Highway Patrol Complete Season 4

Watch them all the time.

Broderick Crawford; was there ever a more handsome, debonair looking Highway Patrol officer on the force (I mean on a late 50's syndicated Television show)? How about one that at the drop of a coin, syringe, or hint of corruption could transform that "welcome home, honey" face into a rage-a-holic fury of frightening proportions?I know, I know, that's just my skewed view of him, and maybe it's a psychological dillemma on my part, but I'm just saying that a guy could have nightmares about him pulling you over for speeding and then going ballistic over your failure to get your license out of your wallet fast enough. That's never any fun!Watching Broderick Crawford at a safe-distance, however, is not only intriguing, but can be unintentionally funny (to me, anyway) watching his growing impatience with those who would violate the law.I would have loved to have had a Stanley Kubrick-directed version of Jim Thompson's "The Killer Inside Me" made starring Crawford as Peace Officer Lou Ford (though the original film with Stacy Keach in that role is deeply disturbing/satisfying PLUS it has Don Stroud AND Susan Tyrrell, not to mention Burt Kennedy in the director's chair, among other integrity-worthy aspects; but someone please give it a remastering effort someday soon). Unfortunately, Mr. Kubrick did not ever make such a film, and as Joe Spinell's Mom once said (to Joe, that is, but you can say it to me after all this wishing in one hand), "you're such a dreamer".Wait a minute, how did I get off on that fantasy of a film-not-ever-filmed smack dab in the middle of a review of this terrific box set of Season 4 of "Highway Patrol"? I certainly can be a dunderhead at times and that probably goes some distance at explaining how I might be terrified to have Broderick Crawford barking in my ear: "JUST GET THE LICENSE OUT OF THE WALLET!" as I tremble into a shivering textbook-case of anxiety personified.39 episodes on 5 Discs and they all look great! No subtitles optioned, but the sound is loud and clear (especially when Dan Matthews aka Broderick Crawford is shouting at a criminal to slow down so he can catch him). This is a box of goodness and you want more of that in your life, I would think, but maybe not so the choice is yours. Happiness is just a shopping cart away and no traffic tickets will be issued.

Having devoured MGM’s toe dipping season one of this utterly fabulous series, I’m an impatient UK fan now satisfying my withdrawal symptoms with series four from TGG Direct, though I’m curious as to why the seasons are not being released in sequence. However, the sheer joy of revisiting these classic mini dramas is such a delight – and what a pristine top quality package it is!As you Americans were tuning in to Highway Patrol in your 1950’s millions, so were we here in England in our slightly less millions, at least those of us who were lucky enough to be around in those heady days of embryonic US TV. Watching Broderick Crawford and all those incredible cop cars tearing around in the dusty heat of 1950’s Los Angeles was an unimaginable weekly treat for English schoolboys of the time. The series truly set the tone for all of us whose hearts were stirred by the magnetism and spirit of America. Believe me, tuning in to Highway Patrol on a rainy winter’s night in pre Beatles England, made LA and its sunlit ambience seem like another planet. Highway Patrol was the show that personally hooked me on Hollywood, and fired my childhood dream of having to make it there some day. Years later I did, and to this day, the show’s various LA locations (though now considerably changed) have a certain surreal ring about them.Congratulations to MGM and TGG for releasing the complete series from what is clearly first generation 35mm masters. So good is the quality, it’s like watching a brand new movie, and a real technical shock after having suffered the awful quality of the original transmissions. Interestingly, it appears that the 4x3 framing was shot with 16x9 in mind, as the format easily allows for blowing up to widescreen TV’s with no discernable image loss.So, once again the legendary Broderick Crawford is firing his classic one-liners at breakneck speed, and seriously looking if he could do with a stiff drink into the bargain! Please keep it coming with more series TGG – you have a ready made audience. Oh, and remember everyone, leave your blood at the Red Cross – not on the highway!Roger Hopkins

I'm elated that Highway Patrol is finally available from the original masters. In 1998, I bought a set of videos for a family member, and we had to be satisfied just to have the shows- the picture quality was pretty poor, but that was all we could get then, collector copies.Then in 2006, I saw HP on DVD, and sunk more money into that set. I was furious that they were just copies of what I already had-I know because I recognized the station ID's and glitches. A couple of the discs were defective, too.Last year, "THIS" network started airing Highway Patrol at 5 am, and I managed to tape some episodes, but it was inconvenient to set timer, and I wanted DVDs. It was exciting to be able to SEE everything!I saw recently that Highway Patrol was available to manufacture on demand, but it was a bit pricey. Now this set is out, and the price was great! I don't know if the first season is available this way, it doesn't seem to be. I may even pay full price for them, because the quality is outstanding! You can see every detail, it's like watching them for the first time.Mind you, I never saw these until I was a grown-up. But I love the show!! If you like old black and white television from the 1950's, this is for you! Broderick Crawford is great, and the plots are pretty interesting. And the locations are fun, and the old cars.I highly recommend this to anyone who likes quality television!

As a child growing up watching this series, the action was quick and the stories were resolved within 30 minutes. Broderick Crawford, rapidly firing his lines, is a joy to watch, and I really liked seeing William Boyett become a full-time regular this season. I always enjoyed him in ADAM-12 as Mac, and it was great seeing him appear through the four seasons of this show, but with different character names. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. And the price for Season 2, 3 and 4 make this a real bargain. I tore through these seasons at usually 3 episodes a day, and was always excited to see well-known actors in bit roles early in their careers. Video and sound is outstanding -- can't believe the quality for a mid-late '50s TV series.

I've just received this box set of 39, beautifully restored, 25-min episodes of Highway Patrol Season Four, and couldn't be happier. Great action out on the roads, with a very authentic performance from Broderick Crawford as the cop in charge. We also get great cars and masses of familiar faces in supporting roles - character actors who used to go from one US TV series to another in the Fifties and early Sixties. It was hugely popular when I was young, as was its catch-phrase, 10-4, 10-4, which kids in particular loved to repeat at every opportunity!

I was very pleased with Season 4 of Highway Patrol, the picture quality was crisp, clear & well restored. This series, which ran from 1955 to 1959 is still well worth watching & believe me, the earlier 3 seasons are just as good.

this series was great for its time/ better than the things thatcame later. crawford was in his element and he was such agood TV drama actor ................ and the scripts were great fun/i am very glad i got to see it again.

Fantastic series. Could not be faulted. Super cars and fashion of the time.