"This is the city-- Los Angeles, California. It's a nice place to live, even when it rains. Over three million people live here. Most of them are honest and work hard to earn a living. Some of them get lucky and hit it big. When someone starts earning big money, he very often becomes a target for those who try to help themselves to his profits by means of extortion. When that happens, we talk it over down here-- the Police Administration Building-- Parker Center. I work here. I carry a badge."
This episode is a real snoozer. We don't go anywhere, look at anything, or do anything. We sit around and talk to John Sebastian; there's some cute dialogue.
"Chowder head." "Stinkin' bum." "Lovin' creep." "Lovin' bum." "Lovin' bundle."
"Bucket head." "Half a loaf."
Nobody says "mafia" but they call Foxey a "muscle guy" and there are references to "the syndicate" and being "marked" for murder.
February is apparently a good time of year for interrogations.
Contrast this episode with that time we were trapped in a room with Kent McCord.
Yes, we HAVE dealt with this hoodlum before!
PAB Green and a practical, institutional clock:
The L.A. backdrop is so much richer and nicer than the last interrogation.
John Sebastian is wearing a nice carnation like Nucky Thompson!
This Paul Carter is another of our Dragnet regulars, even though he doesn't get a credit this episode:
Joe Friday A.V. Club:
And that's how you reel-to-reel.
And now, the moment we've all been waiting for - Joe doing an impression of T-Rex!
RARR YOU GUYS
I love it!!
Check out this voice print! Cool stuff, yeah?
Dammit. Technology wins. Off to pris he goes.
George Fox
Now serving his sentence in the state prison, San Quentin, California.
S2e23
Starred
Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday
Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon
John Sebastian as George Fox
______ as Paul Carter
______ as Jack Rock
Art Direction - Russell Kimball
Set Decor - John McCarthy & John Sturtevant
Costumes - Vincent Dee
Aired 22 February 1968
Written by Jerry D. Lewis
Well, I'm off to The Green Lion Tavern.
See you next week when a trio of hippy kids run amuck!
Cheers,
Suzy Dragnet
Well, I'm off to The Green Lion Tavern.
See you next week when a trio of hippy kids run amuck!
Cheers,
Suzy Dragnet
I love the occupation listed on the information card, "Con Artist". I think I'm going to put that on my tax return this year! See if the IRS notices it.
ReplyDeleteYes, a yawner. With phony-looknig rain effects.
ReplyDeleteIIRC I can pick out two of the voices featured on the tape - if i'm not mistaken, Sam Edwards played Paul Carter, Don Ross played Tom Tracy, but Jack Rock... still a mystery...
ReplyDeleteBob Dylan said "to live outside the law,you must be honest".
ReplyDeleteJack Rock sounds like a Flintstones character.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I for one LOVE this episode, but I love cheesy Gangster movies. And Mr. Sebastian plays a cheesy gangster to the HILT! But you know it's a visual yawner when a character cutting the end of a cigar is the highlight. And only possible danger.
ReplyDeleteThis is an episode where they have to look at their budget for the remaining season (See Walking Dead) Send everyone home, we are shooting in 1 room.
ReplyDeleteThere’s something about the aesthetics of this one with the rain that I just really love.
ReplyDeleteLove dragnet
ReplyDeleteDon't care if it's cheesie
I just Love every episode ..Even if it is all tidy and unrealistic.
ReplyDeleteAt least people weren't TERRIFIED TO WALK DOWN THE STREET..UNLESS YOU WRONGED THE ESTABLISHMENT..
This site is artfully enjoyable. It’s especially interesting to know the fates of people who survived the true OG true crime drama.
ReplyDeleteThis is the maximum Bottle Episode of all Dragnet...well, maybe the one with Kent McCord one.
ReplyDeleteDid Fox ever fry??
ReplyDelete