The Old Time Dragnet Show With Adam Graham

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Joe Friday and Frank Smith find themselves in a Check Forging case that’s been going on for nearly a decade. The description of the perpetrator: A kindly looking elderly woman:

Season 2, Episode 9

Original Air Date: January 8, 1953

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Another heartbreaking/controversial episode of Dragnet. This one bears some similarity to the radio episode, “The Big Lay Out.” In both episodes, a father reports his child as a drug user. This episode is different because unlike in “The Big Lay Out”, the father doesn’t have evidence to share with the police that could lead to an arrest and we’re not dealing with a minor, but with what by all appearances are two competent adults. Perhaps, the most important difference is that an innocent child is being raised by two drug users.

This episode has some elements of the “iThe Big Prophet” with a debate on the dangers of drugs, but this one also has an actual plot that really adds power to the arguments. We get to see not only the debate, but the consequences of the positions taken. Plus, this episode went contrary to stereotypes of drug users being universally poor in its portrayal of middle class respectable looking people using drugs, it

Those who view drugs as harmless chalk this episode up as “Reefer Madness” hysteria. Yet, Dragnet is based on actual police files, and in the police files across America, you’ll find many cases just like this. Dragnet’s take was powerful and well-done.

Joe Friday and Frank Smith (Herb Ellis) investigate some wild behavior by teens. The root of the problem? Marijuana.

Original Air Date: November 6, 1952 (Season 2, Episode 4)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A man swears his wife committed suicide, but Friday and Smith think it was murder.

Original Air Date: June 5, 1952

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This episode finds Joe with a temporary partner in the LAPD Chaplain, as they go undercover to find and bust a bookie. A fascinating episode in its focus on the chaplain having to balance the duties of enforcement and mercy.

Joe Friday and Frank Smith have done a thorough investigation and have their man in a jewelry robbery. Now, all they want is to get a confession.

Original Air Date: May 22, 1952

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

Original Air Date: May 8, 1952

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Season 1, Episode 5:

Original Air Date: February 14, 1952

Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and Ed Jacobs (Barney Philips) question the prime suspect in a murder (played by Lee Marvin in an early appearance.)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download