The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1977)
The Gist: A classic Quinn Martin production about a seasoned, veteran police detective and his young, college-educated partner solving crimes in the picturesque but gritty city of San Francisco.
In the crowded landscape of 70s cop shows, The Streets of San Francisco stood out for its stellar cast, its authentic location shooting, and its focus on character. The series paired Karl Malden, a respected veteran actor, as Detective Lt. Mike Stone, with a charismatic young actor on the rise named Michael Douglas as Inspector Steve Keller.
Stone was the old-school cop who knew the city inside and out and relied on his instincts. Keller was the book-smart, more modern detective. This classic mentor-protégé, old-guard-vs-new-blood dynamic was the heart and soul of the show. Their chemistry was fantastic, and their partnership felt genuine. Over five seasons on ABC, they tackled a new case each week, with the city of San Francisco serving as a vibrant, essential character in its own right. The on-location filming captured the city’s iconic landmarks and its diverse neighborhoods, giving the show a sense of place that studio-bound shows lacked.
Produced by the legendary Quinn Martin (the man behind The Fugitive and The F.B.I.), the show had his signature stamp: a slick, professional production, an announcer-led four-act structure, and a propulsive theme song. Michael Douglas left the show before its final season to focus on his burgeoning film career—he had just produced the Oscar-winning One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest—and was replaced by Richard Hatch, but for most viewers, the Malden-Douglas pairing remains the definitive one.
Why It Mattered: The Streets of San Francisco perfected the “buddy cop” formula for television. The relationship between the two leads was just as important as the crime they were solving. It launched Michael Douglas into stardom, proving he was more than just Kirk Douglas’s son. For a generation, Karl Malden and Michael Douglas *were* San Francisco’s finest.
Rewatch Cues: The opening credits, with their sweeping shots of the city and jazzy theme music, are iconic. The best episodes are the ones that lean into the dynamic between Stone and Keller, showcasing their different methods and the mutual respect that grows between them. And of course, the car chases through the city’s famously hilly streets are a highlight, a quintessential piece of 70s television action.
