Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics
by lenlindsay | created - 24 Jun 2014 | updated - 02 Jul 2014 | PublicMill Creek Entertainment box set
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1.
The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu (1956)
Episode:
The Prisoner of Dr. Fu Manchu
(1956)
30 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Dr. Fu Manchu has poisoned the renowned Dr. Hu Yan, who is to appear at a conference of the nations of the world, and replaced him with an impostor who will disrupt the conference's goal--a plan for world peace.
Director: Franklin Adreon | Stars: Glen Gordon, Lester Matthews, Clark Howat, Carla Balenda
Votes: 39
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 1 Side A
2.
The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu (1956)
Episode:
The Death Ships of Dr. Fu Manchu
(1956)
26 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Dr. Fu Manchu has stolen a deadly collection of germ cultures from a laboratory in San Francisco, and plans to smuggle them through the port of Hong Kong.
Director: William Witney | Stars: Glen Gordon, Lester Matthews, Clark Howat, Carla Balenda
Votes: 25
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
3.
The Adventures of Ellery Queen (1950–1956)
Episode:
The Hanging Acrobat
(1950)
30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Ellery becomes involved in a murder investigation when he stops at a small, rural carnival.
Director: Don Richardson | Stars: Richard Hart, Sono Osato, Kurt Katch, Frank Tweddell
Votes: 28
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
4.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
Episode:
The Cheney Vase
(1955)
TV-14 | 25 min | Drama, Mystery
When Lyle Endicott is fired from his job at an art museum, he comes up with a plan to take advantage of a trusting invalid whom he befriended at the museum.
Director: Robert Stevens | Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Patricia Collinge, Darren McGavin, Carolyn Jones
Votes: 1,318
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
5.
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962)
Episode:
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
(1962)
TV-14 | 30 min | Drama, Mystery
A magician takes a simple-minded runaway under his wing. But the magician's wife has a sinister idea for the easily manipulated young man.
Director: Joseph Lejtes | Stars: Alfred Hitchcock, Diana Dors, Brandon De Wilde, David J. Stewart
Votes: 788
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
6.
Rheingold Theatre (1953–1957)
Episode:
Bulldog Drummond and 'The Ludlow Affair'
(1957)
30 min | Drama
Bulldog Drummond is contacted by a Mrs Harriet Ludlow, wife of an old friend; her husband has invented a new antibiotic formula potentially worth a fortune, but he has been kidnapped and ... See full summary »
Director: David MacDonald | Stars: Robert Beatty, Greta Gynt, Michael Ripper, William Franklyn
Votes: 26
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
7.
Burke's Law (1963–1966)
Episode:
Who Killed Jason Shaw?
(1964)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
An extremely strange girl called Lucy Brewer finds a corpse in the shower. Burke's suspects include an old friend, a cultivator of unusual plants, a wine snob and the dead man's daughter - or is she?
Director: Stanley Z. Cherry | Stars: Gene Barry, Gary Conway, Regis Toomey, Leon Lontoc
Votes: 70
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
8.
The Cases of Eddie Drake (1952– )
Episode:
Shoot the Works
(1952)
25 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
A beautiful socialite hires Drake to recover a diamond studded watch that was stolen during a casino robbery.
Director: Paul Garrison | Stars: Lucia Carroll, Sidney Dubin, Shepard Menken, Whit Bissell
Votes: 27
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
9.
Code 3 (1957)
Episode:
The Rookie Sheriff
(1957)
30 min | Crime, Drama
A Czech immigrant who worked in the underground has to get used to the way things are done in Los Angeles sheriff department.
Director: Peter Godfrey | Stars: Richard Travis, Peter van Eyck, Tom Brown, Peter Leeds
Votes: 37
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
10.
Code 3 (1957)
Episode:
The Sniper
(1957)
26 min | Crime, Drama
A sniper has been targeting and shooting women in the Los Angeles area, and so far has racked up seven victims. When the police investigate the sniper's latest shooting, they begin to ... See full summary »
Director: George Waggner | Stars: Richard Travis, Osa Massen, Ron Randell, Peter Adams
Votes: 28
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
11.
Code 3 (1957)
Episode:
The Man with Many Faces
(1957)
30 min | Crime, Drama
The dying daughter of a clerk wants to go to Honolulu before she dies. The clerk, knowing he'd never be able to afford it but wanting to give her what is her dying wish, begins forging checks to get the money for the trip.
Director: Peter Godfrey | Stars: Richard Travis, Whit Bissell, Fredd Wayne, John Craven
Votes: 25
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
12.
