Wanted ('50s documentary series) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Kane · 12-16-2009, 02:12 PM

Many of you are probably unaware of it, but there was TV show in the 1950s that had a format similar to Unsolved Mysteries and America's Most Wanted. The name of the series was Wanted.

Wanted was TV documentary series that aired on primetime television during the 1955-56 season. It was produced and narrated by Walter McGraw, who died in 1978.

Like AMW and UM, Wanted featured re-enactments of actual crimes and profiled wanted fugitives. Viewers were asked to call for any information they might have regarding the whereabouts of the fugitives profiled.

In contrast to AMW and UM, however, Wanted was a short-lived series. It ran on CBS from October 1955 to January 1956. Since television was still in its infancy then, Wanted appeared to have been ahead of its time. My guess is that few audiences were prepared for an interactive TV show, and that's probably why the series was canceled after only a few months.

crystaldawn · 12-17-2009, 05:34 PM

Interesting! I would love to be able to watch a few of those episodes. On a similar subject Kane, did you ever watch the show "Most Wanted" which Robert Stack appeared in? I had never even heard of it until recently. It wasn't truth based as far as I know and was about a task force of the LAPD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Wanted_(TV_series)

Kane · 12-17-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crystaldawn

Interesting! I would love to be able to watch a few of those episodes.

Even in the age of the internet, you might need some luck to find that show. Chances are, many people don't know such a series existed. But don't let that discourage you.

Quote:

On a similar subject Kane, did you ever watch the show "Most Wanted" which Robert Stack appeared in? I had never even heard of it until recently. It wasn't truth based as far as I know and was about a task force of the LAPD.

No, I can't say that I have. But I've heard of it. I'm aware that Most Wanted was a short-lived series, airing on ABC during the 1976-77 season (I was only four years old when it debuted). It sounds to me like the kind of show that could have had a long run. Obviously, however, there wasn't enough viewership to make that possible.

I know that Robert Stack later starred in another ABC series called Strike Force, which was on during the 1981-82 season. But I never saw that show, either.

Mystery Man · 05-26-2010, 05:38 PM

Besides this newspaper snippet from 1956, I couldn't find much info. I'd love to see it, too...

12-16-2009, 02:12 PM	#1
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	Wanted ('50s documentary series) Many of you are probably unaware of it, but there was TV show in the 1950s that had a format similar to Unsolved Mysteries and America's Most Wanted. The name of the series was Wanted. Wanted was TV documentary series that aired on primetime television during the 1955-56 season. It was produced and narrated by Walter McGraw, who died in 1978. Like AMW and UM, Wanted featured re-enactments of actual crimes and profiled wanted fugitives. Viewers were asked to call for any information they might have regarding the whereabouts of the fugitives profiled. In contrast to AMW and UM, however, Wanted was a short-lived series. It ran on CBS from October 1955 to January 1956. Since television was still in its infancy then, Wanted appeared to have been ahead of its time. My guess is that few audiences were prepared for an interactive TV show, and that's probably why the series was canceled after only a few months.

12-17-2009, 05:34 PM	#2
crystaldawn Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 17, 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,261	Interesting! I would love to be able to watch a few of those episodes. On a similar subject Kane, did you ever watch the show "Most Wanted" which Robert Stack appeared in? I had never even heard of it until recently. It wasn't truth based as far as I know and was about a task force of the LAPD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_Wanted_(TV_series)

05-26-2010, 05:38 PM	#4
Mystery Man Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 16, 2010 Location: the 9th Dimension Posts: 152	Besides this newspaper snippet from 1956, I couldn't find much info. I'd love to see it, too...