Police Station | Rare 1959 TV show

One untitled episode of this series is available at the Matinée Classic website. The show takes place in an unnamed metropolitan city. As the introductory narration tells us the stories are about "a war that starts with a crime and begins with an arrest." The series focuses on the activities in a police station, Pricinct 11. The main thread of the story is the investigation into two murders that happened during a fight between two rival teen-age gangs. A sub-story is the arrest for a charity scam pulled by an elderly woman. The show ends with a brief segment of the eventual sentences of the gang killer and the old lady. When I confirmed the date of this episode as I was amazed as the production values were those of television shows 8 to 10 years earlier - flimsy sets, poor audio quality, rather static camera work, and in a couple of cases the acting was very poor indeed. Incredible for a 1959 production. Even so, it's a shame that evidently most of the episodes are lost - it would be interesting to see more of them.
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[@BillWilson-h6w]

I think it's great to see these Gems of the past brought back to life for all interested to view.Thank you!

[@user-ul3lx2sl1q]

You said it!

[@mikenixon2401]

Thank you for your honest review.

[@w8lvradio]

Which episode is this?

[@TS-1267]

... PRETTY DECENT 24:24

[@carlnapp4412]

"...he scared himself."

[@skykitchen867]

I used to watch "Whirlybirds" on tv about two guys flying a bell helicopter going on all kinds of adventures. Police Station came on right afterwards, older brother liked it a lot. Watched it a few times it was a good show.

[@djf750]

I grew up in LA and remember Whirlybirds, but not this show

[@SteelMonger]

Chuck and P. T. were the whirley bird pilots

[@kennedymcgovern5413]

I love old movies and TV shows. I love them because they give me a glimpse into a time when I wasn't around yet. Even in a cheesy old TV show like this, there are things you can learn about history that just aren't going to come up any other way. I just learned that in 1959, 20-year-olds were considered juveniles. I never would have known that, that I not clicked on this old cheesy TV show. That's why I love watching old stuff like this.

[@bonniemoerdyk9809]

Although I was alive and kickin' in '59 ... I noticed that too! But, I do remember a time when 18 was still considered pretty young. But, boys went off to Vietnam and I got married at that young age ... and it was considered normal.

[@frankwafer6919]

Thank you for classic TV - one of the detectives was on Peyton Place!😮💯👍🙂!

[@bellaeden6551]

Zip guns and .22's. Times have changed. Thank you for posting.

[@MultiSkyman1]

Or have they. Gangs and guns back then too! Back then they were white kids.

[@bb9800]

Car antennas worked well for zip guns

[@michaelcase8574]

Like many of these early tv shows, they began as popular radio shows.

[@anthonywheeler3048]

Just researched it 39 episodes were made in 1959. Actually pretty good episode a lot of human interest portrayed from the Cops to the perps. The only fault the original dragnet dealt with the issues more professionally.

[@matta3968]

Granny got a raw deal. She should appeal.

[@TooLooze]

I don't remember this show, but we only got 2 channels. Thanks.

[@hatednyc]

I don’t know if I’d consider it low production value so much as it’s just the best they could do with low per episode budget and oppressive filming schedules.

[@muffs55mercury61]

Many television shows in those days were low budget and had to work with what they had. A few such as Highway Patrol succeeded but many did not.

[@nedludd7622]

There is a lot of "production value" in today's TV shows, but the producers forget to have a story.

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Indubidubly 🙂

[@TS-1267]

... INDUBITABLY SO

[@jeffking4176]

Several things: First , TV shows were funded by “Sponsors “[ a particular company would sponsor the production of the show, and get exclusive Advertising Rights. Commercials usually featured the actors of the show, and sometimes IN the show. Bigger company, bigger budget, Example: GUNSMOKE was sponsored by L&M Cigarette Company. Also, these were the early days. There was a lot of experimenting. Until really, mid-late 1960’s tv was just beginning, and not everyone had one, so there wasn’t quite the money in it , that there was later. It also cost a lot more to produce a show, especially as to the amount of electricity to run equipment. Everything was “Vacuum Tube “ technology. [ including, cameras ,….]. When the Transistor equipment began to be used, cost of production decreased. ((My mom worked at a big TV station, and I hung out there a lot)). 📻🙂

[@JRAJ-1956]

Enjoyable. Great story.

[@erichsaunders-xc9un]

Finally , some decent television , and it took until 2024 to Finally come around ... ... Geez ???

