Dragnet

Dragnet Cast

Series Description

Dragnet was a police detective drama series that aired on NBC and showed every detail of the procedures involved in the investigation of a crime, analyzing the clues, and apprehending the perpetrator. For the first time, audiences saw what detective work was really like including everything from capturing dangerous criminals to filling out the paperwork.

Dragnet Cast

Jack Webb .... Sergeant Joe Friday
Harry Morgan .... Officer Bill Gannon
Herb Ellis .... Officer Frank Smith (1952)
Ben Alexander .... Officer Frank Smith (1953-1959)
Barton Yarbough .... Sergeant Ben Romero
Barney Phillips .... Sergeant Ed Jacobs
Marjie Millar .... Sharon Maxwell
Dorothy Abbott .... Ann Baker
Byron Morrow .... Captain Mack
Art Gilmore .... Captain Didion
Art Balinger .... Captain Brown

Dragnet Trivia

Jack Webb was the creator, star, and executive producer of Dragnet. His main concern was that the show would follow the real-life daily duties of police detectives. He insisted that the step-by-step work involved in an investigation and arrest by accurately shown.

George Fenneman (Groucho Marx's sidekick on "You Bet Your Life (1950)") read the opening narrative (see below) on this series and the radio version of Dragnet. Hal Gibney read it for the 1967-1970 series.

Dragnet premiered two years after the 1949 premiere of a Dragnet radio show. That radio series ran until 1957 so both versions of Dragnet aired concurrently from 1951 to 1957! Jack Webb also played Joe Friday on the radio series but his "sidekick" was played by Barton Yarborough who also appeared on this TV series but not as Friday's partner.

When Dragnet was shown in reruns, it was titled, "Badge 714". That was Joe Friday's badge number.

Eight years after this version of Dragnet ended, it returned in 1967 for another three season run, ending in 1970. Only Jack Webb and Harry Morgan returned from the original cast. In 1989, Dragnet returned to television once again. While the storylines remained pretty true to the Dragnet format, the entire cast was, of course, different with Jeff Osterhage and Bernard White playing the two plainclothed police detectives. By 1989, however, there were new police series with more excitement like the "Cops TV Show" or "America's Most Wanted" for viewers who wanted to see police officers in action.

For its first 22 episodes, Dragnet was only on the air every other week. It shared its time slot with another police series that started on the radio. Its title was, "Gangbusters".

The first episode of Dragnet, "The Human Bomb", actually appeared as a preview on a series titled, "Chesterfield Sound Off Time".

Dragnet Opening Narrative

Narrator: George Fenneman

"Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."

Episodes List With Original Air Dates

Dragnet - The First Season

1... The Human Bomb (12/16/1951)
2... The Big Actor (1/3/1952)
3... The Big Death (1/17/1952)
4... The Big Mother (1/31/1952)
5... The Big Cast (Lee Marvin) (2/14/1952)
6... The Big Speech (2/28/1952)
7... The Big Parrot (3/13/1952)
8... The Big Moody (3/27/1952)
9... The Big Blast (4/10/1952)
10. The Big Trial (4/24/1952)
11. The Big September Man (5/8/1952)
12. The Big Phone Call (5/22/1952)
13. The Big Casing (6/5/1952)
14. The Big Lamp (6/19/1952)

