Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are working the night watch out of Juvenile Division when they are called to a movie theater.A teenage patron had acid poured on his jacket, leaving some burns on his back.Turns out the victim knows the perpetrator.Friday and Gannon head over to the parents of the young perpetrator and informs them of what their son did in the movie theater.The parents promise to bring their son down to Georgia Juvenile when he returns home.The teenager admits that he did pour acid on the other teenager at the movie theater.The boy is released into his parents’ custody.The officers are called back to the boy’s residence after he takes off from home after a dispute with his parents.The boy also has a hand grenade with him and Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon have to track him down before the troubled teenager hurts others.
Character and Show Facts: ADW – Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Friday uses the call sign 1-K-80 in this episode. Bill Gannon has four children.His oldest boy is 16 years-old.
Notable Guest Stars: Credited as Michael Vincent, Jan Michael Vincent plays Rick Schneiderman the teen that had acid poured on his jacket.He is best known as Stringfellow Hawke from the television series “Airwolf” (1984-1986) and was the highest paid television actor at that time.He also starred in what was considered the first TV mini-series “The Survivors” in 1969 and the more memorable “Winds of War” (1983) as Byron Henry. Heather Menzies (Urich) appears as Lorean Harper, Rick Schneiderman’s girlfriend. Mickey Sholdar plays troubled teen Gerald Paulson.His best known role was as Steve Morley on the television series “The Farmer’s Daughter” (1963-1966). Actor, director, composer, and singer John Rubinstein as Paul Whidden.He is the son Arthur Rubinstein.He’s won numerous awards for his stage work.He still turns up in guest appearances on television shows and movies.Most recently played Principal Hobson on “Desperate Housewives” (2009-2012) and as Judge Manchester on “The Mentalist” (2012-2013). Barbara Luddy appears as the maid for the maid at the Mather residence.She is best known as the voice of Merriweather (the fairy) from1959’s “Sleeping Beauty” and the voice of Lady in 1955’s “Lady and The Tramp.”She has also provided the voice for “Winnie the Pooh’s” Kanga until her death in 1979. Robert Brubaker makes his second appearance on the show as Martin Kirsop.
The Shooting Board - Air Date: 21-Sept-1967
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon pulled an 18 hour shift investigating a homicide of a liquor store robberAfter calling it a night, the officers, decide to call it a day.Sgt. Friday goes over to a 24-hour launderette two blocks from his home to get some cigarettes from a vending machine there and ends up catching a thief using a slip wire on a coin changer.The burglar fires on Sgt. Friday, who returns fire and hits the burglar who ends up getting away with the help of a female accomplice.Sgt. Friday faces a board of inquiry to determine if he acted within departmental policy and justifiable.The Shooting (investigating) team fails to turn up a slug that should be in the wall of the launderette that proves Sgt. Friday shot was justifiable.The female accomplice claims Sgt. Friday deliberately shot her boyfriend.
Character and Show Facts: Sgt. Friday has only had to use his gun twice before. Sgt. Friday and Lt. Brooks went through the police academy together. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon have worked 5 years together. Sgt. Friday uses a Smith and Wesson revolver.
Regulars: Art Balinger as Capt. Hugh Brown. Leonard Stone as Lt. Danny Bowser. William Boyett as Lt Pearce Brooks. Harry Bartel as Dep. Chief Roger Murdock.
The Badge Racket - Air Date: 26-Sept-1967
A couple of conmen are posing as vice officers and are targeting unsuspecting out-of-town visitors.The scam involves setting up the unsuspecting victim the night before he is ready to leave L.A. by having him ‘caught’ with a ‘questionable’ lady in his room.In order to avoid embarrassment, the victim agrees to post $1,000 bail on the likelihood the lady will skip out and the victim would avoid the appearance of a scandal.The crooks even go as far as to take their victims to police headquarters to post the ‘bail.’Officer Gannon goes undercover and poses an out of town businessman at the Elsinore Hotel that’s been hit by the conmen in hopes of catching the swindlers.Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon learn there is a floating high stakes poker ring running in the hotel after they are confronted by hotel security detective investigating the game.
Character and Show Facts: Bill Gannon tosses six sugar cubes into his coffee. 647B is solicitation or prostitution. Bill Gannon has been married over 13 years.Guess his 16-year-old that was mentioned in a previous episode came a few years early??? Joe Friday thinks Bill looks like a married man.
Regulars: Art Gilmore as Capt. Lambert. Stacy Harris as Walter Kinnett. Alfred Shelly as Sgt. William D. Booth. Don Ross Makes his 5th appearance on the show as Mr. Ainsworth.
The Bank Jobs - Air Date: 5-Oct-1967
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are called out to a bank robbery where the culprits are a man and a woman.They are able to chase down the car used in the robbery and suspect that the woman who it belongs to may be involved in the looting even though she claims she was forced to take part in it. Another robbery occurs where a woman gives a man a ride and forced to participate in a bank robbery by a man.It seems the robber’s MO is to hitch a ride with an unsuspecting woman and force her help him with the robbery before taking her car and leaving her behind.
Notable Guest Stars: Kipp Hamilton plays Janet Altman and is the sister of Joe Hamilton who was married to Carol Burnett.She passed away in January 1981 at 45 from breast cancer.She was Deb Star of 1955 and is known for her role as Jincey Baker in the movie “Good Morning, Miss Dove” (1955).She also made numerous television appearances in television shows in the late 50s to late 60s. Hebert Anderson appears as Dr. Phillip Lang and is best known as Henry Mitchell on the television series “Dennis the Menace” (1959-1963).
