"Dragnet" recreation of the lost premiere episode of famous police procedural audio drama from June 3 1949 (plus bonus parody)
Project Audion: Classic Audio Dramas for Modern Times · Larry Groebe
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Show Notes
Just the facts, ma'am: DRAGNET is one of the few programs from the classic age of audio drama which is still recognized by most people today - for the iconic four-note theme, at least. But even Dragnet didn't hit the airwaves at the start in its fully-realized familiar form. Episode number one, which aired on June 3, 1949, survives only via a script, not a recording. That script reveals a compelling cop show, but one which doesn't quite match our memories of Jack Webb's LAPD detective formed from years of radio, television, and movie versions. All of which makes Project Audion's new reconstruction of that very first episode such a fascinating show worth listening to. Even the Dragnet theme isn't yet there. But Joe Friday is, along with his partner Ben Alexander, and the true-life crime stories where "only the names have been changed - to protect the innocent."
But wait -- there's more (as they used to say on the commercials accompanying Dragnet TV reruns). R. L. Mills, that senior scriptwriting script and storyteller from the days of Bob Hope, has penned a parody of Dragnet called "Hairnet" - and THAT plays back right AFTER our lost premiere. The same cast is heard (and seen) in both shows...only of the parts were changed, to protect the actors...
Denise and Norman Cline, Kentucky Pete Fernbaugh, West Virginia Caleb Fisher, Virginia Chris Hart, Florida Ed Herman, New York Sean Massey, Texas Bob Mills, California Craig Whichman, New York ...with production, direction, sound & music by Larry Groebe in Texas