Code 3 (1957)
Episode:
The Benson Case
(1957)
26 min | Crime, Drama
A female cop goes undercover in a women's jail, and her life is in danger when a hardened killer finds out that there's an undercover cop among the inmates and sets out to find out who she is.
Director: Ted Post | Stars: Richard Travis, Joan Banks, Ann Doran, Carroll McComas
Votes: 27
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
13.
The Court of Last Resort (1957–1958)
Episode:
The Clarence Redding Case
(1957)
Not Rated | 25 min | Crime, Drama
In order to free Clarence Redding, a drifter accused of killing a teenage girl, the Court of Last resort must track down a man who has been killing a number of girls at another location - ... See full summary »
Director: Reginald Le Borg | Stars: Lyle Bettger, Carleton G. Young, John Bleifer, Joseph Kearns
Votes: 16
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
14.
The Court of Last Resort (1957–1958)
Episode:
The Jim Thompson Case
(1957)
Crime, Drama
Director: James Goldstone | Stars: Lyle Bettger, John Maxwell, Henry Brandon, Wallace Ford
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
15.
The Court of Last Resort (1957–1958)
Episode:
The John Smith Case
(1957)
25 min | Crime, Drama
John Smith, an orphan turned transient, was accused of the murder of a friend who was also a bum and sent to prison for life. He is set free when it is discovered that his arresting officer... See full summary »
Director: Reginald Le Borg | Stars: Lyle Bettger, Paul Birch, Carleton G. Young, Charles Meredith
Votes: 11
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
16.
The Court of Last Resort (1957–1958)
Episode:
The Mary Morales Case
(1958)
25 min | Crime, Drama
Juan Morales walked into a bar after seeing his wife Mary, with another man. But it was his wife who was sent to prison for life. After 6 years, can a new lawyer find her innocent?
Director: James Goldstone | Stars: Lyle Bettger, Joe De Santis, Carl Benson, Junius Matthews
Votes: 12
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
17.
Front Page Detective (1951–1953)
Episode:
The Little Black Book
(1951)
26 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Upon returning from two weeks of investigative reporting in Washington, David Chase discovers his room ransacked and a dead body lying in his closet. Before he can investigate, two thugs ... See full summary »
Director: Arnold Wester | Stars: Edmund Lowe, Joe Besser, Jean Willes, James Craven
Votes: 22
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
18.
Front Page Detective (1951–1953)
Episode:
Murder Rides the Night Train
(1951)
30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When a notorious gangster is subpoenaed to testify before a Congressional committee, reporter David Chase takes the same train to get an exclusive interview and discovers that other criminals don't want the crook to appear
Director: Arnold Wester | Stars: Edmund Lowe, Lyle Talbot, John Sebastian, John Harmon
Votes: 21
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
19.
Front Page Detective (1951–1953)
Episode:
Seven Seas to Danger
(1952)
26 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
While researching a human interest story on the waterfront, David Chase stumbles upon a smuggling operation and is shot for his troubles.
Director: Arnold Wester | Stars: Edmund Lowe, Paula Drew, Kathryn Card, Lewis L. Russell
Votes: 17
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
20.
Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
Episode:
The Mole: Part 1
(1950)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Tracy and Catchem investigate the murder of a counterfeiter and trace the engraving plates to the lair of a hoodlum known only as 'The Mole'.
Director: B. Reeves Eason | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, Raymond Hatton, Lois Collier
Votes: 18
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
21.
Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
Episode:
The Mole: Part 2
(1950)
30 min | Crime, Drama
While the Mole hires a crook to run his counterfeiter operation, Dick Tracy draws his net around the gangster's operation. The Mole orders two of gunsels to capture and kill the detective.
Director: B. Reeves Eason | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, Raymond Hatton, Lois Collier
Votes: 19
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
22.
Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
Episode:
Dick Tracy and Flattop
(1950)
24 min | Crime, Drama
Tracy is kidnapped from his home by Flattop, who in turn tells Namgib he will kill Tracy if he is paid $50,000. Tracy escapes however, and takes Flattop out.
Director: B. Reeves Eason | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, John Cliff, George Pembroke
Votes: 22
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
23.
Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
Episode:
Hi-Jack
(1951)
Not Rated | 25 min | Crime, Drama
Tracy and Catchem investigate a series of car thefts and discover a gang who specialize in changing the appearance and serial numbers of the vehicles they've stolen.
Director: Will Sheldon | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, Mike Ragan, Ward Blackburn
Votes: 23
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
24.
Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
Episode:
Dick Tracy meets Heels Beals
(1951)
24 min | Crime, Drama
Two jewel thieves hire out as furniture movers to gain access to the homes of the rich.
Director: Thomas Carr | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, Isabel Randolph, William 'Billy' Benedict
Votes: 20
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
25.
Dick Tracy (1950–1952)
Episode:
Shaky's Secret Treasure
(1950)
Not Rated | 24 min | Crime, Drama
A criminal recently released from prison searches for the loot he hid before being incarcerated with Dick Tracy watching his every step.
Director: Thomas Carr | Stars: Ralph Byrd, Joe Devlin, Dabbs Greer, Lois Hall
Votes: 27
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
26.
Man with a Camera (1958–1960)
Episode:
Two Strings of Pearls
(1958)
TV-PG | 26 min | Crime, Drama
Mike agrees to cover a garden party in Rome and meets a woman who is using a different name than when first encountered each other on a trans-Atlantic flight four years earlier. Mike learns... See full summary »
Director: Gerald Mayer | Stars: Charles Bronson, Audrey Dalton, King Calder, Alberto Morin
Votes: 66
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
27.
Man with a Camera (1958–1960)
Episode:
Missing
(1959)
TV-PG | 26 min | Crime, Drama
When a police officer's wife goes missing, Mike believes the woman was abducted when she accidentally became involved with smugglers at the Mexican border.
Director: Gene Fowler Jr. | Stars: Charles Bronson, Steve Brodie, Wendell Holmes, Robert Christopher
Votes: 38
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
28.
Decoy (1957–1958)
Episode:
To Trap a Thief
(1957)
26 min | Crime, Drama
To solve a baffling armed robbery case, Casey assumes the identity of a blackmailer, then acts as an intermediary between the victim and the "perpetrator".
Director: Teddy Sills | Stars: Beverly Garland, Frank Overton, Mary James, George Mitchell
Votes: 76
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
29.
Decoy (1957–1958)
Episode:
High Swing
(1958)
26 min | Crime, Drama
Casey goes undercover to befriend a seemingly benign elderly couple who are actually plotting a series of muggings and robberies.
Director: David Alexander | Stars: Beverly Garland, Albert Dekker, Edith Atwater, Len Wayland
Votes: 44
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
30.
Decoy (1957–1958)
Episode:
The Sound of Tears
(1958)
26 min | Crime, Drama
After a man is shot to death in the park, it is determined the bullets came from a gun he had given to his fiancée. Her pet Daschund was also seen at the crime scene. An employee of the ... See full summary »
Director: Marc Daniels | Stars: Beverly Garland, Suzanne Pleshette, Molly McCarthy, Muriel Kirkland
Votes: 36
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
31.
Decoy (1957–1958)
Episode:
Night Light
(1958)
26 min | Crime, Drama
Casey goes undercover to recover a stolen ruby necklace before it can be fenced. Her investigation leads to an ex-convict who is inadvertently leading his teenage son into a life of crime because of the youngster's love for his father.
Director: Stuart Rosenberg | Stars: Beverly Garland, Martin Balsam, Martin Wolfson, Pud Flanagan
Votes: 39
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
32.
Decoy (1957–1958)
Episode:
Fiesta at Midnight
(1958)
26 min | Crime, Drama
Newly arrived in New York, a young Puerto Rican man is arrested for robbery and assault. He claims to have been with two women at the time of the theft, but one won't identify him and the other can't be found.
Director: Michael Gordon | Stars: Beverly Garland, Gloria Marlowe, Tomas Milian, Dario Barrie
Votes: 37
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
33.
Decoy (1957–1958)
Episode:
The Come Back
(1958)
26 min | Crime, Drama
When a roll of blank parimutuel tickets are stolen from a race track, Casey attempts to convince the gang responsible that she's a cop on the take who can help them pass the counterfeit ducats through crooks she's blackmailing.
Director: David Alexander | Stars: Beverly Garland, Harold Huber, Peter Falk, Ed Bryce
Votes: 39
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
34. The Shadow (1954 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 25 min | Adventure
Lamont Cranston, a psychiatrist on retainer to the police department, is asked to assist in the Case of the Cotton Kimono murder investigation. Lamont and his girlfriend Margot Lane are not... See full summary »
Director: Charles F. Haas | Stars: Tom Helmore, Paula Raymond, Frank M. Thomas, Alexander Scourby
Votes: 51
The Shadow: The Case of the Cotton Kimono Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 3 Side A
35.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Cast
(1952)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday begins to question Henry Ross, a suspect in a man's disappearance, which Friday believes is actually a murder. Ross coolly and calmly denies any involvement in the disappearance, but... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Barney Phillips, Lee Marvin, George Fenneman
Votes: 154
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
36.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big September Man
(1952)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Someone murdered a secretary late at night in her office. She was beaten to death with a metal pipe wrapped in newspaper. Could it be the drunk found three blocks away beating his head against a wall?