Regulars: Art Gilmore as Capt. Howe. Kent McCord appears as Office Whitman.
The Big Neighbor - Air Date: 12-Oct-1967
After putting in a busy week in the Bunco squad (Fraud’s Division),
Officer Gannon invites Sgt. Friday over to his house for dinner and a peaceful
evening of by watching football.However, an evening at Officer Gannon’s house turns out to be more
adventurous than either of them anticipated.Sgt. Friday learns firsthand what it’s like to be the neighborhood cop. Character and Show Facts: Bill Gannon gets a ticket for parking across his own driveway in front of his white house with green trim.Joe Friday fails to notice the ‘changes’ Bill has done around the house: New wallpaper in the entrance way and kitchen. Joe has only been over to the Gannon’s house three times in the 8 years the two of them have worked together. Joe lives in an apartment. Bill paid 8,500 for his house 20 years ago, which he bought right after the war. The teams playing football are the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams.
Notable Guest Stars: Randy Stuart appears as Eileen Gannon.She starred opposite Alan Hale Jr. (Skipper, Gilligan’s Island) as the female half of the husband and wife spy team in "Biff Baker, U.S.A." (1952) and was a regular on "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955-1961) as Nellie Cashman.She also played Louise Carey, the wife of “The Incredible Shrinking Man” (1957). Grandma Yetta from the “The Nanny” (1993-1999), Ann Morgan Guilbert plays neighbor Marnie Prout the neighbor lady who wants her husband arrested for throwing an egg timer at her. Some may recognize John Nolan as neighbor Art Bonham who wants Bill to take care of an ‘unfair’ parking ticket form him.He also played John the Bartender from Quincy M.E.(1977-1983). Kent McCord appears as an officer. Rhonda Williams plays Ruth Walker the neighbor who has an attempted robbery at her home.She voiced the role of evil stepsister Drizella in “Cinderella” (1950).
The Big Frustration - Air Date: 19-Oct-1967
A 12-year veteran cop lets the pressure and frustration of being a cop get to him to the point where he may have possibly put his job in jeopardy.Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are given two days to track down the frustrated officer after he fails to show up for duty.Can they find and convince this otherwise good officer to not throw his career away and make his trial hearing?
Notable Guest Stars: John Lupton, best known for his role in the television series “Broken Arrow” (1956-1960) as Tom Jeffers, plays frustrated cop Sgt. Carl Maxwell. Bill Williams plays Sgt. Bill Riddle.He was the husband of Barbara Hale (Della Street on “Ironside” (1957-1966) and is the father of “The Greatest American Hero” (1981-1986) star William Katt.Best known as Kit Carson in the television series “The Adventures of Kit Carson” (1951-1955).
Regulars: Art Balinger as Capt. Brown.
The Senior Citizen - Air Date: 15-Oct-1967
A
rash of robberies during the daytime hours is plaguing the city. Sgt. Friday notices that the homes being
robbed were away at births, deaths, or weddings, which are all announced in the
newspaper. Based on the funerals listed
in the paper, the department stakes out the homes where the resident is
attending a funeral. While staking out a
house, Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon notice a laundry truck pull up to an
empty house where a funny old man acts suspiciously. Is it possible for this elderly man to be the person pulling off the recent burglaries in the area?Can Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon manage to outsmart this long time burglar?
Character and Show Facts: Bill Gannon loves the ‘fillers’ found in the newspaper and has decided to cut a bunch of them out so he can have something to say to fellow Officer Lou Sales by throwing a bit of trivia his way.(The term fillers are referring to miscellaneous facts tossed into the newspaper on just about anything). Sgt. Friday used to date a librarian. Officer Gannon doesn’t think the people you work with will notice if you eat lots of onions until Capt. Mack gives him some money to buy some mints.Bill had a bowl of chili loaded with onions earlier.
Notable Guest Stars: Burt Mustin plays Charles Augustus William Smith.He’s the ‘senior’ many us recognize as appearing in many shows during the 60s and 70s.
Regulars: Clark Howat plays Capt. Mack. Robert Patten as Officer Louie Sales.
The Big High - Air Date: 2-Nov-1967
A
concerned grandfather wants his daughter and son-in-law investigated because
they are using marihuana in the presence of his granddaughter. He’s worried about the safety of his only
granddaughter. Sgt. Friday and Officer
Gannon go out to the couple’s residence to examine and talk some sense into
them. The couple fails to see the risk
of marijuana leading to harder drugs. Sgt.
Friday even asks for the help from Dorothy Miller, who is working in the Juvenile
Division, unfortunately she doesn’t feel there is enough to warrant her
intervention at this time unless there is probable cause although she does
agree to go talk to the couple. A couple
of months go by before they come across a couple of officers who bring in a man
charged with possession.He mentions getting the marijuana from the couple.Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon arrive at the residence to find the couple, along with a few friends, high on marijuana.Things take a tragic turn for the couple.
Character and Show Facts: Bill’s special barbeque sauce:In a large chilled bowl you add one quart of ketchup, mix it up well, add one can red pepper, one can hot mustard, one quart vinegar, 1 pound chopped and peeled red peppers, one small jar oregano, 4-5 cloves of garlic, and mix it with an electric mixer.Add 5 chopped Bermuda.The special ingredient is one quart vanilla ice cream.
Bill doesn’t think Joe would understand about his ‘secret’ sauce because he’s a bachelor, but he trusts Joe enough to share his recipe with him. Joe has a date Sunday and turns down Bill’s offer to come over for a barbeque. First time on the job, a situation make Joe Gannon sick.
