Highway Patrol The Search (1955–1959) watch online HD

At the beginning of each episode, narrator Art Gilmore concludes his remarks by saying "These are the stories of the men whose training, skill and courage have enforced and preserved our state laws." In this case, Chief Dan Mathews and the Highway Patrol are searching a small town and environs for Herb Desmond who shot and killed a pharmacist during a robbery. Desmond is incredibly polite, charming and glib. So much so that those he comes into contact with have a hard time believing he is a murderer. Trying to elude the state police, Desmond signs on as a day laborer with a cement plant. He talks the naive young woman who works there (and who owns a car) into having lunch with him. But things don't go well for Desmond and his true colors come out. As is typical of this series, there is good dialog and lots of action. It's been a while since I've seen a Highway Patrol episode and I had forgotten how fast Broderick Crawford talks; fortunately, his diction is good. This episode was a good start to the second season.

Synopsis – Review Well acted episode with tangible story, serious plot with a murderer on the loose, moving among the towns, amid the citizens, committing more trouble until finally caught by the HP. Good to see Gail Kobe acting, remembering her from the period and beyond. These episodes throughout the series did not waste time, fast paced, enough police work and confrontations making the episodes believable as they played out for Chief Mathews to stop the criminal from any more killing. All this episode's locations were outside the office, no dispatcher scenes, all rural scenery as expected for the HP to cover. Diners and cafes were used in this one including the cement works, with the final confrontation in a diner. Mathews and Johnson work well together in this episode and many others to come with results that are final. Thumbs up and recommend watching the story play out as the Highway Patrol does its job thoroughly.

**SPOILERS** Yup; seen it myself, done it myself - been fooled by somebody that is just so nice, so candid, so rotten. These people don't even have to be criminals; as a matter of fact most of them never really break any serious laws. They just ruin life for others. In this case, though, a really dirty rat kills a pharmacist, and is then on the run; tricking, fooling and using people to aid in his escape. I just loved it when Dan and Johnson finally stopped him. "Johnson" was played by character actor William Boyette. He played all kinds of roles, but it seems mostly cops, usually middle management types. You know "If you mess this up Starsky, it'll be your butt in the slammer, and I'll turn the key" type of cop. (R.I.P. Mr. Boyette).

Very good episode; I think they were driving Olds 88s, and Mercurys, very cool. The sweetheart that the rat was gonna kidnap, Susan Keefe (Gail Kobe), had a very nice ford convertible. Now, about these "really nice guys" If it is just a little to nice, too familiar, too "boy, am I lucky we met", LOOK OUT.

(R.I.P. GAIL KOBE) Look up her stats in IMDb; she's very impressive, indeed. Thanks, S.A.G., and IMDb.

The star of the show, in my little book, are the great roadside shots of ordinary places seldom shown in Hollywood productions. I especially like the huge industrial brickyard with enough cement blocks and forklifts to cover LA. Then there's the usual roadside traveling shots that still distinguish this action series from others of the time.

And, oh yeah, plot-wise The Patrol's after a fleeing murderer, who uses good looks and charm to sneak past police lookouts. And catch sweetheart Gail Kobe who's enough to make any guy quit a life of crime. And how about the old couple and the rotund foreman-- more good realistic touches. Then too, I still marvel at Crawford's machine-gunning of his lines. He spits them out with authority faster than speeding bullets.

Anyway, I was disappointed by the climax that seemed too abrupt and unimaginative, but maybe I missed something. All in all, it's still a solid crime trip through greater 1950's LA, HP style.