[@TS-1267]

... Hey Hey Peep's!!!… This is Jolly Immersive with Good Characters and Splendid Acting, This Could also Double as An Audio Drama... Cheers Indeed 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🥂🌄 10:18

[@DavidRice111]

These 'cops' go out and arrest two gang punks for a double homicide, and don't frisk 'em, and don't cuff 'em on their way to jail?

[@jessewolf7649]

Just like it is now!

[@alfredbonnabel7022]

The 2 detectives should be wearing hats. Most men wore a hat back than.

[@Philobeddoe12]

In the 30s, 40s yes but not in the late 50s.

[@gwenniegirl50]

@alfredbo I agree. Look at other shows such as original Dragnet series in the 50s. The “death” of hat-wearing came in the early 1960s when JFK became president. He was known as the hatless president.

[@joanhamilton2651]

Not in the late 50's forward.

[@JackF99]

Men wearing hats was still very common in the early sixties

[@cag1763]

I had uncles who wore hats..my father said they were stupid..they were on their way out...

[@muffs55mercury61]

I found this in 1986 as it was on a VHS tape consisting of four unsold pilots in the 1950s. Blockbuster Video was getting rid of some of their items that were slow movers. I've since transferred it to DVD. I read somewhere that a second episode was made but I've never seen it. Before 1966 and the Miranda decision it was common for police to coerce or strong arm a confession out of suspects as they do here. The acting is well done.

[@wdmm94]

According to Wikipedia it was a 39 episode series with one season only. Official Films also made, "The Man From UNCLE." Paramount wasn't a poor company I would assume.

[@linnmatthews8615]

​@@wdmm94IMDB Only shows two episodes produced, only one of which was aired. In this case I believe Wikipedia got it wrong. Maybe they hoped to have 39 episode season, but the pilot was so poorly received that they never broadcast the second episode. and no more were made.

[@Robert-qm5so]

Wow that is so cool, I was born too late I'm only 32 but these type of shows I enjoy and appreciate, thanks to my uncle who is alot like you, he has thousands of VHS tapes and every now and then I go visit and check out his great tapes.

[@Robert-qm5so]

​@@linnmatthews8615 I believe you are correct.

[@TheTerryGene]

@@wdmm94The Man from U.N.C.L.E was produced by Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), not Official Films.

[@lollipopguild8087]

This is pretty good, I watch a lot of this Obscure stuff and listen to OTR when I'm Camping in the Back Woods ... whoever made the Ed Wood Reference to this is an Amateur Troll.

[@skibee421]

not a good look--rather condescending !

[@Codyjrt]

OTR rocks.

[@billybardo6373]

I love Highway patrol with Broderick Crawford but have never seen this one. Why on Earth didn't this go anywhere? This is very well done! 👍👍👍🥃🍺

[@billfeld5883]

I got a model of a 1956 Buick highway patrol car,

[@skibee421]

@@billfeld5883 wanna trade?

[@skibee421]

what do u mean? this is police station, eh?

[@randallloomis4756]

It is not HIGHWAY PATROL. it's called POLICE STATION....😅

[@billybardo6373]

@@randallloomis4756 Aren't we the "Bright One"? I clearly stated that I love the (Highway Patrol) series but have never heard of nor seen "Police Station" which just happened to show up on Y/T & unfortunately only had 2 episodes. Why? I dunno. Seems like it would have been a great series! Another series I've just had show up & have started watching is "Cannonball", very nice series I might add. Though being before my time, I prefer the older T.V. shows.

[@davidhull1481]

Of course those greasers in the pool hall are listening to Lionel Hampton.

[@timklein3962]

Actor Henry Beckman was a popular actor and appeared in hundreds of shows over his career !!

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Hundreds?

[@rafaelramirez1507]

@@dr.barrycohn5461 I believe it could be more than that, Henry Beckman was in "The Twilight Zone" , "Perry Mason" , "The Munsters" , "Mannix" , "The Fugitive" , "Cannon" , "Gunsmoke" , "Barnaby Jones" and alot more. Beckman has more than 210 television & film credits under his belt. One of the best Character actors during the heyday of great shows on t.v. 👍👍

[@rafaelramirez1507]

Yes indeed Tim. And he was so popular that he would even appear more than once on different television shows, I believe he came on "Peyton Place" 34 times "McHale's Navy" 14 times, "Gunsmoke" 5 times, "Death Valley Days" 4 times and on & on. Loved when he would play as a sheriff on many different western shows. 👍😊

[@Robert-qm5so]

He's on the "Ray Bradbury Theater" television series right this very moment on Retro t.v. channel

[@RoyPage1970]

Probably more

[@jljohnson1949]

I like Henry Beckman in anything.

