The Of all of the police dramas to spring up in Dragnet's wake, 21st Precinct may be the closest to

Dragnet in spirit.

It's not as well known today, but like Dragnet, it used actual police cases as story

material, and it celebrated the day-in, day-out work of the police that ultimately closed

cases.

21st Precinct was created, written, and directed by former police reporter Stanley

Niss had previously written for gangbusters and counter-spy.

And like Jack Webb, Nis had a great admiration for law enforcement officers.

He saw the opportunity for compelling drama in factually based accounts of police cases.

Nis obtained the cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association of the New York Police Department and actual case files were used as inspiration for episodes.

Everett Sloane starred in the series for the first two years as Captain Frank Canelli, the boss of the 21st.

Sloane was a stage, screen, and radio veteran who came out of the Mercury Theater. 21st Precinct represented a chance at the starring role for the character actor

who had previously been heard on the shadow, inner sanctum, and suspense.

Sloane left the series in November 19- and suspense.

Sloane left the series in November 1955.

Captain Canelli was promoted to Deputy Inspector and the 21st was placed under the command of Captain Vince Cronin.

Cronin was played by James Gregory, best known today as Senator Islin

in John Frankenheimer's the Manchurian candidate.

Gregory was later succeeded by Les Damon. Frankenheimer's the Manchurian candidate.

Gregory was later succeeded by Les Damon, who added another notch to his radio detective

belt.

Damon had previously played Nick Charles and the Falcon on radio.

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