“A Private Eye Game of Mystery and Suspense.”
Released in 1960 by Lowell Toy Mfg., the 77 Sunset Strip board game was based on the TV series of the same name. With box art that featured the show’s three stars, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, and Edd “Kookie” Byrnes, the roll-and-move game was positioned as a hipper version of Clue. It also reflected the TV series’ swinging, martini-drinking, sports car-driving style.
Players took on the role of detectives for Spencer & Baily (the fictional detective agency from the show) to solve a crime committed in a posh motel on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
GAMEPLAY
The game board consisted of a series of numbered rooms at the motel. Motive, Time, and Weapon cards were distributed among the rooms as outlined in the game’s rules. In addition, a set of 15 Clue Cards, die-cut figures representing individual guests, were placed face-down throughout various rooms in the motel.
Players began their investigations at the motel’s office, moving from room to room via dice roll. When a player entered a room, if it contained a Clue Card, the card was flipped over and the motive, time, or weapon number was recorded on the player’s clue sheet. When a player had recorded all four clue numbers of a specific type, they were added together. The sum represented the room that housed the motive, time, or weapon used in the crime.
Once a junior gumshoe felt they had collected enough clues, they would make an accusation, spelling out the motive for the crime, the time the crime was committed, and the weapon used. The first player to make a successful accusation won the game.
IN THE BOX
A complete game included 1 game board, 4 multi-coloured detective pawns, 1 die, 2 pencils, 1 clue pad, 9 Motive Cards, 9 Weapon Cards, 9 Time Cards, and 15 die-cut Clue Cards. Printed instructions were included in the box.
Note: If you buy something using the eBay link in this story, we may earn a small commission.