Dragnet - Season 3 - Episode 39 - The Big False Make

Friday has doubts about the guilt of a gardener who has confessed to a crime.
Director: Jack Webb
Writer: Jack Webb
Starring: Jack Webb, Ben Alexander, Olan Soule, Vic Perrin

[@taylornielsen5805]

I like how he puts the match in his pocket and puts out his cigarette on the floor.

[@kevinturner1943]

Also how he takes two puffs and puts it out. Today that would have been costly with the costs of cigarettes.

[@33whiskey69]

No glitz, no glamour, Frank and Joe were just hard-working police officers. Thanks to the police officers today who do the same quiet, unassuming job that keeps us all safer.

[@annhamilton7319]

Lol. I ♡ Friday!!! But the cops in my suburb are crap. I am done calling 911 because they are stupid. On a power trip!! Dumbasses. I've paid their salaries here 35 years - but they are worthless

[@brainplow]

I love the plug for Poland Spring Water, being from Maine!

[@stevenkovler5133]

Who knew it was available in the early 50’s !

[@chloecook4511]

It was good to see Aunt Bea again. ❤

[@andjkh]

Product placement big time.😂 I didn't even think bottled water was a thing yet.

[@MrMenefrego1]

Poland Spring bottled water was first sold in 1876.

[@Jiltedin2007]

The only Bottled Water I could think of in 1952 was Home Delivery.

[@Mr.Howell]

Mr. Howard Hughes drank bottled water. I thought you should know.

[@UQRXD]

@@Mr.Howell He saved his pee in bottles too.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Dog gone, Aunt Bee was never this hospitable in Mayberry!

[@willoughby1888]

She was never anything but actress "Frances Bavier" in Mayberry either. Here she is Mrs. Hazel Howard listed as character Hazel Howard also. That fact threw me a curveball right at my back when i wasn't looking.

[@pattyamato8758]

She was very hospitable in Mayberry. She often invited people to dinner, even

[@Bill23799]

If Joe was feeling that headache due to dehydration he should have drank that entire bottle of Poland Water.

[@sabrinan4792]

Bottled water...in 1951, waddya know. Poland Spring water is still going strong...

[@manwithumbrella]

Poland Spring bottled water was first sold in 1876.

[@James_Bowie]

Ep is dated 1956

[@normanwhite6677]

Even Aunt Bee is confused by daylight savings time.

[@myronthompson607]

4u uh

[@frankdenardo8684]

She needs go back to Mayberry to be with Sheriff Andy Taylor and Opie.

[@TheFishdoctor1952]

Was there daylight saving time in California back then or just something in the show?

[@curtcaudle5900]

Not Aunt Bea 😮 character actor

[@oldfart3137]

@@curtcaudle5900 you're right. This was before Aunt Bea and Frances Bavier. She was Hazel Howard at this time.

[@axiomist4488]

This is the first time I've seen one of these cop shows that left me feeling sad .

[@williamgorden6390]

The easiest busts ever. Suspects see Friday and just give up.😂

[@pdm2201]

These shows make me feel nostalgia for times when people had manners and acted normal.

[@karlschulte9231]

"Joe" later did award winning masterful role as a DI in Army.

[@phil6506]

" Not every day you hear about a robbery like this" how times have changed.

[@joeylawn36111]

Now in LA, they might not even bother to arrest you....

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

In NYC too and Chicago and other places.

[@theaxis2000]

nowadays nobody uses cash anymore so a stick up like that isn't worth the effort anymore

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

Dragnet is still great drama, and this is one of the best I've seen. The ending is heart wrenching. Instead of a fixed sentence he could be inside for life.

[@653j521]

For what, though? He just wanted to be someone. You don't get kept locked up for life for that.

[@rickmiller1429]

Also, she went by the name of Hazel Howard.

[@wandahall4435]

Thanks for posting these programs they are great 👍

[@christinerobinson890]

This was actually a pretty good program. Almost ahead of its time.

[@feralbluee]

my goodness, Aunt Bea sure has charisma - she just shines here. her personality is delightful. no wonder Andy Griffith chose her. :)

[@rocketscientisttoo]

That's because she was a superb actress, even changing the tone of her voice to deliver the lines for the best effect, Definitely underrated.

[@jossetteking4967]

She was not only an outstanding actress, but in her younger days, she was a looker. Check some of the photos. There are some pin-up pictures of her that are beautiful!

