Richard Diamond, Private Detective 1957
What is Richard Diamond, Private Detective?
Richard Diamond, Private Detective is an American detective drama that originated on radio before transitioning to television. The series aired on television from 1957 to 1960, following its successful run on radio from 1949 to 1953.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1957
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 77
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Jul 1, 1957
- Last aired
- Sep 6, 1960
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- CBS
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Action & Adventure
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 77 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
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Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Richard Diamond, Private Detective is an American detective drama that originated on radio before transitioning to television. The series aired on television from 1957 to 1960, following its successful run on radio from 1949 to 1953. The show features a former New York City police officer who becomes a private investigator, often working with a police contact to solve cases. After relocating to Hollywood, the character becomes involved in romantic storylines and works with an answering service, interacting with clients through a character referred to as "Sam." The television version starred David Janssen in the title role and included supporting actors such as Roxane Brooks, Russ Conway, and Regis Toomey. The program was produced in a period when detective dramas were prominent on American television, and it maintained a presence into the early 1960s. Full episodes of the series have been made available through various media platforms, allowing continued viewing decades after its original broadcast.
Should you watch it?
“A classic private detective solves cases with style and charm.”
- Pioneering detective series with timeless appeal
- Features David Janssen's compelling performance
- Dated production values
- Limited availability of episodes
You enjoy vintage crime dramas with a touch of Hollywood glamour.
Suitable for fans of old-school detective stories and mid-century television.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 12 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 The Mickey Farmer Case Jul 1, 1957
- E2 Custody Jul 8, 1957
- E3 Escape from Oak Lane Jul 15, 1957
- E4 The Homicide Habit Jul 22, 1957
- E5 Picture of Fear Jul 29, 1957
- E6 Hit and Run Aug 5, 1957
- E7 The Big Score Aug 12, 1957
- E8 The Chess Player Aug 19, 1957
- E9 The Torch Carriers Aug 26, 1957
- E10 The Pete Rocco Case (a.k.a. Prison Break) Sep 9, 1957
- E11 Venus of Park Avenue Sep 16, 1957
- E12 The Merry-Go-Round Case Sep 23, 1957
Season 2 · 21 episodes
- E1 The Space Society Jan 2, 1958
- E2 The Dark Horse (a.k.a. The Allison Garvey Case) Jan 9, 1958
- E3 The Payoff Jan 16, 1958
- E4 Double Jeopardy Jan 23, 1958
- E5 Arson Jan 30, 1958
- E6 The Ed Church Case Feb 6, 1958
- E7 Chinese Honeymoon (a.k.a. Trouble in Chinatown) Feb 13, 1958
- E8 Rodeo Feb 20, 1958
- E9 A Cup of Black Coffee Feb 27, 1958
- E10 The George Dale Case Mar 6, 1958
- E11 Juvenile Jacket Mar 13, 1958
- E12 Pension Plan Mar 27, 1958
- E13 Short Haul Apr 10, 1958
- E14 Another Man's Poison Apr 17, 1958
- E15 The Purple Penguin Apr 24, 1958
- E16 Lost Testament May 1, 1958
- E17 The Percentage Takers May 8, 1958
- E18 Widow's Walk May 22, 1958
- E19 The Bungalow Murder May 29, 1958
- E20 One Foot in the Grave Jun 12, 1958
- E21 Snow Queen Jun 26, 1958
Season 3 · 18 episodes
- E1 The Sport (a.k.a. The Larry Forsythe Case) Feb 15, 1959
- E2 Pack Rat Feb 22, 1959
- E3 Body of the Crime Mar 1, 1959
- E4 Soft Touch (a.k.a. The Revolution) Mar 8, 1959
- E5 Boomerang Bait Mar 15, 1959
- E6 Matador Murder (a.k.a. Mexican Art Swindle) Mar 22, 1959
- E7 Murder at the Mansion Mar 29, 1959
- E8 Marineland Mystery Apr 5, 1959
- E9 Charity Affair Apr 12, 1959
- E10 Two for Paradise Apr 19, 1959
- E11 Crown of Silla May 3, 1959
- E12 Jukebox May 10, 1959
- E13 Echo of Laughter May 17, 1959
- E14 The Limping Man May 24, 1959
- E15 The Hideout May 31, 1959
- E16 Rough Cut Jun 7, 1959
- E17 Family Affair Jun 14, 1959
- E18 Design for Murder Jun 21, 1959
Season 4 · 26 episodes
- E1 The Hoodlum Oct 5, 1959
- E2 Act of Grace Oct 12, 1959
- E3 The Bookie Oct 19, 1959
- E4 The Client Oct 26, 1959
- E5 The Runaway Nov 2, 1959
- E6 No Laughing Matter Nov 9, 1959
- E7 The Messenger Nov 16, 1959
- E8 The Counselor Nov 23, 1959
- E9 The Image Nov 30, 1959
- E10 The Adjustor Dec 7, 1959
- E11 Marked for Murder Dec 14, 1959
- E12 The Caller Dec 21, 1959
- E13 One Dead Cat Dec 28, 1959
- E14 Dead to the World Jan 11, 1960
- E15 Seven Swords Jan 18, 1960
- E16 The Fine Art of Murder Jan 25, 1960
- E17 The Popskull Jun 28, 1960
- E18 And Whose Little Baby Are You? Jul 5, 1960
- E19 Fallen Star Jul 19, 1960
- E20 Coat of Arms Aug 2, 1960
- E21 Double Trouble Aug 9, 1960
- E22 The Lovely Fraud Aug 16, 1960
- E23 Accent on Murder Aug 23, 1960
- E24 East of Danger Aug 30, 1960
- E25 Running Scared Sep 6, 1960
- E26 The Mouse
Frequently asked questions
Who starred as Richard Diamond?
David Janssen portrayed the titular character.
When did the show air?
It aired from 1957 to 1960 on television.
Was it based on a radio show?
Yes, it originated as a radio drama from 1949 to 1953.
Who created the series?
The series was created by Blake Edwards.
Is the show still available to watch?
Full episodes can be found on platforms like YouTube.