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Barney Phillips, Stacy Harris, George Sawaya
Votes: 114
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
37.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Phone Call
(1952)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and Jacobs question a jeweler regarding the robbery of a colleague. The man takes offense at being questioned about the incident, but as the detectives begin to amass evidence, the ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Barney Phillips, Vic Perrin, Dennis Weaver
Votes: 90
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
38.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Casing
(1952)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and Jacobs are called to the apartment of a man who phoned in the fatal shooting of his wife. He claims it was suicide, but upon looking at the crime scene and talking to neighbors they begin to wonder if it was murder.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Barney Phillips, Harry Bartell, Herb Butterfield
Votes: 71
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
39.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Seventeen
(1952)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Upper middle-class teenagers in Los Angeles are going crazy. They trash a movie theater, beating up the manager and pushing a young man through a plate glass window. Sergeant Friday must get to the bottom of what is causing this to happen.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Herbert Ellis, Allene Roberts, Willis Bouchey
Votes: 109
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
40.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas
(1952)
Not Rated | 26 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and Smith search for a missing boy. The first sign that the case is serious is when blood is found. Further probing reveals the boy's parents had purchased him a .22-caliber rifle ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Herbert Ellis, William Johnstone, June Whitley Taylor
Votes: 104
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
41.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Grandma
(1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and Jacobs look for an elderly woman who has been passing bad checks just three different months a year for nearly 10 years.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Gwen Delano, Bert Holland
Votes: 69
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
42.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Show
(1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A lady reports an abandoned baby at a bus depot. Officers Friday and Smith investigate, and realize her story doesn't quite hold water.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Virginia Gregg, Clarence Cassell
Votes: 92
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
43.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Break
(1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday leads a team in a raid on the house of a very dangerous armed robber, which results in a bloody shootout.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Clarence Cassell, Eddie Firestone
Votes: 79
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
44.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Betty
(1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A gang of con artists checks the obituary section of the daily newspaper, then uses the information they gather to prey on the grief-stricken families of those who have recently died.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Gloria Saunders, Allene Roberts
Votes: 94
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
45.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Little Jesus
(1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
It's Christmas Eve when Father Rojas at the Old Mission Plaza Church in Los Angeles discovers that the statue of the Infant Jesus is stolen from the crib. The statue's worth is only a few ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Harry Bartell, Joe Carioca Jr.
Votes: 118
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
46.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Boys
(1954)
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and Smith receive a bulletin about an armed four-man gang, two of whom are army deserters, who have committed a series of robberies and auto thefts in San Francisco and are on their way to Los Angeles.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Harry Bartell, Peter Leeds
Votes: 88
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
47.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Shoplift
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
There's a spate of recent theft at retail stores in the city and Joe Friday and his partner are on the case. The detectives question a salesgirl from a big department store downtown, but ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Peggy Webber, Allene Roberts
Votes: 74
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
48.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Hit-Run Killer
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A truck kills an old lady and her little grandson at a crossing and drives away. The owner of the truck asserts that he let a man called Paul borrow the truck for one hour, but he doesn't ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, James Anderson, Walter Reed
Votes: 79
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
49.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Girl
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The detectives try to track down a tall, beautiful woman who has been terrorizing the city by robbing men, beating them up and in some cases shooting them. Their job is made more difficult ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Art Gilmore, Harry Bartell
Votes: 86
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
50.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Frame
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A man is found dead in the gutter. At first it seems as a hit-run case, but Friday and Smith become suspicious when all witnesses from the night before give exactly the same story. Usually witnesses are at variance in some respects.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Carolyn Jones, Tony Barrett
Votes: 74
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
51.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big False Make