Notable Guest Stars: Emergency’s Chet Kelly aka Tim Donnelly appears as pot-smoking father Paul Shipley.
Regulars: Merry Anders appears as Dorothy Miller. Robert Knapp appears as Capt. Trembly. Kent McCord appears as an officer.
The Big Ad - Air Date: 9-Nov-1967
An
ex-con hoping to make a fresh start, places an ad in a small hippy publication
about willing to do anything for $1000. He
receives a suspicious response mailed to him that suggests that the person is
putting a feeler out to find out if he would be interested in murdering
someone. Capt. Brown decides to let the
Sgt. Friday impersonates the ex-con to see if they can catch a man wanting to
put a hit out on someone. They place a second ad in the publication and get a response.Sgt. Friday meets with a man who wants to take a hit out on his wife.They wait for further directions from the man in order to try to figure out his identity and where he lives.The man leaves a series of pages from the phone book with a name and address circled on it where Joe is supposed to meet the suspect until he’s left the correct address.Is Sgt. Friday walking into a trap or not?
Character and Show Facts: Bill’s sister-in-law is a health nut and it turns out that he’s 4 ½ pounds overweight.Now he has to eat yogurt for a week.His sister-in-law is staying with him for the week and she’s having him weigh in each night when he gets home from work. Bill has trouble getting a plastic spoon out of a wrapper.
Notable Guest Stars: Don Dubbins plays ex-con Steve Deal who places an ad in the newspaper willing to do anything to make $1000. His break into showbiz was given to him by James Cagney, who gave him roles as his adopted son in the movie “These Wilder Years” (1956) and a role in “Tribute to a Bad Man” (1956).He appeared in several episodes of Dragnet along with several appearances on television shows in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.He never really achieved ‘star’ status and died of cancer in 1991. Anthony Eisley appears as Harvey Forrester, who answers the ad in the newspaper with a deadly task he’s willing to pay to have done.He may be better known as “Hawaiian Eye’s” (1959-1963) Tracy Steel appears.He also played Bill Lane in the film “The Wasp Woman” (1959).
Regulars: Art Balinger appears as Capt. Brown.
The Missing Realtor - Air Date: 16-Nov-1967
A
real estate broker has been reported missing since Friday afternoon when she
left the real estate office to show a house at 3:00pm. It is unusual for her to miss the weekend
showings of open houses. They check out
the missing woman’s boyfriend. They find
the woman’s car abandoned in restaurant parking lot with the keys and her
appointment book inside. They check out
the realty listings in the area indicated on a gas receipt in her car and
discover her body in a vacant house up for sale. Bill notices that the woman’s credit cards
are missing from her purse. The victim’s
secretary checks the charges on her credit card and discovers a purchase for a
diamond watch over $400.00 the day after she was killed. They send out a bulletin and find a suspect who is known to steal credit cards from real estate agents.
Character and Show Facts: Bill and Eileen like to go for drives and look at open houses.
Notable Guest Stars: Ena Hartman appears as receptionist Ida Walters.She is best known as Katy Grant on the television series “Dan August” (1970-1971). Academy Award Nominee (1959) Juanita Moore appears as Mrs. Esther Jenkins .She received the nomination for her performance in the movie “Imitation of Life” (1959).She has appeared in numerous movies and television shows in a career that spanned from 1939 to 2001.Her last major role was as the grandmother in the movie “The Kid” (200).She died at the age of 99 in 2014. The multi-talented Scatman Crothers (1910-1986) appears as Dave Richmond.He's just as well known for his jazz as his acting.He’ s a familiar face in many movies and television series from the early 50s until his death in the 80s.Notable appearances are as the voice of Scat Cat in Disney’s “The AristoCats” (1970) and as Dick Hallorann in “The Shining” (1980).
Regulars: Dennis McCarthy appears as Lt. W.L. Clingan. William Boyett appears as Sgt. Jack Williams.
The Big Dog - Air Date: 23-Nov-1967
A series of robberies occurs where the perpetrator appears to be a large dog.Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon can only get inconsistent descriptions on the dog from the victims. The only consistency between the victims is the dog they are looking for is large.Finally, one witness mentions the dog jumping into a car.They visit an animal casting agent to see if he can come up with some animal trainers who could possibly be training a dog to snatch purses.Finally, one of the victims managed to take a photograph of the dog that stole her purse, which turns out to be a German Sheppard.The department decides to set up surveillance teams with Officer Dorothy Miller working with Friday and Gannon.After four days with no results, they only have one more day to catch the canine criminal.
Character and Show Facts: Bill is allergic to feathers.The pills he’s taking are so great that he bought a parakeet for his boys and they’re teaching the bird to talk.The bird can now remind Bill to “Take your pill.” Bill had a dog for 15 years named Fred who died six months earlier and he doesn’t plan on getting another dog. German Sheppard was commonly referred to as a police dog. 484 is the police code for theft. Bill decides to take in the Collie dog and Dorothy Miller takes in the yellow lab.
Notable Guest Stars: Luana Anders appears as Noradella De Leon.She’s most famous for playing Louise Haloran in “Dementia 13” (1963) and as Catherine Medina in “The Pit and the Pendulum” (1961).She has appeared in several movies and guest starred on several television shows during the 60s, 70s, 80s. and 90s.She died in 1996 at the age of 58 of breast cancer. Bart Burns appears as and may best be remembered as Captain Chambers in “Mike Hammer” (1958-1959) and Ernest Farmer in the movie “Frances” (1982). Doodles Weaver makes his second appearance on the show as Lars Lowell. Maidie Norman appears as Mrs. Holmes and may be best remembered as the maid in the movie “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane” (1962) and the distraught mother in "The Well" (1951).
