Kevin Thomas of The Los Angeles Times it was too "conventional for the big screen but satisfying on the tube because it has been done well. Performances are sharp, especially Gossett 's multidimensional cop. Ever the resourceful craftsman, Roth and his cinematographer, Shelly Johnson, did a good job of matching establishing shots filmed in Chicago with L.A. area locales. Keeper of the City benefits, too, from a fine Leonard Rosenman score.[4]