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Joe Friday interrogates a local gardener who's been arrested for holding up a grocery store. While questioning the suspect, Friday begins to doubt the man's guilt, even though he's ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Robert Crosson, William Johnstone
Votes: 72
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
52.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Producer
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Obscene literature and pictures are spread among youngster at a school in Los Angeles. The supplier of this illegal stuff turns out to be a former film producer from the days of silent movies.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Ralph Moody, Martin Milner
Votes: 116
***Includes three Chesterfield cigarette commercials*** Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 4 Side B
53.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Crime
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When two four year old twin girls turn up missing, Sgt. Friday and Officer Smith are called in. The girls are found, but were molested. The officers continue to investigate until they locate the perpetrator.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Jack Kruschen, Virginia Christine
Votes: 89
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
54.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Lift
(1955)
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Sgt Joe Friday and officer Smith struggle to crack a case involving a cat burglar. With all their leads going nowhere and evidence scarce the case seems to be leading to a dead end. Then their luck changes.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Dan Barton, Marian Richman
Votes: 53
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
55.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Oskar
(1958)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The detectives take a report of valuables stolen from the home of a somewhat eccentric old lady. They begin to suspect something is amiss when she starts talking about how she gets the "... See full summary »
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Fay Roope, Amzie Strickland, Jack Webb, Ben Alexander
Votes: 65
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
56.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Look
(1955)
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and his partner Smith race against time to stop a series of brutal beatings of women in the Hollywood area. Just when they think they have their man, things change and very quickly.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Walter Reed, Michael Ann Barrett
Votes: 55
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
57.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Bounce
(1955)
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Joe Friday searches for a check forger who has been using the name of the old-time movie villain Parker Allington, who died three years ago. The search takes him to a former extra who has given up show business for crime.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Dee Carroll, Ellen Hardies
Votes: 33
Dragnet: The Big Send-Off Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
58.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Gap
(1955)
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
A man swindled out of $1,500 life savings from a familiar bunco scam, substitute jewelry for cash, jewelry is imitation.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, James Stone, Lillian Powell
Votes: 52
Dragnet: The Big Score Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
59.
Dragnet (1951–1959)
Episode:
The Big Hands
(1953)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Friday and Smith are assigned to investigate the strangulation of an unidentified woman in a hotel room. With no leads and no clues, and no idea of who she is, they must start from scratch to find her killer.
Director: Jack Webb | Stars: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Cliff Arquette, Tom McKee
Votes: 91
Dragnet: The Big Ante Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
60.
Public Defender (1954–1955)
Episode:
Badge of Honor
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama
Bart Matthews remembers a young, anxious police officer who made a mistake while still a rookie as they lay him to rest.
Director: Paul Guilfoyle | Stars: Reed Hadley, Harry Carey Jr., Sally Fraser, James Flavin
Votes: 24
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
61.
Public Defender (1954–1955)
Episode:
Let Justice Be Done
(1954)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama
An assistant public defender must defend the man who is accused of killing his best friend, a police officer, and leave behind a grieving widow and son.
Director: Erle C. Kenton | Stars: Reed Hadley, Skip Homeier, Patrick O'Neal, Noel Neill
Votes: 25
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
62.
Public Defender (1954–1955)
Episode:
Eight Out of a Hundred
(1955)
30 min | Crime, Drama
The police are in high dudgeon when Bart writes an article showing that 8 of 100 people prosecuted are found Not Guilty. So, when Bart tries to clear a girl falsely accused by her predatory host of robbery, they stymie his investigation.
Director: Erle C. Kenton | Stars: Reed Hadley, Lisa Montell, Tol Avery, Celia Lovsky
Votes: 17
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
63.
Public Defender (1954–1955)
Episode:
Behind Bars
(1954)
30 min | Crime, Drama
The public defender takes on a case to investigate the truth behind a young recovering alcoholic who is in jail for murdering her land lord. This episode is based on a real case won by an attorney named James Cosgrove.
Director: Erle C. Kenton | Stars: Reed Hadley, Joan Camden, King Donovan, Coulter Irwin
Votes: 21
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
64.
Mannix (1967–1975)
Episode:
Nothing Ever Works Twice
(1967)
TV-PG | 52 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Mannix reluctantly agrees to pursue a divorce case -- the woman involved is an old flame of his. The detective ends up being framed for murder.
Director: Murray Golden | Stars: Mike Connors, Joseph Campanella, Gloria DeHaven, Frank Aletter
Votes: 189
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
65.
Mannix (1967–1975)
Episode:
The Cost of a Vacation
(1967)
TV-PG | 52 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A model spots a Latin man she met on a vacation but he flees. She hires a former boyfriend, Joe Mannix, to track down the man. But the case quickly becomes more complicated. It turns out ... See full summary »
Director: John Meredyth Lucas | Stars: Mike Connors, Joseph Campanella, Marlyn Mason, Donnelly Rhodes
Votes: 176
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
66.
