"M Squad" (1957) TV series 1957-1960

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

20 September 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime

Plot:

The hard-hitting adventures of tough Lieutenant Frank Ballinger, a member of the Chicago Police Department's M Squad, an elite crime-fighting unit.

Plot Keywords:

Police

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Lee Marvin	...	Detective Lt. Frank Ballinger / ... (117 episodes, 1957-1960)
Paul Newlan	...	Police Capt. Grey (103 episodes, 1957-1960)

Runtime:

30 min (117 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Latimer Productions

Trivia:

The show was inspired by the exploits of legendary Chicago crime fighter Det. Supt. Joseph Morris. Det. Lt. Frank Pape, who worked for Morris, served as a technical adviser on the show, without getting credit, however, because of his active status within the Chicago Police Department, which banned police moonlighting.

Quotes:

Lt. Frank Ballinger: [spoken in voiceover near beginning of each episode, as he tells audience about a recently committed crime] My name is Frank Ballinger, detective-lieutenant, M Squad, a special detail of the Chicago police.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Beastie Boys: Video Anthology (2000) (V)

Soundtrack:

M Squad

One of the best cop shows ever

I remember M-Squad when it first came on. I was 15. Lee Marvin was a "no nonsense" cop much like Dan Matthews and Steve McGarrett. Lee Marvin was as good being good as he was good being bad. I think that Police Squad is based on this show. I have the original LP from the tv show that I bought 40 years ago and copied it and still play the tape in my car. The background jazz music was terriffic.