"The Big Gambler" or "The Most Forgettable Episode Ever"

This episode of Dragnet is So Dragnet that it actually out-Dragnets its Dragnet.

Dragnet?

Dragnet.

Repping for L.A.

The golf shot from S1e1:

And the expository slow-zoom of the Police Administration Building.

It's so cosy, it's like a second home, really.

THE THREE OF US AGREE

HOW ABOUT A SPIN IN THE FAIRLANE?

 Is this a recognizeable portion of L.A.? 

ANSWER ME, VIRGINIA VINCENT

"Well, conceptually, it could represent any healthy, American automotive society in the post-mid-century. This is 1968, after all. They say that tastes are shifting, but I think everything has taken on a very conservative look which finds itself at odds with our societal values and mores. The architecture becomes aggressive.  Aesthetics, in a way, have become weaponized. The street becomes naturally hostile-- to say nothing of the automobile in this equation!"

GET OFF OF DRAGNET FOREVER

AND NEVER WEAR YELLOW AGAIN

Hi, Vic Perrin. I'm so glad you're just an embezzler and not a child molester in this one. You've been all kinds of guys. You used to tie ladies up and murder them. You are a serious Dragnet Villain.

I wonder what else Vic Perrin has played, in other series? Was he ever, like, a lovable dentist?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this point A to point B shot seems rather a lot like backlot:

The quality of light doesn't suggest a variety of colors on surrounding buildings; plus - no tree shadows.

It's Julian Burton. We first met him when he got convicted for drug trafficking in the awesomely decorated Smashed Cessna Set Episode.

Now, he is in that set with the door. It was previously a plane rental office.

Remember when they used to try?

And this girl, Sharon Harvey. Doesn't have half the class of Merry Anders.

Again with the light shoes/pink dress. Vincent Dee, get creative, please.

ROBERT BRUBAKER, SIR

THERE IS A BOAT BEHIND YOU

I CAN'T TAKE THIS

BACK TO THE PAB SOUNDSTAGE, PLEASE

HOLD THE PHONE

MAKE MY LIFE NORMAL AGAIN

Ah, back to normal at last.

Buddy Lester. Holding it down in a red jacket! Dragnet Style is enforced!

Quirky old bartender in a red jacket, you are very helpful. 

Your lines are very snappy, as well.

They are shooting The Usual Bar Set from 90 degrees to the left.

It's dressed completely awkwardly. Is that the jukebox on the far left that was in that Skid Row hotel where Virginia Gregg was selling tape recorders?

That establishing roll up is for sure recycled from earlier this season.

Red tells the color story of heartbreak.

Virginia Gregg, what a surprise. We never thought we would see you again.

NO NEED TO BE AN ASS ABOUT IT

It's that service station from when Lillie Birnam turned up dead:

The black building at the end of the block looks much like where that karate teacher lady foiled that bank robber with the purple pillowcase.

Yes, that little blue car is cute. Let's get 'em!

Well, having an argue with a young Freddie Mercury was apparently on Vic Perrin's list of things to do today.

RADIO THAT SHIT IN

They follow Vic Perrin an hour outside of Los Angeles to a draw poker club in Clover.

We know it's really the Colonial Mansion at the end of Colonial Street.

(Thanks again, RetroWeb.)

Don Ross. Latent Prints Guy! He'll play anything on Dragnet, except a really bad guy.

I LEFT MY WOODEN LATENT PRINT BOX OUT THERE

"Fool me once, shame on you."

Isn't that how it goes?

I hope you enjoyed being a degenerate gambler on this episode. It was nice to have you back, I guess.

Henry Pendleton

Now serving his sentence in the State Institution for Men, Chino, California.

See? It could only be more forgettable if they sent him to San Quentin!

S2e27

Starred

Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday (The reason for the show!)

Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon (always a grounding influence.)
Vic Perrin as Henry Pendleton (twice convicted of murder, I think.)
Virginia Gregg as Norma Pendleton (Is there a dramatic role she can't play?)
Robert Brubaker as Edward Loring (Robert Brubaker. So underwhelmed by the characters he plays!)
Julian Burton as George Barnes (favors girls and calendar girls.)
Virginia Vincent as Sally Fisher (Yellow is not her color!)
Buddy Lester as Nick Gerber (our veteran TV cameo.)
Don Ross as Jim Barlow (latent prints, represent!)
Sharon Harvey as Delores Grove (A Champagne Dame with a cash register for a heart!)

Art Direction - Russell Kimball

Set Decor - John McCarthy & John Sturtevant

Costumes - Vincent Dee

Aired 21 March 1968

Written by Robert Soderberg

Stick around for next week when we will finish out season two with a surprise guest - you'll never guess!

Suzy Dragnet

P.S.
Thanks to FB for sharing his life with me for a whole decade!
Sorry this week's rolled out late.