TV review - "Hellinger's Law" (1980) **

A first-rate pilot for a TV series that never eventuated. It was a vehicle for Telly Savalas, who played Philadelphia crime lawyer Nick Hellinger. In the pilot, Hellinger goes to Houston to defend an accountant accused of murdering a local TV reporter; the accountant turns out to be an undercover man for the Justice Department. There are excellent performances, sparkling dialogue and a strong story - plus Rod Taylor as a Texas mafioso!