Posted on 07/21/2012 5:41:05 PM PDT by djone
This is the city: Los Angeles, California."
With those words, an episode of the 1960s version of "Dragnet" would start. Perhaps the most accessible version of the classic cop concept .
Just how good was it? Consider this: Its cancellation in 1970 was not because the network didn’t feel it was pulling in ratings, but because show creator/star Jack Webb was focusing on other shows, like "Adam-12" and "Emergency!" (which was this author's favorite as a kid). The 1950s "Dragnet" was cancelled for the same reason – Webb wanted to pursue other projects.
"Dragnet" has aged well. Around his death, Webb was planning a third incarnation with Joe Friday, starring alongside Kent McCord (Joe Friday and James Reed as partners). After he died, two re-boots were attempted, but each lasted only two seasons.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
The pre-TV Dragnet radio shows were just like the subsequent TV shows. Crime and capture in Los Angeles.
Oh, that episode with the crying kid and the superhero poster? The actor went on to play Chet in Emergency.
BTW, the scene looked cool, with the tears coming out of the poster's eyes, but unless "Chet" had a totally flat face, his tears wouldn't have been so "neatly" placed on the wall. They'd be smeared on the cheeks.
On Yesterday U S A . com —they have Dragnet radio episodes every other day for this year. A few weeks ago- one episode- Joe Friday loses his partner. Joe also has his “mother” for
some episodes.
So.... like Gunsmoke, I Love Lucy— the TV series spins from the radio show first.
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