Dragnet - The Second Season

15. The Big Jump (9/11/1952)
16. The Big Sorrow (9/25/1952)
17. The Big Elevator (10/9/1952)
18. The Big Seventeen (11/6/1952)
19. The Big Trio (11/20/1952)
20. The Big Imposter (12/4/1952)
21. .22 Rifle For Christmas (12/18/1952)
22. The Big Cop (1/1/1953)
23. The Big Grandma (1/8/1953)
24. The Big Whiff (Lee Marvin) (1/15/1953)
25. The Big Show (1/22/1953)
26. The Big Safe (Aaron Spelling) (1/29/1953)
27. The Big Church (2/5/1953)
28. The Big Hate (2/12/1953)
29. The Big Shakedown (2/19/1953)
30. The Big Rose (2/26/1953)
31. The Big Building (3/5/1953)
32. The Big Run (3/12/1953)
33. The Big Break (3/19/1953)
34. The Big Light (3/26/1953)
35. The Big Waiter (4/2/1953)
36. The Big Test (4/9/1953)
37. The Big Lay-Out (4/16/1953)
38. The Big Fire (Aaron Spelling) (4/23/1953)
39. The Big Ray (4/30/1953)
40. The Big Frank (5/7/1953)
41. The Big Lease (5/14/1953)
42. The Big Hands (5/21/1953)
43. The Big Fourth (5/28/1953)
44. The Big Market (6/4/1953)
45. The Big Friend (6/11/1953)
46. The Big Barrette (6/18/1953)
47. The Big Dance (6/25/1953)

Dragnet - The Third Season

48. The Big White Rat (9/3/1953)
49. The Big Revolt (9/10/1953)
50. The Big Bull (9/17/1953)
51. The Big Betty (9/24/1953)
52. The Big Sophmore (10/1/1953)
53. The Big Pill (10/8/1953)
54. The Big Lie (10/15/1953)
55. The Big Fake (10/22/1953)
56. The Big Dream (10/29/1953)
57. The Big Guilt (11/5/1953)
58. The Big Will (11/12/1953)
59. The Big In-Laws (11/19/1953)
60. The Big Lilly (11/26/1953)
61. The Big Kill (12/3/1953)
62. The Big Lover (12/10/1953)
63. The Big Thief (12/17/1953)
64. The Big Little Jesus (12/24/1953)
65. The Big Eavesdrop (12/31/1953)
66. The Big Trunk (1/7/1954)
67. The Big Youngster (1/14/1954)
68. The Big Boys (Leonard Nimoy) (1/21/1954)
69. The Big Ham (1/28/1954)
70. The Big Chance (2/4/1954)
71. The Big Children (2/11/1954)
72. The Big Poison (2/18/1954)
73. The Big Quack (2/25/1954)
74. The Big Winchester (Fess Parker) (3/4/1954)
75. The Big Shoplift (3/11/1954)
76. The Big Hit-Run Killer (3/18/1954)
77. The Big Drink (Claude Akins) (3/25/1954)
78. The Big Girl (4/1/1954)
79. The Big Mattress (Claude Akins) (4/8/1954)
80. The Big Pug (Aaron Spelling) (4/15/1954)
81. The Big Frame (4/22/1954)
82. The Big Plant (Dennis Weaver) (4/29/1954)
83. The Big Check (5/6/1954)
84. The Big Threat (5/13/1954)
85. The Big Dare (5/20/1954)
86. The Big False Make (5/27/1954)

Dragnet - The Fourth Season

87. The Big Producer (Martin Milner) (8/26/1954)
88. The Big Fraud (9/2/1954)
89. The Big Crime (9/9/1954)
90. The Big Pair (9/16/1954)
91. The Big Escape (9/23/1954)
92. The Big Kid (9/30/1954)
93. The Big Missing (10/7/1954)
94. The Big Bar (Dennis Weaver) (10/14/1954)
95. The Big Present (Dennis Weaver) (10/21/1954)
96. The Big Gangster - Part 1 (10/28/1954)
97. The Big Gangster - Part 2 (11/4/1954)
98. The Big New Years (Aaron Spelling) (11/11/1954)
99. The Big Want Ad (11/18/1954)
100. The Big Affair (11/25/1954)
101. The Big Bible (Dennis Weaver) (12/2/1954)
102. The Big Bundle (12/9/1954)
103. The Big Office (12/16/1954)
104. The Big Rod (12/30/1954)
105. The Big Rescue (1/6/1955)
106. The Big Family (1/13/1955)
107. The Big Shock (1/20/1955)
108. The Big Screen (Dennis Weaver) (1/27/1955)
109. The Big TV (2/3/1955)
110. The Big Dog (2/10/1955)
111. The Big Underground (2/17/1955)
112. The Big Key (2/24/1955)
113. The Big Mailman (3/3/1955)
114. The Big Customer (3/10/1955)
115. The Big Tar Baby (3/17/1955)
116. The Big Number (3/24/1955)
117. The Big Mask (3/31/1955)
118. The Big Sucker (4/7/1955)
119. The Big Mustache (4/14/1955)
120. The Big Heel (4/21/1955)
121. The Big Gone (4/28/1955)
122. The Big Student (5/5/1955)
123. The Big Watch (5/12/1955)
124. The Big Dig (5/19/1955)
125. The Big Mug (5/26/1955)

