Ep 29. The Big Trunk

The Big Trunk is an episode from the first season of the popular television series, Dragnet. This show is a crime drama that first aired in 1951 and has since become a classic in the genre. Dragnet follows the investigations of two detectives, Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Frank Smith, as they solve crimes in Los Angeles.

In this episode, The Big Trunk, a man walking his dog stumbles upon a large trunk in the bushes. When he opens it, he is horrified to find the dismembered body of a woman inside. The detectives are called to the scene and begin to investigate the murder.

The detectives begin their investigation by checking missing persons reports and interviewing people in the surrounding area. They encounter many dead ends and misleading clues along the way. For example, they find a receipt for a train ticket, but when they investigate the name on the ticket, it turns out to be a fake.

Eventually, the detectives are able to identify the victim as a young woman who had recently moved to Los Angeles from out of state. They interview her former employer, who tells them about a man who had been stalking her. This man turns out to be the primary suspect, but when the detectives question him, he denies any involvement.

As the investigation continues, the detectives receive an anonymous letter that provides them with a new lead. They follow this lead and are able to locate the man who had actually committed the murder. He confesses to the crime and is taken into custody.

Throughout the episode, the detectives' diligent work and attention to detail are on full display. They use their knowledge and experience to systematically investigate every lead, no matter how small, and ultimately solve the case.

The Big Trunk is a classic example of the Dragnet formula, which focuses on realistic police work and the painstaking process of solving a crime. The show was highly influential and helped to establish the police procedural as a popular television genre. The show's iconic theme music, "Dum-De-Dum-Dum," is still instantly recognizable to many viewers today.

Overall, The Big Trunk is a compelling and engaging episode that showcases the strengths of the Dragnet series. The mystery is well-constructed, and the detectives' methods are methodical and meticulous. Fans of classic police procedural dramas will surely enjoy this episode and the series as a whole.