Regulars: Merry Anders appears as Dorothy Miller Art Gilmore appears as Capt. Merton Howe
The Pyramid Swindle - Air Date: 30-Nov-1967
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are working the Frauds Division when Capt. Lambert brings a newspaper ad to their attention that appears to be a pyramid scheme. Officer Gannon arranges for him and Sgt. Friday to a Dollar Wise Market Service meeting (which seems a lot like a revival. They arrest and charge Mrs. Bates, but can they prove to a jury that Dollar Wise Market Service operation of being unrealistic and false advertising?
Character and Show Facts: In order for Mrs. Bates scheme to theoretically work it would have required a minimum of 360 million people in the US. It was estimated during the trial at a estimated population of 200 million would mean you would need 160 more million than the current population of the United States at that time. The population in 2014 is almost 314 million so even today they’re still shy. 322PC operating a lottery without a license. Legal Definition: Any person who aids or assists, either by printing, writing, advertising, publishing, or otherwise in setting up, managing, or drawing any lottery, or in selling or disposing of any ticket, chance, or share therein, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Notable Guest Stars:
Character actor Sam Edwards appears as Mr. Black. He’s appeared in numerous guest roles on television shows throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. His last known role was as Bill Anderson on “Little House on the Prairie” (1978-1983). Sidney Clute appears as a salesman. He is best known as Det. Paul La Guardia in “Cagney & Lacey” appearing in 83 episodes of the show even though after his death in 1985 his name remained in the opening credits until the show ended.
Regulars: Virginia Gregg appears as con-woman Bonnie Bates. Art Gilmore as Capt. Lambert.
The Phony Police Racket - Air Date: 7-Dec-1967
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are working out of the Frauds Division when Capt. Lambert has them check out on a complaint from an irate lady insisting on talking to a Capt. Freemont – who nobody in the department has ever heard of. They discover a phony con being played on business owners and citizens who donate to the NALE (National Association for Law Enforcement) fund which entitles them to courtesy treatment. The victim’s donation is taken in the form of an ad in the NALE magazine and the victim gets a courtesy card which entitles them to special privileges when it comes to police matters. The department decides to let the newspapers and television break the story to warn citizens of the scam which bring another victim of the scam to the police station who can produce a copy of the phony magazine. Finally, they get the break in the case that they’re waiting for.A man who is meeting with the phony police officer is brought into the station after ripping up a speeding ticket.Turns out he’s another victim of the scam and has a meeting with the elusive suspect. Can Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon use this opportunity to catch the phony officers who are giving the LAPD a bad reputation?
Character and Show Facts: Bill was counting on finishing his shift on time so he and Eileen could celebrate him being finishing his shift on time.
Notable Guest Stars: Well-known radio announcer Del Moore appears as Wesley Hundorn. He is best known as Dr. Mortimer S. Warfield in the movie “The Nutty Professor” (1963). Ben Hammer appears as the phony Paul G. Freemont. He appeared several times on the television show “Law & Order” (1990-2010) as Judge Herman Mooney. Other notable role as scientist Herb Kline in the Sci-Fi-Sexploitation movie “Invasion of the Bee Girls” (1973).
Regulars: Nydia Westman appears as Jennifer Salt. Kent McCord appears as Officer Jim Reed. Robert Knapp appears as Capt. Lambert. Don Ross makes his 6th appearance on the show as Bart Emerson.
The Trial Board - Air Date: 14-Dec-1967
A young police officer named Phil Waverly is accused of taking a bribe, associating with a known bookmaker, and not identifying himself as a police officer. He requests that Sgt. Friday defend him at his hearing before the trial board. He claims he didn’t know his old army buddy Ted Clover was a booky until a few minutes before they were confronted by cops. Waverly denies ever taking a bribe as former army buddy now claims. Will Sgt. Friday be able to help this officer clear his name even when two police officers claim to have seen Waverly accepting a bribe?
Notable Guest Stars: Steve Carlson plays accused Officer Phil Waverly.Some may remember him as Dr. Gary Lansing from the soap “General Hospital” (1977-1979).
Regulars: Clark Howat appears Lt. Roger Mairs. Art Balinger appears Dep. Chief Simon. Art Glimore appears Capt. Merton Howe. Alfred Shelly appears as Sgt. Hugh Binyon.
The Christmas Story - Air Date: 21-Dec-1967
This episode was a remake of “The Big Little Jesus” from the 1950s Dragnet which aired 24-Dec-1953. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are called to a theft where a statue of the Child Jesus has been stolen from the Nativity scene on display at the former Mission Church in San Fernando. Although the statue isn’t worth much money, it does hold a deep sentimental value among the church and its patrons. After talking with two of the altar boys, they track down a down and out man to a hotel for men whom one of the altar boys saw with a bundle. They take the man down to the station where he remains silent for almost an hour until deciding to talk. He believed he was in trouble for borrowing a friend’s car and accidentally causing minor damage to another other car. Convinced the man had nothing to do with the stolen statue and with no leads they let the suspect go. They head back to the Mission Church to inform Father Rojas they failed to find the statue.
Character and Show Facts: Eileen takes care of the Christmas cards in the Gannon household. Bill has a little more Christmas shopping to do. Joe has already finished his shopping. He’s gotten his girlfriend a stationery set, some paper, envelopes, and leather binding. Bill disagrees with the gift Joe has bought his girlfriend. He thinks he should have gotten her something personal – sentimental, romantic. Bill got Eileen a sewing machine for Christmas.
