The Streets of San Francisco: Season 1, Volume 1

One of many high-quality police dramas from the 1970s, The Streets of San Francisco boasted two big pluses: the location shooting, which added to the series' aura of verisimilitude with shots of the Golden Gate Bridge and other Bay area landmarks, and the inspired teaming of old Hollywood pro Karl Malden (A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront) with one of Tinseltown's young turks, Michael Douglas. Malden's character, veteran world-weary police detective Lt. Mike Stone, acted as mentor to Douglas' bright but impetuous Inspector Steve Keller, and the chemistry between the two actors accounted for much of the show's success—and successful it was, earning 16 Emmy nominations over the course of its five-year run. This four-disc set collects the pilot and the first 13 episodes from the debut 1972-73 season, with DVD extras including an interview with Malden and Douglas by Variety columnist Army Archerd and a pilot presentation promo. Recommended. (E. Hulse)