"The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent." Thus began each and every episode of Dragnet, arguably the most famous police series in TV history. Originating in 1949 as a radio series, Dragnet was the brainchild of actor/producer/director Jack Webb, who wanted to give the public a tense, unglamorized, and realistic crime series as a contrast -- and an antidote -- to the myriad of fanciful and streamlined private eye shows then festering the airwaves. In the radio version, ...
Read More
"The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent." Thus began each and every episode of Dragnet, arguably the most famous police series in TV history. Originating in 1949 as a radio series, Dragnet was the brainchild of actor/producer/director Jack Webb, who wanted to give the public a tense, unglamorized, and realistic crime series as a contrast -- and an antidote -- to the myriad of fanciful and streamlined private eye shows then festering the airwaves. In the radio version, Webb established the series' documentary-style format, its meticulous attention to detail (extending to the use of authentic police jargon and acronyms, à la "A.P.B.," "M.O.," "R&I," etc.), and the flat, monotonic narration of the series' protagonist, Sergeant Joe Friday of the LAPD. ("My name's Friday. I'm a cop.") Also introduced in the radio Dragnet was the series' now-legendary theme music ("Dum-de-DUM-dum"), written by Walter Schumann. On December 16, 1951, with the radio version still flourishing, the filmed, half-hour TV version of Dragnet premiered on NBC, initially alternating weekly with Gang Busters. Jack Webb continued to play the leading role of Sgt. Joe Friday (under protest -- he'd wanted Lloyd Nolan to star in the TV adaptation), with Barton Yarborough repeating his radio characterization of Friday's partner, Sgt. Ben Romero. After Yarborough's death, several other actors were tried out as Friday's partner until Ben Alexander joined the cast as Officer Frank Smith, a role he'd hold down for the duration of the series.Dragnet proved so successful that NBC decided to offer it on a weekly basis beginning in the fall of 1952. Before long, virtually everyone in the country was humming the series' theme song and repeating its catchphrases ("This is the city," "Just the facts, ma'am," et al.); and in a curious accolade, the series was satirized in Stan Freberg's unforgettable record "St. George and the Dragonet."Throughout Dragnet's eight-season TV run, Jack Webb upheld the series' lofty standards and high level of verisimilitude, even though he grew weary of doing triple duty as producer, director, and star early on, and sought escape in a variety of outside ventures, including such theatrical features as Pete Kelly's Blues and The D.I., and such non-Dragnet TV series as Noah's Ark and The D.A.'s Man. Nevertheless, Dragnet proved to be Webb's signature project, even more so when the property was converted into a high-grossing theatrical film in 1954. By the time the series entered its final season in 1958, Sgt. Joe Friday had been promoted to lieutenant, a ratings-boosting move that Webb wasn't overly fond of; also, the series switched from black-and-white to color (though current prints of the final season are in monochrome only). After Dragnet's cancellation on September 6, 1959, Jack Webb all but retired from acting to focus on producing and directing, hoping to leave Joe Friday far behind him, even though the character had won him the undying devotion of hundreds of thousands of real-life police officers. However, after several fallow years, Webb was persuaded by NBC and Universal Pictures to revive his most famous character in a made-for-TV movie version of Dragnet, filmed in 1966. So impressed were the network and studio executive by the results that they commissioned Webb to revive Dragnet as a weekly series, which debuted January 12, 1967, as an emergency replacement for the failing NBC sitcom The Hero (the movie-length Dragnet was subsequently shelved, and not broadcast until 1969). Except for the fact that it was filmed entirely in color, the new series closely adhered to the format of the original, with Joe Friday (inexplicably demoted back to sergeant) working out of various LAPD divisions -- homicide, robbery, missing persons -- and working on cases culled from actual police files. Also, each episode began with the "true story" disclaimer, and ended with a wrap-up of the convictions...
Read Less
Add this copy of Dragnet to cart. $1.61, like new condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2004.
Add this copy of Dragnet to cart. $1.61, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2004.
Add this copy of The Dragnet Collection, Vol. 1 to cart. $2.00, like new condition, Sold by Broadband ERA rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from BEAVERTON, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Pop Flix.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Jack Webb, Ben Alexander. Fine. 2008 Run time: 493. Discs (2), artwork and case in excellent condition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Orders received before 3PM PT typically ship same day. All profits support the non-profit community.
Add this copy of Best of Dragnet to cart. $2.00, like new condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Pop Flix.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Jack Webb, Ben Alexander. Fine. 2012 Run time: 488. Sealed in original plastic but has a few scratches/ rips. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Add this copy of The Dragnet Collection, Vol. 1 to cart. $2.00, like new condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Pop Flix.
Add this copy of Dragnet: Volume Five to cart. $2.30, good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2004.
Add this copy of Amc Tv-Dragnet to cart. $2.76, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Milwaukee, WI, UNITED STATES, published 2004.
Add this copy of Best of Dragnet to cart. $2.79, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Pop Flix.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Jack Webb, Ben Alexander. Very good. 2012 Run time: 488. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Dragnet Collection, Vol. 1 to cart. $3.00, new condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2008.
Add this copy of Dragnet [Dvd] to cart. $3.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Movies rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2003 by Madacy Records.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Webb, Jack. Very good. Run time: 265. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
![Dragnet [Dvd]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/cover/t29976c4wuv_t.jpg)
![Best of Dragnet [2 Discs] [Tin Case]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/best-of-dragnet-2-discs-tin-case/cover/v65893mlzoo.jpg)
![Dragnet [5-Pack Tin Can]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/dragnet-5-pack-tin-can/cover/u35263mcc39.jpg)
![Dragnet Classics, Vol. 1 [2 Discs]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/dragnet-classics-vol-1-2-discs/cover/u83445z3tlv.jpg)
![The Dragnet Collection, Vol. 1 [2 Discs]](https://www3.alibris-static.com/the-dragnet-collection-vol-1-2-discs/cover/u54719cl917.jpg)
![World's Most Famous Detectives, Vol. 2 & 3: Dick Tracy/Dragnet [2 Discs]](https://www0.alibris-static.com/worlds-most-famous-detectives-vol-2-3-dick-tracy-dragnet-2-discs/cover/t62357yfr8f.jpg)
![Dragnet [5 Discs]](https://www1.alibris-static.com/dragnet-5-discs/cover/t44991rnbfa.jpg)
![Dragnet [2 Discs]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/dragnet-2-discs/cover/t41068oo4h3.jpg)
![Dragnet: 20 Episodes [2 Discs]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/dragnet-20-episodes-2-discs/cover/t32873cocnu.jpg)
![Dragnet [2 Discs]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/dragnet-2-discs/cover/t29976c4wuv.jpg)
