Common Sense Media Review
Classic cop series offers look at important time, place.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Mike Stone (Karl Malden) is a veteran police detective, with well-trained instincts after years on the job. His much younger partner, Steve Keller (Michael Douglas), complements Stone's experience with keen insights into the youth culture as they prowl THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO investigating crimes. The mysteries are intriguing, though not necessarily groundbreaking, and probably not the most important part of the show. No, the real reason for the show's appeal -- both in the 1970s when it originally aired and now -- was the way it made the city of San Francisco an important third character.
Is It Any Good?
The show is clearly a product of its time -- just look at the cops' polyester suits and the far-out love beads on that hippie eyewitness. The structure, too, can be a bit formulaic, with its standard-issue conflict between Stone's street smarts and Keller's book smarts. And, of course, the crimes are always wrapped up in the final act, often following chase scenes or fight scenes that seem tame by today's standards.
But the series also offers an intriguing, entertaining view of an important era. The counterculture movement was winding down, the sexual revolution was in full swing, and the disco era was heating up. San Francisco was at the center of all of this, and The Streets of San Francisco captured it all. Stone was the establishment -- paternal, gruff but lovable, and a bit befuddled by the young folks. Ladies' man Keller, with his constant stream of girlfriends, embodied the freewheeling '70s. And the various characters they encountered while seeking out clues ran the gamut from spaced-out druggies to glam disco queens to conservative businessmen. The show wasn't ahead of its time -- it was its time, and that's why it's worth revisiting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cop shows. How does this show compare to today's police procedurals? Do the crimes and the level of violence seem less intense? Do you think life was less dangerous in the 1970s, or is it that modern shows offer more realistic portrayals of violent crimes?
Families can also discuss the hippie movement. Who were the hippies, what were they doing in San Francisco, and how did they change the world? Do you think the counterculture is portrayed accurately in this show? How are hippies usually depicted on TV?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 16, 1972
- Cast : Karl Malden , Michael Douglas
- Network : Syndicated
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate