Dragnet- Big Lift

from Classic Radio Theater · host Hudson River Radio .com

Dragnet was created and produced by Jack Webb, who also starred as Sergeant Joe Friday. His goal was to create a show that was realistic, so he attended police academy classes and did ride-alongs with the Los Angeles Police Department as part of his research. The cases in the shows were based on actual cases handled by the LAPD. Dragnet was broadcast on NBC radio stations from 1949 to 1957. It overlapped with its TV version which ran from 1951 to 1959 in black and white, and was brought back to TV in color from 1967 to 1970. “Big Lift” aired on April 27, 1954. As always, please don't believe the cigarette ads.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 18, 2026

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Dragnet- Big Lift

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Dragnet Entertainment Radio The Dragnet radio show was a groundbreaking and influential police procedural drama that ran on NBC from 1949 to 1957. Here are some key things to know about it:Main Features:Focus: The show followed the cases of Sergeant Joe Friday and his partners, primarily in the Los Angeles Police Department. It depicted the real-life work of detectives, including the tedious investigation process, interviews, stakeouts, and occasional danger.Realism: Jack Webb, the show's creator and star, aimed for authenticity. Episodes were often based on real cases, with details changed to protect the innocent. The dialogue was direct and unvarnished, mimicking the way police officers actually spoke.Famous Intro: The show's opening sequence is iconic: the announcer's voice declaring "This is the city... Los Angeles... California..." followed by the signature "dun-dun-DUN" theme music.Impact:Pioneering Police Procedural: Dragnet is considered a pioneer of

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