The Old Time Dragnet Show With Adam Graham

This is one of those episodes of Dragnet that pack a punch through high drama with high stakes. In this case, Friday and Gannon only have hours to find a man who is attempting suicide and a huge hotel to search. Other episodes that come to mind are the City Hall bombing radio episode as well as a later episode of the TV show that we’ll talk about later.

It’s tempting to say Webb should have made more episodes like this, but the appeal of the episodes is their relative rarity. Webb plays his stories just like real life police officers with more things happening that are mundane, routine, and amusing than dangerous. Then with something does happen that’s exciting, we’re even more excited by it. I think that where many modern day productions get it wrong is that they overuse this stuff, so it becomes routine.

Watching “The Suicide Attempt” should give a clue as to how it ought to be done.

*Two marines are poisoned and Friday and Smith search for the murderer.

Original Air Date: October 19, 1952

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International is retained by a mother concerned about her daughter’s involvement with a dangerous gambler. The Lyon sends Regan out to investigate.

Original Air Date: December 11, 1948

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The first of three episodes featuring the fabulous Burt Martin as a guest star to make my list. Calvin Lampe, an old man is the only friend of a deceased young woman. Is he an innocent old crank or the world’s oldest psycho killer. The answer surprised me when I watched this show for the first time.

The actor Burt Martin has a fascinating story. He didn’t get his start on camera until he was 67 years old. Yet, he became one of television’s most recognizable actors appearing on shows such as Andy Griffith, Adam-12, and All in the Family. To see him perform is always a treat.

A man is murdered. His mother claims she saw a man fleeing the house, but Friday and Smith begin to suspect the mother.

Original Air Date: October 12, 1952

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This is the first of Dragnet’s drug episodes to make the list and it’s a beautifully done drama following the Friday and Gannon as they search for a lost drug addict. The portrayal of the family of a young man who had been “sick” for many was poignant. And credit Jack Webb for a great, but brief debate with a college professor and a well-done moving speech at the end.

A high school student begins acting up in class and sets off a near riot. What’s behind it?

Original Air Date: October 5, 1952

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Joe Friday and Frank Smith search for a man who brutally murdered a woman in her office.

Original Air Date: May 8, 1952

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This is one of those episodes that I find impressive just for the pure doggedness of the police work portrayed, similar to the radio episode, 16 Jewelry Thefts in that regard. In this episode, Friday and Gannon are investigating some applicants to the police academy. There are some employers that ask for references, but don’t check. As learned in this episode, the Los Angeles Police Department is not one of them.

Friday and Smith search for two robbers who rob motorists and then throw them into the trunks of  their own cars.

Original Air Date: September 28, 1952

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