The Lineup (radio series)

The Lineup was a radio crime drama anthology series that aired on CBS from 1950 to 1953. Created by Jaime del Valle, the series focused on the efforts of San Francisco police detectives to solve murders. William Johnstone and Wally Maher starred as Detectives Ben Guthrie and Matt Grebb, respectively, throughout most of the series run.

Each episode typically began with a gruesome murder, setting the stage for the detectives' investigation. The stories were often based on real-life cases from the San Francisco Police Department's files, lending a sense of authenticity to the program. The show was known for its gritty realism and suspenseful plots, featuring detailed police procedures and a focus on the psychology of both the criminals and the investigators.

The Lineup also distinguished itself by using actual San Francisco locations as settings for its stories, further immersing the listener in the atmosphere of the city. The series was a critical and popular success, contributing to the rise of police procedural dramas in radio and, later, television. A television adaptation of The Lineup, also featuring realistic portrayals of police work in San Francisco, aired on CBS from 1954 to 1960.