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IMDbPro

The F.B.I.

  • TV Series
  • 1965–19741965–1974
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,239
259
The F.B.I. (1965)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
The cases of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.The cases of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.The cases of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,239
259
  • Stars
    • Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
    • Philip Abbott
    • William Reynolds
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
    • Philip Abbott
    • William Reynolds
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 18User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 3 nominations total

    Episodes241

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos250

    Lynda Day George and Jerome Guardino in The F.B.I. (1965)
    Jerome Guardino in The F.B.I. (1965)
    "F.B.I." Philip Abbott, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., William Reynolds 1972 ABC
    "F.B.I." Efrem Zimbalist Jr. 1971 ABC
    The F.B.I. (1965)
    Patricia Mattick in The F.B.I. (1965)
    Patricia Mattick in The F.B.I. (1965)
    The F.B.I. (1965)
    Patricia Mattick in The F.B.I. (1965)
    The F.B.I. (1965)
    Patricia Mattick in The F.B.I. (1965)
    The F.B.I. (1965)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
    Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
    • Inspector Lewis Erskineas Inspector Lewis Erskine
    241 episodes241 eps • 1965–1974
    Philip Abbott
    Philip Abbott
    • Arthur Wardas Arthur Ward
    241 episodes241 eps • 1965–1974
    William Reynolds
    William Reynolds
    • Special Agent Tom Colbyas Special Agent Tom Colby…
    161 episodes161 eps • 1966–1974
    Stephen Brooks
    • Special Agent Jim Rhodesas Special Agent Jim Rhodes
    61 episodes61 eps • 1965–1967
    Shelly Novack
    Shelly Novack
    • Agent Chris Danielsas Agent Chris Daniels…
    23 episodes23 eps • 1973–1974
    John Mayo
    • Document Examineras Document Examiner…
    19 episodes19 eps • 1965–1974
    Dean Harens
    Dean Harens
    • SAC Bryan Durantas SAC Bryan Durant…
    19 episodes19 eps • 1965–1973
    Lew Brown
    • SAC Allen Bennettas SAC Allen Bennett…
    18 episodes18 eps • 1965–1972
    Anthony Eisley
    Anthony Eisley
    • SAC Chet Randolphas SAC Chet Randolph…
    17 episodes17 eps • 1966–1974
    Lynn Loring
    Lynn Loring
    • Barbara Erskineas Barbara Erskine
    12 episodes12 eps • 1965
    Robert Knapp
    Robert Knapp
    • Agent Noel McDonaldas Agent Noel McDonald…
    12 episodes12 eps • 1965–1972
    James Sikking
    James Sikking
    • Hair and Fibers Expertas Hair and Fibers Expert…
    11 episodes11 eps • 1965–1974
    Dallas Mitchell
    • Agent Allenas Agent Allen…
    11 episodes11 eps • 1967–1974
    Garrison True
    • Bellboyas Bellboy…
    11 episodes11 eps • 1965–1973
    Scott Marlowe
    Scott Marlowe
    • Clenard Masseyas Clenard Massey…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1966–1973
    Forrest Compton
    Forrest Compton
    • Glenn Orlandas Glenn Orland…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1965–1973
    Michael Harris
    • Technicianas Technician…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1965–1970
    Dabbs Greer
    Dabbs Greer
    • Alvin Van Doyleas Alvin Van Doyle…
    10 episodes10 eps • 1966–1973
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      F.B.I. memos, which were recently released under the Freedom of Information Act, have revealed that the real F.B.I. had a veto over casting for guest stars on the series. According to the memos, Robert Blake and Bette Davis were barred from making guest appearances on the series.
    • Connections
      Featured in TV Guide: The First 25 Years (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      F.B.I. Theme
      by Bronislau Kaper

    User reviews18

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    A Casualty Of Watergate
    I don't think it was an accident that The FBI came to television when it did and left when it did. If J. Edgar Hoover was one thing it was that he was conscious of the image of his agency. He really did personally supervise films like The Street With No Name, The House On 92nd Street, and The FBI Story, anything where the Bureau was involved. And it was never shown in a bad light.

    But in 1965 we had just lost a president through assassination and while the FBI does not have direct responsibility for presidential protection, the rumblings about Hoover's relationship with the Kennedys were being heard. I think Hoover felt that the FBI needed some good publicity so this show was aired.

    It wasn't a bad show, it wasn't the best police action adventure show on television, but it had its share of well acted episodes. Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. was a stalwart defender of law and order and he was ably assisted first by Stephen Brooks and later William Reynolds for most of the show's run and then Shelley Novack. Take a look at the cat list, a whole lot of people who later became prominent appeared in this show.

    Hoover died in 1972, rather suddenly and the FBI then became a casualty of the Watergate Scandal. It was put forth in that film The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover that if Hoover had lived a few more years, Watergate would never have seen the light of day. I think there's some truth to that. In any event acting director L. Patrick Gray was forced to resign in the whole Watergate mess and a show about The FBI just wasn't a big item any more for television.

    Indirectly I think the show was a casualty of Watergate as well though it was probably nearing its end in any event. No coincidence it ended in the year Richard Nixon resigned as president.

    Still The FBI is both a reflection of the times and it somehow stood outside the changes that were going on in America during its run.
    helpful•9
    1
    • bkoganbing
    • Jul 5, 2008

    FAQ8

    • What is the F.B.I.?
    • What is Inspector Lewis Erskine's marital status?
    • How did his wife die?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 16, 1965 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • FBI
    • Filming locations
      • Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Quinn Martin Productions (QM)
      • Warner Bros. Television
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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