Notable Guest Stars: Harry Bartell appears as Father Xavier Rojas. Other notable roles were as Harry Graham in the movie “Voice in the Mirror” (1958) which also starred Julie London and as headwaiter Conrad Hertz in “Affair in Reno” (1957). He also played Father Rojas in the original 1953 episode. Emergency’s Bobby Troup appears as down and out Claude Stroup. Veteran Character actor Herb Vigran appears as the clerk at the Golden Paradise. He has appeared in numerous radio shows and television series such as “I Love Lucy” (1951-1957), “Adventures of Superman” (1952-1958), and “The Brady Bunch” (1969-1974). “The Brady Bunch’s” Barry Williams (Greg Brady) appears as altar boy John Heffernan.
Regulars: Herb Vigran appears in the original and remake as store owner Mr. Flavin. Ralph Moody appears in the original and remake as the Desk Clerk at The Golden Dream Hotel.
The Big Shipment - Air Date: 28-Dec-1967
A small charter plane goes down carrying a load of 150 lbs marijuana and an envelope stuffed with $100,000 worth of heroin. Apparently, someone has tipped off the press about the plane crash and reporters are at the scene are there before Friday and Gannon arrive at the scene. The plane’s pilot apparently has taken off from the crash. The press agrees to suppress the story so Friday and Gannon can track down the pilot and make the drug drop off in his place. A witness of the plane crash is able to tell the officers that the pilot limped. They are able to get a name and address of a possible pilot of the rental plane from the manager of a flying school/rental business and it is confirmed that the man limped before the plane crash. Despite being given a phony address they are able to track down the apartment building where the pilot lives, however, he no longer lives there, according to his wife who is able to direct them to his new girlfriend’s place. The officers are able to get the location of the drop off for the drugs and set their trap for the drug dealers.
Notable Guest Stars: Julian Barton makes his second appearance on the series as Wallace Shanklin. Lorraine Gray appears as Mrs. Frank. Her most famous role is as Ellen Brody in “Jaws” (1975) and its sequels “Jaws 2” (1978) and “Jaws: The Revenge” (1987). “B” movie leading man, Stephen Dunne of the 40s-50s appears as Fred Robertson. He is best known for roles in the movies “Shock” (1946) and “Home Before Dark” (1958). He guest starred in many television shows from the 50s through the 70s. His smooth voice also landed him many appearances on radio shows. He was billed as Michael Dunne in some of his earlier movies.
Regulars: Clark Howat appears as Capt. Al Trembly William Boyett appears as Sgt. Robert Forsen Bert Holland appears as George Donaldson
The Big Search - Air Date: 4-Jan-1968
A distraught mother reports her two young daughters, ages 3 and 5, missing. The parents of the two girls are divorced and Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon track down the estranged father to see if he has taken the girls while the police search the neighborhood. According to the mother, her daughters wouldn’t cross the street, wander off, or talk to strangers. The father reports that the last time he had seen his children was when he drove by six months ago and spotted the girls playing with a dog. On a long shot, they go talk to a neighbor lady who had a dog that the girls liked to play with who has recently moved out of the neighborhood. It turns out her dog had escaped from her residence that morning. Is there a connection between the missing dog and the missing girls?
Character and Show Facts:
Bill’s children were always bringing home stray dogs.
Notable Guest Stars: Robert Clark appears as the estranged husband and father . Veteran of several campy horror films from the 50s such as “The Man from Planet X” (1957), “The Astounding She-Monster” (1957), and “The Hideous Sun Demon” (1959). Vic Perrin appears as child molester Vernon Hale. He played the serial killer Don Negler (alias J. Johnson) in the Dragnet 1966 pilot movie. He appeared in the 1954 Dragnet movie as Deputy D.A. Adolph Alexander. He was the original Control Voice in the television series ‘The Outer Limits’ (1963-1965) and did voice over work on numerous cartoons and television series such as ‘Mission: Impossible’ (1967-1971), (Jana of the Jungle’ (1978), and the voice of Sinestro in Challenge of the SuperFriends (1978). He died in 1989 at the age of 73. Sidney Clute makes a second appearance on the show as George Selfridge.
Regulars: Kent McCord appears as Office Jim Reed. Peggy Webber appears as distraught mother Marian Stanley.
The Big Prophet - Air Date: 11-Jan-1968
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon pay a visit to Brother William of the Temple of the Expanded Mind. He has been distributing pamphlets promoting the use of illegal substances such as marijuana and LSD. He is suspected of trading illegal drugs to minors. Brother William argues that he is a prophet encouraging of ‘mind expansion’ and evolves with the use of LSD in his ‘bible.’ He insists there is no cost for his literature unless someone wants to make a donation. This particular episode is more a PSA on the follies of using drugs and the arguments of whether there should be laws banning illegal drugs or not.
Notable Guest Stars: Veteran actor Liam Sullivan appears as William Bentley. He has made numerous appearances on shows from the early 50s up until his death in 1998. He appeared as Parmen in the “Star Trek” episode “Plato’s Children” (1968).
The Big Amateur - Air Date: 25-Jan-1968
The Southwest Businessmen’s Associate wants to award a trophy to Officer Gideon Dengle – unfortunately there is no such officer by that epithet on the strength. The police department isn’t sure if this police impersonator is up to no good – or not. During their investigation, Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon find out that ‘Officer Dengle’ is providing the same services associated with a policeman’s duty such as protecting a businessman’s shipment of liquor and duck, watching out for the safety of children crossing the street outside of a preschool, giving out parking tickets, and rescuing a cat out of a tree; it seems that this faux policeman is above reproach. They find out from one of the SWBA members that Officer Dengle has quit the force. A call from the fire department reveals that Dengle is now impersonating a Battalion Chief.