[@feralbluee]

@@jossetteking4967 mmm, didn’t know that. i loved her as she was. perfect granma or aunt :)

[@jossetteking4967]

@@feralbluee I agree. She was delightful as Aunt Bea! But acoue of years ago, I was looking for more info on her and discovered some pictures of her. Quite a looker, to be sure. 😊

[@herbieschustermeyer7941]

Her and Andy fought all of the time on The Andy Griffith Show

[@Tommy-76]

The fellow playing Tom Stanford is Bob Crosson. You may remember him from White Christmas; he’s the one with the train tickets for Wallace and Davis (Crosby and Kaye)

[@feralbluee]

how do you know these things? i know stuff that others wouldn’t bother with also, but this is really esoteric. thank you :) 🌷🌿🌼🌱🌷

[@julianhermanubis6800]

Bill Johnstone, who played Arthur Stanford in this show, was the voice of radio's invisible crime fighter, the Shadow, for several years.

[@a.rosesrbleu9580]

He had very expressive eyes---also blinked a lot....Was he in any other Dragnet episode that you know of?

[@fromthesidelines]

Also a supporting player on "LUX RADIO THEATER", and "Hap" during the Auto-Lite commercials on "SUSPENSE".

[@julianhermanubis6800]

@@a.rosesrbleu9580 Bill Johnstone was on TV's "Dragnet" four times---in 1952, twice in 1954, and in 1955.

[@masterbondofox8982]

I thought that was Jack Johnstone

[@julianhermanubis6800]

@@masterbondofox8982 Nope.

[@JILL0704USA]

Salt tablets today, garlic nut butter sandwich tomorrow ! LOVE these shows!

[@Michelle-Eden]

I wish robbery in California was still punished by not less than 5 years in prison.

[@michaelmapes4119]

Hell now a days they would thrown Friday in the clink instead!

[@waynecampbell9426]

First degree robbery carries a sentence of up to nine years.

[@Michelle-Eden]

@@waynecampbell9426 So why do the animals run wild now?

[@McIntyreBible]

10:37, "..I wish my husband were here, he'd show that snip!.. he's fighting over seas and getting shot at, and young punks like that are roaming the streets!"

[@robertwalton7307]

Korea at the time was hot and heavy. Good luck to the husband!

[@Glinkaism1]

Actor Bill Johnstone was Mr. District Attorney on radio and wrote/produced the Johnny Dollar radio series.

[@julianhermanubis6800]

He was also the voice of the mysterious Shadow on radio, "never seen, only heard, as haunting to superstitious minds as a ghost."

[@fromthesidelines]

It was *JACK* Johnstone who wrote and produced "YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR".

[@fromthesidelines]

Originally telecast on May 27, 1954, and adapted from a May 17, 1953 radio episode.

[@wandahall4435]

Jack Webb is A Savage!!!

[@erichwise9936]

What is that supposed to mean and why do you keep saying it?

[@wandahall4435]

@@erichwise9936 I just mean that He is upfront about things & cuts People to the quick and is matter of fact. I miss that nowadays

[@snewsan6645]

In my 20s I had a big crush on him. I still do. Super hot guy.

[@pattyamato8758]

In those days the idea that someone would buy bottled water was weird and unusual

[@MrMenefrego1]

When we were kids back in the 1950s and '60s, they used to give us salt pills at recess; The thinking was that we would sweat out too much salt during the summer months. Oh well, we survived.

[@caroldixon7796]

I have to take half a salt pill every other day. My sodium leaches out for some reason. My mother had the same problem. If your sodium gets too low ,you can have a stroke. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, aren't we?

[@jackanthony976]

What is Aunt Bee doing on Dragnet? She belongs back in Mayberry baking pies!

[@BETTERWORLDSGT]

I've seen Her in a couple Movies too before Andy Griffith!

[@collegesuccess]

She stole a pickle recipe! (Sad!) :-)

[@Alwis-Haph-Rytte]

She was in the witness protection program because of another investigation by the ATF. That's why the name change and living with the Sheriff in a dry county, LOL

[@Alwis-Haph-Rytte]

@greg mccarter nah not beer bottle Betty mean aunt Bea.

[@jusme164]

Being sexy is a hard job .rlmao

[@snewsan6645]

They drank from the same bottle and didn't wipe the mouth off. How times have changed.

