Dragnet

Watch Dragnet

  • TV-14
  • 1951
  • 8 Seasons
  • 7.5  (2,332)

Dragnet was an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC from 1951 to 1959. Created by Jack Webb and Richard L. Breen, the show followed the working life of Los Angeles police detective Sergeant Joe Friday, played by Jack Webb, and his partner Sergeant Ben Romero, played by Barton Yarborough, and later by Barney Phillips.

The show was the first of its kind, using a quasi-documentary style that focused on the procedure of police work. Each episode was based on a real police case, with the names and locations changed to protect the innocent. The show’s focus on police procedure and its use of real cases helped to make the show popular with audiences and influential on crime dramas that came afterwards.

Dragnet was a show that emphasized realism in both its stories and performances. Jack Webb's character, Joe Friday, was often shown as being methodical, patient, and diligent in his work. He didn’t show much emotion and was always focused on finding the truth. Webb’s portrayal of Friday was hailed as revolutionary for its time, with his monotone delivery becoming a defining characteristic of both the show and Webb's career.

The show was also notable for its use of actual police officers and technicians as extras, giving the show an even more authentic feel. Alongside the main cast, officers and technicians from the Los Angeles Police Department would often appear on the show. That authenticity was part of what made the show so popular with audiences.

In addition to Jack Webb and Barton Yarborough, Dragnet also starred Ben Alexander as Friday's partner Ben Romero. George Fenneman was the show’s announcer, providing voice-overs to set up the episode and to introduce and conclude each story. The show was known for its sparse soundtrack, with most scenes played without any background music.

The show’s influence on the crime genre cannot be overstated. Its use of a strict format and its dedication to realism set the standard for future crime shows. The influence of Dragnet can be seen in shows such as Law & Order and CSI. It was also influential in shaping the way that police work was portrayed on television.

Despite its strict format, the show was still able to address topical issues of the time. Episodes dealing with drug use and juvenile delinquency were particularly popular with audiences. However, the show was also criticized for its portrayal of women, who were often shown as either victims or secretaries.

Dragnet was a show that was both popular and influential. Its distinctive style and emphasis on realism made it a classic of the police procedural genre. Its use of real cases and its focus on police procedure helped to make the show both educational and entertaining. Today, Dragnet is remembered as a groundbreaking show that set the standard for crime dramas that followed.

Dragnet is a series that is currently running and has 8 seasons (279 episodes). The series first aired on December 16, 1951.