Character and Show Facts: Bill organizes his bills and expenses by putting each one into its own mailing envelope. Him and Eileen attended lectures on Home Management sponsored by the PTA of their children’s school being offered ($1.50 for six lectures) to raise money for equipment for the school’s new gym.
Notable Guest Stars: Character actor Stuart Nisbet appears as Gideon C. Dengle, the fake and apparently do-gooder policeman and later Fire Chief. Dave Carlile appears as Captain Dan Packard (his third appearance on the show). Del Moore makes his second appearance on the show as Tyler Finch. Keye Luke makes his second appearance on the show as George Lum.
Regulars: Clark Howat appears as Capt. Lambert. Bert Holland appears as Harry Wilson. Alfred Shelly appears as Det. Larson.
The Starlet - Air Date: 1-Feb-1968
A woman asks the police for help in finding her runaway niece Patty Lee Bundy. Her niece claims to have a role in a movie, according to a family friend who spotted the girl. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are able to find the girl seen with Patty Lee by the family friend. They find out from her, she was staying with an aspiring actress Eva Graham. They’re able to get a photograph of Patty Lee from her. They discover Miss Graham has a record for prostitution and indecent exposure. The officers pay a visit to the officers involved in her arrests, Sgt. Zabel and Officer Shaidell who are part of the Pornographic Unit of Administrative Vice and discover Miss Graham has taken part in the porno movies. A few days later, the Vice Officers call them back after recognizing the missing teen on film from some movies they got during a bust. They are capable to identify who most likely made the films and they team up with the Vice officers to hold him. He leads them back to Miss Graham, who knew the whereabouts of the teen the entire time.
Character and Show Facts: Police code 311-2 is indecent exposure and 647B is prostitution. $75.00 was the higher end pay for actress starring in porno movies. Tijuana Bibles are small hand held pornographic cartoons often using cartoon characters from popular comic strips, cultural icons, popular actresses, and politicians.
Notable Guest Stars: Popular soap star Susan Seaforth (Hayes) appears as Eva Graham. She is best known as Julie Williams on the soap “Days of Our Lives” (1968-1984) and JoAnna Manning on “The Young and Restless” (1973). Character actress Amzie Strickland appears as Thelma Wade. She appeared in many television shows and movies starting in 1937 until 2001. She died of Alzheimer’s in 2006 at the age of 87. B-movie actor Lyle Talbot appears as William Joseph Cornelius. He appeared as Commissioner Gordon in the serial “Batman and Robin” (1949) and was the first actor to play Lex Luther in “Atom Man vs. Superman” (1950). He is also the father of Stephen Talbot, who is best known as Gilbert, Beaver’s friend on “Leave It to Beaver” (1957-1963). He appeared in several Edward D. Wood movies such as “Jail Bait” (1954) and “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1959). He was active in films and television from 1931 until 1987. He died at the age of 94 in 1996. Jo Ann Harris appears as the friend of the missing teen, Jo-Elle Murphy. She is best known for her roles as Carol in “The Beguiled” (1971) and as Frady’s Girl Chrissy in “The Parallax View” (1974).
Regulars: Leonard Stone appears as Off. Don Shaidell. Robert Patten appears as Sgt. Lester Zabel.
The Big Clan - Air Date: 8-Feb-1968
The city has a rash of gypsy related frauds and swindles. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon go undercover to the kibosh on a band of gypsies engaging in these illegal activities that include police bribery. They win over one of the gypsy rings run by Dallas Howard and her son Billy Catcher that they are on the take and will assist them in protecting their band while putting the squeeze on their rivals.
Character and Show Facts: Sgt. Friday has $4.86 in his pocket before the bribe. Section 43.30 of the municipal code is engaging in and carrying on the business of telling fortunes by means of psychic powers, prophecy, clairvoyance, and magic. The residence where Dorothy Miller and Sgt. Friday arrest Mother Maria (Madam Zora) is the same house used in The Big Prophet (columns are a light lavender and windows are dressed differently).
Notable Guest Stars: Don Dubbins makes his third appearance on the show as Billy Catcher. Lillian Bronson makes her first appearance on Dragnet as Fay Sager. She appeared as Grandma Spencer in the movie “Spencer’s Mountain” (1963) with Virginia Gregg as Miss Parker. A more detailed write up on her can be found under the Season 1 Emergency section of this site under the “Brush Fire” episode. Lillian Adams plays gypsy Mother Maria and may be more recognized for her work in television commercials. She also played Aunt Frida in “The Sweetest Thing” (2002) and Mama Kowolski in “Bruce Almighty’ (2003).
Regulars: Clark Howat appears as Capt. Lambert. Merry Anders appears as Dorothy Miller. Virginia Gregg appears as Dallas Howard.
The Little Victim - Air Date: 15-Feb-1968
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are called to Green Pines Children’s hospital to look into a case of serious child abuse involving a 9-month old baby. The mother claims the baby fell down a flight of stairs, but the hospital physician is certain the injuries are from abuse. . The baby’s mother is not present and when the officers go to the address she gave the hospital ends up being an empty warehouse. They are called back to the hospital after the mother shows up there to take the baby home. They inform the mother, her baby is now in protective custody. She claims she had left the baby with her husband when the baby fell. Friday and Gannon go to the apartment complex the couple live in and talk to some of the neighbors about the baby’s parents. They go talk to both of the baby’s parents and learn that it was the male parent who had beaten the baby. Will the mother do what’s best for her kid or will her devotion to her husband win out.