[@938quilt]

tell them your son's a bum. they know that already LOL!

[@puck30]

Product placement!😂 Poland Spring, who knew?!

[@ryanbarker5217]

i wonder if chrysler, coke, and poland spring water were sponsors. sometimes it would be fun to watch the commercials from back in the day.

[@timferguson1593]

'Trust me!' Sounds like the Hobo off "Polar Express"

[@pressureworks]

Like how Bill Gannon was based on Frank Smith.

[@nevelyncleckley7180]

I thought that was aunt Bee, didn't know she played in dragnet

[@thomasmcqueeney6877]

Didn't know Poland springs was that old

[@MrMenefrego1]

Poland Spring bottled water was first sold in 1876.

[@davefsmith6040]

Aunt Bea Did it !!!

[@rachs57]

and Poland Spring is STILL one of the best waters!!

[@janehellendrung2123]

Bvvv. G. Gg g g g. Gg g g. G

[@shaggydogg630]

Hi Aunt Bee!

[@jonnychingas5757]

Dragnet meets Mayberry

[@gbarthg]

@2:55 "Your body's screaming for salt." @3:36 "That's good water." John Robinson wrote this episode. He also contributed to two great TV series, "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and "Trackdown". The title of this episode of Dragnet, "The Big False Make", is perfect. Robinson was an underrated writer.

[@TonyMichaels166]

I love Wanted: Dead or Alive

[@thegreatselkie6009]

I love both of those old shows.

[@McIntyreBible]

12:26, thats something you wouldn't see happening today: someone putting out a cigaret on the floor in a police station!

[@marthastevebrown1685]

Roger McIntyre times evolve- there are a lot of things we did in the past that seem so dumb now

[@McIntyreBible]

@@marthastevebrown1685 most of the time things evolve for the worst!

[@PoPcBroD]

I immediately thought about the floor crew that had to clean it all up. 😅

[@crystalheart9]

Funny seeing the same type of interactions between Joe Friday and his partner here as he had in later shows with Harry Morgan playing Bill Gannon.

[@crystalheart9]

@Boogity Boogity Ah yes, thank you.

[@a.rosesrbleu9580]

Frances Bavier---what a wonderful addition to any show or movie!!! Was she eating lettuce or a potato chip??? Not that she ever did eat it...LOL!

[@robertbernard6410]

looked like a chip to me

[@gummieworms3909]

I thought it was a potato chip too☺

[@blainenodes8182]

Tofu🤯

[@pattymiller9040]

​@@blainenodes8182😅That wasn't a thing then😁

[@corallewis3788]

Great show..

[@clairewyndham1971]

When Jack Webb died, the City of Los Angeles gave him a Cop funeral. The badge number 714 was retired. Police Officers from all over the US came to pay homage. When "Dragnet" first came on the radio, there were no other police dramas anywhere that actually showed cops as smart, decent hardworking people.

[@stephenroman9015]

Aunt "B" was the 🗝️ in solving this....

[@jilljansen2638]

I note that Frances Bavier's name wasn't among the credits; she's listed as the character she portrayed. Hazel Howard. Interesting. it seemed Jack Webb was always meticulous about detail.

[@johnbettmann6888]

I caught that also. Kind of strange.

[@Whatifiamarobot]

I love Dargnet. It really was one of the detective shows. And Joe, love him too

[@jorgejefferson8251]

Didn't know that Poland Springs water had been on the market that long.

[@marcosmith2501]

Calso water maybe

[@FloridaMugwump]

Yes, since before the civil war. Of course, the American public didn't embrace the concept of bottled water until 1987.

[@donlove3741]

@@FloridaMugwump mineral water was widely used.

[@FloridaMugwump]

@@donlove3741 its not mineral water, just water that exits the ground without mechanical assistance.

[@donlove3741]

@@FloridaMugwump bottled mineral water dolt! Not just Poland springs. Your claim of bottled water not being generally accepted is false.

[@nomadpi1]

Miss Howard, aka "Aunt Bea" to Opie, aka Hazel Howard was a successful actress for decades. Like most actresses, Holly Wood, did several studies of her as to different portrayals. She, like Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth was a pin-up to G.I.s I saw a "cheese cake" picture of her several years ago. She was a lovely young woman,

[@Bill23799]

Sgt Friday and his partner Officer Smith did not play well with others. They were constantly being transferred to work in other divisions.

