Since television was invented, each decade has been dominated by a particular genre. The ‘60s had Westerns, the ‘80s had sitcoms and soap operas, while the ‘70s had detective shows. The good old-fashioned detective of the ‘70s would show up shortly after a crime had already been committed, glide through the scene with poise, ask for a detailed account of what happened, and then conduct their investigations precisely and meticulously. They would also bang on doors and chase after baddies until they cuffed the culprit.
Regrettably, many detective shows from the era don’t hold up when viewed via a modern lens. This is either because their production values were below par (but considered good then), or their plots were too cheesy. Others had sensitivity issues. They were either plagued by chauvinism issues or handled issues like homophobia and mental health, without the gentleness that is required. Thankfully, a few ‘70s detective small-screen hits have stood the test of time for being wildly entertaining and relying on ingredients that never turned stale.
10The Rockford Files (1974-1980)
The Rockford Fileshas one of the least flashy detectives. Although hedrives a 1974 Pontiac Firebird, James “Jim” Scott Rockford (James Garner) lives in a trailer as he focuses on cleaning up crime-infested Malibu, California. The convict-turned-P.I. only deals with cold cases to avoid clashing with the police. He doesn’t take domestic cases either, as he believes these are beyond his expertise, because he has never had a stable, long-term relationship.
Violence Isn’t Necessary
Violence by the police and other types of investigators is being condemned now more than ever, so a show likeThe Rockford Filessuits times like this. Throughout the series, Jim emphasizes how much he hates violence. He prefers talking things out with criminals instead of punching them and generally has a no-kill rule like Batman. This particular procedural is also very realistic.
Jim struggles to meet some financial obligations and often laments about the poor income he and fellow law enforcement personnel get. This is accurate, since, according to theU.S. Bureau of Laborand Statistics, the average annual income for a private detective in America in 2023 was $70,000.Stream it via Roku.
9The Streets of San Francisco (1972-1977)
Years before Michael Douglasdominated the ‘90s with movies likeBasic InstinctandDisclosure, he was Detective Steve Keller inThe Streets of San Francisco. In it, the character is paired with the older Detective Mike Stone (Karl Malden). Together, the two comb through the city’s streets as they try to flush out all notorious criminal elements. So perfect was Douglas in the role that after he left at the beginning of Season 5, the ratings slightly tanked. Still, the procedural remains a ‘70s masterpiece.
Believable Performances
A good show can easily blur the line between reality and fiction. Thanks to great performances, the proceedings inThe Streets of San Franciscoare all believable compared to those in other ‘70s shows.A Yahoo articlereveals how Malden once met a man who expected him to behave like the real Mike Stone. “He went that way,” the man told Malden, regarding a thief that had just snatched a woman’s purse.
The man expected Malden to go after the criminal, forgetting he was just an actor. Additionally, the show has a long list of talented guest actors who would become major stars. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Selleck, Carl Weathers, and Martin Sheen appear in select episodes.Stream it via Pluto TV.
8Columbo (1971-1978)
Columbo’s protagonist — the LAPD’s chief homicide detective, Frank Columbo (Peter Falk) — is often easy to underestimate. He starts with a basic line of questioning, fooling the criminals into thinking that they are dealing with an amateur, but just as he makes a U-turn and delivers his iconic “One more thing!" catchphrase. His offbeat investigative methods work well because most of the show’s villains are arrogant elites.
Another Perfect Show for the Current Climate
In an era where America is being plagued by gun violence,Columboalso fits perfectly. The current is known to hate guns, something that is unusual for a police officer, but makes him all the more likable. He rarely carries a weapon, but often survives tense situations, due to his oratory gift.
Besides that, the show sets itself apart from the rest by focusing on the kinds of criminals who often use their financial muscle to shield themselves. Whether it’s an actor or a best-selling author, the show frequently reminds viewers that the most respectable people in society can be the most evil.Stream it on Prime Video.
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7Kojak (1973 - 1978)
The television landscape misses detectives likeKojak’s Theodopolis “Theo” Kojak (Telly Savatas) — the kind that takes their job seriously while still engaging in plenty of buffoonery. Whether it is consuming Tootsie Pops at the same rate as a kindergarten child, or uttering “Who Loves Ya?” to any suspect who signs up for a quid quo pro arrangement with him, there is never a dull moment with Theo.
For Savatas, the role was a huge departure from normalcy as he was previously known for playing criminals, including one ofthe greatest Bond villains, Blofeld, but he made it work.
Great PG Plots and Relevant Themes
Though Theo is a little too aggressive at times, the show is structured to appeal to all generations… through all decades. “I’m looking to close the generation gap,” the character once says when someone asks him why he loves lollipops. Additionally, the show remains tolerant and goes out of its way to cover themes like racism and family unity.
When Theo is questioning a Chinese-American man who is being bullied by an Italian-American Cosa Nostra outfit, he doesn’t bark, “Do you speak English?” He gets a translator. He also apologizes for not taking the time to learn more about other cultures. And when a colleague gets killed in the line of duty, Theo makes an effort to buy puppies for his children.Buy it on Apple TV+.
6Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980)
The originalHawaii Five-Ohas to compete with the reboot for streaming service attention nowadays, but some would argue that it’s still the better offering. Like the newer show, it follows a special task force team appointed by the governor to solve crimes in the State of Hawaii. Because the unit isn’t plagued by the same operational limitations as the Honolulu Police Department, it takes on all kinds of criminals, ranging from arms traffickers to foreign spies.
Authentic Sets and Casts
Authenticity lasts a lifetime, and the major reasonHawaii Five-Ostill holds up today is that it captured the actual picture of the state. Previous Hawaiian shows likeGilligan’s IslandandHawaiian Eyewere filmed on makeshift sets in Hollywood, but this particular project stuck to the region that it attempted to portray. This meant that most minor cast members weren’t actors.
They were locals, but this wasn’t necessarily bad because they understood the area and the culture better than anyone else. Besides that, the show’s theme song, composed by Morton Stevens, has helped keep it fresh. Because of it, older generation viewers keep going back for nostalgia purposes and while doing so, they trigger the new generation’s interest.Stream it on Paramount+.
Hawaii Five-O
5McCloud (1970-1977)
McClouduses the “cowboy in the big city” premise as it revolves around Taos, New Mexico investigator Sam McCloud (Dennis Weaver) during his chaotic stint as an on-loan lawman at the New York City Police Department (NYPD). The show is partially adapted from Coogan’s Bluff, starring the legendary Clint Eastwood. Herman Miller, who wrote the movie’s screenplay, also serves as the popular procedural crime drama’s showrunner.
Laying the Foundation for the Neo-Western Genre
Neo-Western movies and showsare becoming more popular, and as the show that helped lay the foundation,McCloudcounts as essential viewing today. Most of its elements are still used in similar shows. For example, Sam insists on wearing his traditional cowboy hat, even though fellow officers find it laughable.
The protagonists of several Neowesterns still do the same. Additionally, corruption and greed are recurring themes. Here, there is no sinister oil baron who wants to grab land, but a real estate tycoon who hopes to do the same thing. Most importantly, relationship arcs remain an essential part of the story.Buy it on DVD via Amazon.
4Cannon (1971-1976)
Cannonchronicles the adventures of Frank Cannon (William Conrad), a former LAPD officer and Vietnam War veteran who is now one of the most sought-after private detectives. Undoubtedly one of the wisest fictional detectives to ever exist, Cannon is not only multilingual but also has an encyclopedic knowledge of art, science, and history. Furthermore, he is street-smart, hence he always has an easier time finding elusive criminals.
Emphasis on Body Positivity
Most old shows blatantly labeled overweight characters as “fat” and used them as caricatures. Thankfully,Cannonhad a better approach to the weight issue. Hence, it has aged well. Conrad was an obese actor, and the procedural crime drama acknowledged this in its dialogue and storylines.
The actor’s weight wouldn’t allow him to engage in fisticuffs or foot chases, so most of the pursuits were done via vehicles. Furthermore, in many of the episodes, Cannon frequently jokes about his size and love for food. He even enjoys preparing meals for his friends, and they love him for that.Buy it on DVD via Amazon.
3Father Brown (1974)
The odds of a Catholic priest somewhere in Britain having a side gig as a crime solver are pretty low, butFather Brown’s protagonist, played by Kenneth More, did just that. Based on the short stories by English novelist G. K. Chesterton, the series solves the preacher as he solves mysteries using a combination of intuition and psychology. The crime drama was recently remade by the BBC. It stars Mark Williams as the lead character.
Religion Vs Practicality
It’s nice to see a preacher who plays an active role in eradicating crime instead of just praying for the good Lord’s intervention. The entire premise brings about a fresh discussion about religion and practicality. We still live in a world where most people pray and hope for the best instead of actively trying to shape their life’s trajectory.
In this sense, the show serves as somewhat of a self-help piece. Besides that, the show has plenty of hilarious scenes. Watching a criminal lay out every detail in the confession booth, only to learn that the person at the other end is a self-proclaimed detective, never ceases to amaze.Stream it on Brit Box.
Father Brown
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2Baretta (1975-1978)
Anthony Vincenzo “Tony” Baretta (Tony Musante) is the hero ofBaretta. The creative plainclothes detective from an unnamed, fictional city, is known for wearing different disguises while pursuing criminals. The character is known for popularizing the phrases, “Don’t do the crime if you’re able to’t do the time,” and “You can take dat to da bank” and “And dat’s the name of dat tune.” Some of Tony’s weird mannerisms include talking to his dead father in asides (whenever he is frustrated) and referring to his love interests as his cousins.
Fashion and the Police
TV and movie productions likeReservoir Dogs, That ‘70s Show,andParty Downhave all referenced it. On top of that, many other unorthodox lawmen popped up afterBaretta’s run ended.Buy it on DVD via Amazon.
1Starsky & Hutch (1975-1979)
Starsky and Hutchfollows Bay City, California, detectives David Michael Starsky (Paul Michael Glaser) and Kenneth Richard “Hutch” Hutchinson (David Soul) as they ransack the streets in search of hoodlums. The duo’s two-door Ford Gran Torino, aka The Striped Tomato (because it is red with white vector lines on each side), serves as an official third character because they rarely like moving around on foot. It goes wherever they go. Consequently, everyone in the city comes to know it.
An Ever-Expanding World
A great TV show can be judged by how much interest it draws after its conclusion. Decades after the finale aired, the world ofStarsky and Hutchkeeps on expanding. Eight tie-in novels have been published so far, and 2004 film starring Ben Stiller and Owen Stiller was also developed.
In addition to that, there have been talks about a new reboot series about female versions of the two characters. Hopefully, this won’t get stuck in development hell for so long. For now, fans can continue to binge on the ‘70s series, which handles crime and friendship the same way most modern procedurals do.Stream it via Fubo TV.
