Old Time Radio Downloads > Crime > Dragnet

Dragnet, a term which actually refers to the systematic and coordinated way searching for a wanted person, was also used to pertain to a police drama series that aired from September 1949 to February 1957 in NBC Radio. For 30 minutes per episode, the show featured real police stories in a simple, investigatory style.

 

The show was said to be inspired by a film called "He Walked by Night," which was released in 1948. In that film, Jack Webb, who portrayed Dragnet's main character Sergeant Joe Friday, was given a small role. Through the help of the Los Angeles Police Department, Webb was able to present true cases, which became the trademark of Dragnet. It narrates every facet of police work—from paperworks and patrols, to crime scene investigations, laboratory works, and interrogation of suspects and witnesses. 

 

As the most popular and influential police series in the history of American media, Dragnet was able to provide its audience the impression of what a real police life could be like. It was well-liked by most radio listeners, as well as police officers. Due to its success, the series also had its television adaptation. 

Dragnet

Please enjoy these old time radio shows:

Air Date Title Synopsis
 1951-09-13  E118 Big Waiter

Program #118. NBC net. "The Big Waiter". Sponsored by: Fatima Cigarettes. An elderly shopkeeper is brutally beaten to death. It seems he had a roving eye for the ladies. Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, George Fenneman (announcer). 
 1951-09-20  E119 Big Sour

+ Program #119. NBC net. "The Big Sour". Sponsored by: Fatima. Seventy-one-year-old Wendell McClung has been beaten and tortured by two jewel thieves. Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough.
 1951-09-27  E120 Big September Man

+ Program #120. NBC net. "The Big September Man". Sponsored by: Fatima. A secretary named Adele Pryor has been found beaten to death with a steel pipe. A drunken man is found two blocks away...beating his head against a concrete wall. Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, George Fenneman (announcer). 
 1951-10-04  E121 Big Want Ad
 1951-10-11  E122 Big Shoplift

+ Program #122. NBC net. "The Big Shoplift". Sponsored by: Fatima Cigarettes. A series of shopliftings are plaguing a shopping district. The clues point to a kleptomaniac. Jack Webb, George Fenneman (announcer), Barton Yarborough. 
 1951-10-18  E123 Big Story Man
 1951-10-25  E124 Big Market

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 ABOUT OLD TIME RADIO
The buzz-term for Old Time Radio is "OTR". OTR usually means radio broadcasting from the golden age of radio, mostly before 1964.These shows from the pre-television age include adventure, comedies, mystery shows, western dramas and shows from World War II. These programs feature the best talent of the day and were broadcast nearly as widely as cable programs today. And just like TV today, families would gather around their crystal radio sets to enjoy the entertainment together.