[@jacksonripholmes3236]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ STANDING UP FOR THE INNOCENT

[@snewsan6645]

"Seems like the motor was going but you couldn't get the clutch out." Try saying that on television today. You'll be canceled before you can blink an eye.

[@annarodriguez9868]

Does anyone even know what a clutch is?

[@snewsan6645]

@@annarodriguez9868 I think most do. I hope so anyway.

[@annarodriguez9868]

@@snewsan6645 Im not sure because most people have automatic transmission in their cars.

[@latinforever]

I have a driver's ed book from 1970, my high school days. It gives complete instructions on how to drive a three-speed manual transmission car.

[@tryithere]

After he takes the pills, the guy says Actually, they're hallucinogenics. You'll be tripping in no time.

[@jujujupiter]

I had that thought too. Lol

[@deewilson3239]

Wow, a commercial for Poland Spring Water 😅

[@26betsam]

The good old days, "cigarette ? Please!"

[@waterhead1029]

Wow. That pizza commercial jumped the shit out of me. I’ll remember that one, but never another.

[@mick7even]

Joe! Just eat your salt!!!

[@francesfarmer736]

This episode is from 1951....Can you believe Frances Bavier was only 49 here?

[@manwithumbrella]

Uh, no, it'd from 1954. She was 52.

[@TheFishdoctor1952]

According to the copyright, season 3 was in 53.

[@francesfarmer736]

@@TheFishdoctor1952well whatever, she still looks old for her age…..

[@Glinkaism1]

There is something to using salt to stop tinnitus [ear ringing]. It can be caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure. Salt caused BP to rise. Tinnitus reduced. It can go the other way, too. I use Tylenol. It helps.

[@lecocollinsworth4029]

Hypovolemia

[@McIntyreBible]

13:32, "tell them your son is a bum!!...They already know that" Hahahahahahah!!!!

[@howardblasingame7961]

Aunt Bea !!

[@billchambersmarquez1964]

You mean ain't bee! You forget the southern accent!!!;

[@Jiltedin2007]

Friday and Smith about to visit Aunt Bee at 15:48.

[@McIntyreBible]

4:57, this character actor appeared also in the episode The Big Bird.

[@rswear]

Water? From a bottle? Whaaattt? lol

[@angelakortlander3854]

Aunt Bea!

[@Glinkaism1]

hahah

[@joeb7373]

That’s Ain’t Bea

[@georgemaster689]

@@joeb7373 Sho is!

[@JoeyRetroRockets]

Before her cats ate her.

[@timmcquerry6068]

Aunt Bee was about ten yrs. Younger here before she moved to Mayberry 😊! Francis Bouviea(sorry, I don't know the correct spelling) was a Good character actor with a fine speaking voice.

[@user-er9fx3qx7n]

Frances Bavier

[@hawssie1]

That's Aunt Bee.

[@mmmattf6968]

Wow I've never seen aunt Bea in anything else! I recently saw Irene Ryan (granny) too.

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Aunt Bee lived in the rooming house that Carpenter lived in in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951).

[@macmcleod1188]

I've seen pictures of Irene Ryan when she was young. Pretty girl.

[@chrism5792]

I work with people like Tom. Specific direction to do something, fine, they do it. Anything past the basic "do this" and they're lost.

[@mikeh.7499]

I used to say " you have to paint them a picture with words"...

[@clearingbaffles]

I heard Aunt Bee had a falling out with Sheriff Taylor over Ritchie hanging with Phonzie

[@tryithere]

She was a bitch in real life.

[@whitespacemarines4308]

You know your getting old when Aunt Bee is starting to look Hot!

[@erichwise9936]

@@whitespacemarines4308 you're not your.

[@Meinstein]

This scenario will never again play out in Los Angeles.

[@pressureworks]

Wrong again

[@rustydog1236]

There's an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode (actually directed by Hiitchcock himself, and one of the best episodes) where Francis Bavier is really creepy. She made my skin crawl. Also in one of the best Perry Mason episodes too.

[@rogerrobin2774]

Nice product placement for Poland Spring water. Was product placement even a thing back then?

[@katiehall3313]

Great to see Aunt Bee..Daylight Saving’s Time was Cancelled Here this Year....I Miss it...

