Dragnet is one of the most iconic and influential police procedural radio dramas in American history. It aired on NBC from June 3, 1949, to February 26, 1957, and was created, produced, and starred Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, a no-nonsense Los Angeles police detective. The show ran for 314 original episodes through September 1955, with reruns continuing until 1957. It’s famous for its realism, clipped dialogue, and the opening line: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." The distinctive four-note theme, "Danger Ahead," composed by Walter Schumann, is instantly recognizable.

The series followed Joe Friday and his partners—initially Sergeant Ben Romero (Barton Yarborough), later Ed Jacobs (Barney Phillips), and then Officer Frank Smith (Ben Alexander)—as they tackled real-life-inspired cases from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Webb insisted on authenticity, consulting with LAPD officers and using actual case files. Episodes covered everything from mundane paperwork to intense investigations of murders, robberies, and even taboo topics like sex crimes or child abductions. The show’s sound effects and understated acting added to its gritty, documentary-like feel.

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