M Squad (1957)
A hard-hitting NBC crime drama following an elite Chicago detective unit waging war on organized crime, anchored by Lee Marvin's unforgettable lead performance.
M Squad - Series Information
- Original Title: M Squad
- First Air Year: 1957
- Last Air Year: 1960
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 3
- Number of Episodes: 117
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 20, 1957 (United States — TV-PG)
- Networks: NBC
- Production Companies: Revue Studios, Latimer Productions
M Squad - Plot
Lt. Frank Ballinger is a no-nonsense plain clothes cop in the elite M Squad Division. The Squad's task is to root out organised crime and corruption in America's Second City, Chicago.
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M Squad - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Lee Marvin
- Paul Newlan
- DeForest Kelley
- Harry Landers
- Barney Phillips
- Elizabeth Harrower
- Bill Erwin
- William Hudson
- John Beradino
- William Phipps
Writers
- Sidney Marshall
- Harold Jack Bloom
- Stirling Silliphant
- Douglas Heyes
- Fenton Earnshaw
M Squad - FAQs
Who played Lt. Frank Ballinger in M Squad?
Lee Marvin played Detective Lt. Frank Ballinger, the hard-edged lead of M Squad. His commanding screen presence and intense delivery made the role iconic, helping launch his career as one of Hollywood's most distinctive leading men of the 1960s and beyond.
Where can you watch M Squad today?
M Squad is available to stream online. You can check current streaming availability, rental, and purchase options across multiple platforms for your region by visiting JustWatch, which aggregates all viewing options in one convenient place.
Is M Squad based on a true story?
M Squad was inspired by the real Chicago Police Department's plainclothes detective units that targeted organized crime. While the character of Lt. Frank Ballinger is fictional, the series drew heavily on authentic Chicago crime-fighting methods, lending it a gritty, realistic atmosphere rooted in actual law enforcement practice.
When did M Squad first air on television?
M Squad premiered on September 20, 1957, on NBC. The series ran for three seasons, concluding in 1960 after producing 117 episodes. It became one of the defining crime dramas of late-1950s American television.
How many seasons and episodes does M Squad have?
M Squad ran for three seasons on NBC: Season 1 contained 38 episodes, Season 2 had 40 episodes, and Season 3 comprised 39 episodes, bringing the total to 117 episodes. Each episode ran approximately 30 minutes.
What is M Squad about?
M Squad follows Lt. Frank Ballinger, a plainclothes detective in Chicago's elite M Squad Division, tasked with dismantling organized crime and corruption in the city. The series is praised for its authentic urban atmosphere, terse storytelling, and Lee Marvin's commanding central performance.
Did M Squad feature any notable guest appearances?
Yes. M Squad was notable for its roster of talented guest performers and recurring supporting players, including DeForest Kelley — years before his fame as Dr. McCoy in Star Trek — alongside Barney Phillips, John Beradino, and many character actors who were fixtures of 1950s American television.
What is the content rating for M Squad?
M Squad carries a TV-PG content rating. The series features crime drama themes, including organized crime, police investigations, and occasional violence, handled in a manner typical of late-1950s broadcast television standards, making it broadly accessible to general audiences.
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