Character and Show Facts: Bill mentions he has four children.
Notable Guest Stars: Brooke Bundy appears as mother, Louise Marshall, who is more concerned about her husband than the welfare of her baby son. She appeared on many television shows starting in the early 60s through early 90s. On time son-in-law of Dean Martin, Kiel Martin (who packed on the last name Martin when he married Dean’s daughter Claudia) appears as the bullying, self-centered husband, and abusive father Walter Marshall. His most recognizable role is as Officer J.D. LaRue in the popular 80s television series “Hill Street Blues” (1981-1987). He died of lung cancer at the age of 46 in 1990. Elizabeth Rogers appears as Mrs. Bradley. She played Eve Sorenson in the Dragnet 1967 movie pilot.
The Big Squeeze - Air Date: 22-Feb-1968
Extortionist name George Fox is turns himself willingly to the police after finding out an arrest warrant will be served to him. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon need to get him to admit to some key pieces of admission so they can solidify the case against him. Who will come out the victor in this verbal exchange of cat and mouse?
Notable Guest Stars: John Sebastian appears as extortionist George Fox. This is his third appearance on the show.
The Suicide Attempt - Air Date: 29-Feb-1968
Capt. Brown receives a long distance call from a woman in New York who is concerned about her son who called her to say ‘goodbye’ before killing himself. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are sent to track the man down before he kills himself. They go to his last known address and talk to the man’s estranged wife. She informs them that her husband has been surviving with his sis. The officers met with the man’s sister as she arrives at her apartment. She tells the officers that her brother will be calling her soon which gives the officers time to set up a trace on her phone. Prior to calling, the man has taken about 30 or more pills of sodium phenobarbital. They manage to keep him on the phone long enough to find out that he’s called from the hotel. They have less than two hours to find the suicidal man.
Character and Show Facts: When this show aired, in order to trace a phone call, the person needed to be on the line for 5 minutes or more. The call from the brother came in at 6:18pm and the phone company called back at 6:32pm.
Notable Guest Stars: Jill Donahue, daughter of filmmaker Jack Donahue and former wife of actor Stacy Keach, plays the Nina Draper sister of suicidal. She has made noteworthy appearances in motion pictures such as ‘Face of Fire’ (1959) and ‘Winter A Go-Go’ (1965) along with numerous television appearances on shows in the 60s and 70s. Second appearance on the show for Luana Anders as Anna Marie Harmon. Quinn O’Hara appears as dancing girl Tami Avalon. She played the female lead Jada in the movie “In the Year 2880’ (1967) and appeared in the movie ‘The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini’ (1966) as Sinistra.
Regulars: Art Balinger appears as Capt. Brown. Herb Virgran appears as John Hagen. Don Ross makes his 6th appearance on the show as Eugene Dickson.
The Big Departure - Air Date: 7-Mar-1968
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are investigating a series of burglaries at various businesses. The only thing they have to go on is that the perpetrators are juveniles and the names Charlie, Clego, and Vernon. The one thing all of these robberies have in common are specific items seem to be stolen such as nonperishable food items, first aid kits, batteries, gardening tools, cooking utensils, portable generator, etc. Each robbery uses the same method of breaking by tying a line to the bumper of a vehicle and pulling a window away. They finally get a break in the case when the police arrest three youths who had just burglarized a sporting goods store. While being interrogated, the youths reveal that they were planning to create their own utopian society on an island off the coast.
Character and Show Facts: 459 code is for burglary. Bill goes on a ‘word’ kick and he’s armed with a Thesaurus.
Notable Guest Stars: Kevin Couglin plays teen Paul Seever. He is best known for his role as T.R. Ryan on the television series ‘Mama’ (1949-1957). He was killed in a hit and run in 1976 at the age of 30. Disney kid Roger Mobley appears as Charles Vale. This is his second appearance on the show. Lou Wagner appears as Dennis Meldon. Many may recognize him as Harlan Arliss from the television series ‘CHiPs’ (1978-1983). This is his first of four appearances on Dragnet. He also played Lucius in the movie ‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968). His most recent appearances have been on the television show ‘Raising Hope’ (2010-2014) as Wally Phipps. Howard Culver makes his third appearance on the show as Nathan Vollmer. He is best known for his semi-regular role of Howie Uzzell on the television series ‘Gunsmoke’ (1955-1974)
The Investigation - 14-Mar-1968
Sgt. Friday is selected to be on Civil Service board to do oral interviews with potential candidates for the police academy. Those candidates that pass the oral examination fill out a Personal History Form (PHF) which and used for a background investigation. Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon work as department background investigators to verify statements by 37 applicants. During one of these checks, one of the applicant’s statements in his PHF doesn’t match up to statements made by his ex-wife. What else will they discover about this applicant and will it disqualify him from joining the force?
Notable Guest Stars: Susan Seaforth Hayes makes her 2nd appearance on the show as Virna Lanham. Herb Anderson makes his third appearance on the show as Carl Shumley. Roy Engle appears as Art Turnbull. He is most recognizable for playing Dr. Paul Martin on ‘Bonanza’ (1959-1970) and President Ulysses S. Grant on several episodes of ‘The Wild Wild West’ (1966-1969). He died in 1980 of meningitis at the age of 67.
Regulars: Stuart Nisbet makes his 4th appearance on the show as the Chief of Mintville Gene Boland makes his 2nd appearance as Howard Digby, one of the potential academy applicants. Dennis McCarthy makes his 4th appearance on the show as Leonard Robbins. Bert Holland appears as Ed Swift. Ed Deemer makes his 2nd appearance on the show as Chief Oxley.
