Dragnet (TV Series) The Big Bar (1954) User Reviews

Hey, the forensics guy is Dennis Weaver!

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 17 November 2013]

"The Big Bar" is an odd case for Friday and Smith. A guy is robbing folks in bars and killing several of his victims even when they gave him the money willingly. However, the take in each case is very small--a very small price to pay for murder. One odd clue about this is that the killer likes the jukebox and keeps playing the same tune all night--"Funny Man". And, one of the witnesses is able to pick the guy out of a mug book. However, when that guy is picked up, it turns out it isn't the right guy. This must stop soon, as the bodies are piling up thanks to this psycho.

The finale was really anticlimactic. Instead of showing the pursuit, Friday, Smith and the Captain listened in on the radio to the other cops doing the chase! In other words, they saved a lot of money by not showing this!! This made the episode stagy and less effective.

By the way, in the epilogue, I was surprised. This wasn't because the guy was sent to Death Row--you'd expect that with all the murders. Instead, for the first time I've seen, it said that he WAS executed (versus the usual 'sentenced to death').

Decent episode despite a few weak points...

[ronnybee2112 · 8/10 · 5 August 2022]

Here we have a busy episode with some rather grizzly crimes. Robbery appears to be the main motive here,but what makes it so-much worse are the murders committed after the robber has the money.

Several bars are robbed and several bar workers are shot dead.

Killer Sought, Captured, Gas Chamber, San Quentin

[biorngm · 9/10 · 8 March 2018]

Review - The Big Bar 10-14-54 The episode was a better than most for the diligent pursuit, even after getting their man, it was not him, he used a different gun in his crimes. The next suspect is finally caught by police as Friday, Smith, the Captain and a Lieutenant listen to the pursuit. Suspect in custody is the late night word coming over the PA system, sweat running down Friday's face. The methods used in the chase for this guy were standard police work, intensified each time with man coverage. Mug shot identifications providing suspects, witnesses giving accurate descriptions of the suspects, R & I assisting with detail to pursue suspects, ballistics police work used to identify the weapons, stake-outs by several personnel, and final pursuit by many squads apprehending the killer. A rather young ballistics cop looking as if he was ready to wear western gear someday soon, one Dennis Weaver, was a welcome guest actor in the episode. The killer got what he earned, death in San Quentin via the gas chamber.

Stay Away from the Jukebox

[dougdoepke · 20 April 2007]

Routine episode with several distinguishing features. Friday and Smith are not in on the capture of the murder suspect. Instead they monitor the tightening dragnet from the communications network at headquarters. Thus audience gets an idea of how a real police dragnet works 1950's style. This one's heavy on procedure, and includes a positive identification which nevertheless turns out to be mistaken-- a nice realistic touch. Also notable for early appearance of Dennis Weaver as a criminologist. Three minor complaints. Smith says he has only highschool knowledge of Spanish, yet when quizzing a witness he appears to have a far more extensive knowledge of the language. The duo ride around in a police car that appears to have no rear window since the backdrop behind the front seat is solid black. And the effort at ending on a humorous note misfires with Smith again being made to look particularly dense. Using Smith as comic relief was an ongoing challenge for its awkwardness.