1 9 5 0 – 1 9 5 2 (USA)
48 x 30 minute episodes
Based on the comic strip by Chester Gould, Dick Tracy (Ralph Byrd) is a master police detective with the 12th Precinct (also called “Headquarters”) in a large, unidentified metropolis. His car code is 15.
Tracy is a fair, honest, virtuous and thorough investigator and often relies on tips from his many snitches to solve a crime, believing you have to think like a criminal in order to outwit them and bring them to justice.
Dick lives with his beautiful wife Tess Trueheart (Angela Greene) in the suburbs but his job often leaves him with little time to spend with her (she sometimes says, “I wish I were born a super-criminal because that way I might get to see something of Mr Dick Tracy”).
While Dick enjoys the homemade meals Tess prepares, he often snacks on hot dogs and hamburgers while on the job.
Dick works with Sam Catchem (Joe Devlin), police chief Pat Patton (Pierre Watkin) and jovial stationhouse cop Officer Murphy (Dick Elliott). Dick and Sam communicate with each other via two-way wrist radios when on assignment.
J. Blackstone Springem (John Harmon) is the unethical criminal attorney.
Ralph Byrd’s fatal heart attack in August 1952 put an end to the low-budget ABC series.
Dick Tracy
Ralph Byrd
Tess Trueheart
Angela Greene
Sam Catchem
Joe Devlin
Pat Patton
Pierre Watkin
J. Blackstone Springem
John Harmon
Officer Murphy
Dick Elliott
Narrator
William Woodson
