Dragnet

Watch Dragnet

  • TV-14
  • 1967
  • 4 Seasons
  • 7.5  (2,332)

Dragnet is an American police procedural television series that aired on the NBC network from 1951 to 1959. The show was created and produced by Jack Webb, who also starred as the protagonist, the no-nonsense, deadpan LAPD detective, Sergeant Joe Friday. The show's title was derived from the word "drag," which was police slang at the time for an investigation or an interrogation.

The show's format was modeled after police procedural radio dramas of the era, and each episode featured a complete, self-contained story that focused on an actual police case. The show's writers worked closely with the LAPD to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of each story, and the show was known for its realistic depiction of police work.

Throughout its eight-year run, Dragnet tackled a wide range of issues and crimes, from juvenile delinquency and drug abuse to murder and organized crime. Its stories were often taken from real-life cases, and the show's use of actual LAPD officers and officials as consultants and guest stars added to its authenticity.

Dragnet was also known for its distinctive visual style. The show was shot on location in Los Angeles, and the production team extensively used the city's streets, buildings, and landmarks as a backdrop. The show's editing was also notable, with quick cuts and close-ups creating a sense of urgency and tension.

The show's popularity led to a number of spin-offs and adaptations, including a radio show, a feature film, and a number of new TV series with varying degrees of success. However, the original Dragnet remains a classic of the police procedural genre, and its influence can be seen in countless TV shows and movies that followed.

One of the main reasons for the show's popularity was its protagonist, Sergeant Joe Friday. Webb's portrayal of Friday was stoic and unemotional, but also dedicated, intelligent, and compassionate. Friday was a role model for many viewers, and his catchphrase, "Just the facts, ma'am," became a cultural touchstone.

Despite its realistic portrayal of police work, Dragnet was not without controversy. The show's focus on law and order and its portrayal of criminals as one-dimensional villains led to criticism from some quarters that it was overly simplistic and even propaganda. However, the show's popularity and influence cannot be denied.

Overall, Dragnet was a groundbreaking and influential TV show that set the standard for police procedurals. Its use of actual police cases, its gritty visual style, and its iconic protagonist made it a classic of the genre.

Dragnet is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (115 episodes). The series first aired on January 12, 1967.

