrote a negative review of Shamus stating that the film is "confusing...scripter Barry Beckerman drags in an assortment of mostly unexplained characters but some dandy rough work - and finales in a fine fog. Perhaps something was lost in translation to the screen." Roger Greenspun wrote that the film "is full of appealing New York locations and much inventive action, ultimately amounts to little more than the kind of situation melodrama that the movies these days offer for excitement. On this level it is workmanlike, well paced, modest, sometimes scary, and sometimes genuinely funny."

Burt Reynolds said it was "not a bad film, kind of cute. If the picture had been as good as the title sequence it would have made millions. As it was it made $5 million."

Sequel

Robert M. Weitman produced a TV movie about the same character, A Matter of Wife... and Death (1976) with the role played by Rod Taylor. It was a pilot for a prospective series that did not eventuate.