Dragnet. The Big Cracker Box 1958. NBC Network. Badge 714, starring Jack Webb and Ben Alexander.

[@ninjabearpress2574]

When Joe said people grab the front box on the shelf I smiled, because I've usually found the fresher items at the back so yeah, I reach into the back of the shelf. I bought a box of crackers a few days ago...excuse me, I'm just gonna go check on something, be right back.

[@MoviecraftInc]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@mohammedcohen]

...I'm close to 75...and the older I gt the more I love appreciate this series..and Webb's performances...

[@rwarren58]

Did you ever see him in “The DI”? I highly recommend it.

[@mohammedcohen]

@@rwarren58 Oh yeah...on of my FAVORITE flocks!!!

[@mohammedcohen]

@@rwarren58 ...he also shows up in The Halls of Montezuma" with Richard Widmark...

[@tomfields3682]

@@mohammedcohen Howzatt?

[@dhgate2]

"Pete Kelly's Bues" is classic. Jack was a big jazz fan.

[@GetMeThere1]

I watched these as a kid all the time. I have to admit though, the coolest part was seeing the guy with the hammer at the end, lol.

[@skykingimagery899]

Right :)

[@CameraBryan]

That's Jack Webb, too

[@GetMeThere1]

@@CameraBryan From the Mark VII article page, on Wikipedia: "The logo, in use in one form or another for much of the company's existence, showed the hands of Jack Webb's construction foreman Harold C. Nyby holding a stamp against a sheet of metal."

[@DennisSullivan-q2r]

The hammer! that's where they got the idea for the clunk, clunk sound, on Law and Order.

[@GetMeThere1]

@@DennisSullivan-q2r Yes. Such sounds are always riveting. It's human nature.

[@skykingimagery899]

I loved Dragnet. Then The Untouchables. Then Columbo. Network TV doesn't hold a candle to today. Jack Webb the understated protagonist

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Columbo was too predictable bcuz they always ended the same way IIRC?

[@DennisSullivan-q2r]

The writing, the quirky characters! This time they didn't follow the usual practice of questioning the suspects separately. And it worked.

[@CuppaTeaandaSliceoCake]

Terrific! a classic ...

[@MoviecraftInc]

Certainly is a favorite!

[@jamielacourse7578]

All this time has passed and this is STILL great television...........

[@asullivan4047]

Nice seeing the city as it once was way back then-!!!😉.

[@cowboy104]

pre taco trucks

[@tc556guy]

Not a single homeless druggie living in a tent on the sidewalk

[@mr.blackhawk142]

U mean back then-???

[@thisisamistake7771]

Mom and Dad would always go Uncle Joe’s house to watch Dragnet before we got our own 📺

[@leonardhandzlik6008]

I watched Dragnet every week. I loved that the stories were true. Nothing could match the snappy dialog between Friday and either Smith or the perps. It might seem a little dated but today's standards, but it set a high standard for future cop shows. Jack Webb did a terrific Dragnet skit on the Johnny Carson Show later in life that was terrific. It was called the Copper Caper. It's on KZbin.

[@trilbywilby7826]

@leonardhandzlik6008 Thank you for sharing that. I just watched it. The timing is what makes it so funny. I laughed from the first line to the last!

[@mohammedcohen]

...the Copper Clapper Caper...

[@deborahnicholson4071]

I used to watch t hese as a child. Loved em then and still do. Ty

[@muffs55mercury61]

Love the old cars and the landmarks. Remembered them well. By the 1970s many were gone. The Brown Derby closed in 1985.

[@MoviecraftInc]

Watching the "backgrounds" in these shows is a lot of fun.

[@kathleenking47]

The late 40s to late 60s Are my favorite Car chassis

[@JiveDadson]

All the cars are from Ford Motors. Even the crook was said to drive a Mercury.

[@waynewright2886]

The Dome of the Brown Derby was Moved to a Temple across the Street from USC at Vermont & Exposition N/W Corner, you can't Recognize it anymore after the Brim was Removed.

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@waynewright2886 So sad !!!

[@r2gelfand]

I have never seen this one. Thank you so much.

