"Dragnet" (1951) TV series 1951-1959

Creator:

Jack Webb

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | unknown

Release Date:

16 December 1951 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Crime | Mystery

Plot:

Sgt. Joe Friday and his partners methodically investigate crimes in Los Angeles.

Plot Keywords:

Police | Cult Director | Detective | Sergeant | Based On Radio Show

Awards:

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jack Webb	...	Sgt. Joe Friday (276 episodes, 1951-1959)
George Fenneman	...	Announcer (Opening) (276 episodes, 1951-1959)
Hal Gibney	...	Announcer (Closing) (276 episodes, 1951-1959)

Also Known As:

Badge 714 (USA) (syndication title)

Runtime:

30 min (300 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mark VII Ltd.

Trivia:

Friday's partners changed early on for various reasons: Barton Yarborough died five days after shooting the second episode; Barney Phillips had a habit of wetting his lips (making reaction shots difficult); and 'Herbert Ellis (I)', who was never intended to be permanent, was hurried out for looking too much like Friday. Ironically, Ben Alexander, who became Friday's permanent partner, originally wanted to do only one episode of the show (as a character actor).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Angels' Revenge (#7.22)" (1995)

Soundtrack:

Theme From Dragnet (Danger Ahead)

Nice to see on DVD, but be careful!

I purchased a couple of episodes of the classic B & W version of "Dragnet" in a "Everything for a Buck" sort of store, not long ago. In one collection, the transfer from film to DVD was great. However, the other set, from a different company, left a good deal to be desired. The film quality was low, and to add insult to injury, they had edited music from the score, as well. I would wager that it was the signature, "Dahhh-da-DUM-DUM" that we all know "Dragnet" by.

Still was a great watch, however, and the stories are interesting. Just having the audio quality change, and small bits of dialoge get clipped by inserting a piano playing a couple of notes, is somewhat irritating.