1961, Television: “Car 54, Where Are You?”

On September 17, 1961, the American sitcom “Car 54, Where Are You?” premieres on the NBC network. The series was created and produced by Nat Hiken. Main directors were Nat Hiken (21 episodes), Al De Caprio (20 episodes) and Stanley Prager (20 episodes). The leading roles, Gunther Toody and Francis Muldoon, were played respectively by Joe E. Ross and Fred Gwynne. Between 1961 and 1963 a total of 60 episodes were filmed on location or at Biograph Studios in The Bronx, New York.

Synopsis

The series pictures the (mis)adventures of two New York Police officers in the fictional 53rd precinct in the Bronx, assigned to Patrol Car 54. Gunther Toody (Joe E. Ross), the short, noisy, not so clever one and Francis Muldoon (Fred Gwynne), the tall, quiet, smart one...

Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon and Joe E. Ross as Gunther Toody

Joe E. Ross as Gunther Toody and Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon

The cars

Two Plymouth Savoys were used as the title vehicle during the series, a 1961 Plymouth Savoy during the first season and a 1963 Plymouth Savoy during the second.

Fred Gwynne as Francis Muldoon and Joe E. Ross as Gunther Toody

Main Cast

• Joe E. Ross as Officer Gunther Toody
• Fred Gwynne as Officer Francis Muldoon
• Ruth Masters as Mrs. Muldoon
• Hank Garrett as Officer Ed Nicholson
• Jim Gormley as Officer Nelson
• Albert Henderson as Officer Dennis O'Hara
• Bruce Kirby as Officer Kissel
• Al Lewis as Officer Leo Schnauser
• Beatrice Pons as Lucille Toody
• Charlotte Rae as Sylvia Schnauser
• Paul Reed as Capt. Paul Block
• Joe Warren as Officer Steinmetz
• Nipsey Russell as Officer Anderson
• Ossie Davis as Officer Omar Anderson
• Frederick O'Neal as Officer Wallace
• Patricia Bright as Mrs. Claire Block

Paul Reed as Capt. Paul Block and Al Lewis as Officer Leo Schnauser

Awards

• Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy: Nat Hiken (1962)
• Writers Guild of America Award (TV) , Comedy/Variety, Any Length: Nat Hiken and Gary Belkin (1963) 

"Car 54, Where Are You?", opening credits (1961)