Dragnet (1949 to 1970)
Reviewed by Melissa Garza
“There are over five thousand men in this city who know that being a policeman is an endless, glamor-less, thankless job that’s gotta be done. I know it, too. And I’m damned glad to be one of them.” – Joe Friday (Jack Webb)
In honor of Dragnet 1970 (the final season) being released on April 12, 2011, I felt it was time to give proper appreciation for the show that revolutionized the cop drama and is the reason shows like Law and Order, CSI, NYPD Blue etc, were created.
Most people have their own mantra, code of ethics, or way in which they live their lives. Some obtain this level of conscience (or at times, lack thereof) from religion, spiritual awareness, or the teachings of their parents and teachers.
I too have my own life sustaining motto which is WWJFD? or What would Joe Friday do? Joe Friday as portrayed by Jack Webb always did the right thing. He was the definition of a good cop. He frequently fought against such vile behavior as bigotry, child abuse and domestic violence. Despite the pro-drug hippie revolution of the 60s, Joe Friday’s belief system didn’t sway. He warned against losing one’s senses to mind altering substances, and fervently disagreed with the thought that drugs heightened any level of being. He held the unpopular belief that marijuana led to harder drugs and neglectful behavior of parents. It was a stand which was poked fun at and belittled, however Jack Webb believing in the message ensured it was delivered in Dragnet.
Cop and law shows are a dime a dozen nowadays, but in all honesty if not for Dragnet they wouldn’t exist. Dragnet started it all in June of 1949. It was a radio program which provided true accounts of crimes committed and the police procedure in apprehending the criminal. It was gritty, true to life, and nothing like it before had ever graced the waves. The show evolved into a television program in 1951 to 1959. During the late sixties when drugs were rampant, Jack Webb saw a reason for the show to return and once again it ran from 1967 to 1970. It was in this later edition that controversial topics of drug use and racism were tackled.
Sadly, some scoff at Dragnet. Arguments that it is outdated and misleading are thrown around. Often comparisons are made to the film Reefer Madness. Hipster pro-drug activists put clips on websites claiming enjoyment from them but making light of the message within the show.
I disagree wholeheartedly with that mindset. Personally, I’ve known too many on marijuana who once were articulate and bright – proud contributing members of society who devolved into brainless unemployed zombies. Marijuana doesn’t strike hard initially. It’s a slow process which unfortunately lures intellectuals to think the effects are minimal or non-existent. There is a great Public Service Announcement which displays a man in his thirties sitting on a couch playing video games. His mother arrives home asking if he sought employment to which he responds, no. The tag-line is “Marijuana can do nothing for you too.” The truth is this happens all to often. Potential is killed by people too mellow and relaxed to have ambition. The contentment the drug brings is the eventual downfall. This was Joe Friday’s point and its one I share.
Jack Webb and by purposeful extension Joe Friday did his best to make society aware of dangers that were downplayed by a drug-friendly media. That said, some will still argue that Dragnet is over-the-top and that the warnings are overblown. I would argue that it is more relevant now than when it 44 years ago.
People today need a reminder of right and wrong. Even on the crime shows of today, often the scale of good and bad is skewed. It is necessary to have a fictional moral compass whose only agenda is purely what is right. When one is present it provides a role model of sorts and it combats the overplayed agendas of celebrities who tout the glamorous nature of crime.
Nowadays, it is common to hear wastes-of-space tout slogans like, “Only God can judge me,” as if this phrase somehow excuses their bad behavior. The worry of impact to the neighbor or the mere conscience that dictates acting appropriately is void in a society driven by selfishness and self serving actions.
In regards to Dragnet, bleeding hearts may often steer clear of Friday’s no-nonsense, no excuse demeanor. The show often had a cut and dry message. If you harm a child, you’re an abuser. There wasn’t focus on making the viewer feel badly for the criminal. This black-and-white mindset would be a welcome change today.
Off the soap box, Dragnet stands by the side of the Twilight Zone as the 2 greatest shows of all time. It is a revered classic which only gets better with age. Personally, I own all the seasons and anxiously await the last. I would encourage anyone and everyone to obtain these DVD sets.
Scared Stiff Rating: 10/10