Dragnet - "Big Phone Call" (Old Time Radio, 1952)

On February 14th, 1952, NBC brought Dragnet to the air with program number 140.

Tonight's case, Big Phone Call, takes Sergeant Joe Friday and Sergeant Ed Jacobs of Los Angeles Robbery Detail into the questioning of Garvey after jewelry salesman Tom Ashley is attacked and robbed of $20,000 in precious stones.

Months of investigation have brought the detectives to the City Hall interrogation room where bank records, witness accounts, and concealed recordings become part of the inquiry.

Jack Webb stars as Joe Friday, with Barney Phillips as Ed Jacobs and Vic Perron as Garvey.

James Moser wrote the script.

We now take you back to the original broadcast.

The story you are about to hear is true.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

You're a detective sergeant.

You're assigned a robbery detail.

A jewelry salesman is slugged and robbed of $20,000 in precious stones.

After months of investigation, you finally discover the man responsible for the holdup.

You've got the evidence to prove him guilty.

Your job, bring him in.

Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime.

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 transcribed from official police files.

From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.