City Detective (1953)
A hard-boiled 1950s crime drama following a New York City police lieutenant through the mean streets of postwar America.
City Detective - Series Information
- Original Title: City Detective
- First Air Year: 1953
- Last Air Year: 1955
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Crime
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 64
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: Syndication
- Production Companies: Revue Studios
- Production Countries: United States of America
City Detective - Plot
Crime drama starring Rod Cameron as 43-year-old Bart Grant, a tough 1950s New York City police lieutenant.
Where to Watch City Detective
Looking for where to watch City Detective?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
City Detective - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Rod Cameron
- Frances Bavier
- Ross Elliott
- Tol Avery
- Onslow Stevens
- Walter Reed
- Hayden Rorke
- Barbara Billingsley
- Douglas Fowley
- Jean Byron
City Detective - FAQs
Who stars in City Detective?
Rod Cameron leads the cast as Lieutenant Bart Grant, the show's tough central detective. He's joined by a strong ensemble that includes Frances Bavier, Ross Elliott, Tol Avery, Onslow Stevens, Walter Reed, Hayden Rorke, Barbara Billingsley, Douglas Fowley, and Jean Byron.
What is City Detective about?
City Detective follows Bart Grant, a no-nonsense 43-year-old New York City police lieutenant navigating the gritty realities of 1950s urban crime. Each episode presents a self-contained case, blending procedural investigation with the hard-edged atmosphere typical of postwar American crime television.
Is City Detective based on a true story?
City Detective is not based on a single true story, but its anthology-style cases drew heavily from the gritty realism of postwar American crime. The show reflected genuine concerns about urban policing in 1950s New York, lending its fictional stories a grounded, documentary-like credibility.
Where can you watch City Detective today?
City Detective originally aired in syndication across the United States. As a public domain-era series, episodes can often be found on free streaming platforms and archive sites. Check JustWatch for the most current regional availability across streaming services.
How many seasons and episodes does City Detective have?
City Detective ran for two seasons between 1953 and 1955, producing a total of 64 half-hour episodes. Season 1 comprised 34 episodes, while Season 2 followed with 30. The compact runtime made each installment a tight, focused crime story.
Did Barbara Billingsley appear in City Detective?
Barbara Billingsley, best known as June Cleaver in Leave It to Beaver, did appear in City Detective before her iconic sitcom role. Her casting is a fascinating footnote for classic TV fans, illustrating how 1950s television actors frequently moved between crime dramas and family comedies.
What network originally aired City Detective?
City Detective was distributed through syndication rather than a single broadcast network, which was a common model for low-budget crime dramas of the early 1950s. This approach allowed the series to reach audiences across multiple local stations throughout the United States simultaneously.
What shows are similar to City Detective?
Fans of City Detective's procedural crime format may enjoy NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, and Ashes to Ashes for their urban police drama atmosphere. Classic TV enthusiasts might also appreciate A Nero Wolfe Mystery and The Commish, which share the show's character-driven investigative spirit.
More About City Detective
Explore further details about City Detective on these authoritative reference sites.