Miami Undercover (1961)
Episode:
The Thrush
(1961)
30 min | Drama
After a late night disc jockey is murdered on-air by two thugs, the reason is obviously the victim refused payola to play a record from a gangster-owned label. Thompson pretends to be a New... See full summary »
Director: Howard W. Koch | Stars: Lee Bowman, Rocky Graziano, Gene Damian, Cliff Ferre
Votes: 19
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
67.
Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1956–1960)
Episode:
Picture of Fear
(1957)
30 min | Action, Crime, Drama
While on a fishing vacation, Diamond has a date with a beautiful woman who is being pursued by two mysterious hunters who she photographed earlier. They will stop at nothing to get the film, sensing danger Diamond offers his assistance.
Director: Oscar Rudolph | Stars: David Janssen, Judith Braun, James Nolan, George N. Neise
Votes: 49
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
68.
Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1956–1960)
Episode:
Merry-Go-Round Case
(1957)
30 min | Action, Crime, Drama
When Richard Diamond learns that his former war buddy Jack Milhoan has turned bad, he finds himself torn between friendship and principle - Jack is a cold-blooded killer, but he also is a ... See full summary »
Director: Roy Del Ruth | Stars: David Janssen, Regis Toomey, James Best, Nancy Marshall
Votes: 38
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 5 Side B
69.
Racket Squad (1950–1953)
Episode:
Kite High
(1951)
30 min | Crime, Drama
A husband flees from home to escape his mother-in-law. While in Vegas, he falls for a check kiting scheme.
Director: William Beaudine | Stars: Reed Hadley, Warren Douglas, Carol Brewster, Robert Shayne
Votes: 30
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
70.
Racket Squad (1950–1953)
Episode:
The Bill of Sale Racket
(1951)
30 min | Crime, Drama
There are odd and surprising loopholes in many trusted transactions and the unscrupulous can learn to profitably exploit this simple fact.
Director: James Tinling | Stars: Reed Hadley, Robert Rockwell, Helen Parrish, William Haade
Votes: 25
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
71.
Racket Squad (1950–1953)
Episode:
Desperate Money
(1952)
30 min | Crime, Drama
In immigrant tailor is severely beaten by a brutal loan shark. His terrified family turns to Capt. Braddock for help.
Director: James Tinling | Stars: Reed Hadley, Fred Essler, Aline Towne, Frank Gerstle
Votes: 29
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
72.
Racket Squad (1950–1953)
Episode:
The System
(1953)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Capt. Braddock investigates reports of a con artist selling a system "guaranteed" to pick winners at the race track.
Director: Erle C. Kenton | Stars: Reed Hadley, Lola Albright, William Ching, Pierre Watkin
Votes: 22
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
73.
Racket Squad (1950–1953)
Episode:
His Brother's Keeper
(1953)
30 min | Crime, Drama
When Longshot, a likable panhandler and compulsive gambler, stumbles onto a bunco game and informs Captain Braddock, the racketeers take their revenge.
Director: Howard Bretherton | Stars: Reed Hadley, James Gleason, Don Garner, Henry Kulky
Votes: 21
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
74.
Racket Squad (1950–1953)
Episode:
Take a Little, Leave a Little
(1953)
30 min | Crime, Drama
A pleasant man moves to a small town. He gives himself out as being a famous geologist, an expert in locating oil-deposits by signs in the surface of the landscape. Soon he is introduced ... See full summary »
Directors: Erle C. Kenton, James Tinling | Stars: Reed Hadley, Jackson Halliday, June Wurster, Harry Tyler
Votes: 19
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
75.
Michael Shayne (1960–1961)
Episode:
Shoot the Works
(1960)
60 min | Crime, Drama
Lucy asks Mike to investigate the murder of her friend's husband. An apparently loving spouse, he been discovered with his bags packed, two airplane tickets for Paris in his pocket and a ... See full summary »
Director: Gerald Mayer | Stars: Richard Denning, Jerry Paris, Patricia Donahue, Herbert Rudley
Votes: 36
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
76.
Michael Shayne (1960–1961)
Episode:
Murder and the Wanton Bride
(1960)
60 min | Crime, Drama
A man is found murdered in an alley. The only clue to his identity is a note scrawled inside a matchbook cover regarding an appointment with Mike at 9:00 a.m. on the following day. Since ... See full summary »
Director: Gerald Mayer | Stars: Richard Denning, Jerry Paris, Patricia Donahue, Herbert Rudley
Votes: 29
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
77.