[@MoviecraftInc]

You're welcome!

[@frenchmarky]

Me either, I was sure I had seen them all, never ran across this one. Thanks!

[@garyfrancis6193]

나도

[@BartlettTFD]

I remember watching Dragnet in those good ole days 👍

[@XyzXyz-mm9vq]

Wow! What a great quality copy, and that’s including audio and picture! I wish there were more out there like this one. Thank you so much.

[@MoviecraftInc]

You're very welcome

[@davidsigalow7349]

It's always fun spotting 50s - 60s character actors. This one featured Sid Melton, aka "Alf Monroe" - one of the Monroe Brothers from "Green Acres."

[@bovnycccoperalover3579]

Thanks for the great quality. I don't remember this episode

[@MoviecraftInc]

You're welcome. Glad to oblige...

[@ChadQuick270W]

Another great episode that I’ve not seen until now. These are so good to watch. Thanks so much again for this one 👍🏻

[@MoviecraftInc]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Fred-mp1vf]

Imagine that, a dishonest thief! 😅 Thanks for sharing this one!

[@MoviecraftInc]

Thanks for watching!

[@mr.blackhawk142]

That's an oxyMORON! :P

[@patriciajrs46]

Loved Dragnet when I was young. Still love them. Thanks.

[@bikdav]

I wish that I had my Dad’s old 1956 Setchell Carlson TV, so I could play this back on that TV.

[@John-ih2bx]

Classic, thank you

[@MoviecraftInc]

You're welcome...

[@stephenrobinson9449]

Awesome quality video. Thanks.

[@MoviecraftInc]

Much appreciated!

[@bobbybecker80]

Amazing, today this could have been a six episode mini-series with the same number of snappy jokes.

[@jatco84]

Great to see these classics once again..!

[@mikeburrill779]

Nice job 15 years. Good job 👍👍👍

[@miltonhollis703]

I know for sure Dragnet kelp me from being a Juvenile Delinquent.....when I was a kid Dragnet scared the hell out of Me" and kelp me straight... Great actor's great story..I'm 78 And Dragnet is still one of my favorites besides Highway patrol...

[@KNT.63]

Good shows you deserve a like on that one, thanks for sharing. You're right 👍 these shows like dragnet , highway patrol' stand the test of time. Maybe I'm a nostalgic dreamer, I like seeing some of the old things in these shows, especially the cars.

[@leonardhandzlik6008]

I loved Highway Patrol. Nothing like Broderick Crawford saying "10-4, 10-4". Webb was better at his role than Crawford though.

[@tonypanzarella9387]

Dragnet got me to start smoking Chesterfields.

[@darthmauljr]

It's funny you say that. I'm 55 years old, and I grew up. and I grew up on it, watching it with my father. You've mentioned highway patrol. You and me have a lot in common. I love highway patrol. I just started watching them again for the first time in almost 45 years. But how a patrol this is my first time watching. I love the way Jack Webb does. in my opinion, he was a better actor Then Harry Morgan In my opinion, he should have been more. Amazing how Harry Morgan got. more popular. I think Jack Webb is awesome. He produced, directed and he starred. and being the narrator was cool. I am like you. It would have scared the hell out of me. I'll watch shows like this nowadays, because my father died three days after my birthday, 3 years ago. I feel like I'm watching TV with my daddy. I'll watch highway patrol because of the cars. My dad told me about he was the teenager at the time. Broderick Crawford. What a man. Now, that was one hip, dude. Yes, I'm the 60s baby. But like my dad said, quoting. the 50s were the greatest years of his life. I now know why. I love you, Daddy. Sir your words touched me.

[@mr.blackhawk142]

Too much KELP??? :P

[@donmoore7785]

The introduction to this alone is gold, with its historic footage and crisp dialog. The way Friday responded to this crime, you would think someone was murdered. It was just a robbery. Not on his watch, apparently.

[@peterm1826]

Great series.

[@131dyana]

I watched the series on T. V. when I was younger. Love seeing them again. thanks.

[@MoviecraftInc]

You're welcome...

