Dragnet - The Big Check (08-31-50)

The Big Check (Aired August 31, 1950)

Dragnet was a long running radio and television police procedural drama, about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners. The show takes its name from an actual police term, a Dragnet, meaning a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects. Dragnet was perhaps the most famous and influential police procedural drama in American media history. The series gave millions of Americans a feel for the boredom and drudgery, as well as the danger and heroism, of real life police work. Dragnet earned praise for improving the public opinion of police officers. Actor and producer Jack Webb's aims in Dragnet were for realism and unpretentious acting. He achieved both goals and Dragnet remains a key influence on subsequent police dramas in many media. The shows cultural impact is demonstrated by the fact that even after five decades, elements of Dragnet are known to those who have never heard nor seen the program.

THIS EPISODE:

August 31, 1950. Program #64. NBC network. "The Big Check". Sponsored by: Fatima Cigarettes. Friday and Romero track down Harry Johanson, a check forger who passes dozens of small checks...all of them bad! The program starts with Friday visiting his mother (who always calls him Joseph!). Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough. 29:14. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.