Michael Shayne (1960–1961)
Episode:
Murder in Wonderland
(1960)
60 min | Crime, Drama
An accountant working for a notorious racketeer is murdered while talking to Mike Shayne on the phone. Police believe that the man was carrying a list of all of the racketeers business ... See full summary »
Director: Paul Stewart | Stars: Richard Denning, Jerry Paris, Patricia Donahue, Herbert Rudley
Votes: 27
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
78.
The Sheriff of Cochise (1956–1959)
Episode:
The Red-Haired Visitor
(1956)
26 min | Crime, Drama, Western
A fugitive wanted for murder dyes his hair and plans to hide out at a desert resort until the heat dies down. He kills an automobile mechanic to keep his identity a secret and Sheriff ... See full summary »
Director: Harve Foster | Stars: John Bromfield, Stan Jones, Myron Healey, Susan Cummings
Votes: 23
The Red-Headed Visitor Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 7 Side A
79.
The Sheriff of Cochise (1956–1959)
Episode:
Bank Robbery
(1957)
Not Rated | 26 min | Crime, Drama, Western
Sheriff Morgan is convinced that a clever pair of bank robbers will hit the Bisbee National Bank twice in the same week when they learn a large army payroll is being kept in the vault for safekeeping.
Director: Harve Foster | Stars: John Bromfield, Stan Jones, Herbert Patterson, Joe Kirk
Votes: 19
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
80.
The Sheriff of Cochise (1956–1959)
Episode:
Episode #2.26
30 min | Crime, Drama, Western
Star: John Bromfield
Rest in Peace Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 7 Side A
81.
The Sheriff of Cochise (1956–1959)
Episode:
Episode #2.29
30 min | Crime, Drama, Western
Star: John Bromfield
The Diner Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 7 Side A
82.
The Lone Wolf (1954–1955)
Episode:
The Las Vegas Story
(1954)
30 min | Adventure
Lanyard travels to Las Vegas in search of Nick Kohler. As soon as he arrives he discovers multiple police departments are interested in both Lanyard and Kohler's movements.
Director: Bernard Girard | Stars: Louis Hayward, Nancy Gates, Paul Langton, Jack Lambert
Votes: 31
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
83.
The Lone Wolf (1954–1955)
Episode:
The Beverly Hills Story
(1955)
30 min | Adventure
Lanyard flies into Beverly Hills from Reno and checks into the Beverly Hills Hotel. The clerk informs him he's already checked in...by his wife. Mrs. Michael Lanyard is waiting in his room ... See full summary »
Director: Rod Amateau | Stars: Louis Hayward, Rosemarie Stack, Roy Roberts, Sharon Lee
Votes: 16
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
84.
The Lone Wolf (1954–1955)
Episode:
The Oil Story
(1955)
Adventure
Lanyard travels to Oklahoma City after receiving a desperate message from a woman seeking his help. It turns out she is in fear of her estranged husband and she fears he has kidnapped their son.
Director: Alfred E. Green | Stars: Louis Hayward, John Doucette, Jean Willes, William 'Bill' Phillips
Votes: 19
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
85.
The Lone Wolf (1954–1955)
Episode:
The Karachi Story
(1954)
30 min | Adventure
Mike flies to Karachi at the request of El Radman. He wants Mike to protect his son Eli, the future High Priest, whose life is in danger.
Director: Alfred E. Green | Stars: Louis Hayward, Kristine Miller, Lowell Gilmore, Carl Milletaire
Votes: 16
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
86.
The Lone Wolf (1954–1955)
Episode:
The Stamp Story
(1955)
Adventure
Lanyard is asked to investigate the theft of a very valuable stamp. He is not interested in the case until two thugs attack him and try to warn him off.
