Dragnet: The Big Border (EP4999)

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

Adam Graham

Performing Arts, Drama, Fiction, Arts

4.4 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 18 June 2026

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today's Mystery: Two armed convicts escape from San Quentin and head for Los Angeles, where they launch a desperate crime spree while police race to track them down. As Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs follow a trail of robberies, stolen weapons, and frightened witnesses, the fugitives make a bold dash for freedom across the Mexican border.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 20, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Barney Phillips as Sergeant Ed Jacobs.Also featuring Whit Connor and Herb Ellis. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann.

Announcer: Hal Gibney.

Technical advice from the Los Angeles Police Department.

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Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Welcome to the great detectives of old time radio from Boise, Idaho.
0:35.9	This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you
0:40.7	this week's episode of Dragnet. But first, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the
0:46.3	podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And today's program is brought
0:52.9	you in part by the financial support of our listeners.
0:56.1	You can support the show on a one-time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham,
1:02.3	P.O. Box 15913, that's P.O. Box 15913, Boise, Idaho, 83715. You can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.com at patreon.com.
1:21.3	And I want to welcome our latest Patreon supporter. Thank you to Sandy, becoming a Patreon supporter at the master detective level of $15 or more per month.
1:33.4	Again, thanks so much for your support, Sandy.
1:35.8	Now from March 20th, 1952, here is The Big Border.
1:43.3	Music as the big border.
1:52.1	The story you were about to hear is true.
1:55.2	The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Your detective's You're a detective sergeant.
2:05.8	You're assigned to robbery detail.
2:08.1	Two convicts escape from the state penitentiary.
2:11.2	They're heading for your city.
2:12.9	They're armed.
2:14.1	They've boasted they won't be taken alive.
2:16.5	Your job?
2:17.6	Get them.
2:27.6	Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime.
2:31.6	For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department,
	...

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