Crime Syndicated

Crime Syndicated
GenreAnthology
Presented byRudolph Halley
Herbert O'Conor
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time30 minutes
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 19, 1951 (1951-09-19) –
June 23, 1953 (1953-06-23)

Crime Syndicated is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from September 18, 1951, to June 23, 1953.[1]

The program featured dramatizations of actual cases from the FBI and local law enforcement agencies. The series was hosted by Rudolph Halley, the Chief Counsel to the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce, when he became president of the New York City Council in 1951, he alternated hosting with Maryland senator Herbert O'Conor.[2]

In March 1952, the series alternated with City Hospital.[3]

The program was sponsored by the Shick razor company.[4]

Critical reception

Jack Gould, The New York Times's television critic, described the program's debut episode as "riddled with implausibilities and absurdities".[5] He summarized elements of the plot that "made the courts, judges, police and prosecuting attorneys appear to be utterly stupid and incompetent".[5] Gould also questioned Halley's participation in the program while he was a candidate for president of the City Council of New York City: "He is seriously jeopardizing his dignity and authority at a time when both should be at their zenith".[5]

Media critic John Crosby wrote, "After Mr. Halley gets out of the way and the dramatic portion open, you'll find it's a very honest show, full of authentic crime stuff . . . and it is excellently produced, directed and acted".[6] Crosby also questioned Halley's participation in the program, writing, ". . . there is a certain abuse of public trust in former chief counsels of Congressional committees who suddenly become TV stars on the strength of the public clamor they kicked up in their former roles".[6]

References

  1. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946-Present Ballantine Books. 2003. pg. 251. ISBN 0-345-45542-8
  2. ^ Grieveson, Lee; Sonnet, Esther; Stanfield, Peter (2005). Mob Culture: Hidden Histories of the American Gangster Film. Rutgers University Press. p. 79. ISBN 9780813535579. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  3. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 299. ISBN 9780307483201. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  4. ^ "How TV straightens Schick's seasonal sales curve" (PDF). Sponsor. August 2, 1952. p. 30. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b c "Radio and Television: Political Leaders Are Watching Rudolph Halley in His Dual Role of Narrator and Candidate". The New York Times. September 21, 1951. p. 44. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  6. ^ a b Crosby, John (October 14, 1951). "Rudy Halley Was Grand as a Prosecutor, But . . ". Detroit Free Press. p. 22. Retrieved May 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.