[@redshiftexperiment]

Nothing like more salt in your diet to stop headaches!?!?! My lord just go to a hotdog vendor for lunch and you'll be good for a good long while. 😀🤪🤯

[@Richard-me2pq]

Andy Griffith hired Joe Friday on the Mayberry Police Force to replace Barney Fife at aunt Bee's recommendation.

[@IndridCool54]

Aunt Bea! What’s you doin’? Where’s Opie?

[@brianjennings7644]

peer pressure pill popping,..happens every day.

[@largemember]

1:28 Joe Friday,the Hypochondriac-COP!!!!

[@Col_K]

Somebody goofed. The end credits said Hazle Howard was portrayed by Hazel Howard instead of Frances Bavier. Aunt Bee must have been pissed.

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

In real life "Thomas" was likely Autistic. Being institutionalized and declaired incompetant was common for Autistics at that time. Now, he would have been released to his Dad and not gone to a psychiatric hospital. Since I am autistic this story made cry because of the way Smith and Friday handled him. They caught on immediately that there was a problem with his story and didn't believe him. It is sad that he was institutionalized because he should not have been.

[@richardrice40]

13:30 What a great line........least I think so😎

[@mordechai-]

Poland Spring Water is that old? Wow.

[@UQRXD]

Tom had beautiful eyes.

[@thegreatselkie6009]

I guess people have always claimed to know more than the doctors who actually went to school…

[@rd8370]

Who else had an urge for Poland springs water when they showed the bottle ? Probably subliminal.

[@Brenkert60]

Aunt Bee's character Hazel Howard was credited at the end as Hazel Howard played Hazel Howard. It did not say Frances Bavier!

[@jusssayin480]

Someone goofed up.

[@georgemaster689]

@@jusssayin480 Apparently!

[@robertedson2374]

Yeah....I noticed that too!! LOL!

[@leondillon8723]

Maybe Hazel Howard was her name, or stage name, at the time and later did not want any connection with the Howard brothers. AKA Moe, Curly and Shemp.

[@richardlewis4288]

I looked in google. Hazel Howard has Francis Bavier’s picture come up. But wiki says nothing of Hazel Howard in her bio at all.

[@ronwade2206]

Francis Bavier was very busy in Hollywood before Andy Griffith was even known.

[@craykanne]

Aunt Bee changed her name.

[@leondillon8723]

Frank Smith was Webb's maternal uncle.

[@RevGunn-jq3cq]

Back when California was a nice place

[@markgarin6355]

...and the scams were simple.

[@stutzbearcat5624]

California is awesome. Just too few people have all the money. We need to get rid of this capitalist system where there's 100 Mega Billionaires and veterans and working poor LIVE IN TENTS.

[@janethartwig774]

California is a state of 155,959 square miles, most of the state is still very nice.

[@thomashenebry8269]

It's not coming back

[@carolutley6523]

Those in the know, stay. So glad to see others leave 🙌

[@Sojourning_]

Actress, Franses Bavier: most known as Aunt Bee from the Andy Giffith show.. She did stage for a time: She was temperamental off camera on the Andy Griffith show. But being the constant professional" she was, The gentle kind hearted caring Aunt Bee: You never guess that of her. My guess, she might of lived longer, lived better if she hadn't withdrew her self from the public eye: The Truly most adorable, lovely lady of them all on the Andy Griffith show: Betty Lynn, most known for being Thelma Lue, she was awesome. Again on the Andy Griffith show: she wasn't offered a contract: personally I feel that was shameful. she was more than able to carry her own weight. Miss you Betty.

[@Cha-y412]

Shouldn't have Friday and Smith contacted Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife before interviewing Aunt Bea?

[@karenrogers4954]

".....based on a true story?? ... " NO WAY!!! In the last episode, Smith was fixing Joe's wisdom teeth!

[@harriettedaisy2233]

The crimes were based on stories from various police departments, the character interaction was fictional.

[@pressureworks]

Stunad

[@bobsaturday4273]

Aunt Bee !

[@deanguando1335]

Puts the burnt match in his pocket but flips the cigarette butt on the floor. Cigarette smoking is a dirty, filthy habit. Totally acceptable back then.

[@markmaki4460]

Cannabis smoking on the other hand...

[@billtribble7197]

everyone smoked back then. i went to a dr. that smoked a pipe while doing exams. great dr.

[@DirtyHarryLarryDickman]

Why are you so uptight? Why don't you light up a cigarette and calm down 😂

[@Rickshaw881]

Good old Aint Bea,, crazy old wacko!