The Streets of San Francisco

By all accounts, Malden and Douglas developed a strong professional and personal relationship from their time on the series. Twenty years after last working together on an episode, they were both onstage at the 1996 [[People's Choice Awards]]. Malden referred to Douglas as "the son I never had" and mentioned that he had wanted producer [[Quinn Martin]] to cast Douglas on the series. Douglas responded to the compliment by calling Malden "my mentor", and both expressed that they enjoyed working together on the show.

By all accounts, Malden and Douglas developed a strong professional and personal relationship from their time on the series. Twenty years after last working together on an episode, they were both onstage at the 1996 [[People's Choice Awards]]. Malden referred to Douglas as "the son I never had" and mentioned that he had wanted producer [[Quinn Martin]] to cast Douglas on the series. Douglas responded to the compliment by calling Malden "my mentor", and both expressed that they enjoyed working together on the show.

The show revolved around two police officers who investigated homicides in San Francisco. The center of the series was a veteran cop and widower, Lt. Michael Stone, star #897 (played by Malden), who had more than 20 years of police experience and was now assigned to the homicide detail of the San Francisco Police Department's Bureau of Inspectors. He was partnered with a young inspector and energetic partner, Inspector Steve Keller, star #2248 (played by Douglas), a college graduate, aged 28, who had little experience on the police force. Stone became a second father to Keller as he learned the rigors and procedures of detective work. Eventually, Keller was promoted to full inspector. As the series progressed, Douglas became a star in his own right. Lt. Stone's daughter, Jeannie Stone (played by [[Darleen Carr]]), made occasional appearances.

The show revolved around two police officers who investigated homicides in San Francisco. The center of the series was a veteran cop and widower, Lt. Michael Stone, star #897 (played by Malden), who had more than 20 years of police experience and was now assigned to the homicide detail of the San Francisco Police Department's Bureau of Inspectors. He was partnered with a young officer and energetic partner, Assistant Inspector Steve Keller, star #2248 (played by Douglas), a college graduate, aged 28, who had little experience on the police force. Stone became a second father to Keller as he learned the rigors and procedures of detective work. Eventually, Keller was promoted to full inspector. As the series progressed, Douglas became a star in his own right. Lt. Stone's daughter, Jeannie Stone (played by [[Darleen Carr]]), made occasional appearances.

After the second episode of the fifth and final season, Douglas left the show after successfully producing the film ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'', which won the Academy Award for Best Film for 1975.<ref name=Brebner/> He, in turn, also established a film career. His character's absence was explained by having him take a teaching position at the [[University of California, Berkeley|University of California]], located across the Bay in Berkeley, while Lt. Stone was partnered with another inspector, Inspector Dan Robbins (Richard Hatch).

After the second episode of the fifth and final season, Douglas left the show after successfully producing the film ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'', which won the Academy Award for Best Film for 1975.<ref name=Brebner/> He, in turn, also established a film career. His character's absence was explained by having him take a teaching position at the [[University of California, Berkeley|University of California]], located across the Bay in Berkeley, while Lt. Stone was partnered with another inspector, Inspector Dan Robbins (Richard Hatch).