"Highway Patrol" (1955) TV series 1955-1959

Directors:

Lee Berg
Don Brinkley

Writers:

Richard L. Adams (writer)
Marnie Curtis (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Release Date:

September 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama

Plot:

Powerful patrol cars, fast motorcycles, and superheterodyne two-way radios combine to fight crime on the rural highways of America's wide open spaces.

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Rural | Man Hunt | Police

Cast

Broderick Crawford	...	Chief Dan Mathews / ... (156 episodes, 1955-1959)
Art Gilmore	...	Narrator (156 episodes, 1955-1959)
William Boyett	...	Sergeant Ken Williams / ... (64 episodes, 1955-1959)

Runtime:

30 min (156 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Lancaster, California, USA

Company:

ZIV Television Programs

Trivia:

The California Highway Patrol strongly supported the program in its first two seasons, and the production company was able to rent actual CHP squad cars. Generic "Highway Patrol" logos were placed over the real CHP emblems and studio license plates were taped over the genuine "E" (exempt) plates. The 1955 Buick Century two-door sedans seen were built especially for the CHP and were never offered for sale to the public. Two-door sedans were adequate because the real CHP rarely arrested anyone at that time, being involved more with accident investigations, enforcement and auto thefts. Major police powers were not invested in the CHP until 1964. The show's uniforms were copies of the khakis worn by the CHP including the state seal and the slogan "Eureka", except that the word "California" was removed. Authenticity was a major goal, and Dan Matthews' call sign - 21-50 - was the actual unit number of then-CHP Commissioner Bernard Caldwell. In mid-1956 the CHP dropped its support of the program over differences in story lines and presentation, and refused to supply any more squad cars. The producers quickly acquired an incorrect Buick Super four-door hardtop to complete that season. Accurate squad replicas were ordered for the 1957 season, but the 1958-season cars differed from reality. The trailer hitches seen on the squad cars were for towing the film company's equipment trailers to shooting locations. Brand names of suspect vehicles were never scripted; they were always described as "a green coupe", "a tan station wagon" or "a dark-blue sedan". Broderick Crawford played himself on an early "CHiPs" (1977) episode, being pulled over for running a stop sign and explaining to Officer John Baker "You know, I was making those Highway Patrol shows long before you were born". (Baker responded with, "Yeah, they don't make TV programs like that anymore.")

Quotes:

Chief Dan Mathews: 21-50 to headquarters!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Bob Newhart/The Amazing Rhthym Aces/Bruce Cockburn (#5.18)" (1980)

A childhood influence

This show was my very favorite as a boy, and had such an influence on me, that I grew up to become a Pennsylvania State Trooper. I recently retired from the force after a rewarding career. The stories and action of the Highway Patrol always showed the good guys, the police, prevailing over the bad guys. I also enjoyed the open highway atmosphere in which these stories took place. I would very dearly love to get tapes of this show for old times sake, but have not been able to do so.