The Saturday briefing

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

- by CAROLINE FORD

Is there anything you're yearning to know? Send your questions, on any subject, to the contacts given below, and we will do our best to answer them...

In the 1970s and 80s there were a lot of American detective/crime dramas on TV produced by Quinn Martin and Spelling-Goldberg. How many shows did they produce?

P Rhodes, Leeds

Quinn Martin was one of the most prolific and influential producers in the history of US television. In 1960 he established QM Productions, and spent the next two decades creating a string of distinctive crime and action drama series for television.

One of the most recognizable elements of any Quinn Martin production was the credits, with a dramatic narration — usually by Hank Simms - of the title of the show, stars and the guest stars.

Martin’s hit shows included Cannon (1971-76), played by William Conrad and The Streets Of San Francisco (1972-77), which paired a young Michael Douglas with veteran actor Karl Malden as cops from different generations.

By the time of Martin’s death, in 1987, it was reported that QM Productions had produced 16 network series and 20 primetime TV movies and films.

Spelling-Goldberg Productions was founded by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg in 1972.

They produced popular shows such as Fantasy Island, Starsky & Hutch and Charlie’s Angels.