Dragnet - The Fifth Season

126. The Big Pipe (9/1/1955)
127. The Big Chet (9/8/1955)
128. The Big No Rain (9/15/1955)
129. The Big Lift (9/22/1955)
130. The Big Confession (Aaron Spelling) (9/29/1955)
131. The Big Gap (10/6/1955)
132. The Big Look (10/13/1955)
133. The Big Glasses (10/20/1955)
134. The Big Bird (10/27/1955)
135. The Big Laugh (11/3/1955)
136. The Big Smoke (11/10/1955)
137. The Big Bounce (11/17/1955)
138. The Big Shot (11/24/1955)
139. The Big Locker (12/1/1955)
140. The Big Note (12/8/1955)
141. The Big Genius (12/15/1955)
142. The Big Reminisce (12/29/1955)
143. The Big Tour (1/5/1956)
144. The Big Sisters (1/12/1956)
145. The Big Ruling (1/19/1956)
146. The Big Fall Guy (1/26/1956)
147. The Big Set (2/2/1956)
148. The Big Child (2/9/1956)
149. The Big Slug (2/16/1956)
150. The Big Daughter (2/23/1956)
151. The Big No Suicide (3/1/1956)
152. The Big Siege (3/8/1956)
153. The Big Mama (3/15/1956)
154. The Big Revision (3/22/1956)
155. The Big Ex-Blonde (3/29/1956)
156. The Big Bobo (4/5/1956)
157. The Big Rush (4/12/1956)
158. The Big Setup (4/19/1956)
159. The Big Deal (4/26/1956)
160. The Big Wish (5/3/1956)
161. The Big Hat (5/10/1956)
162. The Big Housemaid (5/17/1956)
163. The Big Gift (5/24/1956)
164. The Big Salvage (5/31/1956)

Dragnet - The Sixth Season

165. The Big Cat (9/27/1956)
166. The Big Missus (10/11/1956)
167. The Big Beer (10/18/1956)
168. The Big Net (10/25/1956)
169. The Big Convetible (11/1/1956)
170. The Big Limp (11/8/1956)
171. The Big Tattoo (11/15/1956)
172. The Big Odd (11/22/1956)
173. The Big Bill (11/29/1956)
174. The Big Search (12/6/1956)
175. The Big Talk (12/13/1956)
176. The Big Doting Mother (12/20/1956)
177. The Big Handcuffs (12/27/1956)
178. The Big Father (1/3/1957)
179. The Big Switch (1/10/1957)
180. The Big Steal (1/17/1957)
181. The Big Manikin (1/24/1957)
182. The Big No Tooth (1/31/1957)
183. The Big Skip (2/7/1957)
184. The Big Fin (2/14/1957)
185. The Big Game (2/21/1957)
186. The Big Coins (2/28/1957)
187. The Big Close (3/7/1957)
188. The Big Tie (3/14/1957)
189. The Big Cup (3/21/1957)
190. The Big Truck (3/28/1957)
191. The Big Saint (4/4/1957)
192. The Big Match (4/11/1957)
193. The Big Help (4/18/1957)
194. The Big Celebration (4/25/1957)
195. The Big Cry Baby (5/2/1957)
196. The Big Lesson (5/9/1957)
197. The Big Soldier (5/16/1957)
198. The Big Make (5/23/1957)

