The Line Up was a hard-boiled police drama that aired on CBS Radio from 1950 to 1953. Inspired by the success of Dragnet, the show focused on realistic police action, with fictional cases ranging from kidnappings and murders to thefts and obscene phone calls. The title refers to the police line up, which always began each episode. While not based on actual cases, the show made its stories appear real, and when it transitioned to television, its setting shifted to San Francisco. Bill Johnstone starred as Lt. Ben Guthrie, leading the show through its radio run, while Warner Anderson took over the role for television.

Featuring an intersection of true crime stories and fictional cases, The Line Up provided a behind-the-scenes look at police headquarters. It often borrowed from real stories found in newspapers, mixing them with plotlines used on the show. The radio program expanded to television from 1954-1960 and inspired a 1958 film starring Warner Anderson. The show's creators even participated in police ride-alongs and attended live lineups to get a sense of authenticity, crafting this captivating police procedural that became a classic in the realm of Old Time Radio.