Dragnet is considered a classic program for a multitude of reasons. The memorable opening theme, classic lines, and dedication to detail and more have imprinted this program on American society permanently. One of the best aspects of Dragnet and the very reason for the show’s existence was its creator and star Jack Webb. Webb’s portrayal of Joe Friday takes center stage in Dragnet, Volume 6 from Radio Archives.
Jack Webb made sure that Joe Friday was a policeman that other policemen could relate to and that listeners enjoyed. Played almost to understated perfection, Friday walks listeners through every episode, unfurling the case as he sees it in stark detail. While most of his fictional peers were cracking wise on other shows, Webb took a different approach with Friday. Stripped down, essential dialogue in a tone that oftentimes bubbled with an emotional undercurrent was Friday’s trademark.
Webb also imparted a particular humanity to Joe Friday that many other fictional policemen and detective of the era lacked. He remained a bachelor for the entire run of the show, living with his mother. He showed sympathy for those who deserved it and sarcasm for those who earned it. He playfully picked on his partners. He never rushed to violence first. In essence, Joe Friday was as real a cop as a fictional one could be, thanks to Jack Webb. Dragnet, Volume 6 features Jack Webb as Joe Friday at his best and meticulously restored for your listening enjoyment.
#115 Big In-Laws
Thursday, August 23, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#116 Big Crazy
Thursday, August 30, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#117 Big Seventeen
Thursday, September 6, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#118 Big Waiter
Thursday, September 13, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#119 Big Sour
Thursday, September 20, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#120 Big September Man
Thursday, September 27, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#125 Big Lease
Thursday, November 1, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#126 Big Hit And Run Killer
Thursday, November 8, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#127 Big Bungalow
Thursday, November 15, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#128 Big Hands
Thursday, November 22, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#129 Big Affair
Thursday, November 29, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#130 Big Canary
Thursday, December 6, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#131 Big Overtime
Thursday, December 13, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#132 Twenty-Two Rifle For Christmas
Thursday, December 20, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#133 Big Sorrow
Dedicated to Barton Yarborough who dies unexpectedly
Thursday, December 27, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#134 Big Red Part 1
Thursday, January 3, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#135 Big Red Part 2
Thursday, January 10, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#136 Big Juvenile Division
Thursday, January 17, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#137 Big Court
Thursday, January 24, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
#138 Big Almost No-Show
Thursday, January 31, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Fatima Cigarettes
