Dragnet

Premiering on September 8, 1966, this seminal science fiction series boldly went where no series had gone before, laying the groundwork for a multi-billion dollar multimedia franchise.

In 1964, Gene Roddenberry, a veteran of episodic television, having sold scripts to shows such as The Virginian, Have Gun, Will Travel, and Dragnet, drafted a pinch for a brand new sci-fi TV series.

For the record, Roddenberry never wrote for Wagon Train.

Before finding a home on NBC, Roddenberry produced an initial pilot episode titled The Cage in 1964, starring Geoffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike.

Grainger, for the ones who get it done.

Welcome to the Old Tom Dragnet Show.

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, bringing you another episode as we start off a new month, new quarter.

I encourage you once again to please cast your vote for the show at Podcast Alley.

Lee Herman.

Thanks, Lee.

Love the Dragnet podcast.

Has to be my absolute favorite.

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham.

In a moment, we are going to bring you a special honoring the late great Peggy Webber in one of my favorite episodes of Dragnet ever.

But first, I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.

Well, as I mentioned on Thursday, Peggy Webber passed away on August 15th at the age of 100.

And while she did a lot of radio, probably her contributions to Dragnet are the most famous.

She was associated with Jack Webb for a long time.

In fact, she appeared in every season of the 1960s Dragnet TV show.

And the full extent of her contribution to the radio program may never be fully known due to her vocal elasticity and the way that her characters didn't all sound the same or all sound like her natural speaking voice.

Today, Theater Guild on the Air returns for the fall season on NBC with a special dramatization of The Wisteria Trees, co-starring Helen Hayes and Joseph Cotton.

Later, Dragnet, the authentic stories of your police force in action, begins a new series of Sunday evening broadcasts.

On Tuesday, NBC's own Red Skelton returns to the fold to bring you 30 minutes of his hilarious antics.

And the same day, Tuesday, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis also begin a new series on the NBC radio network.

Thursday evening, you'll find Truth or Consequences on a new day at a new time, too.

So better check your local newspaper for the correct time of all these wonderful programs on this NBC station.

Remember, today, hear both Theater Guild on the air, co-starring Helen Hayes and Joseph Cotton, and Dragnet for action-packed listening on NBC.

Now, today's Tales of the Texas Rangers.

We are with Robert Fuller.

Uh, Robert Fuller was offered the opportunity to perform and play in Emergency! by Jack Webb of Dragnet fame, and, uh, producer of Adam-12, and many other things.

And once again, uh, Robert Fuller said, "No, I'm not, not interested." I'm dying to know, what did Jack Webb say to you during those two hours to convince you to do something that's, uh, you know, Emergency!, that would be something new for you in your career?

I, uh, my agent called me one afternoon and said, uh, "Listen, Jack Webb has got a new series going in.

Yeah, VR.5. That was, that was a strange one.

But Project UFO was, was interesting because it was, um, it was put together by, uh, by the same guy who did Dragnet, whose name completely escapes me-

[laughs]

... at this moment.

Oh, shoot.

Dragnet guy.

I just want to say Joe Friday, and I know, I know that's not it.

But, but it's, it's basically Dragnet with the Air Force and flying saucers instead of cops and, and kids, you know, committing various juvenile offenses.

Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

NBC brings you Dragnet.

You're a detective sergeant.

You're assigned to homicide.

The weapon, a steel bludgeon.

Your job is to get him.

Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime investigated and solved by the men who unrelentingly stand watch on the security of your home, your family, and your life.

For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from official police files.

A ransom demand for $30,000 arrives in the case of Judith Sullivan, the 22-year-old daughter of a bank vice president.

Tonight, Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and Sergeant Ben Romero of the homicide detail follow the trail in Dragnet, Episode 15, Sullivan Kidnapping the Wolf.

Jack Webb stars as Friday with Barton Yarborough as Romero.

Raymond Burr is heard as Chief of Detectives Ed Backstrand.

[dramatic music] Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true.

Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

NBC brings you Dragnet.

[dramatic music] You're a detective sergeant.