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Gang Busters

  • TV Series
  • 1952– 1952–
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
71
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Gang Busters (1952)
  • Crime
  • Drama
True crime stories and their investigations are dramatized.True crime stories and their investigations are dramatized.True crime stories and their investigations are dramatized.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
71
YOUR RATING
  • Creator
    • Phillips Lord
  • Stars
    • Robert Bice
    • Mike Ragan
    • Myron Healey
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Phillips Lord
  • Stars
    • Robert Bice
    • Mike Ragan
    • Myron Healey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Episodes49

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos9

    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)
    Gang Busters (1952)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Bice
    Robert Bice
    • Second Guardas Second Guard…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1952
    Mike Ragan
    Mike Ragan
    • Police Officeras Police Officer…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1952
    Myron Healey
    Myron Healey
    • John Dillingeras John Dillinger…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1952
    Don C. Harvey
    Don C. Harvey
    • Det. Lt. Walshas Det. Lt. Walsh…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1952
    Sam Edwards
    Sam Edwards
    • Wayne Longas Wayne Long…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1952
    Rusty Wescoatt
    • Mikeas Mike…
    5 episodes5 eps • 1952–1955
    Don Marlowe
    • Andrewsas Andrews…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1952
    Richard Crane
    Richard Crane
    • Homer Van Meteras Homer Van Meter…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1952
    Myrna Dell
    Myrna Dell
    • Norma Breighleeas Norma Breighlee…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1952
    William Fawcett
    William Fawcett
    • Truck Driveras Truck Driver
    4 episodes4 eps • 1952
    Frank Gerstle
    Frank Gerstle
    • Det. Fulleras Det. Fuller…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1952
    Jay Novello
    Jay Novello
    • Willie Suttonas Willie Sutton
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    Ray Walker
    Ray Walker
    • Det. O'Reillyas Det. O'Reilly
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    Eddie Marr
    Eddie Marr
    • Det. Burlinas Det. Burlin
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    Marc Krah
    Marc Krah
    • Marcus G. Bassettas Marcus G. Bassett
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    Betty Lou Gerson
    Betty Lou Gerson
    • Helenas Helen
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    John Goddard
    John Goddard
    • Detective Edas Detective Ed…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    Paul Dubov
    Paul Dubov
    • Alvin Karpisas Alvin Karpis…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952
    • Creator
      • Phillips Lord
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The format of the series were action-packed stories on the apprehension of major criminals, taken from actual police and FBI files. The stories were presented in semi-documentary style. There was no continuing cast, but creator and writer Phillips H. Lord narrated each show. —Anonymous
    • police
    • true crime
    • based on radio show
    • based on fact
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The series ran on alternate weeks with Dragnet (1951) on NBC on Thursday nights for a little more than a season. It was the highest rated show at the time NBC decided to cancel it, in favor of airing "Dragnet" weekly. The NBC episodes appeared in syndication in 1953 under the title "Captured", hosted by Chester Morris. In 1955, new first-run episodes under the original "Gang Busters" title were released in syndication by General Teleradio, following their release of the theatrical feature Gang Busters (1955).
    • Connections
      Edited into Gang Busters (1955)

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    From pioneering radio to TV bench hitter
    "Gang Busters" was a pioneering radio series detailing the activities of the nation's most notorious crime figures of the day. It was unique in that at the end of every episode, the announcer would inform listeners to call the local police or "Gang Busters" for information on wanted criminals still on the loose. In that respect, it was definitely a precursor of today's reality shows like "America's Most Wanted".

    The television version, which premiered in 1952, stayed true to the radio format, telling stories of legendary scum like John Dillinger, Willie "The Actor" Sutton, etc. And just as on radio, viewers were informed of criminals still on the loose, and were encouraged to contact the show or the police. Yet, what worked so well on radio just didn't jell on the small screen. Despite series creator Phillips H. Lord's total involvement in the production, it all looked so disjointed and cheap, judging from the four episodes I have on DVD.

    NBC obviously knew this as well, for despite very high ratings, they regarded this show as a stop gap filler for the equally successful "Dragnet" during its early years as a bi-weekly show. When Jack Webb filmed enough episodes for a weekly slot, "Gang Busters", one of the highest rated series of the 1952 season, had to go. So, what could have been a potential landmark in television history, as it was on radio, was merely a low-budget bench-hitter during the early days of TV. New episodes, however, were made for syndication under the title "Captured", apparently as not to tarnish the name that helped to pioneer the reality show. Today, the show has fallen into public domain, and has only now received a small cult status as one of crime TV's earliest offerings.

    "Gang Busters" is a Phillips H. Lord Production, filmed by Visual Drama, Inc. for NBC-TV. 26 episodes were filmed, as well as a feature-length episode specially made for theaters in 1954. That, too, is in public domain.
    helpful•9
    1
    • blondiesguy2004
    • Mar 13, 2007

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 20, 1952 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Captured
    • Production company
      • Visual Drama Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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