Dragnet | Crime | Old Time Radio Downloads

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"Ladies and gentlemen…the story you're about to hear is true…"

Dragnet, a term which actually refers to the systematic and coordinated way searching for a wanted person, was also used to pertain to a police drama series that aired from September 1949 to February 1957 in NBC Radio. For 30 minutes per episode, the show featured real police stories in a simple, investigatory style.

The show was said to be inspired by a film called "He Walked by Night," which was released in 1948. In that film, Jack Webb, who portrayed Dragnet's main character Sergeant Joe Friday, was given a small role. Through the help of the Los Angeles Police Department, Webb was able to present true cases, which became the trademark of Dragnet. It narrates every facet of police work—from paperworks and patrols, to crime scene investigations, laboratory works, and interrogation of suspects and witnesses.

As the most popular and influential police series in the history of American media, Dragnet was able to provide its audience the impression of what a real police life could be like. It was well-liked by most radio listeners, as well as police officers. Due to its success, the series also had its television adaptation.

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

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Please enjoy these 332 old time radio episodes:

Air Date	Title	Synopsis
06.05.1952	the big whiff	+ Dragnet. June 5, 1952. Program #156. "The Big Whiff". Sponsored by: Fatima. A unidentified woman ...
06.12.1952	the big donation	+ Dragnet. June 12, 1952. Program #157. "The Big Donation". Sponsored by: Fatima. Sergeant Friday ...
06.19.1952	big jules	+ Detective Sergeant Joe Friday is assigned to narcotics detail. A steady supply of high-grade narco...
06.26.1952	big roll	+ Dragnet. June 26, 1952. Program #159. "The Big Roll". Sponsored by: Fatima. Ken Gorman has been a...
07.03.1952	big trio	+ Dragnet. July 3, 1952. Program #160. "The Big Trio". Sponsored by: Fatima. A portrait of the deat...
07.10.1952	the big hate	+ Dragnet. July 10, 1952. Program #161. "The Big Hate". Sponsored by: Fatima. Elizabeth Hoffman, a ...
07.31.1952	big signet	+ Dragnet. July 31, 1952. Program #162. "The Big Signet". Sponsored by: Fatima. The restaurant and ...
08.07.1952	big impression	+ Dragnet. August 7, 1952. Program #163. "The Big Impression". Sponsored by: Fatima. Sam Rumin, an ...
08.14.1952	big drive	+ Dragnet. August 14, 1952. Program #164. "The Big Drive". Sponsored by: Fatima. John Iverson is fo...
08.21.1952	big paper	+ Dragnet. August 21, 1952. Program #165. "The Big Paper". Sponsored by: Fatima. Blank checks have ...
08.28.1952	big test	+ Dragnet. August 28, 1952. Program #166. "The Big Test". Sponsored by: Fatima. Bruce Hamilton repo...
09.04.1952	big ray	+ Dragnet. September 4, 1952. Program #167. "The Big Ray". Sponsored by: Fatima. Alfred Prater has ...
09.11.1952	big tear	+ Detective Sergeant Joe Friday is assigned to Burglary Detail. In a years time a burglar has taken ...
09.14.1952	the big bull	+ Dragnet. September 14, 1952. Program #169. "The Big Bull". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. Leroy Bent...
09.21.1952	the big shot	+ Dragnet. September 21, 1952. Program #170. "The Big Shot". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. Mr. Kelby,...
09.28.1952	big brain	+ Detective Sergeant Joe Friday is assigned to Robbery Detail. A man has been found in the trunk of ...
10.05.1952	the big jolt	+ Dragnet. October 5, 1952. Program #172. , AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Big Jolt". A drunken teenager a...
10.12.1952	big lie	+ Dragnet. October 12, 1952. Program #173. "The Big Lie". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. Jeff Curtis h...
10.19.1952	the big pill	+ Dragnet. October 19, 1952. Program #174. "The Big Pill". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. Two Marines ...
10.26.1952	the big number	+ Dragnet. October 26, 1952. Program #175. "The Big Number". Sponsored by: Chesterfield (health cla...
11.02.1952	the big light	+ Dragnet. November 2, 1952. Program #176. "The Big Light". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. Henry Wilso...
11.09.1952	the big dive	+ Dragnet. November 9, 1952. Program #177. , AFRTS rebroadcast. "The Big Dive". A woman is found mu...
11.16.1952	the big walk	+ Dragnet. November 16, 1952. Program #178. "The Big Walk". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. Sgt. Friday...
11.23.1952	the big guilt	+ Dragnet. November 23, 1952. Program #179. "The Big Guilt". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. A florist ...
11.30.1952	the big shirt	+ Dragnet. November 30, 1952. Program #180. "The Big Shirt". Sponsored by: Chesterfield. The co-own...

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So enjoyed Dragnet on radio and of course watched every episode on TV. More than one HD channel here plays all of them.

Jeanette

Harry Bartell = always awesome.

John

Virginia Gregg was on everything! I love catching her in tv shows like "Dragnet."

Larisa

I wasn't expecting myself to enjoy Dragnet this much

Tyler

I love radio Dragnet!

Kristi

I like the radio version of "Dragnet" much more than the TV version.

Debra

The radio version is much edgier than the TV version.

Richard

they want you to make sure you get everything and make it much more exciting (say that fast)

Tyler

Harry Bartell, played many characters on Dragnet, both radio and TV as well as many other radio shows.

Walt

"This is the city. Los Angeles, California. I work here. I carry a badge. My name's Friday."

Rick

Excellent I love dragnet

John

My favorite show I love that and never tired to listen that again and again.

Andrew

I love that show

Michael

So enjoyed Dragnet on radio and of course watched every episode on TV. More than one HD channel here plays all of them.

Jeanette

"The story you about to hear is true, the names have been changed to protect the innocent"

Daniel

The Dragnets from the 1950's are very entertaining to me!

Mike

The Dragnet episodes "A .22 Rifle for Christmas" and "The Big Little Jesus" l recommend to here these episode in Christmas. my favorite.

John

I loved this old show, During the noon hour in our LA high school they would often play the Dragnet theme on a loud speaker. It was very popular!

Diana

Dragnet is really good. Good stories, acting and great sound effects.

Dan

Lately I have been listening to and enjoying the Dragnet radio shows. Dragnet had an almost seamless conversion to TV. I still enjoy both. At least some of the Dragnet episodes were the same script on both radio and television (with some narration added to radio to explain the action). The "Baby Jesus" story is one example that's easy to find in audio and video.

Ted

Recycling of scripts was more common among series in that era than it is now. Gunsmoke had many reused scripts both on the radio and also on TV. I prefer that to what latter came to be known on TV as the Montage Episodes .

Tom

Featuring all 309 existing programs as broadcast on NBC from 1949 to 1955 (excluding repeats). You will find this set has the best sound, as well the most complete set of programs available anywhere. Another feature in this set, is many of the programs are in high code to take advantage of the great sound. Dragnet is respected as the best crime drama on radio, later in movies and on TV. (Check out our OTV DVD Catalog for the black & white TV programs, as well the color 1967 to 1970 series).

DRAGNET