Advertise on podcast: The Great Detectives Present Dragnet (Old Time Radio)

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate the robbery of an elderly diamond dealer who was lured to a hotel room and assaulted by a seemingly respectable businessman. With more than $150,000 in diamonds missing, the detectives struggle to locate the thief until a suspect is caught attempting to sell some of the stolen stones. However, the suspect's unusual appetite for fine dining complicates their efforts to uncover the truth. Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 7, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday Vic Perrin as Sergeant Frank Smith Herb Ellis Vic Rodman John Robinson — writer Walter Schumann — music Hal Gibney — announcer Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day:Daniel, Patreon supporter since August 2024. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Two armed bandits rob a Los Angeles café, leaving the elderly owner brutally beaten and one suspect wounded. Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, pursue the fugitive, but a promising lead falls apart when the victims fail to identify their suspect. Then a treasured diamond signet ring offers a new clue—and the robber’s own mistakes may be the key to bringing him to justice. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 31, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast:Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday Herb Ellis as Sgt. Frank Smith Vic Perrin Virginia Gregg Harry Bartell Ralph Moody Jim Moser, writer Walter Schumann, music Technical advice from the office of Chief W.H. Parker Captain Jack Donahoe, Sgt. Marty Wynn, and Sgt. Vance Brasher, technical advisors Hal Gibney, announcer Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Cheryl, a Patreon supporter since May 2022 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate the death of a 52-year-old music teacher whose body is discovered in an abandoned freight car, cradled in the arms of a young man who refuses to explain what happened. When the young man finally confesses to killing her, the detectives struggle to understand why he would murder a woman he claims to have loved deeply and who had devoted years to nurturing his musical ambitions. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 10, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday Herb Ellis as Sgt. Frank Smith Vic Perrin Harry Bartell Joyce McCluskey Jim Moser, writer Walter Schumann, music Technical advice from the office of Chief W.H. Parker Captain Jack Donahoe, Sgt. Marty Wynn, and Sgt. Vance Brasher, technical advisors George Fenneman, announcer Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day:Dolly, Patreon supporter since November 2025. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: On the eve of the Fourth of July weekend, Joe Friday and Frank Smith are assigned to Accident Investigation and confront the devastating consequences of reckless driving when a 16-year-old takes his father’s car on a high-speed ride through Los Angeles. As the holiday begins, a succession of traffic calls illustrates how quickly carelessness, alcohol, and poor judgment can turn an ordinary drive into tragedy. Original Radio Broadcast Date: July 3, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe FridayHerb Ellis as Frank SmithVic PerrinStacy HarrisVic RodmanJim Moser, writerWalter Schumann, musicTechnical advice from the office of Chief W.H. ParkerCaptain Jack Donahoe, Sgt. Marty Wynn, and Sgt. Vance Brasher, technical advisorsHal Gibney, announcerSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Splinator, Patreon supporter since August 2024. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate the abduction of an unidentified man from a downtown Los Angeles street. Bloodstains at the scene and an abandoned gray sedan suggest that the victim may have been seriously injured, but there are few clues to his identity or whereabouts. The investigation leads Friday and Smith through a missing car, conflicting stories, and two suspects with criminal records. As the detectives piece together the evidence, they must determine what happened to the missing man and whether he is still alive. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 26, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayBarton Yarborough as Sergeant Frank SmithSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Rebecca — Patreon supporter since August 2024 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith are assigned to narcotics detail when a drug addict is arrested carrying a supply of high-grade heroin. The man refuses to reveal where he got the narcotics until the effects of withdrawal force him to talk. His information leads Friday and Smith to a bartender, a beer garden owner, and a larger narcotics operation that may be bringing European heroin into Los Angeles. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 19, 1952. Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayBarton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben RomeroSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Mirth, Patreon supporter since February 2021 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Bill Lockwood investigate a group of confidence men posing as authorized solicitors for legitimate charities and pocketing the donations they collect. An early arrest appears promising until the suspect proves he merely copied the scheme, leaving Friday and Lockwood searching for the experienced bunco artists whose fraud is depriving charitable causes of badly needed funds. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 12, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe FridayKen Peters as Bill LockwoodVirginia GreggVic RodmanJim Moser, writerWalter Schumann, musicTechnical advice from the office of Chief W.H. ParkerCaptain Jack Donahoe, Sgt. Marty Wynn, and Sgt. Vance Brasher, technical advisorsHal Gibney, announcerSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Sergey, Patreon Supporter since May 2020 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate the death of an unidentified woman found in a vacant lot, apparently the victim of chloroform poisoning. With no identification and little evidence beyond a chloroform-soaked handkerchief, the case takes an unusual turn when a stranger walks into police headquarters and insists that he murdered her. Original Radio Broadcast Date:June 5, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe FridayHerb Ellis as Frank SmithVic PerrinGil StrattonJack KruschenScript by Jim MoserMusic by Walter SchumannTechnical advice from the office of LAPD Chief W. H. ParkerTechnical advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sgt. Marty Wynn, and Sgt. Vance BrasherHal Gibney, announcerSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Tony, Patreon Supporter since March 2023 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate a disturbing series of infant abductions in which babies disappear from the same general neighborhood, only to be found unharmed within a day. With no clear motive and few useful clues, the detectives devise a decoy operation while searching for the person responsible before another child disappears. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 29, 1952. Originating from Hollywood Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Martin Milner as Detective Bill Lockwood Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate a bookmaker’s claim that a police officer has been demanding weekly payments in exchange for allowing him to operate. But when no one matching the man’s name or description can be found in law-enforcement records, Friday and Smith begin searching for an extortionist who may not be a policeman at all. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 22, 1952 Originating from HollywoodCast: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayHerb Ellis as Frank SmithAlso featuring Vic Rodman and June WhitleyScript by Jim MoserMusic by Walter SchumannTechnical advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance BrasherSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Today's Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his new partner, Frank Smith, investigate the armed robbery of a U.S. mail truck carrying registered mail. The three-man gang escapes with 28 sacks, leaving police with little to work with beyond a stolen getaway car, a first name, and one robber’s distinctive voice. .Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 24, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayHerb Ellis as Frank SmithAlso featuring Vic Perrin and Inga HollisScript by Jim MoserMusic by Walter SchumannTechnical advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance BrasherSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day:Alan, Patreon supporter since February 2024. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of ourfriends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Bill Lockwood investigate a professional gambling ring that keeps its games moving from place to place. A tip finally gives police the opportunity they've been waiting for, but what begins as a vice investigation suddenly becomes a far more serious case. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 8, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayMartin Milner as Officer Bill LockwoodAlso featuring Eddie Firestone and Whit ConnorScript by Jim MoserMusic by Walter SchumannTechnical advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance BrasherSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Lovingly, Patreon supporter since November 2024. Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his temporary partner investigate a string of expertly planned safe burglaries that has baffled the Los Angeles Police Department for months. After eliminating one suspect after another, a seemingly minor lead from a neighborhood repair shop finally gives the detectives the break they've been waiting for. Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 1, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Cast: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday Harry Bartell Stacey Harris Jack Kruschen Script by Jim Moser Music by Walter Schumann Technical advice from the Office of Chief of Police, W. H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical advisors: Captain Jack Donohoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance Brasher Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jeffrey, Patreon Supporter since October2023 Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net. Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives

