January 12, 1967…’Dragnet 1967′ Debuts On NBC
January 12, 1967…’Dragnet 1967′ Debuts On NBC
After an eight year break, ‘Dragnet’ returned to television with this episode. In updating the story lines, Webb was particularly aware of the wave of teenage drug use, and a fair number of episodes have a “narko” theme. To differentiate it from the earlier Dragnet series, the year in which each season aired was made part of the on-screen title, so the series started as ‘Dragnet 1967’ and ended as ‘Dragnet 1970′. The entire series aired Thursdays at 9:30-10:00 pm and was directed by Jack Webb.
Here’s some interesting trivia about the show…
The pair of hands seen hammering the Mark VII logo at the end of every episode belong to Jack Webb.
For the sake of continuity, Friday and Gannon always wore the same outfits in every episode. According to Harry Morgan, he and Jack Webb decided to switch coats for one scene to see if anyone noticed. Because only Morgan was in the scene, no one on the set realized it until the scene had been shot. In the next scene, Morgan has on the correct coat. This is the only incident of faulty continuity in the series’ run.
When the revival was in the planning stages, Jack Webb had originally planned on bringing in his former co-star Ben Alexander to reprise his role as Officer Frank Smith. However, Alexander was appearing on the ABC series ‘Felony Squad’ and that network would not let him out of his contract to appear on the revival. Webb then chose Harry Morgan to play the new character of Officer Bill Gannon.
Enjoy and share! Over and out…Bobby Ellerbee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eBPWwxOKwQ
Dragnet 1967 The LSD Story Blueboy
Watching them almost 50 years later, the 1967-70 revival comes off as heavy-handed and campy, and really doesn’t do justice to the series as a whole, although I always liked watching it. Personally, I prefer listening to the “Dragnet” radio episodes of the 50s. And if you want to appreciate Jack Webb’s acting skills further, may I recommend listening to episodes of “Pete Kelly’s Blues” or “Pat Novak For Hire.”
Always admired Mr. Webb as a producer that brought in projects under budget and on time. He was also a capable actor.
One of the best episodes was the Christmas one where they hunt for the stolen baby Jesus. The same script was repeated, along with some of the same actors, in both series. Brings me to tears.
Audio excerpts of Friday lecturing on the evils of LSD use were taken from the episode “The Prophet” for use in the song “LSD Is The Bomb” by the group Radioactive Goldfish….
In one episode Friday & Gannon are talking to potential recruits. Among the extras playing the audience are OJ Simpson and Al Cowlings.
Here’s the revival’s debut ad.
After years of watching Harry Morgan as Colonel Potter on MASH, it was interesting seeing him as Bill Gannon on Dragnet. Then again, he did reprise the role in that uh, film version with Dan Aykroyd that was funny, but would never had been made had Jack Webb still been alive.