Dragnet
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Seasons
The Big Red
39. The Big Red
August 23, 1959
In the series finale, Friday and Smith once again investigate a series of robberies.
The Big Counterfeit
38. The Big Counterfeit
August 16, 1959
Friday and Smith set out to stop a phony police officer who's asking for donations from his victims for the police widows and orphans fund.
The Big .38
37. The Big .38
August 9, 1959
Cabbies are the victims of a series of robberies but their descriptions of the suspects don't match.
The Big Operator
36. The Big Operator
August 2, 1959
Cab drivers are being held up, but the descriptions given by the victims don't match.
The Big Appetite
35. The Big Appetite
July 26, 1959
Friday and Smith track a burglar who breaks into homes and businesses to steal gourmet food items.
The Big Infant
34. The Big Infant
July 19, 1959
Friday and Smith's investigation of a stolen car - containing a sleeping baby - leads them to two juvenile suspects.
The Big Byron
33. The Big Byron
July 12, 1959
Friday and Smith investigate whether or not someone attempted to kill a man.
The Big Bray
32. The Big Bray
July 7, 1959
Friday and Smith investigate a the death of a woman found beaten in her car, and suspect that her husband is somehow involved.
The Big Carnation
31. The Big Carnation
April 28, 1959
Friday and Smith hunt "The Carnation Kid," a suspect in a series of hotel burglaries.
The Big Picture
30. The Big Picture
April 21, 1959
A young girl commits suicide after she's tricked into prostitution by procurers posing as talent agents.
The Big Squeeze
29. The Big Squeeze
April 14, 1959
A blackmail victim refuses to pay his blackmailer so he's beaten and robbed.
The Big Couple
28. The Big Couple
April 7, 1959
Friday and Smith go after husband and wife con artists.
The Big Name
27. The Big Name
March 31, 1959
The only clue to a murder investigated by Friday is the tape on a knife handle.
The Big Holdup
26. The Big Holdup
March 24, 1959
Friday and Smith go after a robber nicknamed the Rattlesnake Bandit.
The Big Starlet
25. The Big Starlet
March 17, 1959
Friday investigates a young starlet under suspicion of check forgery.
The Big Thirteen
24. The Big Thirteen
March 10, 1959
An elderly couple are beaten and robbed. The key to finding the bandits lies in a paper boy and an alert bartender.
The Big Roll
23. The Big Roll
February 24, 1959
An elderly man reports a loss of money to the LAPD, then subsequently denies making the report. Friday and Smith must investigate.
The Big Sour
22. The Big Sour
February 17, 1959
A paper boy and a bartender are the keys to finding the suspects who beat and robbed an elderly couple.
The Big Mailman
21. The Big Mailman
February 10, 1959
Friday and a postal inspector try to nab a gang using the mail to scam their victims.
The Big Accident
20. The Big Accident
February 3, 1959
An insurance adjuster files a report with Friday about fraudulent insurance claims.
The Big Signet
19. The Big Signet
January 27, 1959
Friday and Smith are after a man selling forged passports.
The Big Doctor
18. The Big Doctor
January 20, 1959
A doctor making fraudulent insurance claims is the latest quarry of Friday and Smith.
The Big Smart Girl
17. The Big Smart Girl
January 13, 1959
Friday and Smith investigate a series of robberies in fashionable homes.
The Big Malcolm
16. The Big Malcolm
January 6, 1959
Friday and Smith investigate a criminal gang that preys on all-night restaurants.
The Big Donation
15. The Big Donation
December 30, 1958
On bunco detail again, Friday and Smith go after con artists selling phony magazine subscriptions.
The Big Maria
14. The Big Maria
December 23, 1958
Friday and Smith investigate the death of a woman found murdered in a churchyard on Christmas Eve.
The Big Hype
13. The Big Hype
December 16, 1958
Friday attempts to track down a heroin pusher.
The Big Green Monkey
12. The Big Green Monkey
December 9, 1958
Friday and Smith try to retrieve a woman's stolen jade collection.
The Big Hot Rod
11. The Big Hot Rod
December 2, 1958
A gang of teens are swiping expensive sports cars.
The Big Nazi
10. The Big Nazi
November 25, 1958
Friday is assigned to undercover detail in order to nab a murderous neo-Nazi.
The Big Border
9. The Big Border
November 18, 1958
Friday and Smith pursue two escaped convicts across the Mexican border.
The Big Doll
8. The Big Doll
November 11, 1958
As Friday and Smith investigate a woman's death, they are disturbed to find that her daughter is more interested in discussing her collection of dolls.
The Big Jukebox
7. The Big Jukebox
November 4, 1958
Friday goes undercover as a bar owner to smash an illegal jukebox racket.
The Big Voice
6. The Big Voice
October 28, 1958
Friday and Smith are after a gang of hoods in this episode.
The Big Little Boy
5. The Big Little Boy
October 21, 1958
It's a missing persons case for Friday and Smith who search for a child.
The Big Oskar
4. The Big Oskar
October 14, 1958
A man steals worthless objects from a woman and gets Friday and Smith on his trail.
The Big Star
3. The Big Star
October 7, 1958
Another day, another robbery case for Friday and Smith.
The Big Sweet Annie
2. The Big Sweet Annie
September 30, 1958
Friday and Smith go after a seemingly mild and innocent con woman known as Sweet Annie.
The Big Beating
1. The Big Beating
September 23, 1958
Friday and Smith investigate a report of a man physically abusing his wife.
Description
Where to Watch Dragnet
Dragnet is available for streaming on the NBC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Dragnet on demand at Philo, FuboTV, Crackle, Tubi TV and Pluto TV.
  • Premiere Date
    December 16, 1951
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (2,332)
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