Calling All Cars: Old Time LAPD Police Show

“Calling All Cars” was a police radio show that aired from 1933 to 1939, sponsored by the Rio Grande Oil Company. The show featured dramatized true crime stories taken from the files of the Los Angeles Police Department, and was one of the earliest police procedural dramas to be broadcast.

Each episode would begin with the distinctive sound of a police siren followed by the announcer’s introduction, “Calling All Cars! Attention all cars! Broadcasting to the Police Department of Southern California. Attention all cars! Be on the lookout for…” The stories ranged from bank robberies to homicides, with each episode highlighting the LAPD’s efforts to solve the crime and apprehend the suspects.

The show was notable for its use of sound effects, which were often recorded live on location for added authenticity. It was also known for its attention to detail, with many of the cases depicted on the show being based on actual LAPD investigations.

“Calling All Cars” was a popular program in its time and helped to establish the police procedural drama as a popular genre in radio. However, it was eventually canceled due to the increasing demand for more lighthearted programming during the Great Depression.

These episodes have been digitally remastered and are presented by SolvedMystery.com