The Old Time Dragnet Show With Adam Graham

This is another episode that broke new ground. As interesting as it was to see Joe Friday acting  as defense counsel for an accused police officer, “The Shooting Board” is even more fascinating as Friday himself is the subject of a police investigation after a fatal shootout in a laundromat with a known criminal.

This was yet another episode of Dragnet/Adam 12 that showed policemen have to account for their actions. The LAPD wanted to communicate, and in this episode actually came out and said, that they police their own. What better way to illustrate that than by showing that even Joe Friday had to account for his actions and face a shooting board that could lead to criminal charges. Over on Adam 12, both Jim Reed and Pete Malloy had to face shooting boards, althought after the first couple of seasons, these were not portrayed prominently perhaps because the public got the message, and it wasn’t as interesting after the first few times.

This episode has a pretty good solution. In fact, in a 1993 episode of the Cosby Mysteries, Bill Cosby’s character discovers an important clue, as watching this episode  causes him to realize where a bullet is embedded. If imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, having the episode used as a cheap plot device is probably close behind.

Friday and Smith search for an apologetic elderly robber

Original Air Date: March 29, 1953

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Dragnet and Adam 12 showed the frustrations of police officers, whether it was something as light as paperwork or laws and court rulings that tied the hands officers. And a big frustration can people.

Perhaps, the biggest annoyance to vex the police was Jean Sawyer, a woman who keeps accusing her estranged husband of committing whatever the latest robbery is and attacking the police for not having arrested him already.

Peggy Webber didn’t really get great roles in the 1960s Dragnet shows, but here she really steals the show with a fantastic performance as Jean Sawyer. As is often the case with Dragnet, the ending is pure genius. Though, in this episode, its ironic comic genius.

Friday and Smith’s chief suspect in a series of burglaries tells them that while he’s not involved, he knows when the next burglary will happen.

Original Air Date: March 22, 1953

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Dragnet investigations are most usually long involved affairs that take Joe Friday and his partner all over Los Angeles in search of their man. This episode is noteworthy for almost the entire episode being at the scene of the crime.

This episode had the nice feel of a whodunit with some nice Dragnet touches including the Musician apartment manager and the Hindu neighbor studying America, and of course a cocky suspect that thinks he knows exactly how things are going to go. This episode is a reminder of why Dragnet is more remember than other contemporary series, because in most episodes, Dragnet is a mystery show.

The payoff is good with solid policework. It’s not a flashy deduction that’s associated with more fanciful detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Nero Wolfe, or Adrian Monk, but it’s the type of thing good cops spot all the time that the layman won’t pick up on.

I should note that this wasn’t the only Crime Scene-centric episode of Dragnet. However, this one is my favorite of the bunch with its combination of a solid mystery, and great use of traditional Dragnet elements.

The prime suspect in a series of robberies has been in a saniterium while the crimes were committed.

Original Air Date: March 15, 1953

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Joe Friday for the defense? This intriguing scenario was brought about by Dragnet’s efforts to dramatize how the LAPD police themselves. In this case, a young police officer accused of accepting bribes from a bookie faces an internal LAPD trial board, and given the chance to choose his own defense, he chooses Joe Friday.

Jack Webb won’t make anyone forget Perry Mason, but this is a nice look inside the LAPD, with a good mystery to boot.

A con man takes advantage of women by pretending to be in love with them, and then tricking them out of a small amount of money.

Original Air Date: March 8, 1953

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A baby is found abandonned at a bus station. Friday and Smith search for the mother.

Season 2, Episode 11

Original Air Date: January 22, 1953

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