Dragnet
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Seasons
The Big War
28. The Big War
April 13, 2016
Friday and Smith crack down on teenage gangs. *This originally aired as: Season 7, Episode 28*
D.H.Q. - The Victims
26. D.H.Q. - The Victims
April 16, 1970
It's another long day at the fair as Friday and Gannon investigate a series of crimes including two homicides, an armed robbery, and a purse-snatching.
Burglary - Baseball
25. Burglary - Baseball
April 9, 1970
Friday and Gannon track down a safecracker who inexplicably left his calling card at the scene of the crime.
Robbery - The Harassing Wife
24. Robbery - The Harassing Wife
April 2, 1970
A bitter ex-wife blames her ex-convict former husband for a series of armed robberies.
I.A.D. - The Receipt
23. I.A.D. - The Receipt
March 26, 1970
A woman accuses two detectives of stealing $800 from a dead man. Friday and Gannon investigate.
D.H.Q. - Night School
22. D.H.Q. - Night School
March 19, 1970
At his nightschool psychology class, Friday is forced to arrest a classmate for possession of marijuana. He's then accused of violating class trust and the professor puts the question of his continued attendance to a vote.
Forgery - The Ranger
21. Forgery - The Ranger
March 12, 1970
Friday and Gannon interrogate an impostor who poses as a forest ranger and swipes credit cards as well.
Missing Persons - The Body
20. Missing Persons - The Body
March 5, 1970
Friday and Gannon have only two slim clues with which to identify the body of a young woman found under a pier in the Venice section of Los Angeles: a wad of paper and a distinctive ring.
Burglary - The Dognappers
19. Burglary - The Dognappers
February 26, 1970
Friday and Gannon track down a duo of thieves who steal dogs out of parked cars and then return them to their owners for rewards.
Narco - Pill Maker
18. Narco - Pill Maker
February 19, 1970
Friday and Gannon try to track down a drug lab that's churning out illicit pills.
A.I.D. - The Weekend
17. A.I.D. - The Weekend
February 12, 1970
When his wife travels to San Diego for the weekend, Gannon invites Friday to stayover at his home for some rest and relaxation.
Burglary - The Son
16. Burglary - The Son
February 5, 1970
The culprit in the burglary of an upper middle-class home is a major shocker to all concerned.
Homicide - Who Killed Who?
15. Homicide - Who Killed Who?
January 29, 1970
Friday and Gannon answer a homicide call at an apartment building and find two dead bodies, a wounded manager, and a shot out TV set.
Burglary - Helpful Woman
14. Burglary - Helpful Woman
January 22, 1970
Friday and Gannon's next target is a woman who chooses elderly people as her marks in an unusual theft scheme.
Narco - Missing Hype
13. Narco - Missing Hype
January 8, 1970
Friday and Gannon search for a young parolee feared to be using heroin again.
Bunco - $9,000
12. Bunco - $9,000
December 11, 1969
Friday and Gannon have two tasks: 1. Find the swindler who cheated an old vaudevillian out of $9,000 he found on the street, and 2. Locate the rightful owner of the money.
Burglary Auto - Juvenile Genius
11. Burglary Auto - Juvenile Genius
December 4, 1969
Friday and Gannon probe a series of business burglaries and discover that the mastermind behind them is a juvenile.
Internal Affairs - Parolee
10. Internal Affairs - Parolee
November 27, 1969
Friday and Gannon retrace a 14 year old investigation to determine whether felony charges can still be brought against a prisoner in a Colorado correctional institution who's up for parole.
Burglary Auto - Courtroom
9. Burglary Auto - Courtroom
November 20, 1969
Friday and Gannon testify against three car thieves in court but the State's case is put in jeopardy when the appearance of its key witness is unexpectedly delayed.
D.H.Q. - Missing Person
8. D.H.Q. - Missing Person
November 13, 1969
Friday and Gannon's search for a missing juvenile takes them to such varied locations as a high school, a fashion salon, an optometrist's office, and a psychiatrist's office.
Homicide - Cigarette Butt
7. Homicide - Cigarette Butt
October 30, 1969
The smoking habits of a homicide victim yield an important clue as to the identity of his killer.
Juvenile - The Little Pusher
6. Juvenile - The Little Pusher
October 23, 1969
Friday and Gannon try to track down the pusher who's been supplying narcotics to a junior high.
Burglary - Mister
5. Burglary - Mister
October 16, 1969
Friday and Gannon deal with a scumbag named Daniel Lumis who has stolen goods from his blind grandmother-in-law's house, forged checks, jumped bail, and committed bigamy
D.H.Q. - Medical
4. D.H.Q. - Medical
October 9, 1969
Friday and Gannon work out of the county hospital's emergency ward where they deal with cases involving a mentally ill man, a dying assault victim, an elderly man with a memory lapse, and a man who brought a dead woman to the hospital.
S.I.U. - The Ring
3. S.I.U. - The Ring
October 2, 1969
Friday and Gannon track down a burglary suspect and uncover $25,000 worth of loot hidden in an unlikely spot.
Homicide - The Student
2. Homicide - The Student
September 25, 1969
The main suspect in a double killing is an 18 year old college student who is an ardent reader of French literature.
Personnel - The Shooting
1. Personnel - The Shooting
September 18, 1969
After two uniformed patrolmen are shot by bandits, Friday and Gannon try to make the waiting hours easier for their wives in the hospital emergency ward.
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 Amazon Prime, Amazon, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    January 12, 1967
  • IMDB Rating
    7.5  (2,332)