Old But Gold: 10 Vintage Detective Series You Should Watch

1. "Columbo" (1971-2003)

Let's start with an absolute classic. "Columbo" is not your typical detective series. Rather than leave you in suspense over the identity of the culprit, each episode begins with the crime and the revelation of the criminal. It's up to Lieutenant Columbo, played with endearing quirkiness by Peter Falk, to piece together how the crime was committed.

The series is famed for its inverted detective format, where the emphasis isn't on the "who" but the "how". It's still an enjoyable watch even in 2023, although some of the story elements did age poorly. Did you know that Peter Falk actually has a glass eye? He lost his right eye to cancer when he was only three years old.

2. "The Rockford Files" (1974-1980)

Meet Jim Rockford, a private investigator with a difference. James Garner, with his laconic wit and laid-back charm, portrays a detective who would rather be fishing than solving crime. His base of operations? A mobile home in Malibu.

Every episode starts with an answering machine message, providing a humorous insight into Rockford's world before launching into the case at hand. Despite the series' age, "The Rockford Files" remains fresh thanks to its unique mix of humor, action, and character drama. Not to mention, Garner's portrayal of Rockford won him an Emmy in 1977.

3. "Murder, She Wrote" (1984-1996)

For those who enjoy their detective stories with a hint of cozy mystery, "Murder, She Wrote" is an absolute must-watch. The series revolves around Jessica Fletcher, a retired English teacher turned mystery writer who also has a knack for solving real crimes.

Played by Angela Lansbury, Fletcher is sharp as a tack and always the smartest person in the room. Lansbury was nominated for an outstanding lead actress Emmy every year the series ran, but alas, never won.

4. "Mannix" (1967-1975)

This series follows Joe Mannix, a private investigator who's not afraid to bend the rules to solve a case. Played by Mike Connors, Mannix is an old-school, action-oriented detective who prefers hands-on investigation to modern methods.

Throughout the eight seasons of the series, Mannix gets shot and beaten more times than you can count but never loses his determination. The series holds the record for the most violent episodes in the history of American television.

5. "Magnum, P.I." (1980-1988)

Forget the reboot; it's the original "Magnum, P.I." that we're talking about here. Tom Selleck 's charisma is off the charts as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living in a plush Hawaiian estate and driving a red Ferrari 308 GTS. The series perfectly combines the elements of action, mystery, and humor, making it a hit among audiences.

6. "Perry Mason" (1957-1966)

In the world of courtroom dramas, "Perry Mason" is considered a pioneer. This classic series featured Raymond Burr in the titular role as a defense attorney who never lost a case, well, almost never.

Each episode delivered a gripping whodunit mystery that eventually unfolded in the courtroom where Perry Mason, with his remarkable deductive skills and sly courtroom strategies, would often compel the real culprits to confess on the stand.

The series featured a whopping 271 episodes, and Burr's Perry Mason, for all those courtroom showdowns, only lost three times.

7. "The Saint" (1962-1969)

Roger Moore, before his James Bond fame, was Simon Templar, aka "The Saint." While not a detective per se, Templar had a knack for getting involved in mysteries and invariably solving them.

Templar, a debonair, globetrotting adventurer with a moral compass pointing firmly to justice, tackled villains with his wit and style. Moore's charm was the driving force behind the series, and his distinctive haloed stick figure doodle, which introduced each episode, has become iconic. Roger Moore himself directed several episodes of the series.

8. "Miss Marple" (1984-1992)

This British series based on Agatha Christie's novels is the very definition of a cozy mystery.

The series featured Joan Hickson as Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster with a knack for amateur sleuthing. Marple, with her piercing blue eyes, seemed unassuming and even harmless. Still, she would outwit the police and villains with her superb understanding of human nature and meticulous attention to detail.

Did you know that Agatha Christie herself, before her death, wrote a note to Joan Hickson, expressing her wish that she would play her character someday?

9. "Ironside" (1967-1975)

"Ironside" was groundbreaking for its time, featuring Raymond Burr (yes, him again) as Robert T. Ironside, a police consultant wheelchair-bound after a sniper's bullet leaves him paralyzed from the waist down. The series focused on Ironside's relentless pursuit of justice, relying on his brilliant mind to solve cases since his mobility is limited.

The portrayal of a disabled lead character was unprecedented and contributed to the show's popularity. As a fun piece of trivia, Burr's character uses a 1940 1½-ton Ford police van, fully equipped with the necessary amenities, as his mobile office throughout the series.

10. "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (1984-1985)

"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" featured Jeremy Brett as the quintessential detective. While not as old as other entries, the series still fits into the vintage category and is often lauded for its faithful adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. Brett's nuanced portrayal of the eccentric, brilliant Holmes set a high bar for future portrayals of the character.

Little-known fact: Brett often referred to the detective as "You Know Who" or simply "Him," because he felt that fully inhabiting the character had a profound effect on his mental health.