[@cheeptrick5464]

Wasn't he the library detective in Sienfeld ?

[@jubalcalif9100]

Indubitably! He was wonderful in everything; both comedic & dramatic roles!

[@jubalcalif9100]

@@cheeptrick5464 No. That role was played by the late great Philp Baker Hall.

[@StoneyRerootkit]

Does Any One Else Get a "Barney Miller" Vibe From This Outstanding Program?😮🎉🚨🦅🐭😱😈🐽😀🤣🤠💕🔥

[@markinman8156]

not bad, I was thinking a bit of dragnet.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

I got a "Dragnet" vibe

[@randallloomis4756]

I liked it because it had very dry humor and mostly drama.

[@NickvonZ]

Kids those days! Up to no good. The lot of 'em!

[@davidhull1481]

Why, in my day kids would help a little old lady cross the street. Now they’re all a bunch of hooligans!

[@user-ul3lx2sl1q]

Today’s kids are no angels either; they don’t respect their elders, and they don’t appreciate the fine arts.

[@davidhull1481]

@@user-ul3lx2sl1q Hey you kids get off my lawn! User-ul- you need to start recognizing when someone is speaking with tongue firmly in cheek.

[@PunaSquirrel]

Kids have never changed🤙🏼

[@billfeld5883]

Did you fink on me? Brought me back to my youth!!!😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@clarkgordon2160]

1959-2024

[@patsysmothermon7861]

😅😅😅

[@Cicadelic60s]

The juvenile delinquents would have their confessions thrown out today, based on coerced confessions, no reading of Miranda rights, and a policeman giving a minor a cigarette to smoke. One of the minors ended up in the Devil's Angels movie in 1967. One of the cops ended up in Peyton Place as the father of Barbara Parkins.

[@samuelgates5935]

There were NO Miranda Rights during this time of 1959. Miranda Rights came about in 1966.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Police are no longer required, to read you, your Miranda Rights. Thanks to the Republican, Supreme Court!! Gotta love, those awful people👎😒…………

[@servantgeorge1700]

I must be just a 64 year young whippersnapper, I don't remember this program, maybe because we didn't have a TV at that time. But this "Police Station" was pretty good: it reminds me of Dragnet, which I do remember.

[@michaelhorton1350]

Not bad, this one. Real period flavor - and the quintessential prop made prominent by cigarette usage featured.

[@sthompson4049]

The old lady is Katherine Myner, the Dodge lady in commercials

[@richardpodnar5039]

"Put a Dodge in your garage, honey!"😂😅😊❤

[@kathypichey4306]

I love these finds of old films thankyou I often get teased with people telling movies are now made in color Thankyou for posting them.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

A few years ago someone's grandfather had passed away, and in his garage his grandson found a box films, one of the films was the 1958 television series "Deadline" intact with the entire complete series with all 38 episodes. As soon as I found out it was out on DVD out I went and bought it, great show with alot of great actors when they first started out and the stories on based on true facts about reporters on what they experienced in different parts of America. I love this show 😊👍👍

[@kathypichey4306]

@@rafaelramirez1507 I will have to see if I can stream deadline thankyou for the information have a wonderful night

[@thomassargent6684]

@@kathypichey4306 I personally think the black and white film is clearer to watch.

[@silverhammer7779]

Great old show. Too bad the series didn't continue after the pilot. The actors do a good job, and they look and act like real cops - none of the "pretty boy" types you normally see portraying cops in modern movies and TV. It probably didn't get picked up by a network because it was too much like "Dragnet" which was still being produced in 1959. This show seems like it might have been a good one if it had become a series.

[@linnmatthews8615]

I thought it was better than most of the other reviewers. The acting was fine, I especially enjoyed the performance of the character named Roy Brant. Unfortunately the actor is uncredited. Not in the show credits, not on IMDB and not on Wikipedia.

[@arise2945]

I believe that is Marc Cavell playing Roy Brant.

[@LesterMoore]

​@@arise2945He had a very long acting career, one of the chain gang in the film, Cool Hand Luke, that lasted for about 29 years.