[@patchbunny]

4:54 Weird. The film is flipped, or just that one box? Looks like a normal K to the right.

[@RogerArthur-z2v]

Love those old cars

[@1940limited]

Nice to see that again. I like the older episodes in B&W.

[@MoviecraftInc]

Glad to oblige.

[@harryscott9533]

❤ love dragnet ❤

[@LorenIpsum75]

Enjoyed the pre-Harry Morgan Dragnet episodes. The early TV episodes were re-written from Dragnet radio scripts. Friday's boss, Chief Det. Ed Backstrand, was played by Raymond Burr!

[@kathleenking47]

These are more FILM NOIR The radio show, even got Into drug addicts

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

Indubidubly 🙂

[@clairewyndham1971]

There is one of the radio dramas where the news was delivered that Backstrand got the job! It's kinda cool.

[@george2113]

What's wrong with Harry?

[@BlueWingedRino]

Harry Morgan played in a couple early Dragnets. He was a jewel thief and a hotel clerk.

[@sarahshouse1890]

Excellent show!!!👍👍🫠

[@MoviecraftInc]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@giveitathink6749]

...rest my arches. Love the Jazz talk.

[@Celluloidwatcher]

Thank you for Dragnet, The Big Cracker Box, from 1958. James Gavin appeared in the Perry Mason episode, The Case of the Nervous Accomplice during the '57-'58 season, the same one as this episode of Dragnet, playing a cab driver. They really got around in movies and television those actors, getting rewarding work.

[@NancyChin-eq5lm]

Brings back memories.

[@larsch6529]

Don't forget XM radio. They broadcast these shows. Do you remember the saying "crime does not pay"?

[@jason60chev]

First time I watched an episode from the earlier series. Am more familiar with Officer Bill Gannon, as his partner. Format and presentation didn't change. Good program.

[@leonardhandzlik6008]

Yep, Gannon was played by Harry Morgan from MASH.

[@nightshift5201]

16:56..."pulled a year for purse snatching." Those were the days.

[@TheBlackbelair]

So much crime is dummy-downed now.

[@leonardhandzlik6008]

YEAH, today, you steal less than $1000 from a grocery store and get caught, and you are back out on the streets the same day.

[@tommypeacock3298]

Back in the fifties, my Dad was stationed at Luke AFB, his badge number on his care was 714. Gave him a lot of grief over that!!!!

[@donallan6396]

Trivia but 714 was Babe Ruth's home run record total apparently

[@Catlover2016]

Whenever I hear or see something stupid, the theme from Dragnet (the '69 and '70) runs through my mind. And when I vocalize the music, MANY youth don't know the source. 🤣😹

[@bruceboome]

Wow, some memories. When I was a little boy I watched Dragnet, but not this episode as we left in 1957 from London to South Africa where there was no T.V.

[@randomwrestlingarchive3937]

Never saw this one!

[@MoviecraftInc]

Yes, a pretty rare episode.

[@wolfgang1094]

FYI: In the late 50s early 60s we had a TV series called Stahlnetz (steel net) in Germany starting with the same fanfare and the same film music. Might have been sort of franchise.

[@oldcop18]

Before we got a TV to watch Dragnet we listened to radio programs like Johnny Dollar, Private Eye.

[@EricSchreierMrWonderful]

I fucking love Johnny Dollar. Especially with Bob Bailey. I can listen to them over and over again. And still do.

[@johnkingsley9525]

The scene of Ciro’s nightclub out on the Sunset Strip brought back memories of the home I was raised in the hills just above the nightclub. The theme music is something you never forget- those were the days. Now living in Costa Rica 🌴😎🌴

[@trilbywilby7826]

What's it like over there? Is it safe? Expensive? Amenities?

[@marlenemorris7889]

I love Dragnet

[@tacoheadmakenzie9311]

That Peg...what a swell dame.

[@barryjones872]

I remember watching this on a little black and white TV ,it was that grainy it was hard to make out some of the scenes

[@noahstanley5891]

Today I appreciate the snappy dialogue. Ane when Jack Webb played Pat Novak for hire was even better yet! The lines were amazing and apparently Jack would contribute to them immensely.