Today's Mystery:Joe Friday and Bill Lockwood investigate the body of an unidentified woman which has been found abandoned in a hospital elevator. With no obvious cause of death and only a mysterious phone call to point them in the right direction, the detectives race to determine whether they're dealing with murder—or something entirely different. Original Radio Broadcast: April 24, 1952 Originating from Hollywood Starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero's successor, Bill Lockwood Also featuring Martin Milner, Vic Perrin, and Gwen DelanoScript by Jim MoserMusic by Walter Schumann Technical advice from the Office of Chief of Police, W. H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department, with technical advisors Captain Jack Donohoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance Brasher Support the podcast monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Damien, Patreon supporter since March 2024 Support the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to:Adam Graham PO Box 15913 Boise, ID 83715 Take our listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call: 208-991-4783 Follow us on Instagram at https://instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter/X at https://twitter.com/radiodetectives Join us again next time for another case from the files of Dragnet.

Today's Mystery: An experienced confidence man returns to Los Angeles with the same polished investment scam, cheating trusting victims out of thousands of dollars. As Sergeant Joe Friday begins breaking in a new partner, the detectives race to stop the swindler before he can disappear with another fortune. Original Radio Broadcast: April 17, 1952 Originating in Hollywood Starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday.Also featuring Martin Milner as Officer Bill Lockwood, Marian Richman, and Vic Rodman. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Patreon Supporter of the Day: Pam, Patreon supporter since February 2024. Support the show on a one-time basis at support.greatdetectives.net Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.net Give us a call: 208-991-4783 Become one of our friends on Facebook at facebook.com/radiodetectives Follow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives Follow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectives