The Streets of San Francisco (1972)
A landmark 1970s police procedural pairing veteran detective Karl Malden with a young Michael Douglas on the gritty streets of San Francisco.
The Streets of San Francisco - Series Information
- Original Title: The Streets of San Francisco
- First Air Year: 1972
- Last Air Year: 1977
- Created by: Edward Hume
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 5
- Number of Episodes: 119
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: German, French, English, Spanish
- First Air Date: September 23, 1972 (United States - TV-14), September 23, 1972 (Germany - 12), September 23, 1972 (France - 12), September 23, 1972 (Mexico - AA), September 23, 1972 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Quinn Martin Productions (QM), Warner Bros. Television
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: サンフランシスコ捜査線 (JP), San Francisco utcáin (HU), Les rues de San-Francisco (FR), Die Strassen von San Francisco (DE)
The Streets of San Francisco - Plot
Two police officers, the older Lt. Stone and the young upstart Inspector Keller, investigate murders and other serious crimes in San Francisco. Stone would become a second father to Keller as he learned the rigors and procedures of detective work.
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The Streets of San Francisco - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Edward Hume
Main Cast
- Karl Malden
- Michael Douglas
- Richard Hatch
- Darleen Carr
- Fred Sadoff
- John Kerr
- Hari Rhodes
- Barry Sullivan
- Eric Server
- Gene Nelson
Writers
- Jack B. Sowards
- Larry Brody
- Paul Savage
- David Friedkin
- Charles Larson
Executive Producers
- Quinn Martin
The Streets of San Francisco - FAQs
Who are the main actors in The Streets of San Francisco?
The Streets of San Francisco stars Karl Malden as the seasoned Lt. Mike Stone and Michael Douglas in his breakthrough television role as the younger Inspector Steve Keller. Their on-screen mentor-protégé dynamic became the emotional backbone of the series throughout its five-season run.
Where can you stream The Streets of San Francisco?
Streaming availability for The Streets of San Francisco varies by region. You can check current options — including subscription, rental, and purchase platforms — by visiting JustWatch, which provides up-to-date listings for your specific location.
Is The Streets of San Francisco based on a true story?
The Streets of San Francisco is not based on a single true story, but it was inspired by the crime novels of author Carolyn Weston, particularly her book Poor, Poor Ophelia. The series drew on real San Francisco locations and authentic police procedural details to ground its fictional cases.
Why did Michael Douglas leave The Streets of San Francisco?
Michael Douglas departed The Streets of San Francisco after Season 4 to pursue his film career full-time. His production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) had become a major success, and he chose to focus on Hollywood projects. Richard Hatch joined the cast as Inspector Dan Robbins to replace him.
How many seasons and episodes does the series have?
The Streets of San Francisco ran for 5 seasons on ABC, comprising 119 episodes in total. The series aired from September 1972 through June 1977, with each season delivering between 23 and 26 episodes of crime drama set against the backdrop of San Francisco.
When did The Streets of San Francisco first air?
The Streets of San Francisco premiered on September 23, 1972, on ABC. The pilot episode introduced audiences to Lt. Mike Stone and Inspector Steve Keller, launching what would become one of the most popular American police procedural dramas of the 1970s.
What is The Streets of San Francisco about?
The series follows veteran detective Lt. Mike Stone and his younger partner Inspector Steve Keller as they investigate murders and serious crimes throughout San Francisco. Beyond the casework, the show explores a father-son dynamic between the two men as Keller grows under Stone's experienced guidance.
Did The Streets of San Francisco win any awards?
Karl Malden received Emmy Award nominations for his role as Lt. Mike Stone, and the series earned recognition for its realistic location filming and strong performances. The show was a consistent ratings success for ABC and helped launch Michael Douglas toward an acclaimed film career.
More About The Streets of San Francisco
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