The Man Behind the Badge is a half-hour American television police drama series which aired on CBS from October 11, 1953, to October 3, 1954,[1] originally hosted by Norman Rose. In its second syndicated season, the host became character actor Charles Bickford.[1] Jerry Robinson was the producer.[2]
The CBS version was broadcast from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time on Sundays.[1] It replaced Arthur Murray Party[3] and was replaced by Honestly, Celeste!.[4] The sponsor was Bristol Myers.[3] Everett Rosenthal was the executive producer, with Arthur Singer as director.[5]
Beginning in January 1955,[1] a filmed version of the program was syndicated to local stations by MCA TV.[6]
In an interview with Kliph Nesteroff, assistant director Arthur Marks stated the filmed episodes were shot at the same time and on the same sets as Treasury Men in Action.[7] Bernard J. Prockter produced the series in Hollywood.[6]
The series is based on files from agencies of law enforcement.[8] In addition to police, the subjects of episodes included judges, park rangers, parole officers, and public defenders. Topics of episodes included divorce, life in a boys' home, and rehabilitation.[1]
Dwight Newton, writing in the San Francisco Examiner, said that the first episode "had possibilities but fell apart at the themes."[9] He mentioned transparent acting and too much use of narration in particular and referred to actors who "gesture like they did in the old silent movie days."[9]