Series synopsis
Police Story is an American action & adventure crime drama television series that premiered on NBC on March 20, 1973. It ended on December 3, 1988. It was created by Joseph Wambaugh, E. Jack Neuman. It stars Val Avery, Sal Mineo, Jan-Michael Vincent and Peter Brown.
Detective Cheng is commissioned by Interpol to destroy the Empire of Chaiba, a worldwide criminal organization based in Southeast Asia. He initiates an undercover operation to infiltrate the organization.
Premise
Detective Cheng is commissioned by Interpol to destroy the Empire of Chaiba, a worldwide criminal organization based in Southeast Asia. He initiates an undercover operation to infiltrate the organization.
Premise: Dared to be different.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Val Avery
- Sal Mineo
- Jan-Michael Vincent
- Peter Brown
- Barbara Rhoades
- Bruce Glover
- Joan Blondell
- Ron Leibman
Supporting cast
- Luke Askew
- Robert Mandan
- Frank Converse
- Tony Musante
- Judith Baldwin
- Hampton Fancher
- Freda Payne
- Jim Brown
- Lisle Wilson
- Tony Lo Bianco
- Barry Sullivan
- Marc Alaimo
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 105 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | ||
| Season 1 | 23 | March 20, 1973 | March 26, 1974 |
| Season 2 | 22 | September 10, 1974 | May 6, 1975 |
| Season 3 | 22 | September 9, 1975 | March 12, 1976 |
| Season 4 | 22 | September 21, 1976 | April 5, 1977 |
| Season 5 | 10 | September 27, 1977 | May 3, 1987 |
| Season 6 | 5 | October 29, 1988 | December 3, 1988 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cop Talk - Interview with Joseph Wambaugh |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Slow Boy (1) A special surveillance detail set up to catch criminals in the act finally nabs Slow Boy while he is robbing a supermarket. Complications arise when the robber takes a hostage before the police can detain him. |
March 20, 1973 |
| 2 |
Slow Boy (2) A tough cop in charge of a special felony squad goes after the vicious son of a Mafia chief who is pulling a string of strong-arm robberies. |
March 20, 1973 |
| 3 |
Dangerous Games Undercover cop Charlie Czonka tries to catch the big man behind a ring of prostitution, dope and extortion |
October 2, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Dangerous Age Arch Tatum is close to retirement and is teamed up with a head-strong young trainee who throws a curve for the long time vet. |
September 10, 1974 |
| 2 |
Requiem for C.Z. Smith Charlie Czonka resurrects his alter ego, pimp CZ Smith, to catch a murderer who mutilates prostitutes. |
September 17, 1974 |
| 3 |
Robbery: 48 Hours Lt. Bruckner leads the Robbery Squad through a two-day run of holdups, big and small. |
September 24, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Officer Needs Help Sgt. Billy Humm starts feeling the pressure after he's involved in a few too many on-duty shootings, even though they were judged "good." |
September 9, 1975 |
| 2 |
The Cutting Edge Ed Peebles has 30 years on the force, and after his longtime partner retires he loses his direction, both on the job and in his personal life. |
September 16, 1975 |
| 3 |
A Community of Victims A drug addict unintentionally acquires a gun during an apartment burglary. |
September 23, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Payment Deferred Detective Joe Barley enlists Holly, his "retired" snitch and recovering addict, to help him find the man who shot his partner. |
September 21, 1976 |
| 2 |
Bought and Paid For Detectives Belmont and Melino want the three men involved when a patrolman, the son of a Lieutenant, is killed when he interrupts a bank robbery. The one they need is the psychopath who recruits amateurs in his capers. |
October 5, 1976 |
| 3 |
Two Frogs on a Mongoose Manny and Deke are on the narcotics squad, investigating a double shooting at a dry cleaning shop, when they get a tip that the shop owner is in business dealing drugs with a man called Mongoose. |
October 12, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Trigger Point Veteran Sergeant Wilson can't escape the burdens of being mother hen to, among others, a green lieutenant, an alcoholic superior, and an officer who's becoming dangerously paranoid. |
September 27, 1977 |
| 2 |
Stigma Manny Mandell, involved in a shootout with a fleeing felon in which his partner is fatally wounded, receives a Police Department medal as a result. The survivor's guilt is bad enough, but as a medal winner he finds the expectations overwhelming. |
November 9, 1977 |
| 3 |
River of Promises Policeman Miguel Rataza works in area where illegal Hispanics encounter difficulties. Going undercover regarding green card scams and protesting unsafe conditions he finds himself falling in love with Rosalie, an undocumented worker. |
January 14, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cop Killer A patrolman's guilt over the death of his partner leads him into a relationship with the dead man's widow. |
October 29, 1988 |
| 2 |
Gladiator School A cop becomes the object of inmate vengeance after a trumped-up murder charge puts him behind prison walls. |
November 5, 1988 |
| 3 |
The Watch Commander The wife of a veteran cop becomes increasingly concerned over her husband's intense devotion to his men and duty. |
November 12, 1988 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | NBC |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 20, 1973 |
| Last aired | December 3, 1988 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday |