FILM BRAKE : ZIV TELEVISION

 

The Ziv Television Programs was founded in 1948. By 1955, Frederick Ziv churned out more than 250 half-hour shows until first-run syndicated programming dwindled in the early1960s. Despite starring some noted actors, the vast majority only ran for one season. Ziv's longer-running shows were The Cisco Kid, Sea Hunt, and Highway Patrol, which I have elected for this entry.

HIGHWAY PATROL (1955-1959)

This 156-episode crime drama action series famously stars Broderick Crawford as the dedicated Dan Matthews, a gruff, yet empathetic head of a police force. Clad in a suit and fedora, Crawford's signature rapid-fire delivery served him well as he barked into a patrol car's microphone any number of police codes while leaning against the open door of his Buick patrol car. The show was created in response to the California Highway Patrol wanting to be featured in a series. However, Ziv thought the show needed a broader police scope so the state name was dropped. In its early run, the show received technical assistance from the California Highway Patrol, using actual patrol vehicles. Apparently unhappy with the show's direction, they dropped their support and the producers had to use unofficial vehicles with their own subdued markings. The show opened with aerials from a helicopter as it buzzed over a highway roadblock. David Rose's military march theme song then set a noble tone.

Ziv has stated that the small budget show moved at a fast pace to match Crawford's rapid delivery. He claimed the show introduced "quick cutting" to television, starting a new trend. The opening narration by the unmistakable voice-over artist, Art Glimore, gave the sense that the story unfolding was pulled from actual police files. Not exactly, but the show was noted for realism and its famous location shooting around the formerly rural San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley. Common pursuit locations included the curb-sided Griffith Park Drive and nearby Bronson Canyon. The show centered on crime-fighting rather than issuing traffic tickets, though during its formative years, the episodes ended with Crawford himself delivering pithy traffic safety advice—sometimes humorous—aimed at the television viewer.

Note: The show featured many actors who went on to become successful stars in their own right, among them was Stuart Whitman as Sgt. Walters, Guy Williams appeared occasionally as Matthew's partner, Clint Eastwood, Robert Conrad, Larry Hagman, Barbara Eden, Paul Burke, and Leonard Nimoy.