Director: Seymour Friedman | Stars: Louis Hayward, John Hoyt, June Vincent, Tudor Owen
Votes: 15
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
87.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
Flying High
(1960)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama
The investigation of a murdered stewardess implicates one of her two roommates, Jean Davis. Maris uncovers romantic jealousies between two of the women who had dated the same pilot, and a ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Herzberg | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, Joan O'Brien, Mary Webster
Votes: 19
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
88.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
Murder Is a Gamble
(1960)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama
Mark Clayton is charged with murdering his shrewish wife after one of their frequent arguments. On the surface, Eleanor Clayton appeared to be a "plain Jane" type. Maris discovers she was ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Herzberg | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, John Archer, Pamela Duncan
Votes: 15
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
89.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
The Case of Joe Slate
(1960)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Maris and Lt. Weston visit a fishing lodge where their regular guide, Joe Slate, has just been arrested for murdering his wife Esther. They interview Sheriff Jeremy Davies, his nephew Frank... See full summary »
Director: Jack Herzberg | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, Lon Chaney Jr., Steven Terrell
Votes: 33
The Case of Joe Slade Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 7 Side B
90.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
The Beau and Arrow Case
(1960)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Tom Chambers, the co-owner of an archery range, is charged with killing his psychologist. After a quarrel, the doctor is found at his desk with an arrow sticking out of his back. Chambers, ... See full summary »
Director: Eddie Davis | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, James Best, Jack Ging
Votes: 22
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
91.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
Top Secret
(1960)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Physicist Alan Decker is held for the murder of a fellow scientist with whom he worked. Maris is in the awkward position of clearing him without revealing to Lt. Weston that his client is ... See full summary »
Director: Leslie Goodwins | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, Andrea King, Charles Maxwell
Votes: 14
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
92.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
Society Doctor
(1960)
Not Rated | 30 min | Crime, Drama
Dr. William Stanhope, Maris' physician, is charged with murdering his wealthy wife. The couple had feuded over his self-centered behavior, her refusal to fund his research center, and his ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Herzberg | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, Wanda Hendrix, Jackie Coogan
Votes: 14
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
93.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
His Father's Footsteps
(1960)
30 min | Crime, Drama
Businessman Martin Reeves knows his teenage son Paul is somehow involved in an attempted robbery and shooting. With a big merger pending, Martin is more concerned with his own reputation. ... See full summary »
Director: Dane Clark | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, Robert F. Simon, Paul Carr
Votes: 17
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
94.
Lock Up (1959–1961)
Episode:
The Case of Nan Havens
(1961)
30 min | Crime, Drama
A young woman is charged with espionage when microfilm of government missile tests is found in her car. Nan Havens seems far too naive to be a spy, so Herb quizzes her on her contacts. ... See full summary »
Director: Monroe P. Askins | Stars: Macdonald Carey, John Doucette, Penny Edwards, Brett King
Votes: 16
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
95.
Martin Kane (1949–1954)
Episode:
The District Attorney Killer
(1951)
30 min | Crime, Drama
When a district attorney is murdered right in the courtroom, Martin Kane takes over the investigation. Kane and his associates focus on both prisoners and fellow staff members of the court.
Directors: Frank Burns, A. Edward Sutherland | Stars: Walter Kinsella, Walter Greaza, Frank M. Thomas, Nicholas Saunders
Votes: 21
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
96.
Martin Kane (1949–1954)
Episode:
Altered Will
(1951)
Crime, Drama
John Bixby, famed inventor, is found murdered and Martin Kane has few clues to go on. Kane hopes the reading of the Bixby will helps in revealing the killer.
Directors: Frank Burns, A. Edward Sutherland | Stars: Walter Kinsella, Frank M. Thomas, Nicholas Saunders, Loring Smith
Votes: 21
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
97.
Martin Kane (1949–1954)
Episode:
A Jockey Is Murdered
(1951)
30 min | Crime, Drama
A jockey favored to win throws the race and is fatally stabbed. Kane must figure out who is behind the double cross.
Director: Frank Burns | Stars: Lloyd Nolan, Walter Kinsella, Frank M. Thomas, Nicholas Saunders
Votes: 18
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
98.
Martin Kane (1949–1954)
Episode:
A Crooner Is Murdered
(1952)
Crime, Drama
Everyone in a nightclub has a grudge against a singer who has just been shot to death.
Director: Frank Burns | Stars: Walter Kinsella, King Calder, Rita Lynn, Harry Worth
Votes: 18
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
99.
Martin Kane (1949–1954)
Episode:
Black Pearls
(1952)
Crime, Drama
Martin Kane receives an unsigned letter asking him to pose as a reporter. Martin goes to the yacht of Angus Redfield, a wealthy pearl collector, as instructed but finds Angus killed and himself as the chief suspect.
Director: Frank Burns | Stars: Walter Kinsella, King Calder, Mary Alice Moore, Edith King
Votes: 17
The Black Pearls Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek) on Disc 8 Side A
100.
Martin Kane (1949–1954)
Episode:
The Comic Strip Killer
(1953)
30 min | Crime, Drama
The artist of a comic strip bases his latest story on an unsolved murder mystery where he claims he will provide the identity of the killer in the last cartoon. Before he inks the ... See full summary »
Director: Edgar C. Kahn | Stars: Walter Kinsella, King Calder, Michael Garrett, Beverly Whitney
Votes: 14
Included on Best of TV Detectives 150 Television Classics (Mill Creek)
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