Malden, Douglas meshed on Streets of San Francisco

What is it? The Streets of San Francisco, complete series, 120 episodes on 32 discs from CBS Home Entertainment When? Now How much? $89.98 What’s on the streets of San Francisco? A lot of crime. Rape, murder, theft, vandalism, vigilantism. You name it.

Good thing detectives Mike Stone (Karl Malden) and Steve Keller (Michael Douglas) are on the case.

In his 20-someodd years with the San Francisco Police Department, Stone has been around the block more than a few times. He’s tough, street-smart and savvy while managing to hold on to his compassion for victims and the helpless.

He’s partnered with Keller, a book-smart rookie with a college degree and a lot of zeal, but not much in the way of experience.

The two balance each other out perfectly as they take on all manner of crimes and bad guys in the bay city.

How is it? Quite good, really. As a product of the 1970s, it is, of course, dated in its ideas, clothes and language. For instance, a serial rapist’s psychological profile is very different from what you’d hear on a TV show today, but it’s no less captivating.

There is some action. This is a police show, after all. But there’s a lot more focus on story and character interaction than on shoot-outs and car chases.

Because the show was filmed on location in San Francisco, there’s a lot of excellent local color and an added layer of authenticity.

Much of the show’s appeal comes from Stone and Keller. While this is an episodic show, with little in the way of continuing arcs, there’s a decent mix of plot and character development.

In a way, the actors mirror their characters. Malden, the grizzled movie veteran with dozens of films and an Academy Award to his name, acting as a mentor to newcomer Douglas (whose major successes still lie ahead of him). They’re an excellent team and their yin and yang styles and personalities mesh perfectly.

When Douglas left at the beginning of the final season, he was replaced by Richard Hatch as Inspector Dan Robbins and the results weren’t nearly as positive.

Are there a lot of guest stars? Yes. Like many similar series of the era, you can play a lot of “Hey, It’s That Guy!” by spotting actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Martin Sheen, Tom Selleck, Patty Duke and John Ritter.

Extras? There’s a four-minute interview with Army Archerd talking to Malden and Douglas on the show’s set before the premiere and a nine-minute introduction to the series.

New this week: The Andy Griffith Show, Return to Mayberry; Aquarius, Season 2; Bones, Season 12 and complete series; The Borgias, complete series; Dark Matter, Season 2; Grimm, Season 6 and complete series; McCloud, Season 1; The Rockford Files, complete series; Shooter, Season 1; South Park, Season 20; That’s My Mama, complete series; The Vampire Diaries, Season 8 and complete series

Next week: Incorporated, Season 1; Ozzy & Drix, complete series; Under the Dome, complete series; Workaholics, Season 7 and complete series.