Highway Patrol. The episodes were drawn from the highway Patrol own files and there was a technical

Do you remember when we were in a rush to get home on time to see a TV show? That TV show even today holds the title of the most famous crime series of all time, “Highway Patrol”.

The TV Show was an instant hit and the flagship program of the California Highway Patrol who strongly supported from the beginning of production, especially during the first two seasons.

Even the CHP patrol provided lots of equipment, units, even police stations and original khaki uniforms, including the state seal. The episodes were drawn from the highway Patrol own files and there was a technical advisor from the CHIP in the crew who kept thing authentic.

The famous "21-50 to Headquarters" is the number of Chief Dan Matthews badge, portrayed by the historically bad boy” Broderick Crawford became one of the most recognizable phrases in the history of world television. Crawford became famous in the movie industry playing the role of a bad guy, and for the very first time he was the “Good Guy”, the hero.

All the police codes were properly used, so, for example, “Ten-Twenty” means “Where are you?.

Crawford in fiction was the Chief of the Highway Patrol and his character remained so identified with popular heroes memories, that even in a "Chips" episode during the 1977 year season, Crawford made a cameo historical appearance when he was arrested for an offense by officer John Baker. Broderick then replied: "Boys, I was watching these highways when you were not born yet." Great.

Authenticity was a major feature of the TV show, where the "21-50" was the actual number of the vehicle given to Bernard R. Caldwell, chief of the California Highway Patrol for the fifties.

Even in the open credits, there is a message of gratitude to Mr. Caldwell for technical advice and assistance. Officer Frank Runyon was specially assigned as technical advisor for the Show.

The very first police car was used was a Buick Century Sedan 1955 two doors, one of the authentic 270 specially equipped vehicles provided to the CHP.

Towards the end of 1956 the CHP decreased logistical support to the TV Show production due to misunderstandings in history and presentation, so producers were forced to buy the Buick, in this case incorrect Buick Super 4 door Hardtop was used to finish Shooting that season.

The thirty-nine episodes of one season took twenty-five weeks of filming most of the scenes on location were the actual events look place.

The producer of the program, ZIV, always made his best efforts to avoid any perception about involving exploited children or juveniles that were the criminals .At the end of each episode, although in several countries this part- was cut, Broderick Crawford always left a message about safety on the roads and the final sentence was: "This is Broderick Crawford and hope to see you next week." This was a brilliant touch.

The series was long-lived, as they were filmed 156 episodes, each 25 minutes long, and all shot in black and white in the area of San Fernando Valley in California.

Each episode had a production cost of twenty thousand dollars, an amount that was substantially increased when the script required the presence of the famous helicopter Bell 47-G.

Broderick Crawford was awarded in two consecutive years as the best actor in an adventure series.

Many actors, who later became stars, have appeared even in the beginning of his acting career, Clint Eastwood, Robert Conrad, Barbara Eden and Leonard Nimoy, Mr. Spock of the memorable Star Trek.

Several police car vehicles were used during the filming years until March 1959. In chronological order they were as follows: 1954 Oldsmobile 88, Buick Century 1955 Ford Fordor 1955, Mercury 1956 Dodge Coronet 1956 Oldsmobile 88 1956 Buick Super 4 door 1956 Buick special 1956 & 1957 Dodge Coronet 1957 Mercury 1957 Buick Century 1958, 1958 & 1959 Dodge Coronet and Plymouth 4 door 1959.