Peter Gunn is an American private eye television series which aired on the NBC and later ABC television networks from 1958 to 1961. The show’s creator was Blake Edwards. It was also directed by Boris Sagal, Robert Gist, Jack Arnold, Lamont Johnson, one episode by Robert Altman, and several others. A total of 114 thirty-minute episodes were produced by Spartan Productions. Season one was filmed at Universal Studios, seasons two and three were filmed at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Philip H. Lathrop and William W. Spencer were cinematographers on many episodes. Craig Stevens’ wardrobe was tailored by Don Richards and Albright’s fashions by Jax.
The series is probably best remembered today for its music, especially the popular “Peter Gunn Theme”, which won an Emmy Award and two Grammys for Henry Mancini and subsequently has been covered by many jazz, rock, and blues recording artists. The series was #17 in the Nielsen ratings for the 1958-1959 TV season. The series was nominated for 8 prime-time Emmys overall.