Dragnet - The Seventh Season

199. The Big Constitution (9/26/1957)
200. The Big Candy Box (10/3/1957)
201. The Big Button (10/10/1957)
202. The Big Yak (10/17/1957)
203. The Big Howard (10/24/1957)
204. The Big Tomato Cans (10/31/1957)
205. The Big Dip (11/7/1957)
206. The Big License Plates (11/14/1957)
207. The Big Blank (11/21/1957)
208. The Big Tease (11/28/1957)
209. The Big Love (12/5/1957)
210. The Big Red Wagon (12/12/1957)
211. The Big Prescription (12/19/1957)
212. The Big Full Moon (12/26/1957)
213. The Big Jade (1/2/1958)
214. The Big Tip (1/9/1958)
215. The Big Stubby (1/16/1958)
216. The Big Baby Face (1/23/1958)
217. The Big Lip (1/30/1958)
218. The Big Boot (2/13/1958)
219. The Big Rip (2/20/1958)
220. The Big Excuse (2/27/1958)
221. The Big Knot (3/6/1958)
222. The Big Hobby (3/13/1958)
223. The Big Organizer (3/20/1958)
224. The Big Gent (3/27/1958)
225. The Big Wardrobe (4/3/1958)
226. The Big War (4/10/1958)
227. The Big Bad Count (4/17/1958)
228. The Big Evans (4/24/1958)
229. The Big Pack Rat (5/1/1958)
230. The Big Honeymoon (5/8/1958)
231. The Big Eyes (05/15/1958)
232. The Big Cracker Box (5/22/1958)
233. The Big Perfume Bottle (5/29/1958)
234. The Big Bed (6/5/1958)
235. The Big Ruthie (6/12/1958)
236. The Big Grifter (6/19/1958)
237. The Big Irony (6/26/1958)

Dragnet - The Eighth Season

238. The Big Beating (9/23/1958)
239. The Big Sweet Annie (9/30/1958)
240. The Big Star (10/7/1958)
241. The Big Oskar (10/14/1958)
242. The Big Little Boy (10/21/1958)
243. The Big Voice (10/28/1958)
244. The Big Juke Box (11/4/1958)
245. The Big Doll (11/11/1958)
246. The Big Border (11/18/1958)
247. The Big Nazi (11/25/1958)
248. The Big Hot Rod (12/2/1958)
249. The Big Green Monkey (12/9/1958)
250. The Big Hype (12/16/1958)
251. The Big Maria (12/23/1958)
252. The Big Donation (12/30/1958)
253. The Big Malcolm (1/6/1959)
254. The Big Smart Girl (1/13/1959)
255. The Big Doctor (1/20/1959)
256. The Big Signet (1/27/1959)
257. The Big Accident (2/3/1959)
258. The Big Mail (2/10/1959)
259. The Big Sour (2/17/1959)
260. The Big Roll (2/24/1959)
261. The Big Thirteen (3/10/1959)
262. The Big Starlet (3/17/1959)
263. The Big Holdup (3/24/1959)
264. The Big Name (Leonard Nimoy) (3/31/1959)
265. The Big Couple (4/7/1959)
266. The Big Squeeze (4/14/1959)
267. The Big Picture (4/21/1959)
268. The Big Carnation (4/28/1959)
269. The Big Bray (7/7/1959)
270. The Big Byron (7/12/1959)
271. The Big Infant (7/19/1959)
272. The Big Appetite (7/26/1959)
273. The Big Operator (8/2/1959)
274. The Big .38 (8/9/1959)
275. The Big Counterfeit (8/16/1959)

Theatrical Films:

Dragnet (2/2/2003) - Starring Ed O'Neill ("Married With Children") and Ethan Embry ("Freakylinks" and "Work With Me")

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