[@tnekkc]

I was watching the reruns again in 1975...and pasted a pic of Webb on my $50 black and white TV.

[@tnekkc]

@@mikeh.7499 Webb on SNL showcased his talent for speaking. In the 70s leftists who hated Nixon suggested Webb play Nixon in a movie.

[@shamrock1961]

The HQ building on the show has been torn down. Parker Center is no more!

[@vegas1a]

Like everything else in LA.....

[@MrCoach1957]

@@lilajagears8317 It's not on the same spot and it is not called Parker Center...

[@johncox2865]

Too bad.

[@silviasteinbacher7230]

Que hermosa película! No hay nada como el cine de oro Mexicano❤️

[@Joeblow-ms3cv]

That's steak "Tar-TAR," Joe. 🙂

[@tomfields3682]

Yeah! And it's Loss Anjeliss, Judge, not Las Angle -eez.😉

[@trilbywilby7826]

@@tomfields3682 Yes, I noticed so many shows from back then pronounced it Angle-eez! Even on Perry Mason there were actors who pronounced it like that. I wonder where that pronunciation came from?

[@davidgibson7615]

Sherry TV, Inc was set up a dummy production unit of MCA, Inc.to acquired the original incarnation of Jack Webb's Mark VII Limited which owns Dragnet. Today Dragnet and all Mark VII programs are owned by MCA's forerunner, NBCUniversal. Dragnet radio shows are owned by the estate of Jack Webb.

[@miltonhollis703]

Wow!! No idea....

[@eastcoastrifraf]

I wish i could live in this time.

[@theloyalorderofclassictv5435]

Nice Quality Print!

[@MoviecraftInc]

Thanks!

[@wandahall4435]

Jack and Ben ❤❤❤

[@Rick-np9vz]

It's amazing how they solved all of these crimes without violating people's rights!

[@bobdunn778]

They are great,even if they are old.

[@McIntyreBible]

10:56, this character actress appears in other episodes of Dragnet.

[@randallloomis4756]

Fridays favorite three words: "is that so"

[@fromthesidelines]

Originally telecast on May 22, 1958.

[@sandy-pf9bb]

One month before I was born.

[@AnnacolleenEtters]

That actress who played "Peg" is gorgeous. I wonder why they never married Joe off.

[@sherrychastain2920]

thank you..

[@MoviecraftInc]

Welcome!

[@sarahmariah100]

That was a really good one

[@Porsche996driver]

1:04 Lawry’s on La Cienega what a classic place.

[@montanacrone8984]

OMG. I know all these stores and restaurants. I was barely 5 years old!

[@davidlium9338]

Were these totally restored? It looks like they were.

[@MoviecraftInc]

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, we restored the episodes from 16mm film elements.

[@tonyneal4716]

Burglary Friday. Unusual name.

[@MM-vv8mt]

"Snitches get stiches, Timmins!"

[@MM-vv8mt]

I had a good buzz going before I watched this, and then I saw Jack Webb. Goodbye buzz!

[@TheBlackbelair]

[@skibee421]

🐝🐝🚬

[@jackzaccardi1896]

Sid Melton at 6:15. Great 50’s side actor in TV

[@davesnowjonesboro]

Ha ha! I thought that was Morey Amsterdam!!

[@johnstuartsmith]

Ichabod Mudd (With two D's..) on "Jet Jackson, the Flying Commando." I was much more interested in airplanes than cop equipment.

[@thegreencat9947]

" Just the facts, ma'am....just The facts".

[@donovanbryan5000]

Back then the police actually cared. Actually protected citizens.

[@Mdebacle]

I just saw Sid Melton for a minute. Played Ichabod (Ikky) Mudd on Captain Midnight.

[@jimw.4812]

Looked like Jack Larson who played Jimmy Olson in the Superman TV series at 6:00.

[@giantgeoff]

1957, they taught us how to read Roman numerals along with writing cursive with a nib pen, and when they figured fountain pens weren't a passing fad they taught us how to use them as well.

[@macmcleod1188]

Taught my grandson's cursive last summer. It's faster for note taking.

