Interpol Calling

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.