[@linnmatthews8615]

@@arise2945 Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated.

[@linnmatthews8615]

@@LesterMoore Thanks, was able to check out his IMDB. Now I know why his face seemed familiar.

[@w8lvradio]

Who is the old lady?

[@barrymccall2482]

They only gave the names of the actors playing the cops...not the suspects!.. The two guys playing the gang members looked familiar.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

One looked like, a young 'Harry Dean Stanton'!!!!

[@russpeck1320]

Credits sorely lacking. Typical of the era. I would love to know who played the old lady... I loved her simple, realistically awkward performance (if that makes sense)!

[@goittoog7563]

Six months is almost a death sentence for granny---enjoyably cheesy, atrociously acted written and produced,

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting/informative/entertaining. Don't remember this series-??? 🤔. Enjoyed the scene between grandma & the detective-!!!🤗 don't remember ever seeing a grandma hat like that before-!!!😳.

[@Robert-qm5so]

What a treat. Thank you very much for presenting this gem 👌

[@jubalcalif9100]

I heartily concur!

[@jackortizano8181]

The intro was too long but a nice tribute to Naked City and Dragnet. The cheapo furniture and b&w shadows actualy added to its noir charm. Acting wasn't so smooth but I don't think they could afford many retakes. The prodcution's lack of polish added to its realism. I liked it. My favorite program of that era was Racket Squad.

[@crankychris2]

There is only one episode out of 39, there was no interest whatsoever so Paramount destroyed the film stock. No sponsers, no profits, you won't ever see another episode. Thats' that. This sorry copy of Dragnet or highway patrol totally bombed. Today it just another loser, worth nothing. I remember watching this on our old Dumont 21 inch B/W set. In 1959 our family decided to blow off this show, one of the few times we all agreed on a tv. We now had 3 channels, Miami was moving to the big time.

[@rambido]

a war we lost a long time ago....."we have a section 8 who's walkin' the streets" (oh yah? wait'l you see 2024!)

[@tonypanzarella9387]

Rules "1" and "1-A": Never answer any questions ... and, always get competent legal representation.

[@James_Knott]

Note the run time. Not much left for commercials in a half hour time slot. Also, back in those days, the TV season was 39 weeks.

[@chrisoleson9570]

Is this based on Ed McBain's 13th precinct series of novels?

[@j3lny425]

I was thinking of the radio show "21st. Pct."

[@costrio]

The era of Beatniks and "juvenile delinquency."

[@Spillers72]

You can see where later cop shows came from.

[@rgarlinyc]

Oh for them "olden days" when all we had to do to get a full confession was to get Cops to shout in the suspects' faces for oh, twenty minutes at best! 😅

[@raccoon874]

*good lord that is some high-school stilted acting for you*

[@formwiz7096]

Musta missed this one. Probably syndicated.

[@TheTruthResearchers]

Fantastic Lost Gem!! Fab Actors with terrific Voices! Much Thanks!! Very well produced!!

[@wbf200]

I made a point of watching all the credits at the end half expecting that Ed Wood might have had a hand in producing the show. Pretty dreary show for sure. Thanks for posting.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

What!? 🤔 , what's wrong with you !? You in the wrong trend!

[@OnWisconsin33]

"Swing and a seesaw set in the middle of a swamp." It WAS a "huge new playground like Disneyland." They now call it "Disneyworld."

[@FredWilliamson-kt6xe]

This is why they needed zip gun free zones back in the day

[@timeWaster76]

A War, that starts with a crime and begins with an arrest... ?

[@Richard-me2pq]

That one detective needs a fedora to cover his gigantic Klingon head!

[@thomassargent6684]

Arthur Lentil was in the soup

[@suzbart2084]

Phooey, no acting credits for the two punks and the old lady.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

'Dragnet-esk' like, ain't it??? The credits were a letdown, as they omitted all, the suspects names (the two punks, and the old lady). Typical, run of the mill garbo…………

[@rafaelramirez1507]

Wow , love this! Thank you so much for presenting this gem 👍👍

[@Ivan-cr3vc]

The police calls in the background were recordings or fairly accurate imitations of LAPD radio calls from that time. The division and unit numbers were accurate for radio traffic.

[@steveb319]

Yes, the patrol cars have the LAPD can lights and logo. Also no patches on the uniforms.

