Dragnet was a radio police drama series that focused on real police stories in Los Angeles, with a signature "just the facts" style. It followed the cases of dedicated Los Angeles police detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partners, revealing the boredom and drudgery as well as the danger and heroism of police work. The show aimed for realism and unpretentious acting, and its influence on subsequent police dramas in various media formats was significant. Dragnet's cultural impact continues, as elements of the show remain known and recognizable even to those unfamiliar with the program. The four-note introduction to the theme music, Danger Ahead, and the opening narration are instantly recognizable elements of the show.

Dragnet aired on NBC from June 3rd, 1949, to February 26th, 1957, and later transitioned to television, running from December 16th, 1951, to August 23rd, 1959, and from January 12th, 1967, to April 16th, 1970. There were also two Dragnet feature films, a straight adaptation starring Jack Webb in 1954, and a comedy spoof in 1987. Additionally, there were television revivals without Webb in 1989 and 2003. As the show developed, Friday's deadpan, fast-talking persona emerged, and his various partners provided variety and comic relief throughout the series. The show's scripts tackled a range of topics, from thrilling to mundane, which remained interesting due to the fast-paced plots and behind-the-scenes realism.

Sources: archive.org, wikipedia.org, otrcat.com