The Big Gambler - Air Date: 21-Mar-1968
While working out of the Frauds Division, Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon interview a businessman who is short $100,000 after having the biggest volume of sales in his company. Suspecting an employee is stealing company funds, they narrow the suspects down to three people. The first suspect, Sally Fisher is in charge of Accounts Receivable and she’s admitted to making booking mistakes in the past while under the stress of taking care of her invalid mother. She also acknowledges that not all her mother’s expenses are covered by insurance and she scrambles to make ends meet. The second suspect, Henry Pendleton, is the purchasing agent. The third suspect is the warehouse manager, George Barnes, who has broken up with his wife several months ago and seems to be have a way with the ladies. While talking to the bartender at the bar he frequents they find out that he’s usually broke a few days before payday. The officers pay a visit to the purchasing agent’s wife and find out that according to his wife that he was married before and has three children and pays her a percentage of his wages which is why they live in a low rent area and why her husband moonlights at a gas station. The officers discover he has lied to his wife about being married before and about working at the gas station. Why can’t Henry Pendleton live comfortably on and where is he really spending his nights?
Character and Show Facts: Eileen is making Bill’s favorite, fried chicken for supper. She gets upset when he doesn’t make it home when she cooks something special. He doubts she’ll save him some because it’s her favorite too.
Notable Guest Stars: Vic Perrin makes his second appearance on the show as Henry Pendleton. Character actor Robert Brubaker appears as Edward Loring in his third appearance on the series. Julian Barton makes his third appearance on the show as George Barnes. Character actress Virginia Vincent makes her second appearance on the show as Sally Fisher. Standup comic, radio host, and character actor Buddy Lester makes his second appearance on the show as Nick Gerber.
Regulars: Virginia Gregg makes her 5th appearance in the series as Norma Pendleton. Don Ross makes his 8th appearance on the show as Jim Barlow.
The Big Problem - Air Date: 28-Mar-1968
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are working on community relations between the police and citizens in order to promote community support. They meet with a citizen’s group to try to iron out some misconceptions. He advises the group call the department if there are rumors or actual events of misconduct. One attendee refuses to believe cops are there to serve and help the public. He thinks cops are against him and his community. The next day, a couple who attended the meeting arrive at the station and confront Sgt. Friday believing it was because of their race that they pulled over by the police on their way home. Sgt. Friday goes through the activity log of the policemen who had pulled them over. Unknown to the couple the vehicle they were driving is the same type wanted in a series of residential burglaries in their region. Sgt. Friday talks to the officers about not antagonizing citizens or stepping on their toes and what they could do to improve relations with the public. A man wanted on a traffic warrant barricades himself in his apartment convinced that the cops are going to beat him up or worse. Can Sgt. Friday convince the man to peacefully come out of his apartment?
Notable Guest Stars: Georg Sanford Brown appears as Billy Jones. He is best recognized for his roles as Terry Webster on the television series ‘The Rookies’ (1972-1976), Tom Harvey in the miniseries ‘Roots’ (1977) and ‘Roots: The Next Generation’ (1979), and Garrison Grady in ‘North and South’ (1985). Former husband of ‘Cagney and Lacey’ star Tyne Daly.
Right as Garrison Grady in North and South (1985) and bottom in The Rookies (1972-1976)
Tom Reddin appears as himself at the conclusion of the episode. He was the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1967-1969. He left the department in 1969 to become a news commentator and form his own private security company. He was a technical adviser for 26 episodes of Adam-12, 67 episodes of Dragnet, and production consultant for 7 episodes of Police Story. He died at the age of 88 in 2004.
Character actor Roy Glenn appears as concerned citizen John Erickson. He appeared in some uncredited parts in a few movies at the end of the 30s and made several appearances in films and televisions shows in the 50s and 60 such as ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ (1961), ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ (1967), and ‘Support Your Local Gunfighter’ (1971). He died of cardiovascular disease in 1971 at the age of 56.
Maidie Norman appears as Elsa Erickson. The talented stage, film, television actress, and theater instructor made her film debut in ‘The Peanut Man’ (1947), as Martha Crawford in ‘The Well’ (1951) which also starred Harry Morgan, and as housekeeper Elivra Stitt in the movie ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane’ (1962). She refused to play roles that depicted African-Americans as subservient or stereotypical. In 1977 she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. She passed away in 1998 of lung cancer at the age of 85.
Maidie Norman, right, The Well (1951)
John McCook appears as Officer Nick Jeffries. He is best recognized for his work on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ (1987-present) as soap patriarch Eric Forrester. Previously married to Juliet Prowse, he is presently married to actress Laurette Sprang (Cassiopeia on ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (1978-1979)).
Richard Van Vleet appears as Officer Martin. He is best now for his role as Dr. Chuck Tyler II on the soap “All My Children” (1979-2005).
Character actress Celia Lovsky appears as Rita Goldstein. She was a rising stage actress in Berlin when she met husband and renowned horror movie actor Peter Lorre. She played the ruler T’pau of the planet Vulcan in the ‘Star Trek’ episode ‘Amok Time’ (1967). She also made six appearances in the original Dragnet series (1953-1959). She died in 1979 at age of 82.
Character actor Victor Millan appears as Sam Gonsalves. He appeared in numerous films and television series throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. He was at one time the Dean of Theater Arts at Santa Monica College. He died in 2009 at the age of 88.
Regulars: Clark Howat appears as Capt. Shannon Ed Deemer appears as Sgt. Charles Park