Dragnet: The Big Streetcar (EP5009)

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

Adam Graham

Performing Arts, Drama, Fiction, Arts

4.4 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 July 2026

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today's Mystery: After a man is gunned down outside his home following a bitter domestic argument, Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs launch a search for the shooter's wife, who has vanished after warning that she'll kill anyone who tries to capture her. With the suspect making taunting phone calls while remaining one step ahead of police, the detectives race against time to track her down before violence erupts again.

Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 3, 1952

Originating from Hollywood

Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday and Barney Phillips as Sergeant Ed Jacobs. Also featuring Herb Ellis, Jack Kruschen, and Helen Kleeb.

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.
0:35.1	This is your host, Adam Graham.
0:37.2	In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet.
0:41.4	But first, I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
0:50.7	And today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners.
0:54.8	You can support the show by mailing a donation to Adam Graham.
0:59.0	Peelbox 15913.
1:01.5	That's Peelbox 15913, Boise, Idaho, 83715.
1:08.5	Now, from April 3, 1952, here is the big streetcar.
1:18.4	The story you were about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
1:35.3	No. out to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail.
1:40.3	A man is shot down in the street of a residential neighborhood. He's critically wounded.
1:45.2	You don't know who the assailant is.
1:46.7	You don't know where he is.
1:48.3	Your job? Get him.
1:59.5	Dragnet.
2:00.5	The documented drama of an actual crime.
2:02.6	For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department,
2:06.6	you will travel step by step on the side of the law
2:09.6	through an actual case transcribed from official police files.
2:13.6	From beginning to end, from crime to punishment,
2:16.6	Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.
	...

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