[@tomfields3682]

At my school they wouldn't let us write with ballpoints.

[@tomfields3682]

@@BSC8987 Because they thought it would hinder us from writing cursive.

[@jacquelinemilton6387]

I watched this along time ago

[@r2gelfand]

Seems to me I was born married😂

[@acmeopinionfactory8018]

Dragnet was the name of the show, it was renamed 'Badge 714' when it went into sindication.

[@johnrudy9404]

The office guy just wouldn't shut up. How can anyone be that un-self aware?

[@mikeh.7499]

also Monty Masters as second unit director...he and his wife Natalie Masters created,and she starred in Candy Matson private eye brief but underrated radio series.based from San Francisco.

[@ralphturner3798]

So why did the thieves put the money in the cracker boxes? They could have easily carried it out when they left with their safe cracking tools. That would have eliminated the necessity to go into the store the next morning, which was dangerous because someone might have recognized them.

[@macmcleod1188]

I believe it was too fool the other thief.

[@skyhawkbill556]

Video quality is very good. How do you get these old films that clear?

[@MoviecraftInc]

Moviecraft Inc. only uploads transfers from master films, and we are trained in film to tape transfer. A lot of the poor uploads you see on KZbin and elsewhere are copied from old VHS tapes instead of 16mm motion picture film.

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

A+ quality...​@@MoviecraftInc

[@ericemmons3040]

Michael Ann Barrett is only the second woman I've heard of named "Michael," the only other one being Michael Learned. . .

[@scottjones3038]

Where are you getting these episodes? It's been many years since any "new" Dragnets have popped up on KZbin or elsewhere. This is really exciting, thank you so much for posting these. Do you by chance have "The Big White Rat" episode from 1953 ?

[@MoviecraftInc]

Sorry but don't have that episode. These lost episodes were acquired from a gentleman who had them in his film collection.

[@YAFONOOB]

20:04 After 45 takes they finally agreed to just let the box fall over...

[@stuartmcpherran5115]

Do you have more Dragnet?

[@MoviecraftInc]

We'll be adding a couple more "unseen" episodes in the future.

[@sherrychastain2920]

very cool..

[@SatoshiOfBitcoin]

🤣: We were working Vice...we we're working Missing Persons...we we're Directing Traffic...we we're working Burglary...every episode they're working a different department within the department!

[@scottbennett777]

"Held as an ex convict with a gun" but no assault charge for punching woman in the eye.

[@aliceputt3133]

Sounds about right for the period.

[@desertodavid]

Today in LA a thief can just walk into a store during the middle of the day and walk out with $950 as many times per day as he wants. No charges. Not even a misdemeanor.

[@gretchengraef3012]

Not true. You're parroting Trump. That's the amount over which the theft is grand larceny.

[@kevinwachs5905]

Why was the introduction about restaurants when the case was about supermarkets?

[@fmnut]

Aah, the glory days before Miranda.

[@jayferguson8127]

I saw all 350 episodes I don't remember this one

[@miltonhollis703]

Same here" over the years since 1955 when I was Ten I've watched so many episodes But NOT THIS ONE.....

[@vegas1a]

The Big Cracker Box, Season 7, episode 34 Original air date May 22, 1958 In my personal collection I only have one episode for this season, so good for me and all who are new to these late arrivals!!

[@stuartmcpherran5115]

⁠@@vegas1aWhat episode do you have?

[@vegas1a]

@@stuartmcpherran5115 When I wrote my comment, I had only one existing episode, Dragnet - 7x28 The Big War in season 7. Finding The Big Cracker Box made my day as I really like these 1950s episodes, much more so the the 60s versions. I then went to this channel and found 2 more episodes uploaded recently. Dragnet - 7X35 The Big Perfume Bottle 1958 and Dragnet - 7X36 The Big Bed 1958. Pretty good quality on all 3 of these 'new' episodes. Have not taken the time to do a full YT search so I don't know if there are more available. I am now up to 67 of these great episodes.

[@stuartmcpherran5115]

@@vegas1a I'm up to 72.

[@michaelreyes8182]

Superb acting!😂