Quinn Martin productions continue to hold appeal for Baby Boomers.

If you were watching television during the 1960s and 1970s or look at the oldies networks now, you probably have at least once heard the phrase "This is a Quinn Martin Production," or "This is a QM Production". This is because Martin was the man behind some of the most popular television programs that aired. He established his own production company, QM Productions in 196o, and began producing a string of successful television series, These include Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco, The F.B.I., The Fugitive, Twelve O'Clock High, Barnaby Jones, and The Invaders.

Shows that were produced by Martin's company were usually introduced in a specific format by announcer Dick Wesson or Hank Simms. They would say the name of the televisi9n series title followed by, "A Quinn Martin (or QM) Production." Images of the stars of the show were shown, then followed by the guest stars for that week, with their names announced. Viewers would then hear "Tonight's episode", and the title of said episode. Each episode was structured into four "acts" and an "epilogue," and each was explicitly labeled at the beginning of every segment with the show title and the act number near the end of the program.

In addition to producing sixteen one-hour television network series, Martin also produced twenty "made-for-TV" movies. These include House on Green Apple Road, Attack on Terror, Brinks: The Great Robbery, Face of Fear, and Murder or Mercy. His one and only feature film for the big screen was The Mephisto Waltz, which was released by Twentieth Century-Fox. Martin began his career in television as a film editor at MGM. He also joined his father by working as a manager of post-production for various organizations, including Universal Studios from 1950–1954. By the mid 1950s Martin had become an executive producer for Desilu Studios, which was founded by Lucille Ball and her then-husband Desi Arnaz.

Quinn Martin's first wife, Madelyn Pugh Davis, was one half of the writing team behind the popular television series I Love Lucy. In 1959, Martin produced a two-part special for Desilu that appeared in season 1 of the Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse which became a weekly television show on CBS. Quinn Martin was also responsible for The Untouchables, which would later won several Emmy Awards. Irwin Martin Cohn was born on May 22, 1922, to Martin Cohn and Anna Messing Cohn. As was typical in those days in Hollywood, Cohn changed his last name to Martin so it would not sound so Jewish.

Actor James Roday from the television series Psych recently announced that he was going back to using his birth name of Rodreguez. This is a sad indictment of our nation that people believe they have to hide who they really are in order to succeed in the entertainment business. In 1979, a group of investors purchased QM Productions which had been solely owned by Martin.The company was subsequently sold to Taft Broadcasting and later in that same year, the company was reincorporated and named Taft Entertainment Television. Even so, the QM name and logo continued to be used on-screen as well as for copyright purposes until the last official production which was broadcast in 1983.

Thanks to the popularity of older television shows, Barnaby Jones, Cannon, and The Fugitive can currently be seen on METV so check your local listings. The Untouchables is also airing on Decades TV. These are all suspenseful crime drama's that were favorites back in their day. If you enjoy reliving days gone by with the sounds and sights of the older television series, then check out some of the QM productions that are still airing today. Quinn Martin died in his home on September 5th 1987 at age 65. The official cause of his death was a heart attack. Thanks to modern technology. Ira Martin Cohn, AKA Quinn Martin's work lives on for future generations to enjoy.