Interpol Calling

Interpol Calling

1959 - United Kingdom

Made between 1959 and 1960, Interpol was based on the cases of the International Criminal Police Organisation, based in an office building in the Rue Paul Valery, just across from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 

The organisation began in 1914 when Prince Albert of Monaco invited police officers and lawyers to lay down the foundation of an international crime-busting organisation. However, plans were cut short by the start of World War 1 and it wasn't until 1923 that the organisation set to work as the International Criminal Police Commission, with headquarters in Vienna. 

In this series Hungarian born actor Charles Korvin appeared as Inspector Paul Duval, the central character who week in and week out sought out the perpetrators of criminal activity. Although only 39 half-hour episodes were filmed the series managed to tackle everything from murder to blackmail, drugs to hijacking and assassination to slavery. The show is perhaps best remembered for its opening title sequence in which a car crashes through a check-point barrier, setting the scene for the action packed adventures to follow.

Published on December 23rd, 2018. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Fall TV series

Hard hitting and somewhat bleak drama series about a cold but passionate policewoman who goes head to head with a cold serial killer in Belfast.

Also tagged Police Series

The Gentlemen

Action comedy created by Guy Ritchie - a spin off from his 2019 film of the same name. Edward Horniman has unexpectedly inherited an estate of 15,000 acres only to discover that the land has become part of a weed-growing empire

Also tagged British Crime Drama

Second Verdict

Two fictional policemen scrutinise six real life historical murder cases and present evidence for and against the verdicts

Also tagged British Crime Drama

Jonathan Creek

Drama series in which a magician with a natural ability for solving seemingly impossible puzzles uses his abilities to solve the most perplexing of crimes and mysterious murders

Also tagged British Crime Drama

Dial 999

Police series made with the cooperation of Scotland Yard, which threw a spotlight on real police methods of the time.

Also tagged Police Series

The Serpent - BBC series

The twisting, real-life story of a murderer, thief and seductive master of disguise.

Also tagged British Crime Drama

Robert Fabian

Landmark TV series in which real-life cases were dramatized

Also tagged Cops On The Box

Ghost Squad

An elite division of Scotland Yard, the Ghost Squad was set up to investigate and infiltrate spy rings, underworld gangs or anything else that came outside the duties of regular policing.

Also tagged Police Series

Bonanza

Running for 14 years on it's native NBC network, Bonanza was set on the vast Ponderosa timber and cattle ranch in Nevada in the 1860's. The show was notable for being the first TV Western to be shot in colour.

Also released in 1959