[@Ivan-cr3vc]

@@steveb319 I forgot to mention my sister worked the Gamewell phone in the Van Nuys division (KMA787) where she met her 2nd husband. Of course those phones are long extinct. They were the corner call boxes.

[@Richard-me2pq]

Oh? That's nice! Since when does a landlord sign warrants for police to enter her tenants' apartments? Where did the landlord earn her law degree? What bench did she sit on?

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

13:34 I can't breath!!

[@ronaldringler1497]

Violent teenage gangs? Imagine that!

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

Another corny, 1950s era cop show chock full of terrible over acting! About on par with Highway Patrol.

[@jamescalifornia2964]

" 10 - 4 to you. " 😉👍

[@Thomas.3698]

Ya gotta love 'em

[@normpaulsen5775]

What's wrong with Highway Patrol?

[@VictorySpeedway]

Not a contender for an Emmy Award.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

The majority of shows weren't

[@timmcquerry6068]

Kinda "Naked City meets Barney Miller "but probably died in Dragnet's shadow.

[@thomassargent6684]

Why notify the parents? They were both 20 years old.

[@jackgilley7425]

21 was probably the age of majority at that time.

[@leondillon8723]

A bit like "Dragnet". One married. The other not. I am surprised it was the 11th. Usually, it is the 12th. Like in "Peter Gunn", "Bjarne Miller", "CSI: New York",and "Castle".

[@DinoLondis]

…starts with a crime and begins with an arrest….

[@mistervacation23]

Dame Mae Fishman is in this one!

[@naturelvr123]

Plenty of "poor"acting. Not once was the gun used to kill 2 boys checked for fingerprints. Low level acting/story telling. 😎 oh my!

[@kevinmadden1645]

I assume this show was syndicated. How long was it in production?

[@muffs55mercury61]

I believe this was a pilot episode for a series that never made it to production though I heard a second episode was filmed.

[@stutzbearcat5624]

8 minutes.

[@kevinmadden1645]

@@stutzbearcat5624 It shows!

[@HoustonRebel]

This was 8 years before I was born but I"ve always liked these old black and whites. No pun intended.

[@marsh443]

Gr8 programming, nice & bleek

[@chrisn7259]

That opening narration was so pretentious it could have been written by Cecil B. DeMille!

[@deecook8393]

At 12:23, that guy had so much grease on him that it made the big guy's hand slip off twice when grabbing him across the pool table. Lol!

[@SteelMonger]

Alright . . so, in the Interrogation Room what made the cops decide that Roy did it, rather than Bunny . . ?

[@KNT.63]

Better clear the block when he gets out what the grandson put together'

[@alshotrodsandratrods8780]

It's pretty obvious why this show was forgotten. Bad actors, Bad plot and bad cops.

[@haroldmordt4421]

That young man at 4:30 minutes sure looks like Joel McCray!

[@jessejames7757]

Roy do you know what happens to little frail boys in prison? Your going to find out.

[@simonbowen1]

That makes Dixon of Dock Green look a bit pedestrian!

[@kensolar69]

It started with the officer entering by the door, ended with him and his partner exiting out the same door.

[@georgemichael9106]

I’m sorry this show may be a little low budget but I love it.

[@harryscott9533]

🤓🙋‍♂️👍❤

[@wdvest8333]

Looks like early video tape

[@earldelsanto]

Honey moners shit on electro cam. Some sort of early vidio tape. That's why most of these shows were lost. Erased then thrown away.

[@georgemichael9106]

At least the gangs back then were American citizens.

[@muncieZ310]

so, this is where the idea for Barney Miller came from...?

[@briankeenan4901]

Is that Joel Grey playing the delinquent kid?

[@TheVigilantEye77]

The good old days

[@rdbjrseattle]

This is pre Miranda warning. You ain’t got no right to remain silent.

[@sailordude2094]

Good show, but they left out the beatings.

[@tompritchard154]

This looks like something produced on Poverty Row in the '30s and '40s! I've never seen '50s TV this bad!

[@saulchapnick1566]

Those police precinct sets did look familiar

[@Annabanana5526]

Barney Miller without jokes

[@Baskerville22]

Production cost ? - around $199.95.

[@utahutahutah1]

😢Henry Beckman was a great actor, he was superb as George Anderson in the TV version of " Peyton Place"

[@thedevollsadvocate]

The writing is better because no CGI